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Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has slammed his team-mates and demanded the entire squad raises their levels after a woeful performance against Chelsea. Spurs were second-best throughout their defeat by the Blues and were flattered by the 1-0 scoreline. Speaking after the game, the Italian bemoaned the display which suggested there is little harmony in the squad.

• Blues take the spoils in London derby

  Spurs were dominated by Chelsea at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and deserved to lose by more than just the one goal. The Blues took the lead in the first-half through Joao Pedro and never looked like surrendering their advantage over their London rivals. It marked yet another defeat for Spurs, and another in front of their faithful home support, as they notched up their 42nd loss in the Premier League at their new ground since its opening in 2019 – only six fewer than north London rivals Arsenal have lost at the Emirates, a stadium opened in 2006.

  With just four home victories in the Premier League in all of 2025, Thomas Frank has a lot of work to do to turn around Spurs’ misfortunes. While the Lilywhites tasted their first piece of silverware in decades in the summer when they lifted the Europa League, the club have remained disappointing domestically. After a club record-low 17th-place finish in the Premier League last season, the club have become used to disappointment and it may more than just a new managerial appointment to heal the rot at its heart.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Vicario vents frustration

  After a series of consistently poor displays, Vicario is growing frustrated. The Italian has been one of the club’s better players in the last two disappointing seasons and issued a passionate assessment of how the side have been performing.

  Speaking after the defeat to Chelsea, via , Vicario said: "It's tough to accept but this is the reality of today's game. We need to look inside us and we need to do more because when you play for this club, we have to do things at 100 per cent. I know it's tough but we have to do that every single day.

  "When you go inside it's tough to accept because you expect yourself to perform at your best, with a lot of energy but something today didn't go in the right direction.

  "Everyone knows that personally, we have to do a little bit more if we want to achieve good results, make everyone happy and make ourselves happy. Today is a bad day for us, we didn't perform at our best level."

• Frank plays down defenders' snub

  Frank’s task in north London is looking increasingly difficult as the weeks go by. The former Brentford coach had made a decent start to life at Spurs, but a number of flat performances and defeats has turned up the heat under the Dane. The fractious atmosphere at Spurs was made clear after the defeat to the Blues, with a video of Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence snubbing Frank’s approach on their way to the dressing room circulating on social media soon after the full-time whistle.

  The defenders appeared unhappy with their boss and did not hide their feelings towards Frank when they stormed off the pitch. Shocked by their response, Frank was left rooted to the spot as he watched in disbelief as the duo shunned him. The incident played out under a cacophony of boos raining down from the terraces.

  Speaking after the game, Frank was keen to play down the incident. He said: “All the players are, of course, frustrated. They would like to do well, they would like to win, they would like to perform. I understand that.

  “I think it’s difficult to be consistent in good times and bad times, that’s why I went around to the fans as I did, it’s more fun when we win, I can tell you that.”

  When pressed for his opinion on Van de Ven and Spence, the Dane remained diplomatic and defended his players. “We have Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence doing everything they can,” he said. “They’ve performed very well so far this season. Everyone is frustrated. We do things in a different way, I don’t think it’s a big problem.”

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• AFP
  

  Danish opposition arrive in London

  Spurs are in action again on Wednesday as they host FC Copenhagen in the Champions League. Frank will know the opposition well from his time as coach at Brondby in his native Denmark.

The Thomas Frank revolution continues at Tottenham Hotspur. Gone are the days of chaos and confusion under Ange Postecoglou. There is an evident fight and spirit about the Lilywhites in 2025/26.

While the north Londoners were far from their free-flowing best away to Leeds United on Saturday afternoon – nor have they been yet under the Danish coach – once again they found a way to win, having run out deserved 2-1 victors at Elland Road.

In what was a hard-fought contest in Yorkshire, the visitors surged ahead following Mathys Tel’s deflected strike, before Noah Okafor levelled things up just nine minutes later, prodding home at the backpost after Guglielmo Vicario’s initial save.

With the game finely poised, up stepped summer signing Mohammed Kudus to nudge Spurs into the lead with his own deflected effort from range, with the Ghanaian’s 57th minute effort ultimately proving the difference as the away side held on for a fourth Premier League win of the campaign.

Spurs' key performers vs Leeds

In wet and windy conditions, the performance from those in black was hardly perfect, yet there was plenty to be encouraged by all across the park, with the defensive duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven again looking rather imperious – the latter man notably winning all of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.

Perhaps the most notable place for positivity was in the forward line, however, with Frank unleashing marquee addition Xavi Simons in his preferred number ten berth. The Dutchman didn’t disappoint.

While there was perhaps the odd trick too many, including his attempted rabona pass after the break, the ex-RB Leipzig playmaker showcased glimpses of his sky-high potential, picking out the advancing Pedro Porro late on with a deft dink over the Leeds defence.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, the decision to give young Tel the nod in attack over man of the moment Richarlison certainly paid off, with the lively Frenchman netting his fourth goal since initially joining the club on loan back in January.

Equally, there were also signs of life from Wilson Odobert down the left flank, with the former Burnley starlet beginning to find his feet following what’s been a muted first year or so in Lilywhite.

Touches

Ampadu (91)

Pass accuracy

Struijk (95%)

Duels won

Kudus (10)

Successful dribbles

Kudus (6)

Key passes

Longstaff (5)

Possession lost

Porro (26)

Shots on target

Kudus (2)

There may not have been much end product, but a 95% pass accuracy rate highlights the Frenchman’s promising outing.

Rounding off that dynamic quartet was, of course, that man Kudus, with the £55m man continuing his stunning start to life at Spurs with another electric performance off the right flank.

The Spurs star who looked like prime Gareth Bale

Comparisons, particularly at such an early juncture in the season, can appear somewhat over the top, although there truly was something Gareth Bale-esque about Kudus’ performance on Saturday, with the 25-year-old already taking on talismanic status in his new surroundings.

Bale at his best, like in 2012/13 when he plundered 25 goals and assists in the Premier League, was a vision of speed and power, along with an end product to match, with the Welshman regularly wreaking havoc off the left or when cutting in centrally.

With blistering pace and the ability to weave his way past defenders with ease, a prime Bale truly was a sight to behold, with few figures in Lilywhite having ever come close to reaching such lofty heights.

There’s been Harry Kane and Heung-min Son since those times, and now Kudus is the latest to join the party, with the former West Ham United maverick taking his tally to one goal and five assists in just seven Premier League games under Frank’s watch.

Having been booked early on for a late challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson, the fleet-footed forward subsequently slid in Tel for the game’s opener, before getting in on the act himself just before the hour mark.

Cutting in from the right in trademark Bale fashion, Spurs’ number 20 may have enjoyed a fair bit of luck with his eventual strike, although that goal was just reward for what was an all-round stellar performance in attack.

As noted by Sofascore, he successfully completed all six of his attempted dribbles, having also won ten of his attempted duels, showcasing his ability to impact the game both in and out of possession.

As already stated, this wasn’t Spurs at their most potent, yet once again Saturday’s win highlighted the growing importance of and reliance on Kudus to steal the show for Frank’s side.

Like football.london’s Alasdair Gold put it at full time, when handing the winger a 9/10 match rating, he ‘gave Leeds’ defenders nightmares throughout’.

Long may it continue.

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Marsh returns as skipper while Cummins, Starc and Head are rested with Stoinis and Bartlett omitted

Alex Malcolm04-Jun-2025

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s international career has reached an early crossroad after he was left out of Australia’s T20I squad to face West Indies in a five-match series in the Caribbean during July while Mitchell Owen’s star continues to rise after he earned his maiden national call-up.Marcus Stoinis and Xavier Bartlett have also been omitted from the 16-man squad while Cameron Green has been included as a specialist batter despite being unable to bowl until later in the year.Matthew Kuhnemann is in line to make his T20I debut as the second specialist spinner in the squad behind Adam Zampa. Cooper Connolly and Glenn Maxwell are also included in a clear sign of Australia’s planning for more spin options ahead the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year. Ashton Agar was not considered due to another calf injury.Related

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Josh Hazlewood is the only one of Australia’s three-format quicks who will not be rested for the series. Despite playing in the IPL final and being part of the World Test Championship final squad then the Test squad for the West Indies, Hazlewood will stay on to play the T20Is while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc rest.Travis Head, who also plays all international formats and the IPL, will also rest for the series. All three could return for the three-match series against South Africa which starts in Darwin on August 10.Bump in the road for Fraser-McGurkFraser-McGurk, 23, was the most notable omission from the squad named for the series against West Indies that starts on July 20 in Jamaica immediately following the three-match Test series.He had played in seven of Australia’s last eight T20Is but had only passed 20 once, when he scored 50 off 31 balls against England last September batting at No. 3. In 19 T20s since then, including three T20Is against Pakistan, he has scored 290 runs at 15.26, striking at 136.15. He has two scores above 26 and one above 38, which was 95 off 46 in the final game of the BBL season. He was dropped by Delhi Capitals during the IPL season after scores of 1, 38, 0, 7, 0, and 9.Fraser-McGurk was seen as the man who would be David Warner’s immediate and permanent replacement in Australia’s T20I side but will now be asked to return to domestic and franchise cricket to work on his craft. ESPNcricinfo understands there is a hope from the CA hierarchy that he is able to play a bit more four-day cricket for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield to help him work on his all-round batting and decision-making to supplement his raw ball-striking ability.Owen, meanwhile, has been rewarded following his stunning BBL season by being named in the squad alongside T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh, who returns to captain the side after missing Australia’s last T20I series against Pakistan in November 2024 for paternity leave and Test preparation.Mitchell Owen made the equal fastest century in BBL history off 39 balls•Getty Images

Owen scored two centuries for Hobart Hurricanes, including in the final to help them clinch their maiden title. His returns have been lean since then during stints in the SA20, PSL and IPL where he has scored just 116 runs in 11 innings with a highest score of 34.Owen’s BBL success for Hurricanes came at the top of the order but there will be a squeeze for positions, especially when Head is next in the squad. Marsh’s form while opening for Lucknow Super Giants may entice the selectors to bed him down alongside Head as the opening pair for the T20 World Cup next year with Josh Inglis looming as the obvious choice to bat at No. 3 given his impressive T20I record and his recent IPL form. Matthew Short also remains a key part of Australia’s top order plans and will return against West Indies having not played any cricket since injuring his quad in the Champions Trophy in late February.Question mark over StoinisOwen could get a chance in a finishing role given the intriguing absence of Stoinis, who has been a bedrock of Australia’s middle-order since the 2021 World Cup triumph and scored 61 not out of 27 balls in Australia’s most recent T20I against Pakistan. He also played an important role in Punjab Kings’ run to the IPL final.Stoinis retired from ODI cricket on the eve on the Champions Trophy but is still available for T20I cricket. However, he does not hold a central contract and has a deal to play in the Hundred in August which overlaps with Australia’s three T20Is against South Africa.The series in the Caribbean marks the beginning of Australia’s 2026 T20 World Cup preparation with the side set to play 16 T20Is in four series against West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand and India before the end of October.Josh Hazlewood will be part of the series while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are rested•ICC via Getty Images

There is a chance Stoinis remains in Australia’s T20I plans for the World Cup given they have limited seam-bowling allrounder stocks and could return for the series against New Zealand and India in October.Marsh is unlikely to bowl much if at all moving forward given his ongoing back issues while Green won’t be able to bowl in a T20 until after the Ashes series assuming his return to bowling from back surgery goes according to plan. Aaron Hardie has been included in Australia’s squad as the next seam-bowling allrounder while Owen could also be given a chance to fill a role with the ball but his experience is well shy of the other three.Bartlett has slipped down the bowling pecking order despite being centrally contracted after also being overlooked for the Champions Trophy in February. Nathan Ellis will lead the seam attack alongside Hazlewood in the absence of Cummins and Starc while Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson are also in the squad as they were in the Champions Trophy.Chair of selectors George Bailey reiterated that a number of the omissions could still make their way back into the squad ahead of the World Cup given the number of T20Is on the schedule over the coming months.”We have a busy T20 schedule coming up through this series, followed by three against South Africa and New Zealand and five matches against India at home as we continue to refine and build a squad we think will be the right fit for the World Cup on the subcontinent,” Bailey said. “There are a number of players outside the squad who can still force their way into the mix for those upcoming [series] and through the Big Bash.”The connection, role development and combinations we will have as options are growing nicely as we build towards the World Cup. It’s an exciting time in our T20 space.”Australia T20I squad vs West IndiesMitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

Leeds United’s form at the start of the 2025/26 campaign has been impressive. Daniel Farke’s side are not in the relegation zone at the start of the season, and the early signs are positive. In fact, ESPN journalist Ryan O’Hanlon said the Whites have “played quite well” at the start of the campaign.

Critically, the Yorkshire-based side have defended well. According to Understat, seven sides have conceded more than their seven goals. On top of that, their expected goals against tally of 6.42 xGA is 10th best in the English top flight.

The Whites will certainly have to be on their A game defensively against Bournemouth on Saturday. They have the unenviable task of keeping Antoine Semenyo quiet.

Why Leeds must stop Semenyo

There is little doubt that stopping Semenyo this weekend at Elland Road will go a long way to helping Leeds reduce Bournemouth’s attacking threat. At the start of the season, the winger was described as “one of the best players in the league” by BBC Sport tactics correspondent Umir Irfan.

That is certainly a fair assessment of the winger, who has shown just how much of a threat he can be to sides. The Ghanaian international already has three goals and two assists, including a brace at Anfield on the opening day of the season.

The Whites have already been on the receiving end of a Semenyo goal, too. Scoring against Leeds is certainly not an unfamiliar feeling for the winger, who bagged against them back in 2022/23 for the Cherries. That is one of two appearances he made against the club, with the other coming for Bristol City in 2018/19.

One of the things Leeds must be most cautious of when coming up against the forward is his deadly ball-carrying skills. The winger averaged 2.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes this season, to go along with his threat in the final third.

It will certainly be important for Leeds to stop the Cherries attacker on Saturday. Indeed, Farke could adjust his starting lineup to play someone who might be better at coping with the winger.

The Leeds star who can help silence Semenyo

Leeds are looking to maintain what is, so far, a strong defensive record. That is certainly something that will help keep them in the top flight this season. Bournemouth’s attacking threat from the likes of Semenyo will challenge that.

However, Farke may well decide to turn to James Justin to help keep the Ghanaian attacker at bay. The former Leicester City full-back was one of Leeds’ summer signings, joining from the Foxes for a fee of £10m including add-ons.

The England international has not played many minutes for the Whites so far. He’s featured twice in the Premier League, playing just 17 minutes in that time. He is match fit, though, having started Leicester’s first two Championship games this season.

He could certainly be a good candidate to start at Elland Road, in a bid to silence Semenyo. Justin is now a vastly experienced player, having played 101 times in the Premier League for Leicester and Leeds.

Not only will he bring experience to Farke’s side when going up against Semenyo, but he is also a more than competent defender. The full-back has put up some impressive numbers over the past few Premier League seasons with Leicester. For example, in 2019/20, he averaged 4.2 tackles and interceptions and won an average of 2 aerial duels.

Justin key defensive stats for Leicester in PL

Season

Tackles & interceptions

Aerial duels won

2019/20

4.2

2

2020/21

4

1.1

2021/22

2.5

1.2

2022/23

2.5

1.7

2024/25

3.2

2.1

Stats from Sofascore

Justin’s task on Saturday afternoon is clear: stop Semenyo. He poses a huge threat to Leeds going forward, with his impact in the final third and direct dribbling ability. Should Farke give Justin the nod, he possesses the talent and experience to help stop the winger.

As Statman Dave said, the defender is a “colossal” figure at the back. Leeds would need to see that in action if he was to start against Semenyo.

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Fans swarmed Karen Rolton Oval to celebrate, in scenes similar to 1996, when South Australia last won the Sheffield Shield

Alex Malcolm29-Mar-2025

An emotional Jason Sangha said South Australia saved his career after delivering a match-winning unbeaten century to help the state break a 29-year Sheffield Shield drought.Sangha, 25, joined South Australia during the off-season last year having been discarded by New South Wales after six seasons and 37 Shield matches, including one as captain in 2022.The former Australia Under-19 captain had been promoted to Shield cricket very early but struggled for consistency, averaging just 26.63 with three centuries in 64 innings for New South Wales before being dropped in November 2023.Related

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But South Australia gave him a lifeline and he has repaid them in stunning fashion. He will go down as a South Australian hero after scoring an unbeaten 126 to help his side chase 270, the highest ever fourth innings run chase in a Shield final. When he hit the winning runs he was mobbed by thousands of fans that ran onto the ground and they chanted his name at the trophy presentation when he received his winners medal.”I thought my career was over,” Sangha said. “South Australia gave me a second chance. I owe them everything, really. They have saved my career.”Sangha finished the season with 704 runs at 78.22 from just six games including three centuries, one in his first game of the season where South Australia beat Tasmania in the equal closest game in Shield history, and one in the last to deliver the title.He performed his heroics in the final alongside Australia Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey who made a sensational 105 in a partnership of 202 after the pair came together at 28 for 3.Carey and Jake Lehmann were the only two players in South Australia’s XI that had played in the state’s last two Shield finals in 2016 and 2017 when they lost twice to Victoria at home and in Alice Springs. He was proud to have finally delivered a title to South Australia.”It has been too long – and the history is what it is,” Carey said. “I didn’t think time was running out but I was just super keen to do everything I can to help us this year.”The scenes in the aftermath of South Australia’s four-wicket win were extraordinary. A crowd in excess of 4000 had turned up at Karen Rolton Oval to watch the fourth day chase. There would not have been a crowd of that size at any Shield game in Australia in recent memory.When Sangha clipped the winning runs through midwicket, the vast majority of the crowd swarmed the field as Sangha and his batting partner Ben Manenti hugged in the middle. The pair got separated as they were each mobbed by fans as they tried to make their way off the ground to celebrate with their team-mates. The scenes were very similar to 1996 when South Australia last won the Shield in Adelaide, as fans swarmed Peter McIntyre and Shane George as they ran from the ground after the pair had held on for a draw.The view from the Karen Rolton Oval grandstand when the Shield trophy was presented•Getty Images

Every Shield final presentation in recent times has taken place on the ground with very few people around. With thousands on the ground in front of the only grandstand at Karen Rolton Oval, which doubles as the pavilion, Cricket Australia and South Australian Cricket Association officials created an impromptu stage in the seats at the front of the first tier.South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas stood in the throng of fans on the ground with his daughter on his shoulders as the crowd looked up to see the Shield presented to skipper Nathan McSweeney.One of the loudest cheers came for Brendan Doggett when he was announced as player of the match. The 31-year-old had already won two Shield titles with Queensland but delivered his finest performance as a Shield cricketer for South Australia taking 11 for 140 for the match, the best ever figures in a final.”I was probably a little bit naive with my first two,” Doggett said. “Just being young and being in a really strong side, I probably didn’t realise how hard they were to win until arriving here.”McSweeney, another former Queenslander, said the drought had weighed heavily on them.”When it has been a long time and you feel a little bit of external pressure as well, it makes it a little bit nicer,” McSweeney said.Coach Ryan Harris, who has delivered both the Shield and the One-Day Cup to South Australia in his first season as coach, said he was hoping the victory was just the beginning.”We’re going to try and win a few now,” Harris said. “We will definitely enjoy this one but I have already started thinking about next year.”

أوضحت لجنة الحكام في الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، موقفها من إسناد مباريات كأس السوبر المصري التي تقام في الإمارات، إلى حكام أجانب.

ومن المقرر أن تقام منافسات كأس السوبر المصري، خلال الفترة من 6 حتى 9 نوفمبر المقبل، بمشاركة 4 أندية، الأهلي والزمالك وبيراميدز وسيراميكا كليوباترا.

وترددت أنباء، تفيد بتواجد طاقم تحكيم أجانب لمباراة النهائي ومواجهة تحديد المركز الثالث في بطولة كأس السوبر المصري، بينما مباريات نصف النهائي ستكون بأطقم مصرية.

وقال المصدر خلال تصريحات لـ بطولات: “لجنة الحكام جاهزة بأطقم حكام مصريين للأربع مباريات في بطولة كأس السوبر المصري”.

طالع | أسعار تذاكر مباراتي الأهلي أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا والزمالك ضد بيراميدز في السوبر المصري

وأضاف: “لكن المشاورات ما زالت قائمة بين الاتحاد المصري ومجلس أبو ظبي بشأن هوية الحكام، وأيضًا هناك مشاورات مع الأندية المشاركة، وإن تم الاستقرار على أطقم حكام مصريين فنحن جاهزين”. مواعيد مباريات كأس السوبر المصري

وتُقام مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا يوم الخميس 6 نوفمبر، في تمام 4:15 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة (6:15 مساءً بتوقيت أبوظبي) على استاد هزاع بن زايد بمدينة العين.

ويلتقي الزمالك وبيراميدز في اليوم ذاته عند 7:15 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة (9:15 بتوقيت أبوظبي) على استاد آل نهيان في العاصمة أبوظبي.

يذكر، أن الفائز من مباراة الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا، سيلاقي الفائز من مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز، في المباراة النهائية المحدد لها يوم 9 من شهر نوفمبر.

The total attendance over five days surpassed the previous record of 350,534 set at the MCG in 1937

Alex Malcolm30-Dec-2024

A new attendance record for a Test match in Australia has been set with more than 373,691 passing through the gates at the MCG across the five days of the fourth Test between Australia and India, surpassing the previous mark of 350,534 set in 1937.Cricket Australia [CA] confirmed early on Monday that 51,371 had already come in for the first session of the fifth day to break the record. That crowd had swelled to a final tally of 74,362 by late in the afternoon.The crowd tally meant that more people have attended the 2024 MCG Boxing Day Test than had seen a Sir Donald Bradman-led Australia play England in January 1937 at the same venue, which was played over six days.The crowds have been absolutely extraordinary for this Test match with daily tallies of 87,242, 85,147, 83,073, 43,867 and 74,362. A day five crowd exceeding day four is unheard of with the Melbourne Cricket Club, who run the MCG, underestimating the number on day five.They opened Yarra Park outside the ground for general public parking on day five, which is a rarity. But they only had one gate open and it caused a significant traffic choke point prior to play with a number of fans late to get into the ground.The record numbers follow the huge crowds India attracted at the MCG at the 2022 T20 World Cup when 90,293 saw India play Pakistan and 82,507 watched India play Zimbabwe.

It’s not too long to wait now for Manchester City fans as next month’s Premier League opener away at Wolverhampton Wanderers gradually sneaks into view.

This summer has been a busy one for Pep Guardiola so far, as the Spaniard attempts to restore the Citizens to their former glories after a disappointing 24/25 campaign, with James Trafford the next standout purchase on the City agenda, after already snapping up the likes of Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders for mega bucks.

Trafford will cost around the £27m mark to bring back to his boyhood club, with the Burnley shot-stopper set to undergo a medical very soon to officially seal the deal.

City are unlikely to be done there as they continue to revamp their options, as a fresh approach is now in the offing for City to land a long-term target to complement the Englishman at the back.

Man City weigh up £50m approach

Burnley aren’t the only Premier League side wary of City’s increased summer spending, with West Ham United also hesitant as Guardiola and Co begin to look at Lucas Paqueta as a potential buy in the middle of the park.

Reports have suggested that the Citizens could snap up the services of the Brazilian for around the £40m price range, having excited those at the London Stadium with his full-throttle displays centrally.

For £10m more, however, City could fix a big problem area in their XI, with a new development from football journalist Dean Jones, when appearing on the Transfers from Paradise podcast, revealing that City have made a fresh approach for Newcastle United star Tino Livramento.

The Magpies, of course, won’t want to lose Livramento as Alexander Isak is also edging towards the St James’ Park exit door.

But, it remains to be seen whether £50m would be enough to prise the 22-year-old away from Tyneside, with Livramento going down as a better signing than Paqueta in finally offering City a fresh defender down their depleted right flank.

Why Livramento would be a better signing than Paqueta

In Paqueta’s defence, he has proven himself to be a bright spark for the Hammers when he hasn’t been embroiled in some off-field issues, as seen in his weighty 18 goals and 14 assists for West Ham over 120 appearances.

However, there is no guarantee he will upset the first team apple cart if he were to switch the London Stadium for the Etihad, with City very much well-stocked in the middle of the park, with Reijnders also joining Guardiola’s camp this summer.

On top of that, the Spaniard also has promising talents such as Claudio Echeverri, whom he can call upon in the number ten spot, alongside Jeremy Doku, who has shown flashes of his excellence donning City sky blue, when collecting 14 goals and 20 assists down the left flank, where Paqueta is also comfortable playing.

His versatility might well have come in handy, but it’s been a clear issue for City since Joao Cancelo’s exit that they are in dire need of an expansive, attack-minded full-back on the right, with Livramento emerging as the perfect candidate to boost the Citizens in this spot on the pitch.

RB

87

1

6

RM

36

3

11

LB

19

0

1

LM

4

1

1

RW

1

0

0

Across his career to date, the one-time senior England international has stood out as a forward-thinking defender, with a bumper three goals and 11 assists even coming his way when lining up as a right midfielder.

Away from just his output, however, last season in the Premier League also showed off Livramento’s drive and determination to defend valiantly for Eddie Howe’s men, as the 22-year-old bettered stand-in City option Matheus Nunes when it came to ball recovery numbers, with Livramento winning 5.1 on average next to his counterpart’s lesser 2.7.

The hope will be that Livramento can only get better when adjusting to his new environment, having been praised for his “aggressive” and “frontfoot” approach by Howe regularly, on top of also being lauded as possessing a “bright future” in the game by ex-defensive great Ashley Cole.

Whilst Paqueta would no doubt offer City quality as well, he might be more impactful from a background role.

Whereas, the “outstanding” £50m ace – as football journalist Jacob Whitehead has glowingly labelled him – has the potential to be City’s starter on the right for many years to come.

Man City agree deal and book medical with British star now on verge of joining

The Citizens are on the verge of addressing a key position.

BySean Markus Clifford Jul 25, 2025

All eyes were on Olivia Smith, the record-breaking £1 million signing from Liverpool, and the 19-year-old Canadian didn’t just live up to the hype, she blew the roof off with a sensational strike on her debut. Riding on the sensational solo goal, the Gunners demolished London City Lionesses 4-1 at the Emirates in front of 38,142 roaring supporters.

• Smith scores wonder strike on debut
• Arsenal cruise past London City Lionesses
• Teenager hungry for more after sensational debut

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite Arsenal’s pedigree as champions of Europe, it was the WSL newcomers who stunned the crowd first. In the 17th minute, Katie Reid clipped Kosovare Asllani inside the box. The experienced Swede dusted herself off and coolly slotted her penalty low past Daphne van Domselaar to hand the Lionesses their first-ever top-flight goal.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  For a moment, it looked like Arsenal’s season opener might turn sour. Enter Smith. Picking up possession outside the box, the teenager skipped past Maria Perez before unleashing a scintillating curling effort that bent away from the goalkeeper and nestled perfectly into the bottom corner. And the Emirates erupted.

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• WHAT SMITH SAID

  Speaking post-match to , Smith could hardly contain her delight: “That’s the kind of goal I want to score. Whenever I see a gap, I’m going for it. To do it here, on my debut, was special.”

Derby County are making progress on bringing new recruits to Pride Park and could now be set to up their pursuit of another centre-forward, according to a report.

Derby County closing in on new arrivals

John Eustace has wasted no time in recruiting new faces as his side tool up for another season in the EFL Championship, with Carlton Morris, Andreas Weimann, Danny Batth, Richard O’Donnell and Patrick Agyemang walking through the front entrance.

However, Derby are now set to snap up Liverpool left-back Owen Beck on loan from the Premier League champions, with only the finer details remaining before his move becomes official.

Jonathan Percy stated on his situation: “#dcfc are close to signing Liverpool left-back Owen Beck on loan for the season. Deal agreed and Wales u21 international expected to undergo medical later this week. Beck was signed by John Eustace at Blackburn last year and was v keen to play under him again #lfc.”

Intriguingly, the Eustace factor appears to have had a critical impact in being able to secure targets, and he could work his magic once again after the Rams brokered a deal to sign Callum Brittain from Blackburn Rovers for £3 million.

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While that isn’t finalised yet, all the signs are there for Derby to enjoy a productive season after narrowly avoiding the drop last term. The English second-tier is more competitive than ever, and a few fine margins going their way could open up endless possibilities.

Either way, quality reinforcements are required to step up their bid for a better campaign, so it will come as no surprise to hear that Eustace is now pursuing another clinical attacking option.

Derby County look to sign Timothe Nkada

According to The Sun’s Charlie Wyett, Derby are competing with Blackburn Rovers and QPR to sign Rodez forward Timothe Nkada after he turned in 17 goals and five assists in 35 appearances last season across all competitions.

Finishing as the joint-second top scorer in Ligue 2, the 26-year-old is a former product of Rennes’ youth system and is said to be available for £2.2 million this summer.

Timothe Nkada’s key Ligue 2 statistics – 2024/25 (Fotmob)

Shots

77

Shots on target

39

Chances created

30

Fouls won

14

Successful passes

225

Competition for his signature is fierce, but Eustace has proved that he has a pull that can prove hard to resist when targeting players he believes can make a difference at Pride Park.

With two years left on his deal, Rodez may have a decision to make over whether it would make sense to sell him now or face losing Nkada next year at a fraction of his reported value.

Ultimately, shopping in markets where you can get bang for your buck is the name of the game in the Championship, and it appears that Derby could be preparing to strike while the iron is hot after his excellent campaign at Stade Paul-Lignon.