The fallout from Liverpool's terrible performance in the 4-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League has seen defender Ibrahima Konate singled out for additional criticism. The Frenchman has responded by issuing a heartfelt message to fans. Konate was at fault for PSV’s third goal, and the calls for manager Arne Slot to be sacked are growing louder by the day.
Konate under-fire over high-profile mistakes
Konate has endured a dreadful start to the season, consistently underperforming and to blame for a number of dreadful errors amid the Reds’ defensive struggles. Pundits and fans alike have slammed his form, with Kop hero Jamie Carragher describing his positional play as "all over the place".
The defender has been involved in several key errors, including a recent "dreadful" mistake that led directly to PSV’s third in the Champions League clash at Anfield, and he was substituted early in the recent 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. The growing consensus is that his individual performances are a major factor in Liverpool's poor results. In 12 Premier League games with Konate on the pitch the Reds have conceded 17 goals, contributing to an alarming rate of a goal conceded every 58 minutes. His struggles are compounded by ongoing contract uncertainty and a string of injuries that have hampered his rhythm this season.
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Konate: 'We know we need to improve'
The France international said on Instagram: "We have to take this moment on the chest. Criticism is part of football, and we’ll fight back every time and come through this storm. In these moments, the fans matter most. The ones who stand with us in the good times and the bad – the ones who sing for us even in the difficult moments! Your voice and your support mean everything to us. We know we need to improve and we’ll keep fighting for you. Always."
Carragher makes 'sack' claim
Anfield legend Carragher was caught bemoaning Slot’s decision to continue picking Konate during the heavy defeat by PSV, claiming the decision was a sackable offence.
Carragher said: "Honest to god, I've had enough of them. That Konate, I mean, that's a sackable offence for the manager for f******g keep picking him. He should be sacked for that."
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Selection headache for boss Slot
Konate’s place in Liverpool’s starting XI to face West Ham on Sunday is anything but secure and Joe Gomez is a fit and ready-made replacement on the bench, should Slot decide to ring the changes. Andy Robertson was also deployed at centre-back in the clash with Crystal Palace earlier this season.
But Slot has remained tight-lipped on whether he will make wholesale changes for the match, saying: "Everyone trains with us every single day, and they can prove themselves in that moment. It's always a balance. There was a period where I lost, and I made a few changes and people complained that I made too many changes. Of course, I consider but I can not tell you the end decision of what I've considered for Sunday." Anything other than a victory for Slot on Sunday will pile even more pressure on the beleaguered boss ahead of a midweek visit from Sunderland in the Premier League.
And when pressed on what he can change to arrest the dreadful run of results, Slot added: "That's not so easy to say. It's normal to reflect on a game with decisions you have made. Maybe you do it a little bit more if you lose. In the end, it's about doing what this club is about. Keep fighting no matter how difficult it is. It would be nice if we rewarded ourselves in the moments we play well. People are focused on the parts we don't play well but there are large parts where we do play well."
Jack Carson claims three, but late loss of wickets leave hosts with work to do
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Sep-2025Hampshire were bowled out for 226 in just 71.3 overs after being asked to bat first on a challenging Hove pitch on the opening day of their championship match against Sussex. That left Sussex to face 22 overs and by the close they had reached 42 for three as Hampshire fought their way back into the match.Not for the first time the Hampshire innings was held together by their captain Ben Brown, once a very popular player in Sussex colours. But even Brown needed some good fortune on his way to a 129-ball 71, and he was dropped behind by opposite number John Simpson off the bowling of Sean Hunt when he had scored just 18.At the start of the day just 15 points separated the teams between fifth and ninth places. And both Hampshire, in fifth position, and Sussex, just two points behind, started the match in search of reassuring, anti-relegation points.Hampshire, who made four changes, bringing in Ali Orr, Toby Albert, Bjorn Fortuin and Keith Barker, reached a diffident 81 for three at lunch against a rejigged Sussex seam attack which welcomed back Olli Robinson, Jaydev Unadkat and Sean Hunt.Sussex, who had lost their two most recent championship games by an innings, broke through in the sixth over when Fletcha Middleton, driving at a wide delivery from Unadkat, edged behind. It was 47 for two in the 14th over when former Sussex opener Orr clipped Hunt to short leg where Oli Carter took a very sharp catch, low down. And Robinson picked up his first wicket in his livelier second spell when, bowling over the wicket to the left-handed Nick Gubbins, he straightened one to have the batsman lbw.After the break the Hampshire batsmen found the going no easier on a rather sticky surface. The pitch – being used for the first time this season for a championship match – did not encourage strokeplay. Albert pulled left-armer Hunt through midwicket to bring up the hundred in the 35th over but when he attempted a similar stroke against Robinson he gloved the ball to slip.Tom Prest also perished as he attempted to be positive, clipping Fynn Hudson-Prentice to Daniel Hughes at midwicket. Fortuin played himself in but when he jumped down the wicket to drive Jack Carson through the on-side he was through the stroke too soon and chipped it back to the bowler.Hampshire put all their eggs in Brown’s basket, and the batsman gathered his runs with sweeps and nudges, mostly on the leg-side. But when he swept Carson for a single to reach his half-century it had taken him 105 deliveries. From 119 for five Brown led his side to partial recovery, but once he was eighth out at 215, sweeping Carson to square-leg, Hampshire’s resistance was broken.Conditions were no easier when Sussex batted. Tom Haines edged Kyle Abbott waist-high to second slip and Carter was bowled by a nip-backer from Keith Barker. Shortly before the close, James Coles, driving loosely, dragged a delivery from James Fuller onto his stumps.
Enfim a primeira fase do Campeonato Paulista terminou e agora o Estadual se afunila entre os oito classificados para a fase final do torneio, que já começa neste próximo final de semana, com os duelos entre Palmeiras x Ponte Preta, São Paulo Novorizontino, Inter de Limeira x Red Bull Bragantino e Santos x Portuguesa.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras
Time de melhor campanha na fase de grupos pelo terceiro ano seguido, o Palmeiras recebe a Ponte em Barueri buscando estar entre os quatro melhores do Estadual, algo que virou praticamente obrigação no clube nos últimos dez anos.
O torcedor palmeirense já faz as contas para saber quem pegaria numa possível semifinal de Paulista, caso passe pela Ponte Preta e o Lance! traz resumido de forma simples quem pode ser o adversário alviverde.
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A única chance de vermos um Choque-Rei na semi do Estadual seria se o São Paulo passasse pelo Novorizontino nos pênaltis, o Red Bull Bragantino passasse pela Inter de Limeira nos 90 minutos e o Santos eliminasse a Portuguesa (de qualquer forma).
Em resumo, caso avance para a semi, o Palmeiras enfrenta:
– Se a Portuguesa passar pelo Santos, será o adversário do Verdão.
– Se a Portuguesa cair e a Inter de Limeira avançar, o Palmeiras pega a Inter.
– Se a Portuguesa cair, a Inter de Limeira ser eliminada no tempo normal e o São Paulo passar nos pênaltis, teremos um Choque-Rei na semi.
+ Richard Rios descarta favoritismo do Palmeiras no Paulistão!
Caso o Verdão chegue na grande final, o mando de volta da grande decisão só não seria do alviverde imponente, caso o Santos passe pelas quartas e semi vencendo no tempo normal, e o Palmeiras passe nas duas fases nos pênaltis.
Patrick Dorgu’s Manchester United career so far was summed up in one moment on Monday evening against Everton.
A rare piece of attacking quality saw Joshua Zirkzee flash a ball across the box in the first half, and with Dorgu perfectly positioned at the backpost, the chance was there for the 21-year-old to fire home his first goal for the club following his January arrival from Lecce.
Just days on from cooly converting in Denmark’s eventual 4-2 defeat to Scotland in World Cup qualification, the young wing-back could not repeat the feat, instead lashing his attempt wide in what has, unfortunately, almost become trademark fashion.
Like against Manchester City – where Dorgu had more touches in the opposition box than any other player (12) – he routinely gets himself into promising openings, although is simply unable to make the most of it, having registered just two assists in 32 games under Ruben Amorim to date.
In truth, the left-footer is drifting into Rasmus Hojlund territory as a promising, but raw Danish arrival from Serie A who has almost been made first-choice in his position too soon, with little in the way of competition.
Thankfully, Amorim might well have an in-house solution, although it will continue to irk supporters that £30m was splashed out on Dorgu, while a certain Alvaro Carreras departed for just £5m a year earlier.
How Dorgu & Carreras compare this season
One of the most head-scratching decisions of the Erik ten Hag reign remains the choice not to hand an opportunity to Carreras at senior level, with the young Spaniard never actually making a first-team appearance before his eventual departure – initially on loan – to Benfica in January 2024.
Despite notably claiming Preston North End’s Young Player of the Year award following a standout 2022/23 season in the second tier, Ten Hag repeatedly overlooked the academy asset, even amid the long-term absences of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
In 2023/24, for instance, the Dutchman tried numerous, makeshift options at left-back, ranging from Sofyan Amrabat to Victor Lindelof, making it all the more puzzling that Carreras remained out in the cold.
Still only 22 years old, the Real Madrid youth product is now flourishing back at the Bernabeu, having re-joined his former employers on a £42m deal over the summer.
Comfortable at left wing-back or left-back, Carreras has started 16 of Madrid’s 17 games in LaLiga and the Champions League this season, scoring a belting effort in the 4-0 win over Valencia.
Notably likened to new teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold for his attacking, creative quality from the flanks, the Ferrol-born starlet looks like a real upgrade on Dorgu on current evidence, with United left looking red-faced over their handling of him.
Initially signed as a 16-year-old in 2020 – the same time in which Alejandro Garnacho arrived from Atletico Madrid – Carreras will seemingly remain a case of what might have been as far as the Red Devils are concerned.
Carreras vs Dorgu – 25/26 League stats
Stat (*per game)
Carreras
Dorgu
Games (starts)
13 (13)
11 (7)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
1
Big chances created
1
2
Key passes*
1.2
0.8
Pass accuracy*
90%
73%
Successful dribbles*
0.5
0.3
Tackles*
1.3
2.1
Interceptions*
1.5
0.9
Total duels won*
48%
51%
Stats via Sofascore
Hopefully, a similar scenario doesn’t occur under the new INEOS regime.
Man Utd's "stream train" can derail Dorgu's Man Utd stay
Question marks remain over the midfield unit and number nine berth at Old Trafford, but perhaps the biggest issue for Amorim – and INEOS – is at wing-back, not least on the left.
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The fact that the Portuguese frequently opts to deploy Diogo Dalot in that role is both damning on the club’s squad building, but also on Dorgu, with the more natural option hardly pulling up any trees down that side.
Dorgu isn’t even a year into his Old Trafford stay, but questions are beginning to be asked of his suitability and quality for Premier League football, with his woes highlighted by the fact that he ranks in the bottom 8% of top-flight full-backs for pass completion, as well as in the bottom 3% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
It simply isn’t working right now on that left flank, hence why a chance could arise for 18-year-old summer arrival, Diego Leon, with the Paraguayan still waiting for his first chance at senior level in Manchester.
Like Carreras, Leon has been plucked as a promising teenager with one eye on the future, with a deal having initially been struck with his former club Cerro Porteno in January.
Signed for a fee of around £6m, the bulldozing defender has featured in matchday squads this season, albeit without getting onto the pitch, having largely operated for the U21 side to date.
There is a danger that he could follow in Carreras’ footsteps as an almost forgotten figure in the academy set-up, yet much like in Ten Hag’s tenure, there is a left-sided issue to be solved – Amorim needs to be brave.
Leon, of course, is unproven and untested in English football, but he’s no stranger to life in the first-team, having scored four times in just 33 games back in his native Paraguay.
Already capped at senior level for his country too, the teen full-back appears to have the physical capabilities to be able to thrive in the Premier League, with analyst Ben Mattinson suggesting that he runs “like a steam train”.
That pace and power was evident during Leon’s stunning, solo goal against Tottenham Hotspur’s U21 side, picking the ball inside his own half and driving into the opposition box to convert.
Also described by Mattinson as a “physical, explosive, marauding” left-back who is “similar to a Patrick Dorgu type”, Leon will hopefully showcase the best of what Dorgu has to offer, but with far greater end product.
The over-reliance and burden on Dorgu has gone on too long, with the ex-Lecce man having seemingly regressed rather than progressed under Amorim’s watch.
Time is on his side, but with an even younger, high-potential talent like Leon waiting in the wings, he might already be on borrowed time.
Mainoo 2.0: Man Utd can axe Ugarte for one of England's "best young players"
Manchester United’s midfield needs an overhaul – thankfully Carrington has the solution…
Liverpool pushed all of their recent agony to one side by comfortably getting the better of Aston Villa 2-0 on Saturday night.
Arne Slot’s Reds do still find themselves seven points shy of Arsenal at the very top of the Premier League tree, with four defeats in a row not exactly helping their cause, but a win was desperately needed all the same, and it was secured in a straightforward fashion versus Unai Emery’s challengers.
Mohamed Salah would have also been relieved, from a personal point of view, that he was back amongst the goals last night as Slot and Co. picked up their first league win since the hotly-contested Merseyside Derby back in September.
The milestone Mo Salah hit vs Aston Villa
It was a milestone night for the Egyptian after all, coming up against the visitors from the West Midlands.
Despite experiencing a shaky start to the season by his lofty standards, Salah would still manage to collect his 250th Premier League goal of his illustrious career on Saturday evening, after he capitalised on a mix-up at the back by Emiliano Martinez to slot a first-half effort home with ease.
That set the reigning champions on their way to an assured three points, with Salah looking lively throughout, away from just adding himself to the Premier League’s record books.
The 33-year-old would very much keep Lucas Digne on his toes throughout, with the Liverpool veteran managing to complete five successful dribbles to look back to his usual rampaging best.
Moreover, Salah also showed plenty of energy and vigour when launching himself into duels, with seven ground duels also impressively won.
Come the end of the contest, Salah would have been pleased with his overall application, away from just stealing the majority of the limelight with his milestone goal.
Still, there is a fresher figure in Slot’s ranks who is seemingly turning into the Dutchman’s new version of the Reds legend, in terms of being a must-have presence on the teamsheet when fit.
Slot's new Salah-type player
Salah is now 33 years of age, meaning his time as a Liverpool regular, week in, week out, could come to a halt soon.
He has, unfortunately, wobbled at points this season, too, with only four goals collected in Premier League action, but class is permanent, as was seen in his encouraging showing against Villa, which showed there’s still life in the ageing winger’s legs at the moment.
It cannot be understated how crucial Salah has been over the years for Liverpool with consistent moments of magic, but Slot could well find he has a new Salah-type figure in his ranks now in Ryan Gravenberch, who is a “vital” figure himself whenever he’s fit in the Liverpool starting XI, as ex-Reds midfielder Steve McManaman labelled him after the important 2-0 victory.
Journalist Henry Winter also stated, after the three points were secured, that the former Ajax sensation is “so important” to how Liverpool tick, with Slot cursing his talisman’s recent injury luck, before he returned to the first-team fold against Villa, with Liverpool coming worryingly unstuck 3-2 away at Brentford with Gravenberch not in the side.
With Gravenberch back in the side, though, on Saturday night, Liverpool never looked in danger of gifting Villa the three points, as the standout number 38 picked up his third Premier League goal of the season already – to show off a killer finishing ability like Salah – when this kind deflection wrongfooted Martinez early in the second half.
Gravenberch also led by example when winning six duels and two tackles, to give Liverpool some needed grit in the middle of the park, on top of also bowing out from the 2-0 win with an 88% pass accuracy intact.
Games played
8
Games started
8
Goals scored
3
Assists
1
Touches
74.4
Accurate passes
53.5 (88%)
Tackles*
2.0
Ball recoveries*
3.6
Total duels won*
5.3
The 23-year-old has been equal parts skilful and attritional throughout the season so far, as can be seen looking at the table above, with Salah’s insane 29-goal season last campaign in the Premier League even seeing him win his fair share of duels, when averaging 3.3 successful duels per clash.
The 8/10 midfield star – as was the post-match rating handed to him by journalist Ian Doyle – still has a long way to go before he’s seen in the same glowing light as Salah, who has become a top-flight great at Anfield.
But, if he continues at his current trajectory – with one analyst even branding him as “world-class” for his well-rounded showing against Villa – he will also be fondly remembered in the Liverpool hall-of-fame down the line, long after Salah’s esteemed playing days.
Best game all season: Liverpool star was even better than Salah & Gravenberch
Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Anfield and this player stood out
O volante Paulinho anunciou sua saída do Corinthians. Aos 35 anos, o volante, importante nas conquistas da Libertadores e do Mundial em 2012, não chegou a um acordo para renovar seu contrato com o Timão. O último jogo do atleta pelo Alvinegro será nesta terça-feira (28), contra o Racing-URU, em Itaquera.
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➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians
– Ciclos chegam. Uns se encerram, outros se iniciam. Essa decisão foi pensada com a família e eu acho que a palavra mais correta é gratidão por tudo que o Corinthians me proporcionou – disse o camisa 8.
– Por tudo que o Corinthians me transformou em ser um jogador de seleção brasileira e ser um jogador que chegou em clubes europeus. Eu devo uma boa parte da minha vida ao Corinthians. É o clube que eu amo – acrescentou.
continua após a publicidadeA trajetória de Paulinho no Corinthians
Jogando pelo Timão, Paulinho atuou em 218 jogos e marcou 40 gols, além de conquistar os títulos do Brasileirão, em 2011, da Libertadores e do Mundial, em 2012, e do Paulistão, em 2013.
Adrien Rabiot has revealed he is left “amazed” by Luka Modric’s childlike passion for football, praising the 40-year-old midfielder’s impact since joining AC Milan. The Croatian veteran has instantly become the heartbeat of the Rossoneri midfield, and Rabiot says Modric’s energy and love for the game continues to inspire everyone around him.
Modric’s Milan influence already ‘extraordinary’
Modric’s move from Real Madrid to AC Milan was one of the summer’s most dramatic transfers, but the Croatian legend has wasted no time proving he still belongs at the top level. At 40 years old, Modric has slotted straight into the Rossoneri's midfield, dictating games with the same intelligence, composure and work rate that defined his decade in Spain.
His arrival has transformed Massimiliano Allegri's side into a more controlled and technically secure outfit. Modric has been central to Milan’s early-season push for the top of Serie A, and his leadership has filled a void the Rossoneri had struggled to address since losing Sandro Tonali.
Rabiot, who joined Milan after Modric, has seen his adaptation from close range. The French midfielder says the Croatian has taken command of the dressing room and the pitch, instantly raising standards around the club. That set the stage for him to share his admiration in detail.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportRabiot amazed by Modric’s passion and reflects on derby win
Rabiot began by revealing just how special it has been to play alongside Modric, highlighting the Croatian’s attitude above everything else. Speaking to , he said: "He's a simple person and loves football like a child. I've felt very comfortable with him in midfield since day one because he has quality and vision, but he also makes a huge contribution when it comes to winning the ball back, running and coming in decisively when needed. He's an extraordinary player who amazes me with the desire he shows on the pitch every day, even at 40. I admire him greatly: when I'm his age, I hope I still have that passion."
The Frenchman was then asked about Milan’s 1-0 derby victory over Inter, a match in which he played the full 90 minutes after returning from injury. "Happiness because it's a special match for Milan and the Milan fans. It was great to win the first derby at San Siro and I'm proud of how we played. These three points give us further confidence."
Rabiot’s growing influence & hunger to score
Rabiot’s start at Milan was disrupted by a calf injury, but when he has played, the numbers speak for themselves: five wins and one draw in six appearances, with only one goal conceded. His importance to the Rossoneri's structure has grown rapidly, especially alongside a veteran like Modric who complements his energy and ball-winning.
When asked about ending his goal drought for the team, he explained: "I hope so. I'd like to score as soon as possible, both at San Siro and away. I like scoring goals or providing assists, but that's not my main role: I have to help the team with running, tackling, advice, and experience. If we keep winning and I don't score, that's fine too."
The 30-year-old then reflected on why Milan look more secure with him on the pitch, pointing to his communication and calming presence. "Maybe my teammates have more confidence and I give them a sense of mental security. I try to talk a lot, especially during the most difficult moments of the match, to keep everyone focused. I always give my all and the others feel it."
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Getty Images SportLazio next and reunion with Sarri
Milan sit second in Serie A and now prepare for a crucial clash against Lazio at San Siro, where a win could temporarily send them top of the table. For Rabiot, the fixture also brings a personal subplot: a reunion with his former Juventus coach, Maurizio Sarri.
Looking ahead to Saturday, he spoke warmly about meeting him again: "It'll be great to see him again. We had a strange year at Juventus: I didn't play much at first, but after Covid I was always a starter and we won the Scudetto. Sarri is a great coach."
Milan will hope Modric’s brilliance and Rabiot’s return to peak rhythm can guide them through another major test, as the Rossoneri continue their push for top spot.
Tottenham Hotspur may need to improve their performance levels if they want to come away with all three points in the North London derby against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Lilywhites are fifth in the Premier League table, after 11 matches, but the underlying numbers behind their performances suggest that Thomas Frank’s team are heading in the wrong direction.
25/26 Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur
League rank
Shots on target
38
14th
Non-penalty xG
11.0
15th
xG
11.0
15th
xGA
15.2
14th
xGD
-4.2
17th
xGD per 90
-0.38
17th
Stats via FBref
As you can see in the table above, Spurs rank just above the relegation zone in a host of key performance-based metrics, but they have been able to grind out results in spite of their struggles.
Up against the league leaders this weekend, Tottenham may not be able to get away with giving up as many high-quality chances whilst failing to create many of their own opportunities.
If performances do not improve and results fall in line with the current data, questions may be asked of Frank, but also of the squad of players that has been assembled by the Europa League champions.
Some questions may be asked about how well the club have spent their money on both player transfer fees and player wages, as they may not be getting value for money.
Ranking Tottenham's top ten earners
Tottenham, as you would expect of a club that is regularly in European competitions and competing at the top end of the Premier League table, reportedly have a lot of high earners in the squad.
Per Capology, Spurs have nine players who earn between £100k and £195k-per-week in North London, and summer signing Xavi Simons is at the top of the pile alongside Cristian Romero.
Rank
Player
Gross pay per week
=1
Xavi Simons
£195,000
=1
Cristian Romero
£195,000
3
James Maddison
£170,000
=4
Mohammed Kudus
£150,000
=4
Randal Kolo Muani
£150,000
6
Dominic Solanke
£140,000
7
Joao Palhinha
£135,000
8
Dejan Kulusevski
£110,000
9
Brennan Johnson
£100,000
=10
Richarlison
£90,000
=10
Micky van de Ven
£90,000
Table via Football FanCast
Excluding Randal Kolo Muani, who is on loan, it is hard to do anything other than rank Xavi Simons at the bottom of the club’s top earners, as he has no goals and two assists in 13 appearances in all competitions, per Sofascore, as an attacking midfielder.
Maddison has a claim to rank first on this list after an eye-catching haul of 12 goals and ten assists in all competitions last term, per Sofascore, but he is currently set to miss the majority of this season with an ACL injury.
Brennan Johnson should go in second, purely because of his winning goal in the Europa League, and Cristian Romero should rank third as a first-choice centre-back and current club captain, showing value for money on and off the pitch.
Kudus, with one goal and four assists in ten Premier League games for Spurs, has been a mainstay since his summer move from West Ham United and should rank fifth, whilst Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison have been long-serving members of the squad, without being genuine stars, so could slot in sixth and seventh.
Dominic Solanke, who joined in the summer of 2024, underperformed his xG of 10.97 with a return of nine goals in the Premier League last season, per Sofascore, which is why he should be eighth, behind Simons, whilst Kolo Muani and Palhinha are hard to rank as it is unclear how much of their wages they are paying as part of the loan deals.
The last remaining name on the list is central defender Micky van de Ven, who we rank in fourth place, as Lilywhites expert John Wenham has urged sporting director Fabio Paratici to improve his wages.
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He told TottenhamNews: “Spurs should reward his rapid progress into one of the best defenders in the Premier League with a new deal and could even double his current salary.”
How Micky van de Ven has turned his Spurs career around
Rewind to April 2024 during his first season with the Lilywhites, after a move from Wolfsburg in 2023, and the Dutchman found himself on the receiving end of some harsh criticism for mistakes in a game against Newcastle United.
Speaking on Match of the Day, former Arsenal and England centre-back Martin Keown called his defending “embarrassing” in a 4-0 win for the Magpies at St. James’ Park, as Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon took advantage of his slips.
Roughly 18 months on from that criticism he faced, Van de Ven is now in a position where there has been a call for the club to double his wages because of how impressive his performances have been.
It is understandable for Wenham to make the claim when you consider that Romero, on £195k-per-week, reportedly earns more than twice as much as the Netherlands international does, on £90k-per-week.
Van de Ven and Romero are Tottenham’s first-choice centre-back pairing in the Premier League this season and their respective statistics do not suggest that the Argentine defender is more than twice as valuable to the team.
25/26 Premier League
Micky van de Ven
Cristian Romero
Appearances
11
9
Goals
3
0
Dribbled past per game
0.2x
0.3x
Clearances per game
3.4
3.0
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.3
3.8
Ground duel success rate
62%
68%
Fouls committed per game
0.5
1.2
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, both players excel in different areas of the game, particularly defensively, but they both have their strengths, and Van de Ven more than holds his own.
The left-footed star is the club’s top goalscorer in all competitions this season, with six goals, and may have already locked in the Goal of the Season award with his effort against Copenhagen.
At the age of 24, Van de Ven also has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, which is why it would be worth tying him down to an extended contract on better terms.
Overall, the Dutch defender has turned his Spurs career around by becoming a reliable figure at the heart of the defence for Frank this season, and appears to warrant a wage hike if Paratici can convince him to pen a new contract in North London.
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His 159 off 146 balls is the highest List A individual score for Sussex against Northamptonshire
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-Aug-2025Sussex 297 for 3 (Tear 159, Haines 76) beat Northamptonshire 295 for 8 (Sales 98, van der Merwe 59) by seven wicketsScottish international Charlie Tear blazed a record-breaking maiden List A hundred as Sussex Sharks raced to their second Metro Bank One Day Cup victory in three days, chasing down Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ 295 for 8 in style with seven wickets and 19 balls to spare.Tear served up a barrage of boundaries all around Wantage Road, smashing 23 fours and two sixes in his spectacular 159 off just 146 balls – the highest ever individual score for Sussex against Northamptonshire in List A cricket. He shared a devastating opening stand of 216 off 202 balls with Tom Haines (76 off 81 balls) – Sussex’s highest List A partnership for any wicket against Northamptonshire.It was a day to forget for the Steelbacks with the ball, the bowling often wayward and with multiple errors in the field.With the bat, James Sales narrowly failed to post another ton after his century in Northamptonshire’s victory over Durham on Friday, but his 98 off 96 balls was the backbone of their innings.He shared a stand of 115 off 104 balls for the fourth wicket with Stuart van der Merwe who looked at home on debut despite being dropped at slip first ball. His 59 off 60 balls was a proactive, confident innings full of invention.But with just 50 coming in the powerplay and Sales failing to kick on in the final overs, Northamptonshire’s total looked well below par. Danny Lamb finished with two wickets, but spinner Jack Carson’s miserly six-over spell deserved special mention.Earlier Luke Procter (36) and Aadi Sharma (38) gave Northamptonshire a solid if unspectacular platform of 73 for the first wicket in 13.3 overs. Sharma swept Carson straight to Archie Lenham at backward-square before Procter, who passed 1,000 List A runs, fell soon afterwards, giving leg-spinner Lenham a comfortable return catch.Carson bowled 16 dot balls in 17 deliveries, conceding just one run, his initial six-over spell bringing one wicket for just 13 runs.Northamptonshire attacked at the other end instead, targeting Lenham, Sales cutting for four and smashing over long-on.Tim Robinson fell quickly in identical fashion to Sharma, sweeping round the corner to Lenham in spinner Bertie Foreman’s first over. Foreman then nearly had van der Merwe first ball but Haines shelled a straightforward chance at slip, the ball running away for four. Unfazed, van der Merwe drove the unlucky bowler through the covers and began to accumulate.Sales swept Carson over midwicket while van der Merwe sent one over extra cover for six. He scooped Lamb for four before sweeping Foreman to reach 50.Even though van der Merwe upper cut to third where Lenham held an excellent tumbling catch, a big Northamptonshire total looked assured. Sales twice crunched Foreman through extra cover and moved into the eighties in style, smashing Lenham straight into the top tier of the Turner Stand.But Sussex did well to contain as Sales grew becalmed, scoring just 21 in the final 10 overs.New batter George Bartlett counterattacked after being dropped at extra cover, hitting Lenham straight for six and taking three boundaries off a Crocombe over.His luck ran out when he was run out for a quickfire 28 off 18 balls, Fynn Hudson-Prentice deflecting the ball onto the stumps in his follow-through. It sparked a mini collapse, Northamptonshire losing four wickets in 19 balls. Lewis McManus and Dom Leech were bowled by Lamb and Hudson-Prentice respectively before Sales was agonisingly caught at cover.In stark contrast, Sussex’s powerplay saw a wave of boundaries producing 80 runs.Tear was in full command. He played some textbook drives, cuts and clips off his legs, but also attacked, pulling anything short and smashing over long-on before a beautiful straight drive took him to 50. Haines too started to find the ropes even if he was fortunate to gather a six via a top-edge.Indian legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal and debutant pace bowler Ben Whitehouse briefly stemmed the flow of runs, the youngster conceding just two off his first over. But the scoring was relentless. Haines whipped one through the on-side to bring up Sussex’s 100 off 85 balls, while Tear deposited Chahal over long-on.Tear continued to gather runs all around the wicket, a cover drive off Chahal bringing up his century off exactly 100 balls. He pulled Whitehouse ferociously for four more and crunched him down the ground before tucking into a Dom Leech over which leaked 18 runs, including a straight six to bring up the 200 partnership.Northamptonshire finally made the breakthrough in the 34th over when Haines hooked Whitehouse to the sweeper on the legside boundary. Tear motored on past 150, reaching the milestone by swatting Leech over midwicket for six. His innings ended with the finishing line in sight, caught at backward point off Leech. Tom Clark made 34 before he was bowled by Bartlett with five needed, John Simpson hitting six to wrap up the win.
Fresh from his hat-trick to send the Republic of Ireland into the World Cup playoffs, Everton have now reportedly set their sights on signing Troy Parrott from AZ Alkmaar.
The Toffees are reportedly looking to address their striker problem in the January transfer window after Thierno Barry has failed to hit the ground running. The £27m forward, who became one of Everton’s most expensive signings in the summer, is yet to score a goal for the club and initially struggled for starts in the Premier League this season.
Barry’s disappointing form has coincided with Beto’s own struggles. The towering striker has bettered his teammate’s goal tally, but has still scored just twice in 13 games so far this season.
With two goals between their two forwards, Everton have set their sights on the likes of Daizen Maeda ahead of the winter window. The Celtic forward reportedly wants to leave the Scottish club in January and the Toffees are among the clubs eyeing his signature for just £15m.
At his best, Maeda scored 33 goals in all competitions for Celtic last season and although he is yet to reach those levels in the current campaign, a move away could quickly rediscover his golden touch.
However, he’s not the only name on Everton’s shortlist. Those at the Hill Dickinson Stadium have also reportedly set their sights on Napoli’s Scott McTominay, who’d help their goal problem from midfield. The Scotland star recently scored a stunning overhead kick for his country as they secured World Cup qualification in dramatic fashion.
Everton certainly had an eye on the international drama too, given that they’re now also reportedly targeting a move to sign Parrrott.
Everton plotting Troy Parrott move
As reported by TeamTalk, Friedkin are now plotting a move to sign Parrott, who is a boyhood Everton fan. The Irishman has been in scintillating form so far this season, scoring 13 goals in 14 games for AZ Alkmaar and then scoring five goals in two games for Ireland over the November international break.
Three of those five goals came against Hungary as Ireland secured their playoff place at the death, courtesy of their rising star. It’s a performance that will live on in Irish history and one that could help Parrott make his return to the Premier League.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker was rightly at the centre of praise, with former Ireland star Ray Houghton saying: “I understood it, that Troy was a young lad who came through and was going to be a sensational talent, went to Spurs as a kid, made his debut when he was 17 and had so much ahead of him, but it didn’t quite go the way everyone anticipated.
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“He had to reinvent himself as a player, so to see the joy he had playing for his country and doing what he did, hopefully it will inspire the next generation of players.”
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