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There’s a lot of talk about champions Liverpool and league-leaders Arsenal, but recently dethroned four in a row serial champions Manchester City cannot be counted out of this title race.

Last time out, Pep Guardiola’s team battled to a 1-0 victory over Brentford, with Erling Haaland, who else, the only scorer in West London.

The goalbot himself has now scored 12 of the 19 goals Manchester City have managed in the Premier League and Champions League this season, that’s 63%, as well as bagging eight across his last two appearances for Norway, scoring a hat-trick, as well as missing two penalties, during Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Israel at the Ullevål.

In seven of the last eight Premier League seasons, including each of the last five, the team that has scored the most goals has gone on to win the title, so is Pep Guardiola building an unstoppable attacking duo, featuring Haaland of course, one that can rival anything that has come before at the Etihad?

Manchester City's best strike partnerships

Since being taken over by the Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment in 2008, Manchester City supporters have enjoyed watching numerous high-quality centre-forwards.

Haaland’s frankly mind-boggling numbers have raised the standard to an astronomical level, but that should not denigrate his predecessors, so let’s outline Manchester City’s highest-scoring attacking duos from the pre-Haaland era.

As the table documents, during his time in Manchester, Sergio Agüero formed a deadly partnership with pretty much everybody, currently the club’s all-time record scorer with 260, although Haaland already has 136.

While the Agüero-Sterling pairing may have bagged the most goals in 2018/19, in terms of pure strike partnerships, one has to look back to 2013/14 when the Citizens won the Premier League title under Manuel Pellegrini.

That season, Agüero and Edin Džeko scored 54 goals between them, while Yaya Touré and Álvaro Negredo also surpassed the 20 goals mark, as the Sky Blues bagged 102 league goals, netting 156 times overall, winning the title and the League Cup.

Of course, these numbers appear puny when compared to those of their Norwegian powerhouse, bagging 52 by himself during his first season at the club, but who could become Haaland’s own Džeko?

Manchester City's next great strike partnership

As already outlined, Haaland is scoring a very high proportion of Manchester City’s goals this season, which has to be a concern for Guardiola.

However, could the return of Omar Marmoush help solve this issue?

The Egyptian suffered a knee ligament injury in the September international break, hobbling off during the Pharaohs’ World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, but is expected to be back soon, potentially involved in Saturday’s clash with Everton.

After arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in January for £59m, the 26-year-old made quite the early impression in Sky Blue.

By the end of the campaign, only five players had scored more Bundesliga goals than Marmoush, despite the fact he only featured in the first half of the season, departing having bagged 15 goals in 17 appearances.

Once at Man City, he added eight more goals to his tally, including a hat-trick against Newcastle, before this sublime strike against Bournemouth that won Premier League goal of the season.

When he signed, Marmoush stated that he hoped himself and Haaland will “enjoy playing together”, and there were positive signs when it comes to their burgeoning partnership.

Mustapha Hassan of Total Football Analysis believes having both at his disposal presents Guardiola with a ‘tactical wildcard’, concluding that Marmoush’s versatility and off-ball movement can make the partnership work, with the Norwegian very much the focal point.

Their hulking striker aside, Phil Foden was Man City’s top-scorer last season with 13, three of which came at the Club World Cup, while the same can be said this season; the Englishman the only other player with multiple goals, on target against the once mighty Manchester United and Huddersfield.

Whether it be due to injury, fatigue or a drop-off in form, not that there’s been one yet, Man City surely cannot solely rely on Haaland to score all the goals all the time forever.

Thus, the return of Marmoush could be a somewhat under-the-radar massive boost to their Premier League title aspirations.

The Citizens’ next three league fixtures are Everton (H), Aston Villa (A) and then Bournemouth (H), all very winnable, before Liverpool come to town on 9 November, a huge litmus test for both, so will the Sky Blues have their own free-scoring Egyptian King by then, linking up with Haaland just as Agüero and Džeko did together over a decade ago?

Man City have signed a "world class" star who is a new Gundogan-type player

Manchester City have signed a new Ilkay Gundogan-type star with this world-class ace.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 13, 2025

Luke McCowan says Celtic need to show their character in Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren at Hampden Park.

Wilfried Nancy became the first Hoops manager to lose his opening two matches when Italian giants Roma won 3-0 at Parkhead in the Europa League on Thursday night, which followed on from a 2-1 home defeat to leaders Hearts in the William Hill Premiership last weekend.

Celtic fans, some of whom booed at the end of the defeat by Roma, are approaching the final against the Buddies with more nerves than they would have done before the Frenchman took over from interim bosses Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney, who in turn had taken over from Brendan Rodgers.

McCowan calls for players and fans to stick together

McCowan, the 28-year-old midfielder, who joined from Dundee in August 2024, called for unity and a demonstration of the traits that have made the Parkhead club so successful in recent times.

He said: “I can’t really talk for the fans, but we are fully bought-in. We need to buy-in, it’s kind of non-negotiable.

“We need to back everyone in this building, regardless of who’s been playing well, who’s not.

“We are a team and we need to back each other through the good and the bad because everybody’s all high-fives and cuddles when we are winning but this team doesn’t go through two or three bad results and this is where the true characters are shown.

Worse than Engels: Nancy must drop Celtic flop who looks awful in new role

Wilfried Nancy must drop this Celtic flop who was even worse than Arne Engels in the 3-0 defeat to Roma.

ByDan Emery 3 days ago

“So we need just to be together and I know I’ve said so many times, stick together.

“It’s when you go through bad spells – personally I’ve done it with Dundee and Ayr – then we just need to kind of have that same attitude of work hard, move on to the next game.

“The games are coming thick and fast in this period and it’s a good thing that if you get one win it can propel you to get a few hopefully and we just need to start with that on Sunday.

“We just need to get on top of it again.”

Chelsea striker Liam Delap sung the praises of a Stamford Bridge teenager after the 3-0 rout of Barcelona, describing him as “so raw” but “so exciting”.

Blues breeze to victory against Barcelona in the Champions League

The Blues made a major statement by defeating Barca 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, leaving goalkeeper Robert Sanchez optimistic they can go all the way and win Europe’s elite competition for the third time.

Delap scored his first goal since making the move to Stamford Bridge from Ipswich Town in the summer, capping off what was a fantastic all-round display against the reigning La Liga champions, and the centre-forward was left impressed by how they executed the game plan.

The Englishman could be in line for a start on Sunday, courtesy of scoring after replacing Alejandro Garnacho in the second half, potentially alongside Estevao, who bagged the second goal in the 3-0 victory.

Indeed, the 11-cap Brazil international once again caught the eye, also creating one big chance, making three key passes and completing two successful dribbles.

Speaking after the game, Delap took the time to praise his teammate, who has now established himself as a key player for the Blues.

Estevao draws Messi comparisons after remarkable solo goal

It would be fair to say Enzo Maresca was also left very impressed with the Brazilian’s performance, taking the time to praise his fantastic solo goal, saying: “The goal Estevao scored reminded me of the one [Lionel Messi] scored against us in the Club World Cup. It’s very similar, the same action.”

With Sanchez of the belief Chelsea are the favourites to win the Champions League this season, the 18-year-old could be key to their success, having already scored three goals in the competition, which is more than any of his teammates.

Not only has the starlet been impressing at club level, but he has also continued to impress for Brazil, having scored four goals in his last four matches, which bodes well for the Seleção Canarinho as we edge closer to the 2026 World Cup.

Chelsea have already signed another exciting star who's "just like Estevao"

Chelsea have already signed another youngster who could become another Estevao for Enzo Maresca.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 26, 2025

Perhaps Chelsea’s toughest game so far this season is penciled in for this weekend, as they take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, but if Estevao is firing on all cylinders, Maresca’s side certainly stand a chance of defeating their London rivals and closing the gap at the top of the Premier League table to just three points.

Cam Smith's dreams came true on Tuesday afternoon when, at just 22 years old, he was told by his family in the Houston Astros' clubhouse that he made the team's opening day roster.

Originally a first-round pick of the Cubs in 2024, the 6'3" third baseman played just 32 minor league games last season before being traded to the Astros this past December as part of a deal for Kyle Tucker.

Now? Smith be a part of Houston's roster when they take on the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon, and he was brought to tears when speaking about the accomplishment:

"I always thought it was possible," Smith said to reporters in the dugout. "I think I had a great group of guys around me to help me out to get here today. We're here today taking about it now, so I'm very blessed."

"At one point it was just me and her in the house," he said of his mother, who helped break the news, with tears in his eyes. "She struggled to take me to baseball games and practice, and I'm just happy to do it for her."

What an awesome moment.

The Astros' opening game will take place in Houston on Tuesday, with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EST.

GOAL reviews the key takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, with Pulisic featuring for Milan after recovering from injury.

Pre-international break games always feel a little strange. There’s a sense that most players are operating at about 80 percent — trying to win, yes, but also doing just enough to avoid injury before joining their national teams.

And then there are those with a chip on their shoulder – maybe even a point to prove. For the U.S. men’s national team, the weekend was accordingly mixed, with those set for international duty going about their business with relative caution, and those left out making a real impact.

The headline moment belonged to Christian Pulisic, who had missed nearly a month through injury. The star attacking midfielder came off the bench for AC Milan and produced an exciting 30-minute cameo to remind manager Max Allegri exactly what he’s been missing. He didn’t score or assist, but he showed plenty of sharpness and intent.

But there were other strong showings, too. Patrick Agyemang may be out of the USMNT picture for now, but he’s finding form with Derby County. Then there was Folarin Balogun, who produced 45 baffling minutes for Monaco before his night ended early. And finally, there’s Tyler Adams, who was involved in a concerning collision with a Bournemouth teammate.

GOAL looks at the major takeaways from this weekend's Americans Abroad.

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  Pulisic returns

  Mauricio Pochettino's decision to leave Pulisic off his November squad call-ups was probably the sensible move, all things considered. The American star was in a race against time to be fit for the USMNT’s friendlies with Paraguay and Uruguay next week. A return for those fixtures was unlikely – and would have drawn the ire of an already disgruntled Allegri. But after training this week, he was deemed fit enough to play a part for Milan over the weekend.

  His impact on Saturday night was mixed. He entered the game at a crucial juncture, with the score level at 2-2 and Milan chasing a winner against a struggling Parma side. Pulisic delivered what was, in truth, a somewhat confusing performance. In some moments, he was excellent – stretching the defense with incisive runs and a few sharp dribbles. His constant activity also irritated the backline. But in critical moments, he fell short. He was handed a clear opportunity to win the game when Rafa Leão sent him through on goal – the kind of chance Pulisic usually buries. Yet, with a defender closing him down, he side-footed wide. It wasn’t Milan’s only chance, but it was their best. They were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

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  Agyemang scores winner

  It's been a mixed few months for Agyemang at Derby. After breaking out for the USMNT in January and enjoying a solid start to the MLS campaign, there was a case to be made for him to stay in Charlotte. But Championship football beckoned, and Agyemang, it seemed, was eager to test himself. The results, thus far, haven't quite lived up to expectations. He has shown quality in glimpses, and certainly competed physically for the Rams, but his goal return – one in nine games – left a lot to be desired.

  That is, until Saturday. Agyemang whipped out the kind of finish that he showed he can provide in MLS, making a late run to the far post before powering a header into the back of the net. It was a proper No. 9's goal, Agyemang at his very best. Derby went on to win the game 2-1, with Agyemang's goal proving crucial in securing the result. And perhaps that's what he can be in England. His technical quality doesn't quite get enough credit – yet he can certainly be used as a pure finisher in the box, for when his side needs to grind out results. Here, he did exactly that. 

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  A crazy afternoon for Balogun

  For 30 minutes, Folarin Balogun was brilliant. Monaco were always going to be up against it facing off with a well-drilled Lens side. They needed some attacking prowess. And Balogun brought it from the first minute, a constant menace in the channels and a true nightmare for the Lens defense. This was not an unbelievably involved showing from the American – he completed just five passes. But he never stopped moving, and kept his side in it, even when they didn't see much of the ball. Balogun was rewarded for his hard work on 37 minutes, when he converted a penalty to level the scoreline at 1-1.

  And then, he threw it away. It was the kind of red card that strikers give away all too often. He lunged a little too far to try to win the ball. He went in just a little too high. His studs made contact above the ankle. In real time, Balogun thought the decision was harsh. Monaco's bench was incensed. But, after a VAR review, he could have few complaints. Monaco conceded a third goal shortly after, and trailed 3-1 before half time. A good afternoon was ruined. 

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  Concern for Adams

  The opening minutes of Bournemouth’s match against Aston Villa set the tone for a difficult afternoon for Andoni Iraola’s side. In the fourth minute, Tyler Adams and teammate Adam Smith collided head-to-head while contesting a loose ball from a corner. Smith sustained a cut above his eye and was ruled out by team medical staff, while Adams was cleared to continue. The decision drew attention on social media, with former U.S. international Taylor Twellman questioning Iraola’s call to keep the midfielder on the pitch.

  After the collision, Bournemouth struggled to contain an in-form Villa side, conceding twice in each half in a 4-0 defeat. The loss marked Bournemouth’s second consecutive Premier League defeat, following last week’s setback against Manchester City, and saw them drop to seventh in the table.

  Iraola later acknowledged that Adams may have sustained an injury.

  “But [Adams] has finished the game. So I hope that in his case it’s nothing there,” Iraola said.

  Adams is scheduled to join the U.S. men’s national team for upcoming friendlies, though his status may be reevaluated depending on his condition.

The home side were waiting to confirm their XI with the chance they could opt for an extra seamer

Alex Malcolm02-Jul-20251:58

Best catches from the 1st Test – West Indies vs Australia

Big picture: Both top orders under scrutiny in GrenadaPicturesque Grenada is the perfect place for a holiday but the batting units of West Indies and Australia are anything but relaxed ahead of the second Test at the National Stadium in St George’s.Both batting line-ups will be looking for some respite in the surface after 40 wickets fell in three days on a very tricky pitch in Barbados, where only four half-centuries were scored in the match and no one passed 65.West Indies’ batting issues have long been their Achilles heel, and they will once again be severely tested by Australia’s attack. Whilst they would love to improve their batting overall, it is the early phases of a new-look top seven that needs time to gel and, in some cases, re-acclimatise to Test cricket after years out of the format, with Shai Hope and Roston Chase both showing positive signs in Barbados.Related

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Lyon passes on song duties but no end in sight of playing days

Kraigg Brathwaite reaches 100 Tests: 'I was in total disbelief that I could score a hundred for West Indies'

Their most experienced batter, Kraigg Brathwaite, plays his 100th Test this week and there would be hope that such a significant milestone can inspire more runs from both he and his colleagues. But his nemesis, Mitchell Starc, will play his 99th Test and after dismissing him twice in Barbados, the left-arm quick will be hoping to claim him twice more to edge closer to 400 Test wickets, given he only needs nine for the milestone.West Indies can make easier gains in the field after shelling seven chances across the first Test, many of them severely costly in a low-scoring game. They are contemplating reshuffling the slips cordon despite looking like playing an unchanged line-up. The West Indies fast bowlers, who were magnificent in Barbados, will be hoping their good work is better rewarded in Grenada.Australia’s batting woes are less systemic than their opponents’ but arguably more worrisome given they have not found any consistent runs from their top three since David Warner’s retirement in January 2024.Steven Smith’s return at No. 4 provides extraordinary reinforcement to the middle-order firewall that once again bailed them out in Barbados. Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald, and Smith too, have urged for public patience on both Sam Konstas and Cameron Green. The former will play just his fourth Test match and his second since being recalled at the start of the series, while the latter has only played five first-class innings at No. 3 and is in just his third Test after 15 months out of the format due to injury.How both play, following timid showings in Barbados may be just as important as how many they get, given both are likely to play the entire series no matter what. But with the Ashes looming on the horizon, Australia are very keen to bed down a top six that has been a big game of musical chairs for 18 months.Form guideWest Indies: LWLLW
Australia: WLWWWIn the spotlight: Kraigg Brathwaite and Cameron GreenKraigg Brathwaite reaching 100 Tests for West Indies is a remarkable achievement. He may well be the last to do it if the global game, and West Indies cricket, continues to trend in the direction it has been for the last decade or more. For Brathwaite to serve so loyally as opener and captain in a struggling side for so long speaks volumes of his character. He deserves great recognition for his service. But there is no escaping his record.No Test batter has played 100 Tests with a lower average than his 32.83. The last of his 12 Test centuries came in February 2023. Since then, he has scored just three half-centuries in 33 innings, averaging 19.60. West Indies aren’t flush with options to replace him but as the selectors have pivoted to a more positive style of batter for this new WTC cycle, Brathwaite would need some runs to justify adding more Tests to his resume. Although, at 32, there is no reason why he cannot regain some form despite such a lean run. Grenada might provide that opportunity, given he scored one of his 12 Test centuries at the venue in 2015.Cameron Green is at the other end of the spectrum, but not quite as green as it has been suggested by his coach. Green, 26, has played 30 Test matches and his middling record is frustrating fans and undoubtedly frustrating him. Australia’s coach has urged for patience, and that isn’t unreasonable given he has hardly batted at No. 3 and is coming off a significant injury. It should be noted too that his career has been very stop-start of late. He has not played more than five Tests in a row since 2022 and has been selected to bat in four different positions in the last three years.But the point where the caveats get cast aside is coming at some stage. Without some consistent scores at Test level, he is in danger of falling into a void that some equally talented players have fallen into before him, where he is too good for domestic first-class cricket, as his domestic average of 59.24 proves over 62 innings, while underachieving at Test level with a mark of just 33.30.1:13

Konstas and Green face vital test for Australia

Team news: West Indies wait to name XI, Smith returns for InglisRoston Chase did not confirm his team, saying they were still weighing up whether to play an extra quick – which would likely be Anderson Phillip – in place of left-arm spinner, and vice-captain, Jomel Warrican.West Indies (probable): 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 John Campbell, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Brandon King, 5 Roston Chase (capt), 6 Shai Hope (wk), 7 Justin Greaves, 8 Jomel Warrican/Anderson Phillip, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Jayden SealesSmith slots back into the side at the expense of Josh Inglis with the rest remaining unchanged for the visitors. The advantage of Beau Webster is that he provides both seam and spin-bowling support.Australia: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Cameron Green, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh HazlewoodPitch and conditions: Straw-coloured pitch with an even coveringThere was genuine intrigue ahead of Barbados as to how the pitch would play and both sides were surprised. The National Stadium in St George’s is even more of an unknown. No Australian player or staff member has been involved in an international here, as Australia have not played at the venue since 2008 and have never played a Test there. West Indies have more insight, but only marginally. They have played four Tests at the venue but just two since 2009, in 2015 and 2022. There has been a mixture of scores but a consistent theme with the side batting second winning the last three.West Indies coach Daren Sammy was optimistic after seeing the surface two days out. “It’s normally a really good cricket wicket,” Sammy said. “[There’s a] much more even cover of dead grass.” Chase suggested it could take some turn later in the game. There is a chance of some scattered thunderstorms during the match.Stats and trivia After a draw in the first Test ever played in Grenada in 2002, the last three have been won by the team batting second. In the last two matches, the losing team elected to bat first at the toss. Six players have scored Test centuries in Grenada, including Kraigg Brathwaite. Chris Gayle is the only player with a double-century. Express pace has not necessarily been the key in Grenada with Daren Sammy and Kyle Mayers both taking Test five-fors there while Shakib-Al-Hasan is the only spinner to have taken a five-wicket haul there. Kraigg Brathwaite will become the 59th player to play 100 Tests batting in positions 1-6. His current average of 32.83 is the lowest of those who have played 99. The next lowest is Ben Stokes with 36.32. Mitchell Starc needs nine wickets to reach 400 in TestsQuotes”I thought we were in the game for quite a while, so I’m just looking forward to the batsmen coming up to par this game. I thought that the bowlers did a great job, so it’s just for the batsmen to come and give the bowlers something to bowl at.”

Rafael Benitez is closing in on his 17th managerial role, as the veteran Spaniard is set to become Panathinaikos’ new head coach on a record-breaking contract. The 65-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Celta Vigo in March 2024, is poised to become the highest-paid manager in Greek football history, marking his return after a 19-month break.

• Benitez set to join Panathinaikos

  Benitez’s long wait for a return to the dugout appears to be over, with reports from Greece and the Netherlands confirming that he has agreed to take charge of Panathinaikos on a two-year deal. The Greek giants currently sit seventh in the Super League Greece table, eight points adrift of leaders PAOK but with a game in hand. Dutch outlet De Telegraaf revealed that the contract, worth £3.47 million per year, makes Benitez the highest-paid coach in the country’s history.

  The deal was reportedly finalised following negotiations in London with club president Giannis Alafouzos. Benitez has asked for his tenure not to begin immediately as he arranges his relocation to Athens, meaning he will not be on the bench for their upcoming Europa League clash against Feyenoord. Feyenoord boss Robin van Persie even admitted his relief at not having to face the Spanish tactician so soon.

  Benitez’s arrival is expected to inject experience and prestige into a club that has not won the Greek title since 2010. Having last managed Celta Vigo — where he won just five of 28 matches — the veteran coach will be hoping to restore his reputation in a league he has never worked in before.

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  Benitez extends legacy

   For Benitez, this latest appointment extends a remarkable managerial journey that spans nearly four decades and several continents. Since beginning his career at Real Madrid’s youth academy in the mid-1980s, he has managed some of the biggest clubs in world football, from Liverpool and Chelsea to Napoli and Real themselves.

  At 65, the Spaniard now faces a very different challenge — transforming a Panathinaikos side struggling for consistency into genuine title contenders. His reputation for structure and discipline could bring stability to a club desperate for a return to the European spotlight. The move also reflects the growing appeal of the Greek Super League to seasoned coaches looking to rejuvenate their careers. With clubs like Olympiacos and PAOK enjoying improved European visibility, Benitez’s appointment further cements Greece’s rise as an attractive managerial destination.

• Benitez's immense CV

  Benitez’s career is one of the most decorated among modern managers. He first rose to prominence with Valencia, winning two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup before moving to Liverpool in 2004, where he famously masterminded the club’s miraculous Champions League triumph in Istanbul. His six-year spell at Anfield also brought an FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup, cementing his status among Europe’s elite.

  After leaving Liverpool, Benitez’s globe-trotting career saw him win the FIFA Club World Cup with Inter Milan, the Europa League with Chelsea, and domestic silverware with Napoli. His brief stints with Real Madrid, Everton, and Newcastle United highlighted his adaptability across contrasting football cultures. Few managers can match his record of winning major trophies in Spain, England, and Italy — and now he looks set to expand his legacy in Greece.

  Despite enduring difficult spells at Everton and Celta Vigo, Benitez remains one of football’s most respected tacticians. His structured approach, emphasis on defensive organisation, and eye for tactical nuance continue to define his managerial identity. With Panathinaikos, he will have a fresh opportunity to reassert those principles in a new environment.

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  What comes next?

  Benitez’s appointment is expected to be made official later this week, once final contract details and work formalities are completed. While he will not oversee the team in their upcoming Europa League trip to Feyenoord later on Thursday, his debut on the touchline could come against Asteras Tripolis in the Super League. The Spaniard’s immediate task will be to close the gap to the top of the table and stabilise a side that has struggled for rhythm this season.

  Longer term, the focus will be on restoring Panathinaikos to domestic dominance and European relevance. With a proven track record of turning underperforming teams into disciplined units, Benitez’s arrival could mark the start of a new era for the Athens giants.

When Tottenham Hotspur sell a key player for mega money, there is history now to tell us that the cash isn’t always invested very well. Still, Daniel Levy is no longer at Spurs, so things may well change in the future.

After Gareth Bale left north London behind, heading to Real Madrid to the tune of £85m, the ‘Magnificent 7’, as they were infamously known, were not much of a success.

Enter Paulinho, Christian Eriksen, Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches and Erik Lamela. While the latter scored that ridiculous Rabona goal, the only real success story here was Eriksen, a creative and technical marvel.

Ten years later, it was Harry Kane’s time to leave Spurs. He moved to Bayern Munich for a fee of around £86m, a relative bargain considering what he’s achieved since.

Arguably, like Bale, money was not well spent the summer he departed. The signings of summer 2023 were rather hit or miss. While Dejan Kulusevski arrived permanently, they spent £45m on an inconsistent Brennan Johnson and £50m on an injury-prone James Maddison.

Meanwhile, in 2024 £65m was spent on Dominic Solanke, who also cannot stay fit, while young gems in the form of Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert also joined. Not quite a magnificent seven, but more of an average trio. Gray and Odobert may well come good, but Solanke’s ceiling has likely already been hit.

So, perhaps Thomas Frank and Co will need to look to the academy again, just as they did when handing Kane his debut back in 2011. Once all was said and done, he’d found the net on 280 occasions, leaving as their all-time record goalscorer and Arsenal’s chief nemesis.

His form in Germany since has been nothing short of scintillating.

Harry Kane's season in numbers

Kane does goals. There’s not a whole lot else to say. Even bringing the likes of Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak into the equation, he is currently the best centre-forward in world football. The numbers support that.

While Viktor Gyokeres won the Gerd Muller Trophy at the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony, proclaimed as the best striker of 2024/25, Kane deserved to be in the conversation.

Gyokeres, for context, scored 54 times last season, but Kane ran him close, netting 41 in 51 outings.

Well, in 2025/26, he looks like he’s on track for the best season of his career as he moves into his 32nd year.

If you thought Kane couldn’t get any more ruthless, then think again. This season he has undeniably been the best player in Europe, scoring a mind-boggling 17 goals in nine games.

He’s scoring at a record of a goal every 46 minutes. It’s a level of potency we’ve very rarely ever seen from a striker in the elite game.

Truth be told, it’s peak Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo levels of goalscoring.

Kane has beaten the goalkeeper ten times in five Bundesliga fixtures while in the Champions League, he’s been a demon too, netting four in two matches, including a brace against Chelsea a couple of weeks ago.

The England skipper continued his rich vein of form against Cypriot side Pafos on Tuesday, bagging another two goals. This time he played as a no.10, behind Nicolas Jackson. It had no impact on his ability to score.

Replacing that type of output was always going to be impossible for Spurs. Solanke is a handy striker but he’s always going to be compared to Kane. That’s harsh but it’s the way of the world.

Fortunately, the Lilywhites do have one exciting academy prospect coming through the ranks who looks more exciting than Kane ever did at youth level.

Meet Spurs' most exciting academy talent since Harry Kane

At youth level Kane was impressive, scoring nine goals in 13 official matches for Tottenham Hotspur’s U21 side. Yet, he initially struggled at senior level.

The club’s record scorer didn’t find the net during five matches on loan at Norwich and also found life difficult at Leicester City and Leyton Orient, notching seven across 33 matches during those spells.

Nine goals in 29 matches at Millwall was slightly more productive but it wasn’t until 2014/15 where he finally showcased his elite potential.

That term the Englishman registered 31 goals for Spurs and since then, there hasn’t been a single campaign where he’s not scored fewer than 20 across a single season.

Many have come through the academy since then hoping to emulate that sort of record. The likes of Dane Scarlett, Troy Parrott and Will Lankshear, while still young, did not show enough in their fleeting appearances.

There are still high hopes for Mikey Moore, too. The 17-year-old was compared to Neymar by James Maddison last season and has so much potential.

Yet, the most exciting talent bursting through the ranks is another 17-year-old, Luca Williams-Barnett.

The teenager may be unknown to many supporters but has already made his first-team debut, appearing for the final three minutes of Spurs’ League Cup win over Doncaster Rovers last week.

Those minutes were a fine reward for his remarkable development over the last few years. If Spurs were looking for their own Max Dowman, then they have found it here.

A no.10 by trade, who can also play up top, the talented teen was superb last season, scoring 20 goals and registering a further 12 assists in 23 outings.

He’s begun the 2025/26 term in a similar vein of form with six goals and four assists in eight appearances for the U21s.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

As data analyst Ben Mattinson has outlined, he is “one of England’s best talents at youth level” and he also “scores bangers”.

His hat-trick earlier this season may not have showcased this but it proved he’s usually always in the right place at the right time, influencing play positively.

A goalscorer, a creator, an innate dribbler, Williams-Barnett has all of the tools to thrive at Spurs in the coming years.

However, for Frank, the challenge will be finding him regular minutes now in the Premier League. Their fierce rivals Arsenal, have led the way by giving the likes of Ethan Nwaneri and Dowman so many minutes over the last year.

Could Spurs be brewing their own version here? The future certainly looks bright.

Spurs may already have their new Luka Modric & it's not Palhinha

Tottenham Hotspur have found their next Luka Modric in North London, and it is not Joao Palhinha.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 30, 2025

Heather Knight, Emma Corney fifties lay foundation for Fran Wilson’s final-ball magic

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay23-Apr-2025Women’s Tier One cricket got off to the most dramatic possible start at Beckenham on Wednesday, when Somerset beat Surrey off the very last ball in a Metro Bank One Day classic.With the scores level, Fran Wilson hit Alice Davidson-Richards for four to secure a seven-wicket win in game reduced to 33 overs a side. Somerset had seemed to be coasting thanks to an opening stand of 122 between Heather Knight, who made 64, and Emma Corney, who hit 61.Surrey responded with a stifling fielding performance, but with Somerset almost dead and buried Amanda-Jade Wellington hit four successive fours to leave the visitors needing 15 off the last over and with the scores level Wilson powered Davidson-Richards’ final ball through mid-wicket.Earlier Surrey posted 243 for 7 meaning Somerset had to chase revised target of 238.Davidson-Richards was their top scorer with an unbeaten 57 from 47 balls, while Wellington took 3 for 42.It might have been a historic occasion at the New County Ground, but the weather deterred all but a handful of spectators. Conditions were bitter and rain delayed the start until 11 am.Somerset won the toss, chose to bowl and struck almost immediately. Ellie Anderson bowled Bryony Smith for 1 from the fourth legal delivery of the morning, but the rain returned after 3.3 overs with Surrey on 21 for 1 and play didn’t resume until 1.45 pm.Alice Capsey and Danni Wyatt-Hodge put on 59 for the second wicket, but both then went to Wellington. Capsey was caught for 26 at cover by Charlie Dean and Wyatt-Hodge was lbw for 33.Wellington then had Alice Monaghan stumped for a third-ball duck, her third wicket in the space of 14 deliveries.Sophia Dunkley was the next to go for 22 when she pulled Knight to Alex Griffiths, who took a juggling catch on the boundary.Paige Scholfield and Davidson-Richards shifted the momentum with a stand worth 60 that was only broken when the former miscued Dean to Laura Jackson.Davidson-Richards kept the pressure on by hitting Jackson for six over cow corner and Kira Chathli weighed in with a useful 25 before she was bowled by Dean, leaving Phoebe Franklin to scramble 3 not out from two balls in the final over.The target looked steep and Corney might have gone when she miscued a drive off Franklin but Scholfield couldn’t hang onto the an ankle-high catch.Both batters hit Dani Gregory for six in the 18th over before Knight fell, pulling Davidson-Richards to Monaghan.Corney drove Ryana MacDonald-Gay for four to pass 50 but she was bowled leg stump by the same bowler and the run rate crept upwards. MacDonald-Gay went for just four from the 30th over, leaving Somerset needing 37 from 18.Capsey restricted them to five from the 31st and crucially had Dean caught by Franklin for 41 off the final ball of the over, but Wellington revived the visitors with four successive fours off MacDonald-Gay, reducing the target to 15 off six.Wilson hit the first ball of the final over for four. The second went for a single and Wellington carved the third for four and swept the fourth to the fine leg boundary, leaving Somerset needing just two from two.They scrambled a single off the fifth to leave Wilson facing. She pulled Davidson-Richards for four through cow corner to seal a history-making win.

Jordan Henderson’s call-up should have been a fairly quick indication that Thomas Tuchel is ready to hand out second chances in the England set-up before the World Cup. The former Chelsea boss is leading a new era and one which has already featured plenty of old faces as well as some fresh arrivals.

The latest to benefit from that is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Prior to the arrival of Tuchel, the midfield star hadn’t been called up for England duty since 2018. That was as many as seven years ago now, but he’s seemingly done enough at AC Milan to earn another chance to impress for the Three Lions and make a claim for a World Cup place.

It feels unlikely that he’ll be the final shock inclusion under Tuchel, who has left England fans guessing at every turn. But who could be next to receive a much-welcomed return to the England squad ahead of the World Cup?

4 Fikayo Tomori AC Milan

Fikayo Tomori was always one that was overlooked by Gareth Southgate and mainly for reasons unknown. He played for one of Europe’s most historic clubs and, last season aside, started almost every week for AC Milan. Yet, it still wasn’t enough for Southgate, who chose to keep his selection in the Premier League for the most part.

Things are changing under Tuchel, however, and Tomori could be the next former Chelsea star back in the squad after Loftus-Cheek. The central defender’s last call-up came in 2019, but after earning his way back into Milan’s starting side, he deserves to get his place back in the Three Lions set-up at long last.

Tuchel has already shown willingness to call players outside the Premier League with the inclusion of AC Milan’s Loftus-Cheek alongside Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford, and should now turn towards Tomori.

3 Jack Grealish Everton

It almost seems inevitable that Jack Grealish will get his England chance before the World Cup. The winger has so far been reborn under David Moyes at Everton – assisting four goals in just two games – and provides a different threat to the quicker, more direct wingers who already have a place under Tuchel.

Grealish was beginning to fall out of love with football at Manchester City. He was refined to a cameo role more often than not, if that, and desperately needed the move that Everton soon granted him.

With the World Cup around nine months away, the Toffees have so far unlocked the version of Grealish that the Premier League last saw at Aston Villa. He is the star of the show at the Hill Dickinson and is well on course to earn back the England place that he lost in 2023.

2 Jadon Sancho Aston Villa

It goes without saying that Jadon Sancho still has a long way to go. He struggled on loan at Chelsea last season, so much so that they paid to get out of their obligation to buy the winger from Manchester United, and has shown all the signs of a player lacking the desire that he once had. But a lot can change in football.

It wasn’t so long ago that Sancho was the talk of European football, and he wasn’t the first player to struggle in a Manchester United shirt after a big-money move. A loan spell back to Borussia Dortmund in the 2023/24 campaign proved that he is still a player full of talent, but that talent must be on show at Aston Villa.

Rashford rediscovered his best form under Unai Emery in a similar move last season. Now, he has his England place back and is a Barcelona player. Sancho must use that example and get back to the type of form that would hand the Three Lions a major boost next summer.

1 Phil Foden Man City

Recent injuries haven’t helped, but there’s no denying that Phil Foden is very much on the peripheral of Pep Guardiola’s current plans. The 25-year-old hasn’t started any of Manchester City’s opening three games and is in danger of taking up the role that Grealish just vacated at the Etihad.

From becoming the Premier League’s Player of the Year in 23/24, the midfielder has now lost his England place and faces a fight to win it back before the World Cup gets underway.

It would be Tuchel’s biggest call to leave Foden out of his side. The Man City man is one of the most talented players that the Three Lions have, but things need to change at the Etihad. His first task is to get back into Guardiola’s Man City side, who have lost two of their three opening games, and then prove why he should be starting every week.

When that comes, then he should naturally find a way back into Tuchel’s plans. For now, however, the England boss has simply thrown down the challenge for Foden to get back to his best.