Liverpool new boy Alexander Isak has claimed that "not everyone has the whole picture" on his controversial Newcastle exit. Isak forced through a British-record transfer to Anfield on deadline day after accusing Newcastle of "broken promises" and essentially going on strike. The striker is currently on national team duty with Sweden and played his first competitive match since May against Kosovo.
Isak opens up on Liverpool transferMade an appearance for Sweden against KosovoSweden went down 2-0 in World Cup qualifierFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After missing out on playing against Slovenia last week, Isak finally appeared on the pitch for the first time since May as he made a substitute appearance in Sweden's shock 2-0 loss to Kosovo on Monday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying game.
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After the game, the striker addressed questions related to his British record £125 million ($169m) move to Liverpool from Newcastle, which caused plenty of controversy throughout the summer window. He told reporters: "It’s great that things were cleared up before the squad and that I could focus on playing football again. It’s been a fairly new situation for me, but you always learn and develop mentally off the pitch too.
"It’s a bit like it is. It’s clear that not everyone has the whole picture, but that’s something for another day. Right now, the disappointment is about this match and how it went. But at the same time, I have a positive feeling about the club team part that is coming."
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Isak drew fierce criticism from a large section of fans and experts for forcing his way out of Newcastle. Speaking about the negativity surrounding his transfer, the forward added: "That’s part of football. I can’t control everything that is said or written. But I’m glad I became a Liverpool player. That’s what I wanted and I’m happy about that. There is a lot to discuss, and it can be discussed for a long time. It has been educational, and I’m happy with the final result. I’m happy and proud to be a Liverpool player. I don’t want to go into details or talk about that situation too much. It is a closed chapter, but I have never had any problems."
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ISAK?
After making a brief appearance against Kosovo, Isak will now aim to make his Liverpool debut this Sunday as the champions face Burnley in the Premier League.
عاد مانشستر يونايتد للنتائج المخيبة للآمال بعد تعرضه لخسارة قوية ضد مانشستر سيتي بثلاثية نظيفة، على ملعب الاتحاد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
لا يعتقد بيتر شمايكل أسطورة مانشستر يونايتد أن روبن أموريم قام بتحسين أداء الفريق، ويرى أنه بحاجة لتغيير أسلوبه لتحقيق النتائج المرجوة.
وكان فيل فودين لاعب مانشستر سيتي قد افتتح التسجيل في الشوط الأول، قبل أن يحرز إيرلينج هالاند هدفين في الشوط الثاني.
وخلق مانشستر يونايتد بعض الفرص لكنه كان أقل بكثير من منافسه مانشستر سيتي، على الرغم من نشاط النادي في سوق الانتقالات وتعزيز صفوفه بأكثر من لاعب.
اقرأ أيضاً.. روي كين يهاجم مانشستر يونايتد بعد ثلاثية السيتي: فريق عادي.. ونستمر في اختلاق الأعذار
وقال شمايكل في تصريحات نقلتها “مترو” البريطانية: “بالنظر لفريق مانشستر يونايتد، أشعر أنه لم يتطور، الأمر نفسه، لم يكن مانشستر سيتي بحاجة لأداء استثنائي”.
وأضاف: “أعتقد أنه بحاجة للتفكير في تغيير بعض الأمور، تغيير أسلوب اللعب بحيث يلعب اللاعبون بما يجيدونه وبما نشأوا عليه، الاعتماد على أربعة لاعبين في الخلف”.
وكان مانشستر يونايتد قد جمع أربع نقاط فقط خلال 4 مباريات، حيث خسر ضد آرسنال ومانشستر سيتي وحقق الفوز ضد بيرنلي بصعوبة وتعادل مع فولهام بهدف لمثله.
بينما غادر مانشستر يونايتد منافسات كأس الرابطة المحترفين الإنجليزية بعد الخسارة ضد جريمسبي تاون بركلات الجزاء الترجيحية.
Smriti Mandhana’s half-century took India to 165 but it proved inadequate
Srinidhi Ramanujam28-Jul-2024 • Updated on 29-Jul-20242:58
Sri Lanka show they aren’t solely reliant on Athapaththu
Sri Lanka created history on Sunday, dethroning India to clinch their maiden Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Fighting half-centuries from top order batters Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Kavisha Dilhari’s all-round heroics stood out as Sri Lanka cruised to an eight-wicket victory in front of a packed crowd in Dambulla.Samarawickrama and Dilhari’s valuable contributions in the final once again highlighted a crucial point that Sri Lanka are not just dependent on their captain to deliver. They have now won 14 of the 17 T20Is this year and go into the T20 World Cup slated in October with massive confidence and pride from their performances.Smriti Mandhana’s 60 and quickfire knocks from Richa Ghosh and Jemimah Rodrigues helped India post a competitive total of 165 for 6 but in the end, it proved inadequate.Athapaththu vs left-arm spinThings were quiet until the fifth over. Then, with Sri Lanka on 28 for 1, Athapaththu targeted the inexperienced left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwar. After lofting a short ball to deep square leg for six, she punished two full length deliveries for a four and a six to score 16 runs off the over and end the powerplay on 44 for 1. Radha Yadav, another left-arm spinner, bowled the next over and conceded nine runs with six coming off Athapaththu’s bat. With only Deepti Sharma as the specialist offspinner, Harmanpreet had to use Radha and Kanwar against the two left-handers Athapaththu and Samarawickrama. In the end, 29 of the Sri Lanka captain’s 61 runs came against left-arm spinners, at a strike rate of 170.58.Samarawickrama, Dilhari step upSamarawickrama has been playing at the international level for six years now and her most important knock came in Dambulla. She had hit only four half-centuries in 61 matches prior and her career strike rate in T20Is is less 100. But on Sunday, Sri Lanka needed her to stay as long as possible and not think about those numbers.When Deepti bowled Athapaththu in the 12th over, the crowd was stunned to silence. Sri Lanka needed 72 runs from 48 balls and there was a chance of an Indian comeback. After getting set, scoring 29 off her first 27 balls, it was on Samarawickrama to take her side through and she did it in style. She brought out her A game with pull shots and slog sweeps to eventually top-score for Sri Lanka with an unbeaten 69. When 25 was required from the last three overs, Radha’s 17-run 18th over – where Samarawickrama smashed two fours and a six – blunted India.Smriti Mandhana’s half-century went in vain for India•ACC
Dilhari, a strong bottom-handed player, chipped in with an unbeaten 30 off 16 and sealed the victory with a six in the penultimate over. The duo shared a match-changing unbeaten 73 off 40 balls for the third wicket. Meanwhile, India endured misfields and two dropped catches and were also tactically tested as the game slipped away. This included a fumble from Harmanpreet when she dropped a simple catch in the 15th over when Samarawickrama was on 45.Mandhana marches on to another fiftyMandhana brought all her experience to the fore in the final. Sri Lanka dominated the first five overs of the powerplay, and Mandhana made a run-a-ball 14. But in the final over, she tried to up the ante by shuffling across to manufacture runs against left-arm seamer Udeshika Prabodhani. She hit three fours, and India ended the powerplay on 44 for 0. Soon after Shafali Verma and Uma Chetry were dismissed, Mandhana punished anything too short or too full, especially from Athapaththu as she raced to her 26th T20I fifty off 36 deliveries. She was dropped by Samarawickrama at cover on 10 off 10 in the fifth over.Mandhana also got a life when she hit one straight to Athapaththu, the bowler, in the 16th over, but the ball bounced twice before reaching the batter and so was declared a no-ball. However, in the following over, Athapaththu took an excellent running catch off Dilhari’s bowling to dismiss the India opener.The Dilhari-Ghosh battleDilhari has been crucial to Sri Lanka’s recent success. Of her 16 T20Is this year, only thrice has she gone wicketless. She usually doesn’t concede many either. At the end of 17 overs, the legspinner’s had gone for 18 runs and picked up two wickets in her three overs. But her final over, the penultimate of the innings, against Ghosh, was bittersweet. The first ball was a legbreak which Ghosh looked to cut and probably got an edge to the wicketkeeper. There was a huge appeal from the bowler and the keeper, but the umpire was unmoved. Dilhari pleaded and kicked the turf in disappointment, but there was no DRS in this tournament. The next three deliveries saw Ghosh muscling away two fours and a six to take India past 150. Dilhari ended up conceding 18 runs off her final over. Ghosh eventually finished on a 14-ball 30
Arsenal could now “close the deal” to sign a “world-class” player in less than two days, should they be willing to submit a £51m offer, according to reporter Buchi Laba.
Gunners' striker search rumbles on
The Gunners have certainly been busy in the early stages of the summer transfer window, having agreed deals for Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, but they are still yet to get a new striker through the door.
Troy Deeney has been left particularly bemused by the length of time it has taken to bring in a new centre-forward, with the former Watford man saying: “It just seems that Arsenal are dragging their feet a little bit in terms of getting the striker,”
“It’s been a talking point since they basically bottled it in January with going to get that last little bit, get it over the line.”
Deeney also outlines the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Oliver Watkins, Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres as potential options for the north Londoners, and there has now been an intriguing update regarding their interest in the latter player.
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Taking to X, Laba said: “Sporting Lisbon will easily do a deal for any club offering €60m in total for Gyokeres. Right now none of the clubs interested are willing to pay that. Right now there’s nothing even concrete. – Gyokeres going on strike because that’s not the verbal understanding he had with the president last season.
“As of today, Arsenal have not made any bid for him but Berta has all the information about him. If Arsenal wants Gyokeres. They will close the deal in less than 2 days.”
With a bid of €60m (£51m) reportedly enough to get a deal over the line, the Sweden international could be a relatively affordable option for the Gunners, when compared to some of their other targets, although he is not the cheapest option on the shortlist.
Target
Current club
Price tag
Victor Osimhen
Napoli
£63m
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa
£40m
Benjamin Sesko
RB Leipzig
£70m
"World-class" Gyokeres could be ideal signing for Arsenal
It is no secret that Gyokeres has a remarkable eye for goal, placing second in the European Golden Shoe rankings, behind only Kylian Mbappe, courtesy of a phenomenal campaign in front of goal for Sporting CP.
The 27-year-old, who has been lauded as “world-class” by members of the media, bagged 39 goals and eight assists for Sporting in the league alone last season, showcasing that he could now be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League.
Sporting Club's Viktor Gyokeres.
While it will be difficult to replicate those numbers in England, Gyokeres could be Arsenal’s best bet, given that Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is seemingly unavailable, with Mikel Arteta in dire need of a new striker.
Kai Havertz, who missed large parts of the season through injury, finished as Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League last season, courtesy of netting just nine goals, indicating some extra attacking firepower is needed if they are to compete for the title.
Although their Champions League fate remains in question, Aston Villa have already reportedly entered talks to sign a rising star who could become a crucial part of Unai Emery’s side for years to come.
Aston Villa's final UCL push
It certainly hasn’t been for the want of trying, but Aston Villa still need help from elsewhere to grab a place in the Premier League’s top five. Emery’s side have lost just one of their last nine league games and enter their trip to Manchester United on Sunday knowing that just one Chelsea slip up against Nottingham Forest or Newcastle United against Everton will leave them with a golden opportunity.
Premier League standings
Points
Goal Difference
Final game
Liverpool (C)
83
45
Crystal Palace (H)
Arsenal
71
34
Southampton (A)
Manchester City
68
26
Fulham (A)
Newcastle United
66
22
Everton (H)
Chelsea
66
20
Nottingham Forest (A)
Aston Villa
66
9
Manchester United (A)
Nottingham Forest
65
13
Chelsea (H)
Anything could still happen in the Champions League race, with the top five the only real remaining drama when the final day arrives. Emery is well aware of just how important it is that his side focus on their own task at hand, too.
The Spaniard told reporters after victory over Spurs on Friday: “I am very happy. Today, we closed out our season here with our supporters trying to transmit our energy. We won, but there is still work to do to have a chance to play in the Champions League. We have to try and keep the inconsistencies down and focus.”
Whether their fate changes their summer ambitions is the big question for Aston Villa, of course. Their PSR concerns are no secret these days, but that hasn’t stopped them from reportedly opening talks to potentially secure an early incoming this summer.
Aston Villa open talks to sign Zepiqueno Redmond
According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa are now in talks to sign Zepiqueno Redmond are in pole position to welcome the 18-year-old Feyenoord sensation to the Midlands this summer. The young forward could be the first striker that Villa sign since losing Jhon Duran in January and may well have finally found their replacement for the Al-Nassr forward.
Villa’s pursuit of Redmond should come as little surprise. The teenager has enjoyed a promising season in the Netherlands, scoring twice for the senior side in their domestic cup, the Toto KNVB Beker, and three more times for Feyenoord’s youth side.
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Dubbed “powerful and quick” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Redmond may not steal the same headlines as others this summer, but there’s no denying that Aston Villa would have a rising star on their hands.
Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold looks almost certain to depart Liverpool this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign.
The 26-year-old has largely been touted with a free transfer to join Real Madrid, with numerous publications already claiming that a deal is complete for him to join the LaLiga giants.
Such news has angered supporters, with his potential move leaving Arne Slot’s side shortchanged and unable to receive a fee for a talent who’s been a leading player in their success.
Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldwalks off the pitch
He’s made over 300 appearances for his boyhood side, playing a vital role in various levels of success, claiming one Premier League title, with another set to follow in the coming weeks.
The defender isn’t the only player to depart Anfield on a free in recent years, albeit in different circumstances to another player who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his spell on Merseyside.
Daniel Sturridge’s time as a player at Liverpool
Striker Daniel Sturridge formed a deadly partnership with Luis Suárez during his stint at Liverpool, with the pair firing the Reds to title contention under Brendan Rodgers over a decade ago.
The Englishman scored 67 times in his 160 appearances during his six-and-a-half years on Merseyside, producing countless moments of magic including his effort against former side Chelsea.
However, despite his goalscoring exploits, he was unable to prove his talent on a regular basis, with injuries massively plaguing his time and subsequently spending long periods on the sidelines.
During his stint on Merseyside, the now-retired striker suffered 15 separate injuries, missing a total of 121 matches – missing an average of 18.5 matches per season he was on the club’s books.
Such a record left the hierarchy with no choice but to offload him in the summer of 2019, but six years on, Slot has found a new version of the Englishman, desperately needing to offload him to avoid losing another talent for nothing.
Why Slot needs to sell Liverpool’s new Sturridge this summer
Despite Slot’s impressive first season in England, which has seen him take the top-flight by storm, he may have a job on his hands to sustain such a success next season.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah could all depart the club on a free transfer this summer, giving the Dutchman a huge task in replacing the trio given their importance to the side.
However, he may want to offload numerous other first-team members this summer, including Diogo Jota, who’s fallen well beyond the high standards he set for himself during his early days on Merseyside.
The Portuguese international joined the Reds in a £45m deal from Wolves in the summer of 2020, notching 34 goals during his first two years after his big-money transfer.
However, he’s struggled to achieve such levels in 2024/25, scoring just nine times across all competitions, with injuries starting to prevent his progress at Anfield.
2020/21
Knee
85
19
2020/21
Foot
12
4
2021/22
Ankle
15
4
2022/23
Hamstring
32
5
2022/23
Calf
117
24
2023/24
Calf
29
8
2023/24
Knee
52
13
2023/24
Hip
23
4
2024/25
Hamstring
54
14
2024/25
Fatigue
17
4
Total:
10
436
99
Jota has only been able to start 12 league outings so far during Slot’s reign, leading to reports that the club were willing to cash in on him this summer to fund a move for a new talisman.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota
The 28-year-old has two years left on his contract, but with the former Atlético Madrid ace now entering the latter stages of his professional career, the upcoming window could present the last opportunity to recoup the majority of the fee paid for his signature.
Given his injury issues and lack of form when fit, Slot must look to offload him this window, joining Trent in not featuring in his plans as he looks to continue his impressive start as the club’s manager next season.
It may seem a brutal call, but the football industry is an unforgiving one, with decisions needing to be made for the better of the club, subsequently leading to fresh blood arriving to fill the void.
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Chelsea have been given a boost in their search for a world-class striker next year, as one of Europe’s finest marksmen could choose a switch to Stamford Bridge over Barcelona and PSG.
After their damning 2-1 loss at home to newly-promoted Sunderland, Enzo Maresca’s side have returned to winning ways after three victories in their last four games across all competitions.
In truth, the criticism of Chelsea can be overblown sometimes, considering that defeat to the Black Cats was their first and only loss in nine matches — a run which includes impressive victories over Liverpool, Tottenham and José Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League.
The Blues are now third in the Premier League table and six points behind league leaders Arsenal, but pundits like Jamie Carragher are adamant that Chelsea could use something different to their pretty similar options throughout the team.
Reports suggest that BlueCo partly agree with Carragher’s statement, as they’re making transfer plans ahead of next year despite spending close to £300 million in the summer.
The Premier League’s biggest summer spenders
Team
Spent
Received
Net Spend
Liverpool
£415,000,000
£187,000,000
£228,000,000
Chelsea
£285,000,000
£288,000,000
-£3,000,000
Arsenal
£255,000,000
£9,000,000
£246,000,000
Newcastle
£250,000,000
£152,000,000
£98,000,000
Man Utd
£216,000,000
£68,000,000
£148,000,000
Nottm Forest
£205,000,000
£107,000,000
£98,000,000
Tottenham
£181,000,000
£36,000,000
£145,000,000
Sunderland
£162,000,000
£44,000,000
£118,000,000
Man City
£152,000,000
£53,000,000
£99,000,000
West Ham
£124,000,000
£55,000,000
£69,000,000
via BBC
After his latest injury blow and being hauled off just six minutes into Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Qarabag last week, midfielder Romeo Lavia is expected to be sidelined for at least one month with a quadriceps problem, and Chelsea were already looking at new midfield targets before the Belgian’s return to rehab.
It is unclear whether Chelsea could look to strike a midfield deal in January, or whether it’s one for next summer instead, but it is reportedly more clear that Maresca wants a new centre-back to come in at the very least as BlueCo prioritise a defender.
Other media sources indicate that Chelsea may well bring in another striker next year as well, despite Joao Pedro’s excellent form and the return of Liam Delap.
Julian Alvarez reportedly refuses to rule out joining Chelsea ahead of Barca and PSG
Speaking to the Chelsea Chronicle, journalist Graeme Bailey has said that £211,000-per-week forward Julian Alvarez is one to keep an eye on.
The former Man City sensation has dazzled under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid this term, netting nine times in his last 15 outings, and he finished his debut 24/25 season at the La Liga side with nearly 30 goals in all competitions.
This incredible form is attracting interest from some of Europe’s biggest hitters, including PSG and Barca, but Bailey has suggested that Alvarez is refusing to rule out a Chelsea move.
Maresca could have his pick of new centre-forwards with the pacey Emmanuel Emegha poised to arrive from sister club Strasbourg in 2026.
Alvarez would be the cherry on top, but according to some reports in Argentina, those within Barca are convinced that Atletico could demand as much as £176 million to let the 25-year-old leave – so Chelsea may even have to break the Premier League transfer record.
When it comes to Argentina’s glorious run at the 1986 World Cup, there are stories that are told over and over again; the Hand of God, the Goal of the Century, and Diego Maradona lifting the trophy at the Azteca. They’re so present in the collective memory of Argentines, as well as fans from around the world, that they almost feel like scenes from a movie we’ve all watched too many times.
But there are other stories, quieter ones, that exist on the margins of the great tales. Episodes that seem minor but end up illuminating a tournament, a country, or an entire generation from an unexpected angle.
Mexico ‘86 was full of such moments; the midday heat of Mexico City, the altitude that forced Carlos Bilardo to plan obsessive training sessions, the press conferences where Maradona answered incredulous journalists with sharp, unforgettable lines.
And among those parallel stories is one of the most colorful: that of the ‘fake’ jerseys Argentina wore in their quarter-final win over England – acquired at the very last minute in Tepito, the roughest neighborhood in Mexico City.
Hulton Archive
Under suspicion
To understand the magnitude of that anecdote, you have to go back to months earlier. Argentina didn’t arrive at Mexico ‘86 as a favourite. The memory of Spain 1982 still weighed heavily – a World Cup in which the team tried to defend its 1978 title but failed spectacularly. Cesar Luis Menotti’s squad collapsed in the second round, and Maradona, then an up-and-coming 21-year-old, was sent off against Brazil.
The transition to Bilardo’s era was far from smooth. His tactical approach – a 3-5-2 system that prioritised defensive order and discipline – was seen by many as heresy against Menotti’s romantic, attack-minded ideal. The always influential Argentine press openly distrusted Bilardo, calling him defensive and calculating, and even accused him of 'killing the essence' of the national game.
Pre-tournament results were modest, the team didn’t click, and scepticism spread. Some journalists even wrote that the goal should simply be ‘to get through the group stage and save face’. The atmosphere in Buenos Aires was pessimistic, almost hostile. Meanwhile, the country itself was facing its own turbulence. Raul Alfonsin’s young democracy was struggling to consolidate after a military dictatorship amid political and economic tension. Football, as always, served as an escape valve – but also as a symbolic battleground. In that context, the World Cup appeared as a space for catharsis and hope, even if few believed in the team.
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Unfinished business
Amid all the doubts, there was one certainty: Diego Armando Maradona. At 25, he arrived in peak physical form and as team captain. In Italy, he was already a god in Naples – though he was still in the process of leading Napoli to the glory that would come later. But in World Cups, Diego still had a debt to settle.
Spain ‘82 had been a bitter blow after the red card against Brazil, the early elimination, and the merciless criticism. For many journalists, Mexico was Maradona’s ‘now or never’. Bilardo knew it and built the entire team around his number 10. There was no Plan B – everything revolved around Diego.
“We’re here to fight. I feel like this is our moment,” Maradona would later recall in interviews. That conviction wasn’t an act – it was a message he sent to his team-mates and to a doubtful nation. Bilardo reinforced it during training sessions: “Diego is the axis; we all play to bring out his best.”
The challenge, however, wasn’t only tactical. There were external factors: the altitude of cities like Toluca and Mexico City, the scorching midday sun, and the logistical hurdles of a World Cup that demanded quick solutions. And it was precisely within that mix of obstacles that the bizarre jersey episode appeared.
The jersey dilemma
On June 22, 1986, Argentina were set to face England at the Estadio Azteca in the quarter-finals. It was a match charged with symbolism. Only four years earlier, the Falklands War had pitted both nations against each other, leaving open wounds and painful memories across Argentine society. Although FIFA insisted it was “just football,” for fans and players alike it was clearly something more.
In that context, FIFA informed Argentina that they had to wear dark jerseys to distinguish themselves from England’s white. A technical detail, seemingly minor, but the problem was that the team didn’t have an appropriate alternative for the heat.
The only available shirts were made of thick cotton – heavy, almost unwearable under the Mexican midday sun. Bilardo immediately noticed that wearing them would pose a physical risk to his players. And in such a demanding match, every detail could make the difference.
Oscar Ruggeri would recall years later: “They went to Tepito because Zelada knew the place – he sent a kitman with a backpack and brought back one thick jersey. They kicked him out, but we had to play… They went to look for other jerseys, and those we liked.”
Fate, mischievous as ever, had placed the team in a ridiculous dilemma: Play in suffocating shirts or go out into the city to find new ones. And that’s where Tepito came into play.
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Market of the possible
Tepito is an iconic neighbourhood in Mexico City – popular, vibrant, dangerous, and fascinating all at once. Known as ‘the tough neighbourhood’, it’s famous for its informal commerce, street culture, and endless ability to reproduce, imitate, and reinvent. By the 1980s, it was already notorious for selling pirated goods, from movies to sportswear.
Amid World Cup fever, Tepito’s streets were packed with jerseys from every national team. Many were high-quality imitations, made in local workshops with lighter materials than the official ones. In their desperate search, a group of Argentine kitmen, guided by back-up goalkeeper Héctor Zelada, ventured into the neighbourhood’s alleys.
Maradona would later summarise it in one brief, telling sentence: “I asked for something light… and they found some.”
The negotiation was quick and almost surreal. The vendors couldn’t believe that real members of the Argentina team were buying jerseys they knew were fakes. But necessity ruled. The problem had to be solved – and in that moment, the counterfeit became salvation.
The shirts were ideal: lightweight blue polyester with the Le Coq Sportif logo embroidered, almost identical to the official ones but much fresher. They were, literally, the perfect solution.
Manchester City are now reportedly one of the two most interested clubs in signing a key defensive reinforcement for Pep Guardiola worth over £40m.
Man City interested in key defensive addition
This time last year, Man City were gearing up for a frantic January transfer window. The Citizens were struggling more than ever before under Guardiola, who was on the worst run of his career himself.
One year later, things are little less concerning. The serial winners still have problems to address, but they still very much find themselves in a Premier League title race.
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Before they can even think about leapfrogging Arsenal, however, Man City must improve defensively. Close collapses against Leeds United and Fulham were worrying warning signs and the January transfer window represents the chance for Guardiola to add key reinforcements.
He told reporters when asked about his side’s defensive frailties as of late: “I don’t like to concede six goals in two games, but we have to build from that. We have to fix these kind of things. I believe we can do better. We create chances and score goals because we have built a team for that, but we have to be more solid.”
So, who could Man City sign in 2026? As things stand, the biggest names on their radar seem to be Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown.
Guehi would be a particularly impressive signing, given how Liverpool remain so closely linked with his signature. If he’s available as a free agent next summer, City should jump at the chance to welcome the England international.
Meanwhile, Brown would also be an impressive addition. The left-back reportedly has plenty of fans at the Etihad and has emerged as an early target to help Guardiola solve his current defensive leak.
Man City battling Arsenal to sign Brown
According to Caught Offside, Man City are now the most interested club to sign Brown alongside title rivals Arsenal. The two Premier League sides are seemingly leading the chasing pack to sign the impressive Frankfurt man, who is set to cost around €50m (£44m) when 2026 arrives.
It’s easy to see why Man City are one of the top contenders to sign Brown next year, especially as Guardiola transitions back towards flying full-backs.
The German was described as exactly that by Ben Mattinson last season, with the Como scout also calling the Frankfurt man “pacy”.
Man City rarely miss out in the transfer market and even as Arsenal rise to the top of the Premier League, they should feel confident that they can lure Brown to Manchester in 2026.
Man City now expected to sign "unbelievable" PL star who nearly joined Liverpool
Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl made it four wins from four in the Scottish Premiership since his move to Ibrox to replace Russell Martin in the dugout with a 2-1 win over Livingston on Saturday.
Goals from Emmanuel Fernandez and Mohamed Diomande scored the goals for the Light Blues at Ibrox to secure all three points for the German manager.
It was a game that was packed with controversial incidents, though, as Livingston’s equaliser and Diomande’s winner were both tight offside calls that were ultimately deemed to be legal.
The most contentious moment of the game came when Fernandez appeared to block a goal-bound shot with his arm, but his arm was in a natural position and VAR opted not to intervene.
That caused the official Livingston account to post on X that the officials did not get “a penalty for a blatant handball to the Lions” in their full-time post after the match.
Rohl, however, will be more concerned with the performances of some of his players, rather than the officials, and Thelo Aasgaard was one of the players who failed to deliver on Saturday.
Why Thelo Aasgaard must be dropped
The Norway international was given the nod to start the match in the number ten position, with Nico Raskin and Diomande behind him in midfield, but he was unable to justify his inclusion in the side with a strong performance.
Instead, the summer signing from Luton Town produced a dismal first-half display that caused Rohl to withdraw him from the match at half-time to bring Bojan Miovski into the game.
Per Sofascore, Aasgaard did not register a single shot on goal and created one chance, which was not a ‘big chance’, in 45 minutes on the pitch before being placed on the bench.
Thelo Aasgaard’s Premiership season
Opponent
Manager
Goals + key passes
Livingston
Danny Rohl
0 + 1
Dundee
Danny Rohl
0 + 1
Hibernian
Danny Rohl
0 + 1
Kilmarnock
Danny Rohl
0 + 0
Dundee United
Stevie Smith
1 + 4
Falkirk
Russell Martin
0 + 0
Livingston
Russell Martin
0 + 0
Hearts
Russell Martin
0 + 1
Celtic
Russell Martin
0 + 0
St Mirren
Russell Martin
0 + 0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the English-born midfield flop is yet to score a goal or create more than one chance in a game for any permanent Rangers head coach in the Premiership this season.
He has provided one assist in the league under Rohl, against Dundee, but that was a fairly simple pass from the halfway line that Djeidi Gassama turned into a wonderful goal, as shown in the clip below.
These statistics, including his poor display against Livingston, show why Rohl should ruthlessly drop the attacking midfielder from the starting line-up for the Europa League clash with Braga at Ibrox on Thursday night.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old summer signing has not done enough with his opportunities on the pitch to prove to the former Sheffield Wednesday head coach that he deserves to keep his place in the starting XI moving forward.
Aasgaard was far from the only Rangers player who failed to deliver a good enough performance against Livingston, though, and is not the only flop who should drop out of the side for the upcoming clash with Braga.
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Rohl must also ruthlessly ditch right-sided attacker Oliver Antman from the starting line-up for that meeting with the Portuguese outfit after his struggles in a Gers shirt of late.
Why Rangers should drop Oliver Antman against Braga
The German head coach may have hoped that the winger’s international performances for Finland during the international would provide him with confidence and positive momentum for the game against Livingston.
Antman scored, as shown in the clip above, and provided an assist for former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki in a 4-0 win for his country against Andorra on Monday.
Unfortunately, though, the summer signing from Go Ahead Eagles was unable to transfer his form for Finland over to his time on the pitch with Rangers on Saturday, as he failed to deliver an impressive display.
Vs Livingston
Thelo Aasgaard
Oliver Antman
Minutes
45
64
Shots
0
0
Key passes
1
1
Big chances created
0
0
Crosses completed
0/0
0/5
Duels won
2/4
5/13
Possession lost
4x
14x
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Antman was just as bad as Aasgaard against Livingston. They both failed to register a shot on goal and only created one chance for the team, without creating any ‘big chances’.
Rangers signed the Finland international to provide creativity on the right flank after he produced an eye-catching return of 17 assists in all competitions at club level during the 2024/25 campaign, to go along with seven goals.
Antman, though, has no goals and one assist in nine Premiership outings for the Scottish giants so far this season, and that assist came in the away clash with Livingston back in September.
Since he provided two assists against Viktoria Plzen in a 3-0 win on his debut for the club, the forward has no goals and one assist in 17 appearances in all competitions for the Gers, per Transfermarkt, and writer Kai Watson noted that Rangers “need more from” him.
Antman has not been able to carry his form for Go Ahead Eagles from last season over to Scottish football, yet, and his performance against Livingston on Saturday was another ineffective outing for the Light Blues.
On top of that, the 24-year-old flop has no goals and no assists in three matches in the league phase of the Europa League this term, which does not suggest that he is likely to have much of a positive impact against Braga on Thursday.
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Therefore, Rohl must ruthlessly ditch both Antman and Aasgaard from the starting line-up for the clash with the Liga Portugal outfit after their underwhelming performances against Livingston.