Lamine Yamal has sent out a Clasico warning to Real Madrid after helping Barcelona to hammer Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
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Blaugrana in impressive formHeading to Santiago BernabeuFlick's squad feeling confidentFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
A big week for the Blaugrana has seen them register nine goals across meetings with Sevilla and Bayern. They recorded five in La Liga action on Sunday, before seeing off Bundesliga giants 4-1 in elite European competition.
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Raphinha bagged a hat-trick against Bayern, while Robert Lewandowski was also on target against his former club. Barca are now readying themselves for a trip to Santiago Bernabeu to face arch-rivals Real on Saturday.
WHAT YAMAL SAID
Teenage wonderkid Yamal is looking forward to that contest, with Barca feeling buoyant. He has told reporters: “El Clasico? Before this match we were already feeling very confident, we believe we are the best team in the world, and I think we are proving it. We will go with all our strength, and may the best team win.”
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Yamal added on claiming a morale-boosting victory over German heavyweights: “It was very important to beat Bayern 4-1 in a very important week. We're doing very well this season, but there's always the worry of what will happen in the Champions League. We're a great team and we've shown that.”
Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock has died at the age of 31.
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Baldock found in his swimming pool
Joined Panathinaikos in the summer
Previously played for Sheffield United
WHAT HAPPENED?
Baldock, who joined Panathinaikos in the summer, was found dead at his home in the south of Athens on Wednesday, Reuters news agency reported, citing a police official. He was 31. Sheffield United, his former club, have posted a lengthy tribute to their former star.
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WHAT SHEFFIELD UNITED POSTED
The Blades wrote on X: "Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.
"The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him.
"The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends."
WHAT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE HAPPENED
According to various reports, Baldock was found in the swimming pool of his Greek villa. His wife had been unable to contact him and alerted the owner of the villa. They found Baldock and subsequently informed the authorities. Police tried to resuscitate him but it was confirmed that he had died. A cause of death has not been publicised.
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TRIBUTES POUR IN
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire posted a tribute on Instagram, having played with Baldock for Sheffield United, simply posting "RIP" with a broken-heart emoji.
Instagram @harrymaguire93
Meanwhile, a statement from the Greece national team read: "With profound sadness and sorrow, the national team and the Greek Football Federation bid farewell to George Baldock. There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the unexpected loss of one of our own, young, man. The moment forces silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family."
There simply aren’t enough superlatives in the English dictionary to describe just how fantastic and irreplaceable Bruno Fernandes is at Manchester United.
Absolutely everything positive involves the Portuguese Magnifico somewhere down the line, and he’s truly the club’s saviour.
It’s not unreasonable to say that without the captain, Erik ten Hag would no longer be in a job, as he ranked first for goals, assists, and chances created at the Red Devils last season.
However, with Fernandes turning 30 years old this year, it may be the perfect opportunity for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS to look for his successor.
Man Utd’s search for a young talent
According to a report from The Guardian, Man Utd are interested in signing talented youngster Desire Doue.
The young French player is on the radar of the Red Devils, as Ratcliffe looks to sign up-and-coming gems over big-name stars.
It’s said that the Rennes player will be available for £33.7m this summer, with their president knowing his departure won’t be too far around the corner.
However, unfortunately for United, plenty of teams across Europe are also keen, including Bayer Leverkusen, Paris Saint-Germain, and Arsenal.
Why Doue could become the perfect Fernandes successor
Although Doue’s talent is only truly becoming known as of late, the 19-year-old already enjoyed his breakthrough campaign in the 2022/23 season.
The versatile gem made 28 Ligue 1 appearances that year, starting 11 times, and picking up a relatively impressive four goal contributions.
However, his importance to Rennes became apparent last season, playing 31 times with 17 of them from the off in the league.
Progress had occurred, and there’s no better way to support that than his output, which increased to four goals and assists apiece, but what makes Doue a “one-of-a-kind” star, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson?
Goals
0.22
0.29
Assists
0.22
0.23
Key passes
1.72
3.29
Shot-creating actions
4.87
6.06
Passes into penalty area
2.49
2.57
Progressive passes
6.70
8.57
Progressive passes received
9.52
5.25
Successful take-ons
3.54
0.55
Carries into final third
4.04
1.76
Firstly, the French ace is the definition of a technical mastermind who can genuinely do anything with the ball at his feet, which sounds rather similar to a certain United number eight.
Doue is a creator, a player who isn’t content with letting a game go by without his influence being felt, as shown by his key passes, passes into the penalty area, and shot-creating actions.
As displayed by his high progressive passes received, the number 33 is a master of linking the midfield to the attack, popping up in pockets where he can cause havoc, which shows he has the intelligence of a Fernandes-esque player.
Another attribute that Fernandes and Doue share is their ability to not just operate in multiple roles but also perform to the exact same standard, whether that’s as a winger, an attacking midfielder, or even a slightly more defensive number eight.
Yet what Doue already has in his locker over the former Sporting midfielder is that he’s pure “cinema,” as per Mattinson, when running with the ball, whether that’s taking players on with ease or driving into the heart of the defence with intent.
Nevertheless, in some ways, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Doue take on a role similar to what Phil Foden did while serving as an understudy to David Silva, and it’s common knowledge how that plan turned out – Foden named the Premier League Player of the Year for 2023/24.
Therefore, with the brilliance of Doue in mind, United simply must do all they can to beat the competition to his signature this summer, as he has the potential to become a world-class talent.
What Man Utd's dream XI could look like after £230m spending spree
A ordem no Botafogo é de valorizar aquilo que o time tem vivido, mas não se deslumbrar pelos resultados. Após conquistar três vitórias seguidas na Série B do Brasileirão, o Alvinegro diminuiu a distância para o G4 da competição para quatro pontos – este buraco, outrora, já foi de dez.
+ Botafogo: com 11 jogos a menos, Luís Oyama supera participações em gols e envolvimento da Série B 2020
Mesmo assim, Eduardo Freeland, diretor de futebol do clube, afirmou, em entrevista à “BotafogoTV” nesta quinta-feira, que o Alvinegro só poderá respirar aliviado quando estiver na zona de classificação à elite do futebol brasileiro.
– A gente sabe que o momento é muito importante, temos que valorizar isso. A atmosfera já está diferente, a gente já percebe uma confiança não só interna, mas externa também, com a confiança dos torcedores. Tem muita coisa pra melhorar, o momento requer cuidados. Tivemos três vitórias, mas deveríamos ter tido essas vitórias antes. A gente está em um processo de recuperação, é tentar conseguir mais vitórias e entrar no G4 para ficar lá até o final – afirmou.
Atualmente na 9ª colocação, Freeland garante que quer mais. O Botafogo enfrenta a Ponte Preta no próximo domingo, no Estádio Nilton Santos, em busca de uma possível sequência de quatro vitórias seguidas, algo que seria inédito na temporada 2021.
+ Agosto reserva seis jogos para o Botafogo e possibilidade de entrada no G4 da Série B; veja calendário
– A gente tem que olhar para o objetivo e quantos pontos temos que conseguir. Nosso local na tabela não é nem um pouco confortável. Não é lugar do Botafogo estar na Série B, menos ainda fora do G4. A gente tem total consciência de onde estamos e onde queremos chegar. Queremos o G4 e não sair mais de lá – completou.
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MAIS ASPAS DE EDUARDO FREELAND
Chegada de Enderson Moreira – O elenco é muito comprometido. Mesmo quando os resultados não viam eles se dedicaram até o final, sempre houve um comprometimento. A chegada de um novo treinador traz confiança, muda os ares, temos um terceiro jogo em casa seguido. É um conjunto de fatores que fazem a confiança voltar. A organização da equipe está evoluindo.
Expectativa para o resto do Campeonato Brasileiro – É muita confiança, o torcedor já está percebendo isso. Também estamos percebendo isso vindo de fora. Estamos confiantes por esse novo momento de buscar no G4, entrar lá e fazer bonito na Série B. Nenhum jogo vai ser fácil, mas a gente vai em busca de mais de uma vitória e quem sabe até o final do turno já não estamos lá no G4. Temos totais condições disso, então vamos buscar.
Lionel Messi has been given his worst rating in 16 years on EA Sports FC 25 and has fallen below Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah.
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EA Sports FC 25 set to be releasedMessi's rating downgradedNow below Salah and KaneWHAT HAPPENED?
The latest instalment of EA Sports FC is due to be released later this month and will be eagerly-anticipated by fans around the globe. Lionel Messi is obviously a popular pick but has received a downgrade for the latest edition of the popular video game. Inter Miami's superstar has seen his rating drop below the 90 mark for the first time since 2008 and now stands at 88. The moves means that a host of players, including Kane and Salah, have a higher rating that the Argentine great.
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Messi's rating reflects his gradual decline as he heads towards the end of his career. The World Cup winner turned 37 in June and has hinted current club Inter Miami will be his last before he finally hangs up his boots. Messi, who won the Ballon d'Or last year, has also been left off the shortlist for the prestigious award this year and will not be lifting the famous Golden Ball for a ninth time in 2024.
DID YOU KNOW?
Messi now has the same rating as players including Manchester City star Phil Foden, former Barcelona team-mate Antoine Griezmann and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski. The highest-ranked players in the game are Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City duo Rodri and Erling Haaland with a rating of 91.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI
Messi is currently sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in the final of the 2024 Copa America. However, the Inter Miami captain is closing in on comeback and is expected to be involved in the team's next game against the Philadelphia Union on September 14.
Andy Cole believes Chelsea's £25m Jadon Sancho transfer "could be a steal" as the Manchester United loanee has "so much unlocked potential".
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Sancho joined Chelsea on deadline day
Currently on loan but has an obligation to buy clause
Cole believes it could be a "very good deal"
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Blues secured the winger on a deadline-day loan deal, which includes an obligation to buy him next summer. The transfer fee is expected to be between £20 million (€23m/$26m) and £25 million (€29m/$32m), depending on Chelsea's final standing in the Premier League. This is a shrewd piece of business by Chelsea given the Red Devils forked out around £73 million ($101m) to buy Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
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WHAT COLE SAID
United legend Cole believes that the Sancho deal could turn out to be a bargain for the London club.
"Manchester United paid over £70 million for Jadon three years ago, so it’s a lot of money lost, isn’t it?" Cole remarked in an interview with
Jadon’s a very talented kid and he’s still only 24 years old, so if Chelsea can get the best out of him like Borussia Dortmund did last season, then it would be a steal. There’s so much talent and so much unlocked potential there, so if Chelsea can unlock it and get him to the peak of his powers, then it would ultimately be a very, very good deal for them."
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Nonetheless, Cole is unsure how Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will fit Sancho into a squad that is already bloated with several forwards.
"However, you can flip it on its head and ask where he's going to play?" he asked. "Unless football becomes 24-a-side, he’s going to struggle like everybody else at Chelsea because nobody knows what’s going on there. They’ve got loads of big names but they can only choose eleven players to start, so it will be interesting to see how he does at Chelsea."
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WHAT NEXT FOR SANCHO?
At Chelsea, Sancho will be looking to rediscover his earlier form that led United to pay such a hefty fee for him a few seasons back. The Blues will resume their Premier League campaign after the international break with a match against Bournemouth on September 14, and Sancho will be eager to make an impact.
West Ham United could well be on the hunt for a new manager this summer as David Moyes' contract continues to tick down, but TalkSPORT pundit Jamie O'Hara has been left baffled by one of the names in the mix.
Moyes pressure grows after defeat at Newcastle
The Hammers will consider themselves extremely unlucky after Saturday's trip to Tyneside, coming away with nothing despite scoring three brilliant goals. Moyes was left particularly frustrated by the second penalty incident involving Anthony Gordon, which he felt could have easily been given as a foul for the hapless Kalvin Phillips rather than the other way around.
“I actually think that the boy kicks Phillips if you want to look at it a different way, he puts his foot in front of Kalvin and stops him kicking the ball so I don’t see how that’s really a penalty kick but there you go, it was given," he told TNT Sports.
“Very similar to the first one in some ways, but those decisions didn’t go, they were really tough decisions, close decisions that didn’t fall in our favour. I think at 3-1 if we don't give away the penalty we start to ease the game out, but I think the referee played a huge part in the result today, I really do.”
Kalvin Phillips for West Ham
The Scot is now facing an extremely uncertain future, with club insider ExWHUEmployee confirming last month the club will wait until the end of the season to make a decision on a potential new contract.
There have been plenty of possible replacements doing the rounds in the rumour mill in recent weeks, with Darren Bent tipping Ipswich sensation Kieran McKenna to take over while Julen Lopetegui is said to be "waiting" for the job to become available, but it seems fans are hoping for a bit more of an ambitious statement from the club.
"Strong" coach is now just waiting to replace David Moyes at West Ham
He has his eyes on the hot seat.
ByEmilio Galantini Mar 14, 2024 O'Hara reacts to West Ham links with "unbelievable" manager
Another one of the names to have been put forward as a possible successor – and perhaps the most exciting of the lot – is Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel, who is set to leave the Bundesliga outfit after a disappointing campaign.
Speaking on TalkSPORT after the defeat to Newcastle on Saturday however, pundit O'Hara ripped into Hammers fans for touting the German as a serious candidate.
Called "unbelievable" by Ben Chilwell during his time at Chelsea, Tuchel has league titles in Germany and France on his résumé, as well as a famous Champions League triumph with Chelsea, and while former Spurs man O'Hara wasted no time shooting down the links, perhaps the 50 year-old could be tempted by a move back to London after his unceremonious exit from Stamford Bridge.
One of the biggest clubs in the world are hoping to sign an "irreplaceable" Manchester City player for just £43m this summer, according to a worrying transfer update.
Man City transfer news
Whatever happens between now and the end of the season, Pep Guardiola will again be on the lookout for new signings in the upcoming transfer window, as he freshens up his squad.
While established players are being linked with moves to the Etihad later in the year, youngsters are also needed for the long-term picture, and Lokomotiv Moscow ace Sergey Pinyaev is reportedly wanted by City.
Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has enjoyed a fantastic season, scoring 11 goals and registering 10 assists en route to Xabi Alonso's side winning the league title recently. The move for Wirtz may have hit a snag, but there is still hope that the German could be at the Etihad in time for next season.
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Guardiola may feel that a new centre-back is needed moving forward, especially with John Stones proving to be an injury-prone figure, and Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite has been backed to sign for City. The young Englishman has been a rare bright spark for the Toffees this season, and could jump at the opportunity to join the reigning Premier League champions despite his success in Germany.
Links surrounding a move for Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala are also refusing to go away, with the German having the potential to mature into one of the best players in the world. He has 16 goal contributions (10 goals and six assists) in 20 Bundesliga starts in 2023/24 heading into this weekend.
Man City could lose "irreplaceable" star
According to a fresh claim from Catalunya Radio (as relayed by Sport Witness), Manchester City star Bernardo Silva is wanted by Barcelona this summer, and the player himself has "practically decided" to leave the club.
Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring for Manchester City.
Barca are hoping to sign the Portuguese for just €50m (£43m) due to a release clause that exists in his current contract, and he sees them as his first choice to join.
Bernardo Silva's key trophy wins for Man City
Year(s)
Champions League
2022/23
Premier League
2017/18, 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23
FA Cup
2018/19, 2022/23
League Cup
2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21
Club World Cup
2023/24
Losing Silva this summer would be a massive blow for City, considering he has become a genuine legend during his time at the club, not only winning five Premier League titles and one Champions League crown, but also proving to be one of the league's outstanding players during that period. Meanwhile, Guardiola clearly thinks the world of the 29-year-old, saying of him:
"I could stay here and talk for 10 minutes on what Bernardo Silva means for me and our team. He is a player that is beyond good in all departments – solidarity, intelligence, he understands everything. We are in love with him. The problem is he has no big cars, he [dresses] maybe not for high style. He is humble and everybody loves him in the locker room. We were lucky not to lose him. He is irreplaceable. I know he is happy here."
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Admittedly, Bernardo isn't getting any younger, but he remains a world-class footballer who shouldn't drift past his peak for another few years, so City should do all they can to keep him. That being said, if he has decided he wants to leave, it would be hard to begrudge him a fresh challenge.
Leeds United were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2022/23 campaign after they spent three years in the top-flight of English football.
The Whites failed to escape the drop one year after they sold star midfielder Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City for £45m and Brazil international Raphinha to Barcelona for £55m, with the latter being a club-record fee for the Yorkshire-based outfit.
Former Leeds forward Raphinha.
Comparing those fees to sales from the past, however, does not provide the full context, as football fees have been affected by inflation over the years.
If you adjust for footballing inflation, using the Totally Money index, you could argue that the sale of Rio Ferdinand is the club's most-valuable departure, when they sold him to Manchester United in the summer of 2002.
How much Leeds paid to sign Rio Ferdinand
Per Totally Money, Leeds paid £23.4m to sign the central defender from West Ham United ahead of the 2000/01 campaign, which would be worth £59.7m in 2024 money.
It was a deal that made him the most expensive defender in world football and the most expensive British signing in history at that point – making him a record-breaking signing for the club.
They swooped to sign the Rolls-Royce of a centre-back after he came through the academy set-up with the Hammers to make 149 first-team appearances, and he had already been capped by England.
Rio Ferdinand
Ferdinand played 73 matches across two seasons with the Whites and excelled in his second campaign with the club, during the 2001/02 term.
The England international was named in the PFA Team of the Year, alongside the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Robert Pires, for his performances over 31 Premier League games for Leeds.
This shows that his peers viewed him as one of the two best central defenders, alongside Liverpool's Sammi Hyypia, in the English top-flight that term.
How much Leeds sold Rio Ferdinand for
The English colossus' displays in the division convinced Manchester United to swoop in for a fee at the time – per Totally Money – of £41.4m in the summer of 2002.
However, when inflation throughout the years is taken into account, that fee works out as a staggering £158.7m – rounded up to £159m – in 2024 money, which shows that Leeds hit the jackpot when they signed Ferdinand from West Ham two years prior.
They brought in a talented young defender, albeit for a significant fee at the time, and got a Team of the Year worthy season and a mammoth fee for his services from the Red Devils.
Most expensive Leeds sales (inflation adjusted)
Sale
Original fee
Today's money
Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United
£41.4m
£158.7m
Raphinha to Barcelona
£55m
£55m
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to Atletico Madrid
£15m
£51.8m
Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City
£45m
£45m
Harry Kewell to Liverpool
£9m
£37.8m
Fees via Totally Money and Sky Sports
As you can see in the table above, Ferdinand is far and away the most expensive sale in Leeds history when you adjust for footballing inflation, per Totally Money's index.
This suggests that the Whites played a blinder with their decision to make him the most expensive defender in world football when they signed him from the Hammers, given that they then raked in a gigantic fee from their Premier League rivals just two years later.
Therefore, Leeds hit the jackpot with the England international, who went on to play 455 times for the Red Devils, and may hope to repeat that trick in the future if they return to the top-flight and have the chance to splash the cash again.
Alex Morgan has hit “out of office” mode after being snubbed for 2024 Olympic Games duty, with the USWNT star relaxing in the sun with a drink.
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Left out of 18-player party for trip to France
Will not form part of a gold medal bid
Domestic action has also shut down in NWSL
WHAT HAPPENED?
The 35-year-old has seen her summer schedule cleared on the back of a surprising omission from Emma Hayes’ plans for a gold medal bid in Paris. Despite being a World Cup winner with 224 caps and 123 goals to her name, Morgan will be left at home when the United States head for France.
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She is making peace with that, as others ask questions of why her vast experience was not embraced in another bid for tangible success. Hayes is starting to build for the future, with only five players aged 30 or over named in her 18-player party for Paris.
DID YOU KNOW?
Morgan will be among those watching on from afar, with the NWSL having shut down until August 18 in order for full focus to be locked on Olympic endeavours. That means the San Diego Wave will not be action again for over a month.
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WHAT NEXT?
Morgan intends to make the most of a rare break in what has been a hectic career at the very highest level, with a window presenting itself in which to unwind with friends and family – with the USWNT legend already getting the ice-cold drinks flowing while soaking up some rays.