Today, we ran the latest edition of our subscriber-exclusive Ask Ornstein Q&A.
Once a week for an hour, The Athletic’s subscribers can ask me for my views on anything from the football world. I have pulled together some of my favourite questions and my answers are below.
Want to ask me a question? Join us again next Thursday.
Dan Z. asked: “Hi David. Do Liverpool hold an interest in Dean Huijsen and could he be a realistic option given his release clause?”
David Ornstein: For any top teams seeking a centre-back, Huijsen will likely be on the radar. He is expected to move for that £50million ($64.8m) clause, which is active in the summer, and I’m sure Bournemouth, the player and his suitors would ideally like some clarity sooner rather than later so they can plan accordingly.
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We know Chelsea have been looking closely at him, Newcastle have been heavily linked but not sure I see that one materialising, and even massive clubs on the continent like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are being mentioned in certain quarters. Some I speak to think he could well move overseas but nothing seems to be set in stone yet.
Richard Hughes and members of Liverpool’s recruitment team will know him particularly well given their links to Bournemouth, but I’m not sure if they’re pursuing him (I’ll need to make more checks) and you imagine there would need to be some outward movement in the Anfield centre-back department to create space for such a player.
Also, is that position their top priority right now? Let’s see. I’m sure we’ll come back to the Huijsen topic in the weeks ahead!
Sean M. asked: “Would Enzo Maresca be sacked if he does not achieve Champions League football? Also any updates on the striker situation?”
Ornstein: I don’t know of any desire or movements to sack Maresca, Sean. I think Chelsea really like him. Clearly, they want and need to finish in those Champions League qualification spots and that is definitely still possible. That’s all they will be focusing on right now, I imagine, and not embarking upon another managerial change.
Even speaking hypothetically, I don’t reckon it would be as binary as ‘qualify and he stays, fail to qualify and he goes’. A hell of a lot more goes into these decisions and as far as I know, Chelsea want Maresca to lead them forward.
Chelsea want Maresca to lead them forward (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Talking of forward, as you point out, they want a striker this summer. It’s has been pretty well documented by me and others that they are in the mix for the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Liam Delap. There will be others on their list, too, of course. A lot of work is already taking place, as seen with the Sporting CP deals, and that will include in the No 9 department — even if it takes a bit longer to materialise.
Who will they get? I have no idea right now, but I’ll endeavour to find out as and when it develops.
Nick O. asked: “Is it genuinely World Cup and done for Thomas Tuchel either way? If so, given England would looking for a new manager in 18 months, is a shortlist being drawn up? If not would they give Tuchel four more years if England, say, lost to Spain on penalties in the semi/final? And would he take it?”
Ornstein: Surely it’s not that binary, Nick. I was at St. George’s Park on Tuesday and from speaking to players and staff I can’t explain to you how firm their focus is on winning the 2026 World Cup.
Tuchel’s contract ends after that tournament, of course. But neither Tuchel nor the Football Association have spoken publicly about life beyond then — neither opening up the possibility of an extension nor ruling it out. I just don’t think it’s on the agenda for now. Therefore, it’s impossible to answer your follow-up questions with any certainty.
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The one thing I would say from my (very early) impressions of the camp is that it feels like a great fit, the place and the people are buzzing, and the fans seem to have warmed to Tuchel and his public comments immediately… so it wouldn’t surprise me if the relationship extended. But impossible to say at this juncture!
Ryan O. asked: “What are you thoughts on the new Old Trafford stadium design? Do you like it or do you dislike it?”
Ornstein: It won’t be to everyone’s taste, Ryan, but instinctively I do find the size and scale impressive. It’s an area I know well and such a transformation would be very welcome, whatever we think of the stylistics.
As ever with these things, the devil will be in the detail (pun absolutely intended). I don’t have a problem with it but I would just caution that in many cases of new stadiums, the design can change over the course of time, with the end product not necessarily reflecting the artists impressions.
So, ask me again in five-plus years!
Kristian M. asked: “You reported a few months back that Max Dowman’s entourage was disappointed to see Jack Wilshere leave Arsenal. Is there any news on which direction his future is heading and if he’s likely to sign a scholarship when he turns 16? I would assume he could join the first team in pre-season this summer?”
Ornstein: I guess it’s down to Arsenal to do enough to convince him to sign, Kristian, and obviously we might not know if they’ve succeeded in that until late 2025 or early 2026.
Given he has come through there and is an Arsenal fan, they appear to be in a strong position. But considering most big clubs would love to sign him, Arsenal will need to prove their pathway and plans are right for him. He, in turn, must continue to excel as well.
There’s been no suggestion that he’ll get special dispensation to play for the first team this campaign, so unless that changes in these final months the focus will be on continuing to integrate into the senior setup in pre-season and shining in 2025-26.
The fact Arsenal took him Dubai recently indicates how highly Mikel Arteta thinks of Dowman so let’s see how the next weeks go (he has big games for England this week and next) and also show respect to the development of a precocious young talent for club and country.
Dowman is an Arsenal fan (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Ivan S. asked: “Are there any updates on the situation around Mohamed Salah’s contract at Liverpool? Any advancement in talks to extend or to go elsewhere?”
Ornstein: Not that I’m personally aware of, Ivan. This doesn’t mean there aren’t any, it may just be that it hasn’t come to the media/public attention yet.
I just know Liverpool have been optimistic for some time that they will reach an agreement because, ultimately, they want Salah to stay and there is a belief that he is happy and would like the same. Now, of course, the numbers will need to be right (on what we think is a proposed two-year extension) and clearly that has not been easy… but there has so far been nothing to indicate talks have stopped or are not moving in a positive direction.
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Furthermore, when you make checks on rumours/reports/suggestions that Salah might be set for a move to the Saudi Pro League or Paris Saint-Germain, for example, you tend to receive pretty immediate and firm denials. I also don’t sense the Champions League and EFL Cup final defeats will have any bearing on the outcome or timings. The same, I suspect, with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Malandom12 asked: “Will Bukayo Saka be able to make a return before the clash with Real Madrid?”
Ornstein: As John Cross was first to report, that appears to be the hope of Arsenal and Saka. It would also fit with the estimated recovery timescales when he underwent surgery. But they won’t rush him or take risks and rightly so.
Caolan M. asked: “Are you aware of any Paris Saint-Germain interest in Virgil van Dijk?”
Ornstein: All parties are playing down Van Dijk to PSG, Caolan. Liverpool remain confident that he will extend at Anfield.
Michael D. asked: “Where is Dougie Freedman going?”
Ornstein: Saudi Arabia. Not done but in the works, according to contacts out there.
Andrew P. asked: “When does Edu officially start his role at Forest/Marinakis Group?”
Ornstein: There is no clarity on this at present, Andrew. Edu continues to serve his gardening leave from Arsenal and then if that proposed move is to materialise, it would very much be for the group (which Forest are part of) rather than Forest specifically.
Suggestions around the industry are that it would be more Brazil-focused, but that is not concrete information at this point.
Alito C. asked: “You previously said it was your opinion and not sourced information that you didn’t think Arsenal would go for Bruno Guimaraes, have you managed to talk to some people to confirm or deny those ‘rumours’?”
Ornstein: I don’t see him leaving Newcastle and I’m not currently aware of Arsenal wanting to sign him.
(Top photo: Warren Little/Getty Images)
