Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne believes Rasmus Højlund still has everything needed to develop into a top-level striker, despite a challenging spell at Manchester United.

Højlund arrived at Old Trafford in 2023 with high expectations following a £72 million move from Atalanta, but his early years in England proved inconsistent. While there were glimpses of his potential, he struggled to justify his price tag, managing only four league goals last season.

United’s decision to heavily invest in attacking reinforcements — including deals for Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško — pushed the Danish forward further down the pecking order, ultimately opening the door for a move away.

Napoli capitalised quickly, securing Højlund on a season-long loan, and the switch has revitalised his form. The 23-year-old has rediscovered his scoring touch in Italy, registering 14 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions and playing a key role in crucial matches in both domestic and European competitions.

His growing partnership with De Bruyne has also caught attention, with the striker praising the Belgian’s ability to deliver perfectly timed passes. In response, De Bruyne downplayed the praise but highlighted the importance of rewarding attacking movement, noting that consistency in service encourages forwards to keep making runs.

The experienced midfielder also backed Højlund’s long-term potential, stressing that his struggles in England do not define him. He pointed out that the forward is still young, possesses strong attributes, and is now showing clear progress in a more suitable environment.

Napoli’s agreement includes a clause that would make the move permanent if they secure Champions League qualification — something they are currently on track to achieve as they sit third in Serie A. However, even if they fall short, sporting director Giovanni Manna has indicated the club is keen to keep the striker.

A permanent transfer is expected to cost around £38 million, a figure that reflects both Højlund’s resurgence and Napoli’s confidence in his continued development.

Liverpool FC midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has delivered a blunt assessment of his side’s performance after their crushing FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City.

The Reds were dismantled 4-0 in the quarter-final clash, with Erling Haaland netting a hat-trick and Antoine Semenyo adding another to seal City’s progression to Wembley — their third victory over Liverpool this season.

The scale of the defeat left fans heading for the exits early, while pressure continues to mount on manager Arne Slot as the campaign nears its conclusion.

Reflecting on the loss, Szoboszlai admitted the team fell well below the required standard, pointing to a lack of intensity and unity across the pitch. He suggested the squad failed to match the occasion, stressing that the collective effort simply wasn’t good enough.

He acknowledged it is a difficult period for the club but urged his teammates to remain united, highlighting their upcoming fixture as an opportunity to respond. At the same time, he conceded that this season is drifting far from expectations and needs a strong finish to restore some pride.

The Hungarian also struggled to make sense of the performance, admitting the result was tough to process given how much the team wanted to progress. He reiterated that Liverpool’s success is built on hard work and togetherness — qualities he believes were missing on the day.

Slot shared the same frustration, describing the result as deeply disappointing. He pointed out that while defeat is always hard to take, conceding four goals in such a short spell fell far below the standards expected at the club.

Victor Osimhen has never been one to dilute his personality, and that same unapologetic edge continues to define both his career and public image. The Super Eagles striker, widely admired for his intensity on the pitch, has often drawn criticism for his strong-willed nature — but he sees it very differently.

In the documentary Victor Osimhen: The Untold Story, Osimhen opens up about the mindset behind his approach, making it clear that what البعض interpret as stubbornness is, in his view, a necessary form of self-protection.

Rather than distancing himself from the label, Osimhen embraces it, explaining that his journey through football has exposed him to the harsh realities of the industry. He suggests that staying firm and putting himself first has been key to avoiding being taken advantage of.

He explained that prioritising himself is non-negotiable because he built his career from the ground up. In his words, being “stubborn” is not a flaw but a strength — a way of ensuring no one can exploit his success or take control of his path.

The 27-year-old also reflected on the people he has encountered throughout his career, hinting at past relationships that ended in disappointment. According to him, loyalty was not always reciprocated, and walking away became necessary once he recognised patterns of manipulation.

Osimhen went on to suggest that refusing to conform has occasionally made him a target, with negative narratives surfacing when he chooses to stand his ground. However, he remains unfazed, insisting that such attempts to damage his reputation have ultimately failed.

For Osimhen, the philosophy is simple: in a football world where players can easily be treated as commodities, maintaining control of his identity and decisions is essential. His so-called stubbornness, he believes, is not just about protecting his career — it’s about preserving who he is at his core.