We are all aware of the fact that Premier League is arguably the most competitive league in the world and over the years it has also become the richest league. Not only do the Big 6 teams spend lavishly in the transfer windows but the Villas and the Brightons have also shown that they're not shy of making big money signings and lure marquee players in their team. In this chapter, we take a look at the top 10 done deals in the transfer window until now, in the month of June and assess the signings.

Kai Havertz

The German international joined the Gunners for £65m in a long term deal from Arsenal's London rivals, Chelsea. The 24-year-old was Arsenal's first signing in the summer and it was one of those "done deals" which no one expected to happen so quickly but after the personal terms were agreed it looked inevitable.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager rates the former Chelsea player highly. He thinks that Havertz is a player of top quality who has great versatility and would strengthen Arsenal's midfield even more.

Havertz could be critical in Arsenal's midfield after Xhaka's departure, as reported by many journalists. He's expected to do well after gathering 3-years of Premier League experience in the Chelsea shirt but would be interesting to see what Arteta does with him.

Also read : Arsenal's most expensive players of all time.

Alexis Mac Allister

The World Cup winner joined Liverpool for a mere £35m. He has signed a five-year contract and is Liverpool's first signing of the season. The amount at which Liverpool signed him, in today's transfer market, is considered as an absolute bargain.

After Wijnaldum left for PSG last summer, and with Henderson and Milner's growing age, Liverpool was expected to buy a midfielder in the summer and Mac Allister looked like a perfect fit for them.

The Argentine has been very effective for Brighton and Kloop expect him to do the same at Liverpool as well. He has great ball carrying ability and is also known for his progressive runs turning defence into attack. At times, if Salah steps down from taking a penalty he could be the one to step up because he's great from the spot too.

James Maddison

Spurs have signed English midfielder in the name of James Maddison for £40m on five-year contract from Leicester City. Maddison has been immense for the foxes and with them getting relegated last season, his departure was almost inevitable.

Newcastle United was also in the race for signing of the midfielder but Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham's manager convinced Maddison otherwise. Tottenham lacked a playmaker in the midfield for quite some years now and looks like they've finally got one since Eriksen's departure.

Harry Kane and the other forwards could benefit a lot from this signing as Maddison could spot a run from a distance. He's also good on free kicks and has other qualities of a creative midfielder. He has been Premier League proven and could do really well in Spurs.

Christopher Nkunku

Chelsea have triggered the release clause of £52m for Christopher Nkunku. He has joined the Blues for six years and it was negotiated beforehand only, in the January transfer window. So it was not as much of a surprise like others we could all see it coming but still it is one of the top 10 done deals because of the impact he's expected to have at Stamford Bridge.

Nkunku is a player who can play as a striker, which is an absolute need for Chelsea but mainly is a second striker or playes behind the striker, he's more efficient and effective from there. He's more like a classic No. 10 player or at least used to play in that position for RB Leipzig.

He has scored 16 goals in 25 Bundesliga appearances for the German side and has also helped them in winning the DFB-Pokal trophy. Chelsea would need him to deliver as they're on the rise again after last season's embarrassing performance.

Dejan Kulusevski

The next player on the list of top 10 done deals is the Swedish winger who initially joined Tottenham on an 18-month loan from Juventus in January 2022, with an option to buy for £29.2m. He has now signed a five-year deal with his loan spell set to end this summer, for a reduced fee of £25m. He was crucial in Tottenham's 2022 UCL qualification but In 2023 season he was not that effective for the team.

He scored 7 times in his 57 appearances for Tottenham and would like to improve that goal ratio now that he is set to stay for a long time. His link up play with Kane and Son was eye-catching but it happened so rarely it wasn't mentioned a lot.

Ange Postecoglou would like to make that link up play happen more often as Tottenham has struggled to score goals in the last season under Antonio Conte. Kulusevski would like to make use of that brilliant left foot of his and score some goals in the upcoming season as he's crucial for the team.

Mateo Kovacic

After losing their captain, Ilkay Gündogan to Barcelona, Manchester City were in search of a new No. 8 and they've found Mateo Kovacic to fill that void. He signed the Cityzens for £25m plus £5m add-ons.

The former Real Madrid player has been playing in the Stamford Bridge for 5 years since 2018 and was instrumental in their success during the years. He has won 4 major trophies for the blues which includes a Champions league where Chelsea defeated Guardiola's Manchester City only.

Kovacic has been given the no. 8 jersey which specify that he's gonna play in his usual box to box midfield position and try to be effective from there. He's just better defensively than Gundogan and would like to improve and add other attributes too in order to fill in his shoes.

Nicolas Jackson

Chelsea has signed a Senegalese striker in the name of Nicolas Jackson. The Villarreal player has joined the Blues for slightly more than his £30.1m release clause in exchange for more favourable payment terms.

Chelsea have been desperate for a striker and the Senegal international has been one of La Liga's finest young talents last season. He has scored 12 goals in 26 games for the Spanish side and became one of Laliga's breakout star. In the past years Chelsea have not been a great home for their striker but Jackson would like to break that curse. If Chelsea doesn't sign any more strikers, which is their priority this summer Jackson could line up alongside Christopher Nkunku.

Youri Tielemans

Another Leicester City player, who was also expected to leave the club because of their relegation from the Premier League has left. His contract with the Foxes has also ended so he signed for Aston Villa as a free agent.

The Belgium international is known for his long shots from outside the box which brought him many glory and success in the past. He's also a very good defensive midfielder who occasionally goes forward. Unai Emery, the Aston Villa manager could use him alongside Douglas Luiz and form a nice pairing with him.

Joao Pedro

The next player in the list of top 10 deal deals is the Brazilian forward, who was signed by Brighton for a club record fee of just under £30m. Pedro used to play for the Championship side, Watford and has been one of the standout performers there in the last season.

The 21-year-old has scored 11 goals in 35 appearances last season which might not sound that impressive but his overall impact on the team was great. The Seagulls have broke the bank for the striker so he's not expected to be a bench warmer in De Zerbi's side. He is a young talent and have the potential of becoming one of the emerging players in the Premier League.

Jefferson Lerma

The Colombia international has signed a three-year contract for Crystal Palace for free as his Bournemouth contract was set to expire this season. He has been impressive for Bournemouth last season and helped them not get relegated. He started 35 Premier League appearances and also bagged 5 goals as a midfield player.

Palace are going to lose two midfielders this summer with club captain Luka Milivojevic and James McArthur as their contract is set to expire at the end of June. So Jefferson could come in and fill that void and would be also offering his Premier League experience.

This fixture holds so much history in the League fondly called the Merseyside derby it was one of the most fiercely contested games. As these two iconic clubs clash again, the stakes are as high as ever, with city pride and crucial points on the line. Everton will look to break Liverpool’s dominance in recent meetings, while the Reds aim to assert their superiority and keep their season's momentum alive.

Match Details

Match: Everton vs Liverpool

Date: 07/12/2024

Time: 6:00 pm (IST)

Venue: Goodison Park, Liverpool, England.

Match Preview

Everton will bid farewell to Goodison Park at the end of the season, a stadium that has been their home for decades and the venue for 244 Merseyside derbies. The 245th derby, set for tomorrow, will be the last held at Goodison before the club transitions to their new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock.

This historic occasion adds extra intensity, as Everton will be determined not to lose their final derby at the iconic ground to their fierce local rivals. Bragging rights and legacy will be on the line.

Everton manager Sean Dyche heads into the match with confidence following a dominant 4-0 win over Wolves midweek, a performance that highlighted their set-piece strength, with players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Tarkowski posing significant aerial threats.

Their physicality in midfield will also be key to disrupting Liverpool’s flow, potentially creating a hostile environment that the Reds have struggled with in the past.

Read Also |  Erik Ten Hag is reportedly shortlisted to replace Marco Rose as the next RB Leipzig manager

On the other hand, Liverpool manager Arne Slot will aim to rally his team after a frustrating draw against Newcastle, where they dropped two crucial points. Slot's side faces pressure from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea closing in behind them in the standings. 

Liverpool, however, have match-winners aplenty, with Mohamed Salah in exceptional form. His pace, sharp runs, and finishing ability will test Everton's defensive resolve. Liverpool also boasts creativity throughout the squad, capable of turning even the most random moments into goal-scoring opportunities.

While Liverpool may be favorites, Everton’s determination to make their last derby at Goodison unforgettable could set the stage for an unpredictable and thrilling encounter.

Read Also | 5 Foreign Stars Who Have Scored Most Goals in Premier League History

Head- to- Head Stats

The two sides have played 64 times with Liverpool dominating the fixture. in the last 5 meetings, the visitors have won 3 times, while Everton has won once and the other has ended in a draw.

Matches played- 64

Liverpool win- 28

Everton win- 11

Draws- 25

Team News

Everton

Armando Broja made his Everton debut late in Wednesday's victory and had a promising impact, creating two opportunities that Jack Harrison failed to convert.

Broja's return adds competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who reclaimed his spot from Beto midweek and contributed to the two own goals scored by Craig Dawson.

Meanwhile, Youssef Chermiti is expected to return in a week or two to further strengthen Everton’s attacking lineup. In midfield, James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam are also working to regain fitness ahead of the demanding winter schedule.

Michael Keane is doubtful while Youssef Chermiti (foot), Tim Iroegbunam (foot) and James Garner (back) remain sidelined.

Read Also | "I will not wait until summer" Joshua Kimmich plans to decide his future very soon

Liverpool

Liverpool's defensive pair, Ibrahima Konate, and Conor Bradley, remain unavailable, and their absence was evident on Wednesday, with Joe Gomez struggling at the back, Jarrell Quansah may be the preferred option to partner Virgil van Dijk in defense.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is nearing a return, although Slot has indicated that he won’t rush him back due to Caoimhin Kelleher’s strong form. However, following Kelleher's costly mistake on Wednesday, Alisson could return sooner than expected.

Alexis Mac Allister will miss the match due to a suspension after his booking at Newcastle, and it seems unlikely that Diogo Jota or Federico Chiesa will feature in such a high-intensity game.

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Possible Lineups

Everton's possible starting lineup:

Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Ndiaye, Gueye, Mangala, Doucoure, McNeil; Calvert-Lewin

Liverpool's possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

Crystal Palace captain and England international, Marc Guehi, has avoided disciplinary action from the English Football Association (FA), despite breaching the Premier League regulations. The defender wrote a religious message on his rainbow armband to celebrate LGBTQ+ during Crystal Palace's Premier League outing against Newcastle United on 30 November, which ended up in a 1-1 draw.

The series of events 

Marc Guehi wrote religious messages on his captain's armband in Crystal Palace's dedicated 'Rainbow Laces' Premier League game against Newcastle United. Being a devoted Christian, he wrote "I love Jesus" on the armband for the game on 30 November 2024, which caught the eyes of the FA.

Significantly, Guehi did not write the word 'love' on the rainbow armband but he used a love sign instead. However, Guehi was warned about violating regulations regarding on-field slogans. Despite this warning, the 24-year-old defender proceeded to write "Jesus 'hearts' you" on his rainbow armband during the very next match against Ipswich Town on 4 December 2024. 

The regulation regarding slogans says:

Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans. For any offence, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, the national association or by FIFA

The FA again warned Crystal Palace regarding the existing kit regulations. However, despite a second breach of the rule, they have decided against taking any measure.

Marc Guehi spoke to Sky Sports and explained his intentions behind the messages he wrote.

The message was pretty clear, to be honest. It was a message of love, of truth as well, and a message of inclusivity. So I think it speaks for itself,

Following the 1-0 victory against Ipswich on Tuesday, Palace manager Oliver Glasner commented regarding this issue in a post-match interview:

We respect every single player, especially Marc, who is our captain. He is a great guy, very humble and we shouldn't make it bigger than it is, he is very respectful to everyone in the club.

In football we are all against discrimination, it's a great campaign. We spoke about it, we speak often as he is my captain.

He is no child, he is an adult, he has his opinion and we accept and respect every opinion. The quote of this campaign is to be tolerant and Marc is very tolerant.

Recent rejections against LGBTQ+ celebrations from the Premier League players 

The Premier League and FA partnered with Stonewall, an LGBTQ+ charity, to promote inclusivity and diversity in football. As part of their 'Rainbow Laces' campaign, all 20 Premier League clubs were provided with rainbow-colored captain armbands to wear during matches last weekend and this week. This initiative, which began in 2013, aims to raise awareness and support for the LGBTQ+ community within the sport. 

However, there has been some recent displeasure the players have expressed due to their own opinions and beliefs. Ipswich Town's captain Sam Morsy was the only Premier League captain who did not wear the rainbow armband during the campaign in their recent PL outings against Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace. Ipswich stated that Morsy is a practicing Muslim and he did not wear the armband due to his religious beliefs. However, FA did not take any action as wearing the rainbow armband has not been mandatory.

On the other hand, Manchester United reportedly canceled plans to wear the special jackets supporting the LGBTQ+ community for their Premier League match against Everton on 1 December 2024; after one of their players refused to participate in the initiative. According to the Athletic, the player was Noussair Mazraoui who refused to wear the jackets due to his religious beliefs. United refused to confirm the identity of the player. 

Set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the restructured global club football competition will bring together 32 teams from across the world to vie for the title of world champions.

The draw, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Miami, showcased an impressive lineup of continental and domestic champions from every corner of the globe.

Among the standout contenders are Spain's Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League winners, Brazil's Botafogo, the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions, and Egypt's Al Ahly, who are consecutive CAF Champions League winners.

New Format

Traditionally featuring six to eight teams, the FIFA Club World Cup will now adopt a new format, hosting the largest number of participants in its history. Teams earned qualification by winning their respective continental club tournaments, such as the UEFA Champions League, and based on the confederations' four-year rankings.

South America (CONMEBOL) includes six teams, whereas Europe (whose confederation is UEFA) has twelve, making up the largest representation of the 32 teams.

There are four teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Africa (AFC), and Asia (AFC).

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was given a spot, as the domestic champions of the host country, Oceania (OFC) got one spot as well. The top two from each of the 8 groups will advance to the knockout stages after a round-robin group stage.

The final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July.

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FIFA Club World Cup Groups

When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States of America.

How many teams will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

A total of 32 teams from 6 continents will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The Premier League has traditionally served as a platform for global talent, with players from all over the world displaying their abilities in one of the most competitive football leagues. Few international players have achieved remarkable heights making a lasting impression with their goal-scoring skills.

1. Sergio Aguero-184 goals

Many people consider Argentine forward Sergio Aguero among Premier League history's best strikers. Aguero, who played for Manchester City from 2011 to 2021, changed the course of history with his precision finishing and ability to score goals at pivotal times. He has the best goals-to-games ratio of any player with more than 150 Premier League goals, scoring an incredible 184 goals in 275 games.

Aguero's most memorable moment came in 2012 when he dramatically won Manchester City's first Premier League title with an injury-time goal against QPR. He became a legend for City and the league at large due to his reliability and ability to perform well in crucial games.

Read Also | The Premier League’s Rising Stars in 2024

2. Thierry Henry- 175 goals

Thierry Henry, a French maestro, is known for his grace and skill in front of goal. Over two stints with the North London club, the Arsenal star scored 175 goals in 258 Premier League games. Henry won the Premier League Golden Boot four times, more than any other player in Premier League history, and was renowned for his incredible speed, skill, and ability to score spectacular goals on his own.

He scored 30 league goals and guided Arsenal to the championship during the undefeated "Invincibles" season of 2003–04, which was his most productive performance. Henry established the standard for what it meant to be a complete forward, his legacy endures even after retiring from football.

Read Also | Breaking Down the Most Iconic Football Facts and Moments of All Time

3. Mohammed Salah- 170 goals

Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Mohamed Salah has become one of the Premier League's most prolific goal-scorers. With more than 150 goals to his name, the Egyptian forward has consolidated his status as one of the greatest of all time. Salah made an explosive start, scoring 32 goals in the 2017-18 season, setting the record for the most goals in a 38-game campaign before Erling Haaland broke it again with 36 goals. 

Known for his blistering speed, sharp finishing, and relentless work ethic, Salah has been instrumental in Liverpool's recent successes, including their 2019-20 Premier League title. He may break more records as he continues to find the back of the net with remarkable consistency this season.

 4. Robin Van Persie- 144 goals

Robin Van Persie, who scored 144 goals in 280 Premier League games, is renowned for his exquisite finishing and outstanding technique. He won the Premier League Golden Boot twice (2011–12, 2012–13) he played for Manchester United from 2012–2015 and Arsenal from 2004–2012.

His best season was 2012–13 when he scored 26 goals and helped United win their 20th EPL title. Van Persie was one of the most feared strikers in the league because of his versatility, and ability to score from a variety of positions.

 5. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink- 127 goals

The Dutchman combined physicality and powerful shots to create a formidable presence in front of goal. Between 1997 and 2007, he made 288 Premier League appearances, scoring 127 goals while playing for Leeds United, Chelsea, Middlesbrough, and Charlton Athletic.

With two Golden Boot victories (1998–99 and 2000–01), he rose to fame for his long-range shots and clinical finishing. He is still regarded as one of the best strikers to play in a Chelsea jersey.

Former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag has been reportedly considered to be appointed as the next head coach of RB Leipzig. The Bundesliga side has been struggling across all competitions under current manager Marco Rose, and the Leipzig officials are in hunt for a new coach. 

🇳🇱🧠 Erik ten Hag has been on RB Leipzig's list recently, reports @SkySportDE. 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/xhNAkYJrGN

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 3, 2024

Ten Hag was sacked by Manchester United in October 2024 after a series of distressing performances and he has not taken up any job since then. Now the Dutch coach has emerged as a strong candidate to sit in the dugout of RB Leipzig as the new head coach.  

The scenario 

Pressure is mounting on current Leipzig manager Marco Rose following RB Leipzig's poor display in the UEFA Champions League and Bundesliga. Leipzig is currently positioned 34th in the 36-team league phase, losing all five matches they played in the UCL this season. They are currently 4th in the Bundesliga table with 21 points in 12 matches but it is not very convincing for Marco Rose. 

Leipzig were on a 6-match winless streak since their second-round win by 4-2 in DFB Pokal against St. Pauli in October 2024. The club lost decisively to Dortmund, Hoffenheim, and Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, and fell to Celtic and Inter Milan in both UCL matches. They only managed to bag one point after their goalless draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 9 November 2024. 

However, Leipzig thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt by 3-0 in the DFB Pokal Round of 16 last night to progress to the next round which has brought a lifeline for Rose. Leipzig will face Holstein Kiel in the Bundesliga later this week and they will face Aston Villa in the UEFA Champions League next week. Without any further development, both these matches will be very crucial for Rose and the German coach may try his best to save his job. 

The shortlisted candidates 

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was appointed the Global Strategist for Red Bull Football Group. Klopp will oversee the football operations across the clubs under Red Bull Football Group which are RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg, RB Bragatino, and RB New York. There is a list of potential successors of Marco Rose and the next coach's name will be finalized by Jurgen Klopp, although he will start his tenure on 1 January 2025. 

🚨 Jurgen Klopp joins The Red Bull Group as new Global Head of Soccer, coordinating all the clubs including RB Leipzig, Salzburg and more.

Klopp will advise all the clubs on transfers/strategy from January 1, 2025.

“I want to develop the incredible soccer talent that we have”. pic.twitter.com/RTq4TpC2Iy

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 9, 2024

Erik Ten Hag is reportedly the frontrunner for the job. The former Manchester United boss won two trophies at United but he is mostly respected for the construction of a feared Ajax side that reached the UCL semifinals in the 2018-19 season. 

According to Sky Germany, Roger Schmidt is another potential candidate for the job. The 57-year-old coach previously managed RB Leipzig's counterpart RB Salzburg and he was sacked by Benfica in August 2024. 

According to BILD, David Baum is also on the shortlist. Baum is currently the academy manager of RB Leipzig. The 45-year-old German coach previously managed German sides such as Augsburg and Schalke 04 and German national team age group teams.