In March, Tottenham reacted to the threat of relegation by making a major investment in Roberto De Zerbi, who was negotiating from an exceptionally strong position. Performances improved noticeably, and the club secured survival on the final day. Spurs have since spent a net £175m ($234m) to strengthen the squad, suggesting that the financial restraint […]
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In the darkness of Friday evening, Yannick Cahuzac quietly entered the Lens technical area at the Stade Louis II. As the lights faded for the players’ arrival, the interim coach appointed only three days earlier sat by himself, leaning forward in the seat that Dino Toppmöller would have occupied before the sudden developments of the […]
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STRUCK DOWN BY THE SEAGULLS … A rare defeat just before an international break can be especially painful for an elite coach accustomed to winning. With most of the squad immediately departing to represent their countries and collect yet more air miles, there is no quick opportunity to respond on the pitch. This unusually long […]
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Jonathan Liew’s examination of Raheem Sterling’s difficult journey and the unrealistic route faced by young footballers is both insightful and well timed, especially when considered alongside Jacob Steinberg’s report comparing Arsenal prospect Max Dowman with Lamine Yamal. Only a very small number of children recruited by elite clubs at an extremely early age eventually fulfil […]
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Thomas Tuchel has been dealt several setbacks after Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Tino Livramento withdrew from the England squad because of injuries. James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White have been added to strengthen the group ahead of the forthcoming Nations League fixtures. Palmer was recalled last Friday as Tuchel began a […]
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Today’s podcast focuses on Manchester City, the only team to have won every Premier League match so far, following Arsenal’s convincing defeat to Brighton. Was it premature to consider Mikel Arteta’s team champions-elect? They had no answer to the Seagulls’ relentless intensity. Elsewhere, Spurs sit at the foot of the table as the panel examines […]
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Granit Xhaka has pulled out of the Switzerland squad after acknowledging that he obtained a fraudulent Covid vaccination certificate in 2022. The Sunderland and Swiss captain, who was playing for Arsenal at the time, has apologised for his decision and will miss his nation’s next four Nations League fixtures. Xhaka is expected to be interviewed […]
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Michael Carrick dismissed claims that his Manchester United squad was short of fitness after a dramatic late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw away to Fulham on Sunday. The figures indicated that the hosts covered 6.6km more in total than United, while Matheus Cunha, who scored in the 89th minute, questioned his team’s overall effort. With […]
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One of the clearest signs of Manchester United’s troubled reconstruction is the club’s failure to address several weaknesses at once. Vast sums have been wasted, leaving United to focus on one area during each summer window. The attack was prioritised last year, while the latest window concentrated on central midfield, despite the full-back options appearing […]
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Borrowing the words of a former Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick had always expected difficult times to arrive. The second half of last season had gone almost flawlessly, but that level of success was never likely to continue indefinitely. Carrick sensed growing pressure before the trip to Fulham, making his feelings after the match easy […]
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