Tag Futebol

Started in 2003, the Golden Boy award has featured some incredibly impressive talents, but not all of those talents have gone on to justify winning the trophy over the years.

We’ve seen some generational stars start their journey at this very point, becoming destined to become the world’s best, yet we’ve also seen ultimate transfer flops take hold of the award.

Ballon d'Or 2026 Power Rankings

Who will be lifting the individual honour in 2026?

ByCharlie Smith Nov 6, 2025

These days, European football is filled with some names that should be guaranteed to take this current era by storm.

The likes of Lamine Yamal, Desire Doue, Estevao and Arda Guler have all been nominated for the 2025 award and all of those players will be hoping to avoid following the same path as some of the last 10 players to win the award.

10 2024: Lamine Yamal

Whilst it’s tough to decide which path most winners are going to take, it’s easy with Yamal. The Barcelona star is going to go straight to the very top. It’s easy to argue that he’s there already, having finished second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Now, he looks destined to become the first-ever player to win the Golden Boy award in back-to-back years. At just 18 years old, there simply isn’t a better young player on the planet than La Masia’s latest wonderkid.

Since winning the award in 2024, the Spain international has only become even better, even more confident and even likelier to take football’s vacant crown in place of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

9 2023: Jude Bellingham

It’s easy to forget just how young Jude Bellingham is. He has that natural leadership way beyond his years. Yet, it was only two years ago that he was picking up the Golden Boy award after a sensational debut campaign for Real Madrid.

His rise didn’t come to a crashing halt, either. Although injuries are currently handing him a disrupted start to life under Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu, the Englishman remains one of the most important players at the club and will no doubt make his mark under his new manager.

At just 22 years old, Bellingham is a Champions League winner who has already featured at the World Cup and European Championship for the Three Lions. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, he’s also expected to win his place back for the first time under Thomas Tuchel.

8 2022: Gavi

Football has a scheduling problem and one of the biggest victims to that schedule has been Gavi. Barcelona discovered their next best thing in 2022 when the midfielder won the Golden Boy award, but they simply did too much too soon.

The Spaniard was rarely rested when he first broke through in La Liga and has since suffered significant knee injuries. What was football’s newest Golden Boy in 2022 is now a star frustrated by injury setbacks at just 21 years old.

There’s still time for Gavi to work his way back to full fitness, but his problems should act as a stark warning for UEFA and FIFA as they add more fixtures to the football calendar.

7 2021: Pedri

Onto another Barcelona star, Pedri picked up the Golden Boy award in 2021 and has not looked back since. Whilst he’s also suffered a number of injuries since breaking through in Spain, the 22-year-old is now enjoying the best form of his career and is being recognised by many as one of the best midfielder’s that European football has to offer.

Like Yamal, Pedri is just getting started. He’s one that looks destined to become a generational talent four years on from winning such a prestigious award.

6 2020: Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland was unstoppable in 2020 and is inevitable in 2025. He looked destined to reach the peak of European football when he won the Golden Boy award at Borussia Dortmund and now looks likely to win a Ballon d’Or one day at Manchester City.

Since winning the award, the Norway international has joined City, won the Premier League, broke the record for goals in a single Premier League campaign and won a historic treble with the Citizens. He is one of, if not the best striker in the world.

5 2019: Joao Felix

It’s not all Haalands and Yamals on this list. A certain Joao Felix picked up the award in 2019 just months after sealing a move worth as much as £113m to Atletico Madrid.

The La Liga giants went all in one what was one of the best young players in the world. Now, six years on, he plays his football at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Atletico Madrid

34

131

Chelsea

40

11

Barcelona

44

10

AC Milan

21

3

From Chelsea and Barcelona all the way to AC Milan, it’s never clicked for Felix. The most damning statistic of all is that the failed wonderkid never even reached the 20-goal mark for any of those aforementioned clubs after Atletico Madrid. Simply put, he peaked when he won the Golden Boy award in 2019.

4 2018: Matthijs de Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt is a difficult one to judge. Whilst he’s now part of a struggling Manchester United side under Ruben Amorim, he still went on to seal a move to Juventus and then Bayern Munich after picking up the award in 2018 with Ajax.

The Dutchman was part of a generation of young players that very nearly made history under Erik ten Hag in the Netherlands, as they reached the Champions League semi-final. Ultimately, it wasn’t to be, but the defender did enough for his reputation to earn a big move elsewhere alongside several others.

De Ligt hasn’t endured the same struggles as Felix since the Golden Boy honour, but he is not the best defender in the world that many expected him to be by this stage.

3 2017: Kylian Mbappe

Like Haaland earlier in this list, Kylian Mbappe was destined to win the Golden Boy from the start of his Monaco career. Picking up the award at Paris Saint-Germain not long after sealing a loan move to the French giants which would become a £166m one year later, Mbappe stood tall as the best young player in the world.

Since then, although he is yet to be recognised with a Ballon d’Or, the Frenchman has fulfilled his prophecy and is now arguably Real Madrid’s most important player. After initially making a slow start in Spain, the 26-year-old has discovered his best form and may well be back in conversation for football’s highest honours soon enough.

2 2016: Renato Sanches

Who remembers Renato Sanches? Swansea City fans certainly will. The midfielder took Europe by storm as Portugal won Euro 2016 and went on to win the Golden Boy award as a result. Bayern Munich thought they had stolen a generational player from Benfica when he was accepting the award, but injuries soon struck and a move to Wales soon came calling.

No matter his struggle for form and injuries, Swansea couldn’t believe their luck when they signed Sanches on loan in 2017, only to suffer relegation and watch on as he failed to make his mark.

Beyond the English side, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and AS Roma also attempted to revive the midfielder’s career, but he ultimately never rediscovered his best form. Now, at 28 years old, he plays his football on loan from PSG at Greek side Panathinaikos.

1 2015: Anthony Martial

“Welcome to the Premier League, Anthony Martial”, is what Martin Tyler famously exclaimed when the Frenchman left Martin Skrtel bamboozled to score a stunning debut goal for Manchester United against Liverpool. At that point, Old Trafford and the rest of the Premier League believed a generational star had arrived.

A star boy quickly became a struggling star, however, and that debut goal remains Martial’s most memorable moment in a Man United shirt. As the Red Devils hired and fired Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and others, the Frenchman failed to truly make his mark. Now, he plays for Mexican side Monterrey.

That Ballon d’Or clause is beginning to look a tad awkward, isn’t it?

With a growing centre-back problem, Liverpool are now reportedly preparing a 2026 move to sign a defender worth over £55m, and he’s been compared to star Arsenal colossus Gabriel.

Liverpool's centre-back problem

The Reds entered the current campaign with a plethora of attacking options.

Arne Slot has been spoiled for choice, with Hugo Ekitiké, record signing Alexander Isak, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz and others all vying for a starting place. But the same can’t be said for his back four.

The Dutchman has already been forced to play Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back, in a decision that has unexpectedly proven effective, and may yet have to turn towards an auxiliary centre-back.

Big Salah upgrade: Liverpool prepare £86m bid for "one of the world's best"

Liverpool’s legendary goalscorer is showing signs of a decline this season.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 11, 2025

After Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury, Liverpool have just three senior centre-backs to turn to. One of them is Joe Gomez, who Slot just snubbed to play Ryan Gravenberch in the role against Chelsea when Konate was forced off through injury. So, to put it simply, the Reds may be in the midst of another defensive crisis.

Of course, the arrival of Marc Guehi was meant to solve that problem, until Crystal Palace pulled the plug on his Anfield switch in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

Now, with the race wide open for his signature, and Guehi leaning towards Real Madrid, Liverpool may be forced to turn towards other options.

This has already seen a number of names emerge as potential candidates ahead of next summer, when Konate is still scheduled to leave as a free agent with his contract yet to be sorted.

It’s a problem that Richard Hughes must solve and the arrival of one Paris Saint-Germain star would do exactly that in 2026.

Liverpool preparing Pacho move

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are now preparing a move to sign Willian Pacho from PSG in 2026, if they fail to sign Guehi, with Hughes and the Merseysiders recruitment team viewing Luis Enrique’s man as an alternative.

The central defender is valued at €65m (£57m) and is one of the most impressive rising stars in his position as a Champions League winner at just 23-years-old.

Whether he’s the main man in PSG’s backline is another question, however. The Ecuador international has started just three of his side’s seven Ligue 1 games so far this season, but both of their Champions League clashes against Atalanta and Barcelona in a mixed start to the campaign.

Minutes

2,132

2,560

Progressive Passes

53

115

Tackles Won

32

26

Ball Recoveries

119

98

When compared to Konate last season, Pacho’s work out of possession stands out the most. Although he must work on progressing play in possession, the South American’s ball recovery rate would hand Liverpool another imperious figure next to Virgil van Dijk next year.

Also dubbed the “baby Gabriel” by analyst Ben Mattinson, PSG’s utility man is certainly someone with a lot of fans in European football.

Whether Liverpool can lure him away from the European champions remains to be seen, however.

Being a left-back has changed over time, and now, being one of the best on the left-hand side of defence requires world-class attacking and defensive attributes.

In today’s game, Paris Saint-Germain’s Nuno Mendes and FC Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde are seen as some of the best left-backs in the world.

Related The Best 15 Left-Backs in World Football Ranked (2025)

Who is the top left-back around in 2025?

Posts ByCharlie Smith Oct 8, 2025

But who is the greatest left-back in history? Here is a look at 20 of the best left-backs, considering their longevity, consistency at the highest level, while also highlighting personal accolades and team honours.

20 Greatest Left-Backs of All Time

Rank

Name

Country

1

Paolo Maldini

Italy

2

Roberto Carlos

Brazil

3

Paul Breitner

Germany

4

Ruud Krol

Netherlands

5

​Giacinto Facchetti

Italy

6

​Nilton Santos

Brazil

7

Antonio Cabrini

Italy

8

Karl-Heinz Schnellinger

Germany

9

Marcelo

Brazil

10

Ashley Cole

England

11

Andreas Brehme

Germany

12

Bixente Lizarazu

France

13

Denis Irwin

Ireland

14

​​​Jordi Alba

Spain

15

David Alaba

Austria

16

​Hans-Peter Briegel

Germany

17

Andy Robertson

Scotland

18

Leo Junior

Brazil

19

​Jose Antonio Camacho

Spain

20

Patrice Evra

France

20 Patrice Evra

Starting the countdown is Patrice Evra, who is one of Man Utd’s best money buys in their history. Costing just £5.5m from Monaco in 2006, Sir Alex Ferguson helped turn Evra into one of the world’s best.

The Frenchman spent eight years at Old Trafford, captaining club and country, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

He possessed blistering pace, could defend one on one with ease and contributed to goals with his pinpoint crossing ability.

19 ​Jose Antonio Camacho

In the 1970s and 1980s, Spain and Real Madrid could rely on ​tough-tackling Jose Antonio Camacho at left-back, and he’d spend his entire club career at the Bernabeu.

Making more than 500 appearances for Madrid, Camacho’s passion and grit was combined with athleticism and skill, which saw him win 19 honours for Los Blancos.

18 Leo Junior

A favourite of Pele’s, Leo Junior was a regular for Brazil between 1979-1992 and after retiring, would go on to represent his country on the beach, winning six Beach Soccer World Championships.

On the grass, Junior began and ended his career with Flamengo and was nicknamed “Capacete” because of his afro hairstyle. An attacking full-back who played further forward when needed, Junior was comfortable with either foot and his knowledge of the game resulted in him going into coaching with Flamingo and Corinthians.

17 Andy Robertson

Not many would have predicted Andy Robertson to turn into one of the best left-backs the Premier League has ever seen when he joined Liverpool in 2017, but that is what’s happened.

The Scot has even arguably gone under the radar at Anfield and his attacking ability is just as good as his defensive attributes. A left-back who never tires, Robertson has been key in Premier League and Champions League triumphs at Anfield.

16 ​Hans-Peter Briegel

German left-back ​Hans-Peter Briegel was so athletic that he could have been a long jumper. However, he chose football, which turned out to be the correct call.

Named the German Footballer of the Year in 1985, Briegel won the 1980 European Championship with West Germany and, at club level, starred for 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Germany before heading to Italy with Hellas Verona and Sampdoria.

15 David Alaba

David Alaba began his career as a left-back and in his prime, was one of the best we’ve seen in the modern era, spending 11 years with German giants Bayern Munich.

As time has gone on, Alaba has also been used centrally after his move to Real Madrid. He has won more than 100 caps for Austria, 10 Bundesliga titles, four Champions Leagues and was named as his country’s Footballer of the Year on 10 occasions.

14 Jordi Alba

One of Barcelona and Spain’s best ever left-backs, Jordi Alba retired in 2025 following a glittering 19-year career.

The attack-minded full-back won 17 honours at the Nou Camp, including the Champions League, while also being a 2012 Euros winner.

A left-back loved by Lionel Messi, Alba provided an assist for the Argentine in his final league game, whereas Messi returned the favour.

13 Denis Irwin

An extremely reliable and underrated Man Utd star in the 1990s, Denis Irwin was worth every penny of the £650,000 transfer fee.

He was so good at Old Trafford that Ferguson said Irwin, who won seven Premier League titles, would be the only certainty in his all-time Man Utd XI.

The Irishman was also a free-kick specialist and was arguably ahead of the times, paving the way for how full-backs play today.

12 Bixente Lizarazu

French left-back Bixente Lizarazu starred for Bordeaux after coming through their academy which earned him an eventual move to Bayern Munich where he would end his career.

A 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euros winner, Lizarazu was part of one of the most iconic France teams in history. At club level, Lizarazu won five Bundesliga titles in six seasons with Bayern and the Champions League.

11 Andreas Brehme

Not only could German left-back Andreas Brehme defend, he could also score and nearly hit 100 career goals for club and country.

A set-piece specialist, Brehme was known for his unbelievable delivery and is rightly regarded as one of Germany’s best ever full-backs, starring for 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

Just five days after the transfer window slammed shut the shock news emerged from Tottenham Hotspur that Daniel Levy would be leaving the club.

It’s the end of an era and whatever you say about the former chairman’s stint at Spurs, he did deliver success. Under his watch, a remarkably impressive new stadium was built, they reached a Champions League final and won the Europa League. Not bad, really, eh?

Sadly, the Lilywhites have largely always been the bridesmaid rather than the bride. They’ve failed to soar to the next level but under Thomas Frank they will hope things change.

Perhaps a big £100m investment could help? Last week, it was announced that ENIC, which, before this transaction, owned nearly 86.91% of Spurs, have provided £100m in new funding to Spurs. The sum has been provided to ENIC via the Lewis family trust which did own 70% of ENIC and 61% of Spurs.

Essentially, ENIC have provided the cash in exchange for shares, increasing its ownership stake in the club, increasing its percentage in Tottenham Hotspur to 87.62%.

The Athletic understand that the £100m may not be added to a transfer war chest, but extra investment can’t he a hindrance. Perhaps there will be some extra room for manoeuvre in the transfer window anyway.

Will a Harry Kane return come about as a result?

Could Harry Kane return to Spurs?

When Kane left north London behind in August 2023, he did so with the blessing of the fanbase.

The club could not provide him with the silverware he craved and so he departed for Bayern Munich having scored 280 times in 435 outings, making him the club’s all-time record goalscorer.

Spurs

435

280

England

107

74

Bayern

106

103

Millwall

27

9

Orient

18

5

Leicester

15

2

Norwich

5

0

Since heading to Germany, he has taken his game to a whole new level and is now in the conversation to win the Ballon d’Or next year, currently ranking as the fourth favourite to take home the award.

Why? Well, the England skipper has been in remarkable form during 2025/26. He has scored a mind-boggling 18 goals in just ten fixtures, cementing himself as the most prolific forward on the planet.

Despite that, there is a hope that one day he will return to Spurs. Reports in recent months have suggested that they were ready to launch a bid to re-sign their former striker if given encouragement by the player.

Kane’s currrent deal in Germany ends in 2027 and there is a release clause of £56.7m that could reportedly be activated next summer.

Sadly for Spurs supporters, the player could look to extend his terms. Speaking to the press last week, the centre forward commented: “In terms of staying longer I could definitely see that. I have not had those conversations with Bayern yet but if they were to arise I would be willing to talk and have an honest conversation.”

It’s safe to say Frank could certainly do with Kane. While the former Brentford boss has made Spurs look like a more organised and defensively sound outfit, they are struggling to score goals.

Four players hold the honour of being the club’s top scorer this term, with Joao Palhinha, Brennan Johnson, Richarlison and Micky van de Ven all level on three. That rather says it all, really.

That being said, by the time Kane’s deal at Bayern ends, he will be 34. Younger legs will be required.

The Harry Kane alternative Spurs must sign

Bringing back their record scorer to the club would be an incredible way for ENIC to begin the post-Levy era but it’s perhaps not the smartest use of their funds.

A striker will likely be signed within the next year but they must not neglect the flanks either. That’s where Bournemouth talisman, Antoine Semenyo, comes in.

Transfer Focus

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

Far-fetched? Quite possibly, but reports emerged last week indicating that Spurs were preparing a move to sign the winger in January, with Frank allegedly making it clear that he is “the perfect fit” for his team.

Few would find a reason not to sign Semenyo in 2026. Erling Haaland aside, he has been the best player in the Premier League this season, scoring six goals and registering three assists in his seven outings to date.

The wide forward has taken his game to a whole new level. In 2024/25, he exited the campaign having scored 13, 11 of which came in the league. He’s currently on course to obliterate that record, rubberstamping precisely why every top side in the division, Spurs included, should be looking to sign him next year.

In the words of former Spurs and England star, Chris Waddle, Semenyo is now “definitely the best winger in England right now”.

Predominantly preferred off the right flank, Mohammed Kudus may not be too pleased about this signing but the summer arrival has the skillset to play off the left and through the middle too.

One has to say; the thought of Kudus, Spurs’ “player of the season” in the words of reporter Alasdair Gold, linking up with Semenyo is a scary thought indeed.

It would, of course, be scary to see him linking up with Kane but that feels like a pipe dream right now. Semenyo is certainly more realistic and he could use Kudus’ marvellous creativity to take him to even greater heights.

Both representing Ghana at international level, there is a pre-existing relationship there both on and off the field.

Kane is every supporter’s dream but Semenyo would be an incredible signing. There is a reason both Liverpool and Arsenal are reportedly interested in his services.

Biggest star since Kane: Spurs are brewing "one of England's best talents"

Tottenham Hotspur already have their next biggest England star on Thomas Frank’s books.

1 ByEthan Lamb Oct 11, 2025

عاد فريق ليفربول لطريق الانتصارات مرة أخرى، على حساب آينتراخت فرانكفورت، بخماسية لهدف واحد، في الجولة الثالثة بمرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، وذلك بعد غيابه عن الفوز في 3 مباريات متتالية.

أنطلقت أحداث الشوط الأول بين ليفربول وفرانكفورت، وتصدى حارس فرانكفورت لأول تسديدة من ألكسندر إيزاك في الدقيقة 10.

وتوقفت المباراة لإصابة جيريمي فريمبونج واضطر آرني سلوت للقيام بتبديل اضطراري مبكراً بدخول كونور برادلي بدلاً من فريمبونج.

وفي الدقيقة 27 سجل فرانكفورت هدفه الأول عن طريق راسموس كريستنسن بعد تسديدة رائعة في الزاوية اليمنى لمرمى مامارداشفيلي، ثم هدد برادلي مرمى فرانكفورت بعد رأسية تصدى لها مايكل زيتيرر.

اقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | كوناتي يسجل هدف ليفربول الثالث أمام فرانكفورت

وتعادل إيكتيكي لصالح ليفربول بعد تمريرة رائعة من روبرتسون، لينفرد بمرمى فرانكفورت في الدقيقة 36، وبعد مرور ثلاث دقائق فقط يحرز فان دايك الهدف الثاني برأسية رائعة.

وقبل نهاية الشوط الأول أحرز ليفربول الهدف الثالث عن طريق الفرنسي إبراهيما كوناتي، لينتهي الشوط الأول بتقدم الريدز بثلاث اهداف لهدف.

وفي بداية الشوط الثاني أجرى سلوت تغييراً ثانياً بدخول كييزا بدلاً من إيزاك، وهدد الإيطالي مرمى فرانكفورت بمتابعة رائعة ولكن ذهبت الكرة بجوار المرمى في الدقيقة 48.

سيطر ليفربول على المباراة وحاول مدرب فرانكفورت قلب النتيجة عن طريق القيام بتغييرات، قبل أن يسجل الريدز الهدف الرابع عن طريق كودي جاكبو بصناعة رائعة من فلوريان فيرتز.

وعاد فيرتز ليهدي كرة أخرى لصالح دومينيك سوبوسلاي، الذي أحرز الهدف الخامس لليفربول من تسديدة رائعة من خارج منطقة الجزاء.

ودخل محمد صلاح كبديل قبل ربع ساعة من انتهاء الشوط الثاني، وأتيحت له فرصة تسجيل هدف، ولكن تسديدته تصدى لها حارس فرانكفورت في الدقيقة 89.

بهذا الفوز، ارتفع رصيد ليفربول للنقطة السادسة في المركز العاشر في ترتيب دوري أبطال أوروبا، وتجمد رصيد فرانكفورت عند النقطة الثالثة في المركز 22.

Toon boss Howe has delivered a simple rebuke to rumours linking him with the Manchester United job, confirming his commitment to the Magpies. Amorim’s job is seemingly hanging in the balance with Man Utd languishing in 14th place after a woeful start to the season, one point and one place above Newcastle. But Howe has moved quickly to squash any potential link.

Peter Crouch links Howe to Old Trafford

The finger of blame for the rumours should be pointed firmly at former Liverpool, Tottenham and Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch, who said: "Someone mentioned Eddie Howe to me, right, to go to Manchester United. But why would he leave Newcastle?" 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHowe’s no nonsense response to Man Utd link

Howe said: "I'm all in (at Newcastle). My commitment here is 100 per cent and always has been. My family is still here, and we are fighting every day to make a success of what we are doing. The season ahead could be a wonderful thing, and that is what we are trying to focus on, trying to make a success of the games we have coming up. It's never gone away, for me, the fragility of the profession that I'm in. Partly, I think that's healthy for me, though, because it drives me to work as hard as I do, because I want to stay in the job that I'm doing, and I want to be successful at it. You know I'm a believer – and I was the same in my playing career – you take your eye off the ball for a second, you get lazy, or you get used to the same habits, that's not going to work, that's not going to bring you results. You've got to continually think and push boundaries and get better, and to do that takes a lot of energy and a look of thought, which drives the people around me mad, I'm sure, but for me, that's part of what drives me and propels me forward."

Why would Howe move?

Amorim faces an uphill battle to improve Man United’s fortunes, including integrating new signings, goal scoring, and establishing consistent team performances. One of the main difficulties Amorim faces is adapting the squad to his preferred 3-4-3 formation, which is a significant change from the formations used by previous managers. While he has reportedly been given considerable backing in the transfer market to shape the squad, the team's performance has been inconsistent. United lost 3-1 to Brentford and suffered a Carabao Cup defeat by Grimsby Town earlier this season, increasing pressure on the Portuguese. The team hasn’t achieved consecutive wins under Amorim, and while he retains the backing of the United board, his long-term tenure remains uncertain without a significant upturn in results.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportThe future’s bright, it’s black and white

An emphatic 4-0 away win against Union Saint-Gilloise was a major boost, with new club-record signing Nick Woltemade impressing and demonstrating his potential as a new attacking focal point. New winger Anthony Elanga is also finding his rhythm, suggesting the team is starting to gel. And off the pitch, the club's financial situation is positive, with a 28 per cent revenue increase for the year ending June 2024, fuelled by Champions League participation and a focus on commercial deals, provides a strong foundation for future investment.

West Ham United may have seen the transfer window come to a close, though they have concluded a surprise deal at the London Stadium as Graham Potter searches for unattached reinforcements.

West Ham look for togetherness with Premier League set to return

The Hammers have endured a mixed start to the Premier League campaign, and heavy defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea didn’t leave supporters feeling a great deal of optimism about what is to come.

However, a rousing 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground before the international break has stirred a little bit of excitement that West Ham could start to enter an upward trajectory, though Jarrod Bowen believes togetherness will be key to maintaining some form of momentum.

He stated: “It’s been an up and down couple of weeks,” he reflected. “The Premier League starting, you are on a high as you have waited so long for it. Then, to lose the way we did to Sunderland, followed by a defeat by Chelsea and one in the cup where we were in a good position to win the game was difficult.

“But I think the one thing we have got with this group is a real resilience and togetherness. You saw that at the weekend. I think everyone would have wrote us off at Nottingham Forest so to win 3-0, and it that could have been even more on another day, just shows that resilience to keep going even in the difficult times.”

Speculation over Potter’s position at West Ham has seen Frank Lampard mentioned as a potential successor. However, the former Brighton & Hove Albion is still firmly in charge, and will believe his side can string together a run of results in the English top-flight.

Still, his squad are short in a couple of positions, which has led Hammers chiefs to open talks over a deal for a veteran star who is known to supporters.

West Ham seal deal for Lukasz Fabianski

Despite his exit from the London Stadium this summer, West Ham have moved to bring Lukasz Fabianski back to the club on a free transfer following Wes Foderingham’s departure to join Aris Limassol.

Mads Hermansen and Alphonse Areola are the Irons’ only senior options between the sticks, creating a scenario where they have now drafted in their former stopper to fill the third-choice goalkeeper berth under Potter, with initial talks over a move reported by talkSPORT.

Related Why West Ham missed out on Mitrovic deal after late offer

He would have solved their attacking problems…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Sep 7, 2025

Labelled “world-class” by Don Hutchinson, Fabianski is now 40 years of age and has kept 55 clean sheets in 216 appearances for West Ham, becoming a reliable presence during seven years in East London.

In addition, he also shares the same ROOF agency as Niclas Fullkrug, which perhaps helped to hasten negotiations between all parties in recent days. The Polish veteran has signed on a deal until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Intriguingly, West Ham passed up the opportunity to sign Andre Onana on loan from Manchester United before the deadline passed last week, something that may have paved the way for their swoop to land Fabianski.

An unpredictable Afghanistan start as favourites, however, there’s rain threat across all five days

Sreshth Shah25-Dec-2024Big Picture: Zimbabwe gets a home Boxing Day Test in 28 yearsThe final week of the year is like a Roman feast for the Test cricket fan, and Boxing Day this year promises mouth-watering contests in Melbourne and Centurion, but look this way too, will you? Bulawayo is set to host Zimbabwe’s first Boxing Day Test in 28 years too, and with unpredictable Afghanistan on the other side, a real tussle is expected between two teams, who despite their recent underwhelming performances, would feel like they’re favourites. After all, the last time either side won a Test was against each other.But that was way back in 2021. Since then, they have not found a way to win. And one look at the Zimbabwe and Afghanistan squads for this two-Test series suggests that they’re both looking to change that by taking a different direction for 2025 and beyond. A splattering of Test debutants are expected – theoretically, there could be as many 15 debuts across the two XIs – and this series could very well be the one that births a new generation.The keys to success, nonetheless, will still be best known by the experienced heads. Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Blessing Muzarabani, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah will all be there, but Rashid Khan has made himself unavailable due to personal reasons for the opening Test. He had originally made himself available for both Tests after recovering from injury; teen spinner AM Ghazanfar was added to the squad late on Tuesday to accommodate his absence.However, all the headlines could be stolen by the weather unfortunately. Like Afghanistan’s last encounter in Greater Noida that got washed out without the toss, this one could go to similar territory, although some action is promised every day amid forecasts of rain and thunderstorms every afternoon.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)
Zimbabwe LLDLL
Afghanistan ALLLWIn the spotlight: Ben Curran and GhazanfarZimbabwe have been looking for one person to hold onto one position in their top order for a long time, and potential debutant Ben Curran could be one to steady the wobble. Left-hand batter Curran – the middle brother of England internationals Tom and Sam, and son of former Zimbabwe international Kevin Curran – has been rewarded for being the leading run-scorer of the Logan Cup this season, averaging 74.14 in seven innings with two centuries and two fifties. However, he has had a difficult start to his international career, with scores of 12, 0, and 15 in the three ODIs against Afghanistan.AM Ghazanfar was impressive in the ODIs•ACBCould 18-year-old AM Ghazanfar walk into the Test XI right away? A late addition to the squad, Ghazanfar has not played any first-class cricket, but his T20 average of 11.62 and ODI average of 13.57 makes him an exciting prospect for any form of cricket. He has been the flavour of the season in T20 leagues around the world, and he spun a web around Zimbabwe with figures of 3 for 9 and 5 for 33 in his last two ODIs. With teams likely to race against time in this Test, a spinner who can run through opponents is a deadly weapon.Team newsZimbabwe: 1 Joylord Gumbie (wk), 2 Ben Curran, 3 Dion Myers, 4 Craig Ervine (capt), 5 Sikandar Raza, 6 Sean Williams, 7 Brian Bennett, 8 Johnathan Campbell / Brandon Mavuta, 9 Blessing Muzarabani, 10 Richard Ngarava, 11 Newman NyamhuriAfghanistan: 1 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 2 Sediqullah Atal, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Bahir Shah / Riaz Hassan, 7 Zia-ur-Rehman, 8 Zahir Khan, 9 Fareed Ahmed, 10 Naveed Zadran, 11 AM GhazanfarPitch and conditionsBulawayo usually offers dry pitch conditions. The surface largely assists fast bowlers and helps spinners later, but with cloudy conditions expected, the fast bowlers may have a bigger role to play across the five days. Rain is forecast across all five days, especially during the second and third sessions.Stats and trivia Zimbabwe have lost six out of their last seven Tests with one resulting in a draw. The Queen’s Sports Club is an inauspicious Test venue for Zimbabwe. They have not won a Test here since April 2001. Since that win, they have played 17 more Tests, losing 13 and drawing four. If Ghazanfar makes his debut, he will be the eighth teen debutant in Tests for Afghanistan. This will be Zimbabwe’s fourth Boxing Day encounter in their Test history and Afghanistan’s first.

Tottenham Hotspur want to showcase ambition in the transfer market before deadline day, and this has been backed up by their moves thus far.

Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham working on signing attacker after Gibbs-White blow

Spurs are swiftly moving on after an eventful saga.

3

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 29, 2025

The standout signing has been Mohammed Kudus, who arrived from West Ham in a £55 million deal earlier this month. The Ghanaian, famed for his versatility, flair and explosive pace, fits seamlessly into Thomas Frank’s setup, and he’s already impressed in flashes during pre-season.

Kudus brings both Premier League experience and creativity, qualities Spurs lacked in stretches of last season, mainly due to their injury nightmare. The 24-year-old also brings Champions League know-how from his time at Ajax, and in an alternate universe, he would’ve been joined by Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White in a statement £60 million move.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025	Average match rating
Son Heung-min	7.00
James Maddison	6.98
Pedro Porro	6.95
Dominic Solanke	6.84
Dejan Kulusevski	6.83
via WhoScored

Spurs were on the verge of completing a sensational, quick-fire £115 million double deal for both Kudus and Gibbs-White, but chairman Daniel Levy was forced to settle for just the former with Forest blocking the Englishman’s exit.

After Forest threatened legal action against both the Lilywhites and Gibbs-White’s camp for an alleged ‘illegal’ approach (Sky Sports), Spurs were in limbo hoping for the 25-year-old’s transfer over the next fortnight (Fabrizio Romano).

However, it was all in vain, with Gibbs-White signing a record-breaking new £150,000-per-week contract at Forest to end all hopes of Frank welcoming the attacker to N17.

The statement of intent was there from Levy and Tottenham, but an unprecedented chain of events means that the north Londoners must now turn to alternative forward targets in their quest for upgrades.

Frank needs to be backed with fresh faces ahead of his first ever campaign managing in the Champions League, and according to recent reports, Spurs are now turning towards Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

Tottenham want to make Real Madrid star Rodrygo their new "crown jewel"

Reports earlier this week claimed that Tottenham have opened discussions with intermediaries over a potential deal for Rodrygo, who faces an uncertain future under new Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso.

Now, journalist Eduardo Burgos has shared an update on the situation in a piece for Diario AS.

Spurs have apparently approached Madrid, requesting their green-light to formally speak with the Brazil international, and they want Rodrygo to be the “crown jewel” of Frank’s new-look squad for 2025/2026.

This follows the arrival of a “new investor” in the club which has given them “significant financial muscle”, but they still want to lower Real’s £78 million asking price. Tottenham are said to be moving for Rodrygo’s signature through an intermediary, and they might actually have a free run at signing the 24-year-old.

While Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is a fan of Rodrygo, they’re yet to move, and it is believed both Liverpool and Chelsea are dropping out of the race with their eyes on Alexander Isak and Xavi Simons respectively.

AS and Burgos state that Spurs are the only club in a solid position to sign the “superstar” former Santos sensation right now, and he’s also open to leaving the Bernabeu before September 1.

Kuhnemann took 4 for 67 but Tasmania will resume play on the final day at 41 chasing 429 for victory against South Australia

AAP08-Dec-2024

Matt Kuhnemann celebrates a wicket•Getty Images

Tasmania hit back with the ball thanks to Matt Kuhnemann’s four-wicket haul but still face a daunting fight for survival on the final day of their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia at Bellerive Oval.The Tigers went to stumps on day three at 41 for 1 chasing 429 for victory, with Jake Weatherald and Tim Ward at the crease. Tasmania lost Nivethan Radhakrishnan early in their run chase when the opener was bowled by Nathan McAndrew.The Tigers have a big mountain to climb to win, or even draw, the match. South Australia took control of the contest by posting 398 for 6 declared in their first innings and skittling Tasmania for 203, with McAndrew, Liam Scott and Henry Thornton each bagging three wickets.Things were looking even more dire for Tasmania as South Australia moved to 117 for 0 and 211 for 3 in their second innings.But the Tigers’ attack hit back hard, sparking a collapse of 6 for 22 before South Australia declared at 233 for 9.Conor McInerney (75 off 73 balls), Henry Hunt (31 off 57) and Jason Sangha (61 off 92) had set an excellent platform for South Australia before Tasmania clicked into gear.Kuhnemann, who has his eyes on a Test recall for the tour of Sri Lanka, was the chief destroyer with 4 for 67.Kuhnemann produced a spectacular one-handed catch off his own bowling to remove Hunt, and bowled Scott and Jake Fraser-McGurk as they attempted to heave him for six.Nathan McAndrew became his fourth scalp, with paceman Gabe Bell the only other multiple wicket-taker for the Tigers.