Tottenham striker Richarlison faces an uncertain future in N17, with his contract expiring in under two years as he struggles to deliver a consistent return.

The Brazil international, who will have one eye on a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, got off to a flyer at the start of this campaign.

His early goal of the season contender, a bicycle kick against Premier League newcomers Burnley on the opening day, was seen as a hopeful sign of things to come, with Richarlison bagging two against Scott Parker’s side that day.

However, since then, his contributions have been few and far between despite the 28-year-old’s best efforts.

Thomas Frank started Richarlison for the first time in four domestic games against Newcastle on Wednesday evening, with the striker failing to get on the end of a whizzed ball across the box in the first half.

He also had a decent attempt at the near post saved by Aaron Ramsdale in the second period, but it was another tough evening for Richarlison, who couldn’t quite get on the scoresheet.

Once Dominic Solanke returns to full fitness and removes himself from Spurs’ rather long injury list, the jury is out on whether Frank will continue to select Richarlison on a regular basis.

Tottenham are also believed to be weighing up a new striker ahead of January, with the likes of Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) and Dušan Vlahović (Juventus) reportedly attracting their interest.

This could spell more trouble for Richarlison, so a winter exit could be on the cards amid serious interest from Everton.

Tottenham stance on selling Richarlison as exit hinges on key factor

According to TEAMtalk, the striker is very keen to return to Everton and “would jump at the chance” to re-join his former club.

However, Tottenham’s willingness to let Richarlison leave in the January transfer window depends heavily on securing a replacement striker. The key sticking point for Spurs is finding the right forward to fill the void left by his departure.

After a mixed spell at Tottenham, Richarlison sees Everton as the ideal destination to reignite his career.

The Toffees remain an attractive option for the South American, where he previously enjoyed success and a strong rapport with the club and fans. A return would give him the platform to regain form and confidence in familiar surroundings.

However, despite Richarlison’s own desire to move, Frank’s side are not prepared to let him go without first addressing their own striking options.

The club is keenly aware that selling him without bringing in a suitable replacement could weaken their frontline and disrupt their season’s momentum, with Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange determined to not leave Tottenham’s manager short.

Described by TT as a player who “always gives 100 per cent”, his return simply just hasn’t been up to the standard since arriving from Everton over three years ago for £60 million.

Despite a brief purple patch under Ange Postecoglou midway through the Australian’s debut season at Tottenham, that is as good as it’s got for Richarlison scoring-wise, so perhaps a move back to Goodison Park will suit all parties.

By the time January comes around, Richarlison will have just under a year and a half left on his contract, so it will be interesting to see just how much Paratici and Lange could demand for the forward’s signature.

Alongside the likes of Toney and Vlahovic, Spurs are believed to be weighing up other blockbuster number nines.

Tottenham hold discussions to sign "elite" £87m striker who Paratici loves

Manchester United’s run of three wins in a row came to an end away to Nottingham Forest.

The Red Devils were held 2-2 by Sean Dyche’s side. A late goal ensured that Ruben Amorim’s side will travel back up to Manchester with a point.

It was the Red Devils who took the lead in the first half. United midfielder Casemiro got himself on the scoresheet for a second consecutive game, this time scoring a header from a corner, delivered by Bruno Fernandes.

Despite going into the break 1-0 up, United were soon trailing. Within five minutes of the restart, Forest took the lead. Morgan Gibbs-White headed home a cross from Rob Yates before Nicolo Savona got on the end of a scrap in the penalty box and tapped in from yards out.

It needed something special for United to find an equaliser, and luckily, that was provided to them by Amad. The Ivorian winger sweetly struck a volley from the edge of the area on his left foot, with his first-time effort nestling into the back of the net.

Despite the result, Casemiro’s performance will certainly please Amorim.

Casemiro's performance vs. Forest

Brazil international Casemiro has enjoyed a spectacular rejuvenation under Amorim. Once told to “leave the football before the football leaves you” by Jamie Carragher, United’s number 18 showed at the City Ground why he is such a key player.

After his goal and assist against Brighton last weekend, the experienced midfielder was back in the goals. His header came relatively unchallenged from Fernandes’ corner, although there is a debate as to whether or not a corner was the right decision. It is not clear that the ball went out.

His numbers across the game show how well he played. Casemiro completed 82% of his passes and created an impressive three chances. The former Real Madrid star also won 10 duels and three out of three tackles.

Steven Railston, Red Devils journalist for the Manchester Evening News, gave United’s midfield general a 6/0 for his efforts. He noted the “brilliant” goal and explained that it was his first 90 minutes of the season in the top flight.

Casemiro’s performance was certainly an impressive one. He has been able to turn his career under Amroim around and is now a key player.

However, he is not the only player in that mould who stood out at the City Ground.

Another Man Utd star has revived his career

There were certainly some strong performers in a United shirt despite the fact that they could only manage a draw in Nottingham. Casemiro was, of course, one of those players, and he ended up scoring a crucial goal.

At the other end of the pitch, it was another experienced player who stood out for the Red Devils. Luke Shaw has enjoyed a huge rejuvenation under Amorim this season, too, and his performance against Forest was commanding.

Operating in that left centre-back role once again, the England international was excellent off the ball, winning seven duels from nine attempted. As you would expect from a player with his technical quality, Shaw completed 61 out of 67 passes.

Touches

79

Pass accuracy

91%

Passes completed

61/67

Opposition half passes completed

26/31

Ground duels won

4/5

Aerial duels won

3/4

Tackles won

3/3

One person who saw how well Shaw played against the men in Garibaldi Red was United fan channel host Mark Goldbridge. He said the Red Devils’ number 23 was the “best player on the pitch” in the first half.

That certainly sums up how well the England defender performed at the City Ground. He was excellent off the ball and offered great progression when he had it. After a tough season with injury last year, the United defender has shone in 2025/26.

Shaw has certainly turned his career under Amorim around, becoming a key part of his back three. The game against Forest was a prime example of his class.

Amorim has homegrown Wharton in Man Utd star who had a "meteoric rise"

Manchester United may already have their own version of Adam Wharton at the club.

ByDan Emery Oct 31, 2025

Premier League legend Alan Shearer blamed Benjamin Sesko for Manchester United's troubles this season as the Slovenian forward has been told to improve his game. Ex-Arsenal star Theo Walcott, on the other hand, drew comparison between the United summer signing and Thierry Henry. After winning three matches in a row last month, United have now been held to consecutive draws in the Premier League in November.

• Sesko's difficult start and injury problems

  Ruben Amorim introduced Sesko in the 58th minute of their 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. However, towards the closing stages of the game, the striker had to be taken off following a robust challenge from Micky van de Ven. His cameo performance featured a couple of missed chances. 

  The former RB Leipzig star has endured a difficult start to life in England, as he has scored just two goals in the 12 matches he has played thus far for the Red Devils across all competitions. His toothlessness in front of the goal has hampered United's performance at times. 

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  Shearer not impressed by Sesko

  Speaking on , Premier League record scorer Shearer said: "Sesko struggled again. He’s only scored twice in his 12 appearances and he came on today with just over half hour to go and had two really, really good chances and should have scored, to be honest. They worked it really well for him to get in. He’s either got to get his shot away early or he’s got to push that ball forward quicker. He’s not going to get that amount of time in the Premier League to work it back on his right foot. This one [Sesko’s second chance] is the bigger puzzle for me. I know he’s struggling for confidence but any centre-forward knows you cannot allow the centre-half to come back at you, you’ve got to get across Van de Ven.

  "By that time he should have a picture in his head of where the keeper is and what he wants to do. I don’t think he has a clue he wants to do because I don’t even think he even knows Van de Ven is there and chasing him. I know he’s struggling with confidence but it’s a big ‘must do better’. No one likes to see him coming off injured and we hope his knee is okay but they are two chances you’d expect at that level that someone has to put away."

• Sesko compared to Henry

  Former Arsenal forward Walcott drew comparison between Sesko and Gunners legend Henry as he added: "As a forward player I’d always be my biggest critic. How many crosses did I get in? How many shots did I have? Did I beat my man? Benjamin Sesko isn’t contributing much at the moment and Manchester United don’t seem to be playing to his strengths. But there is still time.

  "I remember when Thierry Henry came to the Premier League – he was a shadow of the player we remember now. I also played with Olivier Giroud – he took about 10 games to really get going, and not many people remember that. We could all see what type of player he was going to be in training."

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  How serious is Sesko's injury?

  After the Spurs clash, Amorim had reacted to the fresh injury of Sesko as he said: "I have no idea. Because it's the knee, we never know. I'm concerned with the injury because it's in the knee. We need Ben to be a better team. We have to check everything, we have to check what has happened with him."

  But on Sunday, reported that the injury was not serious and shouldn’t rule Sesko out for a lengthy spell. However, the full extent of the injury will only be revealed after an MRI scan, which will take place in the coming days.

  Amorim would hope that the striker recovers quickly during the international break and features for the club in their next Premier League clash against Everton on November 24.

Set-pieces are in fashion. The Premier League is pulling away from the silky-ball-playing style championed by Pep Guardiola and mimicked by many, and returning to a state of directness.

In theory, this is perfect for David Moyes’ Everton. But then Moyes’ Everton were beaten at their own game at the weekend, with Tottenham Hotspur capitalising on their newfound structure and organisation, applicable offensively as well as in defensive/build-up shape, with Thomas Frank at the helm.

However, the Premier League is not played out on totally arid land. Moyes, for sure, is increasingly becoming a proponent of expansive football, with flashy wingers

In this, the experienced Scotsman is moulding a squad filled with members sharing traits with former stars, while being very much their own players too.

How Moyes is remaking his former Everton team

The Premier League is unrecognisable from the state it was in when Moyes left Goodison Park for Manchester United to replace Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

But he is rebuilding Everton with players who are similar to those who walked on Merseyside before them, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, for example, bringing quality on the ball and dynamism in his midfield role to emulate Mikel Arteta, who was once Moyes’ general in the centre.

Dewsbury-Hall, a summer recruit from Chelsea, certainly adds something new to the mix at the Hill Dickinson, though not perhaps in the same vein as Jack Grealish, whose game-changing ability and one-of-a-kind talent has seen him suggested to be Moyes’ new Wayne Rooney.

One of England’s all-time greats, Rooney might have enjoyed the most glittering heights of his career in Manchester, but he is revered on Merseyside, and in this, Grealish could emulate him.

Some of these comparisons are more overt than others, but there is actually a Toffees talent who has been described as being the Scottish manager’s new version of Steven Pienaar.

Everton's new Steven Pienaar

Everton continue to be one of the most principled and well-drilled sides in the Premier League, but the improvements made since Moyes arrived in January have also seen more enterprise and initiative on the ball.

And while the 63-year-old has looked to make exciting attacking signings, he will feel blessed that Iliman Ndiaye was already in the Blues ranks, with Sean Dyche having overseen the £15m acquisition of the winger from Marseille in July 2024.

Injured for the early phase of Moyes’ much-anticipated return to Liverpool, Ndiaye was, regardless, a shining light for Everton throughout the 2024/25 campaign, finishing as their top scorer with 11 goals across all competitions.

The £45k-per-week talent’s electric pace and skill when on the ball have added quite the dimension, and analyst Ben Mattinson believes the Senegalese “could play for a top six side”.

This may well be the case, for recent transfer rumours have linked the 25-year-old with a move to Tottenham Hotspur. The Londoners would have to pay a premium, to be sure, and other clubs would surely be interested.

Iliman Ndiaye

26

9

Beto

30

9

Abdoulaye Doucoure

17

3

Charly Alcaraz

25

3

Michael Keane

15

2

Jake O’Brien

19

2

Ndiaye isn’t just goals. The French-born winger ranks among the top 10% of Premier League positional peers this season for successful take-ons, the top 2% for ball recoveries and the top 6% for tackles won per 90, as per FBref.

It’s little wonder that he has been hailed by Mattinson as bringing “Steven Pienaar 2.0 vibes” to this new iteration of Everton under Moyes’ wing.

South African Pienaar was quite the Premier League maverick. The left-sided forward scored 25 goals and supplied 40 more for the Scot at Everton, becoming a fan favourite for his talent on the ball and seat-raising qualities.

Ndiaye might actually be that bit better. He needs to make further improvements to his game, no doubt, but brings a sharpness that Pienaar struggled to channel and sustain, never once across the duration of his career, chalking up ten goals in a single campaign.

With the likes of Beto and summer recruit Thierno Barry flattering to deceive at number nine, Ndiaye’s goalscoring ability has never been so important.

He is, as the likes of Jamie Carragher have noted, an “absolute star”.

Everton have their best prospect since Rooney who "will play for England"

Everton could now have uncovered their best prospect since Wayne Rooney in this England-destined star.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 28, 2025

The New York Yankees landed Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, and now we've got an idea what their lineup could look like in 2025.

Juan Soto is gone and Bellinger will fit into the open outfield spot he vacated. But the former National League MVP is likely taking over in center field, which will allow the Yankees to move American League MVP Aaron Judge to right field and take some of the day-to-day stress of a premium position off his shoulders. Jasson Dominguez is also almost certain to take over in left field during the 2025 campaign after he returns from injury.

Here's a look at the team's potential Opening Day lineup, courtesy of Fangraphs:

Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. followed by Judge is almost certain to be the team's top three. Slotting Bellinger in at the four spot in bold given his down year in 2024. Giancarlo Stanton is almost certainly a lock for the fifth spot, while Austin Wells and Dominguez fit in the sixth and seventh spots. Oswaldo Cabrera is manning third base and hitting eighth here, while Ben Rice is taking over for Anthony Rizzo at first base and hitting ninth.

It's worth noting, the Yankees almost certainly aren't done yet. With Bellinger moving to center, there is a decent chance they will chase a first baseman on the open market. Christian Walker and Carlos Santana are still out there, as are Pete Alonso and Paul Goldschmidt.

The current lineup is a downgrade from 2024 but that was bound to happen when Soto bolted to join the New York Mets. Bellinger isn't a replacement for Soto, but he should provide some help.

Manny Machado is feeling good for the first time in years.

The six-time All-Star had surgery on a long lingering right elbow injury in October of 2023 and was never fully healthy during the 2024 season. Despite that, he put up excellent numbers. Now, he says he's finally fully healthy.

On Monday, Machado met with the media at spring training and was asked about his health. When asked if he was ever at 100% during the 2024 campaign, the 32-year-old said, "No."

In a follow-up, he was asked when was he last at 100% and with a laugh he said, "Today. And then it's back to not being at 100%."

When asked to clarify if he arriving at starting spring training at 100% he said, "Today? Yes. Yeah, absolutely."

Machado started slowly in 2024, but wound up putting together an excellent campaign. He finished the year slashing .275/.325/.472 with 29 home runs, 105 RBIs, a .797 OPS, a wRC+ of 122 and 3.6 fWAR. He was named second-team All-MLB and helped lead the Padres to within one game of the National League championship series.

A fully healthy Machado could be a big problem for opponents in 2025.

MatériaMais Notícias

Tiago Nunes vive seu momento de maior pressão no Botafogo. O clube está em situação delicada no Campeonato Carioca, e a polêmica declaração após derrota no clássico contra o Vasco deixou o clima mais pesado para a partida desta quarta-feira (21), contra o Auroras-BOL, pela segunda fase da Libertadores.

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A SAF do Botafogo não cogita demitir Tiago Nunes neste momento da temporada, mas cobra melhora tanto nos resultados quanto no desempenho. Assim, uma eliminação precoce na competição continental pode mudar o pensamento de John Textor.

Caso elimine o Auroras, o Botafogo ainda precisaria superar o vencedor de RB Bragantino e Águilas Douradas para alcançar a fase de grupos da Libertadores, principal objetivo do clube para 2024.

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Para o jogo desta quarta-feira, Tiago Nunes não poderá contar Luiz Henrique, principal reforço para a temporada. O atacante sofreu uma lesão na panturrilha e não tem previsão de retorno. Assim, o treinador deverá mandar a campo uma escalação com jogadores mais experientes: Gatito; Damián Suárez, Lucas Halter, Barboza e Hugo; Marlon Freitas, Tchê Tchê e Eduardo; Savarino, Victor Sá e Tiquinho Soares.

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اعترف السنغالي ساديو ماني، لاعب النصر السعودي، بأنه فكر لفترة وجيزة في الانتقال إلى فريق منافس في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، حين قرر الرحيل عن ليفربول.

قضى ماني فترة مميزة مع ليفربول وكون شراكة هجومية رائعة مع المصري محمد صلاح والبرازيلي روبيرتو فيرمينو، وبعد سنوات ناجحة قرر الرحيل.

وانضم ماني إلى بايرن ميونخ الذي خاض معه موسمًا واحدًا قبل أن ينتقل إلى نادي النصر السعودي لاحقًا والمستمر في صفوفه حتى الآن.

وقال ماني في تصريحات نشرتها “ليفربول إيكو”: “أعتقد أنني قضيت ست أو سبع سنوات في ليفربول، ست سنوات، لذا، كما تعلمون، أتيت من بعيد، وكانت حياتي كلها تحديًا”.

وأضاف: “وبالطبع عندما جئت إلى ليفربول، لم يكن ليفربول حتى مشاركًا في دوري أبطال أوروبا، كما تعلمون، جئت مع جميع اللاعبين والمدربين والجهاز الفني، وجعلنا هذا الفريق عظيمًا، فزنا بكل شيء تقريبًا”.

وأكد: “كان ليفربول بمثابة بيتي، كان منطقة راحتي، حاولت تجربة شيء آخر، لأنني فزت بكل شيء تقريبًا هنا، لذا، فإن التحدي أمامي ليس بسبب… بالطبع، قد تحدث بعض الأمور أو ما شابه، لكن بالنسبة لي لم يكن ذلك مهمًا حقًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | ماكمانامان: انتقاد نتائج ليفربول هذا العام لا يقع على محمد صلاح فقط

وأشار: “كان دافعي للذهاب إلى مكان ما هو أن أرى، أن أترك منطقة راحتي وأفعل شيئًا آخر في الجانب الآخر، لذا كان هذا هو سبب قولي حسنًا، لنجرب لم لا؟”.

وعن تلقيه عرضًا من منافس لليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي، أوضح: “ربما كنا نفكر في بعض الأندية في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز التي تقدم أداءً أفضل من ليفربول، لذا ربما نخرج (من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز)، ثم كان بايرن ميونخ هناك، وكان يُلحّ بشدة”.

وشدد: “يُلحّ، يُلحّ، يُلحّ، لذلك قلت لنفسي حسنًا، لنجرب هناك، كما تعلم، في الحياة، دائمًا، إذا ذهبت إلى مكان آخر، ستجد دائمًا شيئًا تتعلمه”.

وأشار عن خطوة انتقاله للنصر السعودي: “أعتقد أنه لولا انتقالي إلى بايرن ميونخ، لما كنت هنا، كنت في بايرن، وكان ذلك الوقت الذي كانت السعودية تحاول فيه ضم لاعبين جدد إلى دوريها”.

وأفاد: “يريدون ذلك… لديهم في الواقع مشروع لضم أفضل اللاعبين في الدوري، اتصل بي وكيل أعمالي وقال اسمع، لدينا عروض من سعوديين وأوروبا أيضًا”.

وأكمل ماني: “قلت حسنًا، لنرى أيهما الأفضل وأيهما مثير للاهتمام، إذا كنت تفكر في نادٍ سعودي أو نادٍ آخر، فلا مشكلة”.

وواصل: “فقط اجلس مع مستشاري، ووكيل أعمالي، وعائلتي، سنجلس على الطاولة، وعندما يأتي السعوديون، يقدم النصر عرضه موضحًا: نريد إنشاء أكبر وأقوى دوري في العالم، سنضم العديد من اللاعبين، ونريد استضافة كأس العالم”.

وأتم: “يروون كل القصص، وأرادوا أن أشارك فيها، فقلت رائع، هذا رائع ومثير للاهتمام!، فلنجلس على الطاولة، ثم أتيت إلى هنا”.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and new manager Rob Edwards have their eyes on signing a Premier League flop in January, it has been claimed.

Edwards “ready” for Wolves challenge

The Old Gold sealed their move for Edwards in the week, paying Middlesbrough £3m in compensation to bring the 42-year-old back to Molineux.

Speaking to Wolves’ official club website, Edwards said he is “ready” for the challenge as he looks to keep the club up.

Wolves begin their new era under Edwards at home to Crystal Palace, and he’ll have to navigate at least eight games before he can think about new signings in January.

Wolves vs Crystal Palace

November 22nd

Aston Villa vs Wolves

November 30th

Wolves vs Nottingham Forest

December 3rd

Wolves vs Man Utd

December 8th

Arsenal vs Wolves

December 13th

Wolves vs Brentford

December 20th

Liverpool vs Wolves

December 27th

Man Utd vs Wolves

December 30th

However, it looks as if the club are already working behind the scenes to identify potential targets, with one surprise name emerging in the media.

Wolves eyeing up move for West Ham’s Niclas Fullkrug

According to Football Insider, Wolves are interested in a potential move for West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug.

Linked with a return back to Germany, Fullkrug appears to have admirers from both Wolves and Fulham, who could look to keep the forward in the Premier League.

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness, said: “I heard a whisper the other day that either Wolves or Fulham might be interested in taking Fullkrug.

“I’m hearing Wolves might be one club who are interested in taking him on and giving him a chance to do something and stay in the Premier League.

“Look, I know there’ll be interest for him back in Germany. He did very well there, and players often don’t settle in the Premier League for whatever reason. He hasn’t and there’s been injuries as well. I think he will be gone in January, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays in the Premier League.

“Now whether he goes on loan or not I think that might be one way forward. I think West Ham do need to fill that gap and probably want to get his wages off the books, so I’d be waiting for a move around that sort of area.”

Fullkrug, on £90,000-a-week at the London Stadium, has had a torrid time with the Hammers, scoring just three goals in 27 games following a £27m move from Borussia Dortmund last year.

Costing the Irons £1m for every appearance so far, Fullkrug was called “aggressive” by Ally McCoist but has struggled to adapt to life in England.

Therefore, it would be a surprise if Wolves were to take a gamble on the German striker in the New Year, but it looks as if it is one to watch.

£55m spent & Hackney signs: Dream Wolves XI Edwards can build in January

Manchester City picked up another Champions League win to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side overcame Borussia Dortmund, convincingly beating the German outfit 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

City were at their clinical best against Dortmund, bagging two goals in each half. Phil Foden, operating in the right half-space, opened the scoring. He fired his effort home from outside the penalty area on his left foot.

Erling Haaland was next to get on the scoresheet, just before the half-hour mark. The City number nine, who was their captain on the night, scored his 27th goal of the season for club and country. It was an easy goal for someone as dangerous as Haaland, who pulled away into acres of space and fired home.

After the halftime break, Foden scored his second of the night. It was a carbon copy of his first goal, too.

Once again, the England international picked the ball up in the right half-space and bent his strike into the bottom left corner.

Dortmund did pull one back to give them a fighting chance, but Rayan Cherki added a fourth to cap off a good night’s work. Indeed, the Frenchman must be in contention for a start in City’s next game.

Changes Guardiola could make after Dortmund

It was certainly a good performance from the Citizens, with their two standout players, Haaland and Foden, really putting their Bundesliga opposition to the sword.

They are players who have surely locked down their starting spot, although Guardiola could tinker with his lineup based on Wednesday night.

Indeed, Cherki is one of the players who could slot into the side.

He had a superb impact off the bench, scoring a well-taken goal which saw him carry the ball 30 yards or so, into the Dortmund penalty area and unleash his shot past Gregor Kobel.

In his ten-minute cameo, the former Olympique Lyon attacker completed one out of one dribble and won two ground duels. It was a busy night, continuing his good form and surely putting himself in contention to start City’s next game against Liverpool.

Nico Gonzalez also impressed in midfield, and with Rodri still not fully fit, there is a case to suggest he is City’s first-choice number six. Simon Bajkowski, City writer for the Manchester Evening News, gave the Spaniard a 7/10 for his efforts against Dortmund.

There is one player against Dortmund who disappointed, and it will be interesting to see if Guardiola keeps him in the lineup.

The Man City player who struggled vs. Dortmund

It is certainly hard to pick holes in a 4-1 home win in the Champions League. However, there were a few moments against the Bundesliga giants where City struggled to keep a firm grip on the game, particularly towards the end when they conceded.

Indeed, one of the players who struggled more than others was right-back Matheus Nunes. The Portuguese international, who is a midfielder by trade, had a couple of lapses in concentration which could have cost his side late on.

One of those came in the 80th minute, when a sliced pass from Josko Gvardiol went right across the City backline. The right-back was caught napping, and Carney Chukwuemeka pounced on the loose ball.

Luckily for Nunes and City, Gianluigi Donnarumma got there first.

Despite the good performance from his side, it was a disappointing showing from the former Wolves man. Nunes lost the ball 11 times and only managed to win one out of his five attempted duels.

Touches

78

Pass accuracy

86%

Possession lost

11

Recoveries

5

Clearances

3

Ground duels won

1/3

Aeiral duels won

0/2

It was certainly a frustrating night’s work from Nunes. Bajkowski gave him a 6/10 and criticised his defensive awareness, explaining that ‘he abandoned his post too often’. It was a performance that left a lot to be desired.

With a huge game against Liverpool next up, it will be interesting to see if Guardiola keeps Nunes in the side, or chooses to rotate him out of the lineup. Of course, he will be coming up against Cody Gakpo, who has been Arne Slot’s first-choice left winger this season.

The Dutchman is in excellent form, with five goals and assists in ten Premier League games. Nunes certainly can’t afford to switch off like he did against Dortmund, because City will be punished.

It is a big call for Guardiola, who has the likes of Rico Lewis and Abdukodir Khusanov as options at right-back waiting in the wings. The City boss might well decide to rotate Nunes in the crunch clash this weekend.

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