All posts by n8rngtd.top

Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian has posted a heartfelt goodbye to Palmeiras after playing his final game for the club against new side Chelsea.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• 18-year-old Estevao to join Chelsea
• Says emotional Palmeiras goodbye on social media
• Scored against his new club in final game

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Estevao thanked Palmeiras for everything the club has done for him in helping him reach where he has today. The 18-year-old will be a Chelsea player for the new season having stayed with the Brazilian club to compete in the Club World Cup, from which they were eliminated 2-1 by the Blues in the quarter-finals despite a stunning goal by Estevao himself to level the scores in the second half.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Estevao has been earmarked as one of the brightest young talents coming out of Brazil for some time – the best since Neymar according to some – and he agreed a deal to join Chelsea before the end of last season, in an initial £29m ($40m) deal which could rise as high as £55m ($75m) based on performances.

• WHAT ESTEVAO SAID

  The wonderkid said in a post on Instagram: "Thank you Palm Trees. I am eternally grateful to Palmeiras for everything they have provided throughout this time, athletes and committee from the base to the professionals, fans, all of you were essential for me to get to where I am, it was a great pleasure and privilege to wear the Palmeiras shirt that will be marked for the rest of my story, again thank you so much."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ESTEVAO?

  The teenage winger will soon arrive at Stamford Bridge and link up with his new teammates ahead of pre-season and the new campaign. Enzo Maresca could decide to send out the exciting talent on a loan spell in Europe for his first season, or else we may see Estevao in a Chelsea shirt in the Premier League very soon.

Marcus Rashford could be set for a fresh start in Spain, with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick reportedly approving a move for the Manchester United forward. The 27-year-old, who trained alone at Carrington on his return to pre-season, is pushing for a switch to Camp Nou, with Barca now preparing to open formal talks for a potential loan-to-buy deal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Flick approves move as Rashford trains alone at United
• Barcelona eye loan-to-buy deal for 27-year-old forward
• Rashford willing to cut wages to secure dream move

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barcelona have stepped up their pursuit of Rashford following Flick’s approval to proceed with a move, as per Matteo Moretto. The Manchester United star, currently training alone, is open to a switch and is even willing to accept a pay cut. The La Liga champions hope to bring the England international in on loan with a purchase option for the summer of 2026.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  After missing out on Nico Williams, Barcelona have turned their attention to Rashford and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz. While the Colombian remains Barcelona sporting director Deco’s top priority, a move for the Liverpool winger is proving complicated due to Bayern Munich’s involvement. That has made Rashford a more accessible and realistic alternative for the Catalan giants, as he continues to train alone at Carrington.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  As per the report, Barcelona sporting director Deco is set to hold new talks with Rashford’s representatives in the coming days. The player has made it clear he will only consider leaving Manchester United this summer if it means joining Barcelona. With personal terms unlikely to be an issue, the biggest hurdle now lies in negotiating with United over the structure of the deal.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  Barcelona are preparing to submit their proposal and could look to finalise terms with Rashford before the end of the month. United, frustrated with Rashford’s stance, are keen to sell but may be forced to accept a loan as they continue to struggle with finances. All eyes are now on whether the clubs can strike a compromise before pre-season ramps up.

Anthony Elanga has completed his transfer to Newcastle from Nottingham Forest, who are trying to stop Morgan Gibbs-White from joining Tottenham.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Elanga completes Newcastle move
• Forest could be weakened further
• Gibbs-White deal to Spurs held up

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Elanga has completed his transfer to Newcastle in a deal that could be worth up to £55 million (€63.5 million). The Sweden international previously emerged as a target for the Magpies, though Nuno Espirito Santo's side rejected their first approach.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Elanga is Newcastle's first major piece of business this summer, but things could soon get worse for Forest. Tottenham are reported to have triggered the £60 million (€63.9 million) release clause in Gibbs-White's contract, but the East Midlands side have threatened legal action against Spurs in a bid to hold up the deal.

• WHAT ELANGA SAID

  Elanga told Newcastle's website: "I'm excited, I'm really happy but most importantly I'm ready. I'm ready to put on this black and white top to really fight for this team and give everything for the passionate fanbase that lives and breathes football.

  "I had an amazing two years at Nottingham Forest, they really helped me to become the player I am today, but I'm really happy to be here now. The club won a trophy last season and are building something unique, something special that I really want to be part of.

  "I really want to buy into the culture, into the DNA of this club. I'm really happy to be here and I can't wait to get started."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Given Elanga was one of their most important players, it's unsurprising Forest are trying to stop Gibbs-White from leaving for Spurs. Whether they will be successful in that ordeal, however, remains to be seen.

Alejandro Garnacho has hinted that a move away from Manchester United could be on the cards, with Cristiano Ronaldo figuring in a training video.

• Red Devils open to offers for tricky winger
• Argentina international is working hard
• Hinted at being ready for new challenge

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Argentina international Garnacho is seeing questions asked of his future at Old Trafford after reportedly being informed by Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim that offers will be listened to in the summer transfer window.

Advertisement

• Getty/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Garnacho is only 21 years of age and a product of United’s fabled academy system. He enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022-23 – on the back of winning the FA Youth Cup – and has reached 144 competitive appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 26 goals.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  For a while, Garnacho looked like being the man United’s future ambitions would be built around. A fresh start now appears to be on the cards, with the tricky winger – who plays alongside Lionel Messi at international level and has always idolised Portuguese GOAT Ronaldo – hinting in a “getting ready” social media post that something is brewing.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• TELL ME MORE

  In his video, which sees the talented forward working through a rigorous tracking regime, Garnacho makes a point of including a motivational message from CR7 that sees the United icon say: “No secrets, don’t exist, secrets. Dedication and hard work, you know? To be able to work 100 per cent all the time. This is my secret.”

Ex-Tottenham defender Serge Aurier has signed for Iranian side Persepolis after over a year without a club, reigniting his career in a surprise move.

• Aurier joins Persepolis at 32
• Fifth foreign league for the Ivorian defender
• Free agent since leaving Galatasaray in 2024

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ex-Tottenham and Paris-Saint Germain defender Aurier has signed with Persepolis in Iran, marking a new chapter in his career after being without a club since his contract with Galatasaray expired in July 2024. The Ivorian full-back joined the club’s training camp before the official announcement was made on Thursday.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Aurier’s move to Iran is unexpected, especially considering his past in top European leagues. He previously played for PSG, Tottenham, Villarreal, Nottingham Forest and Galatasaray, and now adds the Persian Gulf Pro League to his resume. His signing comes at a time when fellow former Ligue 1 stars Steven Nzonzi and Wissam Ben Yedder have left the Iranian league.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 32-year-old caused a stir in 2016 during his PSG days when he made controversial comments on social media about then-coach Laurent Blanc and team-mates Salvatore Sirigu and Angel Di Maria. He recently turned down a move to Marseille, which was proposed by director Medhi Benatia.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR AURIER?

  Persepolis hope Aurier brings experience and leadership to their squad as they aim to improve on last season’s third-place finish. For Aurier, it’s a fresh start and perhaps the final major chapter of a career full of twists.

Wrexham snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as two stoppage time goals secured Southampton a comeback 2-1 win in their Championship opener.

• Wrexham lose 2-1 at Southampton
• Late Manning and Stephens goals
• Windass scores for visitors

• Getty Images Sport
  

  TELL ME MORE

  Wrexham initially picked up where they left off after their League One promotion with a street-wise and slick start at St Mary's on Saturday. Right from the off, they went toe to toe with a side that was relegated from the Premier League just a few months ago. 

  Conor Coady missed a big chance when he volleyed over from inside the six-yard box, and then fellow summer recruit Josh Windass' superb 20-yard effort crashed against the crossbar. 

  At the other end, new signing Danny Ward made smart stops from Jay Steven Robinson and Adam Armstrong as the Welsh outfit maintained their reputation for a strong defensive line after keeping 24 clean sheets last season.

  Wrexham's transfer team would have been licking their lips when Kieffer Moore drove into the box, won a penalty after Ronnie Edwards clumsily fouled him, and Windass scored from the spot in the 22nd minute. 

  The visitors, who also saw Lewis Brunt's header nestle on the roof of the net, breathed a sigh of relief just before half-time when Robinson's effort from a tight angle hit the post, and then Coady did brilliantly to twice deny Armstrong from point-blank range.

  In the second half, Wrexham were content to let Will Still's team have the lion's share of possession and hit them on the counter-attack as the home fans – who howled in anger at referee James Bell's officiating – pleaded for an equaliser.

  Those protests did not go away when Joshua Quarshie appealed for a penalty after having his shirt pulled by Sam Smith, but it came to nothing. Wrexham nearly got a second, only for Gavin Bazunu to pull off what would be a match-saving stop to keep out Ryan Hardie's bobbling shot.

  Soon after, the away team were denied a famous victory when substitute Ryan Manning fizzed in a brilliant free-kick in the 90th minute from 25 yards. To make matters worse, Jack Stephens scored a 96th-minute winner as he punished some slack defending at the death. 

  In the end, Wrexham were made to pay for not being proactive enough and sitting too deep as they invited Saints pressure. This one will be tough to swallow for Phil Parkinson and his players, who missed Moore's presence up front.

Advertisement

• THE MVP

  While Moore was a nuisance up front, Windass showed plenty of quality, Ward impressed in goal, and midfielder, Lewis O'Brien was here, there, and everywhere, Coady put in a quality performance. Although his team came away without a point, the former Leicester City man didn't really put a foot wrong. But Manning was the difference maker of the bench for Southampton.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIG LOSER

  Wrexham boss Parkinson will be kicking himself for letting this result slip away right at the death. His substitutes did not have the desired effect and they got too defensive as the match wore on. A teachable moment for the manager.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  For Parkinson's Wrexham, they take on fellow Championship side Hull City in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, whereas Still's Southampton are away to League One Northampton on the same night.

Luis Enrique says he takes full responsibility for dropping Gianluigi Donnarumma from the UEFA Super Cup squad amid transfer rumours.

• PSG boss takes full blame for Donnarumma’s Super Cup snub
• 55-year-old says he needed a goalkeeper with a 'different' profile
• Italian stopper's agent threatens legal action

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ahead of the UEFA Super Cup clash against Tottenham, the Paris Saint-Germain coach confirmed he personally decided to drop Donnarumma from the squad, with the move coming amid stalled contract talks and transfer speculation. The former Spain coach explained that he wanted a "different kind" of goalkeeper, even though he called Donnarumma “one of the best in the world.” 

  However, the statement didn't go down well with the Italian stopper, who took to social media to call the decision hurtful. He said he was “disappointed and disheartened” to be told he could no longer be part of the group and expressed a desire for a proper farewell.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Donnarumma joined PSG in 2021 and played a key role in their Champions League and treble-winning season in June. However, with contract talks stalling, the French club signed young goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier as the new starter, effectively pushing Donnarumma out. His agent, Enzo Raiola, has criticised PSG’s handling of the situation, suggesting they are considering legal action against the Champions League winners. 

  Raiola said: "I understand the need to buy a new goalkeeper, but dismissing Gigio after everything he's done for the club is a huge lack of respect that I will assess with my lawyers. Beyond the fact that it was the coach who made this decision, he also works for the club, and my lawyers and I want to better understand their position."

• WHAT LUIS ENRIQUE SAID

  Luis Enrique has given his say on the matter, though, explaining why he made the decision to drop the Italian. He told reporters: "Donnarumma is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, without a doubt, and even better as a person. However, this is the life of a top-level footballer, and I am 100% responsible for this difficult decision. If it were easy, anyone would do it. These decisions have to do with the profile of the goalkeeper my team needs.

  "Lucas Chevalier and Renato Marin have also arrived as signings. These are always difficult decisions to make. I know that. I can only speak highly of Donnarumma. He's one of the best players in his position, without a doubt. He's even better as a person. But we're looking for a different type of goalkeeper. And I'll repeat it. It's always difficult to manage these kinds of situations… There's no more dwelling, no more questions. It's my decision, which the club supports, and we're looking for the best solution for all parties involved."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR DONNARUMMA?

  Manchester City have emerged as the new favourites to sign the goalkeeper this summer as they could leave Brazilian shot stopper Ederson.

PRO has confirmed that the policy will be looked at following the surfacing of social media photos of Ford and his family attending LAFC matches

• PRO to re-evaluate members' connections to clubs
• Referee had previous social posts at LAFC matches surface
• MLS overturned Whitecaps' red card from him on Saturday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Professional Referee Organization (PRO) reportedly informed ESPN that it will be re-evaluating the process of how it constitutes a referee's connection with a club. PRO, which handles training and assigning of referees in MLS and USL, made the statement in the wake of social media posts surfacing of referee Tim Ford and his family attending an LAFC match.

  Ford will not be sanctioned.

  The debacle came to light this weekend after the Vancouver Whitecaps were defeated by the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 in MLS action, highlighted by a flurry of controversial officiating decisions. In the match, Ford handed Whitecaps' defender Edier Ocampo two separate yellow cards for what he deemed to be offenses, sending him off. Ford also called a penalty on Vancouver defender Tristan Blackmon, which was recommended by the VAR official to be looked at on the monitor for a potential change, but Ford stuck with his initial decision, opting not to side with a potential change from video review.

  "Everybody who watched the game saw a man slip and one man saw a penalty," Vancouver manager Jesper Sorensen told reporters after the match. "That's how it is. Luckily, we play with VAR, so they saw it differently, and then it was still a penalty."

  After the contest, photos, some of which were from 2018, surfaced of Ford and his family attending an LAFC match. The photos came from Ford's wife's Instagram, and the account has since been made private.

  On Monday, MLS rescinded the second yellow and ensuing fine from Ocampo, making him eligible for selection immediately for Vancouver. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ford and the Whitecaps have an ongoing history, but Saturday marked his first time officiating a match of theirs since the 2023 MLS postseason, where he was once again at the center of controversy with the Canadian side. 

  In the 2023 MLS Playoffs, Vancouver and LAFC were participating in a Best-of-3 series, and in match two, Ford awarded LAFC a controversial penalty that was converted by Denis Bouanga in a 1-0 victory to clinch the series. He also sent off former Whitecaps manager Vanni Sartini in the match.

  In Sartini's postgame press conference, he threatened Ford and was suspended and fined by MLS for his comments. “If they found [Ford] in False Creek then I’m going to be a suspect. I’m not saying that I would do it, I’m saying I’m the first suspect – it’s different,” Sartini said. He was suspended for six matches and fined $20,000. 

  One Instagram post that surfaced from his wife's account showed that his children got to meet LAFC's players after game one of that series. 

  PRO informed ESPN that Ford will not be sanctioned, as he was not wearing LAFC merchandise in the photos. In a text message sent, PRO informed ESPN that they will be adjusting their policy for evaluation, though.

  "We are re-evaluating our processes about what constitutes a connection with a club," a spokesperson said. 

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Vancouver sports a record of 3-3-3 in matches officiated by Ford. LAFC, meanwhile, are 3-2-2.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Major League Soccer
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Ford has been assigned to be the fourth official in Saturday's MLS match between the Colorado Rapids and Atlanta United.

Neymar collected a yellow card and a subsequent one-game suspension during Santos' 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Vasco da Gama on Sunday.

• Neymar suspended for one game
• Santos battered in 6-0 defeat
• Brazilian superstar seen in tears

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Neymar and Santos suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to Vasco da Gama on Sunday, heightening relegation fears among their fans. The Brazilian superstar was in tears at full time and had to be consoled by a member of staff. Manager Cleber Xavier was given the sack shortly after the loss, but Santos now face being without Neymar for their next game after he picked up a yellow card and a subsequent one-match suspension.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Former Liverpool and Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho was among the goal-scorers during a bleak evening for Neymar and Santos. The one-game ban means Neymar, who has scored three goals in 11 Brazilian Serie A fixtures this season, will miss their next fixture against Bahia on Sunday and the 33-year-old admitted after the defeat it was one of the worst results of his illustrious career.

• WHAT NEYMAR SAID

  Speaking to reporters after the game, Neymar said: "I'm completely disappointed with our game. The fans have the right to protest in all sorts of ways, obviously without physical violence. But cursing and insulting people today is perfectly acceptable.

  "I feel incredibly ashamed; I've never experienced anything like this in my life. I'm crying out of anger, at everything. Unfortunately, I can't help in every way. Today was terrible; that's the reality.

  "To sum it all up: it was sh*t. It's a disgrace to play that kind of game wearing a Santos jersey. Everyone needs to put their head down, go home, and think about what they want to do. With today's attitude, if we have to do what we did on the field, we won't even need to show up again on Wednesday."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Santos are in a very real relegation scrap, sitting 15th with only 21 points. Things don't get much easier in the coming weeks either, with upcoming opponents Bahia and Fluminense both sitting ahead of the Vila Belmiro side in the league table.

The mid-table Bundesliga side may not be particularly flashy, but a stable system could be exactly what the American needs

For Gio Reyna, this is about one thing: a fresh start. The somehow-still-21-year-old spent, in effect, six months being the next great hope at Borussia Dortmund before fading into injury-marred irrelevance. As those around him came, improved, and either left or stole his minutes, Reyna watched from the sidelines.

There were injuries, fitness issues, and, by the end, a general reluctance to let him play. Reyna, as the kids say, was cooked. 

And so we arrive at a new dawn for the England-born American. Reyna has left Dortmund – perhaps a little later than he should have – and finds himself a Borussia Monchengladbach player. This is probably a good thing. As plenty have pointed out, Reyna gets to stay in the Bundesliga. He is less than 100 miles down the road from his old club.

He has just gotten married, and, even if Dortmund wasn't an excellent footballing venture, Reyna seems to love life in Germany. Joe Scally, one of his best friends in football, will be his teammate – something that simply cannot be undervalued.

But what of the actual football here? Monchengladbach are a good-not-great Bundesliga team, so often in the top 10 but seldom pushing for much more. They aren't big spenders, nor do they let anyone leave. This is, in effect, the model of a well-run self sustaining club.

No, Monchengladbach aren't flashy. But they are stable, and comfortable where they are. In abstract, that kind of no-frills, middling-expectation vibe could be exactly what Reyna needs as he looks to revive his career. And more importantly, there might be space for him to do it, too.

GOAL US looks at Reyna's tactical fit in his new home.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What Reyna is

  You would be forgiven for forgetting what Reyna looks like these days. After all, despite being so young, he is a player that exists only in highlights and memories. A weaving run through the pitch of the Estadio Azteca goes viral every now and then, which pretty much encapsulates what Reyna is – a footballer of immaculate technique, at his best, capable of producing moments of magic. 

  There are some other basics. Reyna, nominally, is right-footed, but is equally skilled with both feet. He can both pass and dribble with either. There really isn't a move that he have in his locker. He can play pretty much anywhere across an attacking trio, but works best as either a No. 10 or perhaps coming off the left.

  That bag of tricks – and crucial versaility – is very, hard to find in professional soccer. But perhaps the most valuable component of Reyna's game is his improvisation. There are plenty of players with immaculate technique, drilled into them from a very young age. Reyna, crucially, knows when to cycle through his various skills. Put more simply, he makes the hard plays, but also the right ones. 

  So what gives? Why, if this skillset is so valuable, is Reyna headed to a lesser team for a cut-price fee?

  There are some fundamental weaknesses here. And they are, unfortunately, the less tangible ones. Fair or foul, Reyna has a reputation for having an attitude problem. His work rate can be laughably poor. It is not too simplistic to admit that he sometimes just gives up on plays in a defensive sense. He is a maverick in a soccer world that seldom has room for them. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  What Monchengladbach are

  Enter Monchengladbach, who are, ironically, the exact kind of team who could use a bit of flair. Monchenglabach are wonderfully reliable, but never excellent. Last year, they finished 10th, and scored almost as many goals as they conceded. They were never under threat of relegation and, after a late-season slump marked by a series of draws in their final five games, ended the campaign seven points out of a European spot.

  Everything about their game is typical of a solid Bundesliga team. Most of their starters are in their mid-to-late 20s. They play a 4-2-3-1 that has become the run-of-the-mill formation for most sides in the German top flight. They rely on a decent No. 10, with a couple of creative players out wide, and an imposing No. 9 to do the fun stuff in front of goal. 

  They are defensively resolute, occasionally sloppy, but mostly reliable. Their manager, Gerardo Seoane, had one good season with Bayer Leverkusen but was dismissed when expectations were raised. One bad start to a season saw him sacked – and replaced by Xabi Alonso, who did far more with the same squad.

  Appropriately, they opened the 2025-26 campaign with a 0-0 draw. Nothing to see here. 

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Where Reyna fits

  And so we have Reyna, who is the safe, unspectacular sort of level raiser for a team who could do with a smidge of an attacking lift. Alassane Plea, who scored 11 goals and added four assists in a career best season, left the club last summer after six years of agreeable service.

  He was their main man creatively, but after another year of mid-table mediocrity, asked to depart. He is 31, and PSV came calling. Monchengladbach were left trying to decide between offering a long-term deal to a player on the wrong side of 30, or looking elsewhere. They chose the latter. 

  In some ways, Reyna is a bargain-bin replacement. Plea spent good portions of the 2024-25 campaign playing out wide. With him gone, Monchengladbach could use more impact. 

  They are also  light in the No. 10 position. Veteran attacking midfielder Kevin Stoger, who joined at the advent of last season as a free agent, started in the opening game of the season. Last year, he provided three goals and four assists in 33 appearances. Florian Neuhaus – once linked with bigger clubs – is also an option, but spent most of last season in a deeper role.

  More broadly, then, Monchengladbach need options. Reyna provides one. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Borussia Monchengladbach
  

  Super-sub or bonafide starter?

  But where that comes to fruition remains to be seen. Sporting director Roland Virkus – who does not, it must be pointed out, select the starting XI – speculated that Reyna can play a bit of everywhere. 

  "He can play in different positions," Virkus said. "As a hanging striker, on the wing, at number 10, or directly behind a central striker. It's important for competition that you're not tied to one position. He puts pressure on all the forward positions – but he doesn't actually block anyone."

  And therein lies the point. Virkus also admitted that Monchengladbach would not typically attract a player of Reyna's quality. He's right. Reyna is too good, too technical, and too gifted. On talent alone, he should be playing Champions League football. But right now, he is a fine fit. Monchengladbach need a bit of help everywhere, and Reyna can play, well, anywhere.

  What that will require, though, is plenty of patience – at least at first. It is no secret that Reyna has a long injury record. Part of the reason he was never able to carve out a consistent role at Dortmund was the fact he could never stay on the pitch long enough.

  He will likely need to be wrapped in cotton wool as he returns to fitness, and ramps up for the season. It would not be a surprise to see him miss matchday squads, or settle for odd minutes at weird positions – at least to start.