Chelsea’s brilliant run of results, which saw them beat the likes of Benfica, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, came to a screeching halt on Saturday afternoon.

Instead of picking up another Premier League win against the recently promoted Sunderland, Enzo Maresca’s side managed to lose 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Chemsedine Talbi.

What is most frustrating about the game, though, is that while the West Londoners were not anywhere near their best, they still had chances to win, taking seven shots on target to the Black Cats’ four.

Unfortunately, they just didn’t have their shooting boots on, although with the striker situation at the club, that is hardly surprising.

So, there is an argument that Maresca should look to drop Marc Guiu and start one of Cobham’s most exciting prospects, a striker compared to the legendary Didier Drogba.

1

Goals

2

68%

Possession

32%

16

Total Shots

10

7

Shots on Target

4

629

Passes

293

10

Shots in the Box

7

8

Tackles

14

Chelsea's striker situation

In the summer, Chelsea decided to sell Christopher Nkunku to AC Milan and João Félix to Al-Nassr, while also loaning out David Datro Fofana to Karagümrük and Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Now, while these weren’t necessarily bad moves for the club, they did only sign Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to replace the leaving players, and when the latter went down with a hamstring injury earlier this season, they were forced to recall Marc Guiu from his loan with Sunderland.

Moreover, while nobody can question Pedro’s ability, it has become increasingly clear that his best position is just behind another striker, either as an advanced ten or a classic second striker.

In other words, due to their business and the injury to the former Ipswich Town star, Maresca has been forced to either use Pedro out of his best position, start the young Tyrique George up top when he’s a natural winger, or, as he has done recently, play Guiu.

To give the former Barcelona gem his credit, he did score against Ajax in the Champions League, but against the Black Cats on Saturday, he was poor.

In fact, the Spaniard was so underwhelming that the Standard’s Sam Tabuteau gave him just a 4/10 match rating, writing that he showed ‘plenty of energy but not a lot of finesse.’

In short, Chelsea really need another option up top this season, and while it would be a risk, it looks like Cobham might have the player for them – a player compared to Drogba.

Chelsea's future Drogba

Now, it should really go without saying that comparing a youngster to Drogba is not something that should be done lightly.

After all, the Ivorian icon was one of the best strikers to ever play in the Premier League and is most certainly a massive Chelsea legend.

With that said, there is plenty of excitement building around 18-year-old Shim Mheuka, so much so that one analyst has made the bold comparison, calling him “the new Didier Drogba.”

So then, what makes him such an exceptional talent, and one worthy of a proper run in the first team?

Well, simply put, he is starting to look like a real goal machine and potentially one of “Cobham’s finest” prospects, per talent scout Jacek Kulig.

For example, despite being just 16 at the start of last season, he ended the campaign with 11 goals and three assists to his name, 30 appearances across the U18S and U21S.

Moreover, he also got a few run-outs in the first team, making five appearances totalling 118 minutes across the Conference League and Premier League.

Appearances

59

Goals

31

Assists

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.66

This season, he has taken another leap forward, and as things stand, he has already scored ten goals and provided two assists in just ten appearances, totalling 883 minutes for the U21S and Youth League sides.

That works out to an average of 1.2 goal involvements every game, or one every 73.58 minutes, and if that’s still not enough, he has also racked up a tally of ten goals and three assists in 18 appearances for England’s U19S.

Ultimately, while it is still so early in his career, it is becoming increasingly clear that he is a lethal goalscorer, and while he might not reach the level of a Drogba, he might be able to have a significant impact on the team this season.

Chelsea now looking to sign "outstanding" £168k-a-week CB who's won 11 trophies

The Blues want to bring in a new defender, having struggled defensively at times this season.

ByDominic Lund Oct 27, 2025

Wayne Rooney has revealed that former Manchester United teammate Carlos Tevez was his favourite strike partner at Old Trafford, snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo. The Red Devils legend said he shared a 'special connection' with Tevez during their two seasons together, describing their aggressive, hard-working style as the perfect blend that made them a nightmare for defenders.

• Rooney names Tevez as his best strike partner at Man Utd

  Rooney has opened up about his favourite attacking partnership during his Manchester United career, naming Tevez as the player he most enjoyed playing alongside. The former England captain shared the pitch with a host of world-class forwards under Sir Alex Ferguson, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov, Robin van Persie, Louis Saha and Javier Hernandez. However, when asked who complemented him best, Rooney pointed to Tevez’s relentless work rate, aggression and understanding as the qualities that made their partnership click.

  Rooney and Tevez spearheaded United’s attack between 2007 and 2009, forming a dynamic duo alongside Ronaldo that helped deliver two Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League trophy. The pair combined for 47 goals during that spell, embodying Ferguson’s philosophy of intensity and fluidity in attack. Though Ronaldo’s brilliance often stole the headlines, Rooney insists it was Tevez who brought out the best in his own game.

  Tevez, who joined United on loan from West Ham in 2007, instantly struck up a connection with Rooney through their shared energy and tenacity on the pitch. Their ability to interchange positions and press defenders from the front made them one of the Premier League’s most feared strike pairings. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Man Utd legend explains why he and Tevez clicked so well

  Speaking on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, the United legend said: “Tevez, I really enjoyed playing with Carlos and I enjoyed playing with all of them, but with Carlos, there was a big thing in the papers when we were signing him saying that the two of us [were] too similar [and] we couldn’t play together.”

  “And yeah, I think for the both of us, that really like, you know, we were like, ‘Okay, we’ll show you and stuff [like that],’ and we were aggressive and we worked hard and tackled as well, but then bounced off each other.”

  “One of us plays the [No] 9, the other is a [No] 10 and we change it up and yeah, so he was definitely the favourite one to play with.”

  Rooney’s remarks highlight how his chemistry with Tevez went beyond goals or statistics. Instead, it was built on mutual understanding, unselfish movement, and an unwavering desire to outwork the opposition. While Ronaldo dazzled with his individual brilliance, Rooney’s bond with Tevez was rooted in shared effort and relentless pressing – qualities that made them inseparable on the pitch

• Rooney and Tevez once formed a formidable partnership

  The Rooney-Tevez partnership was short-lived but unforgettable. Both players brought a similar intensity that made Manchester United’s attack uniquely ferocious. Their aggression, energy, and ability to constantly swap roles left defenders guessing, while Ronaldo’s presence added a devastating third dimension.

  Rooney and Tevez complemented each other perfectly because neither was a traditional number nine. Both enjoyed dropping deep to link play, drifting wide to create space, and pressing from the front to recover possession. Their chemistry was instinctive – a reflection of their working-class footballing roots and shared hunger to prove critics wrong after early doubts about their compatibility.

  Reflecting on his time as a central striker under Ferguson, Rooney also admitted he sometimes found the role less enjoyable despite his prolific form. “I had two seasons when I played as the No 9, scored 34 goals in both but I was bored,” he explained. “I liked to play football and be involved in the game… I was scoring goals and we were winning games, but I wanted to get involved.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Tevez and Rooney's differing paths post Old Trafford

  Rooney’s admiration for Tevez serves as a reminder of an era when Manchester United’s attack embodied work ethic as much as flair. While Ronaldo’s legacy as one of the greatest players in history is undisputed, Rooney’s reflections shed light on how footballing chemistry isn’t always about star power. Their partnership remains one of the most iconic in Premier League history precisely because of that mix.

  For Tevez, who went on to represent Manchester City, Juventus, Boca Juniors and Shanghai Shenhua before retiring in 2022, the bond with Rooney remains one of the defining periods of his career.

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo is arguably in dire need of a proven goalscorer to lead his forward line, amid doubts surrounding Niclas Füllkrug and Callum Wilson.

West Ham identify attacking targets for January

Only Nottingham Forest and bottom side Wolves have scored fewer Premier League goals than West Ham so far, with the Hammers alongside Aston Villa and Newcastle as the division’s second-lowest scorers so far.

Following an injury-ridden and all-round lacklustre career at the London Stadium since his move from Borussia Dortmund, despite flashes of occasional brilliance, West Ham brought another injury-prone striker in Callum Wilson to Rush Green on a free transfer to back up the German.

The former Newcastle favourite, who had a habit of scoring against West Ham, is off the mark for his new club after bagging an injury-time goal in their 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest just prior to the September international break.

Since Nuno’s arrival, the Portuguese has elected to go with Fullkrug as the club’s starting number nine — perhaps hoping he can eventually inspire a Chris Wood-level resurgence from the 32-year-old, who racked up 16 goals in all competitions in his last season at Dortmund.

However, given both Wilson and Fullkrug’s torrid injury records, it is hardly prudent to rely on either of them ahead of what will be a long 2025/2026 campaign where the Hammers could be fighting relegation.

January represents an opportunity for West Ham to back Nuno with another centre-forward who can ease the burden on Fullkrug and Wilson, with the Irons believed to be interested in Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee as an option heading into the winter window.

Another very intriguing potential target is also beginning to resurface — Real Madrid starlet Endrick.

The 19-year-old is yet to play a single minute for Xabi Alonso this season, having missed the early part of 2025/2026 with thigh problems, and he’s been an unused substitute in all of their last five games.

Endrick, signed from Palmeiras for around £53 million, has reportedly been subject to an approach from West Ham who could look to sign the Brazil international on loan in January.

West Ham chances of signing Endrick alive for January

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, in an interview with Hammers News, Endrick was open to joining the East Londoners on a temporary deal last January, and the possibility of this happening at the turn of the year still cannot be ruled out.

Endrick, who was once widely regarded as one of the brightest attacking talents in world football, made headlines with his electrifying performances at Palmeiras before his high-profile transfer to Real Madrid.

However, despite his evident skill and potential, breaking into Real’s star-studded first team is a daunting challenge for any teenager, especially in a squad packed with established global superstars.

A loan spell at West Ham would offer the striker a perfect platform to gain valuable experience in a competitive environment on the world’s biggest stage playing Premier League football.

For Nuno’s side, securing a prospect of Endrick’s caliber would bolster their attacking options and inject much-needed creativity into their squad at zero cost — making the move an attractive one for both parties.

Liverpool supporters are likely to be buoyed by some fresh remarks regarding the club’s January transfer business, as FSG line up a move for one of Europe’s brightest defensive talents.

Liverpool's centre-back issues under the spotlight

The Reds have looked flawed this season, with record signings Florian Wirtrz and Alexander Isak still bedding in and Mohamed Salah among those out of form, and they also look light on centre-back options.

Granted, Virgil van Dijk largely looks as good as ever, barring a recent dip, but he is 34 years of age and will need replacing eventually, while Ibrahima Konate has flattered to deceive and is injury-prone.

Joe Gomez is another player who is known for his fitness woes in his career, while highly-rated new signing Giovanni Leoni will cruelly miss the rest of the season after suffering ACL damage in the EFL Cup clash with Southampton.

Not only that, but Marc Guehi is now being linked with a move to Bayern Munich, and Liverpool’s failure to sign the Crystal Palace captain on deadline day is increasingly looking like a bitter blow.

The January window will give the Reds a chance to bolster their defensive options, with Bayern Munich’s Dayo Upamecano linked with a move recently, and now another Bundesliga player has been backed to come in.

Related Liverpool could sign another "phenomenal" England international with Guehi

He is having an outstanding period in his career.

Posts ByHenry Jackson Oct 25, 2025 Liverpool "serious" about strengthening in January

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness, who is well connected on Merseyside and now reports for Football Insider, claims Liverpool could look to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck in January, with “serious movement” expected in the market.

“He’s proven to be the best defender so far this season in the Bundesliga. He looks to be a real talent and he’s the right age at 25. Look, there is no doubt Liverpool are working overtime right now trying to fix this defence. They’ve got to push the boat out in January.

“It doesn’t look as though it’s going to be Schlotterbeck now, but he could still be one of the targets, certainly. I do expect to see some serious movement in January from Liverpool, and they’re going to be spending where they probably hadn’t planned to because there’s some some cracks appearing. They’re going to have to get that defence shored up.”

A new centre-back does feel like a pressing matter for Liverpool, given the aforementioned options there, both in terms of form and fitness.

It often feels like a matter of time before Konate misses a chunk of action, and should Van Dijk pick up an injury, it would have the potential to completely derail the Reds’ season.

Schlotterbeck vs. Guehi this season

Schlotterbeck

Guehi

Appearances

4

8

Starts

4

8

Minutes played

360

720

Clearances per game

5.5

4.9

Tackles per game

1.8

2.0

Aerial duel wins per game

1.8

2.9

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

1

Schlotterbeck stands out as an impressive option alongside Guehi, but it remains to be seen if Dortmund let him go, and the likes of Arne Slot and Richard Hughes have a big decision to make when it comes to whether to wail until the end of the season for the ideal signing or not.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta segunda-feira (2),Botafogo e Goiás ficaram no empate por 1 a 1 no Nilton Santos, pela 25ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, e o resultado mexeu na tabela de classificação da competição. Com o ponto conquistado, o Goiás empurrou o Vasco de volta para a zona de rebaixamento, fazendo com que o Cruz-Maltino assumisse a liderança de um ranking desagradável.

RelacionadasVascoVasco tem semana cheia, treino em São Januário e jogo contra o São Paulo; confira a programaçãoVasco03/10/2023VascoNo aguardo da Prefeitura por reforma de São Januário, Vasco faz pressão no Governo pelo MaracanãVasco04/10/2023VascoVasco terá desfalques importantes contra o São Paulo, mas tem esperança por JairVasco03/10/2023

+Condição especial para matrícula no curso Gestor de Futebol, aprovado por Dante, Petković, Léo Moura e outros craques. Saiba mais!

Terminando a 25ª rodada na zona de rebaixamento, o Vasco atingiu a marca de 121 rodadas dentro do Z-4 desde que o Campeonato Brasileiro passou a ser disputado por pontos corridos, em 2003. Entre os 12 grandes clubes do país, o time de São Cristóvão é o que mais vezes esteve entre os quatro rebaixados.

O Vasco ultrapassou o próprio Botafogo, com 120. Mas ainda vale lembrar que o Vasco não esteve presente em cinco dos últimos 20 campeonatos, já que o clube foi rebaixado quatro vezes (2008, 2013, 2015 e 2020) e em um dos anos não conseguiu subir de maneira imediata.

+No aguardo da Prefeitura por reforma de São Januário, Vasco faz pressão no Governo pelo Maracanã

Mais rodadas na zona do rebaixamento no Campeonato Brasileiro por pontos corridos entre os 12 grandes:

West Indies coach Daren Sammy says there will be a serious discussion around Kraigg Brathwaite’s position ahead of the Jamaica Test, while remaining hopeful that his struggling batting group can find a way to back up the performances of the fast bowlers following a series-conceding defeat to Australia in Grenada.West Indies were bundled for 143 in the fourth innings, chasing 277 to win, on the fourth day with the margin of victory flattered slightly by Shamar Joseph’s late-innings hitting in the same manner it was in the first Test in Barbados.The hosts’ top order was against steamrolled by Australia’s relentless fast-bowling cartel, slumping to 33 for 4 at lunch on the fourth day. But while West Indies’ top-order struggles have mirrored Australia’s, the middle and lower-order were unable to rescue them as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ripped the game away in a six-over burst in the middle session to leave West Indies 99 for 7 and without a recognised batter left.Related

• Starc, Hazlewood make quick work of West Indies to help Australia retain Frank Worrell Trophy

• Lights for Sabina Park day-night Test need final approval

Sammy acknowledged that there was pressure on former captain Brathwaite, who is the only West Indies batter not to reach double-figures in the series to date. His 100th Test was a forgettable one, with scores of just 0 and 7 following 4 and 4 in Barbados. Brathwaite averages 18.68 in his last 35 Test innings with just three half-centuries.”He hasn’t looked good this series, and in a team where you are searching for performances, you get very close to say ‘okay, do we give somebody else a chance?'” Sammy said after the loss in Grenada. “But we will really have a good discussion, myself, the selection group, and the captain himself, about that particular situation.”Sammy conceded that it was a tough ask for his batting line-up to handle Australia’s attack on the two pitches that have been presented in the series so far and noted that most of the new-look line-up were at the start of a journey to becoming a more reliable Test batting unit. But he cited the example of Steven Smith in terms of how to make technical adaptations on a difficult surface to have success.1:08

Starc stars from around the wicket

“But I do understand the journey that I took on, and Rome is not going to be built in a day. So a little bit of patience, a little bit of reality as to where we are at is something that we are aware of, and then continue to put in the work.”The way the guys have bought into what we’re trying to do, yes, the results have not shown, but some of the attitudes that are changing and understanding what we’re trying to do, it gives me hope.”Sammy said there was a need for first-class pitches in the Caribbean to be better so that West Indies could produce some stronger batting stocks for Test cricket.”It’s hard to produce the quality of batters that we want to compete,” Sammy said. “When you look at the surfaces that we play on, it’s hard. If you look at all the averages, we barely have guys averaging 40-plus in [first-class] cricket. Those type of pitches, it doesn’t allow you to come up technically sound, because you’re really unsure. There’s always doubt. And in an ideal world, you want to see our guys perform because of, not in spite of.”It’s something myself, the director of cricket, the franchise system, we’ve looked at very, very closely in trying to change that, trying to send the head groundsmen all over, trying to get the sort of wickets that allow batters to trust their techniques and stuff like that. And we also have some probably technical deficiencies that carry on from the Under-19, the youth level up to the national team.”In spite of all of that, we still find ourselves in positions to win and compete, and that’s where you will need more of the mental toughness of the game to restrict you from getting too ahead of your stroke-play and show a little bit more fight and understand that we are playing against the No. 1 team, and be a little tighter, and when opportunities present to score then we do that.”1:36

Cummins heaps praise on ‘warrior’ Starc and ‘prolific’ Carey

Sammy was delighted with his team’s bowling performance overall after they bowled Australia out for 286 and 243 in Grenada to give themselves a chance at victory, although he was hopeful they could tighten the screws against the visitors’ middle order, having twice let Australia off the hook following early breakthroughs.”For some reason, after lunch, that session, whether we bat or bowl, we’ve been really poor,” Sammy said. “If you put our bowling between yesterday’s last 12 overs and this morning’s session, however many we bowled, this is a level of consistency we look at.”Our bowling, we can’t fault them, they’ve gotten 40 wickets. I don’t know when last we got 40 wickets against a top-three team in two Test matches. So the bowlers are doing the job.”Like Australia, Sammy said his side had yet to procure any pink Dukes balls ahead of the day-night pink-ball Test in Jamaica. But despite some concerns surrounding the preparation of the ground at Sabina Park, Sammy said it would be a historic event and was confident the match would be played under lights as planned.

Wayne Rooney has opened up on the biggest regret of his entire footballing career – and it involves Cristiano Ronaldo. Rooney played at three World Cups for England but has revealed that he wishes he had sat one of them out as he was not fully fit at the time. The legendary striker also admitted he was close to not joining Manchester United after a rival Premier League side enquired about him.

GettyRooney wishes he didn't play at 2006 World Cup

Rooney was at the peak of his powers a few months out from the 2006 World Cup, his next tournament after exploding onto the scene at Euro 2004. However, the striker suffered a metatarsal injury just one month out from the World Cup in Germany when playing for United against Chelsea. He faced a race against time to be fit for the big event, which ended in massive disappointment as he was sent off in the quarter-final tie with Portugal. Rooney accidentally stamped on Ricardo Carvalho and Ronaldo was one of several players to encourage the referee to send Rooney off. Ronaldo was later seen winking at the Portugal bench. 

And Rooney has admitted that he wished he had never gone to the tournament. He told 'The Wayne Rooney show' on the : "I regret going to the World Cup 2006 probably. I weren’t fit, I shouldn't have went and then it ended with getting a red card and so yeah if I went back, I probably wouldn't go."

AdvertisementHow Rooney-Ronaldo partnership almost never happened

Rooney struck up an incredible partnership with Ronaldo at United, winning three Premier League titles together and reaching successive Champions League finals. However, they nearly never played together. Rooney revealed that Newcastle United rivalled the Red Devils for his signature in 2004 before he eventually moved to Old Trafford for £27m.

Rooney explained: "I would have certainly went [to Newcastle]. Manchester United wanted to wait a season and then sign me the year after they did sign me. Newcastle put a bid in and if Manchester United hadn't come in, I would have gone to Newcastle. Those two were bidding against each other. My agent's best mate was chairman at Newcastle at the time! So I'm sure he was getting nudged to try to get me as well.

"I wanted to go to Manchester United, but I spoke with Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer. In true Bobby Robson style, on the phone he called me 'Mark'. I thought he had either forgotten my name or he was a genius – because that's my middle name."

AFPRooney: I was quicker than Ronaldo

Rooney has said that he was quicker than Ronaldo in his prime although he was not the fastest player in the United squad. "We’d done tests at over 30 yards I think it was, and I was topping that and Owen Hargreaves was second," he said. "Owen was quicker than when people think.  so yeah, I was, I was faster than that. But there's all different aspects in, in football. Cristiano obviously dribbling with the ball is really quick, Ryan Giggs dribbling with the ball. Some players seemed quicker with the ball and then without it as well."

While Rooney retired from football in 2020, Ronaldo is still going strong with Portugal and Al-Nassr. And Rooney is convinced his former team-mate will reach his long-held target of scoring 1000 goals before he hangs up his boots. He said: "One hundred percent.  He’s not retired before he’s caused thousands.  It’d be great for him as well if he does that and I’m sure over the next couple of years he’ll be playing with his son alongside him, so I think that’s a big thing as well for him."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Rooney etched into Man Utd history

United's decision to sign Rooney back in 2004 proved a masterstroke, with the striker going on to become the club's all-time leading scorer with a staggering 253 goals. He also played a major hand in winning 12 trophies, including five Premier League titles and one Champions League.