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Tottenham Hotspur’s long-awaited trophy finally came at the end of this season, but attention has quickly turned to the 2025/26 campaign, with work needing to be done to sustain the success.

Ange Postecoglou led the Lilywhites to a Europa League triumph, but it wasn’t enough to save his job in North London, as Daniel Levy relieved the Aussie of his duties.

He subsequently appointed Thomas Frank, handing the Dane the responsibility of building on the European victory and making the side a competitive Premier League outfit.

He will need to make a quick start to life at the club to prove the owner made the right decision in opting for a change, potentially coming under huge pressure should he fail to deliver.

However, if he is to be a success in the role, he will need backing within the current transfer window, handing him the platform for success during his first season at the helm.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Over the last couple of days, Lyon star Georges Mikautadze has emerged as a key target for Spurs, with the club expected to make an offer for the Georgian forward after their relegation to Ligue 2.

Rodrigo Muniz is another player on their radar this window, but will cost a pretty penny during the off-season, as Fulham are demanding £50m for the Brazilian forward.

However, if either of the players are to move to North London, they will need to be provided with opportunities in the final third, with Xavi Simons a player in their sights, according to GIVEMESPORT.

Their report claims that the RB Leipzig star is keen on a move to the Premier League this window, but the German outfit are demanding a fee in the region of £60m to part with their star man.

It also states that the Lilywhites have registered a keen interest in the 22-year-old, who managed to register 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga this campaign, with contact already taking place as the north Londoners have been ‘updated on Simons’ situation by his representatives’.

Why Spurs’ £60m target would be a better signing than Eze

Over the last couple of years, Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has been constantly on Spurs’ radar, but they’ve never been able to complete a deal for his signature.

This window remains no different, with Frank already targeting the England international and considering making a move to take the star to North London.

His stock is undoubtedly higher this time around, after netting the winner in the FA Cup final this campaign, securing the Eagles’ first major trophy against Manchester City at Wembley.

However, he does currently have a £68m release clause in his contract, but could face huge pressure to land his services, as North London rivals Arsenal have also entered the race.

As a result, the Lilywhites hierarchy should shift their attention to a move for Simons, with the Dutch international a better option for Frank’s outfit this window.

He would provide the side with a younger and cheaper option, but when comparing the pair’s respective figures from 2024/25, he’s also managed to outperform him in key areas – subsequently making him a higher-quality addition.

Simons, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by OptaJohan, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted, and posted more progressive passes per 90 – handing other attackers at the club the chance to bolster their own tallies.

How Xavi Simons compares to Eberechi Eze in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Simons

Eze

Games played

25

34

Goals scored

10

8

Progressive carries

3.6

2.4

Progressive passes

5.9

3.3

Shot-on-target accuracy

46%

27%

Pass accuracy

79%

74%

Passes into final third

3.3

1.7

Carries into final third

3

1.6

Stats via FBref

The youngster has also starred with his ball-carrying, registering nearly two times more carries into the final third per 90, showcasing his desire to get forward at any given moment.

Given his age, price tag and difference in figures produced, a deal for Simons should be a no-brainer this window, offering Frank the elite-level talent he craves within the final third.

It would be an expensive addition for the hierarchy, but ultimately, it’s one that’s needed if the club are to reach the next level during the Dane’s tenure at the club.

There’s no denying that Eze is a hugely talented player, but it’s evident that there is a tendency for more expensive fees to be touted for English stars, subsequently making Simons the better option this window.

Related A better signing than Semenyo: Spurs leading race to land £25m sensation

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making strides in a move to land a new talent for Thomas Frank.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Jun 27, 2025

Arsenal have reportedly sealed their first sale of the summer transfer window already, with Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta waving goodbye to one “high level” player who’s completed a move to Europe.

Arsenal players who are poised to leave this summer

A fair few high-profile members of Arteta’s squad are currently bound for the N5 exit door.

Obi-Mikel desperate for Arsenal not to sign "unplayable" Gyokeres alternative

The ex-Chelsea midfielder suggests he’d be a major threat under Arteta.

1 ByEmilio Galantini May 22, 2025

Kieran Tierney’s pending move to Celtic will be a welcome return to Parkhead for the Scotland international, who gets to work under Brendan Rodgers six years after their pair parted company in 2019.

1

Kai Havertz

£280,000

£14,560,000

2

Gabriel Jesus

£265,000

£13,780,000

=3

Declan Rice

£240,000

£12,480,000

=3

Martin Odegaard

£240,000

£12,480,000

5

Thomas Partey

£200,000

£10,400,000

6

Bukayo Saka

£195,000

£10,140,000

7

William Saliba

£190,000

£9,880,000

via Capology

Meanwhile, it is reliably believed that Jorginho is set to join Flamengo once his £110,000-per-week Arsenal contract expires, but the Brazilian side are also exploring a deal to bring him in early, so he can take part in the Club World Cup next month (The Athletic).

Uncertainty continues to surround Thomas Partey’s long-term future with no fresh terms currently agreed as things stand, despite widely reported talks, but Arteta is adamant that he wants the Ghana international to stay.

“Yes,” said Arteta when asked if he wants Partey to extend his contract.

“I think consistency-wise it’s been his best season. The way he’s played, performed, his availability, has been exceptional and he’s a really important player for us.”

The writing appears on the wall for Albert Sambi Lokonga in terms of an exit, with the Belgian spending 2024/2025 on loan at Sevilla. The same can also be said for left-back Nuno Tavares, who’s impressed on a loan-to-buy deal at Lazio.

Nuno Tavares seals exit from Arsenal to Lazio

The Portuguese, despite some injury woes over the second half of the campaign, has racked up nine assists in all competitions and won over the Serie A side’s supporters with some impressive displays.

According to Il Messaggero, via Sport Witness, this form has been enough to convince Lazio to keep him there permanently.

The newspaper claims Lazio have paid £4 million to sign Tavares from Arsenal indefinitely, and the 25-year-old will complete his move to Europe after a regrettable four-year stint at the Emirates where he never quite established himself.

He performed well on various loan spells, with ex-Marseille boss Igor Tudor calling him a “high level” player during his temporary stint in Ligue 1. Arteta also had initial high hopes for him when Edu signed Tavares from Benfica in 2021.

“One of the biggest qualities he has is that he is not fazed at all when is playing,” said Arteta about Tavares. “He was not fazed to make a debut like he did, the risks that he takes, the actions that he puts in place.

“Plus what you can see, his physicality, he is naturally a very gifted athlete. He can run and he can change speed and direction, and technically he is very gifted. But, for me, the most important thing is that he is a defender and he needs to defend first, and then he can provide the rest of his qualities.”

How can you follow Thursday night?

Well, Manchester United are back in action at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon, with Ruben Amorim’s men needing to shift their focus following the chaos of their Europa League exploits.

Unsurprisingly, the former Sporting CP boss has openly admitted that the club’s European commitments are now the priority, not least with it already confirmed that United are set for their worst-ever Premier League points tally.

The need to put all their energy into seeing off Athletic Bilbao next month should not mean that the Old Trafford side simply throw in the towel domestically, however, with now the time to build some momentum to help aid their continental fortunes.

Equally, United will also be keen to avoid losing out to the Molineux side for the second time this season, having notably been undone by a Matheus Cunha-inspired performance as the Old Gold secured a 2-0 win on Boxing Day.

That drab display memorably saw captain Bruno Fernandes dismissed after picking up two yellow cards, with Cunha also scoring directly from a corner to pile the misery on his potential future employers.

Will there be further drama this time around, with Amorim looking set to ring the changes?

Man Utd team news vs Wolves

Speaking after Thursday’s thrilling 5-4 win over Lyon, the Portuguese head coach admitted that it might be time to play “the kids” in the Premier League, with alterations needed after such a gruelling 120 minutes of action in midweek.

Indeed, the 40-year-old went on to state in his pre-match press conference that the likes of Diogo Dalot could be among those to make way, with the United boss suggesting the defender was among those looking “really tired” against the Ligue 1 side.

Amorim appears keen to avoid the “risk of injury” with his first-team stars, albeit with his options set to be boosted with both Victor Lindelof and Noussair Mazraoui set to be available once again, after the pair were forced to leave at half-time due to ‘personal issues’.

Meanwhile, Amorim did suggest that it is “not the best moment or the best season” to unleash academy talents, albeit while pointing to the rise of Ayden Heaven as an example of where throwing a youngster in at the deep end can bear fruit.

As for those who could follow in the footsteps of the likes of Heaven, Chido Obi and Harry Amass, it was noteworthy that Jack Moorhouse, Godwill Kukonki and Jaydan Kamason were all part of the matchday squad in midweek, with the teenage trio still waiting for a first taste of senior action.

Chalkboard

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

In the case of Kamason, in particular, the need to take Dalot out of the team could see the young full-back finally make his first-team debut.

How Man Utd can replace Dalot against Wolves

Having claimed the club’s Players’ Player of the Year of the award last season, Dalot’s form has somewhat “fallen off a cliff” this time around – as per one content creator – with the Portuguese full-back having perhaps been hampered by repeatedly being forced to line up on the left flank in the early months of the campaign.

Diogo Dalot

While even his suitability as a wing-back on the right flank can be questioned, the 26-year-old has quietly come good of late, notably teeing up Fernandes for the third goal against Leicester City, while also scoring himself against both Real Sociedad and Lyon at the Theatre of Dreams.

Described as an “elite” talent by Statman Dave, the former Porto starlet is particularly crucial to his compatriot, Amorim, due to his remarkable availability, having started 49 games this season, while missing just one game against Southampton due to suspension.

Diogo Dalot

50

3

5

Alejandro Garnacho

50

10

9

Bruno Fernandes

49

17

18

Noussair Mazraoui

49

0

3

Joshua Zirkzee

48

7

3

Andre Onana

44

0

0

Rasmus Hojlund

44

8

4

Matthijs de Ligt

40

2

0

Whether it is to give Dalot or rest, or merely to see a different option in that role, now is the time for Kamason to be unleashed, with journalist Shaun Connolly suggesting that the 18-year-old is “banging” on the door for a first-team chance.

The promising Englishman notably played every minute of United’s run to the FA Youth Cup semi-final this season, having even netted a crucial, stunning strike in the 3-2 win over Arsenal at the quarter-final stage.

With two goals and six assists to his name in 31 games in 2024/25, as per Transfermarkt, the right-back has showcased his attacking quality for the U18 and U21 sides, with it no surprise that he is now in the mix in Amorim’s ranks.

While Kamason has operated in a back four at youth level, that desire to get forward should ensure he is well suited to operating in a more advanced wing-back berth, with Amorim currently short on options in that role, particularly with Amad Diallo currently sidelined.

There has no doubt been talk of new recruits arriving this summer to help bolster that wing-back department, in particular – with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong one name to have been mentioned – yet there should also be a willingness to try and solve that issue in-house, by promoting the likes of Kamason.

As such, now is the perfect opportunity for the teenager to show what he can do on the Premier League stage…

Not just Mainoo: Man Utd's "generational" talent now must start every game

Man Utd beat Lyon 5-4 in a Europa League classic

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 18, 2025

The 2025 summer transfer window could be another busy one for Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou, with attacking reinforcements potentially on the agenda for Spurs.

Timo Werner extended his loan spell from RB Leipzig for the 2024/25 season, but things haven’t gone to plan for the German in north London.

Used primarily as a left-winger by Postecgolou, Werner has failed to impress back in England and even came in for criticism from the Spurs boss following a Europa League clash with Rangers.

“When you’ve got 18-year-olds [in the squad], it [that performance] is not acceptable to me,” said Postecoglou.

“I said that to Timo, he’s a German international. In the moment we’re in right now – it’s not like we’ve got many options – I need everyone to at least be going out there and trying to give the best of themselves. His performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable.”

10 strikers who could replace Richarlison at Tottenham

The Brazilian has been linked with an exit.

ByCharlie Smith Apr 4, 2025

Recently, journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Spurs have not changed their minds about turning down the chance to sign Werner permanently, with the forward even set to leave parent club RB Leipzig upon his return.

But who could come in as a replacement for Werner? We’ve looked at 10 wide forwards Spurs could target in the summer.

1 Jamie Gittens Borussia Dortmund

The latest Englishman starring abroad is Jamie Gittens of Borussia Dortmund. A U21 international for the Three Lions, Gittens is a former Chelsea and Man City academy ace and has been linked with Spurs in the past.

Previous reports have even claimed that Daniel Levy is willing to offer €100m for Gittens – equivalent to £83m – so it looks as if he is one of the top wide targets in north London.

2 Bryan Mbeumo Brentford

Bryan Mbeumo has been a Premier League star for Brentford in recent years, and following the departure of Ivan Toney, he has stepped up as the main man for the Bees.

It does look as if he could be on the move, though, and Tottenham are one of the clubs who have been heavily linked with a move for the Cameroon international.

Mbeumo mainly plays off the right, though, so Postecoglou may need to tinker things if he is to be Werner’s replacement.

3 Tyler Dibling Southampton

With Southampton being relegated to the Championship, Tyler Dibling could be a player in demand this summer after impressing for the Saints.

Still just 19 years of age, Dibling, who is left-footed, can play as an attacking midfielder, winger or centre-forward. Spurs were thought to be in pole position to sign Dibling in January, so it wouldn’t be a shock if they were working on a summer deal behind the scenes.

4 Antoine Semenyo Bournemouth

Bournemouth have been enjoying an excellent 2024/25 season under Andoni Iraola, with Antoine Semenyo one of the Cherries’ main stars on the south coast.

The Ghana international has impressed playing on both the left and right wings, and was loosely linked with a £50m move to Tottenham towards the end of 2024.

He could be another attacker to keep an eye on should Spurs go down the route of proven Premier League stars.

5 Rayan Cherki Lyon

If Spurs want to shop abroad for a wide forward to replace Werner, Rayan Cherki of Lyon could be an option.

They were apparently offered Cherki for £20m in January due to Lyon’s financial problems, although there are ‘personality’ concerns regarding the 21-year-old.

There is no denying his talent, though, with Cherki a two-footed and versatile winger who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €35m Transfermarkt valuation.

6 Johan Bakayoko PSV Eindhoven

Tottenham may look to revisit their interest in Johan Bakayoko of PSV Eindhoven if they are in the market for a wide forward this summer.

Linked with a move to Spurs in 2023, Fabrizio Romano called Bakayoko an “elite talent”, with the Belgium international going on to impress in recent months.

He scored 14 goals for PSV during the 2023/24 season while registering the same number of assists, he has been at it again in 2024/25 with 11 goals to his name at the time of writing.

7 Barış Alper Yilmaz Galatasaray

Capable of playing anywhere across the front three is Barış Alper Yilmaz of Galatasaray, who has been mooted to make the move to the Premier League in 2025.

A Turkey international, Spurs showed interest in Yilmaz in 2024 when he was dubbed as the next Gareth Bale. The 24-year-old has enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career in 2024/25, so he may be a wise option to replace the German.

8 Jack Grealish Man City

A left-field shout for Spurs could be to look at somebody like Jack Grealish of Manchester City.

The England international has struggled at various points after his £100m move from Aston Villa, and there were rumours that his representatives are looking for a move away from the Etihad.

Any transfer could come at a fraction of the price City paid, so Spurs may feel they could get the best out of Grealish in north London.

9 Takefusa Kubo Real Sociedad

Japan international Takefusa Kubo has been impressing for Real Sociedad since 2022 and can play on either wing or as an attacking midfielder. The 23-year-old was also linked with Spurs towards the end of 2024 in a potential £50m transfer.

Kubo has already played under Postecoglou during a loan spell with Yokohama F. Marinos, so who knows, the Australian could be keen on a reunion.

10 Antonio Cordero Malaga

Antonio Cordero appears to be a star in the making and looks likely to be on the move in 2025, with his deal set to expire in the summer.

Tottenham have been heavily linked with a move for Cordero and have even held talks over a transfer. However, Newcastle United were thought to be leading Spurs for the 18-year-old, so Levy and co may need to act fast if they want the left-winger.

They became only the third pair to score centuries in the same IPL game

Sampath Bandarupalli10-May-20242:11

McClenaghan praises Sai Sudharsan’s maturity

3 Pairs with hundreds in the same innings in the IPL, including Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan on Friday. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers became the first pair to achieve this feat against Gujarat Lions in 2016. David Warner and Jonny Bairstow replicated it in 2019 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.210 Partnership runs between Gill and Sudharsan for the first wicket against Chennai Super Kings. It is only the second 200-plus run-stand for the opening wicket in the IPL. Quinton de Kock and KL Rahul also put on 210 while batting full 20 overs against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022.2 Partnerships in the IPL, higher than the 210 by Gill and Sudharsan against the CSK. The top two are by Kohli and de Villiers – 229 against Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 215 unbeaten against Mumbai Indians in 2015.231 for 3 Gujarat Titans’ total in Ahmedabad is their second-highest in the IPL, behind the 233 against MI in last year’s qualifier. It is also the joint-highest total conceded by CSK in the IPL, equalling the 231 by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2014.Two centuries in one IPL innings•ESPNcricinfo Ltd0 150-plus stands conceded by CSK, for any wicket, before Friday. The previous highest against them was a 144-run opening stand by Shane Watson and Ajinkya Rahane for Rajasthan Royals in 2015.It is also the first 150-plus stand for the Titans in the IPL, bettering the 147 between Gill and Sudharsan for the second wicket against Sunrisers in 2023.25 Innings for Sudharsan to complete 1000 runs in the IPL. He is the fastest Indian to the milestone, bettering the record jointly held by Sachin Tendulkar and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Overall, Sudharsan is the joint-third fastest to this landmark, alongside Matthew Hayden, and behind Shaun Marsh (21 innings) and Lendl Simmons (23 innings).100 Runs scored by the GT’s openers between the 9th and 14th overs. These are the second-most runs scored by any team between the 9th and 14th overs in an IPL innings. RCB scored 106 runs in this period against Kings XI Punjab during a 15-over game.4 T20 hundreds for Gill in Ahmedabad, including three in the IPL. Only three other batters have scored four or more T20 tons at a venue – Chris Gayle (5 at Mirpur), Michael Klinger (4 at Bristol) and Virat Kohli (4 at Bengaluru).24y 245d Gill’s age on Friday. He is the youngest captain to score a hundred in the IPL. Sanju Samson was the previous youngest, who scored 119 against Punjab Kings in 2021 at the age of 26 years and 152 days on captaincy debut.19 Innings Gill took to complete 1000 T20 runs at Ahmedabad. He is by far the fastest to complete 1000 runs at a venue in terms of innings played in men’s T20s, bettering the record – 22 innings – held by five players.

Netherlands’ coaching consultant had spent seven days in an induced coma after going into cardiac arrest in the UK in April

Tristan Lavalette29-Oct-2022On the long journey from Sydney to Perth, Ryan Campbell found himself struggling to focus on watching films during his flight.So, instead, he decided to stare at the flight path and his emotions stirred when he realised the plane was flying over Kalgoorlie, Western Australia’s famous gold-mining town where he spent some of his formative years.”There was this calmness that I felt. I’m home,” Campbell, the former Australia wicketkeeper-batter and Netherlands coaching consultant, told ESPNcricinfo.Two days ahead of the T20 World Cup game between Netherlands and Pakistan at Optus Stadium, Campbell returned home to Perth for the first time since April. Back then, Campbell had enjoyed a long-awaited homecoming after two years due to WA’s strict Covid-19 hard border.”It was the first time I saw mum and dad since Covid-19. I saw mates and watched the (AFL team) Dockers play,” Campbell said. “I was fit and healthy.”But just days after he left Perth, Campbell went into cardic arrest in the UK while playing with his two children in a playground. He was given CPR at the scene before spending seven days in an induced coma.Related

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Netherlands coach Ryan Campbell in hospital following heart attack

Ryan Campbell reflects on 'humbling' recovery

He was given only a seven percent chance of survival, but rallied and has since made a full recovery.”That’s why everyone who had seen me in Perth couldn’t quite believe what happened to me literally just a few days after I left,” Campbell said. “They were all shocked.”Having endured so much, Campbell, who has children aged seven and four, savoured spending time with close mates at a bar shortly after arriving in Perth on Friday. Some of them hadn’t seen him since his near-death experience.”It’s great to be back, almost a bit surreal,” he said. “When we were in Geelong [for the first round], I had a reunion with friends. Guys from Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Perth, Sydney and Melbourne flew in.”It was emotional to see them, emotional for them too. Grown men were in tears and giving me hugs. I’m lucky to have those people around me.”

“Grown men were in tears and giving me hugs. I’m lucky to have those people around me.”Ryan Campbell, the former Australia player and current Netherlands coaching consultant

His mates like to rib him by dubbing him the ‘Prince of Perth’ due to Campbell’s popularity as a flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter. He had also carved an effective opening partnership with Mike Hussey during WA’s heyday in the late 1990s. He was a prominent figure in the local media after he retired from cricket in 2006 before heading abroad.But that moniker might not be a stretch of the truth with Campbell, who played two ODIs in 2002, warmly embraced by several patrons at the popular watering hole.”There were times I didn’t think I would ever be back in Perth,” he said. “I’ve spent five years in the Netherlands and the five before that in Hong Kong, but I’ll always call Perth home. I’m the most proud person of this wonderful state.”Ryan Campbell forged a strong opening partnership with Mike Hussey during Western Australia’s heyday in the late 1990s•Getty ImagesWhile in Perth he’ll also catch up with his parents, having not seen his dad since April. “We’ll talk a lot of rubbish and what’s going on,” he said. “Of course, he’ll have an opinion on the cricket, as he always watches it.”On the Netherlands’ team bus from the airport to hotel, Campbell excitedly pointed out the city’s landmarks to his wide-eyed players who were mostly making their first visit to Perth.”I’m like a proud dad wanting to show off their babies,” he said. “On the bus I was pointing out the stadium and the Swan River. The guys were in love with it already.”Having passed the head coach reins to Ryan Cook, the T20 World Cup is a swansong for Campbell with the Netherlands after almost six years. With his young family entrenched in the Netherlands, with his children speaking fluent Dutch and proudly supporting the Netherlands at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Campbell was uncertain about his next move.”My family is very settled in Europe. The kids are in school. We’ll only move if there is something set in stone,” Campbell said. “The romantic in me would be keen to coach in Australia but it’s tough to get a job there. If it means in the UK or somewhere else, so be it.”Before then, Campbell is helping steer the Netherlands’ T20 World Cup campaign, which started by them memorably navigating through the first round.After losses to Bangladesh and India in the Super 12s, Campbell’s local knowledge is hoped to help muster a highly competitive effort against a wounded Pakistan, whose semi-final dreams are hanging by a thread.No matter the result, watching his adopted country play at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium will cap a memorable return to Perth for Campbell.”In my dream of dreams, I would love to see Scorchers fans dressed in orange and throw their support for the Dutch,” he said. “I can’t wait for the guys to play at the stadium in front of the passionate Perth fans. It will be an amazing experience.”

He’s got more than 16 tons and he’s going to sing about it

Alan Gardner14-Oct-2020While the shadow of Covid-19 lingers for many of us, the world’s leading cricketers continue to go above and beyond in attempting to provide for the gaiety of nations. Not only are many players becoming accustomed to spending their lives locked down in hotels, brewing their own coffee like 19th-century Italian street urchins, and providing each other with haircuts that are only occasionally laughable, all in order to get a game on – several seem keen to contribute to the light entertainment industry in their spare time, too.For some, the competitive urge remains overwhelming, as seen in the table-tennis turf wars being played out by Australia’s women in their Sydney bio-bubble; or the games room head to head between Jos Buttler and Joe Root – pitched by the ECB social media team as a -style contest, but really a lot closer to , with Mark Wood in the Fred Trueman affable-northern-presenter role. Much more in the way of governmental budget cuts and the BBC could seriously be looking at something like this as a viable format for Saturday night TV.Others have discovered a more artistic side, such as Ashleigh Gardner with her aboriginal dot paintings. The Light Roller is holding out hope that we will soon learn of Faf du Plessis and his new-found passion for pottery, or Niroshan Dickwella revealing an aptitude for life drawing.Then we get to the song-and-dance men. David Warner’s conversion to hip-swinging, lip-syncing TikTok teddy bear has already been documented in these pages. Meanwhile, at the ongoing IPL, Chris Gayle has so far been involved in more music videos than actual matches. Root, spurned in his previous attempts to get an invite to T20’s biggest gig, has perhaps realised the need to hone some new skills that will make him more attractive at auction, having popped up with his guitar on a recent episode of the Tailenders podcast.But unarguably the main event in cricketer side hustle this month has been Steven Smith’s debut as a budding country-and-western troubadour. The song Smith picked for his Instagram jam was called “All I Need to See” – and, without being too harsh, it’s probably fair to say we don’t need to see any more. The David Brent vibes were unavoidable, though it would be something of a surprise to hear of Smith referring to his captaincy style as “chilled-out entertainer” around the Rajasthan Royals dressing room. Then again, he is the original joker in the pack:”If you were to ask me to name three batting geniuses, I probably wouldn’t say Bradman, Tendulkar… I’d go Randall, Haynes, Inzamam. Walters.”Not that we are knocking Smudge, far from it. Sometimes the sight of a multi-talented sportsman turning their hand effortlessly to a new skill can leave the rest of us mortals feeling a little despondent. Imagine if Smith could carry a tune as effortlessly as he carries Australia’s batting? That would be too much. So strum on, Steve, and thanks for making us all feel that bit more adequate.

****

While social media has allowed us to get closer to players, it can also provide insights that are less valuable. Such as into the minds of the people behind the Hundred, the fourth format cricket never knew it needed (but is going to get anyway). Having lain dormant since April, @thehundred burst back into life on Twitter last week, firing off a stream of gibberish about “completing” Netflix and Amazon, overdosing on GIFs, and generally playing up to the idea that the account is run by a 14-year-old out of their bedroom – which, of course, it isn’t, because Gen Z wouldn’t touch this stuff with a barge pole. That said, perhaps repeatedly being ratioed on Twitter will be good practice for the team by the time they roll out their 100-ball piñata next summer.

****

T20 might not be the future anymore, but it didn’t deserve such a soggy send-off. For understandable reasons, T20 Blast Finals Day was pushed back to October to try to ensure it took place in front of a crowd, but the move backfired. First, the UK government shelved plans to allow spectators back into sporting events due to rising infection rates; then the sort of autumnal deluge that tends to occur at this time of year duly gave Edgbaston a soaking and led to the first washout in the competition’s 17-year history. Even the mascot race, which always treads the fine line between comedy and tragedy, was called off. Three shortened games were eventually held on the reserve day but here was an important reminder: well done for taking on a pandemic, but don’t mess with the English weather.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is carrying the hopes of a city starved for sports success on his back this summer—but on Monday, he won't carry them alone.

Reiterating previous statements, Raleigh told Fox's crew that he will involve two family members in his much-anticipated Home Run Derby appearance.

"I'm super excited. My dad's been throwing to me my whole life. My little brother, he's playing right now on the travel-ball circuit, and he's a catcher, so hopefully he doesn't clank any as well," Raleigh said. "It'll be a lot of fun."

Raleigh's father Todd coached Western Carolina and Tennessee in the collegiate ranks from 2000 to '11, while his brother Todd Jr., 15, is indeed a player on the travel circuit.

Cal has 38 home runs this season to go with 82 RBIs, and his Mariners currently occupy the American League's third wild-card position. His home runs Monday are likely to be the most-viewed of his season so far, but they will almost certainly not be his last.

Vincent Kompany has fiercely rejected criticism of Manuel Neuer after Bayern Munich's 3-1 Champions League defeat to Arsenal, insisting the goalkeeper made no mistake despite two high-profile moments in London. With Bayern’s unbeaten run gone and pressure rising, the coach pushed back against growing scrutiny, while preparing his side to reset immediately in the Bundesliga.

Bayern’s unbeaten run ends as Neuer faces spotlight

Bayern's 18 game unbeaten streak came to a halt at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal exposed defensive gaps and capitalised on rare errors from Neuer. Jurrien Timber opened the scoring after the Bayern captain appeared blocked during a crowded corner sequence, and although Lennart Karl equalised, the Premier League leaders took control after the break.

Noni Madueke restored Arsenal’s advantage before Gabriel Martinelli sealed the result with a calm finish past Neuer, who had rushed high off his line in an attempt to intervene. The moment triggered widespread debate in Germany, with pundits and fans questioning whether the 39-year-old should have approached the situation differently. That criticism quickly became the centre of Bayern’s media briefing setting up Kompany to deliver a firm defence of his goalkeeper.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportKompany rejects criticism of Neuer and insists no mistake was made

Speaking ahead of the Bavarians' Bundesliga clash with St. Pauli, Kompany made it clear he would not entertain talk of a goalkeeping controversy, starting with a blunt dismissal of the claims. "Mistake, what mistake?," the Belgian said. "No. If you call that a mistake, then I have a different opinion."

He then repeated his view, specifically addressing the Gunners' third goal: "What are you supposed to do as a goalkeeper? Either wait and then it's one-on-one, or you defend the space and try to help your teammate who's playing against a faster player. I have a different opinion on that."

The Bayern coach also addressed the earlier corner incident and stressed that even if errors do happen, Neuer’s pedigree remains unquestioned. "Sure, mistakes can happen, he's made them before and will make them in the future. But he's an outstanding goalkeeper. This is the first I've heard of it, so I'm a bit surprised."

Turning to the match as a whole, Kompany emphasised Bayern’s strong opening hour but admitted the final stretch was below standard: "The analysis is always clearer once you've rewatched the game. After a match like that, it's straight on to the next one. But of course, we have to learn from it. We were solid for the first hour and played on equal terms away in London. However, the last half hour wasn't up to our standard, and Arsenal deserved to win. Now we're seeing which players are ready… we're just looking at minor details."

Neuer explains his decision and criticism intensifies

While Kompany defended him, Neuer himself offered a more detailed breakdown of what happened during the crucial third goal, acknowledging the risk involved in his aggressive approach. "When you're behind, you simply have to take a bit more risk, and in that situation, the pass was initially good because it wasn't really going in deep. I could already see that Martinelli was running against [Joshua Kimmich] and was also a bit faster than Jo. I knew then that it would lead to a one-on-one situation and a great chance. I tried to clear it beforehand, and he took him down well. The touch was simply crucial, and then I couldn't reach it anymore, although I knew I was taking a big risk."

Not everyone agreed with his decision. Former Die Roten and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack delivered a sharper assessment of the moment: “That wasn't necessary. Manuel made the wrong decision there. If he goes for the ball, he has to get it, he knows that himself. He decided to take the risk, and is being punished for it.”

The contrasting views reflect a growing debate about Neuer’s form, especially as Bayern navigate a demanding season and weigh long-term choices around the goalkeeper position, though Kompany remains adamant that discussion is closed.

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Getty Images SportBayern look to reset as St. Pauli test awaits

Attention now shifts back to domestic action, with the Bavarians preparing for a potentially tricky meeting against St. Pauli. Despite their opponents’ run of eight straight defeats, Kompany warned that complacency cannot be allowed to creep in.

"The most important thing is that we don't differentiate between St. Pauli and Arsenal in our preparations," he said. "When we look at them, we see that they're doing well and what they're capable of. We've played them twice, and against the same coach, and both matches were difficult. We deserved to win, but we fought hard. Even if they've lost eight times, maybe a game against Bayern will be different for them."

All eyes now turn to Saturday, where Bayern will aim to rebound quickly, steady their form, and avoid further questions ahead of their next Champions League assignment.

قلص فريق أولمبياكوس اليوناني فارق الأهداف أمام خصمه ريال مدريد الإسباني، خلال مباراتهما ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويستقبل أولمبياكوس نظيره ريال مدريد، في إطار مباريات الجولة الخامسة لمرحلة الدوري ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا موسم 2025-2026.

وتمكن أولمبياكوس من تسجيل الهدف الثالث عن طريق أيوب الكعبي في الدقيقة 81 بشباك لونين حارس مرمى ريال مدريد، وتم تأكيد صحة الهدف بعد العودة للفار.

وكان أولمبياكوس تقدم بهدف أول في الدقيقة 8، ثم أحرز كيليان مبابي هاتريك لريال مدريد في الدقائق 20، 22، و29.

وعقب ذلك سجل أولمبياكوس ثان أهدافه خلال المباراة بالدقيقة 52، وتشير النتيجة لتقدم ريال مدريد بنتيجة 4-3.