All posts by h716a5.icu

Tottenham Hotspur have only won one of their last four matches in all competitions after a last-gasp goal meant that they had to settle for a point against Manchester United on Saturday.

The Lilywhites turned the game around from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, but they were unable to get the three points over the line, as they were napping in stoppage time to allow Matthijs de Ligt to head in at the back post.

Spurs have only won one of their last four matches in the Premier League after that result, which has seen them drop out of the top four in the division.

Thomas Frank will surely be disappointed with the nature of the two goals that were conceded, because they were both unmarked headers inside the box that should have been dealt with.

The former Brentford head coach should look at his full-backs and demand more from them defensively, as Destiny Udogie was on the scene for the second goal and Pedro Porro was caught out for Bryan Mbeumo’s header.

In fact, Porro is one player who may be on borrowed time in the starting line-up under Frank, because his defending has come into question on multiple occasions.

Why Pedro Porro should be dropped

The Spanish right-back’s marking, or lack thereof, for Mbeumo’s goal was simply not good enough. He was not aware of arguably the biggest United threat in the box, and allowed him to have a free header to score past Guglielmo Vicario.

To his credit, though, the former Manchester City youngster did react to a comment from a supporter after the match and acknowledged that he was not at his best against the Red Devils.

This is not the first time that Porro’s defensive qualities have been called into question. Last year, former Ireland international Keith Treacy said: “Pedro Porro is a good footballer, obviously, he plays in the Premier League, he’s a decent footballer, but he’s not a good right-back, he can’t defend.”

The former Blackburn star added: “If I was a coach going up against Spurs I would say to isolate him, run at him all day long.”

Back in 2023, former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood said that Porro was “all over the place” because he “just wants to run forward” and play as a winger. The Tottenham defender later reacted to those comments by saying that he is not a “machine” who could integrate straight away, as he had only just joined the club from Sporting.

On top of the long-standing question marks over his defensive capabilities, the 26-year-old full-back has also been incredibly wasteful with the ball at his feet in the last two Premier League matches.

Minutes

73

67

Tackles won

0

1

Duels won

3

3

Error led to shot

2

0

Key passes

0

0

Crosses completed

0/5

1/12

Possession lost

24x

29x

Pass accuracy

58%

64%

As you can see in the table above, Porro has lost possession of the ball a staggering 53 times in the last two league games, without creating a single chance for his teammates, and creating two chances for the opposition with errors that led to shots.

This shows that the Spaniard has been dismal defensively and offensively of late for the Lilywhites, which is why Frank should ruthlessly ditch him from the starting XI after the international break for the North London derby.

Chalkboard

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

The obvious solution in the short-term would be for Udogie, who assisted Mathys Tel’s goal on Saturday, to come in at left-back and Djed Spence to move over to right-back.

However, the long-term plan that could put an end to Porro’s career in North London could be for Archie Gray to eventually nail down a place in the team as a right-back.

Why Archie Gray can end Pedro Porro's Spurs career

The England U21 international is currently sidelined with a calf injury that he sustained at the end of last month, and he is expected to be back in action around the end of this month or at the start of December.

Gray signed for the Lilywhites from Leeds United for a fee of £40m in the summer of 2024, with Joe Rodon heading back the other way, but he has failed to establish himself in one position since his move to the club.

The English youngster had to fill in at centre-back far too many times under Ange Postecoglou because of the injury crisis in that position, with the likes of Radu Dragusin, Micky van de Ven, and Cristian Romero all picking up injuries last term.

Centre-back

20

Right-back

9

Defensive midfield

8

Left-back

6

Central midfield

3

As you can see in the table above, Gray’s second-most played in position at Spurs has been right-back, which is where he played the majority of his first-team football with Leeds, despite coming up through the academy set-up in West Yorkshire as a central midfielder.

The young defender played 44 out of 46 league matches for Leeds in the Championship in the 2023/24 campaign, mainly as a right-back, and earned the Championship Young Player of the Year award.

Gray, who was hailed as “ridiculous” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, showcased his defensive quality as a right-back in that second tier season with the Whites, winning 92 tackles and 186 duels in total.

Per FotMob, he ranked within the top 7% of full-backs for tackles won and the top 14% for duels won, whilst also ranking in the top 7% for ball recoveries (196), which shows that he was one of the best defensive full-backs in the division, for a team that finished third in the league.

Frank must never start £130k-per-week Spurs duo together ever again

Tottenham ended up drawing a frenetic Premier League clash against Manchester United this weekend.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 9, 2025

These statistics suggest that he has the defensive resolve to eventually nail down a place at right-back as a reliable defender for Spurs in the future, which is why he could end Porro’s career at the club by offering Frank a steadier presence than the Spaniard, who has struggled on and off the ball.

It is now down to Gray, though, to return from injury and deliver quality performances when called upon to show that he can be better than Porro defensively week-in-week-out, which would leave Spence free to compete with Udogie at left-back.

Pedro Leon has opened up on his turbulent spell under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, insisting he has “forgiven” the Portuguese coach despite the harsh treatment he received. The former winger recalled the infamous “he’s not Zinedine Zidane or Diego Maradona” jibe and revealed how the controversy still shapes how he views his career more than a decade later.

Leon revisits fallout with Mourinho at Real Madrid

The former Madrid winger has reflected on his difficult relationship with coach Mourinho during their time together at Santiago Bernabeu, more than 14 years after their infamous fallout. Speaking on , the current Real Murcia midfielder revisited the controversy that erupted when Mourinho publicly downplayed his importance to the squad with a brutal remark comparing him unfavourably to Zidane and Maradona.

“It seems like people are talking about Zidane or Maradona,” Mourinho said at the time when asked why Leon had not been selected for a Champions League clash against Auxerre. “A couple of days ago he was playing at Getafe.” The comment instantly made headlines, turning Leon into the symbol of Mourinho’s tough-love approach and sparking widespread debate among Madrid fans.

Leon, who joined Madrid in 2010 for €10 million after an impressive spell at Getafe, saw his opportunities quickly fade. He would go on to make just 14 appearances under Mourinho before being loaned out and eventually returning to Getafe. Yet despite the disappointment, Leon insists he has no bitterness toward his former coach.

AdvertisementAFP'I’ve forgiven Mourinho' – Leon speaks out

Now 38 and playing for Real Murcia, Leon says he has made peace with the past. “I have forgiven Mourinho,” he said. “I think that otherwise my sporting career might have been different… but I don’t hold a grudge against him.”

Leon also downplayed the infamous “Zidane or Maradona” line, saying that it was not the insult itself that hurt him, but the lack of understanding behind it. “I’ll be honest with you. It didn’t hurt. That didn’t hurt. What hurt was not knowing why. And to this day I still don’t know,” he explained.

“I didn’t disrespect Mourinho or anything like that,” he said. Addressing long-standing rumours that he had failed to warm up properly during a match against Levante, an accusation that former Madrid goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek later confirmed in his autobiography, Leon insisted those claims were untrue. “You can watch that match. At no point did I make a scene, nor did I disrespect him or anything like that,” he said.

The locker room incident: What really happened at Levante?

According to Dudek’s autobiography, , the tensions between Leon and Mourinho reached boiling point during a La Liga match against Levante. The Polish goalkeeper wrote that Mourinho had been left furious after seeing Leon fail to properly warm up before being substituted on during the second half of the 0-0 draw.

“Mourinho told him to warm up but instead of doing so, he just stood around by the corner flag. I saw his reaction. He was furious,” Dudek wrote. The goalkeeper added that Mourinho confronted Leon after the match, telling him: “You lack professionalism. You think you’re pulling the wool over my eyes and your teammates’. You had two clear chances to score but you weren’t up to it. You want to play for Real Madrid? Here everybody gets their five minutes and you’ve had yours.”

The next day, Mourinho reportedly continued his tirade in training and dropped Leon from the squad to face Auxerre, instead calling up youth player Juan Carlos. “He turned around and asked, ‘How old are you?’ The boy said 19. ‘Do you want to play for Real Madrid?’ Mourinho continued, wanting to send out a message.

While Leon has always maintained his professionalism, these revelations illustrate how quickly Mourinho’s perception of the winger shifted, from a promising signing to a cautionary tale within weeks.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportLeon claims Mourinho blocked Chelsea and Man City offers

In a separate interview with , Leon revealed that Mourinho not only sidelined him at Madrid but also prevented him from leaving. “I had another offer from City, Chelsea and Milan,” he said. “Some wanted to sign me in winter but Mourinho didn’t let me go.”

At the time, City and Chelsea were among several top clubs tracking Leon, whose breakout performances at Getafe had earned him a reputation as one of Spain’s brightest wide talents. His inability to secure a move, coupled with limited opportunities at Madrid, derailed his progress and led to years of stagnation before reviving his career at Eibar and Murcia.

Reflecting on that period, Leon’s tone was more nostalgic than bitter. “Is Mourinho a good coach? He’s a good motivator, especially at the beginning. He arrives and you believe in the message. You buy into it,” he said. When asked if he missed his old boss, Leon laughed: “What if we miss a coffee? No. It’s not a problem, he’s fine in Portugal and I’m in Murcia.”

Leon's time at Real Madrid may have been short-lived, but his reflections reveal the human side of an era dominated by Mourinho’s intensity. A gifted right winger with technical flair and creativity, Leon became one of several players who struggled to fit into the Portuguese coach’s demanding, results-driven environment. His words reflect both maturity and closure, a reminder of how players and coaches often move on from the storms that once defined them.

Mike Shildt does not agree with how Dave Roberts is handling himself.

On Tuesday, hours before Game 3 of the NLDS between Shildt's San Diego Padres and Roberts's Los Angeles Dodgers, the Padres manager subtly jabbed Roberts for claiming Manny Machado threw a ball at him during a contentious Game 2.

Shilt was asked if he believed Machado was trying to hit Roberts with the ball he threw towards the dugout before the seventh inning Sunday night, he was emphatic, saying, "No." He added, "Manny has an exceptional arm," implying he could have hit Roberts if he wanted to.

When asked for his thoughts on how Roberts was handling himself, Shildt said the following:

"Well, I come from maybe just a different philosophy of dealing with this … I got into this game to help players get the most out of their God-given ability and to compete on the field and respect the opponent. I'm not, nor will I ever, disparage another player on another team. Especially anybody I've managed in the past. Nor Will I do it to a collective team. That's not how I want to operate."

This was clearly a direct shot aimed at Roberts, who managed Machado for several months at the end of the 2018 season.

"I have a lot of respect for their club, the players on their club," Shildt said. "As far as Manny goes, it's unfortunate people can't move on from things from the past. I thought Manny's exhibition of professionalism and leadership were on display the other night in a very tough environment. But people have their right, clearly, to share what they want and how they want to share it."

On the surface, those were remarkably tame comments, but the subtext is clear. The Padres and Dodgers may respect each other, but they certainly don't like each other.

With the race for the last two National League wild card spots still wide open, MLB's final weekend did not disappoint, delivering plenty of memorable moments. These five in particular were especially unforgettable.

Max Fried's Gem Keeps Braves' Playoff Hopes Alive in Potential Last Start at Truist Park

If Friday's start was the last of Fried's career at Truist Park, then it was one to remember. With the Atlanta Braves needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Fried, a free agent after the season, was nearly perfect. The 30-year-old lefthander scattered three hits and a pair of walks over 8 2/3 innings pitched, striking out nine Kansas City Royals batters. Fried's game not only provided a crucial victory, but it also gave Atlanta's bullpen a much-needed rest day.

Not to mention that it forced Braves fans, already riding the emotional roller coaster of a playoff chase, to face the harsh reality of Fried potentially leaving this winter. That only made the standing ovation Fried received from the crowd even more special.

"I’d be lying [if I said free agency] didn’t cross my mind," Fried told reporters after the game.

White Sox, Doomed to History by Incompetence, Help Tigers End Playoff Drought

What makes a good team successful and a bad team, well, not successful? It's easy to ponder that question at times when watching sports. But, unfortunately, the answer was not so difficult to arrive at when watching the 2024 Chicago White Sox. Sometimes, it's as simple as this: Bad teams find a way to hand their opponents chance after chance to win, and good teams happily oblige them. That's exactly what happened at Comerica Park on Friday night during the Detroit Tigers' 4–1 win over the White Sox.

The two teams traded zeroes on the scoreboard for four innings. Then, after loading the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning, White Sox reliever Jared Shuster threw a wild pitch, allowing Tigers catcher Jake Rogers to score. Detroit outfielder Matt Vierling then lifted a sacrifice fly to give the club a 2–0 lead.

Later in the bottom of the seventh inning, the White Sox couldn't get out of their own way again. Tigers infielder Andy Ibáñez, who doubled with one out in the seventh, advanced to third on a throwing error by White Sox outfielder Dominic Fletcher. After an intentional walk to Vierling, Chicago reliever Fraser Ellard delivered a cutter that caught too much of the zone to Tigers outfielder Riley Greene, who promptly lined it into center field for a run-scoring double. Then, a wild pitch from Ellard allowed Vierling to scamper home and handed the Tigers a 4–1 lead.

When White Sox designated hitter Andrew Vaughn's lazy fly ball landed in the glove of Tigers right fielder Wenceel Perez (somewhat scarily for Detroit fans given the near collision with Parker Meadows), the Tigers' magical run culminated in their first postseason berth since 2014. And the White Sox were doomed to the history books.

Travis d'Arnaud Plays Hero for Braves With Dramatic Walk-Off

Oftentimes, September and October baseball beckon for unsung heroes to emerge. On Saturday night, one day after Fried's gem, it was Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud's turn to put on the Superman cape against the Royals.

d'Arnaud, no stranger to October greatness, stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with one out and the game tied 1–1. d'Arnaud, with just six hits in his last 42 at bats, took the first two pitches from Royals reliever Sam Long for balls. Then, the Braves backstop got a juicy fastball right down Broadway and crushed it 421 feet to dead center, watching it fly with a Carlton Fisk-esque hop down the first base line. d'Arnaud raised his arms in the air as the ball soared over the fence for a walk-off home run. Truist Park went ballistic. Ballgame, Braves.

The moment was made even sweeter by the fact that the rival New York Mets had lost earlier Saturday, though that point would become moot on Sunday. More on that in a moment.

Francisco Lindor Keeps Mets' Playoff Hopes Alive With Huge Game

There was understandably some concern surrounding Mets star Francisco Lindor's health, as the veteran shortstop missed nearly two weeks as he dealt with lower back pain before returning to the lineup on Friday. On Sunday, Lindor seemingly erased those concerns—and kept the Mets' season alive.

Lindor, bad back and all, was quite simply inevitable during Sunday's 5–0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. In the top of the first inning, Lindor drew a walk, stole second base and then scored on a Brandon Nimmo single. 1–0 Mets. The Mets star was slow to get up after sliding into home, but he wasn't about to let a bad back stop him.

In the top of the fourth inning, Lindor, after a Francisco Alvarez RBI single, tacked on an insurance run of his own with a run-scoring single. 3–0 Mets. Lindor then swiped his second bag of the game. Finally, in the top of the sixth inning, the Mets shortstop turned on a 2-1 splitter and crushed it over the right field wall to cap off a monster day. 5–0 Mets.

Thanks to seven shutout innings from southpaw David Peterson and another two scoreless frames from the bullpen, the Mets walked away with the victory. And with the Braves' loss Sunday, New York and Atlanta, thanks to untimely weather postponements, will play a Monday doubleheader to determine their—and the Arizona Diamondbacks'—postseason fates.

"Our destiny is in our hands," Lindor said after the game. "We've got to go out there and do whatever it takes to win."

Diamondbacks Power Their Way to Three-Way Tie for NL Wild Card Spot

After losing five of their last six games—and getting blanked in a 5–0 loss on Saturday, the Diamondbacks needed something to change on Sunday to keep their season alive. And boy, did it ever.

After getting blanked for the first three innings again, one could hardly blame the Chase Field fans for feeling a bit anxious. But all that changed in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Diamondbacks put up a six spot, courtesy of a pair of RBI singles, an RBI double, a run-scoring groundout and a Ketel Marte two-run homer.

But Arizona was far from finished. The D-backs proceeded to tack on runs in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth innings to win the game over the San Diego Padres 11–2. The offensive awakening kept the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes alive, as they sit in a three-way tie with the Mets and Braves for the final two wild card spots in the National League prior to Monday's doubleheader between New York and Atlanta.

The Diamondbacks' postseason fate is, unfortunately, out of their hands at this point. As Tom Petty once aptly put it, the waiting is the hardest part.

Honorable Mentions Paul Skenes Cements Case for NL ROY With Stunning Sequence vs. Yankees Sluggers

Did Skenes win the National League Rookie of the Year award with the two perfect innings he pitched Saturday? Certainly not. But striking out New York Yankees sluggers Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, the Yankees' duo who represents the closest thing baseball has seen to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the modern era, was the perfect capper to a truly memorable season. He's no ordinary rookie.

Luis Arraez Hits His Way Into History Books

Not only did Luis Arraez, who doubled in Sunday's 11–2 loss to the Diamondbacks, collect 200 hits for the second straight season, he also secured another batting title, denying Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani the Triple Crown in the process. The Padres infielder became the first player in MLB history to win three consecutive batting titles with three different teams (Minnesota Twins, Miami Marlins and Padres). That Arraez managed to lead the league in hitting again in a year where MLB hitters posted the fifth-lowest batting average of all-time dating back to 1871 is nothing short of remarkable.

Mother Nature Denies Jose Ramirez Chance at Rare Season

The final game of the year for the Houston Astros and Cleveland Guardians carried no meaning for either postseason-bound club. But it sure did for Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, who, with the Sunday contest's postponement, finished one home run shy of just the seventh 40-homer, 40-stolen base season in MLB history. It's a real bummer for the six-time All-Star. Perhaps he will use it as October motivation to help the Guardians end the longest World Series drought in the sport.

Bryan Mbeumo has revealed his stance on a potential Cameroon national team call-up for the African Cup of Nations in December as the winger is determined to avoid the club vs country row. The AFCON 2025 kicks off in the last week of December, while the players are expected to link up with their respective national teams two weeks before the competition commences.

Mbeumo off to a stellar start at United

Mbeumo enjoyed a stellar campaign with Brentford in the 2024-25 season as he scored 20 league goals and provided eight assists in 38 matches and emerged as the Premier League's fourth-highest goalscorer. His impressive form for the Bees caught United boss Ruben Amorim's eye as the Portuguese coach splashed a whopping £65 million ($87m) to secure the winger's signing. Amorim identified the Cameroonian as a key part of his squad overhaul after overseeing a nightmare debut campaign at Old Trafford. 

The 26-year-old has so far had an impressive outing in his maiden season with the Red Devils as he has scored four goals and contributed with an assist in 10 league matches. Last month, Mbeumo recorded three goals and one assist, playing a pivotal role in United’s turnaround after a sluggish start to the season. His all-action displays reflected both his maturity and tactical intelligence under Amorim, who has given the 26-year-old the freedom to attack from the right-hand side while drifting into central positions. It also helped him bag the Premier League Player of the Month for October. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMbeumo wants to avoid club vs country row over AFCON participation

Mbeumo is expected to receive a national team call-up next month as Cameroon are all set to take part in the AFCON 2025. The tournament starts on December 21 and according to FIFA’s international competition regulations, clubs must release players two weeks before the start of major tournaments to allow for preparation. United are scheduled to face Wolves on December 8, the day Cameroon are expected to begin their preparations. 

reports that the Red Devils will urge the Cameroon Football Association, led by legendary striker Samuel Eto’o, to allow Mbeumo to stay in England for the club's crucial fixtures against Bournemouth and Aston Villa on December 13 and 21 respectively. 

The report adds that Mbeumo is very clear about his stance on this potential conflict, as he is determined not to upset either his employers or his country and wants a clear agreement between all parties in the coming weeks.

Amorim's stance on AFCON issue

Other than Mbeumo, United will also miss key first team figures like Noussair Mazraoui and Amad, who are expected to represent Morocco and Ivory Coast respectively, at the continental competition. Speaking about missing three of their star players in December, United boss Amorim said: "We will have time to suffer. We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew it's going to be an opportunity. When I watch the training, there are players that should be playing, but it's hard with one game to take some players from the team, because they are doing well also during the training in games. So other players are going to have the opportunity to help us. They are understanding the way we want to play, so if we are improving on that, the change of characteristics is not going to change the idea or the momentum of the team. But let's use Amad and Bryan in these games and we will see in general."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportUnited aim to get back to winning ways

After a brilliant run of form in October, where they won three games in a row, something United had failed to achieve earlier in the Amorim era, their form somewhat took a dip as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Forest last weekend. Despite the draw, United have moved up to the eighth position in the Premier League table, courtesy of collecting 10 points in their last four games. They will now aim to get back to winning ways on Saturday as they travel to north London to face Tottenham. 

Newcastle United are charging towards a place in the Champions League next campaign and could now land an exciting import to strengthen once the summer window opens.

Newcastle look to firm up summer window approach

Eddie Howe will be feeling optimistic ahead of the summer window after leading his side to a crucial triumph over Chelsea last weekend that has put them on the brink of securing a return to Europe’s premier competition.

Arsenal and Everton await in their final two Premier League matches, paving the way for what could potentially be a statement few months if they can push Champions League football over the line.

The North East has become a place for talent to thrive in recent seasons and Newcastle want Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo to be their next star signing if they can manage to prize him away from West London. On the same token, Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott could arrive at St James’ Park, adding a threat from the engine room alongside carrying the carrot that he would be a homegrown asset that would aid their squad registration dilemma for European competitions.

Aboubacar Maiga is deemed as one for the future by Newcastle, though it illustrates how committed they are to bringing in young talent and giving them the space to blossom into stars of the future.

Newcastle planning formal approach to bring "special" £50m star to Tyneside

The Magpies are looking to take advantage…

BySean Markus Clifford May 12, 2025

Speculation is beginning to hit fever pitch and that is only likely to increase between now and the end of the campaign. There is real excitement at what Newcastle can achieve moving forward, generated in no small part due to PIF’s financial gravitas. Now, the Magpies are reportedly pursuing an international star who may be on the move this summer.

Newcastle United still firmly in Douglas Luiz hunt

According to reports in Italy via Sport Witness, Newcastle United have started taking initial steps to sign Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz and won’t have the caveat of Sandro Tonali heading the other way as they look poised for Champions League qualification.

The outlet claim there is a chance the Magpies could agree an advantageous deal for the Brazil international, who could join on a loan basis if circumstances align, having originally been nominated as the player heading the other way if Juve managed to secure Tonali.

Douglas Luiz vs Sandro Tonali – how do both players compare?

Douglas Luiz

Pass accuracy

90.5%

Accurate long balls

25

Chances created

15

Tackles won

66.7%

Successful dribbles

11

Sandro Tonali

Pass accuracy

85.8%

Accurate long balls

47

Chances created

22

Tackles won

62.5%

Successful dribbles

19

Earning roughly £135,000 per week at Juventus, Luiz has made 25 appearances this campaign as they look to secure Champions League qualification. Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will provide competition for the former Aston Villa man. However, Newcastle appear to hold a strong hand in the race for his signature and see him as someone who can add bite in midfield.

Still, it remains to be seen whether they will push a deal over the line as transfer speculation begins to heat up across the board.

West Bromwich Albion missed out on a playoff spot this campaign and have now identified a leading candidate to replace Tony Mowbray, according to a report.

West Brom's search for a new permanent manager

Despite being in contention for most of the season, the Baggies were eventually left to concede defeat in their hunt for an Championship playoff place after a run of three victories in their last ten league matches.

Mowbray was sacked by West Brom only three months after completing his return to the Hawthorns, leaving James Morrison in charge for their recent draw away to Cardiff City and 5-3 victory over Luton Town on the final day.

Of course, the former Scotland international is a well-respected figure among supporters of the West Midlands-based outfit, but has admitted the prospect of taking the job permanently may have come too early. And so speculation is beginning to do the rounds surrounding who could take the reigns ahead of next season.

Russell Martin and Steve Cooper are reported West Brom managerial candidates, with both out of work after spells at Southampton and Nottingham Forest, respectively. QPR boss Marti Cifuentes was linked with the post, but it is now believed he could be set to take on a new role elsewhere following talks over the role.

West Brom’s narrow EFL Championship playoff place miss

3. Sheffield United

90

4. Sunderland

76

5. Coventry City

69

6. Bristol City

68

7. Blackburn Rovers

66

8. Millwall

66

9. West Bromwich Albion

64

With their fate now sealed and another year in England’s second-tier on the cards, West Brom are now set for a rebuild this summer and need someone to put the foundations in place for success. In light of this, the Baggies have identified an exciting new candidate that is now in the frame to take over.

West Brom could now hire Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason

According to The Sun, West Brom now have Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason on their candidate list. However, Spurs’ pursuit of the Europa League could complicate proceedings. The Baggies are willing to wait before deciding their next appointment, which may allow other contenders to move further ahead of the 33-year-old.

He's impressed Pep: West Brom can forget Cifuentes by hiring 4-3-3 manager

West Brom could forget a move for Marti Cifuentes by swooping for this manager.

ByDan Emery Apr 30, 2025

Having spent eight years at Tottenham in a playing capacity and several more as a coach, the ex-England international is keen to do the right thing by his boyhood club despite harbouring aspirations to take permanent steps into management.

Preferring a 4-4-2 formation or 4-2-3-1, Mason has six wins and one draw in 13 matches in charge of Spurs across two caretaker stints at the Lilywhites. Now, it remains to be seen if West Brom are willing to wait a few more weeks or whether they are seeking a more imminent appointment to put the building blocks in place for pre-season.

Manchester City are now ready to make a move for a £80m forward, having identified him as a priority target for the summer transfer window, according to a report.

City's summer transfer plans taking shape

Man City have fallen short of their usual lofty standards in the 2024-25 campaign, but they still have an opportunity to make a success out of the campaign, with an FA Cup triumph still on the cards, while they remain in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League.

That said, it is clear Pep Guardiola is planning a rebuild this summer, having identified targets in a number of positions, including goalkeeper, with Ederson in line to be replaced, and FC Porto shot-stopper Diogo Costa has now agreed to move to the Etihad Stadium.

In terms of defensive targets, Lazio centre-back Mario Gila has recently emerged as an option, while the Blues have also set their sights on Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali in central midfield, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz may replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne.

Man City now looking to sign ex-Real Madrid defender in £30m+ transfer

City’s defence has been a huge problem this season.

ByBarney Lane Apr 22, 2025

According to a report from Spain, Man City are also keen to strengthen out wide, and they are now ready to make a move for Barcelona’s Raphinha, having identified the Brazilian as a priority target for the summer transfer window.

The 28-year-old is viewed as the ideal addition to Guardiola’s side at left-wing, given the level of his performances this season, but there may be competition for his signature, with Chelsea and Al-Hilal also in the picture.

The left-winger has made it clear he wants to stay at the Camp Nou, but Barcelona could be willing to listen to significant offers, given their difficult financial situation, and previous reports have detailed £80m could be enough to get a deal done.

Raphinha impressing for club and country

The Barcelona star’s performances this season have landed him firmly in Ballon d’Or contention, picking up a remarkable 30 goals and 23 assists in 49 matches in all competitions.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

La Liga

31

15

11

Champions League

12

12

7

Copa del Rey

4

1

4

Supercopa

2

2

1

Not only that, but the Brazil international has received praise for his performances at international level from Romario, who said: “Raphinha is one of the best players today. He is one of the best in the world. He does very well with the Barca shirt and he is also doing very well with the Brazilian shirt. Raphinha is a pride for all Brazilians, he will give us very special things in football.”

Raphinha could be a fantastic signing for City this summer, having clearly performed at a world-class level this season, but Barcelona are likely to be determined to keep hold of the forward, given his importance to the side.

Everton are enjoying a relatively stress-free Premier League run-in, but they do now have an injury issue to contend with heading into their final matches of the season.

Everton set for big changes as new era dawns

Goodison Park will soon be given an emotional farewell as David Moyes prepares to lead the club into a new era at Bramley Moore Dock, which he will hope coincides with some exciting incomings once the window opens.

Internally, the Scot has several decisions to make on loanees and out-of-contract stars. Loanees Jesper Lindstrom, Jack Harrison, Armando Broja and Orel Mangala don’t know where they will play their football next season, while Carlos Alcaraz is set to sign permanently from Flamengo.

Casting an eye towards the market, Everton have joined the pursuit of Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis alongside several other clubs such as Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.

Furthermore, the Blues are also in pursuit of Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap. However, Liverpool and Brighton & Hove Albion will provide stiff competition for the England Under-21 international.

Strengthening across the front four appears to be a priority for Moyes, given he has had numerous injury problems in the forward areas alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract status.

Their answer to Salah: Everton want to sign "generational" Liverpool talent

Everton are targeting a summer move for a player who could upset a few should he join the Toffees.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 10, 2025

Coping with absences while managing a squad you have had little time to alter is a difficult task, so it is only fair that Moyes takes major credit for Everton’s stable footing in the Premier League standings.

Nevertheless, he has another fire to fight heading into upcoming fixtures following confirmation that one of his stars will now be sidelined.

Everton star set for spell on the sidelines after surgery

Speaking ahead of Everton’s trip to take on Nottingham Forest, Moyes confirmed that loanee Lindstrom has undergone a hernia operation and he will now be out for ‘most of the season’ as a result.

He stated: “Jesper has had a hernia operation yesterday so that will rule Jesper out for most of the season now. That’s disappointing for him and for us because he started to show some decent form in the last month or so and he was an important player for us.”

Jesper Lindstrom’s loan spell at Everton – has he done enough to earn a permanent stay?

Goals

0

Assists

1

Chances created – (Premier League)

19

Successful dribbles – (Premier League)

17

Duels won – (Premier League)

69

Despite his lack of goal contributions, Lindstrom, a £50,000 per week earner, has emerged as a valuable asset. It is perhaps a little unfortunate that he has not seen better numbers for his work at both ends of the field.

However, it remains to be seen if Everton opt to go in a different direction as they seek quality reinforcements on the flank. His impact has been curtailed due to injury, which may represent a natural opportunity for a clean break between all parties.

One Rangers player is certain to be sold by prospective new owners the 49ers Enterprises this summer, according to a new update.

Rangers and Ferguson preparing for Europa League quarter-final

The Gers and interim boss Barry Ferguson are readying themselves for a last-eight clash in the Europa League with La Liga side Athletic Club, which begins next week.

After overcoming Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce, Rangers are looking to reach the final in Bilbao with a win over the hosts, something which could set up a semi-final with Manchester United.

Ferguson’s assistant, Neil McCann, has recently claimed that the interim boss is starting to prove people wrong with his impressive spell in temporary charge.

“I think that a lot of people maybe thought from his coaching CV that he maybe wouldn’t even be ready to even take this position. I think he’s proved that wrong. It’s not my place to tell anybody who is to get the job or not (beyond the end of the season). All we can do is work hard.

“He’s trying to bring the character he had as a player, the demands he had as a player. I think we’re showing that we’ve got a wee bit of guts about us.”

The 49ers, who have agreed a deal in principle to take over in Glasgow, will have a big call to make on who gets the permanent Rangers manager job.

Rangers and 49ers eye bid for 20 y/o who can play as right-back or striker

He’s also wanted in Germany and Italy.

ByCharlie Smith Apr 2, 2025

They’ll also be looking to make their mark in the transfer market and could bring a budget of more than £20m this summer. As well as incomings, there may also be plenty of outgoings, and it looks as if one player is likely to leave over the coming months.

Rangers certain to sell Jose Cifuentes this summer

Midfielder Jose Cifuentes joined Greek side Aris Thessaloniki on loan from Rangers for the 2024/25 season, and there have been claims that the club were in talks to lower the option to buy fee.

Now, as per The Daily Record, relayed by Ibrox News, Aris may pass up on their £4m option to sign Cifuentes, however, that doesn’t mean he’ll have a future in Scotland.

As per the report, Cifuentes is “certain” to be sold by Rangers as he is under contract with Rangers until 2027.

Games

26

Goals

1

Assists

3

Yellow cards

2

Minutes played

2,023

The 26-year-old, as can be seen, has made plenty of appearances on loan in Greece, and he was even hailed by South American expert Tim Vickery before he moved to Scotland.

Vickery said on Cifuentes when playing for Ecuador’s U20s: “He was the beating heart of that side and I think he’s a terrific midfielder. He’s strong, he’s got quality, he’s got a good engine – he’s one of the best all-round midfielders, potentially, that I’ve seen come out of South America in a while.”