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.

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.

Liverpool Told They’ve Blown Their Chance To Sign Marc Guehi After Summer Transfer Collapse

Liverpool fans might want to look away — it’s starting to look like the Marc Guehi deal that slipped away in the summer may never happen again. After coming agonizingly close to signing the Crystal Palace captain, the Reds are now being told they’ve “completely blown their chance” at securing one of England’s brightest defensive stars.

The Deal That Fell Apart

Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi was one of the defining sagas of their summer window. Reports suggest the club had reached personal terms and even started early medical assessments before the transfer collapsed at the last minute.

The reason? Crystal Palace refused to sell once they realized they couldn’t find a replacement before the deadline. Liverpool, who had waited until the dying hours to finalize the deal, were left frustrated and short on defensive cover.

With Ibrahima Konate’s injury concerns and Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending setback, Guehi’s absence has been sorely felt as Liverpool continue to manage a stretched defensive unit.

“They’ve Blown Their Chances” – Don Hutchison

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison didn’t mince words when speaking to Sportscasting.com:

“They’ve blown their chances of landing him. One million percent. If Palace wanted £45 million, Liverpool should have paid £50m. Guehi would have given them six solid years. They should have just paid the money.”

Hutchison emphasized how pivotal Guehi could have been, comparing Liverpool’s defensive options unfavorably to Arsenal’s.

“When I look at Arsenal, I see four strong centre-backs — Calafiori, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel. If Guehi were at Liverpool, he’d add that kind of depth and versatility. They missed a trick.”

He concluded by warning that Liverpool’s delay may now cost them big, especially with European clubs circling:

“They focused too much on Isak. I get it — you can’t turn that down. But Guehi should have been the second priority. January has to be the marker if they still want top four.”

The Clock Is Ticking For Liverpool

The situation is now even trickier. Guehi’s contract with Crystal Palace expires in 2026, meaning he’ll be eligible to negotiate with foreign clubs as early as January.

That gives Bayern Munich and Barcelona — both reportedly interested — a five-month head start. They can offer signing bonuses and pre-contract deals that Liverpool legally can’t match until summer.

Palace, meanwhile, appear content to lose him for free rather than accept a cut-price January offer, effectively taking the power out of Liverpool’s hands.

Strategic Mistake Or Missed Timing?

The failure to land Guehi has triggered fresh debate over Liverpool’s transfer planning under Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.

Many fans and analysts argue that the club’s decision not to prioritize defensive reinforcements early in the window — despite the known risks with Konate’s fitness and Van Dijk’s age — was a costly misstep.

Now, with Guehi’s price, demand, and reputation growing by the week, Liverpool’s once-straightforward opportunity looks more like a missed masterpiece.

Final Whistle

Liverpool might still make a late push in January, but the odds are stacked against them. Marc Guehi’s rise continues, and with Europe’s top clubs circling, the Reds could soon find themselves watching another generational defender slip away — all because they waited too long.

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