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Tottenham recruitment chiefs have reportedly set their sights on an “elite” talent who Man City boss Pep Guardiola called “unbelievable”, with the looming January transfer window set to be an intriguing one for Spurs and Thomas Frank.

The Lewis family, after parting company with ex-chairman Daniel Levy, have made their intentions to back the club pretty known.

After injecting £100 million worth of new capital into Spurs via ENIC, they sought to re-appoint transfer guru Fabio Paratici as a co-sporting director, where he’ll work alongside Johan Lange overseeing their drive for new signings.

Amid their striker conundrum, with Randal Kolo Muani now sidelined with a jaw problem, Dominic Solanke still recovering and Richarlison largely out of form, Tottenham are exploring the possibility of a new striker arriving mid-season.

Frank has even reportedly held direct talks with Ivan Toney about a potential loan move to N17 with the 2026 World Cup looming and his England place in doubt, while Juventus star Dušan Vlahović is believed to be another Spurs target as his contract ticks down towards expiry.

According to other reports, the Lilywhites also have plans to bring in another winger and centre-back at the turn of the year, even if Radu Dragusin and Dejan Kulusevski are poised to return from their long-term injuries fairly soon.

Tottenham absentee list

Problem

Estimated return date (subject to change)

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

29/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Kota Takai

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Mohammed Kudus

Knock

23/11/2025

Randal Kolo Muani

Jaw

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Lucas Bergvall

Concussion

23/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

23/11/2025

Archie Gray

Calf/Shin/Heel

23/11/2025

Cristian Romero

Other

23/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

However, according to a new report from TEAMtalk and journalist Dean Jones, Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is also attracting their attention.

Tottenham chiefs really want Spurs to sign Bournemouth sensation Alex Scott

The 22-year-old has started nearly all of high-flying Bournemouth’s 11 Premier League games this season and was a surprise inclusion for Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad to face Serbia and Albania. More interestingly, Tottenham hold an historic interest in Scott, which dates all the way back to 2022 during his Bristol City days.

Once likened to Jack Grealish, the Guernsey-native was dubbed an “elite” level talent on the rise back when he was 18 and making a name for himself at Bristol, with Guardiola confessed to be among his many admirers.

With Scott now making a name for himself in Europe’s most competitive division, Spurs’ admiration for the player hasn’t gone away.

As per Jones, some members of Tottenham’s transfer team are “very hot” on Scott right now, and a move for him in the near future could be on the cards.

According to Opta, no Bournemouth midfielder has made more dribbles than Scott or won more ground duels than the new England international — demonstrating his ability to excel both defensively and in the forward areas.

Scott also started in England’s victorious U21 European Championship final against Germany in June, with Spurs chiefs potentially taking interest in one of the country’s next rising stars who’s perhaps less talked about.

According to another report, though, he won’t be let go on the cheap.

Bournemouth could demand as much as £65 million for Scott, or more, with the Cherries aiming to make a near-triple profit on a player they signed for just £25 million.

Just like buses, you wait a while for a Rangers win in the Scottish Premiership and then two come along at once.

On Wednesday night, Rangers, donning their new bright orange fourth kit, for once did not look off colour, beating Hibernian 1-0 at Easter Road, thanks to Danilo’s left-footed strike inside four and a half minutes.

So, having won only one of their first eight league matches this season, Danny Röhl has now won both since his appointment, also battling to a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Ibrox last Sunday.

Next up for Röhl is an Old Firm derby in the League Cup semi-finals at Hampden on Sunday, facing a Celtic side led by Martin O’Neill, wait, what year is this?

Ahead of that massive Glasgow derby, which Rangers star made himself simply undroppable thanks to his exploits in Leith?

Danilo's Rangers resurgence

Fair to say, in general, since arriving from Feyenoord for £6m over two years ago, Danilo has not lived up to expectations.

His goal in Edinburgh this week was only his 15th in 62 outings for the Light Blues, sitting out a whopping 65 matches due to various injuries.

Now though, having also headed home against Killie on Sunday, the Brazilian has scored in back-to-back Premiership matches for the first time in 11 months.

Speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage, Chris Sutton asserted that Danilo has grabbed his opportunity, while former Rangers striker Kris Boyd would like to see him deployed as the centre-forward on Sunday, given that he has shown more promise than either Youssef Chermiti or Bojan Miovski to date.

Well, Danilo’s father Marcelo Silva, who has been a prominent figure at Rangers matches for a few years now, possibly outshone his son in Leith, very much enjoying his night at Easter Road, dancing away at the very front of the away stand.

Nevertheless, despite Danilo’s sudden scoring spree, he was not the biggest Rangers hero on the night.

Rangers' "best player this season"

Worth highlighting that the only reason Rangers departed the capital with all three points on Wednesday was thanks to the contribution of goalkeeper Jack Butland.

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With five minutes to go, Connor Barron bundled over Junior Hoilett and referee John Beaton pointed to the penalty spot.

Jamie McGrath stepped up, but saw his effort spectacularly saved by Butland, preserving victory for the Gers.

Butland has now, remarkably, now saved six of the last seven penalties he’s faced, excluding shootout, already denying Oh Hyeon-gyu of Genk and Lawrence Shankland of Hearts from 12 yards earlier in the campaign, albeit the latter did convert the rebound.

Nevertheless, this save secured Rangers’ first away clean sheet since a 3-0 victory over Ross County in Dingwall on 8 December 2024, a run of 325 days and 24 matches, the latter an unwanted club record, smashing the previous one of 22 set in 1897 when Queen Victoria was still on the throne.

For Butland specifically, irrespective of whom the manager has been, he has been a consistent performer so far this season.

Towards the back end of the last campaign, during Barry Ferguson’s interim tenure, Butland found himself on the bench, following a string of errors, with Liam Kelly starting both legs of the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Club.

Now though, the England international appears to be back to his best, as the statistics below highlight.

Butland (25/26 Premiership stats)

Statistics

Butland

SPFL rank

Clean sheets

2

6th

Goals conceded

10

3rd*

Goals conceded per 90

1

4th

Saves

27

7th

Save %

68.8%

10th

Runs out

8

1st

Penalties saved

2

1st

*minimum 600 minutes.

Stats via FBref & SofaScore

Of course, despite Rangers leakiness at the back, Butland is nowhere near the busiest goalkeeper in the Premiership, with both Scott Bain of Falkirk and Dundee United’s Yevhen Kucherenko facing more than 50 shots apiece to Butland’s 32.

Nevertheless, for the most part, he has made big saves when called upon.

Back when he was at Stoke, then-manager Paul Lambert labelled him the “best goalkeeper in Britain”, while journalist Scott Bradley notes that Butland “was a shell of his former self last season” but has been “Rangers’ best player this season” so far.

Thus, while new manager Röhl is quickly searching for player he can rely on, Butland has certainly proved himself to be one of those, underlining his undroppable status.

If Rangers are going to beat their fiercest rivals at Hampden on Sunday and book their place in December’s League Cup Final, chances are they’ll need their goalkeeper to be at his brilliant best, possibly even in a penalty shootout.

Related Better than Danilo: Rangers star may have saved his Ibrox career

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Posts ByDan Emery Oct 30, 2025

Tahir, 46, was retained by Amazon Warriors, while TKR recruited the Pakistan pair of Amir and Tariq

Deivarayan Muthu18-Jun-2025

Tim David was part of the IPL-winning RCB side•BCCI

St Lucia Kings, the defending champions of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), have signed IPL winner Tim David as their first-round pick at the draft for the 2025 season. Kings, however, will be without Faf du Plessis, who had led them to their maiden title last year, prioritising the Hundred over the CPL this season.Du Plessis will instead play for Southern Brave in the Hundred, whose signing was the result of his involvement with Delhi Capitals in the IPL. The Capitals’ co-owners GMR Group are finalising their deal to buy Southern Brave, having taken over at host county Hampshire last year.Moeen Ali, who had announced his international retirement in September last year, has opted to skip the Hundred for the CPL, where he was re-signed as a seventh-round pick by Guyana Amazon Warriors. Imran Tahir, 46, was retained by Amazon Warriors as their first pick.Related

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CPL 2025 to be played from August 14 to September 21

Holder leaves Barbados Royals after 13 years to join STKNP; Rutherford moves to Royals

Moeen Ali set to skip Hundred as part of English domestic retirement

In Chennai, next-gen West Indians take part in spin masterclass

Four-time CPL champions Trinbago Knight Riders recruited the Pakistan pair of Mohammad Amir and Usman Tariq. While this will be offspinner Tariq’s maiden CPL stint – he plays for Quetta Gladiators in the PSL – Amir is a familiar name in the CPL, having turned out for Barbados Royals, Jamaica Tallawahs, Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the past.As for the Falcons, they snapped up Imad Wasim as their first pick and Shakib Al Hasan as their second pick. Shakib holds the record for the best figures in an innings in the CPL – he had claimed 4-1-6-6 for the Barbados franchise back in 2013.Rashid Khan will miss the CPL once again, but other spinners contribute to a fairly significant Afghanistan presence in the league. Mystery spinner AM Ghazanfar, who was picked by Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 auction and is currently in fine form for Derbyshire in the T20 Blast, will join Naveen-ul-Haq at Falcons.Left-arm wristspinner Waqar Salamkheil moved from TKR to St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman will return to Barbados Royals. When Royals made the final in CPL 2022, Mujeeb had collected ten wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 6.11. Seam-bowling allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai will join Mujeeb at Royals.Bevon Jacobs, the big-hitting New Zealand batter, will link up with Falcons for his first CPL gig after having stints with Mumbai Indians in the IPL and MI Emirates in the UAE’s ILT20. Glenn Phillips, who first made his name as a franchise player at the CPL before establishing himself as an allrounder for New Zealand, will join Amazon Warriors. Wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert will stay with Kings while Colin Munro will return to TKR.Imran Tahir, 46, was retained by Guyana Amazon Warriors•CPL T20 via Getty Images

Munro, who was signed as an eighth-round pick, has previously enjoyed success with TKR – he is still their highest run-getter with 2178 runs in 72 innings at a strike rate of 129.56. Munro, 38, has retired from international cricket but continues to be active in franchise leagues around the world. Darren Bravo, the second-highest scorer for TKR behind Munro in the CPL, will also return to the franchise and will reunite with his brother Dwayne Bravo, who is set to take over as head coach.Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell were all retained by TKR as expected.Allrounder Matthew Forde, who recently equalled AB de Villiers’ record for the fastest ODI fifty, was retained by Kings while fast bowler Shamar Joseph was retained by Amazon Warriors.Incentive for emerging playersIn CPL 2025, each franchise must play at least one player from the Breakout League, a new tournament that was held to identify emerging talent from the region, in every game. This also gives the franchise the option of picking five overseas players in their XI to go with their ‘breakout’ player.The last three rounds in the draft – 15, 16 and 17 – were all reserved for emerging players from the Breakout League.Reigning champions Kings brought back St Lucian Ackeem Auguste as one of their breakout players. After winning the CPL title with Kings, Auguste visited India to train at the Chennai Super Kings academy and his recent form for West Indies Academy is also encouraging.Having captained Trinidad & Tobago Legions to the 2025 West Indies Breakout League T20 title, Joshua da Silva will now link up with his home franchise, TKR, in the CPL.Jyd Goolie, a former Under-19 World Cup winner who recently earned a call-up to the senior squad, was picked by Patriots as a player from the Breakout League.CPL 2025 squadsSt Kitts & Nevis Patriots: Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder (traded), Rilee Rossouw, Evin Lewis, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Corbin Bosch, Waqar Salamkheil, Andre Fletcher, Alick Athanaze (traded), Mohammad Nawaz, Dominic Drakes, Mikyle Louis, Ashmead Nedd, Jeremiah Louis, Jyd Goolie, Navin Bidaisee, Leniko BoucherAntigua & Barbuda Falcons: Imad Wasim, Shakib Al Hasan, Fabian Allen, Naveen-ul-Haq, Obed McCoy, Justin Greaves, Bevon Jacobs, Jayden Seales, AM Ghazanfar, Rahkeem Cornwall (traded), Odean Smith, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, Amir Jangoo, Karima Gore, Kevin Wickham, Joshua JamesBarbados Royals: Rovman Powell, Brandon King (traded), Sherfane Rutherford (traded), Quinton de Kock, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Azmatullah Omarzai, Jomel Warrican, Kadeem Alleyne, Shaqkere Parris, Kofi James, Nyeem Young, Rivaldo Clarke, Zishan Motara, Johann Layne, Ramon SimmondsTrinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Alex Hales, Akeal Hosein, Mohammad Amir, Colin Munro, Usman Tariq, Ali Khan, Darren Bravo, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Terrance Hinds, McKenny Clarke, Joshua Da Silva, Nathan EdwardGuyana Amazon Warriors: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Shai Hope, Glenn Phillips, Gudakesh Motie, Moeen Ali, Shamar Joseph, Keemo Paul, Dwaine Pretorius, Shamarh Brooks, Kemol Savory, Hassan Khan, Jediah Blades, Kevlon Anderson, Quentin Sampson, Riyad LatifSaint Lucia Kings: Tim David, Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Tim Seifert, Roston Chase, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Wiese, Delano Potgieter, Matthew Forde, Aaron Jones, Khary Pierre, Javelle Glen, Micah McKenzie, Shadrack Descarte, Johann Jeremiah, Keon Gaston, Ackeem Auguste

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma nova regra para a marcação do impedimento está sendo testada pela FIFA. A ideia de Arsène Wenger, ex-treinador do Arsenal, habilitaria o atacante a ter parte do corpo a frente do jogador adversário e agrada o comentarista de arbitragem dos canais ESPN, Leonardo Gaciba.

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O novo procedimento não muda o referencial da linha de impedimento do defensor, a linha segue sendo traçada na parte do corpo que está mais próxima ao gol. A diferença fica no jogador de ataque. Em entrevista ao Lance!, Leonardo Gaciba, que também já foi comentarista dos canais SporTV e Globo, explicou com detalhes a nova rega do impedimento.

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– No conceito de lei o jogador deverá estar totalmente mais próximo da linha de fundo que dois defensores adversários. A palavra “totalmente” modifica radicalmente a regra XI atual. Hoje o atleta deve estar mais próximo da linha de fundo que o penúltimo defensor. Qualquer parte do corpo a frente deste defensor exceto braços e mãos caracterizaram a posição de impedimento. Na proposta nova qualquer parte do corpo na linha do penúltimo defensor habilitaria o atacante. Eu gosto, sempre fui a favor do gol.

+ Veja lista de todos os vencedores do ‘The Best’, prêmio dado ao melhor jogador do mundo pela Fifa

O ex-árbitro comentou ainda sobre como seria a atuação do VAR com essa mudança.

– O VAR, deverá utilizar o sistema de “cortina”. Uma linha apenas na parte do defensor mais próxima da linha de fundo e dela se sobe uma cortina virtual. Caso qualquer parte do atacante toque essa “cortina”, gol legal. O processo fica mais rápido e menos polêmico.

Como a nova diretriz impactaria bruscamente o jogo, o procedimento precisa passar por testes. Segundo apuraçao do ge, os testes estão sendo conduzidos em campeonatos de categorias de base de três países: Suécia, Itália e Holanda. Os testes não significam que a regra vai passar a valer logo ou que sequer será aprovada, mas faz parte do processo da Fifa de entender os desdobramentos do novo procedimento.

– Resta agora saber se a Board (grupo de países filiados a fifa responsável pelas regras do jogo) não colocará resistência. O tema vai a votação primária, passa por testes e posteriormente volta a assembleia geral anual da Board para aprovação. Pode ser rápido, mas normalmente são processos lentos – disse Gaciba.

A mudança impactaria consideravelmente a quantidade de gols anulados. Os atacantes seriam beneficiados e aumentaria a recorrência de gols, o que agrada Leonardo Gaciba.

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– Essa ideia é interessante por premiar mais o gol! Isso é o principal. Resumindo, creio que, com a mudança, ganha o futebol. Importante, que a comissão de árbitros da FIFA saia de seu casulo e escute as outras categorias do futebol cada vez mais.

*Vitor Palhares e Pedro Brandão colaboraram sob a supervisão de Paulo Victor Reis

MatériaMais Notícias

Na Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, o Sport está na terceira posição, com 45 pontos ganhos, e caminha de maneira consistente para ficar com uma das vagas dos times que disputarão a elite nacional em 2024.

Entretanto, além do que vem sendo desenvolvido pelo técnico Enderson Moreira, existe também outro setor do clube que vem recebendo investimentos mais específicos na atual gestão do Leão: as categorias de base. Seja com o intuito da formação de atletas no caráter de uso esportivo como também pensando no médio/longo prazo no que se refere a venda de jogadores.

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>Assista aos jogos do seu clube do coração com aquela gelada! Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00

Rafael Fernandes, Diretor Executivo das Categorias de Base do clube, frisou o destaque que esse tema sempre teve durante o mandato do presidente Yuri Romão:

– Desde o inicio da gestão do presidente Yuri, ele enxergou a necessidade de se investir e valorizar as categorias de base. Teve um grande retorno no ano passado com vendas de atletas. O retorno é garantido, não tem pra onde correr, é o grande investimento que um clube pode fazer, seus atletas são os grandes ativos do clube, e a sustentação financeira de um clube no brasil, passa por vendas de atletas da base. Investimento em equipamentos de treino, melhorias nos campos, criação de setores, como captação e performance, criação de processos internos e competições de alto nivel nacional e internacional.

Além da atenção ao que está sendo feito dentro dos limites do clube, Rafael reconhece que existem influencias importantes de outros clubes no projeto implementado pelo Leão da Ilha. Chegando, inclusive, a citar de maneira mais específica alguns exemplos:

– Acho que, no Brasil, eu gosto muito do trabalho do Flamengo, do Fluminense, do Athletico-PR e do Palmeiras. Cada uma tem seu estilo de trabalhar, mas muito bem definido e com resultados expressivos.

O trabalho de integração feito entre a base e o profissional, tendo a situação da Série B do Brasileirão e a experiência de Enderson com o trabalho em categorias de base como contexto, também foi pontuado pelo executivo do clube da Praça da Bandeira:

– Sem duvidas. O clube hoje tem cerca de 37% do elenco com jogadores formados no sport e o Enderson e comissão tem experiência de base para saber o momento de lançar o garoto e nao expôr de maneira precipitada.

Over recent years, Tottenham Hotspur have been lucky enough to have multiple top-level strikers on their books, subsequently giving the fanbase numerous incredible memories.

Harry Kane undoubtedly tops that list, scoring 280 times for the Lilywhites – cementing himself as the highest goalscorer in their history, taking the record off the late Jimmy Greaves.

However, other players haven’t been as impressive, with Roberto Soldado struggling to produce the goods during his own stint in the first team in North London.

The Spaniard joined the club back in the summer of 2013, costing a whopping £26m – a figure that was a club record during those years under Daniel Levy.

However, he only scored 16 times in his 76 appearances for the club, leaving two years later for a measly £10m and losing £16m on their previous investment.

This summer, current boss Thomas Frank has made a move to land his own centre-forward, but the player will undoubtedly be hoping to have a similar impact to the former rather than the latter.

What Spurs can expect from Kolo Muani

In a summer transfer window littered with multiple £50m+ additions, Spurs also made various loan deals to help make an immediate improvement to the current squad.

Joao Palhinha was added to the midfield department earlier in the transfer window, joining on a season-long loan with an option to buy from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

However, on deadline day, Frank’s side also clinched the signing of PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan – despite huge rumours linking him with a return to Juventus.

The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the Serie A outfit, netting 10 goals in just 22 appearances – subsequently getting his career back on track.

He joined PSG in a £76m deal back in 2023, but only scored 11 times in two seasons, before falling down the pecking order – leading to his temporary spells away from the Ligue 1 outfit.

However, he’s showcased in his recent spell in Italy that he’s capable of thriving with regular minutes, registering 70 goals in the professional game over the last five years.

The former Spurs player who’s outscored Kolo Muani

As previously mentioned, the centre-forward position has been a troubled one for Spurs since Kane departed in 2023, with record-signing Dominic Solanke struggling with his fitness since his own move in 2024.

The Lilywhites forked out £65m for his signature, but he’s only managed 16 goals for the club to date – with injuries halting his progress in North London.

The Englishman has been restricted to just 31 minutes of Premier League action so far in 2025/26, opening the door for Kolo Muani to stake his claim for a regular starting role.

However, former strikers at Spurs have also struggled to match the expectations put upon them, given the stature of the club – none more so than Vincent Janssen.

He joined the club in a £18.6m deal from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2016, with such a move generating excitement after the Dutchman ended the previous year as the Eredivisie’s top scorer.

During his first campaign in England, the striker only managed to net six goals – only two of which were in the Premier League – ultimately struggling to match the expectations he arrived with.

Janssen would subsequently be sent out on loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce, a move that would spell the end of his stint with the Lilywhites – only making three appearances upon his return to the club.

The stats & finances of Vincent Janssen’s Spurs career

Statistics

Tally

Transfer Fee

£18.6m

Wages

£2.75m

Total

£21.3m

Appearances

42

Cost per appearance

£507k

Goals

6

Cost per goal

£3.5m

Assists

4

Cost per assist

£5.3m

Goal involvements

10

Cost per goal involvement

£2.1m

Stats via Transfermarkt & Capology

Such failures in England led to former striker Gary Lineker dubbing the Dutchman as “ a poor man’s Roberto Soldado” – a damning statement given the Spaniard’s own failures in North London.

However, in recent years, the 31-year-old has recaptured his best form away from England – now plying his trade for Belgian side Royal Antwerp, helping his current employers qualify for the Champions League.

He registered 13 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, subsequently outscoring new addition Kolo Muani (12) – highlighting his impressive form after his failed stint in the Premier League.

There’s no denying that the hierarchy made the right call in allowing Janssen to depart the club, with his transfer certainly one to forget given his lack of tangible impact.

However, Kolo Muani will be hoping to not emulate his disappointing spell in North London, undoubtedly wanting to hit the ground running in the clash against West Ham United on Saturday night.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Sep 11, 2025

Jurgen Klopp's decision to step down as Liverpool boss rocked the world of football. The resurgent Reds were top of the Premier League and still in three cup competitions when the Kop idol announced on January 26, 2004 that he would leave Anfield at the end of the season.

"I can understand that it's a shock for a lot of people at this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it," Klopp told the club's official website.

"I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything.

"But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take. It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy."

The supporters were stunned. There had been some signs of fatigue and frustration the year before but nobody had seen Klopp's imminent exit coming – not even Klopp's assistant Peter Krawietz…

Getty Images Sport'I understood Jurgen's explanations'

"Jurgen called me at the time and said I should come to see him. He said that we needed to discuss something," Krawietz explains in an exclusive interview with GOAL.

"When he told me what, I was initially surprised, but five minutes into our conversation, which ended up lasting perhaps two hours, I was no longer surprised.

"I completely understood all of Jurgen's explanations and arguments. They were logical, consistent, and also congruent with my own thinking.

"We had both taken a long look in the mirror, independently of each other, and in doing so, we came to the difficult conclusion: a four-week break would not be enough to face the challenges of the following season, in light of everything that this profession requires."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportKlopp's surprise move

In truth, it wasn't that difficult to understand why Klopp might be exhausted. After all, he was renowned for his intensity.

Klopp was never less than 100 percent committed to the cause – whether that was at Mainz, Borussia Dortmund or Liverpool – so it was perhaps inevitable that such a relentless work ethic would eventually catch up with him.

Nobody was in any doubt that he deserved an extended break from football either. For that very reason, though, eyebrows were raised when Klopp announced his return to the game less than six months after his final game at Anfield – and as Red Bull's head of global soccer.

Klopp had always claimed to be a traditionalist, an old romantic disillusioned by the commercialisation of football, so his decision to accept a role within the sporting department of the energy drink manufacturer provoked accusations of hypocrisy and selling his soul.

Getty Images'At Red Bull, Jurgen can think outside the box'

Krawietz, though, insists that he wasn't at all surprised by the timing of Klopp's return to work or the identity of the employer.

"I would have only been surprised if he had asked me if we wanted to join a certain club in our usual roles," he says. "But I was almost certain that wouldn't happen.

"I always thought that he would do something completely different than before. Jurgen simply wanted a change from his coaching job.

"He's always been a very curious person, enthusiastic about other things, and, at Red Bull, he can think outside the box, experience new things, really get involved, isn't tied to one location, and is free of the daily public relations work. It's less intensive, but just as extensive.

"I've taken note of the criticism – but I don't understand it. I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding on the part of the fans [in Germany].

"In England, it's perfectly normal for a club to be managed by an investor who acts as a financier and makes strategic decisions.

"If you ask yourself why this hasn't yet taken hold in Germany, it also raises the question of how professional and commercially marketed football can be. A highly interesting discussion, but one as old as football itself.

"But, at the end of the day, where would Jurgen have been allowed to work, what would the public have approved of? There would have been numerous critical voices even if he had – purely hypothetically – become coach at Bayern Munich or Manchester United.

"Of course, that's not how free choice of profession works. You have to pay respect to an individual. You can't hold a public vote on what the fans would like."

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getty'True champion' James Milner

Of course, Klopp's status as a Liverpool legend has long been secure. He enjoyed a wonderful rapport with the fans – and still does.

Winning trophies obviously helped. As well as leading the Reds to a sixth European Cup, Klopp also ended Liverpool's 30-year English title drought.

Krawietz openly admits, though, that the management team owed so much of their success to a wonderful group of players, men of real character that created and maintained a standard of excellence at the club.

"I don't want to put anyone above others and could probably talk about each one for an hour," Krawietz says, "but, in terms of the focus on daily life, the job, and the complete conviction with which you approach it, the shining example and the most professional of all the players I've met is James Milner.

"He managed to align an entire team around this focus and demonstrate how to become a true champion."

أكد ميروان سوارسو، رئيس نادي كومو، أن ريال مدريد لديه الحق في إعادة شراء نيكو باز في أي وقت يريد، لكن القرار يعود للاعب.

اللاعب الأرجنتيني لديه عقد مع كومو، لكن ناديه السابق، ريال مدريد، يملك خيار إعادة شراء في السنوات القادمة.

وأشارت تقارير إيطالية في وقت سابق إلى أن ريال مدريد يستطيع إعادة شراء نيكو باز حتى عام 2027.

سجل اللاعب ثلاثة أهداف وقدّم ثلاث تمريرات حاسمة في ست مباريات مع كومو بالدوري الإيطالي هذا الموسم.

اقرأ أيضًا | تقارير: ريال مدريد يدرس مكافأة لاعب الفريق بعد تألقه مع ألونسو

وتحدث سوارسو، في تصريحات لصحيفة “سبورت إيطاليا” عن مستقبل نيكو باز، وقال: “لا يهمني هذا الأمر، إنه وضع اتفقنا عليه منذ البداية، ريال مدريد مخول بإعادة شرائه متى شاء”.

وأضاف: “يعود الأمر لنيكو ليقرر مستقبله، نحن سعداء جدًا بوجوده معنا، نود أن نبني له منزلًا في كومو، اختار البقاء هذا الموسم، ونتعامل مع الأمر يومًا بيوم، سنرى كيف ستسير الأمور، هل سيعود إلى مدريد الموسم المقبل؟ من حق مدريد فعل ذلك، هل سيبقى معنا؟ الأمر متروك له سواء أراد ذلك أم لا”.

Manchester United entered the summer transfer window at a crossroads, the latest crossroad in a long, winding line of critical junctures over the past interminable period of too many wrong turns.

But is there hope for the Red Devils? While there have been false dawns across this last decade of misery, INEOS and Ruben Amorim are working in concert to turn things around, and the market business across the past several months bespeaks not only the club’s ambitions but the club’s newfound maturity too.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both cost a pretty penny, but the wide forwards have plenty of Premier League experience between them and have each come off the back of first-class campaigns.

Premier League 24/25 – Cunha & Mbeumo

Stats (* per game)

Cunha

Mbeumo

Matches (starts)

33 (29)

38 (38)

Goals

15

20

Assists

1.8

7

Shots (on target)*

3.3 (1.3)

2.2 (1.1)

Big chances missed

2

9

Pass completion

79%

74%

Big chances created

13

17

Key passes*

1.8

1.8

Dribbles*

1.8

1.4

Tackles + interceptions*

1.7

1.7

Duels won*

5.5

4.7

Stats via Sofascore

More importantly, though, neither has yet proven themselves at one of Europe’s elite outfits. Now’s their chance.

After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, turning this ship around was always going to be a big ask, but at this particular crossroads, perhaps the right turn has been taken.

A central striker was also needed, and herein lies the more worrying addition of Benjamin Sesko. However, there’s no denying the 22-year-old is one of the most promising young goal scorers of his generation.

Why Man Utd signed Benjamin Sesko

Two years ago, Man United paid £72m to Atalanta in exchange for up-and-coming centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish footballer has since fallen by the wayside and is actively being pushed toward an exit before the transfer deadline.

Sesko has arrived as Hojlund’s replacement, and hopefully an upgrade. He leaves RB Leipzig to join the squad at the Theatre of Dreams, signing for a similarly expensive £74m fee.

While the Slovenian only scored 13 goals from 33 Bundesliga matches last term, his power and pace and potential all suggest that United might have hit the jackpot, with talent scout Jacek Kulig even declaring that United have signed themselves “the new Haaland” for Sesko’s fearsome physicality and playing style.

And with such confident Premier League-proven partners in Cunha and Mbeumo flanking him, Sesko might just be the jackpot signing that has been needed for so long.

However, the Devils aren’t done yet. Indeed, Amorim is hoping to sign one or two more players before the end of the transfer window, and is targeting a Premier League star who has been singled out as the finest player within Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad.

Man Utd launch bid for Premier League star

According to Football Transfers, Manchester United have made an official approach to Crystal Palace for their captain Marc Guehi, who has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.

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Liverpool are the clear frontrunners in the race, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur keen too, but United’s exploratory offer, looking to gauge the minutiae of a potential package, suggests there is encouragement that INEOS could pull off something special.

However, the Anfield side are wary about meeting the Eagles’ valuation of at least £40m, and with Steve Parish eager to cash in rather than lose the centre-back for free, the chance is there for United to swoop in and seal a statement signing.

Why Man Utd want Marc Guehi

Crystal Palace signed Guehi from Chelsea for £18m in 2021, and he has since made 132 appearances in the Premier League. Should he be set to leave his current club, he would do so having led them to their first two top titles: the FA Cup and the Community Shield.

He’s the real deal, and, aged 25 and with a wealth of experience in England, would continue that trend of Man United signing from divisional rivals, signing players hungry to work their way to the very top of the game.

Given Guehi’s standing within the English game and the core components deep within his skill set, tailored toward the top end of the defensive ladder, Man United would surely strike gold by sealing this signature, marking an even better signing than Sesko.

Though landing a Hojlund upgrade has been regarded as important for United this summer, so too has addressing the leaky defence, which shipped the ninth-highest number of xG (expected goals) in the league last season (55.1), via FotMob.

That’s not good enough for a team of Man United’s stature, although perhaps to be expected given that they finished 15th.

But Guehi is a “monster in defence”, as said by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, who won 63% of his ground duels in the Premier League last year, via Sofascore.

Moreover, the defender ranks among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 2% for through balls per 90, as per FBref, so he has the ball-playing expertise to advance Amorim’s transitional system, picking out promising players, in space, well ahead of him, such is the manager’s expectation of maintaining a high line.

Having established himself as a mainstay for the England international team over the past year, prominent for Gareth Southgate’s last hurrah at EURO 2024, it’s surely a bid worth making. Well, United’s newfound market shrewdness has been ratified, for they have indeed made their first approach.

Analyst Ben Mattinson actually described Guehi as being “England’s best player” following the international campaign.

Ultimately, Man United needed a new striker, and they’ve signed one. But they also need reshaping across the park, and Guehi would provide an instantaneous and dramatic lift to a backline that flattered to deceive last season, whereas the jury is very much out for Sesko, yet to pass his first tests in English football.

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Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson Aug 11, 2025

سقط مانشستر يونايتد أمام برينتفورد بثلاثة أهداف لهدف واحد، في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وكان برينتفورد قد افتتح التسجيل عن طريق إيجور تياجو في الدقيقة الثامنة، وفي الدقيقة 20 عزز نفس اللاعب تقدم أصحاب الأرض بالهدف الثاني.

وفي الدقيقة 26 قلص الوافد الجديد لفريق مانشستر يونايتد بنجامين سيسكو الفارق، وقبل نهاية اللقاء قضى ماتياس يانسن على آمال الفريق الضيف بالهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 95.

أقرأ ايضاً.. إيكتيكي يختار تشكيله التاريخي المثالي في كرة القدم.. موقف محمد صلاح

ولم ينجح مانشستر يونايتد في العودة بنتيجة المباراة على الرغم من المحاولات وتغييرات روبن أموريم، ليواصل النتائج المخيبة للآمال هذا الموسم.

ودخل روبن أموريم مدرب مانشستر يونايتد لقاء اليوم بتشكيل مكون من: بايندير، ماتياس دي ليخت، هاري ماجواير، لوك شاو، دالوت، أوجارتي، برونو فرنانديز، دورجو، مبيومو، ماتيوس كونيا، بنجامين سيسكو.

وكان روبن أموريم مدرب مانشستر يونايتد قد أجرى تغييرات بدخول ماسون ماونت وجوشوا زيركزي وليني يورو وكوبي ماينو.

بهذه النتيجة يرتفع رصيد برينتفورد للنقطة السابعة في المركز الحادي عشر، بينما يصبح مانشستر يونايتد في المركز الثاني عشر برصيد 7 نقاط أيضاً.