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GOAL brings you all you need to know as a brand new and completely unique, community-driven game enters the world of football management simulators

Fancy being a manager, scout, agent, trader or even own a part of football as a club or player influencer? Soccerverse lets you choose as you enter a vast, open-ended game world and compete against other users. Immerse yourself in a parallel universe where the spirit of football is brought alive in front of your very own eyes and you discover how the industry really works.

Here’s everything you need to know about Soccerverse.

• What is Soccerverse?

  Soccerverse is an online, multiplayer, football simulator game that provides a truly unique and engaging experience. There is something for everyone in Soccerverse as users are provided with the chance to collaborate with others to leave a lasting legacy, whether it’s by guiding a team to glory as a manager, scouting young talent, taking ownership of a club, or overseeing the next big thing as a footballer’s agent. Interact with other users across the world to shape your destiny in what is a truly social experience.

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• When is Soccerverse released?

  Soccerverse was released on January 9, 2025, so is out now and available to play. Players can choose their preferred roles and start planning their strategies for the season ahead before the first match week kicks off on 18 January.  Soccerverse is a game played on any browser so can be played on the majority of devices.

• Which clubs and players are in Soccerverse?

  The Soccerverse world is vast and features 5,350 clubs and over 140,000 players all competing against each other across the world. There are 322 national leagues, 154 national cups, four continental championships, as well as the World Club Cup.

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• Which competitions feature in Soccerverse?

  Teams play in leagues that consist of between eight and 22 clubs depending on the size of the country. There are also national cup competitions which are played in a single leg knockout format with the stronger teams receiving byes in the earlier rounds. The top teams in each country will also play in one of four continental championships: the America Cup, the Africa Cup, the Asia Cup and the Euro Cup.

  The winners of the four continental championships go through to the World Club Cup which is played every season. The two-round knockout stage culminates in a grand final to crown the game’s ultimate champion of champions.

Aston Villa are believed to be among a host of Premier League clubs keen on signing a "fantastic pressing player", according to a new transfer report, with the club's recruitment staff impressed by his analytics.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans may be unable to bring in new players now, barring free agents, but they are still being linked with new signings, as Unai Emery and Monchi look to future transfer windows for reinforcements that will ensure their rise in the last 18 months is no flash in the pan.

Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior has emerged as a target for Villa, having found himself settling for a squad role at the Emirates, with the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber ahead of him in the pecking order. The 24-year-old is yet to play a single minute of Premier League action this season and could see a move to Villa Park as more beneficial for his development.

Current Villa star Youri Tielemans meanwhile has hinted at his own future, suggesting an exit to boyhood club Anderlecht may be on the cards eventually: "For me, the door to Anderlecht is always open, but I also have to look at my career. First, other things."

It is essential that Emery is given the funds to continue improving his squad, especially with Villa now having to tackle Champions League football as well, and it looks as though the Midlands club are eyeing up a Premier League star as a new addition in one of the upcoming windows.

Aston Villa monitoring "fantastic pressing player"

According to a fresh update from HITC, Aston Villa are eyeing a move for Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo, with the winger not rushing to sign an extension at his current club currently. The Villans are far from the only Premier League club in the mix to snap him up, however, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United all mentioned as possible suitors.

Mbeumo is a brilliant player who could excel in a Villa shirt after costing Brentford just £6m when they signed him, with the 25-year-old even being touted as Mohamed Salah's potential long-term replacement at Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Thomas Frank has lauded his attacking gem, including his off-the-ball work, saying: "The big praise goes to Bryan. He has grown more and more to be a key player for us. He works so hard, he’s a fantastic pressing player and can score goals and get assists, but maybe lacked enough goals. He works very hard on his finishing."

The report backs this up as a key reason for Villa and other teams wanting to sign Mbeumo, stating that the interested parties "rest on analytics and statistics these days to unearth future targets" with the Cameroonian "ranking amongst the most effective forwards anywhere in European football" on those metrics.

Villa have an excellent squad these days, but additional firepower in attacking areas does feel essential, especially with Moussa Diaby departing for Al-Ittihad, following an up-and-down 12-month spell at Villa Park.

Aston Villa already looking at signing "faultless" £20m Premier League ace

Monchi and co are continuing the club’s transfer plans.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 7, 2024

Mbeumo has shown that he can excel in the Premier League, arguably standing out as one of the best wide players in the division recently, scoring three times in as many matches this season and bagging 46 goal contributions (25 goals and 21 assists) in 101 outings in the competition overall.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been brutally described as the 'flop of the season' amid a tough campaign for the Red Devils.

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• Man Utd having dismal season
• One Red Devil named flop of campaign
• Critic cites his lack of "leadership"

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Liverpool and Leicester City striker Emile Heskey was asked who his flop of the 2024/25 season has been so far. The ex-England international pulled no punches by digging out United captain Bruno Fernandes, citing his apparent lack of "leadership".

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• WHAT EMILE HESKEY SAID

  He told Instant Casino: "Bruno Fernandes. I've seen the seasons gone by where he's scoring, and he's really been carrying them a little bit. With the captain’s armband as well, you're expecting a little bit more. He can't do it on his own, I get that, but as a captain, I want to see a bit more drive. I want to see a bit more leadership. I don’t think he’s given that. For a captain, one good performance like he produced against Liverpool in however many is not good enough really. The minimum for any player is to run around, tackle, be aggressive. The captain has to do more, he has to lead from the front and set the standards for others to follow. I don’t think he’s necessarily been that. It's been a tough season for them, hasn't it? I don't know even where to put my finger on why it’s all gone so badly. It's not just like one bit, everything's just capitulated. It'll be interesting to see what the future looks like under Ruben Amorim. They had a really good result against Liverpool, and yes, they probably could have won it at the end with the Maguire chance. But all in all, Liverpool squandered a few chances as well."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Fernandes has arguably been one of the Premier League's best players since swapping Sporting CP for United in early 2020 but he didn't open his league goalscoring account until November this season. While he has four goals and six assists in the Premier League this term, the 30-year-old has not hit the heights of previous campaigns and he bears some responsibility for the team languishing down in 13th in the table.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Portugal international Fernandes will hope to be at his best when United take on Arsenal in round three of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is poised to hand one Spurs teenager first-team minutes over the next 10 days, coming after the youngster has seriously impressed coaching and backroom staff at Hotspur Way.

Tottenham escape Coventry with dramatic 2-1 victory

It was very nearly one of Postecoglou’s most embarrassing nights in the Lilywhites dugout on Wednesday evening, with Championship side Coventry City minutes away from causing a real upset in the EFL Cup.

Ange without injured £134k-per-week Tottenham star alongside Wilson Odobert

The Australian is minus two key men for Brentford.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 21, 2024

Postecoglou, speaking after their North London Derby defeat to Arsenal last weekend, appeared to promise supporters that he will deliver silverware this season – when the tactician remarked that he “always” wins trophies in his second season in charge.

“I’ll correct myself – I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second year,” said Postecoglou on his record as a manager.

“Nothing’s changed. I’ve said it now. I don’t say things unless I believe them.”

That pledge was in real danger of looking silly earlier this week, when Coventry star Brandon Thomas-Asante gave the home side a shock lead just past the hour mark to give Spurs a serious scare.

It was an uninspiring performance from Postecoglou’s side overall, but their heart and character was on full display in the dying minutes. Right-back Djed Spence fired in an 88th minute equaliser before Brennan Johnson, who has been subject to online abuse recently, scored the winner to send Tottenham into the EFL Cup fourth round.

The smash-and-grab nature of their victory at Coventry could even spark a revival, following what has been a tepid start to the new campaign for Spurs. It also gives hope to fringe players of the squad who are eager to fight their way into Postecoglou’s plans.

Spence was on the verge of joining Genoa in the summer, but the Englishman helped Tottenham to claw their way back against Coventry and could be set for more roles this term – which is quite the comeback from where he was this time last year.

Ange poised to play Tottenham youngster Lucas Bergvall

According to GiveMeSport, young teenage midfielder Lucas Bergvall could be set for more game time over the next 10 days, starting with their clash against London rivals Brentford this afternoon.

The Swede, signed from Djurgarden earlier this year for around £8.5 million, was given his full debut against Coventry – starting the encounter and seemingly doing enough to impress Postecoglou.

GMS write that Postecoglou is poised to play Bergvall in Tottenham’s next few games, and it is believed that the 18-year-old has been impressing backroom staff behind-the-scenes at N17.

The £15,000-per-week Bergvall looks to be a highly promising talent, with pundit Marca Palma even likening him to Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong following some good outings for Sweden at international level this year.

“Then there is the 2006 Lucas Bergvall, Swedish central attacking midfielder, 187cm, of Tottenham,” said Palma to TUTTOmercatoWEB (via Sport Witness).

“For many the most gifted 2006 in the European panorama, in Sweden he arrived in the first team at 16 years old. Great ability to play the ball, high level vision of the game, elegance on the pitch, gifted with excellent technique and enormous versatility.

“In July 2024 he was bought by Tottenham who paid 10 million for him and immediately included him in the first team. Senior national team he entered in both matches played by Sweden demonstrating great mastery on the pitch. Reminiscent of Frankie De Jong but more offensive.”

The Brazilian goalkeeper was at his worst as the Cityzens chucked away a two-goal advantage in Paris – they now need a miracle to avoid disaster

Manchester City are staring in the face of Champions League disaster after throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 4-2 against a terrific Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesda. Pep Guardiola's side looked in total control when Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland scored to give them an ideal start to the second half, but the French champions staged an incredible comeback to leapfrog the Cityzens in the standings and leaving City 25th in the table, needing victory in their final game against Club Brugge and for results elsewhere to go their way in order to avoid a catastrophic early exit.

City went into the game sitting in the final qualification berth and one more slip away from contemplating an unthinkable early exit from the competition they won in 2023. PSG were in an even more perilous position, heading into the game 26th in the table and needing to win to have their fate in their own hands heading into next week's crunch final matchday.

The French champions took the initiative in the first half and would have taken the lead had Josko Gvardiol not blocked Fabian Ruiz's volley on the line. Achraf Hakimi did find the net, meanwhile, but the goal was ruled out for a fractional offside in the build-up.

Guardiola, uncharacteristically, took drastic action at the break by bringing on Grealish and Rico Lewis at half-time, and Grealish scored with his first touch, burying a loose ball, before and moments later setting up Haaland to score at the far post.

But PSG, staring in the face of their most humiliating Champions League exit yet, roared back into life, spurred on by the livewire Bradley Barcola. He bombed down the wing past the hapless Matheus Nunes to tee up Ousmane Dembele to score before striking the equaliser himself, pouncing on weak goalkeeping from Ederson.

The Brazilian's night got worse as he couldn't keep out Joao Neves' near-post strike, and as City desperately searched for an equaliser, Goncalo Ramos made sure of victory, his goal given after a long VAR check.

GOAL rates City's players from Parc des Princes…

• Goalkeeper & Defence

  Ederson (3/10):

  Didn't transmit any security. Loose in possession and unconvincing at shot-stopping, being too slow to react to Barcola pouncing on the rebound and then made a mess for Neves' strike.

  Matheus Nunes (4/10):

  Exposed again against a top-level opponent. Couldn't handle Barcola and was clumsy with the ball.

  Manuel Akanji (7/10):

  Useful at both ends. Made two good defensive interventions in the first half then marauded forward to play his part in the opening goal.

  Ruben Dias (7/10):

  Played clever passes from the back which created chances and solid in defence but was taken off at half-time.

  Josko Gvardiol (5/10):

  Made a crucial block against Ruiz but was run ragged by substitute Dembele in the second half.

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• Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (5/10):

  Forced the parry from Donnarumma leading to Grealish's goal but when the game went wild he couldn't keep control.

  Mateo Kovacic (5/10):

  Misplaced too many passes while PSG's midfield, particularly Joao Neves, took advantage of his lack of pace.

  Kevin De Bruyne (6/10):

  The main source of City's best attacking moments and their threat faded when he came off in the 70th minute.

• Attack

  Phil Foden (5/10):

  Fell over and disrupted a promising move made by Savinho but then set up the Brazilian. Couldn't spark the revival City needed after conceding twice in quick succession.

  Erling Haaland (6/10):

  Should have done more with a free header in the first half, scored easily in the second but didn't provide enough of a threat when City needed him.

  Savinho (6/10):

  Showed some wonderful skill and put PSG under pressure but bizarrely taken off at half-time.

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• Subs & Manager

  Jack Grealish (8/10):

  Made a difference in attack but frustratingly it was on City's worst night.

  Rico Lewis (5/10):

  Him replacing Dias played into City's hands. Struggled a lot against Dembele.

  James McAtee (5/10):

  Not the player City needed.

  Ilkay Gundogan (5/10):

  Another painful night in Paris after losing here last year with Barcelona.

  John Stones (5/10):

  Only made things worse in defence.

  Pep Guardiola (4/10):

  A harrowing night for the three-time Champions League winner. His team did not play like the City we know, ceding PSG the ball and sitting off them. Looked to be playing for a draw and then once his side had the upper hand they threw it away.

Al-Hilal have reportedly lodged a 'super offer' for Real Madrid star Rodrygo as they seek to replace expensive flop Neymar.

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• Neymar leaves Al-Hilal for Santos
• Saudi side target Rodrygo as replacement
• Make 'super offer' for Brazilian

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Al-Hilal cut ties with Neymar earlier this week, with the 32-year-old joining Santos instead. Now, Marca reports the Saudi Pro League team have made a 'super offer' to recruit Madrid ace Rodrygo and want to make him one of the best paid players in the division's history.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Neymar's move to Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 ended up being one of the biggest transfer flops of all time. Marca adds the cash-rich Saudi league wants to make Rodrygo the face of Al-Hilal around the world but the 24-year-old wants to succeed at Madrid.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Rodrygo, whose contract with Madrid runs until 2028, has scored 67 goals and bagged 47 assists in 245 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish giants.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  It remains to be seen if Al-Hilal step up their efforts to sign Rodrygo, with the league hoping to make the forward the 'main image' of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

European champions Real Madrid have another Tottenham star in their thinking alongside Cristian Romero, who has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu.

Carlo Ancelotti eyeing elite Premier League centre-backs

The La Liga heavyweights, according to various reports, have been monitoring some of the Premier League’s biggest-name central defensive stars of late – as manager Carlo Ancelotti looks to shore up his backline.

Jamie Redknapp hails "lovely" player with Tottenham prepared to bid £33m

He’s a “joy to watch” right now.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 1, 2024

Real currently have four senior options at their disposal in that area – Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Eder Militao, Jesus Vallejo – but Alaba’s ACL tear and the fact Rudiger is approaching his twilight years highlights Ancelotti’s need for another world-class centre-back.

A number of elite names are on club president Florentino Perez’s radar heading into 2025, with Arsenal defender William Saliba attracting serious interest from Real. The Frenchman is a pivotal asset for Mikel Arteta, though, and Arsenal have adopted a firm ‘not-for-sale’ stance around Saliba.

Leny Yoro was also on Ancelotti’s target list before he made the move to Old Trafford with Man United, while Tottenham defender Romero is believed to have admirers at Real.

The Argentine, who’s started every single Premier League game this season, has really come on leaps and bounds under manager Ange Postecoglou – even managing to double down on his disciplinary record.

Romero is wanted by Real, as per various media sources, but it is also believed that the Lilywhites wish to tie their star centre-back down with a new £200,000-per-week contract – which would make him the club’s highest earner above Son Heung-min (GiveMeSport).

Real Madrid now considering talks to sign Micky van de Ven from Spurs

Now, according to Spanish news outlet Defensa Central, chairman Daniel Levy may also have to worry about the La Liga heavyweights tempting Micky van de Ven.

The Dutchman’s exceptional mazy run at Man United last weekend – which ended in his assist for Brennan Johnson to open the scoring – brought more attention to his sheer pace, power and comfort driving forward in possession, qualities which sum up his all-round game as an elite-level defender and bargain buy from Wolfsburg last summer.

This hasn’t gone unnoticed in Spain, as it is believed Real are considering talks to sign van de Ven from Spurs amid their links to his centre-back partner Romero. Defensa writes that the 23-year-old has a market value of £43 million, but Levy is likely to demand much more than this for such a quality asset.

“Romero and Micky van de Ven are arguably the best pairing at the moment in central defence in the Premier League on form. They’ve been immense,” said pundit Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel last season.

“This Micky van de Ven, bro, he is the real deal. He’s the real deal. I saw his debut the other day for Holland. I’ve seen him right up close twice this season. And he looks supremely comfortable for a young centre-back that’s come into a new league. So watch this space for this kid.”

Arsenal find themselves without a recognised centre-forward, but defender William Saliba has made himself available to fill in up front.

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• Arteta reveals Saliba offer
• Cenre-back wants to play up front
• Gunners left with no strikers

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Saliba has jokingly put himself forward to start playing up front after Arsenal lost Kai Havertz for the season on top of Gabriel Jesus' existing injury, having previously excelled as a forward when he was a lot younger.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Havertz's season-ending injury has left Arsenal with a huge problem. Jesus had already been ruled out long-term and the Gunners don't have another natural No.9 option in the first-team squad. Arsenal ended up not recruiting a striker in January, despite it being an obvious need, failing with a late attempt to land Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.

• WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

  "Willy is so funny," Arteta told reporters. "Straight away, it's one of his reactions. And it's true as well that he played [as a striker] and he used to score a lot of goals. But as he said, there's probably a lot of players who played in those positions when they were younger."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal's first task as a striker-less team is Saturday lunchtime's away trip to Leicester City. It is one of the kinder fixtures Arteta's team could wish for in the circumstances, with the Foxes in the relegation zone and possessing the second-leakiest defence in the entire Premier League – 53 goals conceded in 24 games, an average of 2.2 per game.

Newcastle United are now going to have to make do without an “absolutely outstanding” player for a number of weeks after some team news emerged ahead of the clash with Brighton.

Latest Newcastle news

Transfer rumours continue to circulate regarding the Magpies after a quiet summer, with Bayern Munich superstar Leroy Sane linked with an exciting move to St James’ Park. They are far from alone in showing interest, however, with Arsenal and Manchester United all reported to be in the mix.

Similarly, Lille attacking ace Jonathan David has also been considered a high-profile addition who could take Newcastle up a level in the final third, but there is again plenty of interest in acquiring his signature.

On the flip side, the Magpies will be desperately looking to keep hold of Alexander Isak, given his status as one of his side’s most important players, but he is believed to be wanted by Barcelona, who are eyeing a big-money move for the Swedish marksman.

This weekend, Newcastle return to Premier League action with the visit of Brighton, as Eddie Howe’s men look to kick on further this season. A significant injury blow has emerged leading up to kickoff, though.

Newcastle handed fresh injury blow

Writing on X on Friday morning, following Howe’s press conference, BBC reporter Nisha Joshi shared numerous injury updates, confirming that Kieran Trippier is out injured for Newcastle for “weeks” after suffering a hamstring problem.

At 34, Trippier may not quite be the force he was when he first joined the Magpies, but this is still an undoubted blow, given his vast experience and dependability at right-back. The Englishman’s importance is not lost on Howe, either, who lauded his defender after he won the North East Football Writers Player of the Year award earlier this year.

“What a fantastic choice (The North East Football Writers) made in picking Kieran as your player of the season. Kieran last year was absolutely outstanding in every phase of the play, whether that was creating goals or helping us not concede.

“He also led the team incredibly well during different moments of the season and was always an inspiration off it to help be a role model to the younger players to help progress their careers.”

In Trippier’s absence, Tino Livramento should see this as a great opportunity to shine once again, with the 21-year-old very much seen as his compatriot’s long-term successor at right-back at St James’.

Newcastle must regret losing £10m "monster" who's now worth 320% more

Newcastle must regret £10m sale who’s now worth 320% more.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 18, 2024

In truth, he should now arguably be looked at as the superior option anyway, given the £120,000-a-week Trippier’s waning talents – he has started four league games compared to his teammate’s three this season – but a strong run of form from Livramento in the coming weeks should only strengthen his claim.

Ilaix Moriba broke into the first team in 2020 but left the club at the end of that season, a decision which he has now come to regret.

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• Moriba regrets leaving Barca
• Left for RB Leipzig in 2021
• Currently on loan at Celta Vigo

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Barcelona wonderkid Ilaix Moriba has expressed his regret over the decision to leave the Catalans and seek pastures new, admitting that he committed a mistake by leaving the club. Moriba rose through the ranks at La Masia and broke into the first team at the age of 17 as he was seen at a huge talent with a big future at the Camp Nou.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Moriba has found a new home at Celta Vigo this season, where he is one of the first names on the team sheet. However, for a player as talented as him, he has experienced quite a lot of ups and down.

  After making his breakthrough at Barcelona under Ronald Koeman in the 2020-21 season, Moriba moved to RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021 following a contract stand-off. However, his time at Leipzig was short-lived, making just six appearances before being loaned out to Valencia for a year and a half.

  Then, he moved to Getafe in January 2024 on loan for half a season, having made zero appearances for Leipzig after coming back from Valencia.

• WHAT ILAIX MORIBA SAID

  “I made a mistake leaving Barca. I was very young and had a lot of pressure,” Moriba admitted (h/t SPORT). “For a moment I thought it was all over. Luckily now I'm happy at Celta.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ILAIX MORIBA?

  Celta Vigo find themselves in 14th place on the table, six points above the drop zone. Moriba will be key to Vigo's chances of avoiding relegation, with just 14 games left in the season.