Former England manager Gareth Southgate has addressed the chances of returning to management, amid “strange” rumours with a new national side.

What Southgate has been doing since leaving England role

The former Three Lions boss left his role as national team manager in 2024 following the European Championship final defeat to Spain.

Thomas Tuchel has since taken over as England manager, with Southgate talking about England’s current crop of players.

“I think they’ve obviously got lots of good players. There is, as always, some exciting young players coming through. It’s important for me not to say too much more than that, really, because I don’t want to step on Thomas’ toes at all.”

Games

102

Wins

64

Draws

20

Losses

18

Average goals scored per game

2.25

Average goals conceded per game

0.84

Players used

99

The 54-year-old, who was linked with Man Utd last year, also told the PA news agency what he has been up to since resigning from the England job, speaking at the PFA Awards in Manchester.

“I’m enjoying my life. I’ve got quite a lot on. I’m in the middle of writing a book, I’ve got several business interests. I do some work on leadership, help with some young coaches.

“But I’ve also got time to travel and play a bit of golf, play a bit of paddle tennis, so yeah, I’m very much enjoying that balance.”

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ByRoss Kilvington Mar 14, 2025 Southgate calls links to national team “strange”

Southgate was then asked if he is looking at returning to management, to which he described rumours linking him to the Poland job over the summer as “strange”.

There were claims that Southgate applied for the role to the Polish FA back in June but was rejected.

Poland ended up appointing Jan Urban as their new manager back in July, replacing Michal Probierz after star striker Robert Lewandowski announced he would not play for the team under Probierz.

Amy Jones has insisted there’s still a “lot of love” for Alex Hartley within the England Women’s squad, as she sought to play down the row over Hartley’s claims that she has been “given the cold shoulder” by certain players during her duties as an Ashes broadcaster.England go into Thursday’s second T20I in Canberra needing nothing less than a win to maintain their hopes of salvaging a drawn series after four consecutive losses. But their on-field struggles have been overshadowed by the team’s alleged response to Hartley’s criticism of their fitness levels, which began with their T20 World Cup exit in October.Speaking on a BBC podcast on Monday, after Australia’s 57-run win had confirmed that they will maintain their decade-long hold on the Ashes, Hartley claimed that Sophie Ecclestone had refused to do a TV interview with her, and that other members of the squad were no longer talking to her on the boundary edge.”The reason I said that they were not as fit as Australia is because I want them to compete with Australia,” Hartley had added. “I want them to be better than Australia, and I want them to win Ashes and World Cups. I’m giving my opinion, and I’ve been given the cold shoulder from the England team ever since.”Replying to the row, Jones acknowledged that the squad had fallen well short of its own expectations during the Ashes, but denied that the players had taken Hartley’s comments personally.”I don’t think it is the case,” Jones said. “I think we all respect that commentators have their own opinions and it’s Alex’s job to say how she feels. And I think we all respect that. Hartley’s a great personality, and we have a lot of love for her within the group. So, I definitely don’t think that’s the case.”Jones herself has been a qualified success in a misfiring batting line-up, making three 30-plus scores in four innings to date, including an unbeaten 47 in a low-scoring ODI in Melbourne.Related

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However, England’s missed opportunities in this series were epitomised by Jones’ glaring lack of game awareness at the culmination of that Melbourne innings, when she failed to run on a free hit that could have kept her on strike going into the penultimate over of the innings. No.11 Lauren Bell was bowled one ball later to condemn England to a 21-run loss.”That one in particular was hard to take, for many reasons,” Jones said. “I felt emotionally drained afterwards [because], with the obvious mistake at the end, you definitely feel responsible for the loss. But the support from all the girls and the staff emphasised that long games don’t often come down to one specific moment, so I guess that definitely helped.”I’ve obviously made contributions along the way, but as a player, you definitely judge yourself on matchwinning contributions. I’ve been lucky to be in a position where I could have really helped influence a few of those games, especially in the ODIs, and I’m disappointed not to be able to get the team over the line. There’s a lot of learnings in there.”Alex Hartley claims she has been given the ‘cold shoulder’ by England players•Getty Images

Even with the series all but lost, Jones says that the squad will be sticking to the same mantras and methods that have been in place since the start of Jon Lewis’ tenure as head coach, in particular their desire to “inspire and entertain” – traits that have arguably been in scarce supply in a dispiriting campaign.”We’re still working hard at training and in team meetings to try and put our best foot forward,” Jones said. “We’ll be very excited to come out play tomorrow, and hopefully get some points on the board.”There was a bit of reconnection after the second ODI about how we want to play, making sure we’re still trying to inspire and entertain,” she added. “That’s worked really well for us in the past, and it’s something that all of us connect to really well.”It brings out more of a fearless playing style, which suits us. I think we’ve lifted a bit away from that, and so reconnecting to that is important for us. We play our best when we take the game on, put their bowlers under pressure with the bat, and have a wicket-taking mindset with the ball. In the field, it’s around energy and enjoyment. When all those things come together, we’re obviously a very good side.”

It’s very rare in the modern professional game that footballers can spend a decade at the same club, but Heung-min Son managed just that for Tottenham Hotspur.

The South Korean joined the Lilywhites from Bayer Leverkusen back in the summer of 2015 as an unknown quantity to many supporters, but it’s safe to say he’s made a name for himself in the present day.

The winger racked up over 450 appearances between 2015 and 2025, scoring 173 times, which ranks him fourth in the club’s all-time goalscoring charts.

He even led the side to Europa League glory last campaign, captaining Ange Postecoglou’s men as they ended their 17-year trophy drought with a 1-0 win over Manchester United – a game which was his final competitive outing for the Lilywhites.

Son would leave the side this summer in a £20m deal, subsequently joining MLS outfit LAFC, leaving new boss Thomas Frank with the mammoth task of replacing the fan-favourite.

Spurs’ hunt to replace Heung-min Son this summer

A new left-winger has been a priority for Spurs and Frank this summer, which saw them target a move for Real Madrid star Rodrygo earlier this summer.

The Lilywhites were reportedly in talks with the LaLiga giants over a potential move for the Brazilian international, but their £86m asking price appears to currently be out of their range.

However, another name has emerged on their shortlist in recent days, with RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons the club’s latest target, according to German outlet BILD.

They claim that Frank’s men have made enquiry over the last few days, looking to gain more information about a potential move for the 22-year-old, who scored 11 times last season.

It’s also been reported that Chelsea remain in advanced talks with the Dutch international over a move to Stamford Bridge, but the Lilywhites could strike late and look to hijack the £60m deal.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be Frank’s own Son

As previously mentioned, Son was a real fan-favourite during his decade-long spell at Spurs – catching the eye, whether that be in a number ten or wide left role.

He was often capable of producing a moment of magic that gave the supporters the opportunity to get off their seats – a quality every fan wants in forwards who are employed by their club.

Arguably, his best goal came against Burnley back in December 2019, picking the ball up near his own 18-yard box before driving past countless opponents and eventually slotting home into the bottom corner.

Frank has the near-impossible task of replacing the South Korean in the final days of the window, needing to land a player who can develop into a similar talent in the years ahead.

Such a hunt may have led them to Simons, with the Dutchman possessing a lot of similarities to Son, before his own move to North London way back in 2015.

The Leipzig star is a year younger than the former Leverkusen talent when he joined the Lilywhites, whilst also being able to operate centrally or out wide, despite his tender age.

Frank’s men would also be landing a talent from the Bundesliga, just like they did with Son, with Simons managing to outperform the winger in key areas last season.

The Dutch star, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by Luka Modrić, registered more progressive passes per 90, with more of his attempts going into the final third – showcasing the creative nature he possesses with the ball at his feet.

However, he’s also managed to find the back of the net alone, posting a higher goal per shot on target rate, with such a tally making him a clinical option and aiding Frank’s hunt for new attackers.

Games played

25

30

Goals & assists

16

16

Shot on target accuracy

46%

43%

Progressive passes

5.9

4.7

Pass accuracy

79%

78%

Passes into final third

3.3

1.7

Through balls completed

1

0.1

Take-ons completed

1.4

1.2

Carries into final third

3.1

2.1

Crosses completed

3.4

3.3

Simons’ creativity is further highlighted by his ability to get into dangerous areas when in possession, completing more take-ons per 90, alongside more carries into the final third.

Such numbers allow him to breeze past the opposition before either going alone or having the tools to provide players around him the chance to improve their own tallies.

£60m would be a hefty figure, but they would be getting themselves a player who can emulate the success endured by Son – potentially being a bargain if he can reach the South Korean’s levels.

Chelsea’s interest in the Dutchman means they will have to work quickly to avoid missing out on his signature, potentially completing a hijack of their own in the closing stages of the window.

Their own Rice: Spurs begin talks to force through "world-class" signing

Tottenham Hotspur have made their move to land a top-level European talent in recent days.

4 ByEthan Lamb Aug 27, 2025

Barcelona's first stop on the long road to European glory takes them to Newcastle, where they will come up against a formidable opponent and equally formidable atmosphere at St James' Park without the talismanic Lamine Yamal. The injured 18-year-old has been ruled out, having found himself at the centre of a feud between club and country, but loanee Marcus Rashford will be determined to make an impact in his absence.

On the face of it, things have been going pretty smoothly for Barca so far this season. Hansi Flick's side are unbeaten in La Liga, albeit they surprisingly had to come from 2-0 down and rely on a late own goal to beat Levante in gameweek two and were then frustratingly held by minnows Rayo Vallecano before the international break to fall two points behind early pacesetters Real Madrid.

However, the Blaugrana arrive on Tyneside for their opening Champions League league phase clash with Newcastle against the backdrop of a high-profile and, in their eyes, very avoidable injury quandary – one that could feasibly hand their hosts the advantage under the lights on Thursday night: they will be without talismanic teenager Yamal.

Much to his club's displeasure, the prodigious 18-year-old has been ruled out after seemingly being forced to play through the pain barrier on international duty with Spain, despite aggravating a pre-existing groin issue. In the St James' Park cauldron, Barca will have to do without him, and Rashford could be the man to step up.

• AFP
  

  Club vs country

  Barcelona now find themselves embroiled in something of a feud with the Spanish FA (the RFEF) over their handling of Yamal, who inexplicably started both of his country's comfortable World Cup qualifying victories over Bulgaria and Turkey earlier in September despite being unable to train.

  He is said to be suffering with pubalgia – chronic groin and lower abdominal pain that requires rest. The injury flared up in the Levante game and was worsened against Rayo.

  Many would argue his services probably weren't required for the task at hand for La Roja, given the wealth of attacking options at Luis de la Fuente's disposal. Yamal's club-mates Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez were also part of the squad, as well as forwards Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres, Jorge de Frutos and Jesus Rodriguez.

  The youngster even required a painkilling injection into his to ease what was described as 'acute lower back pain', having supposedly asked not to play in the second game of the break against Turkey in Konya because he was in so much discomfort that he didn't want to leave the hotel. Whatever Spain did, it obviously worked, with the wounded winger able to contribute three assists across the two matches.

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  'That's not taking care'

  Something of a war of words and whispers ensued, with Flick clearly irked to be without his key man for a La Liga clash with Valencia at the weekend. "Lamine Yamal will not be available," the German said in a press conference. "He went with the national team in pain and did not train. They gave him painkillers to play.

  "They had at least a three-goal lead in every match, and he played 73 minutes and 79, and between matches he couldn't train. That is not taking care of the player. I am very sad about this."

  Sources close to the Spanish national team set-up then insisted that Barcelona hadn't communicated that Yamal was carrying an injury or any longstanding fitness problem when he was called up to the squad, and physio Fernando Galan apparently found no issues during a routine medical check.

  Ultimately, both parties seem to have resolved to de-escalate the situation, with Barca sporting director Deco set to hold talks with the RFEF's technical director, Aitor Karanka. "We have to improve our communication, we have to improve the protocols between clubs and national teams," Deco said. "Players are subject to excessive workloads nowadays as we all know. [International breaks] are always complicated because many times players come back with injuries. I think between all of us we have to be a little bit more careful."

• (C)Getty Images
  

  Uncertain prognosis

  It then became a question of when Yamal would be available again, with his exploits for the national team coming at a potentially significant cost to his club. It soon emerged that he almost certainly wouldn't be involved against Newcastle on Thursday night, and indeed his name was nowhere to be seen when Barcelona confirmed their travelling squad on Wednesday morning.

  And to make matters worse, it's not actually clear when the 18-year-old will be available again as the Blaugrana's medical staff take a cautious approach to a condition that can be debilitating if it isn't handled properly, with surgery potentially required if conservative treatments like rest and physiotherapy aren't successful.

  According to , even Sunday's La Liga game against Getafe and the meeting with Oviedo the following Thursday will come too soon for Yamal, while he may only be given a brief cameo when Barca face Real Sociedad on September 28.

  Behind the scenes, it's said the medical team are targeting the mammoth Champions League clash against European champions Paris Saint-Germain – when they will be desperate to have their talisman fit – in a fortnight's time.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Fearsome proposition

  And so, Barcelona will enter the cauldron that is St James' Park on opening night in the Champions League without arguably their most important figure. Flick will just hope the rest of his players are up to the task without him, because Yamal is the kind of player who is capable of snuffing out a fervent atmosphere singlehandedly.

  Thursday night's encounter under the lights will not be for the fainthearted. Newcastle have delivered recent evidence that the very best around will struggle badly on their home turf, with the Magpies set to be buoyed by a cacophonous racket as they are roared on by a partisan crown.

  It was two years ago that PSG visited Tyneside in what was Newcastle's first home Champions League game in two decades, and the soon-to-be European champions quite simply couldn't handle their rampant hosts as they were torn to shreds, with a three-goal lead established within 50 minutes.

  The final 4-1 scoreline was in no small part down to the deafening, hostile atmosphere generated inside the stadium, and that is certain to be repeated when Barcelona come to town for the home side's latest return to top-tier continental football.

“We should appreciate the players for throwing themselves in the den without being exposed to these conditions,” Pakistan’s Test captain said

Danyal Rasool27-Jan-2025

Pakistan captain Shan Masood said he expected the team to continue their recent experiment of heavily turning tracks at home, and that they would be replicated across domestic cricket as well. After falling to a 120-run defeat at home against West Indies that levelled the series 1-1 and confirmed Pakistan’s position at the bottom of the current World Test Championship cycle, Masood maintained there were “encouraging signs” that Pakistan would seek to build on.”Domestic cricket will be played like this,” he said. “We’ve already talked about this. The more we’ll play the better we’ll get at it. We’ve shown encouraging signs. After the four matches, we’ve won three in these conditions. We dominated the first hour of the first day which could have swung the match in our favour. It’s just about winning those key moments and ensuring we’re consistent with these conditions domestically and internationally.”Since Pakistan lost the first Test against England on a flat wicket in Multan, they have reverted to producing tracks that break up and spin from the first day, rendering fast bowling almost redundant. The last four home Tests have seen Pakistan take 80 wickets, with just one falling to a seam bowler. Fingerspinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali have dominated the bowling attack, taking 70 of the 80 wickets, and frequently opening the bowling attack in each innings. It has turned around Pakistan’s straggling home form, allowing them to beat England 2-1 at home and easing to a victory in the first Test against West Indies. This Test, however, the visiting spinners turned the script around on them, with left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican of West Indies walking away with both the Player-of-the-Match and Series awards.Related

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“It’s a game of all stakeholders. We should appreciate the players for throwing themselves in the den without being exposed to these conditions. We know we haven’t played domestic cricket in these conditions. In some ways, it’s a kind of bravery to expose ourselves to these conditions. We practiced, but this is new for us. But we need to replicate this in domestic cricket, give our batters exposure so we play in these conditions and get runs in them. In the fourth innings, anything over 150 is a competitive score, where spinners will always have the edge.”An unavoidable outcome of such surfaces is the outsized role the toss plays. All four times, the side winning the toss has batted first, walking away with victory three times. While Pakistan were able to flip that script against England in the series-decider, West Indies’ win once more demonstrated the way these pitches can slant a game in favour of the side bowling last.Mohammad Rizwan was bowled by Jomel Warrican, who took the match and series honours•AFP/Getty Images

However, it didn’t appear that way when Pakistan bowled in the first hour, having reduced West Indies to 54 for 8, and letting that situation slip through their fingers frustrated Masood most of all. “We didn’t get the result we wanted. The positive thing was when you field first and you know the fourth innings will be difficult. So you try to restrict the opposition in the first innings. We bowled brilliantly for the first eight wickets. But we’ve talked about the first innings batting and bowling combining to do well, so you have the advantage in the third and fourth innings. If you look at our batting and bowling, and the mistakes we made collectively, that was a crucial time because their last two wickets cost us dear.”Then, with the bat, we went from 119 for 4 to 154 all out. When these collapses happen and the other side puts on partnerships, they can set you back. If we’d got them out early and got a 100-run lead, the Test match would be completely different. With Test matches on these pitches, you can’t wait to make a move, because things are decided on day one, and that is where you can win or lose matches.”This is the end of a cycle, an unhappy one for Pakistan, and for its leader. Pakistan have lost nine of their last 12 matches, all five away from home and four of seven at home. Despite starting off with a crushing away win in Sri Lanka, they have finished bottom of the WTC table, and do not play another Test for nearly nine months.Masood acknowledged Pakistan had fallen short of expectations, but did not believe the side required a complete overhaul, pointing out fine margins made the difference in this Test, and could be worked on.”The tail not getting wickets is an area of concern, and we need to finish off sides quicker,” Masood said, echoing his frustrations in South Africa, where the last two wickets adding too many runs cost them dear in the first Test at Centurion. “Against Australia, who have the best tail in the world, we got them out cheaply, but not here, or against Bangladesh or South Africa.”Batters have been proactive, but we need more contributions. You may not get hundreds here but 30s and 40s contribute to the winning conditions. Kraigg Brathwaite was an ideal example. He took the game on. One batter will need to step up in these conditions especially when the ball is new.”It’s not about holding someone responsible. This isn’t an accountability bureau. This is a team effort. Our mistake as a team was the first two innings. That was what set us back, and gave the opposition a degree of freedom. If we had a 100-run lead, I do not think they’d have been able to play in the way they did. We need to understand the direction of matches will be decided very quickly, as early as day one.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Vanderlei Luxemburgo segue sem vencer no comando do Corinthians. O Timão foi até o estádio Diego Armando Maradona e empatou com o Argentinos Juniors por 0 a 0, pela 4ª rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores. Paulinho saiu lesionado no primeiro tempo, e a equipe argentina jogou com um homem a menos nos últimos 20 minutos da partida em Buenos Aires.

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Com o empate, o Timão chega aos quatro pontos no Grupo E, mesma pontuação do Liverpool-URU, mas segue na terceira posição pelo saldo de gols. Mais cedo, os uruguaios superaram o Independiente del Valle por 1 a 0. Dessa forma, os argentinos lideram com oito pontos, e o Del Valle ocupa o segundo lugar, com seis pontos.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Ataque faz jogo apagado e ‘luz’ do Corinthians na Libertadores começa a falhar

Os comandados de Vanderlei Luxemburgo voltam a campo na Libertadores no dia 7 de junho, em duelo de vida ou morte contra o Independiente del Valle, fora de casa. No domingo (28), a equipe alvinegra tenta sair da zona de rebaixamento do Brasileirão e recebe o Fluminense, na Neo Química Arena.

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+ Não perca nenhum lance do Timão na Liberta. Assine o Star+ por apenas R$40,90 por mês e torça onde quiser!

CRIA DO TERRÃO QUASE ABRE O PLACAR

Como esperado, o Argentinos Juniors teve o controle da posse de bola nos minutos iniciais, e o Corinthians repetiu a estratégia defensiva que aplicou nos últimos três jogos, com dificuldades para sair jogando do campo de defesa. A melhor chance do Timão veio aos 17 minutos, quando Murillo roubou a bola no ataque, Yuri Alberto rolou para Bruno Méndez, que cruzou na medida para o zagueiro, mas o Cria do Terrão, livre, chutou por cima do gol.

Aos 28 minutos, o Alvinegro teve uma péssima notícia. Paulinho dividiu bola com um atleta do El Bicho e imediatamente caiu no gramado com a mão no joelho esquerdo, pedindo substituição. Luxemburgo colocou Roni no lugar do camisa 15.

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QUASE UMA LAMBANÇA

O Argentinos Juniors cresceu com a saída de Paulinho e quase inaugurou o placar em um lance inusitado da defesa corintiana. Metilli invadiu a área pelo lado esquerdo e cruzou na área. Bidu tentou fazer o corte, mas pegou mal na bola e mandou contra a própria meta. Atento, Carlos Miguel evitou o gol.

SUFOCO ARGENTINO

O roteiro da partida seguiu o mesmo após o intervalo, com o Corinthians tendo dificuldades para sair do campo de defesa, e a equipe da casa rondando a área de Carlos Miguel e controlando as ações ofensivas, apostando em jogadas pelos lados. A primeira chance do Timão no segundo tempo veio aos 18 minutos. Bidu cruzou na área, mas Yuri Alberto testou por cima.

NA RUA!

Os ânimos das equipes esquentaram na parte final da partida, e o Argentinos Juniors ficou em desvantagem numérica aos 31 do segundo tempo. Nuss, que havia entrado minutos antes, acertou uma cotovelada em Roni. O árbitro havia dado cartão amarelo ao atleta argentino, mas mudou de ideia após ver o sangramento na cabeça do volante, e expulsou o atacante.

A expulsão deu uma injeção de ânimo no Timão, que tentou sem sucesso se lançar ao ataque em busca da vitória. Porém, a equipe de Luxemburgo não ameaçou o goleiro Arias. Mesmo com um homem a menos, os mandantes chegaram com perigo. Metilli disputou com a zaga e ajeitou para Heredia, que cabeceou batendo. A bola desviou e passou ao lado da meta de Carlos Miguel.

+ Timão vivo na Libertadores? Veja os resultados e como ficou o grupo do Corinthians após a rodada

ARGENTINOS JUNIORS 0 X 0 CORINTHIANS

Local:Estádio Diego Armando Maradona, em Buenos Aires, na Argentina
Data e hora:24 de maio de 2023, quarta-feira, às 21h30
Árbitro:Carlos Ortega (COL)
Assistentes:Alexandre Guzman (COL)eMiguel Roldan (COL)
VAR:Jose Cabero (COL)
Cartões amarelos:Roni, Murillo (COR)
Cartões vermelhos:- Nuss (ARG)
Público/Renda:Não informado
Gols:-

ARGENTINOS JUNIORS:Martín Arias; Leonel González, Mac Allister, Torren e Montiel; Moyano, Fabrício Domínguez (Heredia, 10/2ºT), Cabrera, Álan Rodriguez e Metilli; Verón (Nuss, 21/2ºT).Técnico:Gabriel Milito.

CORINTHIANS:Carlos Miguel; Bruno Méndez, Gil, Murillo e Matheus Bidu (Fábio Santos, 45/2ºT); Paulinho (Roni, 28/1ºT), Fausto Vera e Maycon (Romero, 28/2ºT); Adson (Wesley, 45/2ºT), Yuri Alberto e Róger Guedes.Técnico:Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

Tudo sobre

Argentinos JuniorsCorinthiansLibertadores

As the Premier League campaign draws near, Manchester City have now reportedly been told that a half-price offer will be enough to sign a midfield target this month.

As expected, it’s been a busy summer for Manchester City on all fronts. They began with a flourish of incomings in preparation for the Club World Cup and have since taken their total to six fresh faces. Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, James Trafford, Sverre Nypan and Marcus Bettinelli have all arrived as Pep Guardiola aims to rebuild following last season’s disappointment.

After missing out on the Premier League title for the first time in four seasons last time out, however, it’s not just incomings that Man City have been working on this summer. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Yan Couto have already sealed permanent departures, whilst Jack Grealish looks likely to follow suit.

The England international was left out of Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad earlier this summer and has seemed destined for a departure ever since. There remain question marks over just where his next destination could be, though.

Whilst Everton have opened talks to sign Grealish, Tottenham Hotspur have also reportedly made contact and could certainly do with a creative spark following the news that James Maddison will miss the majority of the campaign through injury.

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The Blues have set their sights on a Manchester United target…

1

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Meanwhile, as one talented midfielder potentially heads for the exit door, the Citizens have reportedly been handed the chance to land a transfer target of their own at a bargain price this month.

Man City told they can sign Paqueta in half-price deal

Following the news that he’s been cleared of any spot-fixing charges, the transfer rumours regarding Lucas Paqueta’s future have once again been sparked into life. According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Man City have now been told they can sign Paqueta for £45m this summer in what is around half the £85m fee that they’ve previously been quoted by West Ham United.

In a bargain deal, those at the Etihad have quite the decision to make. Whilst the addition of Reijnders has helped solve their midfield problem, the chance to sign a long-term target at a bargain price may well be too good to turn down.

Now that he doesn’t have potential charges hanging over him too, Paqueta may finally get back to his best following a disappointing campaign last time out. And it’s at his best that the midfield star has earned impressive praise from former West Ham boss David Moyes, who described him as “incredible”.

Now, amid reports that Graham Potter has opened the door for his exit, the Brazilian could finally get the big move that he was previously denied.

علّق البولندي روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، مهاجم فريق برشلونة الإسباني، على ركلة الجزاء التي أهدرها في المباراة أمام إشبيلية أمس الأحد، ببطولة الدوري الإسباني.

والتقى برشلونة وإشبيلية ضمن مباريات الجولة الثامنة لبطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا” موسم 2025-2026.

وتعرض برشلونة للهزيمة بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف، على ملعب “رامون سانشيز بيزخوان” معقل فريق إشبيلية.

كانت نتيجة المباراة تشير لتقدم إشبيلية 2-1 قبل أن يحتسب الحكم ركلة جزاء لبرشلونة، وتوجه ليفاندوفسكي للتسديد لكنه أضاع على فريقه فرصة للتعادل.

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وفي تصريحات نشرتها “سبورت” البولندية، قال ليفاندوفسكي: “نعلم أن أمورا كهذه تحدث، هذه هي كرة القدم، هناك ركلات جزاء لا تُسجل، هذا جزء من اللعبة”.

وأضاف: “لكن مباريات كهذه، ومواقف كهذه، يمكن أن تُقوينا للمستقبل، يؤلمنا الأمر قليلاً الآن، لكنني أعتقد أيضاً أننا سنتفاعل بإيجابية، وهذا سيعطينا دفعة معنوية وحافزًا، إضافيًا، تذكروا أن مثل هذه اللحظات تأتي، ولكن عليكم مواجهتها والعودة إلى المسار الصحيح”.

ويتواجد ليفاندوفسكي مع منتخب بلاده بولندا استعدادًا لخوض مباريات تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026، أمام نيوزيلندا يوم الخميس القادم، ثم ليتوانيا يوم الأحد المقبل.

Paris Saint-Germain have now submitted a staggering £130m offer for an “unbelievable” Chelsea star, who Luis Enrique has personally requested, according to a report.

Maresca's star players attracting interest

It should come as no surprise that Cole Palmer has been attracting interest from rival clubs this summer, given the attacking midfielder’s exploits at the Club World Cup, and there have even been suggestions that Manchester City launched a £170m offer.

Palmer has also caught PSG’s attention, with the French club being touted to smash the existing world-record transfer fee with a £217m move for the Englishman, but the deal did not come to fruition.

In what has proven to be a savvy move, BlueCo tied the former Manchester City man down on a deal spanning until 2033, meaning they remain in a very strong negotiating position, and there is little reason to cash-in this summer.

However, Palmer is not the only Chelsea star attracting interest from elsewhere, with a report from Spain revealing that PSG have now submitted an offer amounting to €150m (£130m) for midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

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Chelsea defender Levi Colwill is set to miss a significant portion of the upcoming season.

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Enrique has personally requested the signing of Fernandez, with the PSG manager of the belief that the Argentine would be the ideal replacement for Fabian Ruiz, and the French club are now hoping to close the deal within the next few weeks.

While the central midfielder is regarded as one of their main targets, it could be difficult for PSG to get a deal done, given that he is under contract until 2032, which means there is little reason for Enzo Maresca’s side to cash-in anytime soon.

"Unbelievable" Fernandez must remain at Stamford Bridge

After a shaky start under BlueCo ownership, Chelsea look like they are now building something under Maresca, having won the Club World Cup, and they shouldn’t risk that by cashing-in on one of their most important players.

Moreover, the Blues should be on a solid footing financially after defeating PSG in the Club World Cup final in New York, so there is little reason to sanction the Argentina international’s departure this summer.

The 24-year-old played a key role in the Blues securing a top-five finish last season, picking up six goals and seven assists in 36 Premier League outings, while he has also been lauded as “unbelievable” by journalist Lloyd Canfield and “world-class” by members of the media.

Rather than making any sales of key players, BlueCo should continue to strengthen Maresca’s squad prior to the window closing on September 1st, and it is now particularly important to bring in a new centre-back, with Levi Colwill suffering an ACL injury.

Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck praised manager Niko Kovac’s decision switch to a back three, calling it a key factor behind the team’s recent good run of results. Making his return from injury, the German defender said he feels something positive is building and suggested Dortmund can mount a serious title challenge against Bayern Munich.

Kovac’s appointment and his tactical change

Kovac initially stuck with the 4-2-3-1 system used by his predecessor when he took charge of the first-team in January, but a poor run of four defeats in six games, including a heavy 4-0 loss to Barcelona, forced him to rethink. He then switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation later in the season, a change that became a turning point for his side. Since then, Dortmund have climbed into the top four for the 2024-25 season and have remained unbeaten in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League across last season and this season.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSchlotterbeck’s comments on the win

Schlotterbeck feels Kovac's change has laid the groundwork for something special at Dortmund, telling : "Yes, something good! I think since we, funnily enough, switched to a back three, we haven't lost a game."

He then spoke about the challenging Bayern for the title "In my three years at Borussia Dortmund, it was important to stay close in the first half of the season. We were often behind, and now it's important to stay close to Bayern, to march ahead, because then maybe something will develop, and at Borussia Dortmund, you're there to win something.Bayern took the lead yesterday. We're trying to stay close, and if we hadn't had those ten minutes in Pauli, we would have four out of four. But that's the way it is. And now it's a matter of continuing to perform in Mainz, and then it's always going step by step."

Dortmund’s win over Wolfsburg

Dortmund kept things tight at the back and secured a clean sheet in their 1-0 win over Wolfsburg. The decisive moment came from a brilliantly executed counter-press, as Dortmund won the ball back and Karim Adeyemi latched onto the loose ball before unleashing a precise 25-yard strike into the net.

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AFPSchlotterbeck and Dortmund’s upcoming challenge

Schlotterbeck will hope that with his full return from injury he can make a valuable contribution to Dortmund’s title push, strengthened by Kovac’s tactical change, as they look to mount a serious challenge against Bayern. Dortmund face Mainz this weekend in their next test