Manchester City are leading the race for a “world-class” star, and they are now prepared to explore a deal in the January transfer window.

Man City looking at signing new forward after slow start

Man City’s opening match was full of promise, picking up an impressive 4-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they have since gone on to lose their last two matches, and Rodri was very critical of the performance in the 2-1 loss at Brighton.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner said: “Some of the mistakes we are making are kids’ mistakes; you are not concentrating and paying attention. The reality is that we have to raise the level if we want to compete.”

Pep Guardiola initially attempted to ‘raise the level’ by overhauling his squad during the summer transfer window, although there were very few additions in forward areas, with the now injured Rayan Cherki the only outright attacker to move to the Etihad Stadium.

That is despite City being heavily linked with a new winger, and at one stage they were preparing an offer for Rodrygo, but the Brazilian ultimately ended up remaining at Real Madrid.

However, there has now been a new update on Man City’s pursuit of Rodrygo, with a report from Caught Offside revealing they are leading the race for the 24-year-old’s signature. It is claimed that the forward is seen as a “perfect fit” and a “key piece” in City’s fluid attacking system.

During the summer transfer window, Arsenal were informed that Madrid would be prepared to listen to offers of around €80m (£69m), which suggests it may take a similar amount to get a deal done this winter, with City now willing to explore a January move.

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Interestingly, Madrid are open to cashing-in on the Brazil international this summer, which may be music to Pep’s ears, given that the 54-year-old is known to be a long-term admirer.

"World-class" Rodrygo could take Man City's attack to next level

Oscar Bobb has made a decent start to the season, scoring at the Club World Cup, before going on to pick up an assist against Wolves on the opening day, but the Norwegian is still yet to truly establish himself at the top level.

As such, Pep may be keen to bring in a more proven winger this winter, and the Real Madrid forward is now a seasoned Brazil international, scoring seven goals in 33 appearances for his country, while also picking up 119 goal contributions in 272 outings for his current employers.

Journalist Kyle Bonn has previously praised the former Santos man for his ability to put away chances, which is evidenced by the fact he has averaged 0.35 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, despite being expected to score 0.21 per 90.

Rodrygo could take Man City’s attack to the next level, so it is exciting news that they have now moved into pole position in the race for his signature.

President Joan Laporta hailed Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal as a "genius" and accepted the fact that the 18-year-old can be prone to making mistakes due to the superstardom he has achieved. Yamal, who has been criticised for his lifestyle at times, was defended by Laporta, who added that the attacker is "already more mature than other boys his age."

The world at Yamal's feet

Yamal has had a sensation last year-and-a-half. After being named the best young player at the 2024 European Championship, which Spain won, the teenage sensation played an instrumental role in helping Barcelona win a domestic treble in the 2024-25 season, registering 18 goals and 21 assists. His exploits saw him finish as the runner-up to Ousmane Dembele for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, with the notion that Yamal will lift the prestigious individual award sooner rather than later. 

AdvertisementGetty/GOALFame and fortune threaten to derail Yamal's progress

With the world already at his feet at the age of 18, Yamal has often been warned by legends of football and other sports to navigate the pitfalls of fame and fortune very carefully. Boris Becker, who created history by becoming the youngest male Wimbledon champion at the age of 17 in 1985, said last month that Yamal's early success "rings alarm bells" for him, urging the Barca wonderkid to not "make the obvious mistakes."

The teenage boy wonder often makes headlines due to his lifestyle and his romance with Argentine singer Nicki Nicole. His lavish 18th birthday celebrations were criticised, too, as he invited professional dwarfs for entertainment. At one point, he was even threatened with legal action against him.

Laporta knows Yamal can be overwhelmed by fame

Speaking in an interview with , Laporta said: "Lamine is a genius. We have to support him and give him the best advice, but he is already much more mature than other boys his age because of what he has been through. This fame can overwhelm him, but he is handling it very well. He is 18 years old and trains every day. He is disciplined with his groin injury and with what the club tells him, he follows everything to the letter so that he can improve. The way to treat him is to help him. He will make mistakes like everyone else, and perhaps more so because he is very young. He is a lad who makes himself loved."

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Getty ImagesHas Yamal become injury-prone?

Yamal has already clocked over 9,000 minutes of football in two seasons, having become indispensable for both club and country. However, with his minutes not being managed carefully, the right winger has become prone to injuries, with his latest setback set to keep him out of action for at least another week. His management has sparked tensions between Barca head coach Hansi Flick and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

MatériaMais Notícias

Má fase? O São Paulo vive um período atípico desde que Dorival Júnior assumiu o posto de treinador do clube. A equipe está sem vencer há cinco jogos, com quatro derrotas e um empate. Nas próximas duas semanas, haverá duas decisões: pela Copa Sul-Americana e pela Copa do Brasil.

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Mas o que estaria por trás desta sequência negativa do Tricolor? A reportagem do Lance! levantou cinco motivos que podem explicar algumas hipóteses do que está abalando a equipe nos últimos jogos.

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Tricolor com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

> Departamento médico cheio… E desfalques importantes
O departamento médico do São Paulo tem sido um problema desde o último ano. Até o duelo contra o Atlético-MG, no último final de semana, seis jogadores estiveram ausentes – ‘pouco’, se compararmos com outros momentos da temporada em que a equipe perdeu praticamente um time inteiro por desfalques. Entre esses atletas, alguns nomes fizeram a diferença, e Gabriel Neves talvez seja o maior exemplo. O uruguaio vinha de uma ótima sequência, sendo eficiente tanto na marcação quanto na criação e estabilizando o meio-campo da equipe. No entanto, o jogador sofreu uma fratura na costela durante o duelo contra o Palmeiras, pela Copa do Brasil, que o deixou de fora nos últimos seis jogos do Tricolor. Ao analisar os resultados e os desempenhos desde a sua última partida no clássico, a diferença no meio de campo fica nítida.

> Sequência dura de jogos
De fato, o São Paulo viveu sequências intensas de jogos nos últimos tempos. No último mês, foram praticamente decisões seguidas uma após a outra. Além da classificação para as oitavas de final da Copa Sul-Americana, enfrentou os clássicos contra o Palmeiras pela Copa do Brasil, o jogo de ida contra o San Lorenzo e o jogo de ida contra o Corinthians. Tudo isso ocorreu em um intervalo de pouco mais de um mês. Além dessas partidas decisivas, o Campeonato Brasileiro continuou acontecendo – e o São Paulo lutando para se manter em uma boa posição. A carga física é significativa e o desgaste mental também é relevante, especialmente considerando que muitos desses jogos foram jogos fundamentais para a temporada do Tricolor.

> Falta de criatividade
Nos últimos jogos, o São Paulo tem se comportado de uma maneira que chama a atenção. Pode-se até considerar que o São Paulo se tornou um time de ‘toca-toca’, com muitas trocas de passes e posse de bola, mas sem criar efetivamente chances de gol. Nos últimos cinco jogos, a equipe marcou apenas dois gols (contra o Cuiabá e o Corinthians) e foi vazada sete vezes. Nomes importantes no ataque e em posições de artilharia, como Calleri, têm se apresentado pouco também. Com nove gols na temporada, a última vez em que o camisa 9 balançou as redes foi contra o Santos, no clássico disputado em 16 de julho no Morumbi.

> Jogos fora de casa
Com recordes de público na temporada, o São Paulo jogou fora de casa três vezes nessa sequência mencionada anteriormente. Neste ano, o Tricolor jogou fora do Morumbi 22 vezes. Dessas 22 partidas, obteve nove vitórias, seis empates e sete derrotas. No entanto, enfrentou três derrotas consecutivas. Nas próximas semanas, o São Paulo ainda não terá uma sequência significativa de jogos em casa. Após a partida contra o San Lorenzo nesta quinta-feira (8), no Morumbi, a equipe já viajará no sábado (12), durante a tarde, para o Rio de Janeiro – onde enfrentará o Flamengo pelo Brasileirão.

> Desgaste mental após jogos decisivos?
Como evidenciado nos tópicos anteriores, o último mês do São Paulo não foi fácil. Além de estar envolvido em três competições e enfrentar diversos jogos fora de casa, as decisões não foram tranquilas, tampouco contra adversários fáceis. O São Paulo teve a “sorte” de ter dois clássicos decisivos na mesma competição – e ainda há um jogo de volta por acontecer contra o Corinthians, agendado para o dia 16 deste mês.

تحدثت صحيفة “جارديان” الإنجليزية عن نجم فريق ليفربول، محمد صلاح، والقرار المنتظر من جانب المدير الفني آرني سلوت تجاهه، قبل مباراة السبت المرتقبة ضد نظيره فريق برينتفورد.

ويحل ليفربول ضيفًا على برينتفورد، مساء يوم السبت، في الجولة التاسعة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26.

ويدخل ليفربول تلك المباراة بعدما حقق فوزًا ثمينًا على آينتراخت فرانكفورت، يوم الأربعاء الماضي، بخمسة أهداف لهدف في الجولة الثالثة من مرحلة الدوري من دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وقالت صحيفة “جارديان” الإنجليزية: “بعد إنهاء سلسلة هزائمة التي استمرت 4 مباريات وذلك أمام فرانكفورت، يحتاج ليفربول إلى إعادة إحياء دفاعه عن لقب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. فيديو | فيرتز يوجه لفظًا نابيًا للاعب ليفربول أمام آينتراخت فرانكفورت

وأضافت: “خسر ليفربول آخر 3 مباريات في الدوري الإنجليزي، أمام كريستال بالاس، تشيلسي ومانشستر يونايتد، وكان التغيير الأبرز يوم الأربعاء الماضي هو إبقاء محمد صلاح على دكة البدلاء، حيث لم يسجل مع ناديه منذ أكثر من شهر، عندما أحرز خلال الفوز على أتلتيكو مدريد في سبتمبر الماضي”.

وواصلت: “لم يظهر محمد صلاح في أفضل حالاته منذ بداية الموسم، ومن المفهوم أنه في سن 33، وبغض النظر عن لياقته البدنية، سيحتاج إلى إدارة أكثر حرصًا إذا أراد سلوت وليفربول إخراج أفضل ما لديه”.

وأردفت: “وأبقاه مشاركته كبديل في مباراة دوري أبطال أوروبا الأخيرة في حالة نشطة، رغم أن اللقاء كان قد حُسم بالفعل عند دخوله الملعب”.

واختتمت: “يحتاج سلوت إلى اتخاذ قرار بشأن إعادة إشراك محمد صلاح في التشكيلة الأساسية، وهو أمر يبدو مرجحًا بالنظر إلى إصابة ألكسندر إيزاك واحتمال إراحة المصري عند مواجهة كريستال بالاس في كأس كاراباو يوم الأربعاء”.

Will Jacks’ offspin, pace bowlers’ yorkers restricted SRH before the hosts cruised home

Karthik Krishnaswamy17-Apr-20250:55

Bangar: Hardik was spot-on with his captaincy

Mumbai Indians (MI) won an important toss, got the best of the conditions, and made excellent use of them to run away to their third win of IPL 2025, beating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by four wickets. They sent SRH in on an unusually sluggish pitch at the Wankhede Stadium and restricted them to 162 for 5. They then hunted down their target with 11 balls to spare, with a bit of help from dew – though not enough to force a ball change.MI’s biggest match-winner on the day was Will Jacks, who had made a quiet start to the season, but showed all his value in his sixth match with his new team. His 26-ball 36 was an important innings, but he made an even bigger impact with his offspin, bossing his match-up against SRH’s entirely left-handed top three and finishing with 2 for 14 in three overs.Jacks’ three overs allowed MI to delay their use of their Impact Player, even though they lost their legspinner Karn Sharma – Player of the Match in their last game against Delhi Capitals – to an injury before he could bowl a ball. Not being forced to bring on a bowler as his replacement allowed MI to sub in Rohit Sharma at the start of their chase, and he gave them impetus with an early cameo. With Ryan Rickelton, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya also contributing handily, MI never allowed SRH’s bowlers to get a sniff.For all that, though, this was a match won by MI’s bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah executed best, but their other fast bowlers also played their part in constricting SRH with a plan heavy on slower balls and yorkers on a surface where powering the ball down the ground seemed impossible at times.This was why SRH only managed to post 162, despite a 59-run opening stand from Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, both of whom enjoyed major slices of luck along the way. That SRH got that far was down to a strong finish, with the 18th and 20th overs bringing 21 and 22 runs respectively as Heinrich Klaasen, Aniket Verma and Pat Cummins hit the only five sixes of their innings.Plenty of luck but no fluency for SRHThe first over of the match was an ominous one for MI. Deepak Chahar found Abhishek’s edge first ball only for the overhead chance to burst through Jacks’ hands at slip. Then Head flicked uppishly only for the ball to fall short of the diving Karn at midwicket.The latter event happened in the third over as well, this time off Abhishek’s bat, and this time Karn’s futile dive also gave him a split webbing. He left the field and didn’t return to bowl.2:59

Are SRH effectively out of the race for top four?

Fortune smiled on SRH again in the tenth over, when Head was caught on the square-leg boundary off a no-ball from Hardik. But the bigger story was that Head was batting on 24 off 24 at that point, struggling to time the ball on a pitch where the ball simply wouldn’t come on to the bat. Abhishek had looked a little more fluent, scoring 40 off 27 before being caught on the point boundary off Hardik in the eighth over.That wicket had come right after another ominous moment for MI, when Hardik had pulled up in his follow-through with what seemed like an injury to his left shin or ankle. He even seemed to gesture to his dugout to call for a substitute, but in the end he dusted himself off and continued bowling.Jacks attacks his match-upSRH only scored 46 in the powerplay despite not losing a wicket, and while the slow, grippy conditions played their part, MI’s bowlers also used them beautifully, with Bumrah standing out, giving away just 10 runs in his two powerplay overs.MI brought on Jacks as soon as the powerplay ended, and he immediately began finding grip and turn. After Hardik had broken the opening stand in the eighth over, Jacks struck his first blow in the ninth, turning an offbreak sharply past the flailing bat of the charging Ishan Kishan to have him stumped.Then, changing ends to bowl the 12th over, Jacks ended Head’s miserable stay, having him caught at long-off for 28 off 29 balls.Klaasen, Aniket provide strong finishHead’s dismissal – a failure to clear the straight boundary – was a theme of SRH’s innings, with all their batters struggling for power down the ground. Only four fours came from the eighth to the 15th overs, and all four were hit behind the wicket. Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy batted through most of this period, putting on 31 off 33 balls.A three-run 17th over from Trent Boult, which included the wicket of Reddy, caught at long-on, left SRH 115 for 4 with 140 looking a fair distance away.5:01

Bangar: SRH need one or two batters who don’t attack all the time

But they managed to collect 47 off the last three, with Klaasen, Aniket and Cummins finally ending their sixes drought. Two of the five sixes involved exquisite skill from Klaasen and Aniket over the covers, but three came off hittable full-tosses. There were seven full-tosses in all in the last three overs, suggesting that dew may have already started setting in.One of those full-tosses, however, came from Bumrah, who bowls the most unhittable full-tosses in world cricket, and bowled Klaasen as he attempted to make room. His 19th only went for four runs, sandwiched between expensive overs from Deepak Chahar and Hardik.MI get home without major hiccupsImpact sub Rohit took his chances early on, enjoyed a bit of luck, including an edged six over deep third, and hit a couple of trademark pulled sixes off his hip to give MI early impetus. Rickelton struggled early on, got going with three successive fours off Eshan Malinga, and enjoyed a strange stroke of luck when he was caught in the covers off Zeeshan Ansari only for an umpire’s review to confirm a no-ball – for keeper Klaasen’s gloves encroaching in front of the stumps before the batter had hit the ball. But Rickelton was out soon after, miscuing a Harshal Patel slower ball to backward point.Between them, though, the openers had shaved 57 runs off MI’s target.Then Jacks and Suryakumar combined for the decisive partnership of the match, putting on 52 for the third wicket in just 29 balls. They hit four sixes and a four in three overs from legspinners Ansari and Rahul Chahar – who came on as Impact Sub, replacing Mohammed Shami who still had an over of his quota remaining – who were still finding grip off this surface but ever so often erred in line or length.By the time Cummins broke this stand, MI needed 42 at less than a run a ball. Hardik hurried them towards victory, hitting a six and three fours – including a glorious back-foot punch through wide long-on off Cummins – and they finally got home at the start of the 19th over, after a bizarre 18th that brought Malinga two wickets for just one run.

Sussex wore down Somerset’s spirited resistance to claim their first win since promotion back to Division One in the Rothesay County Championship.Needing six wickets on the final day at the 1st Central County Ground, they eventually bowled Somerset out for 334 to win by 260 runs – their first top-flight victory for a decade.It was a commendable final-day effort by an attack depleted by the absence of left-armer Sean Hunt, who took 9 for 76 in the match but was unable to bowl on the final day because of an injury to his left arm. In addition, offspinner Jack Carson was troubled by a split spinning finger which needed patching up.In their absence, West Indies’ quick Jayden Seales stepped up. The 23-year-old, who is in his second season at Hove, took two wickets during an outstanding nine-over spell at the start of the day before returning with the new ball to end an eighth-wicket stand of 82 between Lewis Gregory and Migael Pretorius.Tom Abell led Somerset’s resistance with 96 and there was a half-century for skipper Gregory but they were always up against it after being dismissed for 201 in their first innings.Seales made the breakthrough in his second over of the day with a ball which lifted sharply at James Rew, who was caught off the glove in the gully.Seales could have picked up three or four wickets as he produced some high-quality fast bowling down the slope and generated good pace, bounce and movement.Abell was put down low to his left at second slip by Tom Clark on 65 as Seales beat the bat regularly. He should have been celebrating again when Kasey Aldridge, who was on 13, carved loosely to backward point but Fynn Hudson-Prentice shelled a straightforward chance despite getting two hands on the ball.Aldridge’s reprieve didn’t last long, however. He added a single before falling in Seales’ next over, tempted into driving at a ball which moved just enough to find a thin edge to wicketkeeper John Simpson.Seales finished with 2 for 24 from his eight-over burst and once he was out of the attack Somerset found the going less taxing, although Sussex continued to drop catches. Abell, 60 overnight, was badly put down at square leg by substitute fielder Harrison Ward on 85 but again it didn’t prove too costly. Just before lunch Danny Lamb surprised Abell with some extra bounce and Tom Alsop held on superbly at slip. Abell’s fine 96 from 219 balls included 15 fours.Pretorius was prepared to go for his shots and reached a 59-ball half-century which included a six off Carson and eight fours. He looked comfortable against the offspinner and James Coles’ slow left-arm but Seales, 23, proved a totally different proposition and in his second over with the new ball he plucked out Pretorius’s leg stump with a searing yorker.The end was nigh for Somerset when Josh Davey lobbed up an easy catch to mid-off as he tried to pull Clark through the leg side, but Gregory and Jack Leach stood firm for another13 overs, although Leach was badly dropped at slip by Tom Haines on 18 off Coles and Fynn Hudson-Prentice could only get fingertips onto Gregory’s firmly-struck on drive in his follow through.But Hudson-Prentice, whose four wickets in Somerset’s first innings did so much to set up victory, finished things off when Gregory followed an outswinger and Coles took the catch at third slip.

Tottenham could sign a highly-rated player in the winter window, knowing that he was once keen on a move to N17.

The recent board restructure, which resulted in ex-chair Daniel Levy resigning and CEO Vinai Vinkatesham taking a more prominent role alongside members of the Lewis family, has prompted some optimism over their future recruitment plans.

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol recently mooted the possibility of further squad investment from ENIC, who may now be willing to spend more on both wages and transfers overall to hand Thomas Frank the best chance of on-pitch success.

The Lilywhites are already one of world football’s highest revenue-generating clubs, according to the Deloitte Money League, and Levy’s success in turning the club into a financial powerhouse cannot be understated.

Real Madrid

£1.2 billion

Man City

£727 million

PSG

£700 million

Man United

£668 million

Bayern Munich

£664 million

FC Barcelona

£659.5 million

Arsenal

£621.5 million

Liverpool

£620 million

Tottenham Hotspur

£533 million

Chelsea

£474 million

However, Levy’s reputation for underspending compared to rivals was a key complaint of his tenure, and arguably contributed towards Tottenham’s lack of silverware during the 24 years he was chairman.

Now, Spurs insist a “new era” has begun with the swathe of recent boardroom changes, and it will be very intriguing to see how the north Londoners tackle their first transfer market post-Levy.

Frank has overseen an excellent start to 2025/2026, and worked wonders to tempt Xavi Simons with a move to Tottenham, according to super agent Ali Barat.

Reports over the summer claimed that Frank was also really pushing to sign Man City forward Savinho, and the Dane apparently believed that he could do ‘big things’ in north London, as per the reliable Fabrizio Romano.

Pep Guardiola was publicly clear that he wanted to keep the Brazil international and a potential Spurs move ultimately fell through, with City rejecting two bids, including an offer just under £61 million (Fabrizio Romano).

Savinho transfer to Tottenham alive for January after previous Levy plan

As per journalist Dean Jones, speaking to TEAMtalk, Levy was prepared to pay up to £65m for Savinho in the summer, and Tottenham know the winger wanted to join them before deadline day on September 1.

Spurs are still keeping an eye on Savinho, and it is believed they could move in January if Frank’s side get enough encouragement.

Savinho has played just 37 minutes in all competitions so far.

This is partly down to injury, but if the ex-Girona star continues to be on the fringes of Guardiola’s plans, a January move could well tempt him.

Savinho faces a battle to get into the starting eleven on a regular basis amid Jeremy Doku’s sensational start to the season, and with the 2026 World Cup looming, the 21-year-old may fancy a move elsewhere as Frank’s side maintain a serious interest.

His best-ever campaign yielded 11 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances for title-chasing Girona in 23/24, and Guardiola has called Savinho an “exceptional” player.

Tottenham Hotspur defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha scored his third goal for the club in their 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at home on Saturday night.

The Portugal international rescued a point for his team with a cultured finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after a lay-off from Pape Matar Sarr, and it is safe to say that he enjoyed it.

Palhinha raced away to the corner, shirt ripped off, to celebrate with the Spurs fans, although some may argue that he should have taken the ball back to the halfway line to push for a winner in the final seconds.

The Portuguese ace has been a strong addition to the squad since his loan move from Bayern Munich in the summer, averaging 4.3 tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League, per Sofascore.

Palhinha, who has won 65% of his duels in the top-flight this season, is a defensive enforcer at the base of the midfield, but he has added goals to his game in recent weeks.

Whilst he will hope to continue his fine form and go on to be remembered as a great midfielder for the club, he will never be the silky and elegant operator that Luka Modric was in the middle of the park.

Where Luka Modric ranks among Tottenham's all-time midfielders

Tottenham have had some terrific talents in midfield throughout their history. From the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Glen Hoddle to Christian Eriksen and Moussa Dembele.

In terms of what they achieved in their careers as a whole, Modric may well have the right to be called the best central midfielder to ever play for the club, even if his best performances came after he left North London.

The main reason for that is that he is the only central midfielder in the club’s history, whilst at Spurs or not, to have won the Ballon d’Or. In 2018, the Croatia international was crowned the best player in the world, six years after switching London for Madrid.

As you can see in the post above, the midfield maestro saw off competition from Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award that year.

Modric is also the most decorated player in the history of Real Madrid, having won 28 trophies in 13 seasons before his move to AC Milan this summer.

It is not just his accomplishments for Real Madrid and Croatia that make him arguably the best midfielder in Tottenham history, though, as he also delivered 17 goals and 24 assists in 160 matches during his time in England, per Transfermarkt.

Modric was a wizard in the middle of the park for Spurs. He glided across the pitch and used his energy and quality to unpick defences and provide moments of magic for fans to enjoy.

Palhinha is not that kind of midfielder. He is more of a destroyer at the base of the midfield. However, Thomas Frank does have another star who could be the club’s next Modric in the making.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Before his exit from North London, former chairman Daniel Levy sanctioned the signing of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig for a fee of £51m. The early signs are that they may have found their next Modric.

Why Xavi Simons could be the next Luka Modric for Spurs

Unlike Palhinha, the Netherlands international is a silky and technical midfielder who is a joy to watch when he is at his best. Supporters have already had plenty of glimpses of that early on in his Spurs career, even if he has yet to score a goal.

When an attacking midfielder arrives for £51m with the reputation that Simons had, it is understandable for fans to expect goals and assists instantly. Particularly given that he produced 21 goals and 21 assists in two seasons with RB Leipzig, per Sofascore.

However, the 22-year-old star is finding his way into English football and within Thomas Frank’s system, which means that it is going to take time for him to show the very best of his ability.

Most of Simons’ outings in a Spurs shirt to date have come on the left flank, but it could be in a central midfield role where Frank is able to get the best out of him.

The Dutchman keeps wanting to drift inside to take the ball in central positions so that he can drive at the defence and make things tick in midfield, but then Destiny Udogie is left as the only player holding the width on the left.

His statistics in a left wing position also suggest that he would far better in the middle of the park, as he ranks highly among his positional peers in a host of statistics that you would expect a central-based player to excel in.

xG

0.14

Top 48%

xA

0.19

Top 25%

Assists

0.51

Top 11%

Chances created

2.02

Top 7%

Accurate long passes

3.54

Top 3%

Long pass accuracy

77.8%

Top 13%

Successful dribbles

1.52

Top 30%

Successful passes

33.37

Top 20%

As you can see in the table above, Simons has impressive output as a creative player and as a passer, whilst getting into goalscoring positions and dribbling past players are not two of his standout attributes.

This suggests that playing the Dutchman in the midfield three, possibly on the left, with a natural winger on the left for him to link up with could get the best out of the summer signing.

Simons was described as “tactically flexible” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, and Frank should make use of that flexibility by attempting to mould him into his own version of Modric.

The former Paris Saint-Germain starlet has the technical quality, elegance, creativity, and passing qualities to emulate the Croatian in North London, as another central midfielder who could be a joy to watch for supporters.

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He may not go on to win the Ballon d’Or, although you never know, but Simons has the potential to be a truly exciting player for Tottenham in the middle of the park, rather than out on the wing.

حقق منتخب مصر لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا، فوزه الثالث في دور المجموعات من بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين، على نظيره المغربي، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما أمس الثلاثاء.

وتواجه منتخب مصر مع المغرب، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثالثة من مباريات المجموعة الأولى من بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين المقامة في المغرب خلال الفترة الحالية.

وكان منتخب مصر، فاز في لقاء الجولة الأولى على نظيره البرازيلي بنتيجة 35-26، ثم انتصر على أمريكا 42-22، وأخيرا على المغرب بنتيجة 32-20.

طالعمنتخب مصر يهزم المغرب ويحقق فوزه الثالث على التوالي في كأس العالم لليد

وفي نفس الجولة فاز المنتخب البرازيلي على نظيره الأمريكي 37-28.

وتقام بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا، في الفترة من 24 أكتوبر وحتى 1 نوفمبر 2025، في المغرب، وتضم 12 منتخبا مقسمة على 3 مجموعات.

وتأهل منتخب مصر إلى دور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس العالم للناشيئن المقامة في المغرب، بتصدره للمجموعة الأولى من 3 انتصارات، وسيواجه إسبانيا، يوم الخميس المقبل. ترتيب مجموعة مصر في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا بعد الفوز على المغرب

1- مصر، 6 نقاط (ثلاث مباريات)

2- البرازيل، 4 نقاط (ثلاث مباريات).

3- أمريكا، نقطتين (ثلاث مباريات).

4- المغرب، دون نقاط (ثلاث مباريات)

An “unbelievable” manager would be eager to take over as Manchester United manager, with Ruben Amorim now on the brink, it has been revealed.

Amorim facing the sack after Brentford defeat

It has now been revealed that Amorim is on the brink of being sacked, following yet another disappointing performance in the Premier League, with Man United suffering a 3-1 defeat at Brentford and falling to 14th in the table.

The uncertainty over the 40-year-old’s future is now growing, with one insider saying: “He [Amorim] looks knackered, he knows it’s not working.”

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Players are said to be unconvinced by the former Sporting CP manager’s in-game decisions and reluctance to alter his tactics, which clearly aren’t working, having lost the majority of his Premier League games since taking over last November.

In the aforementioned TEAMtalk report, it is revealed that Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is one of the potential Amorim replacements under consideration by INEOS, and there has now been an encouraging further update.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Glasner would jump at the chance to manage Man United if the job became available, saying on talkSPORT: “My information is if Glasner was offered the Manchester United job, he would take it in a heartbeat.”

Jacobs makes it clear that the “pressure is building” on the United boss, with INEOS now “succession planning”, although the board are still backing him heading into the game against Sunderland at Old Trafford this Saturday.

"Unbelievable" Glasner could be major Amorim upgrade

A record of 34 points from 33 Premier League games is almost relegation form, so it is difficult to see Amorim surviving much longer, and Wayne Rooney has suggested the Palace manager could have what it takes to become the new United boss.

Unlike the former Sporting CP boss, the Austrian has been able to successfully implement a three-at-the-back system at his current club, with Rooney saying: “I don’t want to go back to Man United but I’m watching Crystal Palace play three at the back and this looks incredible, look’s brilliant.”

Lauded as “unbelievable” by Palace chairman Steve Parish, the 51-year-old led the Eagles to FA Cup glory last season, and his side are now on an 18-game unbeaten run, which is by far the longest undefeated streak of any team in Europe’s top five leagues.

Games

71

Wins

33

Draws

23

Losses

15

Points per match

1.77

Glasner could be the ideal replacement for Amorim, so it is encouraging news that the Palace manager would be willing to take over at Old Trafford, despite the mess Man United find themselves in.