Tag: defender

Josh Acheampong: Is academy defender finally getting a real chance at Chelsea?
21 October 2026 Off

Josh Acheampong: Is academy defender finally getting a real chance at Chelsea?

By Total Football News

Acheampong is under contract until 2029, meaning decisions need to be made between now and next summer.

Across recent transfer windows, the defender has been repeatedly linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, only for sources within Chelsea to insist he was “untouchable”.

That message has remained consistent, although it has occasionally raised eyebrows.

Chelsea seriously explored moves for now-Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen in the summer of 2025 and

…
Josko Gvardiol: How Man City defender is returning to best at left-back
20 September 2026 Off

Josko Gvardiol: How Man City defender is returning to best at left-back

By Total Football News

Gvardiol’s attacking capabilities do not take away from his defensive prowess.

At Old Trafford last Sunday, he helped City to an unlikely victory with a defiant clean sheet after being reduced to 10 men following Phil Foden’s 23rd-minute red card.

Gvardiol kept Bryan Mbeumo in check for large parts of the contest, winning nine of his 11 duels – no player on the pitch managed more – and contested four

…
Joe Rodon: Leeds defender out for up to 10 weeks with hamstring injury
3 September 2026 Off

Joe Rodon: Leeds defender out for up to 10 weeks with hamstring injury

By Total Football News

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says centre-back Joe Rodon will be out for between eight and 10 weeks with a “serious hamstring injury”.

The Wales international, 28, was forced to come off after 34 minutes in his side’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Brentford last Sunday.

Rodon had played in the season-opening league win at Nottingham Forest and a Carabao Cup success against the same opposition.

“Bad news, serious hamstring

…
Kevin Danso: Sunderland sign Spurs defender on loan
2 September 2026 Off

Kevin Danso: Sunderland sign Spurs defender on loan

By Total Football News

Sunderland have completed the signing of Austria defender Kevin Danso from Tottenham on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The deal will cost the Black Cats £2.5m and will be made permanent next summer – for a fee of £22.5m – if Regis Le Bris’ side stay in the Premier League.

“I’m really happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started,” said Danso.

“

…
Leeds closing in on Nice defender Melvin Bard
1 September 2026 Off

Leeds closing in on Nice defender Melvin Bard

By Total Football News

Leeds United are closing in on an initial loan move for Nice defender Melvin Bard, with the deal containing an option to buy the Frenchman at the end of the season.

The move will see the Yorkshire club pay their French counterparts an initial one million euros, and they can then buy the left-back at the end of the campaign for a further five million euros if they want.

Bard,

…
Daniel Munoz: Nottingham Forest sign defender from Crystal Palace in transfer deal worth up to £22m | Football News
31 August 2026 Off

Daniel Munoz: Nottingham Forest sign defender from Crystal Palace in transfer deal worth up to £22m | Football News

By Total Football News

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Daniel Munoz from Crystal Palace. 

The deal for the right wing-back is understood to be worth up to £22m.

Munoz, who is reunited with former Palace boss Oliver Glasner at the City Ground, has joined on a three-year deal with the option for a fourth.

Palace opened the door for the 30-year-old’s exit by signing Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise. They secure a

…
Daniel Munoz: Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign Crystal Palace defender
29 August 2026 Off

Daniel Munoz: Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign Crystal Palace defender

By Total Football News

Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal worth a minimum of £22m to sign Daniel Munoz from Crystal Palace.

The Colombia international has now been given permission to have a medical before joining Forest.

The deal will reunite Munoz with Forest boss Oliver Glasner, who worked with the full-back during his time in charge at Selhurst Park.

Talks over the move have been ongoing for several days and accelerated after

…
Fulham in talks for Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu
29 August 2026 Off

Fulham in talks for Rayo Vallecano defender Andrei Ratiu

By Total Football News

Fulham are in talks to sign Romania defender Andrei Ratiu from Rayo Vallecano.

Talks are continuing over a deal for the 28-year-old, who is open to a move to Craven Cottage.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side are looking to strengthen in defence. Ratiu is primarily a right-back but is capable of playing in other positions.

Romania-born Ratiu has spent almost his entire club career in Spain since joining Villarreal’s academy, apart from

…
Crystal Palace attempt to hijack Aston Villa’s move for defender Joel Ordonez
26 August 2026 Off

Crystal Palace attempt to hijack Aston Villa’s move for defender Joel Ordonez

By Total Football News

Crystal Palace are attempting to hijack Aston Villa‘s move for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez.

Villa launched a move for the Ecuador international after failing to agree a fee with Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

But Palace have now opened talks with the Belgian side over a move for Ordonez, who is viewed as a long-term target by the Selhurst Park club.

Palace have accelerated their efforts to sign a

…
Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Southampton defender misses Stoke game amid Aston Villa interest
22 August 2026 Off

Taylor Harwood-Bellis: Southampton defender misses Stoke game amid Aston Villa interest

By Total Football News

Harwood-Bellis has been at Southampton since 2023, initially joining on loan from Manchester City and helping the side win promotion from the second tier in 2023-24.

He played in Southampton’s opening league game of the season, a defeat by Watford.

“Everything that I can say about him is that he has been an absolute professional in the way he has conducted himself in all moments,” Eckert added.

“Let’s see what

…