#defensive-signings

#defensive-signings

In defence, Gila has been talked about for some time. As a protégé of Tare, who discovered him and brought him to Italy, he's an exemplary professional who waited his turn, improved, and then became one of the league's top centre-backs. His contract expires in 2027, but he's ready to leave in the summer. Someone like him would be perfect for AC Milan: quick, explosive, and excellent at recovering the ball.

The current campaign can only be described as Ibrahima Konate's most challenging season in a Liverpool shirt. Now in his fifth year in England, the Frenchman faces the very real possibility that it could be his last at Anfield. Liverpool have attempted to secure Konate's future for approximately 12 months, engaging in contract talks that have not reached an agreement to date. With just months remaining on his current deal, manager Arne Slot has not yet given up hope on a renewal.

Puig, who missed all of 2025 because of a torn ACL in his left knee, told his coach he needed another surgery, one that will sideline him this season as well. Yet after the shock wore off, Vanney and general manager Will Kuntz decided to stick with the plans they took into the offseason rather than blowing them up because Puig would again be sidelined.

Even so, the Gunners will face competition to land the 19-year-old -- who plays at either left back or center back for the Castilla side and has made one appearance at senior level -- with several other top clubs in Europe interested. AC Milan have a longstanding desire to sign him, while the Spain U19 international has also caught the eye of clubs in the German Bundesliga.

He, like all Hearts' signings, went through Jamestown Analytics' assessment and passed the test. "If he had rated poorly, we wouldn't have signed him. It just wouldn't have got over the line," McInnes said of Findlay on Open Goal, external in October. "He's a brilliant boy in terms of being a brilliant team-mate. He allows you to play with that high line, gives you that left-sided balance."

The New England Patriots appear to be trending in the right direction after a 2-2 start to the 2025 regular season, and the good news is that some of the team's big-name players have been right in the driver's seat. Quarterback Drake Maye has shown clear signs of a Year 2 jump, entering Week 5 ranked sixth in the NFL in passing yards (988), tied for eighth in touchdown passes (7), and fifth overall in passer rating (109.4). Top free agent signings on defense, like defensive end Milton Williams and EDGE rusher Harold Landry, have already proven to be difference-makers. And the team has also gotten solid returns from its 2025 rookie class, with No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell at the forefront.

We know Chelsea don't mind spending big and it'll be the case again in January. From what I hear, the manager isn't completely happy with his squad if you can believe it after how many player they've brought in already. There are still positions he wants to improve because they're still not ready to challenge for the title. There's a clear weakness in the team, there have been questions asked about the centre-backs and the goalkeeper, that tells you where their problems are.