Enzo Maresca mocked Manchester United as Chelsea boss bemoaned that Ruben Amorim's side have had an "entire week" to prepare for the Old Trafford showdown in the absence of Champions League commitments. The Italian couldn’t resist a jab in his press conference, insisting he’d rather have the chaos of Champions League football than a holiday week to prepare.

• Blues' big summer hangover

  Chelsea may have ended last season in style, qualifying for the Champions League, bagging the Conference League trophy, and lifting the Club World Cup, but that glory run is already coming at a price. The Blues’ start to the new campaign has been a mixed bag. Two wins, two draws, and a single defeat leave their early-season form teetering on the edge. 

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  Maresca: Prefer the Champions League

  When quizzed about United’s supposed advantage of a clear midweek schedule, Maresca didn’t hold back. 

  “If you ask me, I prefer to play the Champions League game, no doubt," he said. "But at the same time, the reality is that they have one entire week to prepare the game. And we played a game two days ago, 48 hours ago. But again, I prefer to play the Champions League games." 

• Maresca denies pressure

  With Chelsea winless in their last two, Maresca was asked if Saturday’s showdown comes with added weight. His response? A firm dismissal. 

  “Absolutely not," he began. "Personally, I have pressure on the game, that I want to try to win all the game. But it’s not because we didn’t win Brentford and we lost Bayern Munich away, that this game I feel more pressure.

  “I always have pressure because we want to win all the games. And again, I think Bayern Munich away, PSG away and Barcelona away, probably they were the worst stadium to go and play the first game in. And we were there, we competed face-to-face. And we’ll see in the next one.”

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  Amorim's big test at Old Trafford

  Saturday’s clash is dripping with narrative. Chelsea arrive battle-scarred but unbowed, while United come rested, hungry, and determined to make their mark under Amorim. The Portuguese, tasked with steadying the ship, will see the fixture as the perfect chance to deliver a statement win against a heavyweight rival. Only three points at home will save his skin after a 3-0 drubbing by Manchester City last weekend in the derby.   

West Ham have had by far the worst opening to the Premier League of all of this year’s sides. Graham Potter has lost his opening two League games and has been knocked out of the League Cup by Wolves despite leading in the 80th minute.

Following the Carabao Cup exit, Potter spoke about the destitute situation at the club: “We’re all in pain so we need everybody to help, we need everybody’s support, we need to push forward and on to the next match. The team’s suffering at the moment, we all are, we’re all hurting”

One of the biggest problems that West Ham have faced in their opening games has been their new goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen. The Hammers splashed out on the Danish keeper this summer, and in his opening two games, he has conceded eight goals.

What’s worse is that he has only faced an xG of 6.78, meaning in just two games he has conceded from more than one shot that most keepers would be expecting to save, and that doesn’t even account for his weakness defending set pieces.

Due to this, West Ham are looking at drastic measures and could bring in Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana on loan.

Onana looking for late window exit

Onana had not featured in pre-season due to a hamstring injury, and many fans expected to see him feature in their game week two clash against Fulham. However, Ruben Amorim continued to pick Altay Bayindir ahead of him, despite the Turkish keeper being partially responsible for United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.

United are now also heavily linked with signing Royal Antwerp goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, bringing Onana’s future into further doubt.

Reports from Graeme Bailey via United in Focus have indicated that “intermediaries have held active talks with a number of clubs about a loan deal for Andre Onana, and we can confirm one of those clubs is West Ham United”.

No good options for Potter

Veteran goalkeeper Łukasz Fabianski was one of the many players whose contract was not renewed at the end of last season, meaning the only other keepers at the club are Wes Foderingham and Alphonse Areola.

Areola was given the nod to start against Wolves in the League Cup, but his performance wasn’t much better than Hermansen’s had been. Areola faced shots valued at 1.95 xG but conceded three goals, leading to the Hammers’ elimination.

The signing of a Manchester United goalkeeper might sound prestigious, but Onana has previously been described as “one of the worst goalkeepers in Man United’s history” by former United and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, and Amorim’s displeasure with the Cameroonian should be another warning sign about this potential signing.

Bringing in an alternative goalkeeper at such an early stage is a clear sign of desperation from West Ham. and Onana as that alternative might not be a vast improvement. The opening games have indicated that problems at West Ham are greater than any one signing.

For India, a large part of the focus will once again be on Mohammed Shami’s fitness – will he finally be good to go?

Deivarayan Muthu24-Jan-20251:17

Manjrekar: Archer’s form a positive for England

Big Picture: England vs spinEngland would have felt a sense of deja vu when they were skittled for 132 in the T20I series opener in Kolkata on Wednesday. In June 2024, in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Providence, they watched Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel return combined figures of 11-0-58-6. At Eden Gardens, they were trampled by Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi and Axar Patel, who had combined figures of 5 for 67 in 12 overs. If the Chepauk pitch veers towards its usual spin-friendly nature – it went the other way at IPL 2024, with fast bowlers taking 74 wickets in 18 innings to the spinners’ 25 – England could be in for another trial by spin. India also have other spin options in Washington Sundar (offspinner) and Abhishek Sharma (left-arm orthodox) at their disposal. There is a small question mark over Abhishek’s fitness though; he seemed to twist his ankle during training on match eve, and was seen limping off the ground.*Under Brendon McCullum in Test cricket, England have countered heavy defeats with their ultra-aggressive style of play. England’s white-ball era under McCullum and Jos Buttler might have got off to a rickety start in Kolkata, but the message from the team management remains the same: “Be more aggressive and come back harder.”Related

Varun's overspin renaissance shows no sign of slowing down

There's a zing about Arshdeep Singh

Abhishek, Varun lead India's demolition of England

Abhishek: 'Team has always told me to keep my attacking intent'

That might be easier said than done against India, who have a new-ball banker in Arshdeep Singh and a middle-overs squeezer in Varun. The likes of Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook will have to adapt quickly and back Buttler up if England are to test the depth of India’s attack. On Wednesday, India didn’t even need their sixth bowler.They didn’t need Nitish Kumar Reddy with the bat either as the top five polished off the chase of 133 inside 13 overs. England, though, will be buoyed by the sharp bursts from Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. After having spent five months on the sidelines, Wood cranked it up to speeds north of 150kph. Besides generating similar high pace and steep bounce, Archer also dipped into his slower cutters for figures of 4-0-21-2. Gus Atkinson, who had a horror outing leaking 38 runs in two overs after struggling to 2 off 13 balls, will make way for Brydon Carse.Form guideIndia WWWLW
England LLWWWBrydon Carse is set to come in for England•PTI

In the spotlight: Varun Chakravarthy and Jamie OvertonVarun Chakravarthy and Chepauk share an incredible love story. Even before playing in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), Varun had started his cricketing career as an IPL net bowler for Chennai Super Kings at the venue in 2018. Six years later, Varun won both the IPL and TNPL here, and he is now set to play his first international game at the ground, in front of his friends and family. He had rated his 3 for 23 at Eden Gardens a humble 7/10. Beware of the perfect ten, England.At 6 feet 5 inches, Jamie Overton is a presence to reckon with for any opposition. He didn’t have much to do with bat or ball in the first T20I, but his recent form in the Big Bash League (BBL) is encouraging: he finished unbeaten in seven of his nine innings, striking at 156.55, to go with 11 wickets for Adelaide Strikers. This is his chance to introduce himself to Chepauk before turning out for CSK at IPL 2025.Team news: Will Shami return to action?Mohammed Shami, who is working his way back from ankle and knee issues, had missed the opening T20I. If he is fit and available for selection, India might have to rejig their attack. He was among the first batch of India players to train on Friday evening and, though he had protection on both his knees, he bowled in the nets, with bowling coach Morne Morkel keeping a close eye on him.If Abhishek has to sit out, Dhruv Jurel could take his place.India (probable): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Ravi Bishnoi/Mohammed Shami, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Varun ChakravarthyMohammed Shami had strapping on both knees at the India nets in Chennai•AFP/Getty Images

Bethell reportedly missed training on Friday with illness and if he doesn’t recover in time, wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith could make his T20I debut for England. Smith had a stint with the gloves too on a humid afternoon. Carse, meanwhile, is set to replace Atkinson.England (probable): 1 Phil Salt (wk), 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jos Buttler (capt), 4 Harry Brook, 5 Liam Livingstone, 6 Jacob Bethell/Jamie Smith, 7 Jamie Overton, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark WoodPitch and conditions: Dew could be a factorThe second T20I is set to be played on a fresh, black-soil pitch, and dew could favour chasing in Chennai. Another humid evening awaits both sides on Saturday.Stats and trivia: Arshdeep on the brink of another milestone Arshdeep is three strikes away from 100 T20I wickets. If he gets there on Saturday, he will be the fastest fast bowler to the mark and third-fastest overall after Rashid Khan and Sandeep Lamichhane. Since the start of IPL 2024, Abhishek Sharma has a strike rate of 191.71 in powerplays in T20 cricket. Only Travis Head, his Sunrisers Hyderabad opening partner, has a better powerplay strike rate (195.71) in this period.England have played 12 T20Is against India in India, winning five and losing seven – three of those seven losses have come in a row.Quotes”He’s obviously very experienced in India. He’s done exceptionally well in the IPL and whenever he’s played for England here. So it’s really nice to watch him go out there and go about his business.”
“The plan will be the same [against the England batters] and will see how they’re going to approach me and it’s all instinctive. Initially you have certain plan for certain batters, but if they’re trying to do something different, it will be more instinctive.
*

Varun Aaron, the former India quick bowler, has announced his retirement from “representative cricket”. Aaron, 35, had retired from red-ball cricket at the end of the 2023-24 Indian domestic season, and has now finished up altogether after his team, Jharkhand, were knocked out of the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, in which he played four games and picked up three wickets at an average of 53.33.”For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket,” Aaron wrote on Instagram. “As I bid farewell to a pursuit that has consumed me completely, I now look forward to savoring the smaller joys in life while staying deeply connected to the game that has given me everything. Fast Bowling has been my first love, and though I step off the field, it will always be a part of who I am.”Aaron burst on to the scene as a genuine tearaway during the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy, when he was 21, by clocking speeds upwards of 150kph. But bowling fast came with its pitfalls, and in a career blighted by injuries – stress fractures of the back, in the main – Aaron played nine Tests and nine ODIs, but the last of those was way back in November 2015, a Test against South Africa in Bengaluru, where he picked up one wicket in a match that lost four days to the weather.”Over the years, I’ve had to push both my physical and mental limits to recover from numerous career-threatening injuries, having to come back time and again, this was only possible thanks to the relentless dedication of the physios, trainers, and coaches at the National Cricket Academy,” Aaron wrote.He finishes up with 88 List A matches, in which he got 141 wickets at an average of 26.47 and economy rate of 5.44, and 95 T20s, where he has 93 wickets at an economy rate of 8.53.Aaron played nine seasons of the IPL between 2011 and 2022 – with Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans – and won the title with Titans in what was his final season in the competition. His own contribution in it was, however, modest, as he picked up two wickets in two games, and had an economy rate of 10.40.A product of the MRF Pace Academy, he has worked with the organisation since the middle of 2024, and has also worked as a cricket pundit, including with ESPNcricinfo.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com gols de Calleri, Rodrigo Nestor, Beraldo e Juan, o São Paulo venceu o Vasco por 4 a 2 pela sétima rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Do lado vascaíno, o jovem Barros anotou seu primeiro gol pela equipe profissional e Galarza marcou o segundo.

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A noite fria não foi empecilho para a torcida do São Paulo aparecer em peso no estádio do Morumbi. Em dia de recorde de público na temporada, 57.399 pessoas marcaram presença na casa tricolor.

Mesmo com uma pressão maior por parte do Vasco nos minutos iniciais, Calleri conseguiu aproveitar a primeira oportunidade mais arriscada do São Paulo no jogo e abriu o placar. Ao decorrer do primeiro tempo, foi a vez de Rodrigo Nestor – que recebe constantes críticas por parte da torcida. Porém, pouco antes do intervalo, Barros apareceu e diminuiu a vantagem do Cruzmaltino.

No segundo tempo, Galarza assustou e empatou. Mas isso não parou o São Paulo, que quase no apagar das luzes, contou com ajuda das duas Crias de Cotia: Beraldo e Juan.

Flamengo inicia conversas com meia do River Plate, CBF possui alternativas para Ancelotti… O Dia do Mercado!

DEFENDE RAFAEL E VASCO DOMINA!

A primeira chegada mais perigosa da partida pertenceu ao Vasco. Ainda nos primeiros minutos, Matías Galarza ficou com o rebote de Diego Costa e arriscou com o pé direito. Rafael defendeu e salvou o São Paulo.

Mas é fato: os primeiros minutos da partida pertenceram à equipe carioca. Incomodou a defesa tricolor, pressionou bastante. O São Paulo até tentava reagir, mas sem sucesso e com bastante dificuldade de conseguir, de fato, entrar na partida. Aos 14 minutos, após uma tabela entre Luciano e Caio, Calleri tentou cabecear, mas nem chegou a ameaçar o gol de Léo Jardim.

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TOCOU NO CALLERI E FOI GOL

Se o São Paulo parecia não reagir até a metade do primeiro tempo, Calleri apareceu e finalmente conseguiu reverter esta situação. Aos 23 minutos da primeira etapa, Luciano e Marcos Paulo dialogaram pelo lado esquerdo com Caio. Marcos Paulo conseguiu levar a bola até Calleri, que após uma sequência de jogadas trabalhadas, abriu o placar e elevou a moral da equipe em campo. Vale destacar que o camisa 9 conseguiu vencer as disputas com Léo, Puma e Galarza. 

O gol de Calleri ressuscitou o São Paulo. Se a pressão antes pertencia à equipe de Barbieri, passou a ser do time de Dorival Júnior. Pouco tempo depois, o argentino quase marcou o segundo. Luciano pressionou Robson Bambu, e após uma falha do zagueiro, deu um ótimo passe para o camisa 9. Calleri arriscou a finalização, mas a bola foi defendida por Léo Jardim.

NESTOR BUSCA REDENÇÃO APÓS CRÍTICAS E MARCA GOLAÇO

Rodrigo Nestor estava sendo um dos principais alvos da torcida são-paulina nos últimos jogos, mas aparentemente, está na busca pela redenção. Luciano foi o responsável por puxar um bom contra-ataque e acionar Rodrigo Nestor pelo lado direito. Nestor driblou Bambu e marcou um golaço. O camisa 11 fez o estádio do Morumbi explodir e teve seu nome gritado pela torcida.

MAS TUDO O QUE É BOM DURA POUCO…

Se a torcida no Morumbi ainda estava em êxtase com o gol de Nestor, não demorou muito para a comemoração ser apaziguada. Léo Pelé conseguiu um bom cruzamento pelo lado esquerdo e a bola encontrou Píton. O lateral arriscou outro cruzamento na área e Barros cabeceou direto para o gol. Um lateral virou um ataque letal. Desta forma, o jovem jogador diminuiu a vantagem tricolor. E mais uma vez, a bola aérea sendo o grande forte do Vasco.

SEGUNDO TEMPO VOLTA… E VASCO QUASE EMPATA

O segundo tempo começou já com altas emoções. Uma falha do goleiro Rafael quase causou o empate da partida. Pelo lado esquerdo, Lucas Figueiredo levantou uma bola perigosa. Rafael se atrapalhou e não conseguiu afastar, e assim, Pec aproveitou o rebote. Entretanto, bateu no travessão – para a tristeza do Vasco e sorte do São Paulo.

VASCO TENTA PRESSIONAR, E SÃO PAULO TENTAR SE PROTEGER

Conforme a etapa final avançava, as duas equipes tinham algo em mente: o Vasco queria atacar, e por consequência, o São Paulo se defender, muito para seguir com vantagem no placar. E assim foi.

A equipe de Barbieri passou a pressionar bem mais o Tricolor, com uma formação mais ofensiva. Destas tentativas, duas pararam na trave. Já a equipe de Dorival Júnior passou a se fechar ainda mais, o que já estava planejado desde a entrada de Pablo Maia no lugar de Marcos Paulo.

E FICA TUDO IGUAL

Água mole, pedra dura… Como diz o ditado, tanto bate até que fura. E foi assim que o Vasco conseguiu empatar o placar no estádio do Morumbi. Após uma jogada de Erick pelo lado esquerdo, o caminho ficou aberto para Carabal, que encontrou Galarza. Galazar, que criou a primeira oportunidade do jogo, desta vez conseguiu, Com o pé esquerdo, finalizou e empatou o placar no estádio do Morumbi.

MAS COTIA BRILHOU DE NOVO

Se tudo encaminhava para um empate, quase nos minutos finais do segundo tempo, Beraldo chegou para colocar o São Paulo à frente do placar mais uma vez. Rato começou a jogada com um ótimo cruzamento para o jovem zagueiro. Léo até tentou parar, mas a bola entrou – e fez a torcida explodir no Morumbi.

E MAIS UMA VEZ ‘MADE IN COTIA’

Três gols de promessas da base tricolor no mesmo jogo. Para fechar o placar, Juan marcou o quarto. Pablo Maia puxou um contra-ataque e a bola parou com Rato, que deu uma bela assistência para Juan – que completou o placar da vitória são-paulina por 4 a 2.

PRÓXIMOS JOGOS

O São Paulo volta a campo na terça-feira (23), às 21h30 (de Brasília), contra o Puerto Cabello. O confronto acontecerá na Venezuela, pela Copa Sul-Americana. Já o Vasco volta a jogar no próximo sábado (27), contra o Fortaleza, às 16h (de Brasília), na Arena Castelão.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SÃO PAULO 4 x 2 VASCO
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – SÉTIMA RODADA

Data e hora: 19/5/2023 (sábado), às 18h30 (de Brasília)
Local: Estádio do Morumbi, em São paulo (SP)
Árbitro: Leandro Pedro Vuaden (RS)
Auxiliares: Tiago Augusto Kappes Diel e Maira Mastella Moreira (ambos do RS)
Público e renda: 57.399 / R$ 3.335.063,00
Cartões amarelos: Barros (VAS), Figueiredo (VAS), Jair (VAS), Pedro Raul (VAS)
Cartão vermelho:
GOL: Calleri (1-0), Nestor (2-0), Barros (2-1), Galarza (2-2), Lucas Beraldo (3-2) e Juan (4-2)

SÃO PAULO
Rafael; Rafinha, Diego Costa, Beraldo e Caio Paulista; Luan (Wellington Rato, aos 26´/2ºT), Gabriel Neves (Alisson, aos 12´/2ºT) e Nestor (Michl Araujo, aos 31/2ºT); Luciano, Marcos Paulo (Pablo Maia, ao 1´/2ºT)e Calleri (Juan, aos 31´/2ºT). Técnico: Dorival Júnior

VASCO
Léo Jardim, Puma Rodríguez, Robson, Léo, Robson Bambu e Lucas Piton; Jair, Gabriel Pec (Erick Marcus, aos 31´/2ºT), Barros (Alex Teixeira, ao 1´/2ºT) e Matías Galarza (Rodrigo, aos 43´/2ºT); Pedro Raul (Carabajal, aos 31´/2ºT) e Lucas Figueiredo (Luca Orellano, aos 19´/2ºT). Técnico: Maurício Barbieri

Everton striker Beto has paid tribute to his compatriot Diogo Jota, revealing the late Liverpool and Portugal forward was the first person to text him following his move to Merseyside. The footballing world was left devastated after Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, tragically died in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora in July.

Beto presented floral tribute to Jota in the wake of the tragedy

In the wake of the tragedy, Beto – alongside then-Everton player and fellow Portuguese Youssef Chermiti – joined Toffees ambassador Ian Snodin as they presented a floral tribute outside Anfield in memory of both Diogo and Andre.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBeto pays tribute to Jota ahead of Merseyside derby on Saturday

And ahead of the first Merseyside derby of the 2025-26 season between Liverpool and Everton on Saturday afternoon, Beto has opened up about how Jota went out of his way to welcome him to the city after he joined the Blues from Udinese in 2023.

Beto reveals heartwarming Jota gesture after joining Everton

In quotes carried by the Liverpool Echo, Beto reflected on Jota's death, saying: “That day, the day that thing happened, I was at home in Portugal. That day I would travel to Manchester to come here for the pre-season.

“I was shocked. I was shocked because Diogo was a really good guy. We were not friends, but you know, when you play against Portuguese players and everything, we normally stop, we speak a little bit. You have Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, these guys, but when I signed for Everton, he was the first guy who texted me.

“He just texted me and said: ‘I'm happy for you. I'm happy for you. If you need anything on the city, everything, I can help you, just give me a shout'.

“After every game that we play against Liverpool, we’d talk a little bit. We were not best friends, you know, but we talk a little bit, he was a really, really good guy. I’d ask: ‘how is everything?’ 

“It was sad. It was really sad.”

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Jota scored final goal for Liverpool against Everton in 2025

Jota scored his final goal for Liverpool in last season's Merseyside derby at Anfield on April 2. The striker netted the only goal of the game as the Reds secured a crucial three points en route to claiming the 2024-25 Premier League title.

Tottenham Hotspur have made a new bid worth £43m to sign an attacking midfielder similar to former target Eberechi Eze.

Tottenham move on from Eze with 2-0 win at Man City

Spurs were dealt a major transfer blow last week when Eze decided to snub a move to Thomas Frank’s side in favour of heading to north London rivals Arsenal.

Eze actually phoned Gunners boss Mikel Arteta in order to return to his boyhood side, with Tottenham being forced to look at other attacking targets before the deadline.

However, on the pitch, Spurs put their Eze transfer blow behind them to seal an impressive 2-0 at Manchester City. First-half goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha were enough for Frank’s side to make it two wins from two without conceding a goal.

Talking after the game, Frank was only interested in talking about those that had joined Tottenham.

“I think it’s fair to say that we’ve got a few questions about the transfer market yesterday – a lot about why not, and what if, and all that. What is 100 per cent sure is that we brought two top players into the club, (Mohammed) Kudus and Palhinha. Both of them performed very well, which I’m very pleased with.

“And Palhinha, wow. You know, sometimes players need confidence, and they need to be on top. “I actually don’t think he’s fully fit yet where I want him to be, but very pleased with his performance and he’s definitely helping the team.”

Asked if he had used the Eze situation as inspiration, Frank said: “I think that’s very, very easy – never ever use one word about anything that is not in our club.”

Tottenham hold talks to sign £40m+ UCL winner who Son called "incredible"

The Lilywhites are scrambling to attempt a late move.

1 ByTom Cunningham Aug 24, 2025

With Spurs not back in action until Saturday 30 August, Daniel Levy and co have plenty of time to make progress with a number of alternative targets, and it looks as if they are getting straight to work with one attacking midfielder.

Tottenham make improved Nico Paz offer

According to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Tottenham have made an improved offer for Como’s Nico Paz.

Spurs had an initial €40m (£34.6m) bid turned down, with those in north London now raising their offer to €50m (£43m). Como or Paz are yet to respond to Tottenham’s latest bid, with the Serie A side previously valuing the 20-year-old at €70m (£60m).

Di Marzio adds that Paz remains a top target for Tottenham, with talks continuing. Should the Argentina international sign for Frank’s side, they will be getting a talent called “incredible” by Lionel Messi.

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid

Bruno Fernandes

Man Utd

Eberechi Eze

Arsenal

Morgan Gibbs-White

Nottingham Forest

Maghnes Akliouche

Monaco

As can be seen, FBref have also likened Paz to Eze and other star names in the last 12 months, making his potential move to north London one to watch before the deadline.

Wrexham have been told that they will reach the Premier League in "two or three years", with Tom Brady and Birmingham considered to be mimicking the model drawn up in North Wales by "OGs" Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Red Dragons have enjoyed a historic run of three successive promotions, and Ben Foster believes they will be playing top-flight football at some point in the near future.

• Hollywood co-owners have overseen record run of promotions

  Ex-England international goalkeeper Foster helped to make Wrexham upwardly mobile when coming out of retirement to form part of their history-making National League title triumph. He has watched on from afar as Phil Parkinson’s side have made light work of Leagues Two and One.

  They are now just one step away from the big time, with Reynolds and McElhenney having never hidden their desire to position Wrexham among the elite. A slow start was made to the 2025-26 campaign, leading to the odd question being asked of Parkinson’s future, but Foster is confident that the Red Dragons will continue their meteoric rise – providing more drama for the club's documentary series in the process.

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  Premier League prediction: When will Wrexham reach top-flight?

  Foster – speaking with on the podcast, in partnership with BOYLE Sports – said of Wrexham’s big ambition: "They’ll be fine. They’ve signed some really good players and Championship-proven players. They won at the weekend, a great win, so I think they’ll be fine, they’ll get into a little rhythm and even come January, they’ll give it another go. It won’t be long, until Wrexham are in the Premier League, I promise you. I’m going to give it two or three years, not even as far as five years, it will be two or three years."

  The success enjoyed by Reynolds and McElhenney has helped to entice more A-list investors to British football, with NFL legend Brady among them. The seven-time Super Bowl winner owns a minority stake in Birmingham – who boast similar dreams to Wrexham.

  Foster, who enjoyed rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars in North Wales, added: "The attention they’re bringing is more valuable than just finances. They’re the OG’s, but their model is very different. I think Tom Brady is doing it in a very similar way at Birmingham. The first one to mark it was Wrexham with the documentary. I think they’ve brought in a different audience to the game, but it’s still a football audience.

  "We went on a pre-season tour in America before the League Two season, and we were playing games at a 70,000 seater university stadium, and it was half red for Wrexham, half blue for Chelsea. We played against Man United, and it was all Wrexham fans. They’re mad for it. Because of the Hollywood story, there was a National League game live on TNT, and it was the same day Arsenal were playing somebody, and the viewing figures for this game in America were higher than the Premier League game. It’s ridiculous."

• Reynolds & Ted Lasso: Celebrity investor trend

  Ex-England manager Sam Allardyce added on the trend started by a stunning takeover that was completed in 2021: "I think they’ve created a mass infiltration of Americans buying football clubs. There are nearly 50 per cent of American-owned clubs across all leagues, apparently. I think Ted Lasso has a lot to do with it as well. They love Ted Lasso!"

  Reynolds and McElhenney remain fully committed to their project at Wrexham, with Foster revealing that a certain Deadpool actor has jerseys from iconic matches hung up in the home that he shares with wife Blake Lively and their four children. Foster said of Reynolds: "He sent me a picture about three weeks ago, the shirt’s in a room in his house. He sent a selfie, and the shirt is in a frame on the wall behind him. He still keeps in touch with all the lads; it was out of the blue and out of nowhere."

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  Big summer spend: Wrexham building momentum

  Wrexham spent big in the summer transfer window, parting with over £30 million ($40m), and are expected to be competitive in the Championship once early injuries have been shaken off and momentum is established. The Red Dragons will be back in action on Saturday when playing host to Derby.

Newcastle United reached new levels of success under Eddie Howe’s wing last season, but there’s no denying that they have been buffeted by the summer transfer window.

It’s been a testing period for those of a Toon persuasion, but it’s important to acknowledge the trophy-winning success of 2024/25, having won the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League through the Premier League.

And while Newcastle failed to win their opening game of the new league campaign, they played well at Villa Park and left with a point, having lacked the presence of an out-and-out frontman, Anthony Gordon deputising at number nine.

Gordon is a fantastic player who will continue to star for the Tynesiders over the coming years, but he’s not a goalscoring striker.

Newcastle, as is no surprise, need to sign replacements up top, with the truant Alexander Isak showing no desire to return to Howe’s squad.

Newcastle searching for Isak replacement

Newcastle signed Isak from Real Sociedad for a club-record £63m fee in 2022, and he has since gone from strength to strength to be regarded as “the best striker in the Premier League” by the likes of Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher.

But he’s headed for the exit, it would seem, having intimated to the Newcastle hierarchy that he has no intention of rejoining Howe’s squad, and only wants to sign for Liverpool.

Newcastle need to sign two strikers, though. There is optimism that a deal will be concluded for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, but the DR Congo striker was never considered Isak’s potential replacement, and instead, an upgrade on Callum Wilson.

The likes of Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and long-time transfer target Goncalo Ramos are on the club’s radar, but whether either are deemed appropriate to succeed Isak remains to be seen.

However, there’s another Premier League talent who has been earmarked, with discussions between the clubs rumoured to be in the works.

Newcastle in talks for new striker

As per David Ornstein of The Athletic, Newcastle are holding discussions over the possible signing of Jørgen Strand Larsen via intermediaries.

The Norwegian frontman spent last season on loan at Molineux but only became a fully-fledged Wolverhampton Wanderers player at the beginning of July.

Even so, he is on the Magpies’ shortlist, though it would take a considerable offer to convince Wolves to part with the goalscorer, who has been valued at around £65m.

Why Newcastle want Strand Larsen

The 6 foot 4 Strand Larsen proved an industrious and effective outlet for Wolves last season, standing firm and tall as a focal point from which the likes of Matheus Cunha could use to create and link play together.

Strand Larsen’s 14-goal, five-assist return across the Premier League campaign bespeaks his potential, having only the year before plied his trade in Spain with Celta Vigo.

His 60% success rate in hitting the target put him among the top 1% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for that metric, and with a bit more confidence behind his powerful strikes, there’s every reason that the Norwegian could be fashioned into a superstar at St. James’ Park.

With the likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga blending their blistering speed and dynamic movements down the flanks, the Old Gold centre-forward would not need to play the flashy role under Howe’s tutelage, but rather, provide Newcastle with a clinical presence in the final third.

Gordon has spoken of his struggles last season, but how he has since rekindled the fire in his belly and is ready to return to the form that saw him crowned Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24, having notched 21 goal involvements in the Premier League.

Matches (starts)

35 (34)

34 (28)

Goals

11

6

Assists

10

5

Shots (on target)*

2.3 (0.9)

1.7 (0.6)

Pass completion

82%

81%

Key passes*

1.6

1.5

Big chances created

16

6

Dribbles*

1.5

1.1

Ball recoveries*

3.6

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1.8

1.1

Duels (won)*

5.3 (49%)

4.4 (52%)

That kind of electric dribbling and unrelenting chance creation bodes well for a striker of Strand Larsen’s ilk, especially when Toon legend Alan Shearer has already singled him out as being a frustrating adversary for Premier League defenders.

After one display against Ipswich Town, Shearer said: “He was a nuisance. His hold-up play was excellent and I thought his touch and his control were superb.”

Such coolness in the final third would allow Gordon to shift in and play neat one-twos so he can strike on goal himself, too. And what’s more, the same could be replicated with the rip-roaring Elanga on the alternate wing.

Elanga, 24, has declared himself to be “one of the fastest players in the league,” and after two years of work under Nuno Espirito Santo in a counter-attacking Forest side, he will have perfected the art of swift transitional play.

This should see him dovetail into Newcastle’s first team, having impressed on his league debut for the outfit on Saturday, completing 23 sprints, winning five duels and making two key passes.

It’s clear, however, that Elanga works better with a strong forward in the centre – see his connection with Chris Wood at the City Ground, for example – and Strand Larsen could surely play that role, brawny, aerially efficient and composed with the ball at his feet.

While Strand Larsen doesn’t appear to be the first-choice pick for Newcastle as the end of the transfer window looms large, he’s proven in the Premier League and stands below a high ceiling indeed. He would be a credit to the squad, completing an exciting and multi-faceted frontline.

Howe's next Gordon: Newcastle make move to sign "exceptional" £26m star

Newcastle expect to complete a flurry of signings before the end of the transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 18, 2025

يخطط نادي ميلان الإيطالي للتعاقد مع أحد لاعبي فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي، بحسب ما ورد في تقارير صحفية إيطالية اليوم الأحد.

بدأ ميلان موسمه بقيادة المدير الفني ماسيمليانو أليجري، ويحتل المركز الثالث في الترتيب بفارق نقطتين خلف المتصدر نابولي.

وتفيد تقارير في إيطاليا أن ميلان لا يزال مهتمًا بضم مدافع ليفربول جو جوميز، في انتقالات الشتاء بشهر يناير القادم، لكن الصفقة ستتوقف على قرار المدرب آرني سلوت وخطته لتعويض المصاب جيوفاني ليوني.

كان جيوفاني ليوني قد تعرض لإصابة خلال مشاركته مع ليفربول، ويعاني من تمزق في الرباط الصليبي الأمامي وسيغيب عدة أشهر.

اقرأ أيضًا | ليفربول يقتحم سباق التعاقد مع صفقة مميزة من يوفنتوس

جوميز لم يشارك سوى 29 دقيقة كبديل في مباراتين في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وشارك مع ليفربول في كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية المحترفة، ولم يشارك بعد في دوري أبطال أوروبا هذا الموسم.

ووفقًا لصحيفة “كورييري ديلو سبورت” الإيطالية، يرغب جوميز في اللعب بانتظام، الأمر الذي قد يؤثر على الصفقة إذا بدأ ميلان مفاوضات ضمه خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية.

ومع ذلك يتوقف الأمر بصفة أساسية على مخططات آرني سلوت، بعد إصابة ليوني، وقراره بشأن الخيارات الدفاعية المتاحة أمامه.