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Manchester United’s defeat against League Two Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night has undoubtedly set a new low for Ruben Amorim during his tenure in charge.

The Red Devils were knocked out in the second round of the competition, losing on penalties after coming from two goals down in the second half.

However, it may prove to be a damning defeat for the 40-year-old, adding more pressure to his shoulders after their dismal start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

His side have failed to win any of the first three games, which could force the hierarchy into making a change – especially after backing him with £200m worth of new additions this summer.

The window still has a few days remaining, but it remains to be seen if the former Sporting CP boss will carry on leading the side, with rumours circulating about his future at Old Trafford.

The latest on Amorim’s future at United

Over the last couple of days, it’s been reported by CaughtOffside that the United hierarchy are now considering making a change of manager, after Amorim’s disastrous start to the new season.

The report states that it’s a matter of time before the 40-year-old is handed his marching orders, with concerns around his ability to take the side forward in the future.

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INEOS are said to be willing to make an early decision to sack the boss, in order to avoid a repeat of last season, which saw the side finish in a measly 15th place.

The same article also states that Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is being lined up as a potential replacement, if and when Amorim is dismissed from his position at Old Trafford.

It states that the FA Cup-winning boss would be keen to take the reins, potentially being the next manager in a long list to try and take the Red Devils back to their former glory.

Why United’s Amorim replacement would be Klopp 2.0

Jürgen Klopp is a manager who has caused United no end of problems over the years, often leading rivals Liverpool to countless victories over the Red Devils in the Premier League.

The German only suffered five defeats in his 21 outings against the Red Devils, even claiming a historic 7-0 victory at Anfield back in the 2022/23 campaign.

Whilst he may have managed their bitter rivals, there’s no denying the former Reds boss is a serial winner – something which United have lacked, given their decade-long wait for a top-division title.

He may be out of management after leaving Liverpool in 2024, but there is no chance he would return to management and replace Amorim – especially considering his ties with the Merseyside outfit.

However, INEOS could hire their own answer to Klopp with a move for Glasner, with the Eagles boss previously being compared to the Premier League legend by German expert Constantin Eckner.

When comparing his stats at Selhurst Park to Amorim in England’s top-flight, he’s managed to better him in various key areas – potentially being the perfect replacement should the former Sporting CP boss depart.

Glasner, who’s been dubbed “incredible” by Pep Guardiola, has achieved a better win percentage than Amorim – doing so whilst having a much lower budget during his time in England.

He’s also notched a better point per game record, having the tools to change the Red Devils’ fortunes should he take the reins in the coming months.

How Glasner & Amorim’s record compare in England

Statistics

Glasner

Amorim

Games managed

65

45

Wins

31

17

Draws

19

9

Losses

15

19

Points per game

1.72

1.33

Win percentage

47.6%

37.7%

Goals scored (per 90)

1.69

1.98

Goals against (per 90)

1.17

1.91

Trophies won

2

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

The Austrian’s dominance over the United boss is further reflected in his ability to build a solid defensive unit – achieving a better goal conceded per 90 record.

Amorim’s future in the role could well be coming to an end in the coming weeks, but it’s clear such a decision would be the right one after such an embarrassing showing in the Carabao Cup.

Glasner would be an excellent replacement, already winning two trophies in recent months, having the tools to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford should he make the move.

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Related Bigger blow than Mainoo: £50m Man Utd ace in "very advanced" talks to leave

Manchester United look set to offload another star as Kobbie Mainoo exit rumours pick up pace.

Posts 2 ByEthan Lamb Aug 27, 2025

The Thomas Frank era got off to an agonising start as Tottenham Hotspur fell short against Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, but there was much to admire from a spirited and, for the most part, organised north London outfit.

There was a lot to like, but Spurs fell short against the continent’s finest outfit, who clambered back from a two-goal deficit in the late stages. Lots to like, but work to be done, with the need for an attacking midfielder accentuated by the loss.

James Maddison’s injury is a tough one to take. Certainly, the Three Lions playmaker has been left stricken given the promising nature of Tottenham’s season ahead, with the World Cup then on the horizon across the pond.

Looking at the situation through a pragmatic lens, Spurs’ need for an attacking midfielder has been heightened. Dejan Kulusevski is still recovering from a patella injury, and the controversial failed bid for Morgan Gibbs-White preceded Maddison’s return to the infirmary.

With Heung-min Son having completed a £20m transfer to LAFC in the United States, signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze feels like something of a no-brainer, with that deal in the works. Well, insofar as Tottenham must remain apace with Arsenal in the battle.

But though Frank’s side showed great promise against PSG on Wednesday night, it’s clear that the club are calling out for more than just the arrival of a Maddison replacement, with a deal for Manchester City’s Savinho being chased too.

The latest on Savinho to Spurs

With Son gone and Eze operating frequently from the middle, thrusting forward with electric strides, completing a deal for Savinho feels important.

The Brazilian, 21, joined Pep Guardiola’s side from French club Troyes for around £31m last summer, and he registered 13 assists across 48 matches last term, albeit only scoring three times.

But there’s a lot to like, and Tottenham have opened talks for the rising talent as City pursue a deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

Savinho’s lack of bite in the final third is equalised by his snappy physicality and natural creativity. The goals will come, especially if he heads down N17 to work under Frank’s tutelage.

Savinho, who can play across both flanks, would be a fantastic addition, but with Man City holding out for a £67m fee, Daniel Levy and his coterie appear to have earmarked an exciting alternative.

Spurs have made bid for new winger

As per Spanish sources, Tottenham have seen an offer rejected for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, worth somewhere in the region of €40m (equating to £34m).

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The sought-after Japan international believes Sociedad’s ambitions do not match his own, with Spurs hoping to entice him over to London, offering the promise of Champions League.

Daniel Levy will be keenly aware of rival English interest: Bournemouth, Everton, and West Ham have all placed bids of their own, and AC Milan are now emerging as suitors too.

With such thick competition for Spurs’ Savinho alternative, Kubo’s outfit want his €60m (£51m) release clause paid in full.

What Takefusa Kubo would bring to Spurs

Savinho has proven that he has what it takes to impress in the Premier League, with Manchester City expert Steven McInerney remarking that he’s “on the precipice of being a world-class footballer.”

However, £67m is a tall order for a young winger who only scored one league goal for one of the most dangerous attacking outfits in the world last season, and Kubo could be an exciting alternative who might even prove the better pick.

A high-speed and nimble winger, Kubo is typically housed on the right flank, though like Savinho, his dynamism lends itself to roles across the frontline.

And his desire to leave Real Sociedad bespeaks his ambition. Despite maintaining a steady creative presence for the Basque side last year, he was let down by his teammates, finishing 11th in the league and creating only 42.5 xG (expected goals), via FBref.

In spite of this, Kubo, who has been described as a “special talent” by journalist John Bunting, enjoyed a promising individual campaign.

Matches (starts)

36 (27)

29 (21)

Goals

5

1

Assists

0

8

Shots (on target)

1.2 (0.4)

1.9 (0.7)

Big chances missed

2

6

Accurate passes

18.4 (77%)

23.0 (87%)

Big chances created

9

11

Key passes*

1.3

1.6

Dribbles*

2.1

1.8

Tackles + interceptions*

1.4

1.0

Duels (won)*

5.3

3.6

Like Savinho, Kubo hasn’t established himself as a free-scoring wide forward yet, but there’s no question that he’s the more clinical of the two.

The Japanese’s flaw in the final third is that he doesn’t work himself into space with enough regularity, instead hugging the touchline and creating for his teammates.

Savinho does this too, of course, and it’s worth drawing attention to the fact that Kubo failed to register even one assist in La Liga last year. However, his underlying playmaking numbers suggest that he has what it takes to enrich Tottenham’s attacking fluency and build-up play.

Ultimately, Frank’s proven record with wingers, taking talented players and fashioning them into stars, suggests that both Savinho and Kubo could go from strength to strength under his leadership.

But, in all likelihood, Tottenham can only sign one. And if that is indeed the case, Kubo has the skill set and the hunger to prove himself at the highest level, having only featured eight times in the Champions League and having yet to reach the potential that was recognised from an early age.

Spurs’ initial offer suggests their interest is genuine, and if Man City stand unwavering on their £67m valuation, he is the winger to go for.

Dream Maddison replacement: Spurs chasing incredible £30m Eze alternative

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be eyeing up another Premier League star instead of Eberechi Eze.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 13, 2025

India put on a chasing masterclass in Ahmedabad after their bowlers – led by Deepti Sharma’s 3 for 39 – restricted New Zealand to 232

Ashish Pant29-Oct-20243:55

Mandhana: ‘Team still had half a mind on World Cup, series win will boost confidence’

After scores of 5 and 0 in the first two ODIs, Smriti Mandhana regained her touch in the series decider as she cracked her third ODI century of the year, helping India beat New Zealand by six wickets and take the three-match series 2-1. She was ably supported by first Yastika Bhatia (35) and then Harmanpreet Kaur (59 not out) as India put on a chasing masterclass in Ahmedabad.Batting first, New Zealand rode largely on Brooke Halliday’s career-best 86 off 96 balls as she lifted her side from the depths of 88 for 5 in the 24th over to 232 all out in 49.5 overs. Teams batting first won both ODIs in the series, but India were having none of it as the top order shone through in the chase as they romped home with 34 balls to spare.Mandhana had fallen to the outside-the-off-stump trap twice in two innings in this ODI series. In the first game, she carved Jess Kerr to backward point. Two days later, she did it again, chipping it straight to point for a duck. So, when Mandhana came out in pursuit of New Zealand’s target of 233, she was circumspect to the point that in the first three overs, she shouldered arms to at least five balls. She was ready to be patient and build her innings. The move paid dividends.Mandhana has had a good 2024 in ODIs, having scored two centuries and a half-century in six innings coming into this game. On Tuesday, she played the patient game. She was on 9 off 26 balls at one point, but did not throw it away. She had a slice of luck when she seemingly inside-edged a Lea Tahuhu full-length delivery on to her pad in the third over. Replays later suggested the ball had hit her pad first and had New Zealand reviewed, she would have been out. It was the luck Mandhana needed, and she did not look back.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

At the other end, Shafali, though, had no such luck. She got going with two crips fours, but was caught down the leg side after a faint nick in the fourth over.Mandhana was joined by Bhatia in the middle and the two kept their composure in the chase. Mandhana struck her first four in the ninth over, a swivel-pull against Sophie Devine, followed by a chip down the ground off Eden Carson. Bhatia also struck a few smart boundaries. They added 76 runs for the second wicket before Bhatia was caught and bowled by Devine.Harmanpreet walked out at No. 4 and with a platform set, the two went about their innings calmly. Mandhana brought up her half-century with a short-arm jab through midwicket and soon started finding the fence with more regularity. Harmanpreet, too, was wary initially but soon found the measure of the surface and the runs started flowing from both ends. They brought up the 50-run stand for the third wicket in the 31st over.Harmanpreet did go down with cramps not long after, but that was not going to stop her. She unleashed an array of drives and pulls with Mandhana also going after Devine. Harmanpreet reached her half-century off 54 balls while Mandhana got to her century, the eighth of her career, off 121 balls with a push down the ground. She fell without adding another run, cleaned up by Hannah Rowe, but the job was done by then.Jemimah Rodrigues walked out and immediately got four fours away as India could see the finishing line. She fell lbw to Fran Jonas with India needing a run, and Harmanpreet fittingly finished off the chase in the 45th over.Brooke Halliday hit three sixes despite tiring in the heat•BCCI

Earlier, Halliday braved the scorching Ahmedabad heat as she strung important stands with Izabella Gaze and Rowe, before Tahuhu smashed an unbeaten 24 off 14 balls to get New Zealand past the 230-run mark.It was a much-improved Indian fielding show on display in the third ODI. They had dropped as many as six catches in the second ODI, to go with multiple misfields, as they went down heavily. But they came out as a unit on a mission on Tuesday, led by the two usual fielding stars, Radha Yadav and Rodrigues, as they frustrated the New Zealand openers, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, in the powerplay.Rodrigues was into the act in the third over as she almost effected a run-out after a stunning save at short extra-cover, with Bates having to dive full length to just about make her crease. Rodrigues’ brilliance came to the fore in the seventh over again when there was a spot of miscommunication between the two batters and this time Bates was caught well short of her crease despite the dive.Plimmer had, meanwhile, started to find the hang of the red-soil surface. She got her boundary-counter running with a solid on-drive off Renuka Thakur before piercing the gap between mid-off and cover off the same bowler. Saima Thakor was also driven for two fours in three balls in the sixth over, but she bounced back with the wicket of Lauren Down, removing her with a gentle length ball that tailed away late and caught her outside edge.Devine, the star of the second ODI, looked ominous from the get-go, striking two authoritative fours within her first seven balls. But she was undone by a stunning wrong’un from Priya Mishra as she went back to a delivery that she ideally should have been forward to, and the ball crashed into her middle stump.Deepti Sharma was named the Player of the Series•BCCI

Halliday, though, looked the part all the way. She got off the mark with an elegant off drive, but regular wickets at the other end pinned New Zealand down. Plimmer was removed by Mishra, who induced a thick outside edge, with Deepti Sharma taking a sharp catch at slip – she was guilty of dropping three catches in the second ODI.New Zealand then lost half their side when another miscommunication ensued between Maddy Green and Halliday, with the former stuck in the middle of the pitch. Rodrigues was again in the thick of things at point.Halliday had to do the repair job, and she found an ally in Gaze. Halliday struck her first six in the 38th over off Mishra, and soon reached her sixth ODI fifty with a flick in the 40th over.Gaze fell chipping a full toss meekly back to Deepti for her first wicket, but Halliday and Rowe carried on by adding 47 off 41 balls for the seventh wicket. Halliday, who was spent by that time, put her foot on the pedal, even showing off a few innovative reverse hits and paddles. She managed to generate enough power to clear the ropes twice – once off Harmanpreet Kaur and then off Deepti – but fell in the 46th over caught at deep midwicket.Rowe fell soon after but Tahuhu smashed two fours and a six to help New Zealand end on a high. Eventually, they were well below par.

If five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) want, they can retain their former captain and talisman MS Dhoni as an uncapped player.This is because the IPL has decided to bring back a rule that it had started in 2008, allowing Indian players who had retired from international cricket at least five years before the relevant season to go into the auction as uncapped players. The rule was scrapped in 2021. However, during the broader discussion on uncapped players, the IPL informed the franchises that it was reviving the rule.In a media release on Saturday, the IPL said: “A capped Indian player will become uncapped if he has, in the five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant season is held, not played in the starting XI in international cricket and does not have a central contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian players only.”Related

• IPL retention: How many players can a team keep? And at what cost?

• Dhoni: 'I just want to enjoy the game for the next few years'

• CSK waiting on go-ahead from Dhoni before retention deadline

• IPL retention FAQs: What is the modified RTM rule? Has the auction purse increased?

• October 31 set as deadline for IPL teams to finalise retentions

Ahead of the 2022 mega auction, Dhoni was retained as the second player by CSK for INR 12 crore. Dhoni, who turned 43 in July, last played an international match at the 2019 ODI World Cup. In case, CSK want to retain him as an uncapped player, they can do so by spending just INR 4 crore.The question of whether Dhoni will continue to play in the IPL or not has been doing the rounds for the last few seasons. After a knee surgery in 2023, he handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024 and played a limited role with the bat, coming in late in the innings as a boundary-hitter. More recently, at an event, Dhoni said he and CSK would wait for the player retention rules to be finalised before taking a decision on his future as a player.

Celtic completed their first signing of the summer transfer window last week when they confirmed the arrival of Kieran Tierney from Arsenal on a free transfer.

The Scotland international will officially link up with his new teammates when his deal with the Premier League giants expires at the end of this month.

Tierney is not going to be the last signing to walk through the doors at Parkhead this summer, though, as the Hoops are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sweden international Benjamin Nygren.

Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph claims that the club are close to agreeing a deal worth around £2m with FC Nordsjaelland to sign the right-sided attacker.

This means that the Scottish Premiership champions are set to dip into the Danish market, having raided England, France, Germany, Scotland, Belgium, and Spain.

One country the club have not done much business in since Brendan Rodgers returned to Parkhead is Japan, which is where they snapped Daizen Maeda up from.

Celtic have hit gold with Daizen Maeda

The Hoops swooped to sign the Japanese forward from J1 League outfit Yokohama F. Marinos in January 2022 on an initial loan deal, which was then made permanent that summer.

Maeda had scored 26 goals in 70 matches for Yokohama F. Marinos before his move to Scotland, but he was unproven in European football and it was a gamble by Ange Postecoglou to bring him to Glasgow.

It is one that has paid off big time for Celtic, though, as the Japan international has developed into a star at Parkhead, and could be sold for big money this summer.

The 27-year-old is coming off the back of his best season in the Premiership for the Scottish giants, having previously offered a decent threat in front of goal in the league in his first two-and-a-half years.

Appearances

16

35

28

34

Goals

6

8

6

16

Conversion rate

18%

21%

13%

28%

Big chances created

5

6

5

10

Assists

5

5

3

10

As you can see in the table above, scored more than twice as many goals and produced twice as many assists as he did in the 2023/24 campaign.

This has led to reported interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, and Leeds United, with a £25m price tag placed on his head, which shows that Celtic have hit the jackpot with Maeda, because he is now an incredibly valuable asset and star performer.

The Scottish giants have not made a signing from Japan since they made Tomoki Iwata’s loan permanent in the summer of 2023, but they are now reportedly eyeing up a new addition from the J1 League.

Celtic eyeing deal for Japanese defender

According to Celtic Way writer Stephen McGowan, Celtic are working on a deal to sign Albirex Niigata centre-back Hayato Inamura in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Hoops are interested in signing the 23-year-old defender to bolster their options at the back, as he provides versatility with his ability to play as a centre-back or as a left-back.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

McGowan’s article adds that Nygren is ‘on the brink’ of signing for the Premiership champions, and that Fulham’s Callum Osmand and Aberdeen’s Ross Doohan are also set to join to bolster Rodgers’ options across the park.

Inamura could be another signing on top of those potential deals, in what Celtic Way journalist Ryan McGinlay described as a “surprise move” for the “versatile stopper”.

If the Hoops can get a transfer for the Japanese centre-back over the line in the coming weeks, then the 23-year-old star could be a Maeda repeat for the club.

Why Inamura could be a Maeda repeat for Celtic

As aforementioned, Celtic hit the jackpot with Maeda as they snapped him up from the J1 League and provided him with a platform to develop into a £25m-rated asset thanks to his performances in recent seasons.

The Hoops could strike gold from the J1 League one again by signing Inamura this summer, because he is an exciting young defensive talent who could come in to improve the manager’s options at the back.

Inamura is a left-footed centre-back, who can also play left-back, and this means that he would arrive at Parkhead to compete with Liam Scales and Auston Trusty for a starting berth in the team next to Cameron Carter-Vickers.

His performances in the J1 League during the 2025 campaign so far suggest that he has the potential to come in as an upgrade on Celtic’s two current options in that position.

Appearances

13

26

22

Tackles + interceptions*

1.7

1.9

2.3

Ball recoveries*

5.4

3.9

3.3

Clearances*

5.1

4.8

4.0

Error led to shot/goal

1

1

5

Penalties committed

0

1

0

As you can see in the table above, Inamura could make more defensive interventions per game for the Hoops, with far more clearances and recoveries than the Hoops duo.

He could also be more reliable as a defender. The Japanese titan has only made one error that has led to a shot, goal, or penalty in 25 J1 League games in his career, whilst Trusty, for example, made five such errors in just 22 league outings in the 2024/25 campaign.

Therefore, Inamura could come in as an upgrade on Scales and Trusty in the left-sided centre-back position by offering more quality defensively, and fewer big errors, which also may be why the club are eyeing up a deal to bring him to Glasgow.

If he can translate his J1 League form over to the Premiership, the 23-year-old enforcer could be a regular starter next to Carter-Vickers and establish himself as a star for the Hoops, which would make him a Maeda repeat as another successful signing from the Japanese market.

He's for sale: Celtic feel they can seal bargain deal to sign PL player

Celtic are looking to improve their options in the middle of the park this summer.

ByDan Emery Jun 15, 2025

Championship challengers keep the deficit to 12 points ahead of crucial meeting next week

ECB Reporters Network26-Jun-2024

Dean Elgar made his 50th first-class hundred•Getty Images

Essex 339 (Walter 134, Critchley 53, Potts 4-71) and 208 for 2 (Elgar 120*, Westley 63*) drew with Durham 587 and 184 for 8 dec (Borthwick 71, Harmer 4-75, Porter 3-18)Dean Elgar reaped his 50th first-class century as he and Tom Westley dropped anchor to secure a draw against Durham in the Vitality County Championship.Former South Africa international Elgar batted the whole of day four, almost exclusively with Westley, to make sure Durham didn’t have a sniff of victory.He ended up with 120 after an epically stoic 165 runs, 421 balls and 276 minutes third wicket stand with Westley – who scored 63 not out.Essex are now 12 points behind leaders Surrey ahead of their meeting next week, while Durham remain in the chasing pack having collected 16 points from a match they led throughout.The hosts needed 405 runs to win on the final day, a tough but not impossible task, but made no attempt to secure a fifth victory of the season.The rationale made sense with a draw meaning Essex would fall 12 points behind table-toppers Surrey – but victory at the Kia Oval next week would likely even things back up.Durham’s initial aim had been to see off the night watcher Jamie Porter.They managed to do that in the fifth over as the day when Matthew Potts beat his fellow fast bowler for pace and crashed into his off stump.From then on, Elgar and Westley got their tents and airbeds out to camp out for the day – as Durham couldn’t extract anything from the pitch to aide a wicket.Westley took 19 balls to get off the mark, and when he did, he also ended a 27-ball spell barren of runs.The lack of opportunity or entertainment seemed to get to the Durham team who took to slow clapping the bowler, in a similar manner to a long jumper preparing to leap.Members of the crowd did not take kindly to the jesting and things got testy when a shout of “no ball” went up as Ben Raine was halfway through his run-up. The incident prompted the umpires to chat to Durham captain Scott Borthwick, while angry comments were volleyed between spectators and fielders.Elgar and Westley were unfazed by the shenanigans as they reached lunch with just 54 runs scored in the morning session.Things didn’t change afterwards, but milestones began to appear. The fifty stand came in 168 balls, Elgar reached a half-century in 96 deliveries and the century partnership in 247 balls.As close as Durham came to a wicket was when Elgar tried to clip Borthwick into the leg side but the ball struck Michael Jones at short leg and ballooned up for Ollie Robinson to pouch. But the umpires, and subsequent replays, made it clear it had been a bump ball.It was one of only three appeals against Elgar, with the other two hopeful lbw shouts at best, with technique and temperament coming to the fore.His maiden first-class century had been scored in Bloemfontein for Free State against Limpopo in 2007 as a 19-year-old.Now 37, Elgar has a half-century of them to help Eagles, South Africa A, Knights, Somerset, Titans, Surrey and Northerns, although his most prized will be the 14 Test tons he plundered before retiring from international cricket last winter.This one came up in 170 balls with a pronounced tickle around the corner before he lifted his helmet, clapped the balcony, and earned a hug off Westley.A mere 85 runs came in the afternoon session, and once Westley had reached an 86th first-class fifty in 198 balls – and 17:00 BST had been reached the hands were shaken on a draw.To sum up Elgar and Westley’s solidity, exactly 400 dot balls had been delivered in Essex’s second innings.

Tottenham Hotspur saved their season when they defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League, ending 17 years of searching for silverware.

Despite all the misery, the luckless injury bother and the Premier League disaster, finishing 17th, Ange Postecoglou made good on his word and bagged himself a trophy at the end of his second season in the Spurs dugout, thus paving a road into next year’s Champions League.

It’s been a long time coming, but Tottenham must now ensure they build on their success and sustain a position at the forefront of English football.

Arrivals are expected, but outgoings are also a must if chairman Daniel Levy to to enact real change. Richarlison, despite his part in winning European gold, surely needs to leave in the coming months.

The latest on Richarlison's Spurs exit

Everton have been credited by Sky Sports News with an interest in Richarlison, and it’s felt Tottenham would be willing to consider offers in the region of £30m.

There’s clearly a talented player in there, with the Brazil forward’s rich purple patch in the Premier League last season evidence behind Tottenham’s big payment to bring him over from Merseyside.

But with interest in the 28-year-old’s services mounting, it might be foolish not to take the money and turn it toward a new player.

Richarlison, then, can bow out as a winner, having played an important part in ending Spurs’ trophy hoodoo. However, this feels like the right time for him to move on, for his career down N17 has been marred by persistent injuries and struggles for form.

He’s not the only wide forward who needs to move on, though, with Mathys Tel struggling to showcase his burgeoning qualities under Postecoglou’s wing.

Why Spurs must get rid of Mathys Tel

Tottenham welcomed Bayern Munich’s Tel to the fold in February, bagging the France U21 forward on loan until the end of the season.

Sadly, it’s been something of a turbulent ride for the 20-year-old, who was criticised by The Athletic’s Jay Harris for his “underwhelming” start to life in London, finishing the campaign with just three goals and an assist from 20 appearances, albeit a Europa League medal too.

Crystal Palace’s FA Cup hero Eberechi Eze has been linked by TEAMtalk with a cross-London switch; Tottenham are even believed to be prepared to meet his £68m release clause.

You’d think such a move could spell the end for one of Richarlison or Tel, and that another left-leaning forward would allow Levy and co to part with both.

Tel’s six-month loan spell has the option inserted to become permanent at the end of the season, for a fee in the ballpark of £46m.

He’s a wonderful talent, for sure, but the question must be raised as to whether this would be a prudent use of resources when the need for instant change is so great.

Tottenham are hoping to bring the Frenchman’s price down to £30m, but if they are unable to do so, plans must be focused on using the Richarlison money and the funds clearly available for such an outlay on Tel to sign another top target, such as Palace’s Eze.

16)

Southampton

29th

25.2

17)

Bournemouth

9th

24.9

18)

Tottenham

17th

24.7

19)

Brighton

8th

24.3

20)

Chelsea

4th

23.6

Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane, who is out of contract this summer, is also being chased by the Lilywhites, and it’s clear such players would make a big difference to a youthful squad in need of a blend of experience to finally hit a consistent vein of form and wipe the slate clean.

With that in mind, it could be that Tel’s final outing for Spurs has already come and gone, with the club needing to oversee a swift exit for the £80k-per-week starlet.

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Arsenal’s aim this summer is clear: add more goals to their squad.

Despite being second in the Premier League and through to only the club’s third Champions League semi-final, the Gunners’ lack of goals has unquestionably held them back.

So, do Arsenal lead the race to sign “one of the best wingers on the market”, described as Mikel Arteta’s dream signing?

Arteta's dream attacking signing

According to reports in Spain, via Football365, Arsenal are readying a ‘serious offer’ as they attempt to sign Athletic Club Bilbao forward Nico Williams, whom is believed to be Arteta’s dream target.

The Gunners have a long-standing interest in Williams; alongside Barcelona, they were chasing his signature last season, but the 22-year-old decided to stay at Athletic, aiming to help les Leons win the Europa League at their home stadium San Mamés, on course to achieve this, preparing to face Manchester United in the semi-finals.

Now, Marca are reporting that Barça’s interest in Williams has cooled, partially as a result of their ongoing financial concerns, but also due to the fact that Raphinha has been on fire this season, scoring 28 goals and registering 22 assists across all competitions.

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Thus, Aditya Gokhale of Goal believes this leaves Arsenal as the front-runners to sign Williams come the summer, with analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as “one of the best wingers on the market”, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him “brilliant”.

Pol Ballús of The Athletic documents that Williams’ release clause is just €55m (around £47m), which he claims to be a ‘bargain’ although, according to Capology, the winger earns around £171k-per-week, so would therefore become one of Arsenal’s highest-earners, should he choose to swap the Basque Country for North London.

How Nico Williams would improve Arsenal

Arteta has previously stated that he wants to add “more firepower” to his forward line, and these statistics underline why.

The Gunners have scored one goal or fewer on 22 occasions this season, doing so in 50% of their 32 league fixtures to date, with the table below showing how this compares to previous campaigns.

2024/25*

57

1.78

2nd

2020/21

55

1.45

8th

2019/20

56

1.47

8th

1998/99

59

1.55

2nd

1995/96

49

1.29

5th

1994/95

52

1.23

12th

1993/94

53

1.26

4th

1992/93

40

0.95

10th

1989/90

54

14.2

4th

*season ongoing: 6 fixtures remaining

As outlined in the table, since 1988, Arsenal have only failed to score 60+ goals in a league season on eight occasions, primarily enduring miserable mid-table campaigns whenever they do, requiring three goals from their remaining six fixtures this season to avoid adding to this tally.

This is also quite the comedown, considering the Gunners scored 91 goals last season, their most in a single campaign since 1953.

Despite netting at the Bernabéu this week, Gabriel Martinelli is often widely criticised, with this only his eighth goal of the season so far.

Given that Martinelli is first-choice on the left-wing, it is his place Williams would be looking to take in the team, so let’s assess how the duo compare.

Appearances

42

43

Minutes

2,946

2,905

Goals

11

8

Assists

7

6

Shots on target %

42.2%

45.2%

Shot-creating actions

166

85

Goal-creating actions

20

7

Attempted take-ons

264

137

Take-on success %

40.2%

33.6%

Progressive carries

177

141

Ball recoveries

127

95

Duels Contested

471

306

Touches per 90

41

34

Remarkably, as outlined in the table, Williams and Martinelli have played almost a near-identical number of minutes this season to date, there are just 41 between them, which is useful when it comes to comparing the duo.

The table suggests that Williams would be an upgrade on the Brazilian, considering that he’s scored more goals and registered more assists this season, while he is also a more proficient dribbler, and is more dangerous in front of goal.

So, if the Gunners are finally going to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title next season, the Spanish Euros winner would be an excellent addition.

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Everton are edging closer to mathematically securing their place in the Premier League for next campaign, but could be set to lose one of their most influential stars heading into 2025/26.

Everton close to retaining Premier League status despite striker shortage

Following a narrow derby defeat way to Liverpool in midweek, Everton claimed an impressive point at home to Arsenal in a 1-1 draw on Saturday that has taken their tally to 35 points for the Premier League season.

David Moyes has led his side to a run of only two losses in 11 top-flight fixtures since his return to Goodison Park, which has put his side well clear of the drop zone, even if they aren’t yet mathematically safe.

Considering Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury status, the Scot needs to be commended for the way he has handled the Toffees’ striking situation. Beto has come into a run of 5 goals in 9 top-flight starts despite only being an occasional substitute under Sean Dyche.

Armando Broja and Youssef Chermiti have returned from their own knocks to supplement Everton’s attacking options. However, you get the impression there will be changes through the middle once the window opens for business.

Out wide, Liverpool’s Ben Doak has been cited as a controversial target for the Blues if they can afford his £30 million transfer fee. Convincing him to cross the divide would also be a fascinating prospect.

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Either way, new blood arriving at Bramley-Moore Dock could also signal the end for some of the old guard, paving the way for a different approach in attack.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin could make surprise Tottenham Hotspur switch

According to reports in Spain, Everton striker Calvert-Lewin is being lined up by Tottenham Hotspur this summer, and Ange Postecoglou’s side have already made moves to secure the Three Lions international’s services.

His impending exit is now deemed closer than ever, which would come as a bittersweet development for supporters. His presence has been a constant for the Toffees over recent years, though his injury record and £100,000-per-week pay packet are factors that possibly soften the blow of losing the former Sheffield United man.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s record at Everton

Appearances

269

Goals

71

Assists

20

Labelled “excellent” by former boss Dyche, Calvert-Lewin has notched three strikes and two assists in 22 top-flight appearances this term, but it has become clear the forward is unwilling to sign a new contract on Merseyside despite several efforts to arrange an extension.

Should he depart for Tottenham, it would be intriguing to see the reception he would prospectively receive in future matches. Nevertheless, there is a feeling among the Everton support that it is time to shake hands and move on before next campaign.

Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha is on their radar to strengthen up top, lending credence to the fact that the Toffees may have already drafted up a list of replacements ahead of the window.

The post-Broad and Anderson world gets real at The Oval this week, as a raw attack tries to close out the series

Vithushan Ehantharajah30-Jul-20252:41

Harmison: ‘There will be lot of bounce on this surface’

Wednesday was James Anderson’s 43rd birthday. Thursday, day one of the fifth Test against India, will be two years since Stuart Broad’s last day of Test cricket. And, over the next five days, England will take their most significant steps yet into that post-Anderson-Broad world.This will be the 17th match without either, but the first home series decider since that Broad farewell. England’s new-look, four-pronged, right-arm seam attack has been picked to deliver victory on a pitch with extra live grass but, with five days of low cloud forecast as well, there will be plenty opportunity for this attack to be judged by the standards of those bygone legends.What wistfulness there remains for England’s most prolific seamers – 1308 dismissals between them – is mitigated by Anderson’s ongoing summer with Lancashire and Broad’s musings on . The game has moved on. The country, too. But a necessary shuffling of England’s deck after a gruelling fourth Test has brought the ongoing job of replacing them on the field into focus.Related

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Jofra Archer (two Tests) and Brydon Carse (four) are having to rest because of their workloads. This highlights both this series’ condensed schedule and the durability of Anderson and Broad. It is a quality often lost amid the talk of their longevity.Anderson played all five matches in nine different series. Broad did the same in ten. Chris Woakes will do so for the first time this week at the age of 36.Woakes, however, is something of an anomaly. He’s the renaissance man of this attack, a player who wrote his worth in the shadows of Anderson and Broad for 11 years before being tasked with leading the attack out of it.May this be his last stop in the shepherding role? It is not beyond the realms of possibility that this will be Woakes’ 62nd and final cap, with an Ashes tour of Australia to follow. Arguably his biggest task has now arrived; he will need to dig even deeper after 167 overs across four Tests, and guide Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton through to the other side. Starting with a first series victory over India since 2018.It has been a peculiar three weeks for that trio. Tongue was left out for Archer after two Tests. At the time, he was the leading wicket-taker in the series with 11 at 33.63.James Anderson and Stuart Broad inspect the ball during their final Test together in 2023•AFP/Getty ImagesAtkinson, added to the squad from the third Test, was not selected at either Lord’s or Old Trafford, and subsequently released to Surrey, who passed him on to their second team. Neither country nor county were willing to risk him this early, despite the fact he had been passed fully fit from a hamstring injury sustained during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe.Much like England, Surrey were also wary of adding too much risk to their attack against Yorkshire, given they were already playing Overton. In that instance, country and county had been in sync, an agreement from Surrey with England that Overton would get game-time having not been needed for the first two games.In a series of immense toil, both are fresh, while Tongue’s 81 overs constitute just 11% of the mammoth 691.2 overs that England’s quicks have sent down in the course of four Tests. And even Tongue has had a month off, barring 22 overs for Nottinghamshire last week.Their jobs, however, will be harder than those they are replacing, given Ben Stokes’ absence. England’s captain, the standout bowler of the series, was still wrestling with the decision not to play as early as the start of the team’s training session on Tuesday morning.Stokes’ grade three shoulder tear had ruled him out from bowling, but he was still on course to play as a batter until further medical advice and guidance from head coach Brendon McCullum ushered him towards a sensible decision. Even then, his biggest deliberation was the exact make-up of the seam attack that will attempt to make up the difference.”You go through so many different scenarios with potentials of the game,” Stokes said. “Turning up here and seeing the wicket, a lot greener and bit more live grass than the other wickets, we probably would have gone down the route of four seamers even if I played and couldn’t bowl.”The very fact that Tongue, Atkinson and Overton have been entrusted to punch this last ticket will give them some encouragement. As usual, when Ollie Pope deputises, Stokes will oversee everything off the field. But his faith in this trio, all of whom were handed debuts on his watch, will only go so far.It is worth stepping back and appreciating just how tricky it has been to navigate the land since Anderson’s and Broad’s retirements. Men’s managing director Rob Key was the key driver in assembling an array of quicks that could not just soften the blow from moving on from two legends, but ensure that England would never have to ask too much from their new batch. That aim, however, has proved nigh on impossible to deliver.Gus Atkinson will be part of England’s fast-bowling attack at the Oval•Getty ImagesInjuries to the likes of Mark Wood and Olly Stone – and Atkinson, for a bit – shallowed the pool. Others, like Matthew Potts, Sam Cook (who debuted against Zimbabwe) and Dillon Pennington (unused despite being part of the squad at the start of last season) are not trusted enough to be considered. Saqib Mahmood and Matt Fisher – ironically, the two drafted in for 2022’s tour of the West Indies when England tried to force Anderson and Broad out – are now further adrift.Then there are those given recognition, but nothing more for now. Josh Hull, handed a surprise debut in this corresponding fixture last summer, has showed signs of progression for Leicestershire without looking like being in contention any time soon. It remains too early for the young Hampshire duo of Sonny Baker and Eddie Jack, even if both have been pushed – the former handed a development contract after the Lions tour to Australia at the start of the year, the latter training with England ahead of the first Test after impressing for the England Lions. Even someone like 29-year-old Luke Wood, Lancashire’s left-arm quick, has been part of conversations without anything tangible, having piqued McCullum’s interest upon a return to the T20Is against West Indies.For now, it all rests on a trio coming in to the cauldron cold. Their experiences at international level will offer them a crutch – Atkinson’s record-breaking 2024, Tongue’s impressive start in 2023’s Ashes, and the management’s clear regard for Overton as a multi-format cricketer.But this is all very different. And by proxy, a chance to take more meaningful steps into the unknown.