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Liverpool are flying this season. Arne Slot’s side have been the best side in the Premier League, sitting top of the table 15 games into his first campaign in charge at Anfield. It is fair to say that the transition from legendary manager Jurgen Klopp to new boss Slot has been seamless.

Statistically, they have been fantastic. As per Understat, Liverpool have the second-highest number of expected goals, with 33.91, slightly more than they have scored. They also have an excellent expected goals against record, with 14.63; incredibly, they are outperforming that stat, having conceded just 11 Premier League goals, the best in the league.

As well as the team is performing, however, one of their star players, Darwin Nunez is not having his best season.

Nunez’s stats in 2024/25

It has been a tough campaign so far for the Uruguayan striker. Nunez came with a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders, given the fee Liverpool paid for him. He cost an initial £64m to prise from Benfica, but it was a deal that could rise as high as £85m including add-ons.

Nunez has, in essence, underwhelmed at Anfield so far. He has played 115 games for the club, but has found the back of the net on just 32 different occasions and has 19 assists to his name, a total of 0.44 goals and assists per game.

It seemed like he was finding form last season. Nunez had 11 goals and eight assists in 36 Premier League games. However, he has been poor under Slot, with three goals and two assists in 19 games across all competitions.

There will surely be concern amongst Liverpool’s backroom staff at the form of their number nine. Their other attackers are not finding goals hard to come by; Mohamed Salah has 16 to his name, Luis Diaz has nine goals and Cody Gakpo has scored eight times.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

With the Reds needing a better contribution from their strikers, they could well look to bring in a new centre-forward to enhance the quality of their forward line. They have been linked with a deadly striker in recent weeks.

Liverpool's search for a striker

The player in question here is Sporting centre-forward Viktor Gyokeres. According to a report from Florian Plettenberg in November, Liverpool are “currently in the race” to sign the Sweden international.

They are competing with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea for his signature, and the striker could cost around £57m.

There is no doubt that, from a goals point of view, Gyokeres would be an upgrade on Nunez. He has been phenomenal this term, with 25 goals and four assists in just 23 games across all competitions. He has also scored over 50 goals in 2024. It has been a year of seismic proportion for the Sporting man.

Interestingly, a statistical comparison can be drawn between Gyokeres and Liverpool legend Luis Suarez, as per FBref. Now 37, the former Barcelona star plies his trade in the MLS for Inter Miami. He scored 82 goals in 133 games for the Merseysiders, and those are numbers the Sweden striker would be hoping to hit.

According to FBref, the former Liverpool talisman averaged 0.94 goals per game last season, with Sporting striker Gyokeres impressively exceeding that number, with 1.33. Not only that, he has a better expected goals tally than Suarez, with 1.09 compared to 0.63 for the Uruguayan.

It is perhaps worth mentioning Nunez’s stats in relation to those numbers, too. In 2024/25, the Reds number nine has so far averaged 0.29 goals per game and an expected goals per game of just 0.3

Ultimately, signing Gyokeres would bring goals to a Liverpool side who currently lack a clinical centre forward. As the stats show, he would certainly be a massive upgrade on Nunez in front of goal.

Gyokeres can be a “game changer” for the Reds, as football statistician Statman Dave described him. The Swede could be exactly who Liverpool need to keep their excellent momentum going.

Saved by Salah: Slot must axe 5/10 Liverpool ace who had just 50% pass rate

The Liverpool man was saved by Salah’s penalty

By
Joe Nuttall

Dec 11, 2024

Ronaldinho is backing “great friend” Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d’Or at some stage, with Real Madrid the perfect club for him.

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• French forward left PSG as a free agent
• Chasing down major honours with the Blancos
• Wants a Golden Ball for his collection

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  France international Mbappe became another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu during the summer of 2024. He walked away from Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent after becoming a World Cup winner and their all-time leading goalscorer.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mbappe had been linked with Real for several years, with that career path finally being trodden at 26 years of age. The Liga giants are expected to aid the Frenchman’s bid to land a prestigious Golden Ball.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Brazilian icon Ronaldinho, who won that prize himself in 2005 after leaving PSG for Barcelona, expects Mbappe to be recognised as the best player on the planet in the not too distant future.

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  WHAT RONALDINHO SAID

  Ronaldinho told : “He is of course one of the players I like a lot. He is a great friend. He is also someone I respect for everything he does in life. I am very happy that he came to the Spanish Championship.

  “We have a bit of the same trajectory after Paris… except the club! But he is also in a historic club which should allow him to flourish and achieve the important things that he is missing.”

On an unprecedented run of poor form under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have unsurprisingly turned their attention towards the January transfer window – and are already reportedly preparing a big-money offer.

Man City transfer news

With 1 win in 13, the Premier League champions are no longer just wounded – they’re out for the count. Guardiola has never endured such a run during an almost flawless managerial career.

Even he – a true football genius – seems out of ideas. Never have the modern-day Citizens needed reinforcements so desperately, with their crown seemingly headed elsewhere and their Champions League status suddenly in danger.

On that front, the rumours are already underway. The likes of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have both been linked, perhaps with Kevin De Bruyne’s contract situation in mind. The Belgian – to compile City’s misery – is set to depart as a free agent when the summer arrives as things stand.

However, before Wirtz or Musiala, it looks as though those at the Etihad could turn their attention towards the Italian Serie A in the January transfer window. According to reports in Spain, Man City are now preparing a €65m (£54m) offer to sign Tijjani Reijnders from Milan.

The Dutchman has been one of the few bright sparks for the Rossoneri so far this season and could now earn a move away as a result. Given his ability to play in defensive and attacking midfield, City’s interest should come as no surprise.

Man City can land Savinho upgrade in swoop for "unbelievable" £66m star

Manchester City are reportedly interested in a deal for the Premier League forward.

By
Dan Emery

Dec 27, 2024

If they’re looking to replace Rodri and find a replacement for the ageing Ilkay Gundogan when the Spaniard returns, Reijnders may well be the man to sign for Manchester City in 2025.

"Great" Reijnders can replace Rodri and more

Before anything, Manchester City must replace Rodri. The Spaniard’s absence has been their greatest problem, even amid further injuries within Guardiola’s squad.

Completing that task should add the control that they’re so desperately lacking – the control that they have become so famous for over the years. And that’s where Reijnders could come in.

At a struggling Milan side, the Dutch midfielder has often found himself at the centre of praise, including from Ben Mattinson. The analyst dubbed Reijnders a “great ball-carrier and progressor” last season and has watched on like the rest of European football as he has only continued to improve that trait in abundance.

With eight goals and three assists to his name so far this season, signing Reijnders could even solve Manchester City’s recent goal problem and ease the responsibility on Erling Haaland, who has struggled to reach his best form of late.

West Ham United have made an offer to sign a forward who they were actually chasing as far back as 2021, as co-chairman David Sullivan looks to support now-official new manager Graham Potter with potential signings.

West Ham announce Graham Potter as new manager

On Wednesday afternoon, the Hammers confirmed Julen Lopetegui’s dismissal as head coach after just six months in charge, and it didn’t take long for the club to officially announce Potter as the Spaniard’s heir.

£120k-per-week Arsenal player decides to leave with West Ham approach made

An exit is seemingly beckoning.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 4, 2025

The tactician was out of work since April 2023, following his sacking by Chelsea, but is now back in the dugout and ready to try and turn around West Ham’s dismal fortunes under his predecessor.

Potter has put pen to paper on a two-year contract at the London Stadium, and he will take charge of his first West Ham game in the FA Cup against Aston Villa on Friday.

“I am delighted to be here,” said Potter after taking the West Ham job. “It was important to me that I waited until a job came along that I felt was right for me, and equally that I was the right fit for the Club I am joining. That is the feeling I have with West Ham United.

“My conversations with the Chairman and the Board have been very positive and constructive, we share the same values of hard work and high energy to create the solid foundations that can produce success, and we are on the same wavelength in terms of what is needed in the short-term and then how we want to move the Club forward in the medium to long term.

“West Ham United is a huge Club, at the heart of London, with a tremendous fanbase and great support all around the world. I saw the scenes that followed their Europa Conference League victory in 2023, and it was clear that this is a Club with everything in place to become consistently successful, both on and off the pitch.”

With their managerial situation now resolved, attention turns to January, as West Ham seek to sign a new forward before deadline day on February 3.

West Ham make offer to sign Benfica star Arthur Cabral on loan

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, via Sport Witness, Benfica attacker Arthur Cabral is back on their radar. Interestingly, the Brazilian was a target for David Moyes, with West Ham holding meetings over Cabral as far back as 2021 – during his time at FC Basel in Switzerland.

Now, it appears Sullivan and technical director Tim Steidten have returned to the bidding for his services, and it is believed West Ham have tabled an offer to sign Cabral on loan with the option-to-buy.

Serie A side Torino have done the same thing, but Benfica rejected both of their approaches – insisting that any temporary deal must include a mandatory purchase option. The Primeira Liga heavyweights want the buy-clause to be set at around £12.5 million, which doesn’t seem like much on the face of it, but Cabral hasn’t exactly been prolific over the last two seasons.

That being said, the 26-year-old centre-forward did finish 2022/2023 as the Europa Conference League’s top scorer with seven goals – the year West Ham won the competition.

Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola have been named as two of Tottenham's top options to replace Ange Postecoglou as head coach.

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• Postecoglou under at Spurs
• Silva and Iraola top picks to replace him
• Ex-Juve boss Motta ruled out

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Spurs' dismal run under Postecoglou continued at the weekend when they lost 4-2 to Wolves, their 17th Premier League defeat of the season. As a result, the pressure on the ex-Celtic boss continues to grow and more leaks are appearing in the media about potential replacements in north London.

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  WHAT WAS SAID?

  According to Fabrizio Romano, Fulham's Marco Silva and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are two contenders to replace Postecoglou, while former Juventus head coach Thiago Motta has been ruled out. Speaking in the latest GiveMeSport newsletter, he said: "I’m still hearing about Iraola and Silva as two concrete options. For Motta, no contacts at this stage."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Postecoglou's job at Spurs is hanging by a very thin thread and it appears only triumph in the Europa League will keep him safe. Both Silva and Iraola have impressed in the top flight this season, each fighting for Europe with their considerably cheaper squads and smaller resources.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Spurs face Eintracht Frankfurt in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday in what could end up being Postecoglou's last game in charge, unless they can manage to pull ahead of the German side following a 1-1 draw in north London.

Rangers have now made contact with a 28-year-old international defender over a possible return to Ibrox this month, according to a reporter.

Rangers transfer news

This January transfer window could be a busy period for the Scottish side, as Philippe Clement will be desperate to add to his side as they look to close the gap to rivals Celtic in the league and qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Club now "thinking about" stealing £1.2m hero away from Rangers in January

This would be a massive blow for Philippe Clement.

By
Henry Jackson

Jan 7, 2025

Already there are plenty of rumours making the rounds, as the Gers are being linked with a move for striker Iqraam Rayners. The 29-year-old is being eyed by the Scottish side as he is seen as someone who can provide strong competition for Hamza Igamane. Rangers are also being linked with a move for Daruis Olaru, a midfielder who would add more goals and creativity to Clement’s side.

However, it is in defence that Rangers are struggling, as they are now in the midst of an injury crisis, as Leon Balogun, John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and James Tavernier have all been injured, and this has resulted in right-back Dujon Sterling filling in at centre-back in recent games. It has been reported that Rangers hold an interest in Manchester United defender Jonny Evans and Norwich City centre-back Grant Hanley.

Rangers make contact with 28 y/o over possible Ibrox return

Evans and Hanley are not the only centre-backs on the Gers’ radar, as Nikola Katic is also of interest, and according to Keith Jackson, relayed by Ibrox News, Rangers have made contact with Katic over a possible return to the club this month.

Katic currently plays for the Swiss side FC Zurich, and he has done so since leaving Rangers in August 2022. The 28-year-old has rediscovered his best form and has become a key player for Zurich, as he’s become a regular starter and even been among the goals. The 6-cap Bosnia international is under contract at the Swiss side until the summer of 2026, but he could be set to quit the side this month.

Katic has been linked with a move to Rangers already, and now according to Jackson, Rangers have made contact with the defender behind the scenes, coming after his agent suggested a move back to Glasgow would be his preference, despite interest from England.

Katic joined Rangers back in 2018 under former manager Steven Gerrard and became a hero after scoring in an Old Firm derby, but his Rangers career came to a halt after he suffered an ACL injury.

Jackson said on The Daily Record’s Hotline Live: “I believe there has been contact made; there have been some sort of discussions had behind the scenes.

“Rangers have been made aware that this deal is there to be done. I think it very much looks like Nikola Katic will be on the move, whether that be to Ibrox or to England or something over the course of the next few weeks”.

Cristiano Ronaldo would, according to Teddy Sheringham, “bite your hand off” for the chance to represent Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup.

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• Guardiola's side will be competing for global crown
• Special transfer window set to open before event
• United legend CR7 already linked with Inter Miami

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With that expanded competition being added to a packed schedule in the summer of 2025, clubs involved are being given a special transfer window in which to do business. Short-term deals are allowed that could see players snapped up on contracts which only run for a matter of weeks.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It has already been suggested that Portuguese superstar Ronaldo could be targeted by Inter Miami for such an agreement, allowing him to play alongside eternal rival Lionel Messi for the first time in their record-shattering careers.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Premier League giants City are also heading to the CWC and are currently sweating on the fitness of star striker Erling Haaland – with the prolific Norwegian frontman nursing an ankle injury that could rule him out of more trophy bids.

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  WHAT TEDDY SHERINGHAM SAID

  Could Pep Guardiola be tempted to make a play for Manchester United legend Ronaldo? Ex-Red Devils forward Sheringham told when presented with that question: “I mean, Man United fans wouldn't be happy. If the figures add up, Ronaldo would probably jump at the chance. He can definitely score a goal, can't he? That, there's no denying.

  “Yeah, they looked a little bit lost without their focal point (in the Manchester derby), didn't they? They didn't have that same flow to their team, but I don't know.

  “Wow, I've not even thought about that, Ronaldo would definitely be excited by it. That would be funny. I bet if you offered him the chance to go to Man City, he would bite your hand off.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has voiced a personal transfer request to the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, and in an attempt to grant his wish, they’ve made an approach to sign a marquee star.

Chelsea change transfer plans amid potential January exits

Christopher Nkunku is Bayern Munich’s top transfer target, and it is reliably believed that the France international has agreed personal terms on a move to the Allianz Arena before deadline day on February 3 (Florian Plettenberg).

Chelsea make contact with Premier League attacker who's keen to join

The west Londoners are seriously considering a January deal.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jan 14, 2025

There have also been credible reports that Chelsea have held initial talks over a swap deal involving Nkunku and Mathys Tel, so it looks as if BlueCo could trade in one French attacker for another if all goes to plan in this regard.

However, it is also believed that Liam Delap remains a key transfer target for Chelsea and another approach was made to his agents recently, so it appears Maresca’s side are in the market for a striker in the event Nkunku does depart for Germany.

Chelsea were thought to be prioritising a centre-back this month, but those plans appear to be changing, as Todd Boehly and co look to ensure that Maresca maintains his strength in depth.

As well as Nkunku, the likes of Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei are all firm contenders to seal exits from the club over these coming weeks.

Maresca has ideas of his own on how to reshape the squad, as Chelsea look to evolve and shift their deadwood.

Chelsea make approach for Mainoo as Maresca makes midfielder demand

As per reliable journalist Simon Phillips, writing via his Substack, Chelsea are still hopeful of potentially tempting Man United star Kobbie Mainoo with a move down south in January.

Despite his status as a Red Devils mainstay and England international, the 19-year-old is on just £20,000-per-week, leading to his camp’s pursuit of fresh terms to better reflect his obvious quality.

However, PSR issues are reportedly complicating United’s efforts to tie him down with a new deal, and this has alerted the likes of Chelsea who could offer him a route out of Old Trafford.

According to Phillips, Chelsea have made an approach to sign Mainoo, opening discussions with the teenager’s agents as Maresca personally asks the club to bring in another midfielder.

That being said, Mainoo’s current stance is a preference to stay at United and there is some optimism on their end that a deal can be agreed – even if a switch to Chelsea isn’t entirely ruled out just yet.

Journalist Miguel Delaney of The Independent has also claimed that Ruben Amorim’s side would want a hefty £100 million sum to let him leave.

Bayern Munich went crashing out of the Champions League despite Harry Kane and Eric Dier's best efforts in a 2-2 draw against Inter.

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• Kane and Dier both score against Inter
• German side lost 4-3 on aggregate
• Martinez & Pavard scored for Serie A team

• TELL ME MORE

  After a goalless first half, Kane broke the deadlock just seven minutes after the restart. Leon Goretzka brought the ball down outside the box and passed to the England striker, who took his time before picking out the bottom corner.

  Inter were level within six minutes when the German side failed to deal with a corner, allowing Lautaro Martinez to fire beyond Jonas Urbig. Inter's comeback was complete just three minutes later as Hakan Calhanoglu's corner found Benjamin Pavard to head into the net.

  Vincent Kompany's men were given a glimmer of hope when Leroy Sane picked up a poor clearance and sent an inviting ball towards the back post, where Eric Dier sent it looping over the line to make it 2-2.

  Thomas Muller looked capable of a spectacular finish as he diverted a header towards goal deep into stoppage time, but Yann Sommer stopped it as Inter booked their place in the semi-finals with a 4-3 aggregate win.

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  THE MVP

  Bayern had a fighting chance until late on thanks to Dier. He overcame an uncertain first half to play a key role in the second, scoring the equaliser and making an important clearance, too.

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  THE BIG LOSER

  If only Kim Min-jae had put up more of a fight against Pavard for the header that saw Inter go ahead!

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• WHAT COMES NEXT?

  While Inter go on to meet Barcelona in the semi-finals, Bayern will continue their march to the Bundesliga title with a game against Heidenheim this weekend.

Ange Postecoglou was already facing heavy criticism for Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal form in the Premier League this season, but the club’s issues have devolved into something altogether more concerning following defeat at Goodison Park.

Everton, buoyed by the return of ex-manager David Moyes, blew Spurs to smithereens in the opening half-hour and presented more questions for an outfit lacking any form of answer.

There’s no denying that Tottenham have been dealt a cruel hand on the injury front this term, but there’s no excuse for the way Postecoglou’s side were picked apart by a team with an ostensibly weak frontline, battling relegation before the match but now only four points behind the north Londoners.

So many poor performances. So much for Postecoglou to chew on if he hopes to salvage something from this withering campaign.

Spurs' worst players vs Everton

Radu Dragusin endured a nightmarish first half for Tottenham before being withdrawn due to injury, beaten by the fleet-footed Iliman Ndiaye for Everton’s second and failing to project the kind of iron-clad presence of a top Premier League centre-half, with Spurs writer Simon Yemane even commenting that the Romanian “isn’t good enough.”

Archie Gray also endured a tough afternoon at centre-back, unfortunately turning into his own net to make it 3-0 before the break, but the 18-year-old has performed valiantly in an unfamiliar role this term and fans generally recognise the shift that he invariably puts in – and the calibre of talent they have on their hands too.

It wasn’t just the defenders who let the travelling Londoners down, though, with Heung-min Son’s sad decline taking its next step as the captain, so cherished by the Tottenham faithful, failed his team on Merseyside.

Heung-min Son's performance vs Everton

Son is a modern Tottenham legend but he’s struggling to muster up the athletic, sharp performances that have been a staple throughout his storied career in the English capital.

Against Everton, the 32-year-old squandered a glorious opportunity to restore parity when deftly played into space by Dejan Kulusevski, the brightest spark on a gloomy afternoon.

The rotten roots of the South Korean’s poor performance ran deeper, unfortunately, for Son tamely tested Jordan Pickford later on and ‘contributed very little else,’ according to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, who branded the skipper with a lowly 4/10 match rating.

You have to call Postecoglou’s decision to keep Son on the field into question, for the veteran forward was unable to offer any kind of creative or mobile output to enhance Tottenham’s performance, and was overshadowed by young Mikey Moore who supplied the assist for Richarlison’s late consolation.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

On that note, is it time for Postecoglou to ditch his tried-and-tested leader for a younger, springier counterpart?

Why Spurs should ditch Son

Tottenham owe much to Son’s devotion to the cause over so many years, posting 170 goals and 91 assists across 435 appearances. But Moore illustrated perfectly Tottenham’s conundrum: that their talisman is slipping from his gold standard and might soon be better placed on the bench with a touch more regularity.

Moore, 17, was probably Tottenham’s best player – barring maybe Deki – despite only being on the pitch for 17 minutes, expertly arcing an assist for Richarlison to keep hopes of a stunning equaliser alive, also hitting the target with a shot and wrongfooting several Toffees defenders with his quick movements.

If you were being extra cynical, you might even be able to claim that Son’s poor finishing may prove to be the final nail in the coffin for Postecoglou’s vision, as that first-half strike on goal could have changed everything had it gone in, lifting Spurs spirits and then some.

But then, looking at that from the other direction, Postecoglou was the architect of his own demise in a sense, failing to withdraw Son in good time and allowing the discussed forwards to enter the fray and bring some fresh energy and dynamism to the contest.

More ruthless team selection might have changed the narrative for Postecoglou’s side, but hindsight is a wonderful thing and all that. However, now the Aussie coach must recognise the issue that he has and make the tough decision to move him to the bench against Leicester next weekend.

The problem, of course, is that Tottenham have a dearth of options at their disposal right now, with more misery piled onto the crisis through the revelation that Brennan Johnson will be sidelined “for the next three to four weeks.”

Timo Werner will also be missing until the later stages of February, though a certain degree of respite has arrived through Richarlison’s return to fitness and late strike against Everton, nearly sparking a dramatic and unlikely comeback against his former club.

Tottenham will host an internal inquest to determine the route forward after another abject defeat, but time is running out for Postecoglou’s project, with next weekend’s Premier League clash down N17 having the feel of a critical juncture.

With Moore showcasing his quality so well this afternoon and Richarlison getting back amongst the goals, you could argue that Son should be dropped.

And that’s without even thinking about the many Spurs widemen currently stuck in the surgery. Something, to be sure, needs to change.

Their answer to Saliba: Spurs enter race for "phenomenal" £21m titan

The incredible international would make Spurs far harder to break down.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 18, 2025