Fewer touches than Vicario: Frank must instantly drop Spurs' 4/10 UCL flop

Tottenham Hotspur maintained their unbeaten record in the Champions League this season after securing a 0-0 draw against Monaco in France last night.

Thomas Frank’s side failed to capitalise on any of the chances that fell their way within the final third, subsequently only registering two shots on target within the 90 minutes.

However, they may have been lucky to walk away with just a point, as the hosts racked up a total of 23 shots, with eight of the attempts being placed on Guglielmo Vicario’s goal.

The Lilywhites’ display will no doubt have disappointed the manager, with his side showing no real bounce back after Sunday’s defeat against Aston Villa.

After such a showing, there’s no disputing that the Dane desperately needs to make changes to his squad ahead of the weekend’s clash against David Moyes’ Everton.

Spurs’ poor performers against Monaco last night

Rodrigo Bentancur was kept within the Spurs midfield last night, but such a decision proved to be the wrong one, given his lack of impact in the South of France.

The Uruguayan international failed to win a single tackle against the Ligue 1 outfit, whilst also losing 100% of the ground duels he entered – showcasing he was often dominated by the opposition.

Other stats, such as one foul committed and seven times possession lost, further highlight his inability to make a positive impact on the European encounter.

However, he wasn’t alone in being disappointing against Sebastien Pogognoli’s men, with Lucas Bergvall also producing a rare disappointing performance.

The Swede was subsequently replaced after an hour, after completing just six passes – subsequently finding a teammate just once every ten minutes.

He also failed to win a single tackle and was even dribbled past twice, with the Lilywhites’ midfield often being overran and leading to their inability to claim all three points.

Despite the showing of the aforementioned duo, one other player once again struggled to prove why the manager has stuck by him throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

The Spurs player who needs to be dropped after Monaco

Even though Spurs have only lost two games across all competitions since Frank’s arrival, they have struggled to impose themselves in numerous outings.

Last night’s showing was another one to forget for the Lilywhites, leaving the side with five points from a possible nine in this season’s edition of the Champions League.

Whilst the side have kept two clean sheets in their three matches, the frontline has massively disappointed – scoring just three goals, two of which were own goals.

Micky van de Ven is currently the only Lilywhites player to find the back of the net in Europe – further showcasing the issue Frank currently has in that department.

One of the players in that area of the pitch that has massively struggled is centre-forward Richarlison, with the Brazilian unable to match his early-season form.

The 28-year-old has now gone six games without a goal across all competitions, with his last effort coming in the draw with Brighton & Hove Albion over a month ago.

His showing against Monaco last night was yet another to forget for the £60m addition, subsequently putting his starting role into serious question.

Richarlison – stats against Monaco

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

70

Touches

20

Passes completed

6

Shots taken

1

Dribbles completed

0

Possession lost

8x

Duels lost

4

Fouls committed

1

Stats via FotMob

Richarlison featured for 70 minutes last night, but like Bergvall, he only completed a total of six passes and registered a solitary effort on the opposition goal.

He only managed a total of 20 touches during his performance – a tally fewer than goalkeeper Vicario, who notched 49 – whilst also failing to complete any of his attempted dribbles.

The Brazilian subsequently gifted possession back to the hosts on eight separate occasions, leading to one analyst labelling his showing against the Ligue 1 side as “shocking”.

As a result of his showing, the striker was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by The Standard’s Matt Verri – further showcasing his lack of positive impact against the French outfit.

Frank has been lenient with his centre-forward over the last couple of weeks, but it’s desperately clear the 28-year-old needs to be dropped from the starting eleven.

Richarlison has constantly struggled to match the expectations placed upon him over the last couple of months, with Mathys Tel deserving of a recall against Everton this weekend.

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'I never lose!' – Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez sends defiant message after dismal mistake in Liverpool defeat

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has hit back after his blunder cost the Villans dearly in their defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. Argentina's number one was at fault as his sloppy pass was intercepted by Mohamed Salah, who made no mistake in firing into an open goal to put the Reds in front. Having made the mistake, the goalkeeper has issued a response.

  • Martinez howler costs Villa

    With minutes left of what had been a very even first-half in Merseyside, Villa were moments away from going into the break level at 0-0. Pau Torres set the ball back to Martinez, who had plenty of space and time to either lay it back to the Spanish defender or send it high up the pitch. Martinez decided to send it back Torres’ way, but the pass was too far in front of the defender who had dropped back and wide to make a passing option for the goalkeeper. It was a fatal error and the Villa back-line could only watch on as Salah pounced on the loose ball and curled a low effort into the gaping net with his weaker right foot.

    The Egyptian was never going to pass up the opportunity to score for a second game running and the goalkeeper could have no one to blame but himself. The home side kicked on the in second-half and when Ryan Gravenberch’s deflected effort left a stricken Martinez diving the wrong way, the Reds sealed their first Premier League win after four losses in a row.

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    Martinez posts response on social media

    Speaking after the game, Martinez’s boss, Unai Emery, was unhappy with the complacency shown by his shot-stopper. The Spanish coach, via , said: “Pau was getting his position to play with this pass and then through those passes to feel good and, in that case, lost the ball. Of course, to build in our structure strong and not to concede the chances we conceded.

    “It was easy for Salah. It was a huge mistake but one thing in our process under my responsibility. I accept it, and we build a team here through the style we want to keep in our process in the club and in the next matches.”

    Emery continued to insist that “we must avoid huge mistakes like we made today in the first goal we conceded.” He added that he will have to reflect on the game and that Villa will work on their build-up play to avoid making such faux pas going forward.

    Martinez was less humble in defeat and turned to Instagram to offer his own thoughts. Captioning a post of two black-and-white photos of himself, the goalkeeper said: “I never lose. I either win or I learn.”

  • Martinez adds another mistake to the list

    Some more cynical Villa fans might find Martinez’s response a tad frustrating. The goalkeeper has been prone to a series of avoidable mistakes in recent seasons and has been responsible for a handful of damaging errors that have led to the opposition scoring.

    The goalkeeper has often spoken out about his desire to play at a higher level than Villa and was expecting to move to Manchester United in the summer. The Red Devils decided to move for Senne Lammens instead and the Argentine remains reluctantly in Birmingham.

    Making another mistake in between the sticks suggests that the goalkeeper has not quite learnt his lesson from previous errors. Should he continue to produce gaffes that lead to dropped points, Emery may look to move on from the once imperious figure in net.

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    The politicised Europa Conference League game

    Martinez will have a chance to demonstrate he has learnt from his latest slip against Maccabi Tel Aviv in what should be a fiery fixture on Thursday. Political figures have waded into the game’s preamble after the Israeli side were not handed any tickets for the game at Villa Park after police fears over fan safety. The recent Tel Aviv derby had to be called off to the “endangerment of human lives” and no travelling fans will be in the ground for the Europa Conference League clash.

Bruno Henrique no Palmeiras seria convicção ou desespero?

MatériaMais Notícias

A torcida do Palmeiras foi pega em surpresa nesta noite de terça-feira (17), com a informação dada pelo jornalista Thiago Ferri, do Globo Esporte, de que o Palmeiras está oferecendo quatro anos de contrato para tirar o atacante Bruno Henrique do Flamengo.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Prestes a completar 33 anos e com um histórico recente preocupante de lesões, muitos torcedores do Verdão enxergam um grande risco em fazer um contrato tão longo com o multicampeão pelo rubro-negro.

Porém, também tem muitos alviverdes empolgados com a possível negociação e que acham válida a aposta do clube apesar do jogador não viver mais o seu auge.

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É estranho que toda essa movimentação aconteça menos de uma semana depois de Leila Pereira ser taxativa ao relembrar que a filosofia do clube em não apostar em jogadores mais experientes seria mantida.

Desde que Abel Ferreira chegou ao Verdão, o Palmeiras fez pouquíssimos investimentos nos moldes do que está planejando com Bruno Henrique, até por isso a gente também desconfia que o jogador é um pedido do técnico.

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Por enquanto, não dá pra saber se a diretoria está convicta de que Bruno Henrique vai fazer valer o altíssimo investimento nos quatro anos de contrato ou se a jogada é um puro desespero por uma resposta política.

Leila Pereira vem sendo massacrada por grande parte da torcida por conta de alguns episódios recentes e a eliminação da Libertadores e a falta de contratações para esta temporada também devem estar tirando o sono da mandatária.

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O interesse em Bruno Henrique também pode ser uma cortina de fumaça para tentar mostrar para a torcida de que a diretoria tem sim ousadia no mercado, e caso a negociação fracasse, a desculpa do ‘tentamos de tudo!’ estaria pronta, assim como foi feito com o Pedro.

Outra possibilidade da tentativa de negócio por parte do Palmeiras, é tentar bagunçar o ambiente do Flamengo e fazer algo parecido com que o time carioca fez com o atacante Dudu, recentemente.

Gloucestershire face final-day deficit as Ingram, Kellaway star

Colin Ingram, Ben Kellaway make centuries to push Glamorgan into first-innings lead

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Jul-2025

Ben Kellaway takes the applause for his century•Huw Evans Picture Agency

Gloucestershire 380 and 12 for 0 trail Glamorgan 528 (Kellaway 139, Ingram 117) by 136 runsBen Kellaway and Colin Ingram both made centuries as Glamorgan pushed into a first-innings lead to set up the prospect of a draw against Gloucestershire.Glamorgan’s middle-order pair put on 254 for the fifth wicket (147 added from overnight) out of a total of 528, as Gloucestershire’s bowlers were subjected to a mammoth 151.1 overs on a day in which just six wickets fell.Kellaway’s 139 was the 21-year-old’s second century of an eye-catching season for his home county while South African veteran Ingram racked up his 16th first-class century for Glamorgan.Glamorgan started the day with their partnership of experience and youth already established, having recovered from 121 for 4 on day two, and the Glamorgan balcony watched on as Gloucestershire’s bowlers endured all but 11 overs of the day’s play.An early itchiness to get going from Kellaway seemed evident, proactively using his feet against the early spin to start the day despite still trailing by 152.The pair settled into their work, having come through a wicketless evening session on day two, and carried that stand through to lunch as well, demolishing the new ball in the process – they took 32 from the first five overs from Ajeet Singh Dale and Zaman Akhter.Kellaway, and shortly afterwards, Ingram didn’t have to wait long for their milestones. On 99, Kellaway cover-drove his fellow youngster Archie Bailey to the fence, then kept the momentum up, taking three boundaries in the same over, as the partnership passed 200.At 365 for 4 at lunch, and with 10 overs still available to chase bonus points, Gloucestershire opted for a negative ploy: Graeme van Buuren bowling left-arm-over outside leg stump while the pacers banged in short balls from round-the-wicket.Negative it may have been deemed but successful it was. Both the partnership contributors fell to short balls, Ingram upper-cutting to deep-third, Kellaway pulling to square-leg in the 110th over. Just 23 runs were scored in the first hour of the afternoon as the hosts missed a potentially key fourth batting point while the visitors picked up a second bowling point.Chris Cooke and Timm van der Gugten remained cautious in a turgid session despite adding useful cameos. Cooke initially struggled to settle but opened up with reverse-sweeps coming to the fore in his partnerships with the tail, before Todd Murphy wrapped up the innings for his sole wicket.Walking out with 11 overs remaining and 148 behind, Gloucestershire made it to the close unscathed despite two direct run-out attempts that flew just wide of the stumps.

Rohl drops Rangers team news hint by recalling youth international before Brann

Danny Rohl has wasted no time before making some changes at Rangers and has already welcomed one player back into the fold to reverse one of Russell Martin’s decisions.

Rohl: Rangers already have "clear" idea ahead of Brann

After nothing short of a disastrous season so far, Rangers enter their game against Brann in the Europa League in desperate need of victory on Danny Rohl’s debut.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss has replaced Russell Martin to end the 49ers’ search for a manager, which saw both Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat lead the race before Rohl took the job.

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The new Rangers boss could welcome some key upgrades…

ByTom Cunningham Oct 23, 2025

It’s been a big week for the young manager as he prepares for his first game in charge, but he admitted that his players already have a “clear” idea of what he wants.

That said, there’s no denying that it won’t be an easy fix at Ibrox this season and several changes are undoubtedly needed. Alas, for the time being, Rohl will have no choice but to make those changes using the current squad and that has already seen one player make his return to the fold.

Rohl drops major team news hint

In his first big change, Rohl has recalled Clinton Nsiala to first-team training for the first time since Martin told the France youth international he could leave the club in the summer.

Nsiala’s re-call represents the clean slate that the Gers are now operating with under Rohl and one that several stars should use to make their mark for the first time in Scotland.

It would certainly be quite the move if Nsiala came in for his first appearance of the season in the Europa League and his first game since the quarter-final of the competition in the last campaign, but it’s one that Rohl could make.

The return of the defender could prove to be an early masterstroke, too. Whilst he didn’t feature under Martin, he started nine games in the Scottish Premiership last season and lost just once. Given Rangers’ defensive problems in the current campaign and how he’s taken previous opportunities, it’s only right that a return is on the cards.

With Brann tonight and Kilmarnock at the weekend, it’s the type of week which may steer Rangers in the right direction for the first time this season.

Yorkshire make light of off-field dramas to dominate opening exchanges

Imam unable to play due to visa issues but stand-in Luxton impresses with half-century

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay22-Jul-2025Yorkshire 282 for 4 (Wharton 78, Luxton 71, Bean 57, Lyth 47) vs Surrey Yorkshire’s top order ensured a settled start to their Rothesay County Championship clash with leaders Surrey at Scarborough after their build-up was anything but.Hovering just three points above the drop zone in Division One after nine matches, Yorkshire ended an engaging opening day on a healthy 282 for four from 86 overs.Fin Bean, Will Luxton and James Wharton all posted half-centuries against a Surrey attack who struggled to create consistent pressure having lost the toss.Bean (57) shared an opening stand of 107 with Adam Lyth either side of lunch before Luxton and Wharton usurped them by sharing 149 for the third wicket either side of tea. Luxton posted a career best 71 off 118 balls and Wharton went on to top score with a season’s best 78 off 166.Yorkshire’s management arrived at the ground not knowing whether their captain and new overseas signing Jonny Bairstow and Imam-ul-Haq would be able to play due to the former’s impending arrival of another child and the latter’s visa issues.Bairstow made it, Imam didn’t. Yorkshire are also missing talismanic 37-wicket all-rounder George Hill having not sufficiently recovered from a foot injury.Not that the disruption showed on the field, as Bairstow elected to bat and then watched Bean, Lyth, Wharton and Luxton excel on a pitch offering spongy bounce and not as much pace as is usual at this North Marine Road venue.Yorkshire’s progress was largely serene.Bean was dropped at third slip by Dom Sibley off former Yorkshire fast bowler Matthew Fisher during the early stages, and there were a couple of confident lbw shouts.But Surrey’s bowlers struggled to find the right lines and lengths.When they did, they gained success. Dan Worrall – three for 49 from 16 overs – removed Lyth and then Bean in the space of three balls in the 33rd over, leaving the hosts at 108 for two.That came during the early stages of the afternoon.Lunch had came 15 minutes early because of rain.Worrall struck when he had Lyth caught at first slip with a ball not quite there to drive before getting Bean caught at wide mid-on following an aborted pull at well directed short ball.Just when you thought Surrey would assert their authority, Wharton and Luxton had other ideas.Luxton, aged 22, enjoyed an impressive recent Vitality Blast in a struggling side highlighted by a superb 90 not out in a Roses win at Emirates Old Trafford.He wouldn’t have played in this game had Imam been available. But Yorkshire pulled him out of the Professional County Clubs Select XI squad to face Pakistan A in three one-day matches to feature here, and he has taken his chance with only a second first-class fifty in his 10 career appearance.Imam, incidentally, was at the ground and warmed up with his team-mates before play.Yorkshire say they are working with his agent and the relevant authorities to resolve his visa issues in time for next week’s clash with Sussex on this ground.Luxton is a dynamic player who often looks a million dollars, as he did here on the drive and working off his legs.His next challenge is consistency.Wharton lofted the off-spin of Will Jacks down the ground for six before tea, and Luxton whipped Jamie Overton’s pace off his legs for the same result afterwards.Jacks broke the Wharton and Luxton alliance when he bowled the latter, who was aggressively sweeping – 257 for three after 77 overs.That was a significant boost for Surrey just before the new ball was due.Worrall then had Wharton caught behind for his third wicket of the day – 276 for four in the 83rd over.But Bairstow had reached 19 by the time bad light prevented any further play at 5.20pm.

Rahul, Pant and Jadeja star as Lord's Test turns into second-innings shootout

India were in the middle of a careful, painstaking build. Then they got distracted by something shiny, and spent the rest of the day paying for it. Cricket may be a team sport but the events leading up to lunch on the third day at Lord’s epitomise how much individual records matter – for better or worse.KL Rahul offered a sheepish look after his clattering of a short and wide delivery proved insufficient to beat deep point. So now he was on 98 instead of 101, and facing the prospect of a nervous 40 minutes inside the change room. Rishabh Pant wanted to spare his team-mate that trouble and went for a risky single. Ben Stokes pounced.That moment coloured the rest of play on the third day, which ended with India drawing level with England’s 387. There were six minutes left. England dragged their feet. Tempers began to flare. Shubman Gill had some choice words, and sarcastic claps as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett’s delay tactics allowed for only one over until stumps.Three players earned the opportunity to take this game by the scruff of its neck. Jofra Archer summoned fire and brimstone during a four-over spell right after lunch. Lord’s lived every ball, clapping him on as he ran in, their oohs and aahs defying the physics of a wide open space to create an echo. Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy couldn’t appreciate any of this. It was all they could do to survive.Archer unleashed at this ground is addiction. On a slow pitch, with an old ball, he was generating an average speed of 150.3kph/90.3mph. He had never bowled quicker in Test cricket.2:12

Manjrekar: ‘Pretty mediocre how England bowled in first session’

But England couldn’t break through. It was a feeling they had to get used to on Saturday morning. Stokes didn’t care for it. He had been functioning as less than himself over the last two years, his body coming in the way of his myth. The England captain used to be known for his ferocity with the ball in hand. And now, after hamstring surgery, it seems he will be able to carry on that persona.For five overs, Stokes bombarded India. Twenty-six bouncers or back-of-a-length deliveries, many of them aimed at Pant, who was nursing an injured finger which seemed to behave itself except when Stokes was close and cranking his own pace up to 90mph.It was at the tail-end of this little skirmish that India’s focus shifted from the team’s needs to an individual’s, and Stokes could feel it happening. He was hyperalert to Pant trying to pinch a single to cover and help Rahul get to his century before lunch. There was anger in the celebration of that run-out – itself an homage to Stokes’ athleticism as he swooped down on the ball, spun around and completed a markedly more difficult direct hit at the bowler’s end. He brought his cap to his mouth, a trick used to prevent the cameras from catching what you’re saying, even as the rest of the team rallied around him, rose with him.Rahul set the rhythm of this Test match. He was partly the cause of England’s frustration. He was the source of India’s calm. He secured their eighth century on tour, a new record. Repeatedly, he talks about the discrepancy between effort and reward, and when he does so, it is tempting to extrapolate he had learned that lesson the hardest way possible. Obsessing about his lack of success and doubling down on his prep work in search for a change.At some point, though, Rahul realised he needed to let go, which is funny because, one time, in South Africa, he started speaking about how letting go of the ball was where his joy was. Bit by bit, his focus turned from scoring runs to just being the best batter he can be. Well, in this series, he has made two hundreds in three Tests, and as he scurried to this one, he took time for himself, running practically all the way to the boundary as he completed a quick single, and then looking up at the sky with closed eyes. Once again, it was tempting to imagine him looking back at all the struggle and telling himself it was worth it.1:30

Manjrekar: ‘The grind’ a great facet of Jadeja’s batting evolution

All of these stirring performances, and yet the third Test of this series remains evenly poised.Stokes tried to sway it again – this time with the new ball – a seven-over spell where a dead pitch came to life just for him and helped England break the 72-run Jadeja-Reddy partnership that had been immune to their own abysmal running.Pant had tried to sway it earlier, braving time in the middle, even though he was far from 100%. But injured or not, he was still him, so it was natural that he charged down the track to Archer in the first over of the day. Or that he was irked by a stretch of 25 dots and tried to break it with a reverse scoop. Or that he turned the first ball of spin he faced into his 88th six, which means he is only two short of Virender Sehwag, who holds the India record. Frenetic. Unpredictable. And in the end, fallible.India slipped from 248 for 3 to 254 for 5 when Rahul was dismissed on 100, which was 11 balls later. That prompted Stokes to wind Archer up and let him loose. The idea was to burst through India’s allrounders into the tail just in time for the second new ball. But Jadeja wouldn’t budge. He made 72 off 131 balls. His technique – particularly the ability to discern between the balls he needs to play and those he doesn’t – is under-rated. When he’s in form, he’s as good as a top-order batter, and he seemed to be the final play, a decisive shift in the game, until he was dismissed with India 11 runs off England’s total, and they were bowled out for exactly the same score: 387.Lord’s and ties. It’s starting to get ridiculous.

Scouts sent: Man City show interest in breakout star who'd cost near £70m

Manchester City are constantly on the lookout for top talent and could now be set to pursue another exciting star who could arrive at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City looking to build Premier League title challenge

Despite Arsenal’s bold start to the season, Premier League fans would be naive to rule out the notion of Pep Guardiola taking his side to another title, and their tendency to kick on once the second period of the campaign kicks off will linger in the memory of their rivals.

Ultimately, January will be a decisive month as clubs look to recruit the missing pieces of their respective jigsaws to make the difference. Last year, the likes of Omar Marmoush were brought in to aid a top-four finish, and few would bet against another few shrewd additions to sharpen up their bid for silverware.

Peaks and troughs will happen between now and that point, meaning signings are needed to pick up the slack, and Manchester City are reportedly making enquiries to sign FC Koln winger Said El Mana, deemed to be one of Europe’s most direct wingers at this moment in time.

Guardiola is also personally keen on a move for Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand, though his side will need to fight off competition from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur for the Denmark international.

Bernardo Silva and company have delivered countlessly over the years, though they will one day need to move on, leaving the Citizens with work to do in identifying long-term successors across key positions.

While that won’t be easy, their recruitment team are up there with the best around, and they may now be plotting a dramatic 2026 move for a star who could be a future dime at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City plot Lennart Karl move after scouting mission

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester City are plotting a potential move for Bayern Munich sensation Lennart Karl after sending scouts to watch him in action for the German giants.

The 17-year-old has shot to prominence and could command a transfer fee of just under £70 million, albeit Arsenal and Chelsea are also keeping close tabs on his situation.

Making 11 appearances this season, he has scored twice and delivered an assist against Hoffenheim and he appears to be thriving under the stewardship of Vincent Kompany, with Fotmob showing he has completed four dribbles so far in the German top-flight.

Earlier this year, Karl signed a new contract until the summer of 2028, meaning Bayern have leverage over his situation and could utilise their position to block any incoming offers.

With the summer looking the most likely time for a bidding war, the notion of ‘serious approaches’ from England could begin to take place, leaving the youngster with a huge decision in weighing up where best to continue his development.

Ultimately, his choice may boil down to game time. Manchester City are a breeding ground for elite talent, but they face stiff competition to push this one over the line.

AC Milan reportedly weighing Mexico's Santiago Giménez future as possible West Ham swap emerges

Santiago Giménez’s future at AC Milan is becoming increasingly uncertain. The club is evaluating changes to its attack for January, and multiple reports across Europe indicate the Mexican striker could be included in a potential swap deal with West Ham for German forward Niclas Füllkrug. With form and tactical fit both under review, a move to the Premier League is emerging as a possibility.

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    Milan losing confidence in Giménez

    AC Milan are preparing to reshape their attack after an uneven first half of the season, and Santiago Giménez has emerged as a key uncertainty, according to reports. The 24-year-old arrived with high expectations and has continued to earn starts, but he has yet to score in Serie A and recently missed time through injury. His profile has not fully convinced Massimiliano Allegri, whose system has been a difficult fit for the Mexican striker. It is not the first time Milan have evaluated his future, either – a similar swap proposal was explored last summer.

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    West Ham’s Füllkrug emerges as preferred option

    European reports claim Milan could offer Giménez to West Ham in exchange for Niclas Füllkrug. The German striker, valued at around $11.6 million (€10 million), is significantly cheaper than Giménez, whose market value stands at $29.1 million (€25 million). That financial gap – along with an eight-year age difference – makes the deal particularly attractive for the Premier League side.

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    Füllkrug seeking a fresh start

    Füllkrug has endured a difficult time in England, scoring just three times in 27 matches after his move from Dortmund. His agent has already opened the door to a January exit as the 31-year-old looks to recover form. Milan view him as the physical, traditional No. 9 Allegri wants to pair with Christopher Nkunku for the rest of the season.

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    What the move would mean for Giménez

    A move to West Ham would place Giménez firmly in the Premier League spotlight, though it would also come with challenges – competing for European places is generally more difficult in England than in Serie A. Still, with Milan actively assessing striker options and growing questions over whether Giménez has met expectations, a winter departure is becoming increasingly plausible. This time, he may not be part of the long-term plans.

Pereira replacement: Wolves hold talks with boss who wants to be "like Pep"

Football really is a cruel game that can change in the blink of an eye, as Vitor Pereira has recently found out.

Indeed, back in the middle of September, Pereira was handed a new three-year contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Old Gold chairman Jeff Shi even calling for a period of “stability” with the former Al-Shabab boss remaining at the helm.

Clearly, though, Wolves’ continued woes in the Premier League forced Shi’s hand into having to dismiss Pereira just 45 days on from his vote of confidence, with the West Midlands side stuck at the very bottom of the division on a measly two points.

James Collins and Richard Walker, who both work in the Wolves youth set-up, have since been handed interim duties for Saturday’s league clash with Chelsea.

This looks to only be a temporary measure, though, with new emerging reports now suggesting the relegation-doomed outfit has entered into talks with a number one candidate to succeed Pereira.

Wolves enter talks with EFL manager

Again, the beautiful game’s rapid speed is clear for all to see.

Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas had revealed that a move for Rob Edwards to leave Middlesbrough behind to manage the club he previously played for was “unlikely.”

However, according to Football Insider, the Premier League’s basement club had entered talks with the ex-Luton Town boss. Journalist John Percy added further fuel to the fire by asserting that Wolves will make a formal approach for the Telford-born head coach to try and clinch his services.

Yet, this is a move that now looks unlikely with Boro so far rejecting an approach from the Old Gold.

Labelled as a job opportunity Edwards would find “hard” to turn down owing to his prior Molineux loyalties, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, it will be intriguing to see whether the 42-year-old does desert the Riverside Stadium for a chance back in the top-flight with Wolves.

After all, his valiant efforts at the helm of the Hatters in the Premier League surely mean he’s a standout Pereira successor, with Wolves resigned to crashing back down to the Championship with a whimper, if they hadn’t pulled the plug on the 57-year-old when they did.

Why Edwards can be a perfect Pereira successor

Of course, Edwards will know he has his work cut out for him if he does take on the vacancy at Molineux, with certain sectors of the media already claiming that Wolves’ drop to the EFL is “inevitable”.

Yet, the current Boro boss has had this inevitable tag hanging over him previously when he was in charge of Luton, with Edwards managing to turn the Hatters into a gutsy and tough-to-beat proposition, regardless, even as they competed near the foot of the daunting division all season long, during the 2023/24 campaign.

Nottingham Forest

17th

32

Luton

18th

26

Burnley

19th

24

Sheffield United

20th

16

At the end of the day, Edwards’ underdogs would only fall victim to relegation towards the latter stages of the campaign, when many expected them to be the Premier League’s basement club for the entirety of the season, with only six points separating the Hatters from Nottingham Forest in 17th spot.

The then Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would even hail the job Edwards had done, under the pressure of being the top-flight’s noticeable minnows as “insane”, with the German also noting that the players at Edwards’ disposal had been “obviously top, top coached.”

The 42-year-old would surely love another shot at steering a sinking Premier League ship to safety, therefore, in the form of the Old Gold, having stated – towards the start of his fledgling days as a manager – that he wanted to be “like Pep [Guardiola] or Jose [Mourinho]”, as relayed by Luke Steele.

He would certainly be held in very high esteem, like the very successful Spaniard, if he were to somehow guide Wolves to safety, having also been boldly labelled as “one of English football’s brightest and best young coaches” in the past by pundit Adrian Clarke.

Edwards hasn’t done his managerial reputation any harm at the Riverside, either, with an impressive seven wins picked up in charge of Middlesbrough this season.

Yet, there must be a fire in his belly to come back to the Premier League and finally be a saviour-style figure he very nearly had in his grasp at Luton, with Wolves definitely better placed to try and beat the drop with Edwards at the helm, over sticking by Pereira.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers have decided who will take charge of their next game.

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 6, 2025

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