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Spain are attempting to lure Club Brugge prospect Samuel Gomez van Hoogen into pledging his international future to La Roja, despite competition from Belgium and Netherlands. The 19-year-old centre-back, who holds three passports, has yet to make a senior debut in official competition and could follow the same path as Dean Huijsen.

• Spain eye triple-national starlet

  Luis de la Fuente and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have identified Brugge defender Gomez as a potential addition to their national team pool. The 19-year-old, who is eligible to play for the Spanish, Dutch and Belgian national teams, has represented the latter at youth level but remains eligible for a senior switch. His situation mirrors that of Dean Huijsen, who opted for La Roja despite being born in Netherlands.

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  The stakes in another Huijsen case

  The RFEF scouting department have tracked Gomez for over a year and are now intensifying contact with the player’s camp. If the youngster commits to Spain and plays in an official fixture, he would no longer be able to switch under FIFA rules. Belgium and the Netherlands are also circling, with young centre-back yet to take a definitive decision on his international career.

• Gomez’s Club Brugge journey so far

  The teenager signed for Brugge from PSV and is under contract until June 2028. He has mainly featured in the club’s youth and reserve sides but did appear in two senior friendlies last July, against Rangers and Rakow. For now, his route to Brugge’s first team looks limited, but his international profile continues to rise thanks to RFEF’s interest.

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• Huijsen as the blueprint

  Spain’s approach is heavily influenced by the success of Huijsen’s decision to commit to La Roja instead of Netherlands. The Real Madrid centre-back has become a fixture under De la Fuente, forming a reliable partnership with Robin Le Normand. Gomez, at 19, now faces a similarly pivotal choice that could shape the rest of his career.

Crystal Palace could now “make a move” for an attacking midfielder who is Arsenal’s own alternative to Eagles star Eberechi Eze, journalist Sacha Tavolieri has revealed on X.

Palace vying to sign new attackers amid Eze uncertainty

Losing Eze would undoubtedly be a major blow for Palace, given that the attacking midfielder is clearly held in very high regard by Oliver Glasner, who praised the England international throughout their triumphant FA Cup campaign.

Speaking after the quarter-final victory over Fulham, Glasner said: “The goal against Latvia and his first for England means a lot for him. He always has the confidence, we know he’s an amazing finisher to cut inside on his right foot with an amazing finish.

“We need this quality, he helped us today massively.”

However, the 27-year-old’s future remains very much up in the air, with a number of big Premier League clubs recently being named as potential suitors, such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Gunners are thought to be in the driving seat, however, and a bid is currently in the works, but he is not their only target in that area of the pitch, with Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss being identified as an alternative option.

El Khannouss has a release clause of just £22.5m in his Leicester contract, and he is attracting widespread interest from the Premier League, with Tavolieri recently taking to X to reveal that Crystal Palace could also “make a move”.

"Excellent" £20m forward now open to joining Crystal Palace with talks held

There has been a development in Palace’s pursuit of an attacker…

By
Dominic Lund

Aug 7, 2025

An approach from the Eagles is dependent upon departures in the next week, amid uncertainty surrounding Eze’s future, but there could be competition for the Moroccan’s signature, with Leeds United scheduling a meeting to discuss a potential deal.

Europa Conference League being on offer at Selhurst Park should be an attractive proposition, but the prospect of playing in Europe is not thought to be a “decisive factor” in the Leicester ace’s decision-making.

"Magician" El Khannouss could be fantastic Eze replacement

Leicester, of course, endured a very disappointing 2024-25 campaign, but the 21-year-old managed to catch the eye at times, with Pep Guardiola even being left by his performance against Manchester City back in December.

Scout Jacek Kulig has also lavished the starlet with praise in the past, despite suggesting he still needs to be more clinical.

The Belgium-born maestro scored just two Premier League goals last season, but it was always going to be difficult for a young player to stand out in such a poor side, in what was his debut campaign in England.

As such, a move to Palace, who have developed a reputation for developing young players, could be ideal for El Khannouss, and if he fulfills his potential, the attacking midfielder could be a fantastic heir to Eze.

The Premier League have explained why Nathan Collins was not given his marching orders by referee Craig Pawson in Brentford's 3-1 victory over Manchester United. The Irish defender looked set to be shown a red card when he hauled down Bryan Mbeumo in the penalty area and denied what appeared to be an obvious goalscoring opportunity. However, the Premier League have explained why it was not a red card.

• Collins brings down Mbeumo in the box

  After 71 minutes, and with United having already pulled back one goal in their quest to overhaul a two-goal deficit, Matheus Cunha slipped Mbeumo through and beyond the Bees' defence. The Cameroonian forward looked set to get onto the end of the ball and fire a shot on goal, but Collins grabbed his opponent and prevented him from reaching the ball. On first viewing, Collins seemed to have denied Mbeumo an obvious goalscoring opportunity, but was only handed a yellow card by the referee and the decision confirmed by VAR.

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  The Premier League offer an explanation

  The Premier League offered a justification of the decision on X, posting: "The referee’s call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Collins deemed to pulled Mbeumo back. VAR also checked the referee’s call of yellow card to Collins – and deemed that Mbeumo wasn’t in control of the ball."

  United fans may not be too satisfied with the explanation and debate over whether Pawson and the VAR team made the right decision will no doubt continue in the coming days. Mbeumo did not have control of the ball when he was brought down in the penalty area, but he had seemed likely to reach the ball and fire an effort on goal. The double-jeopardy rule, which states a defender making a genuine attempt to play the ball while fouling an opponent cannot be also given a red card, also does not protect Collins in this situation, given his only intention was to impede the onrushing attacker. The Irish defender can count himself fortunate that the Premier League officials deemed Mbeumo too far from the ball to truly have an obvious goal scoring opportunity.

• Fernandes falters, Bees buzz

  The Red Devils were two goals down after just 20 minutes in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off, with Igor Thiago taking advantage of United's leaky defence to fire them ahead. Benjamin Sesko then added his first goal in a United shirt after 26 minutes to give the away side a glimmer of hope that they would get back into the game. Amorim's side continued to push for a leveller and when Mbeumo was brought down, they would have expected to equalise and have enough time to push for a winner. Yet, that would soon prove not to be the case.

  The time between the foul and Bruno Fernandes' eventual spot-kick lasted five minutes, with stoppages for VAR checks and Brentford substitutions slowing the game down. United, already feeling aggrieved that they were still up against 11 players, had their frustrations compounded when their skipper's weak penalty was saved by a sprawling Caoimhin Kelleher. The penalty miss added to the dismay at Collins' yellow card, for the foul on Mbeumo ultimately went unpunished by the Red Devils. The Bees were able to see off further United attacks and even added a third, game-sealing goal through Mathias Jensen in the dying moments of the game.

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  United slip to 12th and remain short of ideas

  The win for Brentford meant the Bees leapfrogged Amorim's side into 11th spot at the Red Devils' expense. United's tumultuous start to the Premier League season continues and their hunt to earn back-to-back wins in the league for the first time under their Portuguese coach. In fact, United have failed to win consecutive games in the Premier League since the start of the last season when they beat Fulham on the first game of the season, following a victory against Brighton in the final fixture of the 2023/24 campaign.

  The upcoming fixture list does not get any easier for United either with a home game against high-flying Sunderland followed by a trip to league leaders Liverpool. The Red Devils have not beaten the Reds at Anfield since 2016 and have endured their fair share of thrashings in that time, usually at the ruthless hands of Mohamed Salah. Before Amorim can even think about taking on Arne Slot's side though, there is no guarantee they will bounce back against the Black Cats next week, who are above them in the league with a game in hand.

Chelsea chiefs could have a unique opportunity to open the door for Enzo Maresca to sign a marquee forward, and for-sale striker Nicolas Jackson holds the key.

The Senegalese was once a key member of Maresca’s first team not so long ago, with pundit Joe Cole even branding him one of the club’s “most important” players in May.

However, the arrival of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro has seemingly pushed Jackson down the pecking order.

BlueCo, by orders of UEFA, also need to trim the squad through player sales before sealing any more incomings, with Chelsea in talks to sign both Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho next.

As a result, Jackson is now up for sale at Chelsea, and the 24-year-old appears ready to quit Stamford Bridge to become a star elsewhere.

The former Villarreal star bagged 13 goals and six assists last season, including a strike in the Conference League final against Real Betis, but he has scored just one Premier League goal since the turn of 2025.

A change of scenery could be exactly what Jackson needs to really go to that next level, with both Newcastle United and Aston Villa heavily linked right now.

Villa’s interest comes amid Chelsea’s serious admiration of their star winger, Morgan Rogers, who’s rumoured to command a lofty £100 million price tag after a stellar 24/25 in the Midlands.

Nicolas Jackson could open door for Chelsea to sign Morgan Rogers

Journalist Graeme Bailey, in an interview with the Chelsea Chronicle, now suggests that the Blues could secure first option on a future deal for Rogers by making it easier for Unai Emery to sign Jackson.

Bailey claims that Chelsea are “desperate” to sign the 23-year-old who lit up Villa Park last season, and Jackson could hold the key, even if it may not be in this particular window.

The former Middlesbrough sensation was a pivotal member of Emery’s Champions League quarter-final-reaching side, bagging an incredible 14 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Celtic and a strike against eventual winners PSG.

He also single-handedly dismantled Man City with a goal and assist during Villa’s 2-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s men late last year.

Rogers’ versatility as a playmaker and wide attacker could be yet another reason why Chelsea are so keen, but Villa won’t make it easy for any suitor.

Celtic are in a strange position heading into the final few days of the summer transfer window, having just been knocked out of the Champions League.

The Hoops may have been hoping to have the extra funds to target bigger signings before the deadline, but they may have to find other ways to raise money for new additions, including cashing in on their current stars.

According to Anthony Joseph, Adam Idah had a medical at Swansea on Friday ahead of a £7m move to Wales, 12 months on from his £9.5m switch to Celtic from Norwich.

Allowing the Ireland international to move on, though, could provide the Scottish Premiership champions with a chance to reinvest in Brendan Rodgers’ squad in the next few days.

Celtic preparing bid for new winger

Whilst Idah’s exit will create the need for a new striker to arrive at Parkhead, the Scottish giants are also looking to bring in another winger on top of Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic are still pursuing a last-gasp deal to sign Hammarby forward Sebastian Tounekti.

The reporter claims that the Hoops have made a second offer for the winger after they already had a first proposal of around £2.6m turned down by the Swedish side.

He reveals that the Scottish giants have offered a deal worth up to £4.7m for the wing wizard, who is said to be valued at £5m, and it remains to be seen what their answer will be.

The winger was recently quoted saying: “You get to know some of what’s going on and I’ve heard that there’s interest. Of course it’s great that a big club (Celtic) that often plays in the Champions League wants me. It’s a top club in Europe. It’s great that there’s that kind of interest and it shows that you’ve done something good.”

What Tounekti could bring to Celtic

One player who could benefit from the club getting a deal over the line for the Swedish attacker is Daizen Maeda, who could love the creative forward.

The Japan international scored a staggering 33 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions last season, per Transfermarkt, but his only goal in six outings this term came against Falkirk in the League Cup.

Tounekti predominantly plays on the left wing and could free Maeda up to play through the middle as a striker, particularly with Idah’s impending exit, and the 23-year-old star has the creative quality to be a dream for the current Celtic marksman.

In 19 league starts this year, as you can see in the table above, the £3m-rated attacker has been one of the most creative players in his home country’s top-flight.

These statistics suggest that he has the potential to be an incredibly creative figure out wide for Celtic, as a player who can consistently beat opposition players as a dribbler whilst also creating high-quality chances for his teammates on a regular basis.

This is why Maeda, who has yet to replicate his goalscoring exploits from last season, may love to play alongside Tounekti at Parkhead this season for the Hoops.

The Celtic target could be the creative spark out wide that Maeda needs to rediscover his shooting boots and hit the goal trail on a regular basis for Rodgers once again, which is why this is a potentially exciting signing for the club for multiple reasons.

Worse than Idah: Rodgers must drop Celtic star who lost the ball 20 times

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers must drop this flop who was even worse than Adam Idah against Kairat.

3

By
Dan Emery

Aug 27, 2025

Former Juventus forward Fernando Llorente has hailed Kenan Yildiz as Serie A’s most exciting talent, comparing him to club icon Alessandro Del Piero while claiming the Turkish wonderkid’s creativity would have helped him score “even more goals.” With praise coming from former stars, team-mates and Juve coach Igor Tudor, the 20-year-old forward is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s hottest prospects.

• Former Juve striker in awe of Yildiz’s potential

  Yildiz has been on a remarkable rise since breaking into Juventus’ senior squad, quickly establishing himself as one of the brightest attacking prospects in European football. The 20-year-old Turkish international already has over 90 senior appearances for the Bianconeri, contributing with 18 goals and 11 assists while earning admiration for his technique, vision and composure. 

  His blend of flair and efficiency has drawn comparisons to Juve legends of the past with former striker Llorente also joining the chorus of admirers by reiterating comparisons to former Barcelona and Real Madrid player Michael Laudrup.

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  Llorente hails Yildiz as Serie A’s brightest talent

  In an interview with , Llorente, who was present at the game against Villareal in the Champions League this week, expressed his admiration for the youngster’s style of play, going as far as to say that Yildiz would have made him an even better scorer.

  "With the foot he has, he would have helped me a lot. Someone like him would have helped me score even more goals. He's improving year after year, with every match confirming his worth and boosting his self-esteem: that's crucial for a young player. He reminds me of Del Piero, but the comparison is still too far-fetched for me," Llorente said.

  "He moves like Laudrup, who was one of my childhood idols. [Johan] Cruijff's Barcelona was my source of footballing inspiration, so I've always been impressed by talent. By those who imagine things before they happen."

• Yildiz's teammates and icons back the hype

  Llorente isn’t the only one to single out Yildiz’s potential. Juventus coach Igor Tudor has praised the youngster’s maturity, admitting he rarely needs correcting in training, which is a huge sign of his focus and professionalism. Defender Bremer, recently back from injury, called him “our Lamine Yamal” while hailing his dribbling ability.

  Former Italy striker Aldo Serena also likened Yildiz’s style to Danish great Laudrup, praising his mentality and unique identity as a forward. Serena dismissed direct comparisons to Barcelona’s Yamal, instead insisting Yildiz should be valued for his own game: “He has everything. He doesn’t have to chase anyone to prove his quality.”

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  Chelsea and Arsenal interested in Yildiz

  Yildiz’s meteoric rise has naturally drawn interest from Europe’s elite. Both Arsenal and Chelsea explored the possibility of signing him during the summer window, with Chelsea even making an approach. Juventus, however, immediately shut down talks, reaffirming the youngster’s importance to their long-term project. With his contract running until 2029, and Juve already planning to offer him improved terms, the Turin club is determined to fend off suitors. For now, the Bianconeri see Yildiz as central to their Serie A title charge and Champions League campaign, but his growing reputation ensures speculation will only intensify.

Hugo Ekitike made an honest Liverpool admission and revealed his opinion about the arrival of Alexander Isak at Anfield. The French striker, snapped up for a hefty £69m in July, admitted he has no issue with the £125m Swede being parachuted into Liverpool from Newcastle on deadline day. In fact, the 23-year-old insists Isak’s arrival can only sharpen his own game.

• Arne Slot's £194m tactical headache

  Ever since Liverpool splashed out nearly £200m on two star strikers in one window, fans have debated whether Arne Slot will dare to unleash them side by side. So far, the answer is no. The pair have been rotated like-for-like, with Ekitike replacing Isak in a Carabao Cup tie against Southampton and the Swede swapping in for the Frenchman against Everton in the Premier League.

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  Ekitike makes his feelings known about Isak

  Ekitike remains unfazed about Isak's arrival and said: "We are playing at such a big club, and I can't see one big club playing just with only one striker. It's good that he is here, even for me. I have still a lot of things to improve and learn."

  The former Eintracht Frankfurt striker insisted that he is even ready to share the pitch with Isak if given an opportunity by Slot. 

  "I have played in two strikers composition and one striker, so I can do a lot of things," he said. "If we have to play together I can do that. The coach hasn't talked a lot about my way to play or where I need to play. He gave me a lot of freedom in terms of being able to link up with the boys or go behind. I can do a lot of things, he just wants me to bring my football in the team."

• 'Wasn’t smart' – Ekitike's confession

  Ekitike would have loved to make his case against Crystal Palace last weekend but was stuck at home thanks to a self-inflicted ban. The forward was shown a second yellow card in the League Cup after ripping off his shirt in celebration of his match-winning strike against Southampton.

  "That wasn't smart," he admitted. "I felt a bit disappointed to watch the boys from home on Saturday. And as I've said before, I apologised to everybody already, to my team-mates – that kind of thing won't happen again."

  Without him, Liverpool stumbled to a 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park, with Isak grinding out 84 minutes as he edges closer to peak sharpness.

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  Back in the firing line

  The good news for Ekitike is that he’s likely to reclaim his starting role in Europe this week. With Liverpool heading to Turkey for a crunch Champions League tie against Galatasaray, the Frenchman is tipped to return to the XI and remind Slot of his finishing touch. Liverpool need him firing. Saturday’s slip-up at Palace was a setback for the champions, and Slot will be desperate for his frontline to click on the continental stage.

Setting their sights on a busy end to the transfer window, Aston Villa have now reportedly agreed a deal to sign a bargain defender ahead of Premier League rivals Everton.

Aston Villa's deadline day plans

Ahead of Monday’s deadline, Villa Park chiefs have suddenly burst into life in the transfer market. Unai Emery could yet welcome a number of reinforcements before the window slams shut as a result and get his wish of two players in every position.

One of those could, of course, be Marco Asensio. The Paris Saint-Germain winger enjoyed a successful loan spell in the Midlands last season and now looks destined to complete a permanent move just in time. And he’s not the only one on Villa’s radar.

As reported by Sacha Tavolieri, the final day of the transfer window could yet see a major goalkeeper saga unfold. The transfer reporter claimed that Manchester United have now turned their focus towards Emiliano Martinez rather than Senne Lammens and, as such, Aston Villa are targeting a move for Porto’s Diogo Costa.

The reporter even went as far as to say that the Villans are in advanced talks to sign the shot-stopper, who would be an instant replacement for Martinez if he heads to Manchester United.

The World Cup winner has been linked with a move away from Villa Park all summer long and now looks set to get his move. Villa, meanwhile, have reportedly agreed a deal to welcome another defensive reinforcement.

Aston Villa set to sign Lindelof

According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have now reached an “agreement” to sign Victor Lindelof, whose medical is already “underway” ahead of becoming the latest player to arrive in the Midlands. Joining as a free agent, the Villans are set to welcome an experienced central defender at a bargain price.

Whilst Lindelof’s arrival won’t steal the same headlines as Costa might, he may prove to be just as important. The 31-year-old has played at a very top level and is no stranger to the Premier League after spending eight years at Manchester United.

In a mixed spell, the Swede also still earned plenty of praise. Former United graduate Fraizer Campbell described the defender as “brilliant” in the 2023/24 campaign and there’s still every chance that he can reach those same levels at Villa Park.

Aston Villa now pushing for "incredible" late signing after shock £47m bid

The Villans have made their move…

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 31, 2025

In what could be the start of a busy final 24 hours for Aston Villa, Lindelof represents a solid piece of business.

Manchester United’s need for added attacking reinforcements this summer was evident after only managing to find the net on 44 occasions in the Premier League last season.

Anthony, Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford have all departed the Red Devils, freeing up funds for Ruben Amorim to make the additions he wanted this summer.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are two signings who have joined the club, with the latter already opening his account after netting against Burnley last Saturday.

Whilst the duo may have cost the hierarchy around £130m, they do have the Premier League experience needed to help the club avoid a bottom-half finish – just like they did in the 2024/25 campaign.

However, other additions have been made within the final third throughout the off-season, leading to Amorim and the board taking a gamble on one young European talisman.

Benjamin Sesko’s move to join United this summer

A new striker was a huge priority for United this summer, with Benjamin Sesko the man chosen to lead the line for the Red Devils in 2025/26 and beyond.

The hierarchy forked out a deal totalling £73.7m, including add-ons – a figure that is a huge gamble on a player who’s only featured in Europe’s top-five leagues for two seasons.

The Slovenian has only made one start for United to date – coming in the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town – but has been named as a substitute in all three league outings.

As a result of his limited action, the 22-year-old is yet to open his account for the club, but judgement will need to be held on his addition, given his lack of action in recent weeks.

Hopefully, Sesko will get the chance to showcase his talents after the current international break, but he could’ve been aided at the club had the hierarchy kept hold of one talent.

The former United star who would’ve got Sesko firing

As previously mentioned, Cunha and Mbeumo have also been added to the United attacking department – injecting needed goals and assists to the club’s frontline.

The pair combined for 48 combined goal contributions throughout 2024/25, with such a record higher than the Red Devils squad managed as a whole last season.

If they can replicate such numbers, they will make themselves fan-favourites, whilst also providing Sesko with the opportunities he will need to thrive within the final third.

Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system relies upon two attacking midfielders – the positions Cunha and Mbeumo have featured in – but also two wing-backs, who are tasked with having an impact in forward areas.

Patrick Dorgu currently occupies the role down the left-hand side, but former United star Alvaro Carreras is a player whom the hierarchy may regret selling too prematurely.

The 22-year-old spent four years at Old Trafford – but failed to make a single senior appearance – being sent on loan spells at the likes of Preston, Granada and Benfica.

It was the Spaniard’s spell at the latter that catapulted him to stardom, with the Portuguese outfit triggering the £5m option in his contract at the end of his loan spell in 2023/24.

His numbers from last season are nothing short of mind-boggling, registering eight combined goals and assists across all competitions – numbers which could’ve handed Sesko the ammunition he’ll need for success in Manchester.

Carreras, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, also created 1.2 chances per 90 last campaign – completing 23% of the crosses attempted, with the latter aiding the Slovenian’s aerial abilities had the hierarchy kept hold of him.

However, despite only joining Benfica a year ago, he secured another transfer in the recent window, this time moving to LaLiga giants Real Madrid in a reported £43m transfer.

Such a transfer has just compounded the Red Devils’ misery over recent years, further highlighting how many mistakes they’ve made in the transfer market, whether that be incomings or outgoings.

The prospect of the Spaniard linking up with Sesko in forward areas is something the supporters would’ve loved to see under Amorim – but unfortunately, it’ll always be a case of what could’ve been with their loss, now Madrid’s gain.

Man Utd may regret selling perfect Mainoo replacement for just £500k

Manchester United may have made a mistake in allowing a young star to depart Old Trafford.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 4, 2025

Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi opened up on the hardships that shaped him, revealing how his family was forced to sell their factory during Italy’s economic crisis. Football, he says, has never been just fun- it’s been a path of responsibility, social redemption, and personal growth, shaping both his life and his coaching philosophy.

• De Zerbi reflects on family struggles during economic crisis

  De Zerbi’s journey to Marseille is deeply personal. Between 1992 and 1994, during an economic crisis at home, his family was forced to sell their mat factory, plunging them into very difficult years. For De Zerbi, football became more than a game, it was a means to support his family.

  "It's the first time I've talked about it: there was a specific moment in my life when I started playing football to support my family. I moved from the youth club to Lumezzane and then to AC Milan, between 1992 and 1994, coinciding with the economic crisis at home: we were forced to sell the mat factory and we went through some very difficult years," De Zerbi said in an interview with . "At that point, I wasn't joking anymore. After leaving the Primavera, the day after signing my first five-year contract with AC Milan, I was at the branch signing the mortgage to buy my parents a house. For me, football has never been just fun."

  It was this intense, formative experience that has driven his philosophy as a coach. The hardships, he says, gave him both motivation and perspective, shaping a man who sees football as a form of social redemption.

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  Football is more than a game; it's a responsibility

  De Zerbi says coaching is inseparable from life’s lessons. He recalls spending long stretches away from his own family while playing in Romania and coaching, missing crucial moments in his children’s lives. This fuels his approach in Marseille: he seeks connection and affection with players, believing that respect and understanding off the pitch create an explosive, productive dynamic on it.

  Asked about his idea to take his squad away on a retreat and make them go on runs at 5 a.m, he said: "It was probably the best thing I've done, the one closest to me as a person: I listened and understood the discontent of the boys, who weren't performing at home. I did something powerful, to help them get to know each other. And then I held three meetings: in one, we brought out the negative feelings we had at the Velodrome; the next day, each player shared the values they identified with, we wrote them down and hung them up; then we showed a video about the fans at the Velodrome, to help them understand who they were dealing with."

• De Zerbi on how he prefers to shape his team

  De Zerbi’s methods reflect both discipline and empathy. Drawing lessons from his AC Milan youth days under legends like Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, he values ethics, hard work, and mutual respect.

  "The AC Milan youth academy was a school. [Paolo] Maldini, [Franco] Baresi, [Mauro] Tassotti, and all those great players taught me the ethics of football, the value of training, the importance of training harder after a win, respect within a group, starting with the schedule. I feel like a son of Milanello, of the real AC Milan," De Zerbi said.

  He further explained how his coaching philosophy prioritises the player: "I've already proven many times that I don't coach for myself, quite the opposite. I love strong players and want them. And I believe the player matters more than the coach when it comes to results. I was a number 10: I could never take away the player's value. I'm not a moral teacher, but I want to convey who I am: as a man, before being a coach. And it's normal to seek mutual understanding, even off the pitch."

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  Marseille looking good under De Zerbi

  De Zerbi's methods appear to be working amid Marseille's strong start to the season. They sit second in Ligue 1 and just a point behind Paris Saint-Germain and recovered from their Champions League defeat against Real Madrid by overpowering Ajax 4-0 in their second game of the tournament.