Leandro Trossard’s Stunning Evolution Impresses Former Coach Amid Arsenal Breakout Season

Leandro Trossard has been nothing short of sensational this season — but perhaps the most surprising person in the world right now is the man who coached him years ago.
Peter Maes, the former Genk boss who oversaw Trossard’s early development, admits he can hardly believe the transformation.

Why? Because the player Arsenal fans now hail as calm, reliable and incredibly decisive was once… a serial sulker.

From Sulking Youngster to Arsenal’s Silent Weapon

With Gabriel Martinelli sidelined, Trossard has owned Arsenal’s left flank with confidence and consistency. In 14 matches across competitions, he has delivered four goals and four assists — numbers that have directly earned the Gunners crucial Premier League points, including his match-winning strike against Fulham.

Inside the club, coaches routinely praise his level-headedness. They call him a player who shuts out noise, focuses on work, and stays locked in mentally — a far cry from the player Maes once struggled to manage.

The Coach Who Didn’t See It Coming

Speaking to Belgian outlet Het Belang van Limburg, Maes shared his honest surprise:

“At that time, I didn’t immediately see Leandro as a true captain… he wasn’t a regular starter yet, and he often sulked in training.”

But fast-forward to 2024, and he sees a completely different man.

“It’s true that Leandro is a strong personality now. He believes in himself deeply and can convey that belief to others.”

With Belgium missing key leaders like Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans, Trossard is even being considered for the national team captaincy. That’s how far he’s come.

Transfer Interest? Arsenal Closed the Door

Roma tried.
Fenerbahce asked questions.
Saudi clubs — as usual — hovered.

But Mikel Arteta didn’t blink. He wasn’t selling.

Trossard’s versatility across the front line, combined with his leadership maturity, makes him invaluable in a squad competing on four fronts.

Big Nights, Big Goals — Trossard Loves It

Fresh off scoring in Arsenal’s Champions League win over Athletic Club, Trossard explained why he thrives in pressure moments:

“Those games are why you want to become a footballer… I love the big games. We’ve been so close to winning something — it’s time to push for trophies.”

That hunger is precisely what Arsenal fans want to hear.

A Complete Reinvention

From a moody teenager who didn’t like being benched…
To a Premier League match-winner…
To a potential Belgium captain…

Leandro Trossard’s evolution is one of football’s most underrated glow-ups — and Arsenal are reaping every bit of the reward.

Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona continues to drift into uncertainty as the Spanish giants maintain their stance of not renewing his contract beyond the current season. With his agent Pini Zahavi confirming that no extension talks are taking place, the Polish striker is now assessing his next move carefully — and contrary to recent rumours, that next move is unlikely to lead him to Galatasaray.

While Lewandowski has been linked with Saudi Arabia, Atletico Madrid, and lately the Turkish Super Lig champions, journalist Ertem Sener has revealed that the former Bayern Munich star is simply not considering a switch to Galatasaray. And the reason is straightforward: he does not want to become Victor Osimhen’s backup.

Galatasaray’s recent ambitions have been clear. After years of domestic dominance, the club has been pushing aggressively to become a consistent force in European competitions. Their statement signing of Victor Osimhen sent shockwaves through the football world, and with ongoing tension around Mauro Icardi — including wage demands nearing €10 million and dissatisfaction with his reduced role — the Turkish champions are exploring additional firepower.

They have been linked with a number of forwards such as Ademola Lookman and Benfica’s Pavlovic, and although Lewandowski is admired, he is far down the priority list. Sener explained that the Poland captain is not interested in any move that places him behind Osimhen, especially when he still sees himself as a starter at top clubs.

According to Sener, Lewandowski would only consider a Turkish option if it offered guaranteed first-team football. He believes Fenerbahçe, not Galatasaray, aligns better with that idea. For now, though, Lewandowski remains open to a variety of destinations — particularly those that respect his status and offer a lead role.

Meanwhile, Barcelona themselves are already thinking ahead. Osimhen is reportedly one of the top names on their list of potential replacements for Lewandowski. Internal discussions have taken place, highlighting just how highly the Catalan club values the Nigerian striker’s profile.

As the season progresses, more clarity will emerge. But one thing is certain: Lewandowski has no plans to play backup to anyone — not even Victor Osimhen, one of the most explosive strikers in world football.

Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City has once again become a headline conversation, but former City forward Paul Dickov believes the Catalan genius isn’t going anywhere just yet. Despite reports hinting that Guardiola might leave next summer, Dickov insists the City boss still has the hunger, energy and tactical sharpness to remain in charge until the end of his contract in 2027.

This comes after Guardiola himself admitted earlier in the year that he would “stop coaching” once his Manchester City chapter ends. The comment triggered waves of speculation, even though Pep later joked that his break might not come until “2035.” For now, he seems fully committed to the job, repeatedly stressing that his mission at City is far from complete. He believes his team can still reach new levels, and according to him, the energy inside the camp has returned stronger than ever.

Dickov agrees. Speaking recently, he explained that Guardiola looks just as fresh and driven as he did the day he stepped through the Etihad doors. He praised the atmosphere Pep has built — one where both staff and players feel motivated to give everything. With City undergoing a strategic rebuild featuring younger players and new tactical ideas, Dickov believes Pep is genuinely enjoying this phase of the project.

The more intriguing talking point is the ongoing comparison between Guardiola and his former assistant, Mikel Arteta. Arsenal may be four points ahead of City in the Premier League table, but Dickov insists that Guardiola remains unmatched when it comes to tactical brilliance. The recent 3–0 win over Liverpool was his perfect example: a match where City’s fluid structure, intelligent movement and in-game adjustments completely overwhelmed Jürgen Klopp’s side.

Guardiola’s ability to tweak the shape, rotate roles and control the rhythm of matches continues to set him apart. Even when critics claim he relies too much on playing from the back, he has shown this season that he is more than willing to go direct to Erling Haaland when needed — a reminder that his philosophy is adaptable, not rigid.

For Dickov, that is the difference. Arteta is exceptional, but Pep is still the master. And as long as he remains at Manchester City, the Premier League will continue to witness tactical innovation at its highest level.

So, despite rumours of an early exit, all signs point toward Guardiola staying put for at least two more years. The project is thriving, the motivation is intact, and the competitive fire is still burning. For City fans — and for football lovers who appreciate a managerial genius — that’s very good news.