#midfield

#midfield

Pedri has been a pillar in Barcelona's midfield and has only gotten better with every passing season. It is seemingly unthinkable for Barcelona to manage without his brilliance in midfield.

"He's already one of the best in the world at that age. He's a unique player, one we all enjoy watching every time he plays. I think Barcelona really notices it when Pedri isn't there."

You have to take it step by step to achieve big goals. I look up to Rodri [Hernandez Cascante] a bit in that respect; for me, he was one of the best for a long time. Training and playing alongside players like Joshua Kimmich, [Harry] Kane, and others every day is unique.

It is for good reason that Arteta rates one of his more recent signings so highly. Zubimendi has been justifying his manager's comments since signing from boyhood club Real Sociedad in July 2025. The 27-year-old has played the most minutes of any of Arsenal's outfield players and has been chipping in with goals too. And that goal return may have come as a surprise, with Zubimendi signed primarily as a defensive midfielder but now having scored six times in 34 appearances - the most he has registered during any campaign in his career.

season, when Zubimendi was just starting to emerge in the first team. Straight away you see it the way he understands the game, how smart he is. His positioning without the ball, the way he wins it back he's not the biggest or the strongest, but he's so intelligent. It's amazing to play with him. He deserves all the credit he gets.

I really like Carlos Baleba at Brighton and think he could replace Casemiro at Manchester United, Stam told TEAMtalk. I like Frenkie de Jong a lot too, but it looks as though he'll be staying at Barcelona. Manchester United need to be looking for a replacement that has good legs and the engine to run up and down the field. They also need to be very good with the ball too. Baleba can do that.

Conor Gallagher is expected to fly to England on Tuesday to undergo his medical and finalise the remaining details of a long-term contract ahead of completing his move to Tottenham, according to The Athletic. A 40 million permanent agreement is already in place between Spurs and Atletico Madrid. Tottenham have moved swiftly to secure the 25-year-old midfielder, accelerating negotiations after suffering yet another major setback in midfield.