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Liverpool are in a dire rut of form at the moment and the pressure only ramped up on Arne Slot following their 3-3 draw with Leeds United on Saturday evening.

As if Slot didn’t think things could get any worse, what hasn’t helped is Mohamed Salah’s remarkable interview after the game.

The Egyptian has been on the substitutes bench for the last three games and according to reports, will not travel to Milan when the Reds face Inter in the Champions League this week.

What Mo Salah has said about his Liverpool future

Salah was in conversation with reporters after Liverpool’s dismal draw with Leeds at the weekend and it’s safe to say he did not cover Slot and Co in glory.

“‘I’m very disappointed, Salah began. “I’ve done so much for this club – everyone can see that – over years, especially last season, sitting on the bench I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That’s how I feel it.”

The Liverpool great continued: “It’s very clear that someone wants me to get all the blame. Club promised me a lot in summer. So far I I’m on bench three games, so can’t say they have kept those promises.

“I say many times I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden we don’t have any relationship, I don’t know why. It seems like someone does not want me in the club.

“But again this club, I always support it. my kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I will always do. I called my mum yesterday because I knew I wasn’t going to start and told my mum and dad to the Brighton game [next Saturday].”

How Salah trained on Monday

Salah smiled and chatted with his teammates on Monday as he attended the club’s first training session since his outburst over the weekend.

He arrived on the training pitch in conversation with French striker Hugo Ekitike. Salah listened as Slot addressed the squad and then took part in a series of warm-up and passing drills, interacting with the likes of Curtis Jones, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The session was overseen by Slot who is really up against it now. Who the Liverpool board decide to side with, Salah or the Dutchman, will be very interesting.

Sunderland’s extremely impressive start to life back in the Premier League has been built on a very strong defensive spine.

Indeed, the well-drilled Black Cats have only given up 11 goals across the 12 games they’ve played since dramatically returning to the big time, with five wins also coming their way.

Robin Roefs, in particular, has stood out as a top-drawer summer recruit in between the sticks, while Daniel Ballard has made the jump to the top-flight look routine, too, winning a commanding 6.3 duels per match across his seven Premier League starts.

This defensive doggedness is very unlike-Sunderland, when you look back at the woes they are used to experiencing at the foot of the top-flight table.

Still, even when times were consistently tough and bleak, previous club captain John O’Shea managed to stand out as a commanding force.

O'Shea's hero status at Sunderland

The Black Cats would have felt they’d won themselves a coup when O’Shea arrived through the door in 2011, having picked up 394 appearances for Manchester United during Sir Alex Ferguson’s heyday as a manager, before coming to the Stadium of Light.

The revered manager would even hail him as a “great professional”, despite his importance to the Red Devils’ cause sometimes slipping under the radar, with the Wearside outfit managing to win the five-time Premier League winner for just a reported £3m.

He would turn into a relegation fighter quickly, though, in his new surroundings, with his determined displays, matched by his knack of being in the right place at the right time to pop up with a big goal, making him a fan favourite from the get-go.

One of his former Sunderland bosses in Martin O’Neill, would go as far as to say he had “enormous” respect for the veteran defender, with the Irishman only absent from 18 league contests during his first four seasons at the club, all of which ended up in Sunderland surviving.

Unfortunately, the latter years of his Black Cats journey would culminate in a relegation down to the Championship, but he is still fondly remembered to his day for being a dependable giant.

In the current Sunderland ranks, it could be argued that the forceful Ballard – coming in at a 6-foot-2 frame – is most similar to O’Shea in his Stadium of Light prime, with two important goals already next to his name this season.

However, a different member of Le Bris’ rigid backline has caught the eye in this regard…

Sunderland's new John O'Shea

Sunderland might not be struggling against the drop this season, but that doesn’t mean certain members of Le Bris’ camp don’t still evoke similarities to heroes of the Black Cats’ recent past.

Like O’Shea, Nordi Mukiele would have been viewed as a statement deal for Sunderland to secure this summer when leaving Paris St Germain behind, having accumulated a hefty 200 appearances in both the Bundesliga and Ligue 1, before embarking on a fresh Premier League challenge.

For just £12m, too, Mukiele has now gone down as a steal similar to O’Shea, only costing £3m, with the Frenchman visibly at the peak of his career, donning Sunderland red and white.

The £100k-per-week fighter has jaw-droppingly beaten Ballard in the duels won count total so far for the season, with a mighty 7.6 duels won on average to date, among other impressive numbers, making him a regular from minute one of his Stadium of Light stay.

Mukiele’s league numbers in 25/26

Stat (* = per 90 mins)

Mukiele

Games played

10

Goals scored

1

Assists

1

Touches*

63.7

Accurate passes*

29.9 (79%)

Clearances*

6.6

Total duels won*

7.6

Clean sheets

3

Stats by Sofascore

With a goal and assist also next to his name, alongside collecting three clean sheets, Mukiele has managed to stand out as a well-rounded performer for Le Bris and Co. so far, away from just being seen as a “colossus” in physical duels, as per the words of Sky Sports’ journalist Andy Sixsmith.

Mukiele will be aiming for a long career in the Premier League now, past just a standout debut season, to become even more like O’Shea, with his levels never dropping for the Black Cats so far, already putting him on the same pedestal as the “always solid” Irishman, as both Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves labelled him recently.

It could also be argued, like O’Shea, Mukiele’s determined performances have gone somewhat unnoticed to the neutral, next to Granit Xhaka stealing the spotlight for his equally combative showings.

But, if he were to be a vital part of the defence that saw Sunderland pick up a mid-table finish, or even higher, right after promotion, he would surely be handed his flowers, as a new batch of heroes begin to emerge on Wearside.

Related Le Bris can end £7m star's Sunderland career by signing Guendouzi

This Sunderland leader will surely be shown the exit door if Matteo Guendouzi does join Regis Le Bris’ ranks.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Nov 26, 2025

The New York Yankees are altering their strict facial hair policy heading into the 2025 MLB season.

"In recent weeks, I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees—spanning several eras—to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback," managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement Friday. "These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years. Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward.

"It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy."

The legend of the Yankees' facial hair policy dates back to 1973 shortly after George M. Steinbrenner bought the franchise from CBS. As the story goes, Steinbrenner gazed at the Yankees' lineup on Opening Day and couldn't identify the players by their faces yet and instead focused on their unkempt facial hair. Steinbrenner ordered manager Ralph Houk to tell his players to get a haircut.

"All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches [except for religious reasons], and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar," the Yankees' player manual stated. "Long sideburns and mutton chops are not specifically banned."

New York's facial hair policy remained in effect for decades despite multiple protests from employed players. In 1991, Don Mattingly was benched and fined for refusing to trim his mullet. Any player who previously sported facial hair and joined the Yankees—famously the shaggy Johnny Damon in 2006—had to clean up their hair and facial hair before donning the pinstripes.

But now, the Yankees' outdated policy is behind them. Hopefully, this year's roster packed plenty of beard oil for their spring training tenure in Tampa, Fla.

يستعد نادي مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، للتخلي عن أحد لاعبيه خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوي في شهر يناير القادم، مع تأهب عدة أندية أوروبية للتفاوض.

وتغلب مانشستر سيتي على ليفربول أمس الأحد ضمن مباريات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”، بثلاثية دون مقابل، ويحتل المركز الثاني برصيد 22 نقطة خلف آرسنال المتصدر والذي يملك 26 نقطة.

وبحسب ما ذكرت شبكة “سكاي سبورتس”، قد يكون ناثان آكي أول المغادرين لصفوف مانشستر سيتي في انتقالات الشتاء بشهر يناير القادم.

اقرأ أيضًا | نيفيل: لاعب ليفربول بدا طفلًا صغيرًا أمام مانشستر سيتي.. والفريق قدم أسوأ أداء

ويذكر التقرير أن أندية إنتر ميلان ويوفنتوس وكريستال بالاس مستعدون بالفعل للتفاوض مع مانشستر سيتي، للتعاقد مع آكي خلال انتقالات يناير.

ويشير التقرير إلى أن آكي لم يعد ضمن خطط المدير الفني بيب جوارديولا، وقد شارك في عدد محدود من المباريات، حيث لعب خمس مباريات فقط هذا الموسم في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وأفاد التقرير أن مانشستر سيتي مستعد للتخلي عن خدمات آكي مقابل مبلغ قيمته 35 مليون يورو.

MatériaMais Notícias

Venceu o melhor. Desde o primeiro minuto nesta terça-feira (3), o Fortaleza fez valer o pandemônio que virou a Arena Castelão, fez a sua casa se tornar um ambiente hostil para o Corinthians e bateu o Timão por 2 a 0, chegando a uma final continental pela primeira vez nos seus 104 anos de história.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFortalezaDa Série C ao sonho do título internacional: como o Fortaleza se consolidou na elite do futebol brasileiroFortaleza03/10/2023São PauloCampeão pelo São Paulo, Alisson rebate provocação de atacante do Corinthians em rede socialSão Paulo03/10/2023ListasQuais jogadores do Corinthians já foram para o Barcelona?Listas03/10/2023

Yago Pikachu foi o destaque da partida. Reserva no confronto de ida, ele iniciou o confronto desta noite por conta de uma lesão do titular Marinho. E assim como havia acontecido no encontro com os corintianos pelo Brasileirão, há três semanas, o ponta deixou a sua marca. Foi ele quem abriu o placar, no início do segundo tempo. O placar foi ampliado pelo lateral Tinga, na sequência.

+ VEJA A TABELA E CONFIRA AS CAMPANHAS DA CONMEBOL SUL-AMERICANA

CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM A PARTIDA

> !É FESTA NO CASTELO! Antes mesmo da bola rolar, o torcedor do Fortaleza fez uma linda festa. Com rua de fogo recebendo o ônibus com a delegação, mosaico e muito apoio na parte interna da Arena Castelão. Foi fundamental para empurrar o time.

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> ENTROSAMENTO? Durante a execução do hino nacional, um grupo de jogadores o Corinthians viraram para um lado, enquanto os demais para outro. A cena foi bizarra e traduziu muito da falta de qualidade demonstrada pelo Timão em campo.

> !SE LIGA, PROFESSOR! Durante o primeiro tempo, o meia Pochettino chegou duramente no volante Gabriel Moscardo, do Corinthians. O meia do Leão estava atrasado e foi com as travas da chuteira na canela do corintiano. O árbitro Andrés Rojas deu somente cartão amarelo. O VAR não recomendou a revisão.

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> VOCÊ NÃO SOUBE ME AMAR… é uma música da banda Blitz. E foi exatamente isso que o Fortaleza fez desde o primeiro minuto. Ocupou o campo do Corinthians, criou chances de diferentes formas e ainda foi para o vestiário com o empate sem gols. O que mudaria no segundo tempo.

> !PASSOU A ALCATEIA! E só não foi boiada, porque é o Leão. Logo aos 4 minutos do segundo tempo, o Fortaleza, que seguiu amassando o Corinthians no segundo tempo, encontrou o seu primeiro gol, com Yago Pikachu. Cinco minutos depois, o Tricolor seguiu em cima do Timão e ampliou com Tinga.

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COMO FOI O PRIMEIRO TEMPO

A torcida do Fortaleza fez do Castelão um inferno. E o clima nas arquibancadas foi reproduzido em campo pelos jogadores do time nordestino. O Laion pressionou o Corinthians desde o primeiro minuto. Mas, embora o Tricolor Cearense rondasse a área, finalizasse e tentasse de todas as formas ir às redes, a melhor chance do início do jogo foi corintiana. Na primeira estocada do Timão ao ataque, Renato Augusto deu um ótimo passe para Yuri Alberto, mas, diferentemente do que o centroavante fez em São Paulo, no jogo de ida, dessa vez ele chutou em cima do goleiro João Ricardo, que cresceu no lance.

E quanto mais o tempo foi passando, mais o Fortaleza cresceu. E aí começou a levar perigo de verdade. Foram duas boas defesas de Cássio, bolas travadas em sequência pela defesa do clube alvinegro e o gol do Leão não saiu nos primeiros 45 minutos.

Foi no primeiro tempo também que o Corinthians reclamou bastante de uma entrada de Pochettino em Gabriel Moscardo. O meia do Fortaleza deu um carrinho com as travas da chuteira na altura da canela do volante corintiano. O árbitro colombiano Andrés Rojas deu somente cartão amarelo no lance, que não teve intervenção do VAR.

E A ETAPA FINAL

As duas equipes voltaram para o segundo tempo sem alterações. E não só nas peças, mas, também, na postura. E isso fez com que o Fortaleza não demorasse para abrir o placar. Logo aos 4 minutos, uma cobrança de lateral terminou com a bola batendo e rebatendo na área e sobrando para Yago Pikachu, que, na entrada da pequena área, teve toda tranquilidade do mundo para fintar Fábio Santos e colocar na rede.

E o gol marcado cedo não intimidou o Laion, que ampliou cinco minutos depois, com Tinga aproveitando um bom cruzamento de Bruno Pacheco e escorando de cabeça. Novamente, o gol foi no setor esquerdo, nas costas de Fábio Santos.

O Corinthians sentiu o golpe e nem mesmo com as mudanças conseguiu levar perigo ao Tricolor de Aço. O Fortaleza controlou o jogo e se classificou à final da Sul-Americana.

+ CONFIRA MAIS DETALHES SOBRE COMO FOI A PARTIDA

NÚMEROS DA PARTIDA

O QUE VEM POR AÍ?

O próximo compromisso do Corinthians é no sábado (7), contra o Flamengo, pelo Brasileirão, na Neo Química Arena. No dia seguinte, às 18h30, o Fortaleza vai até a Arena Independência e encara o América-MG. A final da Sul-Americana está marcada para o dia 28 de outubro, em Maldonado, no Uruguai. O adversário será definido nesta quarta-feira (4), entre Defensa y Justicia (ARG) e LDU (EQU). Os equatorianos venceram por 3 a 0 o confronto de ida, realizado em Quito, na última semana.

FICHA TÉCNICA
FORTALEZA 2 X 0 CORINTHIANS
CONMEBOL SUL-AMERICANA – SEMIFINAL – VOLTA

Local:Arena Castelão, Fortaleza (SP)
Data e hora:3 de outubro de 2023, às 21h30 (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro:Andres Rojas (COL)
Assistentes:Dionisio Ruiz (COL) e Jhon León (COL)
Árbitro de vídeo:Nicolas Gallo (COL)
Público e renda: 60.451 pessoas; R$ 1.829.561,00
Cartões amarelos:José Welison e Pochettino (Fortaleza)
Cartões vermelhos:-

GOLS: 1-0 Yago Pikachu (4’/2T); 2-0 Tinga (9’/2T)

FORTALEZA
João Ricardo; Tinga, Brítez, Titi e Bruno Pacheco; Caio Alexadre (Lucas Sasha, 36’/2T), Zé Welison (Lucas Crispim, 44’/2T) e Pochettino (Pedro Augusto, 24’/2T); Yago Pikachu, Lucero (Thiago Galhardo, 44’/2T) e Guilherme Augusto (Machuca, 24’/2T).Técnico:Juan Pablo Vojvoda

CORINTHIANS
Cássio; Fagner (Bruno Méndez, 351/2T), Gil, Lucas Veríssimo e Fábio Santos (Matheus Bidu, 36’/2T); Gabriel Moscardo (Giuliano, 14’/2T), Maycon e Renato Augusto; Matías Rojas (Gustavo Mosquito, 27’/2T), Yuri Alberto e Romero (Wesley, 14’/2T).Técnico:Mano Menezes

The last year or so has been pretty depressing for West Ham United, but the squad does have some real talent in it.

Summer signings Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa could develop into regular starters; Lucas Paqueta’s quality is undeniable, and El Hadji Malick Diouf looks like one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.

However, the crown jewel in Nuno Espírito Santo’s current side is undoubtedly Jarrod Bowen, who continues to be a difference-maker for the Hammers.

Yet, there is another player in the squad who could, under the new management, develop into a Bowen-style star for West Ham.

Bowen's West Ham rise

When West Ham signed Bowen from Hull City in January 2020, there was some excitement over the move, as there is for most attacking additions, but it didn’t feel like it was going to be a particularly important signing at the time.

Chalkboard

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

That opinion wasn’t really changed by the end of that season either, as while he didn’t do poorly, a return of one goal and four assists in 13 games wasn’t much to write home about.

Things started to pick up slightly the following season, as the promising winger produced 14 goal involvements in 40 games, but it was over the next two years that he began to establish himself as one of the best in the league.

For example, the 28-year-old ended the 21/22 season with a tally of 31 goal involvements and his first England cap, and then 22/23 delivered his defining moment as a Hammer.

That moment, of course, was the Conference League winning goal against Fiorentina, which not only brought the club their first European trophy but also cemented his legacy as a legend.

Since then, the former Hull gem has continued to perform and, as things stand, has made 246 appearances for the club, totalling 19611 minutes, in which he’s scored 77 goals and provided 52 assists.

That works out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.90 games, or every 152.02 minutes.

Appearances

246

Starts

221

Minutes

19611′

Goals

77

Assists

52

Goal Involvements per Match

0.52

Minutes per Goal Involvement

152.02′

Points per Game

1.45

So, if Nuno can help develop another of West Ham’s attackers into a Bowen-type player this season, the club could end up having a memorable campaign.

The West Ham star who could become a Bowen-type player

Unfortunately, with West Ham’s attack not being particularly threatening at the moment, there is only really one player who could be developed into a Bowen-type star: Crysencio Summerville.

Now, the first thing to say is that no, the former Leeds United star is not as good a player as the Englishman, and is unlikely to become so in the next couple of seasons.

However, that does not mean he cannot become a player in his mould, or in other words, a winger who can provide a genuine threat from out wide, be that through goals, assists or their overall play.

Fortunately, the Dutchman is already starting to show positive signs this season, so getting that bit more out of him, like he did with his wingers at Nottingham Forest, shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for Nuno.

For example, while the 23-year-old was fairly anonymous away to Arsenal last weekend, he was brilliant away to Everton the week before.

In fact, the “unstoppable” Rotterdam-born dynamo, as dubbed by Statman Dave, was so good that he was named the Man of the Match, despite not scoring the equalising goal.

In his 77 minutes of action, he completed three of his five dribbles, more than anyone else on the night, won five of eight ground duels, amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of 0.67, took 55 touches, played one key pass and won two fouls.

Finally, while the right-footed game-changer hasn’t been much of a goal threat in East London, he has it in his locker, as in his final campaign with Leeds, he racked up a tally of 21 goals and ten assists in 41 games.

Ultimately, Summerville is obviously not as good a player as Bowen and likely won’t be, but with more coaching, he could easily become someone West Ham can rely on in a similar way.

West Ham ace who's "pure joy to watch" could become Nuno's new Gibbs-White

The international star could be the secret to helping Nuno get more out of West Ham this season.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 10, 2025

Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be aware of how unfavourably their big-hitting appears to compare

Danyal Rasool29-May-2025

Big pictureThe Mike Hesson era in Pakistan cricket began just about as well as could be expected, Pakistan’s complete performance giving them a straightforward victory over Bangladesh. More than the result, it was the mindset Salman Agha’s side took into the game that suggests it may be the start of something promising. Despite the loss of two early wickets and a sluggish start, the Pakistan batters continued to attack, and Nos. 3-6 produced scores between 31 and 56. Crucially, all of them boasted strike rates between 164 and 200, when traditionally an anchoring role in the middle may have chipped a chunk off their total.Topping it up was a complete bowling performance, too. Bangladesh were never allowed to keep pace with the asking rate as Pakistan continued to bruise them with regular wickets. The returning Hasan Ali continued the form he produced in the PSL, his career-best figures of 5 for 30 the cherry on top of a perfect Pakistan start.For Bangladesh, the picture is significantly less rosy. A bright start with the ball was a false dawn as the visitors found themselves outplayed through much of the rest of the game. Most notably, it was their spinners – a skillset Bangladesh rightly take pride in – who found themselves rendered ineffective, Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain leaking 91 in their eight overs.With Pakistan adopting a big-hitting power game, Bangladesh will also be aware of how unfavourably their own appears to compare. Pakistan’s bowling attack is by no means the most economical, but tellingly, Bangladesh appeared unable to take the attack to them early, consequently easing pressure off the bowlers. Flashes from captain Litton Das and Jaker Ali weren’t nearly substantial enough and received little support from their team-mates as Bangladesh crumpled to defeat.However, Pakistan’s new system is still finding its feet, with the variance between a good performance and a poor one likely significant. Bangladesh’s game style offers a more stable level of baseline performance, one that, should they reproduce in either of the remaining games, could see them give Pakistan trouble.Form guidePakistan WLLWL (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
Bangladesh LLLWWIn the spotlightThe only downside for Pakistan during a fairly complete performance was Haris Rauf’s figures of 0 for 36 in three. The Lahore Qalandars fast bowler had a difficult PSL in terms of economy, a poor run that appears to have continued into this series. Even when he bowled towards the tail-end of the game with the jeopardy taken out, he found himself being targeted by Jaker, and ended up as the most expensive fast bowler on either side. At his best, Haris has offered precious control in the middle and later overs of T20 innings, and for a more rounded bowling attack, Pakistan need him to rediscover that prowess.Jaker Ali is one of the few in-form batters for Bangladesh•Randy Brooks

Jaker Ali struck some meaty blows on Wednesday, once more confirming his growing stature as a gritty, aggressive cricketer. His penchant for refusing to give up in difficult situations has seen regard for him improve within Bangladesh cricket circles, and in a side where big hitting is in short supply, Jaker fills a crucial hole. He is also one of the few in-form batters in the side, and it would not be a surprise if he earns a promotion up the order.Team newsWhile Pakistan may use this series to try things out, they may not want to tweak much after a well-rounded performance in the first game. If anything, Abbas Afridi may come in for Haris Rauf.Pakistan (probable): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Mohammad Haris (wk), 4 Hasan Nawaz, 5 Salman Agha (capt), 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Faheem Ashraf, 9 Haris Rauf/Abbas Afridi, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Abrar AhmedBangladesh may want to bring Najmul Hossain Shanto back into the XI, but it isn’t who played and who didn’t that resulted in Wednesday’s defeat so much as a flat performance across the board.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Jaker Ali (wk), 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Hasan Mahmud, 11 Shoriful IslamTowhid Hridoy rebuilt slowly for Bangladesh•Associated Press

Pitch and conditionsThe weather conditions are unlikely to change, with hot and dry weather expected throughout the series. A fresh pitch will be used, but expect the same old batting-friendly conditions.Stats and triviaThe 201 Pakistan posted on Wednesday was their highest T20I total at the Gaddafi StadiumBangladesh have only once won a T20I series where they lost the first game, against West Indies in 2018Quotes”I’d like to dedicate this performance, above all, to myself. The amount of hard work I’ve done, I should give credit to myself, too.”

Manchester City star Erling Haaland revealed a crippling fear as he opened up on dealing with grief. Haaland had to bid goodbye to dear ones in the last few years, including his agent Mino Raiola and a close family friend Ivar Eggja, who passed away in September at 59. Eggja was the best man at Alf-Inge Haaland’s wedding and was fondly referred to as “uncle” by the City star.

• Haaland opens up on crippling fear

  The City goal machine had to deal with a lot of grief in the past few years, as he lost his grandparents, agent and a close family friend. Haaland was particularly grief-stricken after family friend Ivar Eggja passed away aged 59 last month. 

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  'What happens the day I die'

  In an intense interview, Haaland told : "It’s a bit scary when you lie alone in bed before you go to sleep and think: 'What happens the day I die? Are you going to heaven? Are you going to hell? Where are you going?'"

• Haaland opened up on losing 'chief fixer uncle'

  The City forward lovingly called Eggjar his "uncle", who was also the best man in Alf-Inge Haaland's wedding. While speaking about his death, the Norwegian said: "How am I going to process it? It’s difficult. It’s sad that he’s no longer here. He would have been here today and teased me. We teased him all the time. I will miss him for the rest of my life, says the Manchester City star. I spoke to him just before he died. He said: Go out and smash everything on the pitch”. He wanted me to live my best life, even without him. It’s important to think about. He didn’t want me to lie down and be sad."

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  Haaland's bright start to new season

  Haaland is off to a bright start in the 2025-26 campaign as he has already scored nine goals in seven appearances across all competitions. He will be next seen in action in the Champions League against AS Monaco on Wednesday.

Adam Wharton revealed Thomas Tuchel's explanation for his latest England omission as the Crystal Palace star was left out of the upcoming Wales and Latvia clashes. After being recalled for the World Cup qualifiers last month, Wharton was forced to pull out due to an adductor injury. Following his recovery and strong performances at Palace, many expected the midfielder to be reinstated for the October internationals. However, Tuchel, had other plans.

Still no England call for Wharton

Despite an impressive start to the season with Palace, the 21-year-old midfielder was omitted from Tuchel's 24-man squad for the upcoming Three Lions fixtures. However, the German manager reached out to him, explaining that he was overlooked since he chose to stick to the same squad that triumphed over Andorra and Serbia. 

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'Close' but not yet!

In an honest response, Wharton shared the message from the England manager: "He just gave me a message saying I'm playing well, I'm close and I deserve to be there, but he's going to stick with the same team. That's football, I'm not too fussed about that. I can take the time off, go see my grandparents, and it's not the end of the world, as there's another camp next month.

“I'm just focusing on Crystal Palace and playing well, and hopefully, if I play well, I'll get the call. It's nice to hear, but I think my focus is on Palace and if that goes well, then England is just a bonus.”

Not the end of the world for Wharton

While being left out may have stung, Wharton showed remarkable maturity in handling the situation. He didn’t shy away from the harsh realities of competition for places in the England setup, acknowledging the depth of talent available to Tuchel.

“Nothing is expected," he said. "England have some top players and he's got a lot of players to choose from. No matter who he picks, someone is not going to get in, and there will be a fuss about it. I can't sit here and cry about it. This is football, and I'm happy playing for Palace and getting minutes and trying to do as well as I can and improve, and if I get picked, I get picked. If not, I'll carry on playing for Palace and enjoying it – there's nothing else I can do really.

“Obviously, everyone wants to play for their country if they get chosen, but, like I said, this is football and he's got plenty of top players to choose from, and that's what he gets paid to do, pick the team and help England go well. Hopefully, they kick on and get the results they need to qualify for the World Cup. I'll keep knocking on the door, and if I'm in, I'm in, and if not, I'll carry on."

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Getty Images SportWharton ready to make his case for England

Looking ahead, Wharton knows the best way to earn his England recall is by continuing his excellent form for Palace. With seven more games before November's international break, including against Bournemouth on October 18, the midfielder has plenty of opportunities to impress Tuchel before the next squad announcement. The door to the Three Lions may be slightly ajar now, but if Wharton continues his upward trajectory, it's only a matter of time before he bursts through.

Tottenham Hotspur have already splashed just shy of £150m on new transfers throughout the summer window, with Thomas Frank being backed in his quest for success in North London.

The Dane took the reins during the off-season, already making an excellent start to life in the role – beating Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad in recent weeks.

However, his side have been further bolstered in the last couple of days, landing the signature of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in a huge €60m (£52m) transfer.

The Dutchman looked set for a move to Chelsea during this window, but the Lilywhites completed their own hijack after missing out on the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze.

With a couple of days left in the transfer window, Frank could yet land further reinforcements to his first-team squad, with numerous other options emerging on their radar.

Spurs’ hunt for new additions after signing Simons

After bolstering the midfield department, the Spurs frontline now looks to be the next focus of the recruitment team – with Manchester United star Jadon Sancho a player they’re considering.

It was reported in recent days that the winger has been offered to the Lilywhites, but it’s unclear if any deal for the Englishman would be a temporary or permanent one.

However, another Premier League forward in the form of Brentford star Yoane Wissa has also been touted with a switch to North London, according to Football Insider.

Their report claims that Frank is considering a late move for his former striker, after previously having an excellent relationship with the DR Congo international at the GTEC.

It also states the player is also subject to interest from Newcastle United, looking almost certain to leave before Monday’s deadline, given his reluctance to feature for the Bees – with a £60m transfer fee mooted.

Why Spurs’ £60m target would be Frank’s answer to Isak

Alexander Isak is a talent who has constantly tormented countless backlines in the Premier League, with Spurs being just one of the clubs who have felt the wrath of the Swedish striker.

In his five appearances against the Lilywhites throughout his career, the 25-year-old has scored six times – the joint-most of any side – resulting in the Magpies claiming an 80% win rate against the club since his arrival in England.

However, he looks almost certain to depart St James’ Park this window, after refusing to play under Eddie Howe so far this season – amid huge transfer links to Liverpool.

Undoubtedly, his current employers don’t want to lose the Swede, after he netted 20+ top-flight goals in each of the last two campaigns – cementing himself as one of the most threatening talents in the division.

He and Wissa both share similarities given their respective situations at their current clubs, subsequently both wanting to depart to pursue new challenges in 2025/26 and beyond.

However, they also possess matching qualities, as they’ve been labelled as similar players by FBref, with the Brentford star managing to outperform Isak in key areas throughout 2024/25.

Wissa, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one content creator, posted a better goal per shot on target rate, whilst also getting more of his efforts on target – arguably being a more clinical option in attacking areas.

How Wissa & Isak compared in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Wissa

Isak

Games played

35

34

Goals & assists

23

29

Shot on target accuracy

46%

43%

Goals per shot on target

0.5

0.4

Pass accuracy

77%

75%

Passes into the final third

1.4

1.1

Progressive carries

2.9

2.7

Fouls won

1.6

0.4

Aerials won

46%

32%

Stats via FBref

He also completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst making more passes into the final third per 90 – offering a perfect ball-playing option – something which made him such a success in Frank’s system last campaign.

Despite his smaller frame, Wissa also managed to win more of the aerials he entered in 2024/25, potentially being the perfect all-round option for the Lilywhites in their quest for added success.

£60m for the DR Congo star’s signature may seem hefty, but when Isak is currently being valued at £150m, the move for Wissa could actually be a superb deal for Frank and his team.

If he can replicate such levels in North London, he would add a new dimension to the frontline, subsequently boosting the club’s chances of Premier League success in the years ahead.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Aug 29, 2025