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Jamie Vardy’s new family home in a picturesque part of northern Italy was broken into by three burglars over the weekend, while the former Leicester City and England striker was playing for Cremonese in a home Serie A clash with Roma, with wife Rebekah in attendance at the game. Cremonese were soundly beaten 3-1, but that was the least of Vardy's problems.

• £80,000 worth of valuables stolen

  The has reported that three men gained entry to the Vardys' £2 million property by the shores of Lake Garda in the town of Salo – around an hour's drive from Cremona – via a window. The break-in happened on Sunday, when Cremonese were hosting Roma at the intimate Stadio Giovanni Zini.

  The report states that £80,000 worth of valuables, including jewellery and cash, were taken from the house. However, security cameras are believed to have picked up the thieves, who are likely to have scouted the house to learn when it would be empty, coming and going via their chosen entry point.

  Local police captain Giacomo Tessarolo told the: "We have CCTV which shows the individuals entering the house through a window that was left open. They were on the premises for several minutes before escaping with the [Patek Philippe] watch and several other high value items. There was a woman inside, not his wife but the baby sitter. The theft was discovered when some of Vardy's friends returned to the house and found items on the floor and it had evidently been broken into."

  Rebekah Vardy was at the Cremonese game when the incident took place.

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  Serie A raises awareness of domestic violence

  Over the weekend, Cremonese were among a handful of Serie A clubs given permission to promote the 'A Red to Violence' campaign, dedicated to fighting domestic abuse. Each player was able to change the name on the back of his shirt to that of an important woman in their life. Vardy opted to have 'Becky' printed above the number 10 on his jersey, in tribute to his wife. Players also took to the field with a streak of red face paint, again to raise awareness and put the issue of domestic violence in the spotlight.

  The Vardy family are said to have immersed themselves in their new Italian adventure, making themselves a visible presence in the town of Salo, population: 10,500, by going out for walks and eating dinner in local restaurants, as well as trying to learn the language. It makes it doubly cruel that they have now been the victims of an unsettling burglary.

• Vardy's Serie A inspiration

  Vardy was linked with other clubs after leaving Leicester in the summer, including Wrexham, but eventually settled on a new challenge in Italy and has adapted quickly to life abroad. "Once I made my decision, that was it. I was coming here," Vardy explained in a September interview. "I'm settling in really well and just can't wait to get going now. It's all about match days and wanting to pick the results up, so now it's about just knuckling down when I get given the opportunity, helping my teammates out as much as I can and hopefully chipping in with some goals."

  He also noted that his favourite Serie A player to watch growing up was Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero: "You watch him play – he was unbelievable. Watching him score most weeks was really encouraging for me. Having watched that, me coming here and trying to do exactly the same – it’s really exciting."

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  Vardy contract extension looks likely

  Having left Leicester at the end of last season when his contract expired, 38-year-old Vardy signed an initial 12-month deal with Cremonese to cover the 2025-26 campaign. However, the terms of that contract also include a 12-month extension to the summer of 2027 if the club avoids relegation. So far, at least, that looks a plausible eventuality, given their mid-table safety after 12 games.

  The defeat to Roma was a third on the bounce in Serie A, but Cremonese still sit 11th, with a healthy six-point cushion between them and the relegation zone. The team has lost the same number of games as European powerhouse Inter (4), but needs to be able to turn draws into wins, having taken maximum points from only three league matches. Still, for a newly-promoted provincial club navigating just a second season in the top flight in the last 30 years, it has been a strong start.

Worcestershire fight back through Taylor, Libby but face uphill struggle to avoid defeat

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay25-Sep-2025Worcestershire 123 and 270 for 6 (Libby 72) lead Sussex 350 (Simpson 129*, Taylor 4-106) by 43 runsJohn Simpson’s unbeaten 129 and six second-innings Worcestershire wickets kept Sussex in command on day two of the Rothesay County Championship clash at Visit Worcestershire New Road.A glistening fourth century of the season from the away side’s skipper saw Sussex add 122 runs to their overnight score, before they were bowled out for 350.With a deficit of 227, Jake Libby and Rehaan Edavalath added a century stand for the first wicket to throw the Pears a lifeline.Six wickets across the second half of the day however saw Worcestershire cling onto a slender lead of 43 runs heading into the third day with just four wickets intact.A resplendent morning at Visit Worcestershire New Road saw the home side land the first blow of the day when Tom Taylor bowled Jack Carson in the first over of the morning.A 53rd wicket of a remarkable season followed soon after for Taylor as Danny Lamb feathered a nick through to Rob Jones at second slip, to check the visitors progress at 245 for 7.Simpson registered his fourth hundred of a memorable Division One campaign, reaching the milestone in 138 balls and scoring 18 boundaries in the process, shortly after Ollie Robinson had departed for a brisk 24.Simpson kicked on as the visitors reached 350 and strengthened their grip on the match, before Matthew Waite’s introduction into the attack saw him take two wickets in four balls as he dismissed both Ari Karvelas and Jayden Unadkat, with Sussex all-out for 350 possessing a healthy lead of 227.Simpson finished unbeaten on 129, with his 19th first-class century the standout innings of the game.Libby surpassed 1000 first class runs for the season in the Rothesay County Championship early into the afternoon session as the Worcestershire reply got off to a cautious start.The shackles were freed by Libby however, as he moved through the gears with some dismissive pull shots through midwicket as Sussex’s opening bowlers grafted to no avail in the sunshine.Libby pressed on in fine style, reaching a third Division One half-century of the season in just 63 deliveries, as he and Edavalath added 113 for the first wicket on a pitch showing signs of flattening.Edavalath made 45 and Libby a superb 72, before the pair were dismissed inside four overs of one another, with Edavalath first lbw off a straightening Unadkat delivery and Libby following soon after having edged a ball behind to James Coles at slip to give the Indian seam bowler his second of the innings.Robinson collected his first wicket of the innings when he hurried Isaac Mohammed with a short ball to dismiss the teenager for 4.First-innings top scorer Dan Lategan and number five Rob Jones came together midway through the afternoon to add 63 for the fourth wicket with the hosts working hard to find a foothold in the game.Despite making it to the tea interval unscathed, Tom Haines ended the partnership in the 46th over of Worcestershire’s reply, as he pinned Lategan lbw for 30, with the hosts still 40 runs in arrears.Jones produced a gritty knock of 46, with Worcestershire heading towards the close at parity, but his wicket and the dismissal of Ethan Brookes handed Sussex back the initiative late on.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية عن تطورات جديدة بشأن مستقبل الحارس الألماني مارك تير شتيجن مع برشلونة خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوية المقبلة.

ووفقاً لصحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية فإن مارك تير شتيجن يقيم خطوته القادمة بعناية، وقد برز نادي بشكتاش التركي كأحد الأندية المنضمة حديثاً لسباق التعاقد معه.

وقد يكون بشكتاش التركي وجهة جديدة للحارس الألماني مارك تير شتيجن تساعده على استعادة إيقاعه، ودخل النادي في اتصالات للتفاوض على ضمه على سبيل الإعارة.

أقرأ أيضاً.. جماهير برشلونة تختار المهاجم “9” المثالي لخلافة روبرت ليفاندوفسكي

ولم يتخذ مارك تير شتيجن قراراً حاسماً مع برشلونة بعد، ويعود ذلك إلى توقع تلقيه عروضًا إضافية أخرى مع اقتراب سوق الانتقالات الشتوية في يناير.

ويتفهم برشلونة ومارك تير شتيجن أنه من الضروري التوصل لحل سريع بشأن مستقبله، خاصة مع اقتراب اكتمال تعافيه ومن المتوقع أن يكون جاهزاً في ديسمبر المقبل.

ويحتاج بشكتاش للتعاقد مع حارس مرمى من الطراز الرفيع، ويبدو أن انتقال مارك تير شتيجن إلى العملاق التركي بعقد دائم مستبعد للغاية.

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De ressaca da eliminação da Libertadores para o Boca Juniors, o Palmeiras enfrenta o Santos neste domingo (8), na Arena Barueri, pelo Brasileirão 2023.

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Pressionado para mudar o setor ofensivo do Verdão, Abel Ferreira vai reencontrar o rival que jamais perdeu desde que assumiu o Palmeiras, em novembro de 2020.

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

Campeão da Libertadores de 2020 diante do Peixe, o português disputou doze partidas diante do Santos, e possui um retrospecto muito positivo: nove vitórias e três empates.

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A última derrota do Palmeiras para o Santos foi pelo segundo turno do Brasileirão de 2019, quando o Verdão era comandado por Mano Menezes e saiu derrotado da Vila Belmiro, por 2 a 1.

Após duas derrotas consecutivas no Campeonato Brasileiro e há quatro jogos sem vencer, o Palmeiras precisa da vitória para seguir no pelotão de frente da competição nacional.

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+ Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro 2023 clicando aqui

Palmeiras e Santos se enfrentam na Arena Barueri neste domingo (8), a partir das 16h (horário de Brasília), com transmissão da Rede Globo e do Premiere.

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Abel FerreiraBrasileirãoPalmeirasSantos

Going head-to-head with Chelsea in the transfer market, Aston Villa have now reportedly set their sights on signing one of the “most promising” defenders that Ligue 1 has to offer.

Emery not "surprised" by Go Ahead Eagles defeat

Whilst the rest of the Premier League may have watched on in shock as Go Ahead Eagles defeated Aston Villa in the Europa League on Thursday, Unai Emery admitted that the 2-1 loss did not “surprise” him.

The Spaniard initially saw his side race into the lead courtesy of one of their most expensive signings, Evann Guessand, before goals from Mathis Suray and Mats Deijl turned the game on its head in dramatic fashion. Emiliano Buendia did have the chance to level things up from the spot, but only compiled Villa’s misery by missing his penalty.

Having his say on the result, Emery said: “It was not a surprise to lose for me and the players because we are having here our experiences playing in Europe and playing away. Every year we had one defeat like that. Two years ago, Legia Warsaw, last year, Brugge, and this year, yesterday.

“Of course, still matches to play, and I want to learn. For me, yesterday, everything happened, for us, is learning. Learning, and as well reminding ourselves the experiences we had in some similar circumstances.

“Why? Because of course we were favourites and of course we dominated and of course we had more chances, but even like that, you can lose. In Europa League we are being consistent, even yesterday, losing, we are being consistent.”

Aston Villa eyeing £150,000-a-week Man City star who Pep is set to sell

The Villans are ready to pounce ahead of competition from elsewhere.

BySean Markus Clifford Oct 24, 2025

Performing well on the European stage will be the key for Aston Villa if they want to avoid further PSR problems and then attract some of the most promising talents around. Advancing in the Europa League would, for example, do them no harm in the race to beat Chelsea to an impressive Ligue 1 defender.

Aston Villa set sights on Guela Doue

According to Pete O’Rourke, Aston Villa are now eyeing a move to sign Guela Doue from Strasbourg, but face competition from Chelsea, who are looking to put Todd Boehly’s links to good use once again, with Strasbourg under BlueCo ownership.

If there were any doubts about Doue’s potential, then they should have been put to bed against PSG last weekend. The right-back got an assist as Strasbourg shocked the European champions by racing into a 3-1 lead before eventually drawing 3-3 at the Parc des Princes.

At just 23 years old, there’s still plenty to come from Doue and that plenty could come at Villa Park in the near future.

They say a week is a long time in politics, but it’s even longer in football, and Chelsea are a great example.

Just seven days ago, it would be fair to say that there were some questions over Enzo Maresca’s squad, as, although they had just beaten Benfica 1-0, the victory was hardly convincing.

Moreover, the Blues had lost 3-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion and 2-1 to Manchester United in their previous two Premier League games.

However, any genuine concerns over the direction of the club were quickly dispelled with a sensational 2-1 win over Liverpool thanks to a late Estevao goal.

It was the ideal way for the Brazilian to introduce himself to the wider league, although while he does seem destined for greatness, Chelsea once had a homegrown superstar in the making, whom they let go for nothing.

Why Estevao could be an international superstar for Chelsea

Despite still being just 18 years old, the expectations surrounding Estevao are sky-high, to the point where respected analyst Ben Mattinson has claimed that he is a “future Ballon d’Or winner.”

That might sound like an absurd thing to say about someone so young, but the incredibly exciting wonderkid already has an impressive amount of first-team football under his belt.

For example, before making his way to Stamford Bridge this summer, the Franca-born gem racked up a brilliant tally of 27 goals and 15 assists in 83 appearances for Palmeiras.

Appearances

83

Minutes

5610′

Goals

27

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

133.57′

Additionally, he has already won seven senior caps for the Brazilian national team, scoring his first goal in a 3-0 win over Chile in September.

Back in England, the left-footed prospect has continued to make progress. While he scored his first competitive goal for the Blues and grabbed the headlines in the process against Liverpool, he has also made quite an impression in his other games.

For example, on his first start, against West Ham United, it was his unreal close control and technique that allowed him to get past the Hammers’ backline and provide an assist for Joao Pedro.

In all, Estevao looks like he will be a world-class star for Chelsea, but so long as he stays out on the right, he’ll be in, compared to another former Blues gem, someone the club lost for free.

Chelsea's former Estevao

As with every other big club in the game, Chelsea have lost several outrageously talented youngsters over the years, from Jamal Musiala to Declan Rice and potentially even Rio Ngumoha.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

However, in this instance, the player in question is someone who could be rivalling Estevao for the title of best winger in the world a few years from now: Michael Olise.

The incredible Bayern Munich joined the West Londoners’ academy set-up in 2009 but ended up leaving in 2016, which, according to former Blues youth coach Sean Conlon, was a “mutual decision.”

The dynamic attacker would then travel to Manchester City before joining Reading’s academy, where he’d go on to make his senior debut and, after an impressive 20/21, in which he produced 19 goal involvements in 46 games, catch the eye of Crystal Palace, who paid £8m to sign him.

Over the next three years, the tremendously exciting Frenchman would make 90 appearances for the South Londoners, scoring 16 goals and providing 25 assists, and was lauded as “one of the best talents in the world” by former manager Oliver Glasner.

The former Cobham gem made his big-money move to Bayern last summer, and since moving to Germany, he has been on another level entirely.

For example, in his first campaign with FC Hollywood, the 23-year-old phenom scored 20 goals and provided 23 assists in just 53 appearances.

So far this season, instead of taking a slight step backwards following an outrageous first campaign in Germany, he appears to have become even more effective.

In just ten appearances across all competitions, the ten-capped superstar has scored five goals and provided six assists.

Ultimately, Chelsea have a future world-beater in Estevao, but they’d be an even better team had they kept hold of Olise all those years ago.

Moises Caicedo tells Chelsea fans where he ranks himself compared to Kante

The Blues midfielder scored a stunning goal as his side went on to defeat Liverpool.

BySean Markus Clifford Oct 6, 2025

Former Chelsea star Diego Costa reignited his feud with former Liverpool enemy Martin Skrtel during a charity match between the Blues and the Reds. Costa, who was infamous for his flaring tempers during matches, has not changed and it was evident in his antics during the game, which was deemed to be a friendly encounter for a noble cause. Costa spent three years at Stamford Bridge between 2014 and 2017.

Costa reignited feud with Skrtel

Costa started upfront for the retired Blues stars, while Skrtel led the Liverpool side in the charity clash, which was a star-studded affair. It all started when another Blues legend, Eden Hazard, fed the former Spain international striker with a pass. As Costa tried to go past Skrtel, the ex-Reds star caught him on his legs with a fierce challenge. The striker immediately lost his temper and confronted the Slovak, but the duel was stopped by the linesman.  

But the fight was far from over as he soon kicked Skrtel on the back of his leg, while challenging him from the break. Skrtel was visibly furious with the challenge as he pointed his finger at Costa and said something angrily, before the referee brandished a yellow card at the striker to warn him. It was supposed to be a friendly clash for charity, but Costa made sure it wasn't short of any drama. 

AdvertisementWatch Costa vs Skrtel duelCosta's battles with Skrtel

This is not the first time that the Chelsea and Liverpool players clashed on the field. The pair famously came to blows in 2015 during a Carabao Cup clash between the two Premier League giants. Costa was charged with violent conduct by the FA after he allegedly stamped on both Skrtel and fellow Reds defender Emre Can during the match at Stamford Bridge, which led to a three-match ban for the Spain international. In the first half, Costa fouled Can, which sparked a furious reaction from the German midfielder. Then, in the second half, Costa stamped on Skrtel inside the penalty area.   

Then Reds boss Brendan Rodgers had heavily criticised Costa for his harsh challenge, as he had said: "He could easily hurdle over the young player and he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could've been nasty."

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AFPLiverpool's hot and cold start to title defence campaign

Arne Slot's side kicked off the 2025-26 campaign on a high as they maintained a 100 per cent win record across all competitions. However, things went south after their loss against Crystal Palace. That defeat led to two more losses against Galatasaray in the Champions League and Chelsea in the Premier League last weekend, as they lost their position at the top of the table to another title favourites, Arsenal. The Merseyside club will next face old foes Manchester United in a derby in the Premier League on October 19.  

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A janela de transferências está aberta e o São Paulo está atento ao mercado, tanto para chegadas, quanto para saídas de jogadores. Com orçamento apertado e uma dívida alta para pagar, a diretoria sabe que tem poucos recursos em busca de contratações, mas tem um objetivo claro: manter o elenco para o restante da temporada.

Para os tricolores paulistas apaixonados: produtos a partir de R$39,90 na FutFanatics!

Esse já foi um pedido do técnico Dorival Júnior em pelo menos duas ocasiões. Em entrevista ao canal Camisa 21, o diretor de futebol do São Paulo, Carlos Belmonte, admitiu que o clube tem como prioridade a manutenção de peças importantes, como o zagueiro Beraldo e o volante Pablo Maia, dois jogadores mais cotados para receberem ofertas do exterior.

– Eu sempre tento ser o tempo inteiro mais autêntico. O São Paulo tem ainda muita dificuldade no ponto de vista financeiro e estamos numa recuperação que eu acredito que seja importante. Estamos preocupados nesse momento na manutenção do nosso elenco. Estamos mais preocupados na janela de saída do que de chegada. O Pablo tem feito um campeonato espetacular, que marca muito e finaliza forte. A nossa intenção é manter o Pablo ao menos até essa temporada. Não posso cravar que o Pablo não saia nesta janela, pode chegar uma proposta muito acima do que a gente tem como expectativa. Mas eu e o Casares não pensamos em vender ele nesta janela – disse Belmonte.

+ São Paulo perto do G6! Veja tabela e simule os jogos do Brasileirão

O São Paulo tem alguns alvos no mercado da bola, como o atacante Erick e o meia Zalazar. Porém, com a crise financeira instaurada pelos lados do Morumbi, Belmonte prega cautela, principalmente com novos reforços, até pelas questões de atrasos nos direitos de imagem, como de Reinaldo e Volpi.

– As chegadas estamos analisando como sempre analisamos como oportunidades de mercado. Temos hoje uma máxima a questão de imagens atrasadas, vamos fazer o pagamento um pouco mais para frente. Nossos atletas merecem isso pela dedicação que têm. Não somos cobrados em nenhum momento pelos atletas. Com tudo acertado, podemos pensar em reforços ainda dentro da janela. Estamos atentos, olhando, mas esse momento, de verdade, não temos nenhum nome para chegar. O fundamental para o São Paulo hoje é buscar a manutenção do elenco, acertar o que temos de atraso e ir em frente. Estamos satisfeitos com o elenco – finalizou Belmonte.

After a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City on the opening day, Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly submitted an opening offer to sign a defensive reinforcement.

Pereira positive despite Wolves' business

It’s been a tough summer for those in the Midlands. Since losing Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri to both Manchester clubs, it’s easy to argue that Wolves have failed to strengthen. Whilst arrivals such as Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias have at least handed Vitor Pereira some attacking depth, it’s currently unclear whether either of those fresh faces will have enough quality to replace Cunha.

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Despite any concern that they’ve not done enough in the transfer window, however, Pereira chose to remain positive before Man City arrived to bring his side back down to earth last weekend.

Whether that 4-0 thrashing courtesy of Pep Guardiola’s side has changed things in the transfer window will now be interesting to see, especially amid reports that Wolves have already made their move in pursuit of a defensive star.

Wolves submit first Krejci offer

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, Wolves have now submitted an opening offer to sign Ladislav Krejci from Girona worth as much as €30m (£26m). The 26-year-old centre-back has been granted an exit this month and it’s now those in the Midlands that could be about to take full advantage to land a key defensive reinforcement.

Minutes

2,440

2,670

Progressive Passes

144

108

Tackles Won

16

36

Ball Recoveries

101

168

When compared, it’s clear that Krejci and Emmanuel Agbadou would form an impressive partnership in Pereira’s backline. Whilst the Girona star impressed most in possession last season – completing 144 progressive passes – Agbadou did more than enough off the ball to convince Molineux that he should be at the heart of the Wolves defence.

Dubbed a “superb player” by scout Jacek Kulig in 2022, Krejci is someone that Wolves should push to sign before the deadline. Whether their opening offer is enough to secure the defender’s signature remains to be seen, however.

Graham Potter already has his work cut out to get a disgruntled West Ham United fanbase back on his side.

Two games down in the brand new Premier League season, and the Hammers find themselves in a miserable rock bottom position, having just shipped five goals to Potter’s ex-employers Chelsea in a humiliating 5-1 home defeat.

With just five wins from 21 games in charge now, the worry will be that the 50-year-old boss is already under significant pressure to turn matters around, or face the earliest boot of the season.

He will surely hope that more transfers in through the door can give him the best possible chance at hanging onto his job post, as the premature relegation candidates continue to be linked with a whole host of exciting names.

West Ham lodge £17.5m bid for new midfielder

The dark clouds hanging over proceedings at the London Stadium could be lifted by a positive incoming or two.

The basement side isare tipped to be in the race to land Raheem Sterling as he navigates a Chelsea exit this summer, while they are also deep in the battle to snap up promising AS Monaco midfielder Soungoutou Magassa, having even submitted a bid for his services.

Another bid has also been lodged by the Hammers to snap up Torino’s midfield ace Ivan Ilic, with Hammers News revealing that the same £17.5m package that was put forward for Magassa – before Nottingham Forest raced ahead of Potter and Co. for the 21-year-old – has now been placed on the table for the Serbian.

The report does state there is no concrete update on whether Ilic would welcome a move to East London, but he is seen as an alternative to the in-demand Magassa.

The 24-year-old might actually be deemed as the better option to pursue, with Potter perhaps winning another Tomas Soucek-style figure by landing the impressive Serbia international.

How Ilic can become Potter's new Soucek

Soucek might well have been subject to interest from the likes of Everton and Leeds United earlier in the transfer window, but it looks as if the towering midfield presence will remain at West Ham, even as they likely prepare for a tough battle against the drop.

Coming in at 247 games now for the Hammers, it would have been a real shame if the long-standing servant decided he had enough this summer, with a stunning 41 goals and 13 assists also on his side, away from completing his usual forceful midfield duties.

Losing such a much-loved body would have been disastrous, therefore, but Potter will feel more at ease with his midfield options – away from relying on Soucek – if he can snap up Ilic just in time before September’s cut-off, with his well-rounded game drawing some similarities to the Czech icon.

Indeed, from 68 games for current employers Torino, Ilic has displayed a similar strength to Soucek in chipping with goals and assists, with seven strikes and six assists tallied up from those clashes.

Ilic in Serie A vs Soucek in PL

Stat

Ilic

Soucek

Games played

136

196

Games started

106

181

Goals scored

9

36

Assists

10

9

Sourced by Transfermarkt

His former Slavia Prague counterpart does have the boost of scoring 27 more career strikes for West Ham, compared to Ilic’s lesser nine goals in the Serie A, but the correlations between the two don’t end here.

When the 24-year-old was at the peak of his powers in the Italian top-flight, he would forcefully win duels for fun, as seen in his average of 4.6 won per Serie A clash during the 2021/22 campaign for Hellas Verona.

Soucek won five per game last season during 30 Premier League contests, with the duo together perhaps giving the Hammers some well-needed grit centrally to toughen up after a disastrous run of defeats, on top of also being able to offer the likes of Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen further up the pitch a helping hand.

After all, football analyst Ben Mattinson has previously heralded Ilic as a “complete” midfielder, while also further waxing lyrical about how “underrated” of a presence he is, strutting his stuff in Serie A.

Soucek has also been showered with the same level of praise, having been once lauded as having “absolutely everything” you need in a midfielder by ex-Irons player David Connolly back in 2021.

Potter will hope he has uncovered this next Soucek by Ilic entering through the door, with the Serbian also being another feel-good presence to steer the club away from relegation doom.

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Posts ByTom Cunningham Aug 23, 2025