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Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League triumph at the end of the 2024/25 campaign has injected a newfound sense of excitement into the fanbase for the future of the club.

Ange Postecoglou may have lost his job despite the success, and Daniel Levy’s position as chairman, remarkably, is no more, but with Thomas Frank at the helm, the man tasked with the responsibility of building on the European victory, things look rosier.

The Dane has already made an incredible start to life in North London, winning two of his three outings – including a superb display against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad.

The fanbase mustn’t get carried away with the recent showings, but it’s excellent to see the Lilywhites moving in the right direction after years of failures on the pitch.

However, if the club are to mount any serious charge up the Premier League this campaign, they will likely need to nullify the threat of one big-money transfer in the months ahead.

Alexander Isak's record against Spurs

Despite owner Daniel Levy spending over £120m on new additions this summer, top-flight rivals Liverpool have obliterated such a number – dropping over £400m in the window despite winning the league in 2024/25.

The likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké had already completed moves to Merseyside before the Reds dropped an English record £125m fee to secure the services of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United.

Arne Slot’s side now possess a huge array of attacking talent, further strengthening their grip at the top of the table – with the Lilywhites needing to try and keep the Swede quiet after his big-money move.

Over the years, Isak has enjoyed coming up against Spurs, netting six times in his five outings against the club – the joint-most of any side he’s faced in his professional career.

Such a move has left the rest of the division in awe, offering a real fear factor to any side who dares go toe-to-toe with them – but Frank’s side now also possess a player of similar quality within their ranks.

The Spurs player who’s worth more than Isak

In an attempt to bolster the options at the new manager’s disposal, Levy secured the signature of winger Mohammed Kudus, with the Ghanaian joining in a £55m transfer from West Ham United.

He’s already made an immediate impact in North London, registering two assists on his league debut for the club – subsequently nailing down the right-wing position as his own.

However, he could be aided in the final third by another one of the club’s additions – potentially linking up together and creating their own deadly partnership.

Xavi Simons was selected as the man Levy and Co wanted to fill the number ten role in North London for 2025/26 and beyond – forking out a fee in the region of £52m for his signature.

He’s become a recognisable name over the last couple of years after starring for RB Leipzig, but he now has the chance to further impress upon his move to the Premier League.

The Dutchman impressed in the Bundesliga last campaign, subsequently ranking in the 97th percentile for passes into the final third per 90 (2.5) and the 97th percentile for carries into the final third (2.9).

Such numbers highlight the talent the 22-year-old possesses with the ball at his feet, able to provide needed quality to Frank’s side, whether that be in a wide left or central attacking midfield role.

However, it’s all well and good getting into good areas – but it’s another being able to add an end product, something which Simons demonstrated last season, as he ended the year with 17 goal contributions in Germany’s top-flight.

Creating a connection with Kudus is one thing, but his transfer to the club has already generated massive excitement – with the hierarchy getting themselves a bargain given his recent upturn in market value.

Simons, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Rafael van der Vaart, has now been valued at a staggering £92.2m by FootballTransfers – a near 100% increase on the fee paid not even a week ago.

Such a figure is higher than that of Isak, with the new Liverpool man only valued at £89.4m despite his recent record-breaking transfer to Anfield on deadline day.

If Simons can replicate the numbers which led to his move to join Spurs, his transfer fee would be a huge bargain – potentially fulfilling the board’s ambitions of building on the Europa League win.

At just 22, he has bags of time to reach the next level in his career, with his value only going to rise higher if he can keep improving under Frank’s guidance. This could well turn out to be an amazing parting gift from Levy.

Spurs have struck gold on "world-class" star who's worth more than Simons

Tottenham Hotspur have showcased their excellent work in the transfer market over recent years.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 4, 2025

Trio of fifties set the agenda for bottom club in must-win contest

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-Sep-2025Worcestershire 320 for 5 (Roderick 95*, D’Oliveira 84, Edavalath 61) vs DurhamHalf-centuries from Rehaan Edavalath, Brett D’Oliveira and Gareth Roderick helped Division Two bound Worcestershire frustrate relegation candidates Durham on day two of their Rothesay County Championship clash.Durham struck twice in the morning session to leave the visitors 49 for two, but 21-year-old Edavalath and 19-year-old Dan Lategan combined for a partnership worth 84 to steer their side out of a spot of trouble.Durham bounced back with a double-wicket burst, removing the pair in the afternoon, but Roderick and D’Oliveira frustrated Durham, picking up their own half-centuries in a partnership worth 170, the highest fifth wicket partnership for their side in the fixture, to take the Pears to 320 for five at close.After a washout on day one, Durham won the toss and elected to bowl first in their crucial clash with the Pears.
Jake Libby got off the mark early on with a tidy shot through the covers from the bowling of Ben Raine. The Worcestershire opening pair of Libby and Edavalath managed to negate some probing bowling from Raine and Matthew Potts without taking many risks during the first half hour.Raine was rewarded for the pressure he built up as Libby was caught behind for 14, after he chased one down the legside. A second soon followed as Kashif Ali edged a Potts delivery straight into the hands of David Bedingham at third slip for 10.Lategan then came to the crease and showed the first signs of aggression from the Pears batting line-up as he picked up three boundaries from a Potts over.
Edavalath remained solid after seeing off the new ball and Lategan continued to attack as the youthful pair took their side to 100 before lunch.Edavalath calmly accumulated his way to his maiden First Class fifty just after lunch, reaching it from 96 deliveries.
The opener played a glorious straight drive off the bowling of Durham’s Afghan debutant Shafiquallah Ghafari for four to keep the scoreboard ticking over.Lategan followed that up as he cut a Raine ball to the boundary, but Raine struck back as he got him LBW for a well-made 44.Pears skipper D’Oliveira was almost following the youngster back to the pavilion as he edged a Raine delivery to Emilio Gay at second slip but he couldn’t cling on.Just a couple of balls later, chaos ensued in the middle as when going for a quick single, Edavalath was sent back by his skipper and he was run out by Graham Clark for 61. However, D’Oliveira played a beautiful shot through the offside off the bowling of Potts to break the shackles.Roderick and D’Oliveira soaked up the pressure and they continued to accumulate runs, with the Pears captain finding the boundary after Sam Conners offered a bit of width. Roderick then joined in to whip a Ghafari ball off his legs to the boundary.The pair resumed after tea, with Roderick playing a delicate shot through the onside for four to kick things off after the tea break and he passed fifty off 88 balls soon after. D’Oliveira then reached his milestone from 114 balls as he got his side to a first batting point.Durham took the new ball on the 80-over mark and there was a little bit on offer for Raine, but Roderick and D’Oliveira continued to look unflustered.D’Oliveira played a beautiful shot through the offside for four, while Roderick continued to attack as he whipped a Will Rhodes ball through the legside for four.There was a late twist as Conners sent D’Oliveira’s off-stump flying for an excellent 84, but it was Worcestershire’s day as they got to 320 for five at close.

David Beckham has shared images of the heartwarming moment in which his mother met Inter Miami and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi for the first time. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has been in the United States since 2023, with a stunning move being made to South Florida, but he has only just rubbed shoulders with members of Beckham’s immediate family.

• American dream: Messi has been in the States since 2023

  Messi is in America alongside his wife Antonela and their three sons. They settled quickly in Miami after taking the decision to bid farewell to Europe. Messi enjoyed a record-shattering spell with Barcelona, before then spending two years in France with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

  A large Spanish-speaking community in the Sunshine State has made adjustment easier for the Messi clan, with the World Cup winner enjoying freedom in his personal life that was often denied him at Camp Nou and Parc des Princes.

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• Messi settled in America around friends and family

  Manchester United and England legend Beckham helped to make Messi’s switch to the USA possible, as he is a co-owner of Inter Miami. He has also been able to bring in Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul – as Messi finds himself surrounded by close friends.

  Alba and Busquets have announced that they will be retiring at the end of the 2025 MLS campaign, with Inter Miami readying themselves for the start of another play-off quest, but the expectation is that Messi will be sticking around.

  He has enjoyed mingling with the Beckhams in Florida – including former Spice Girls popstar Victoria – and was among those to attend a lavish 50th birthday celebration for ex-Three Lions captain David.

  Messi has now met up with Beckham’s mother, after seeing Sandra attend a Herons training session. The Argentine GOAT was happy to pose for pictures as Becks posted on social media – with everybody full of smiles: “When your Mum meets Leo for the first time.”

• How Beckham talked Messi into MLS move

  Beckham has previously said of talking Messi into making a move to MLS: “All he was interested in is a place where his family could come enjoy and have a great life. That was really important for Leo. I mean, from day one, from the moment he put his foot down in Miami, it's been a dream, honestly.

  To be able to say that we've signed the world's greatest ever player to ever play the game. Everybody's got their opinion on who they think is the best player of all time – whether it be Diego Maradona, Pele, all of these great players.

  “But to say that we have in the MLS, in Miami, the greatest player to play the game, it's just like a dream, you know? It's a dream every time that I'm there. If I go for the whole of the summer, which I went for four weeks this summer, I go into training every single day because, personally, I can't believe we've got Leo. Secondly, I just want to watch what he does. And that's a special thing for us.”

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  Trophy target: Messi chasing down more silverware

  Messi helped Inter Miami to their first piece of major silverware within weeks of his arrival, as the 2023 Leagues Cup crown was captured. In 2024, the Herons savoured Supporters’ Shield glory when posting the highest regular season points tally that MLS has ever seen.

  They have graced the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup since then, but have been unable to secure more domestic or continental honours. Collective sights at Chase Stadium are locked on landing the MLS Cup.

  Messi will have a leading role to play in that quest, having claimed the Golden Boot for 2025 with a 29-goal haul. He also registered 19 assists, with records continuing to tumble around the South American superstar.

  A contract extension has been lined up for the evergreen 38-year-old – which may take him beyond his 40th birthday, as he emulates the achievements of eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo who is still going strong at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Beckham, who is now a Sir after being knighted in King Charles’ Birthday Honours List, will be helping to thrash out those fresh terms.

Soon, it will all be over. Soon, the summer transfer market will have slammed down its shutters, and the noise produced by the Alexander Isak saga will be drowned out by the excitement of another campaign.

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Newcastle United have already started their season, of course, having gone to Villa Park and emerged with a point which could have been three, if only the stylish visitors had had a free-scoring frontman.

Isak remains absent from first-team training and thus match contention, and with Callum Wilson now playing for West Ham United, it’s imperative that PIF succeed in signing one or two high-level frontmen to lead Newcastle back into the Champions League, with hopes of landing another major honour also sitting in the recesses of Magpies’ minds.

Well, progress has trickled along over the past several months, but with the window coming to a head, Newcastle appear to be edging closer to catching their quarry, with Brentford’s Yoane Wissa the top target after a series of rejected bids.

Why Newcastle should sign Wissa

Earlier this week, Newcastle’s second offer for Wissa, worth £35m plus difficult-to-achieve add-ons, was knocked back by the Bees, who are under no obligation to cash in, by any means.

However, Wissa has his heart set on a move to Tyneside, and such a burning passion to play in black and white is something that United must pounce on, for Howe’s system is built on cohesion and hard work and commitment to the cause.

It’s felt that certain Magpies sources, as revealed by The Athletic, are pessimistic over the chances of sealing a move for Wissa before the end of the transfer window, but the player’s dogged determination to join Howe’s squad has kept the flame alive.

An alternative has been earmarked in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jørgen Strand Larsen, but at a reported price of around £60m, a formal approach for the Norwegian would perhaps be a profligate usage of resources.

Wissa is older, but with age comes wisdom, and he proved last year that he has the composure and honed technical ability to score consistently for a club like Newcastle.

Strand Larsen has his strengths, but there’s another Premier League star on the radar who, yes, is raw, but also has a high ceiling and could go from strength to strength under Howe’s tutelage.

Newcastle consider bid for Premier League striker

According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are considering a proposal for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson before the September 1st transfer deadline, with the 24-year-old up for sale at Stamford Bridge.

Jackson has ebbed and flowed across his two years as Chelsea’s main striker, but it seems like he’s set to jump ship, and Newcastle are prepared to engage in a transfer tussle that could rage into the dying embers of the window.

Chelsea hope to bank £60m for Jackson, a far cry far south of previous suggestions that the Blues would listen only to offers worth £80m, a figure linked to Aston Villa’s own bid to sign the Senegal international.

Why Nicolas Jackson could star at Newcastle

When Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal for a fee in the ballpark of £30m two years ago, they landed one of the most promising up-and-comers in the business, with pace, power and potency, as advertised through his meteoric rise in La Liga.

The Premier League swallows many talented hopefuls into its maw, however. Jackson has struggled for consistency and accuracy in front of goal, but a return of 34 goal involvements from 65 matches in England’s top flight is hardly a poor return.

And Jackson, praised for his “special” quality by journalist Rahman Osman, is far more than just a goalscorer. He’s an energetic, interlinking focal point, and Howe would seem the perfect manager to will him into a superstar.

After all, when you’ve got legends such as Thierry Henry waxing lyrical over your potential, there’s clearly something in that skill set that’s worth writing home about.

There’s little question that Jackson has a higher ceiling than Wissa, but given that Newcastle are in for multiple forwards, the two could operate together in contrasting harmony.

Looking at the respective nines’ data from the recent Premier League campaign, it’s clear to see how this would be so.

Wissa takes the crown as the superior finisher, and no mistake, but Jackson is more energetic and more creative, having averaged 1.1 and 0.9 key passes per game over his two years in the Premier League, as recorded by Sofascore, underscoring his value as a mobile forward eager to thread the frontline together.

Wissa is not Isak, of course, but he played his heart out for Brentford last season, producing goalscoring figures that were not all that dissimilar to the Scandinavian star’s.

But, in spite of his sharp link-up play, Wissa lacks the dynamism and roundedness to thrive in Howe’s system as a player of Isak’s ilk. Many consider the Sweden international to be among the most complete strikers in the game.

Enter Jackson. The Chelsea man could reach levels unknown if placed into the Newcastle first team, using his high-speed running and his robustness to combine with Wissa, who has indeed shown himself capable of forging a strong on-field relationship with versatile forwards (Bryan Mbeumo, stand up).

Will Newcastle get it done? Howe needs a new striker or two, to be sure. And in Wissa and Jackson, the trophy-winning manager would have contrasting options to further his project, maybe even leaving the 2024/25 campaign remembered as a springboard toward success of the kind Tyneside has not seen for many, many years.

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Superior to Wissa & Watkins: The "next Gyokeres" is Newcastle's new target

Newcastle could sign the new Viktor Gyokeres before the deadline.

By
Matt Dawson

Aug 21, 2025

Manchester City have now reached an agreement on personal terms with an “incredible” star, who has spoken to Pep Guardiola directly, according to a report.

Man City looking to hijack Premier League rivals

As we approach the final two weeks of the summer transfer window, Man City still remain keen to make multiple additions to their squad, and they are now looking to hijack a number of their Premier League rivals’ deals.

Despite bringing in Rayan Cherki as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne earlier this summer, the Blues are still looking to sign a new attacking midfielder, and they have made contact over a deal for major Chelsea target Xavi Simons.

Not only that, but they have also joined the race for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been identified as a major target for Manchester United, and it now appears as though the Italian is set to leave this summer.

With widespread reports suggesting the 26-year-old is set to be available for just £43m, City have now upped the ante in their pursuit of the shot-stopper, and a report from L’Equipe has revealed they have reached an agreement on personal terms.

Luis Enrique has also confirmed the Italy international is no longer his number one, saying: “These are always difficult decisions to make, I can only say good things about Donnarumma, he is one of the best players in his position and he is even better as a person. But we were looking for a different profiile. It’s my decision, it’s the club’s.”

Having been left out of PSG’s upcoming UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, the PSG goalkeeper is set to depart, and he has already held direct talks with Guardiola over a move to the Etihad Stadium.

Romano: Man City now open talks to sign £86m "dream target" who Pep loves

City have entered discussions over a deal for a forward, with Pep Guardiola regarded as a big fan.

By
Dominic Lund

Aug 12, 2025

"Incredible" Donnarumma could be Ederson upgrade

There have been suggestions that Guardiola has been growing fed up with some of Ederson’s performances, with the goalkeeper looking particularly poor in the Club World Cup exit at the hands of Al-Hilal, and the Italy captain could be an upgrade on the Brazilian.

Statman Dave suggested the former AC Milan star is among the best goalkeepers on the planet, after playing a major role in his PSG side progressing past Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal to reach the Champions League final.

The PSG star has also been lauded as “incredible” by members of the media, and he has shipped an average of just 1.02 goals per 90 over the past year, which ranks him in the top 12% of goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues.

That said, Man City have already signed James Trafford this summer, and the young Englishman may be frustrated if City sign Donnarumma, given that it could severely hinder his chances of becoming the new first-choice goalkeeper.

Warwickshire bowlers made to toil as home batters cash in on good mood following Hove win

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay29-Jul-2025Essex 350 for 4 (Westley 124*, Walter 86) vs Warwickshire Tom Westley’s rich vein of form in the Rothesay County Championship continued as he notched his third century in five innings to frustrate Warwickshire at Chelmsford.In addition to hitting his 32nd first-class hundred in an innings of sublime stroke-play, the Essex captain also passed 14,000 career runs in red-ball cricket. With Paul Walter, who hit 86 from 160 balls, Westley put on 132 for the second wicket and 81 for the third with Jordan Cox. At stumps, Westley was unbeaten on 124 from 234 balls with Essex 350 for 4.Walter, posting his fifth score above fifty this season, two of them centuries, launched two sixes and nine fours. It enabled Essex to build on the euphoria of only their second Championship win of the season last week at Hove, a win that lifted them out of the relegation places.The only redeeming feature for Warwickshire on a gloomy day that matched their deteriorating mood, was arguably the first career wicket for part-time legspinner Zen Malik. Brought on to eat up an over before the arrival of the second new-ball, Malik had Cox attempting to hit his fifth delivery out of the park, but instead the batter ended up on his backside with his stumps akimbo.Before the start of the play, Essex’s own bowling plans had twice been thrown into disarray in the space of 24 hours. They had already lost one member of their attack when Indian international pace bowler Khaleel Ahmed pulled out of a contract due to run to the end of the season, citing “personal reasons”. Then, less than quarter-of-an-hour before the start of the match, offspinner Simon Harmer, who had taken part in all the warm-up routines, withdrew also offering “personal reasons” for his absence.Those problems were shelved for the time being as Essex were put into bat on a hybrid pitch with plenty of grass left on to help encourage greater carry for the bowlers. In fact, it encouraged the batters and a flurry of straight-driven fours enabled the Essex openers to compile 68 runs without undue alarm in 19 overs.Dean Elgar, overcoming a torrid first over from Oliver Hannon-Dalby, brought up the fifty partnership with an uncharacteristic slash at Beau Webster that cleared the slip cordon. However, he departed soon after to his second rash shot of the innings, pulling the Australian low to midwicket.On one occasion Walter, so strong off the back foot, came down the wicket to waft Corey Rocchiccioli for six over extra cover and post Essex’s first hundred. He reached his half-century from 79 balls with a well-placed push into the off-side for two. Walter took a liking to the Australian offspinner with another six, this time over long-on.At the other end, some of Westley’s strokes were exquisite. He produced a classically-executed cover drive for four off Ethan Bamber and later essayed a textbook straight-drive off Webster. Another off-drive for four by Westley off Webster took the stand with Walter to three-figures, of which both batsmen contributed 49. Three balls later Westley reached a 107-ball fifty.Westley had just taken Essex past 200 with only one wicket down when, next ball, Walter’s four-hour innings came to an end. He got an outside edge to a delivery from Rocchiccioli, the ball ricocheting off wicketkeeper Kai Smith’s thigh and ballooning up for a diving Alex Davies to claim at slip.Bamber switched ends straight after tea and immediately extracted some rare bounce and lift that had Westley groping at thin air. Normal service was quickly resumed, though, and soon Westley was angling Ed Barnard to third man for the boundary that took him to his century from 185 balls.Bamber finally gained some reward late on when he had Matt Critchley swinging and bottom-edging through to the wicketkeeper.

Football legend Michel Platini believes Juventus star Kenan Yildiz is being played out of position. The former Juventus midfielder says the young Turkish talent, who now wears the club’s iconic No. 10 shirt, should be operating through the middle rather than on the wing. Platini says it is a common issue in modern football that doesn't just apply to Yildiz.

• Yildiz emerging as one of Serie A’s brightest young stars

  The 20-year-old Turkish international joined Juventus as a free agent from Bayern Munich’s youth academy in 2022. Since then, he has developed into one of Serie A’s brightest young stars, scoring goals, creating chances, and handling the pressure of wearing the No.10 jersey once worn by club icons like Platini, Alessandro Del Piero and Paul Pogba.

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  Platini questions Yildiz’s role

  Platini, one of Juventus’ greatest-ever playmakers, admitted he doesn’t understand why both former coach Thiago Motta and current boss Igor Tudor have deployed Yildiz on the wings. Speaking at the Trento Sports Festival, the 70-year-old said: "He's a number 10 and for me he should play in the center. I don't know why Motta and Tudor have him operating on the wings. Unfortunately, in today's football there's this tendency to move quality players to the flank, when they should play in more central positions. I've been saying it for years, but nobody listens to me."

• Contract talks dragging on

  Juventus are still working to finalise a new deal with Yildiz, whose current contract runs until 2027, but talks have hit a slowdown. Both sides want an extension until 2030, yet negotiations have been slower than expected. The delay has opened the door for European giants, including Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United, who are closely monitoring the situation. Reports claim Chelsea are ready to bid again after having a €70 million (£61m/$81m) bid rejected in July, while Arsenal are reportedly preparing an offer worth €60m (£52m/$70m) plus Gabriel Jesus to tempt the Serie A giants into a sale.

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  What's next for Kenan Yildiz?

  Despite being pushed out wide, Yildiz has been one of Juventus’ bright spots this season. He has two goals and four assists in eight appearances across Serie A and the Champions League. While he has gone four games without a direct contribution, the Turkish youngster still stands out. Juventus, meanwhile, have made a mixed start to the campaign, winning just three of their first six matches and sitting fifth in the table. They will look to get back on track when they face Como after the international break on October 19.

Manchester City star John Stones has revealed that he considered announcing his retirement from professional football last season amid his persistent injury problems. Stones appeared in just 11 Premier League matches for the Cityzens in 2024-25, having to remain sidelined for a long period with foot and hamstring problems. He played his last game of the 2024-25 season in February.

• Stones had an injury-plagued 2024-25 season

  Last season proved to be a nightmare for Stones, who is now back to fitness and ready to make an impact for club and country. However, he's admitted injury problems led him to some dark places mentally.

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  Retirement became an option

  Speaking to the , Stones said: "Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping. I didn't want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in.

  "There comes a point where you don't know why it happens and it is even harder when you put in so much effort, or you are ultra professional, to be able to play and be available. When that time comes and something happens, it would be easier to say 'well I didn't do X, Y and Z that's why' – but when you do it, it's then mentally challenging. Hopefully I don't go back to that place.

  "My emotions were high. I wasn't thinking straight. I don't think deep down I would have ever done it [retired].

  "I said years ago when City wanted me to have a new challenge, I said 'I am going to fight'. That's all I have known since I was a kid – why should I stop that now? So yes, there is that fight in me and that winning mentality that doesn't want to stop."

• Stones ready to sign new City contract

  The reported last month that City want to keep Stones at the club and are ready to open talks over a new contract. The England star's current deal expires at the end of the season but he remains a key member of Guardiola's squad, and he is now minded to remain at the Etihad.

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  Stones set to make England comeback

  Stones was forced to pull out of the England squad in September after suffering a minor muscle injury, but he is now up and running and has earned a Three Lions call-up for the October international games. Thomas Tuchel's side face Wales in a friendly on Thursday, before travelling to Riga to face Latvia in a World Cup qualifier five days later.

His first Test century in 14 innings helped the visitors recover from 45 for 3 on the first day in Galle

Mohammad Isam17-Jun-2025What could Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim have wished for after enduring a fairly long time without Test centuries? Couple of helpful pitches in Sylhet and Chattogram, perhaps. But those had come and gone. Under pressure, Shanto and Mushfiqur broke free from their barren run on Tuesday on a Galle pitch that allowed them to play freely yet kept them honest to the fact that they couldn’t just play their shots freely.On the eve of the first Test against Sri Lanka, Shanto had pointed out how Galle is at its best for a batter on the first couple of days before the spinners take charge. However, Bangladesh were reduced to 45 for 3 on the first day itself as ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake and seamer Asitha Fernando struck early. But Shanto and Mushfiqur added 247 for the fourth wicket, and went back undefeated on 136 and 105, respectively.It was Mushfiqur’s 12th Test hundred, and his first in 14 innings since August last year. His highest score in this period was 40 against Zimbabwe. After play on the first day against Sri Lanka, Mushfiqur recalled his first innings in Galle from 12 years ago, when he got Bangladesh’s first double-hundred in Tests.Related

• Tharindu Rathnayake: I switch bowling arm according to weakness of batters

• Shanto, Mushfiqur hundreds headline Bangladesh's dominance

“I think I get a pretty good wicket every time I have played in Galle,” he said. “I have seen how some other Tests here had a lot of purchase for spinners. We knew that one of us out of the seven batters had to capitalise on the first two days in Galle. If I am not wrong, myself and [Mohammad] Ashraful batted the whole day here in 2013. It was my plan this time too; I was telling Shanto that we need to bat the whole day.”It was Mushfiqur’s fourth century against Sri Lanka, and his second in the island nation. He said that he had told his younger team-mates about what to expect from Sri Lankan pitches.”After Bangladesh, I [most] love playing in Sri Lanka,” Mushfiqur said. “There is always a sporting wicket, whether it is the red or white ball. If you apply your strength here, you can do well – whether you are a batter, quick bowler or spinner. I was telling this to a few of our young players who are playing their first Test in Galle.”I like to play with wind around. I have to adjust when the newer ball turns a bit, or against the older ball. It is really special to play in Galle. I love batting here.”Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim added an undefeated 247 for the fourth wicket•Associated Press

Mushfiqur, though, acknowledged that he wasn’t as comfortable this time. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva changed the field several times, often putting catchers in different positions and asking the bowlers to switch from conventional lines. Mushfiqur spent 23 balls in the nineties, before reaching the three-figure mark in the 86th over.”These are not easy runs. I took a lot of time in the nineties, as they were not giving me a freebie,” Mushfiqur said. “It shows that they are a tough side to score against. They made smart bowling changes and field placements. I trust my process when I am batting with control. Usually, we see that our opponents send a fielder to the deep after two or three boundaries. Sri Lanka change their fielding according to the conditions. You have to bat patiently against them.”Mushfiqur insisted that taking plenty of singles allowed him and Shanto to put the pressure back on Sri Lanka. He also praised Shanto, who got to his first Test century since November 2023, for dominating proceedings at the other end without giving a sniff to the opposition.”I think rotating the strike is important – maybe as much as hitting fours or sixes,” Mushfiqur said. “Rotation of strike causes problems for the bowlers, especially when there’s a left-hander and a right-hander [combination] in the middle. It is very important to pick singles as the fielding side have to constantly change their placements. This is why we are always in training so that we remain fit.”Shanto has been in good form for a pretty long time. He has a good Test record. He is a good batter. It was nothing special. I was really impressed by his control factor today. He scored a hundred in Kandy some years ago, but I thought this was the right approach. It is important to play a chanceless innings, when you are mostly in control. It is going to give confidence to the next batters.”Mushfiqur said that Bangladesh must look to take advantage of such a start by batting long on the second day.”It is obviously a satisfying effort. Nobody wants to get any less runs after playing for so many years for your country,” he said. “You can’t get runs in every game, but when you do the right things over and over, hopefully the big score will come soon enough. When it does come around, you have to make sure to make it count. I am not finished yet. I will try to maximize tomorrow.”

When Liverpool signed Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer, Arne Slot welcomed a superstar in the making to his ranks.

Aged 23, the Frenchman was described by analyst Ben Mattinson as being “one of the best strikers out there” after his 22-goal and 12-assist campaign, compelling FSG to fork out £79m in July.

However, the name on everyone’s lips still belongs to Newcastle United superstar Alexander Isak.

The Premier League’s most complete number nine informed his club that he wishes to explore a move to Merseyside this summer, having opted against going on the Toon’s pre-season tour.

But will he sign for the Premier League champions?

Liverpool chasing new striker

Liverpool submitted their first official bid for Isak on Friday morning, but Newcastle swiftly knocked it back. Since then, there have been conflicting reports about what comes next, but reporter Ben Jacobs believes the Reds may not return at all over the coming month.

This is in keeping with the narrative. Don’t stress. Isak will only leave St. James’ Park this summer if the Magpies find themselves a suitable replacement, and that’s hardly a certainty.

Should Liverpool fail to secure their quarry, FSG might instead be tempted to target Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, who has been a top target at Anfield over the past few months.

Manchester United have also shown an interest in the former Manchester City star, who, like Isak, would cost a record sum to bring back to the Premier League; Atletico are looking for something in the region of £125m.

How Julian Alvarez would fit in at Liverpool

Liverpool might have thought that Darwin Nunez would be the heir to his countryman Luis Suarez’s long-vacated throne at Anfield, but it wasn’t to be.

Instead, Alvarez could be the man. The South American has a wealth of experience in the Premier League under Pep Guardiola’s wing, where he became rich with titles.

But having transferred to Atletico Madrid in La Liga one year ago in an £81.5m package, Alvarez has discovered a new level of prolific quality, scoring 29 goals and providing eight assists across 57 matches in all competitions.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 15% of positional peers across Europe last term for goals scored, and the top 6% for passes attempted, shot-creating actions and progressive carries per 90. This blend of creativity, control and strength underscores his potential as a Suarez-esque forward at Liverpool.

Alvarez’s positional fluidity, moreover, aligns with what Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are looking for: a dynamic forward with the capacity to work with or cover for Ekitike, who is versatile in his own right.

His quiet power and physicality suggest he could become a striker for Liverpool who is every bit as good and unforgettable as Suarez, who is one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation, once even hailed by Steven Gerrard as “the best I’ve played with” for his utter dominance in the final third.

Alvarez might have a few floors to scale before reaching peak Suarez levels, but he was called “the best forward in the world” by journalist Roy Nemer last year, who was discussing the Argentine’s meteoric rise.

​​​​​​Isak might be Liverpool’s dream target for the remainder of the transfer window, but if he’s truly unavailable in spite of FSG’s best efforts, Alvarez wouldn’t be a half-bad fallback.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 31, 2025