Former England defender Joleon Lescott has scrutinised Arsenal’s decision to sign Viktor Gyokeres, claiming the Gunners should have purchased Joao Pedro instead.
Gyokeres arrived at the Emirates Stadium from Sporting Lisbon for £64m this summer as the club’s primary transfer target.
However, the Sweden international has struggled to replicate his prolific Portuguese form since moving to North London.
The 27-year-old has scored just eight times in 25 appearances across all competitions.
His latest display came in a frustrating 2-2 draw against struggling Wolves on Wednesday night.
Lescott questions transfer strategy
Lescott believes Arsenal missed a trick by overlooking other Premier League-proven options during the window.
Speaking to Sky Bet, the pundit highlighted Chelsea’s Joao Pedro and Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike as superior alternatives.
“I thought Viktor Gyokeres was brought in to start for Arsenal. You’re not spending that amount of money, having identified that position, for him not to play.”
Joleon Lescott, speaking to Sky Bet
“It’s easy to say now that Arsenal should have gone for Hugo Ekitike. Joao Pedro is another striker I don’t know why Arsenal didn’t buy.”
Lescott referenced a period earlier in the campaign where the striker was frequently left out of the starting line-up.
Rivals outperforming Gunners forward
Both suggested alternatives have enjoyed stronger individual campaigns than the Arsenal man.
Pedro, who moved to Stamford Bridge for £60m, has netted 10 Premier League goals and provided four assists.
The former Brighton forward had been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates before Chelsea completed the deal.
Meanwhile, Ekitike joined Liverpool in a £79m transfer and has also reached double figures for goals this term.
Despite Arsenal’s ongoing title bid, the scrutiny on their centre-forward continues to grow.
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has also weighed in on Gyokeres’ struggles recently.
Hamann stated last month that he did not believe the forward was “good enough” for a side chasing major silverware.
FIFA is considering introducing a new regulation dubbed the ‘Prestianni Law’ to punish players who cover their mouths to conceal insults following racism allegations involving Vinicius Jr.
World football’s governing body is reportedly preparing a proposal to close a disciplinary loophole that complicates investigations into verbal abuse.
The potential change follows a controversial incident during Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over Benfica at the Estadio da Luz.
Allegations mar Champions League clash
Real Madrid players accused Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing Vinicius Jr during the second half of the knockout tie.
Kylian Mbappe claimed the 20-year-old called the Brazilian forward a “monkey” five times while obscuring his mouth with his shirt.
French referee Francois Letexier halted proceedings for 10 minutes before play eventually resumed.
The Argentine youngster remained on the pitch until the 81st minute before being substituted by manager Jose Mourinho.
Closing the loophole
According to reports from beIN Sports, FIFA’s Player Panel has suggested the new measures to combat hate speech.
The proposed rule would see sanctions applied to individuals who deliberately cover their mouths to hide offensive language from cameras and officials.
Current technology and lip-reading techniques are often rendered ineffective when players shield their faces during confrontations.
While shielding the mouth for tactical discussions is commonplace, the new mandate aims to distinguish these moments from gestures intended to conceal abuse.
Prestianni denies abuse claims
The Benfica player released a statement via Instagram following Real Madrid’s 1-0 win, strenuously denying the accusations.
“I want to clarify that at no point did I direct racist insults at Vinicius Jr, who unfortunately misunderstood what he thought he heard.”
Prestianni added that he had never been racist toward anyone and expressed regret regarding threats received from opposition players.
Benfica have supported their player, releasing footage on social media arguing that the Real Madrid squad could not have heard the alleged comments.
Liam Rosenior has made an immediate impact as Chelsea head coach, winning eight of his first 11 matches while revitalising the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.
The new Blues boss has wasted little time in establishing a connection with his squad.
A lighthearted moment at Molineux recently encapsulated the shift in mood.
Rosenior was interrupted during a post-match interview by a grinning Cole Palmer, fresh from scoring a hat-trick to sink Wolves.
It highlighted a genuine rapport between the dugout and the dressing room that has been swiftly established in west London.
Winning over the doubters
The on-pitch results have helped silence initial scepticism.
Since taking charge, the west London club have secured eight victories, with their only setbacks coming in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal and a draw with Leeds.
A emphatic 4-0 FA Cup victory over Hull City last Friday saw the head coach serenaded by both sets of supporters at his former home.
Rosenior arrived from sister club Strasbourg amid concerns regarding his status as a "company man" for the ownership group.
However, the self-assured coach believes he can change that perception permanently.
"I hope in time they’ll say it’s the best decision this club’s ever made," Rosenior said.
Tactical freedom releases Palmer
The rigid structure favoured by predecessor Enzo Maresca has been replaced by a more fluid approach.
While the schedule has limited training time at Cobham, the tactical adjustments are already visible.
This shift has notably benefitted Palmer, who appears to have rediscovered the freedom to take risks that he enjoyed under Mauricio Pochettino.
"When you’re the level of player I get to work with here, the reason most of them are world class is they make great decisions in the moment," Rosenior explained.
The manager insists his role is not to dictate every movement, but to provide a platform for expression.
"My job is not to tell them where to be," he added.
Midfield adjustments paying off
There have been significant personnel adjustments in the engine room, too.
Andrey Santos, who worked with Rosenior in France, has been successfully deployed deep in central midfield.
This strategic move has freed up Moises Caicedo, allowing the Ecuadorian to roam aggressively and win possession higher up the pitch.
With the Champions League knockout stages beckoning next month, Rosenior’s foundation for success appears to be setting rapidly.
Crystal Palace are prepared to accelerate their interest in Thomas Frank after increasing pressure on current manager Oliver Glasner following a stalemate in Europe.
The Eagles were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw away at Bosnian side HSK Zrinjski on Thursday evening.
Travelling supporters expressed their anger after the final whistle, with chants calling for the manager’s dismissal clearly audible inside the stadium.
While the Premier League side can still advance in the return leg, the performance has intensified scrutiny on the dugout.
Glasner’s authority erodes after poor run
The Austrian coach had already confirmed his intention to depart Selhurst Park at the conclusion of the current campaign.
However, a dismal run of form seeing just one victory in all competitions throughout 2026 may force the hierarchy to act sooner.
Momentum has stalled significantly since the departure of club captain Marc Guehi, with the squad appearing devoid of motivation.
There is a growing sense that the 50-year-old has effectively checked out, leaving the team drifting without clear direction.
Frank targeted for immediate impact
Palace officials are now reportedly readying a formal approach for Thomas Frank to arrest the slide.
The Danish tactician is currently a free agent following his departure from Tottenham Hotspur.
Although initial plans focused on a summer appointment, the south London club believe an immediate change is necessary to salvage the season.
Installing the former Brentford head coach now would allow for a tactical reset while the club remains in contention for European progression.
Former Novara and Cesena defender Christian Jidayi has been found dead aged 38 in Italy following a police search.
The ex-footballer’s body was discovered in a pine forest in Lido Adriano, near Ravenna, around midnight on Tuesday.
Jidayi, who was serving as an officer with the Provincial Police of Ravenna, had failed to report for his shift earlier that day.
Authorities launched a search after colleagues raised the alarm, eventually locating the 38-year-old via mobile phone tracking.
A career in Calcio
The right-back spent over a decade in Italian football, beginning his career with Cesena’s youth academy in 2005.
He went on to make appearances in Serie B and won the Lega Pro Prima Divisione title with Novara during the 2009-10 campaign.
Although part of the Novara squad that competed in Serie A in 2011-12, he did not feature in the top flight.
Jidayi’s most significant spell came at Forlì, where he featured heavily during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons.
His former club paid tribute following the news.
“[We offer] heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones at this time of great grief.”
Forlì Football Club statement
Life after football
Following his retirement in 2017, the Avellino-born defender briefly transitioned into coaching as assistant manager of San Marino Calcio.
He later joined the police force, transferring to the Ravenna division last July after passing his exams.
Local authorities confirmed an investigation into the circumstances of his death is currently under way.
He is survived by his family, including his older brother William, who also played professionally for Sassuolo and Padova.
Manchester United have reportedly submitted a £35m bid for Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao as the club plans a defensive overhaul ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils are expected to be active in the upcoming market after a quiet January, with reports indicating a formal offer has been lodged for the Brazilian international.
Old Trafford chiefs are prioritizing reinforcements at the back amid growing uncertainty regarding the future of current squad members.
Experience needed at Old Trafford
Militao is viewed as a player who could inject immediate quality and a winning mentality into the Premier League side’s backline.
The former Porto defender is highly regarded in the Spanish capital, having established himself as a key figure under Carlo Ancelotti.
The Real Madrid manager has previously heaped praise on the stopper’s abilities.
“He is one of the best in the world.”
Beyond his defensive acumen, the 26-year-old’s versatility is a significant draw for United, given his ability to operate comfortably at right-back.
While the club have invested in youth with the recent acquisitions of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, a seasoned professional is seen as vital to balance the squad’s development.
Maguire facing potential exit
The pursuit of the La Liga star coincides with doubts surrounding Harry Maguire’s long-term status at the club.
The England international is out of contract in the summer and has yet to agree to new terms with the Manchester outfit.
Should the former club captain depart on a free transfer, the arrival of a Champions League winner would be seen as a significant upgrade.
However, convincing the Spanish giants to part with such a valuable asset may prove difficult despite the reported financial offer.
Celtic are on the verge of elimination from the Europa League after Kasper Schmeichel’s errors contributed to a dismal 4-1 home defeat by Stuttgart in the knockout round play-off first leg.
Schmeichel struggles on difficult night
The 39-year-old goalkeeper was jeered by sections of the home crowd after being at fault for two of the Bundesliga side’s goals.
Bilal El Khannouss struck twice for the visitors, while Jamie Leweling and Tiago Tomas also found the net to leave the Scottish Premiership leaders with a mountain to climb.
The match began in chaotic fashion as play was halted immediately due to tennis balls being thrown onto the pitch in protest against the club’s board.
Once play resumed, a defensive mix-up allowed El Khannouss to beat the Danish veteran at his near post with a drive that slipped past his left foot.
German side take control
Benjamin Nygren briefly restored parity, intercepting a loose pass to round the opposition goalkeeper and slot home his 16th goal of the campaign.
However, the celebrations were short-lived as El Khannouss was left unmarked to head home a deflected cross just minutes later.
Stuttgart extended their advantage shortly after the break when Leweling’s speculative drive from distance was fumbled into the net by the former Leicester City stopper.
That error prompted audible frustration from the stands, with Schmeichel’s subsequent touches met with hostility from the Parkhead faithful.
O’Neill faces domestic pressure
Tiago Tomas added a fourth in stoppage time to all but seal the tie ahead of next week’s return leg in Germany.
Manager Martin O’Neill, who famously led the club to the Uefa Cup final against the same opponents in 2003, will now likely turn his attention to the domestic campaign.
The heavy loss precedes a gruelling run of four away fixtures in 10 days, including two trips to Ibrox and a visit to Aberdeen.
Manchester United have reached the Women’s Champions League quarter-finals for the first time after a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid sealed a 5-0 aggregate win.
Marc Skinner’s side, who held a commanding three-goal lead from the first leg, produced a professional display at Leigh Sports Village.
First-half goals from Julia Zigiotti Olme and Jess Park ensured there was no way back for the Spanish visitors.
The Red Devils will now face German champions Bayern Munich in the last eight, with the ties scheduled for late March and early April.
Park strikes to settle the tie
Despite the comfortable final scoreline, the hosts had to weather an early storm as Atletico looked to reduce the aggregate deficit immediately.
Defender Lauren squandered a golden opportunity for the Madrid outfit, heading over from close range when it seemed easier to score.
United punished that profligacy in the 28th minute when Zigiotti Olme opened the scoring to effectively end the contest as a competitive spectacle.
Park then doubled the lead on the night shortly before the interval with a dipping long-range strike that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
Red card compounds Atletico misery
The Women’s Super League side controlled the second half to record their eighth consecutive victory in all competitions.
Frustration eventually boiled over for the visitors in the closing stages of the match.
Xenia Perez was dismissed five minutes from time after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession.
It was a landmark result for United, who achieved the progression despite missing several key players through injury and illness.