Bournemouth
Neville Questions Liverpool’s Form After Bournemouth Defeat
Neville used Liverpool’s Bournemouth defeat to argue their fragile form has defined the season.
Gary Neville diverted attention to Liverpool after their defeat at Bournemouth, using the south-coast result to sum up what he described as a season-long frailty. In commentary following the match, he highlighted defensive lapses and a bewildering spell when Liverpool were effectively down to 10 men.
The former Manchester United defender pointed to Virgil van Dijk as being “slack at the back” while the rest of the side “seemed to be taken over by a collective brain fog” as they continued to play with 10 men for six first-half minutes while Joe Gomez was receiving treatment off the pitch. Bournemouth took advantage and established a 2–0 lead during that period.
Neville made his observations ahead of United’s statement victory over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, and did not hide his view that the Reds’ troubles have been sustained. “We’ve said before that United have had the opportunity to go into the top four but there’s no doubt the teams around them are struggling at the moment,” he beamed while in discussion with Sky Sports.
“Liverpool last night, what a soft underbelly they’ve developed in the last few months.
“We were so critical of United for dropping points against teams like Burnley and Bournemouth. Now Liverpool have gone and done it and they’re the reigning champions, so they have to pick up their fair share of criticism.
“I think it was a really poor result for them last night. They looked a bit soft and not there. You’ve been able to get at them all season.”
After the Bournemouth game, Slot initially tried to stress accountability. “The only ones to blame are ourselves,” he told assembled media after the latest Liverpool setback extended their winless run to five Premier League games. He also raised concerns about the conditions on the south coast after the defeat.
Neville’s comments reframed a single result as evidence of a deeper run of inconsistent displays, while Liverpool and their manager faced questions both about personnel moments in the match and about form across recent months.
Bournemouth
Michael B. Jordan becomes first Premier League owner to win an Academy Award
Michael B. Jordan, Bournemouth minority owner, became first Premier League owner with Academy Award.
Michael B. Jordan won an Academy Award in Los Angeles on Sunday night, a distinction that makes the 39-year-old actor the first Premier League owner to claim that honour, according to Front Office Sports. Jordan is a minority owner of Bournemouth and his Oscar win created an unusual crossover between film and top-flight football ownership.
Jordan joined Bournemouth’s ownership group in December 2022 via Bill Foley’s Black Knight Football Club, a multi-club consortium whose portfolio includes Ligue 1’s FC Lorient and Portuguese side Moreirense FC. The investment placed the actor inside the ownership structure of the Cherries at a time when multi-club models are becoming more prominent in the game.
Jordan has spoken publicly about his affection for the sport and his reasons for investing. “As a kid, I used to play soccer a lot,” Jordan told sports league TST last March. “Funny enough, I was the goalie because I didn’t like running a lot … I invested in Bournemouth a couple of years ago. When the opportunity presented itself, I just saw a team with a lot of upside, a lot of growth, a lot of potential, and I love their story. I love the team’s history.”
The Cherries took to social media to celebrate their minority owner’s accomplishment. The overlap of a high-profile entertainment accolade and Premier League ownership underlines the increasingly global and cross-industry nature of modern club investment.
Front Office Sports reported the milestone, noting that Jordan’s Academy Award sets a new first for owners connected to the Premier League. For Bournemouth, the association with a well-known figure from outside football has attracted attention on and off the pitch.
Bournemouth
United Add Marcus Tavernier to Left-Wing Shortlist as Summer Recruitment Continues
United have added Marcus Tavernier to a three-man left-wing shortlist ahead of the summer transfer.
Manchester United have reportedly added Bournemouth forward Marcus Tavernier to a short list of left-wing options as they consider reinforcements for next season. The move follows an acknowledged need for natural width on the left, a role that Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount have been asked to fill despite both being primarily central players.
Interim manager Michael Carrick said it is “quite possible” that United will look for a left winger ahead of next season. Reports place Tavernier alongside RB Leipzig teenager Yan Diomande and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White on the club’s list. Gibbs-White is more of a No. 10 and has only sporadically been used on the left.
Tavernier’s versatility is a key reason he has attracted interest. This season he has started in a variety of positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield and on the right. In his two Bournemouth starts against United he has been directly involved in four goals and assists; one appearance in December 2023 saw him as a left winger in a 3–0 Cherries win, while the 4–4 draw at Old Trafford last December saw him line up in central midfield.
The 26-year-old is rated at $53.6 million (£40 million) and has produced 10 goals and assists in 26 appearances across all competitions so far this season. He remains under contract with Bournemouth until 2029, a fact that would allow the south coast club to demand a significant fee should they decide to sell. The Cherries have a recent history of cashing in on players they have developed into stars.
Top-five rivals Aston Villa are also reported to have shown interest, making enquiries during the January transfer window. United are expected to continue monitoring Tavernier before making a final choice at the end of the season, a decision that is likely to be influenced by whether Champions League qualification is achieved.
The club will weigh Tavernier’s adaptability, existing cover and the market before committing to any summer business. Dorgu, who was recruited as a defensive player after a spell as a left back at Lecce prior to a 2025 transfer, flourished higher up the pitch before his current injury layoff, a development described in some quarters as a happy accident.
Al Hilal
January window spenders: who spent big and how the market moved
January window: English clubs led the spending as Saudi and Brazil injected late-market drama. more.
The January window settled into a narrative of concentrated spending and late-market drama. English clubs combined to outspend the rest of the continent, their £390 million ($530 million) outlay dwarfing other top divisions. Meanwhile the Saudi market and Brazil’s strengthened finances injected headline moves.
Lazio were unusually active despite a prior transfer ban. The Romans replaced Taty Castellanos and Mattéo Guendouzi, who moved to West Ham United and Fenerbahçe respectively, by signing Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor for just shy of €17 million ($32 million) and adding young centre forward Petar Rakov. The fees recouped left Lazio with a net spend of -€23 million (-$27 million).
Fenerbahçe’s window pivoted around Guendouzi (€28 million) and the late acquisition of N’Golo Kanté on a free after his return from Saudi Arabia. The club banked on established midfield reinvention to challenge Galatasaray at the top.
Bournemouth again invested in youth, paying €28.5 million ($33.7 million) for Vasco de Gama prospect Rayan and also signing Golden Boy nominee Alex Tóth. Tottenham’s January activity saw Conor Gallagher arrive alongside Brazilian left back João Souza, though many supporters felt more reinforcements were needed. Sporting director Johan Lange asserted after the window that it was important the club remained disciplined amid potential temptations.
West Ham strengthened early, paying a combined €52 million ($61 million) for Castellanos and Gil Vicente’s Pablo to reshape their attack. They also added Adama Traoré for a small fee and brought in Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea.
Atlético Madrid spent late, bringing in Ademola Lookman from Atalanta for €35 million ($41 million) and signing Elche prospect Rodrigo Mendoza as a potential long-term addition after Giacomo Raspadori’s exit.
Flamengo flexed improved finances following a strong Club World Cup showing, reporting club-record revenue of €249 million ($294 million) for the first three quarters of 2025 and setting a Brazilian transfer record by paying €41 million ($48 million) to re-sign Lucas Paquetá from West Ham.
In Saudi Arabia Karim Benzema’s move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal coincided with Al Hilal leading Al Nassr in the title race. Cristiano Ronaldo’s fallout is believed linked to that switch; Ronaldo has gone on strike while Benzema scored a hat-trick on debut. Al Hilal also extended Rúben Neves and added Mohamed Kader Meïté, with the club labelled the “Real Madrid of Asia” by Benzema.
