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Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is under “serious” pressure as a result of his comments following the 4-1 defeat against Arsenal in the North London derby.

Tottenham were the underdogs heading to the Emirates Stadium, and a defeat was always going to be the most likely outcome, but Frank was left unhappy with the overall performance, so much so that he issued an apology to fans after the match.

The Dane said: “Very difficult afternoon. Bad performance. It’s extremely painful to stand here after that game. We can only apologise to the fans for not performing better. I was very confident we could be competitive today. We weren’t.”

The 52-year-old also tried to put things into perspective by reminding fans that Spurs are still a work in progress, having amassed just 38 points in the Premier League during the 2024-25 campaign.

However, it would be fair to say those comments haven’t gone down too well, with an insider now claiming the manager is playing a risky game by speaking out like that in the press…

Frank under serious pressure after post-Arsenal comments

Football Insider’s well-connected Mick Brown told the outlet: “At some stage, he has got to take some accountability and he can’t keep avoiding the issues and pushing the blame on to what happened last season. That’s happened now, it’s done, and the focus should be on what they’re doing now.”

Brown also added: “The thing is, that’s only going to add to the pressure on him, and he won’t want to alienate the fans because when that happens things can only get worse.

“Obviously, after a game like that, serious questions are going to be asked but I still think there’s time for him to turn things around, he just needs to focus on the here and now.”

As Spurs are currently sitting just three points off the top four, Frank should be given more time to put things right, but things undoubtedly have to improve, off the back of what Jamie O’Hara branded a “disgusting” defeat.

It was not the first time the north Londoners have seriously struggled to create chances this season either, recording an xG of just 0.05, the fourth-lowest since records began in the Premier League, against Chelsea earlier this month.

After the trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Tottenham will be looking to pick up just their second home league win of the season against Fulham on Saturday, with Frank hopefully implementing a much more expansive style of play.

Tottenham players disagree with Spurs hierarchy on Thomas Frank's future

تحدد منافس منتخب العراق في المباراة الحاسمة لـ الملحق العالمي المؤهل إلى نهائيات بطولة كأس العالم 2026.

وتأهل منتخب العراق إلى نهائيات الملحق العالمي المؤهل إلى نهائيات بطولة كأس العالم 2026، على حساب الإمارات، بالفوز بنتيجة 3-2 في مجموع مباراتي الذهاب والإياب، حيث انتهت مواجهة الذهاب في الإمارات 1-1، ولقاء الإياب 2-1 للعراق.

ويقام الملحق العالمي المؤهل إلى كأس العالم 2026، في شهر مارس 2026، حيث ستلتقي الـ4 منتخبات الأقل تصنيفًا وجهًا لوجه، المتأهل منهما سيواجه المنتخبان الأعلى في التصنيف، ثم الفائز في تلك المباراتين الأخيرتين، يتأهل رسميًا إلى نهائيات كأس العالم.

طالع | اتحاد الكرة يعلن خطوات حجز تذاكر مباريات مصر في كأس العالم 2026

وحل منتخب العراق، في المركز الثاني في تصنيف المنتخبات المشاركة في الملحق العالمي المؤهل إلى كأس العالم وتحديدًا في المركز 58، بينما منتخب كاليدونيا الجديدة (أوقيانوسيا) في الـ149 والكونغو الديمقراطية (قارة إفريقيا) 56 ومنتخب بوليفيا (قارة أمريكا الجنوبية) 76، وجامايكا (الكونكاكاف) 70 وسورينام (الكونكاكاف) 123.

ويتواجد منتخب العراق في المباراة النهائية مباشرة للتأهل منتظرًا الطرف الثاني. منافس العراق في الملحق العالمي المؤهل إلى كأس العالم

وتقرر أن يواجه منتخب العراق الفائز من مواجهة (بوليفيا أمام سورينام).

They might have dropped points for the first time since late September on Saturday, but Arsenal remain atop the Premier League table heading into the international break.

Mikel Arteta’s side are four points clear of Manchester City in second place and have looked utterly sensational for much of the season, even with most of their attackers out of action.

Moreover, those who have remained fit have stepped up massively so far and currently look like some of the best players in the country, if not in Europe.

One of those stars is, of course, Declan Rice, but even the Englishman is being outperformed by another of Arsenal’s most important players, someone who could be one of their best-ever signings in the Premier League era.

Rice's development at Arsenal

When Arsenal splashed a club record £105m on Rice in the summer of 2023, most fans expected him to come in and become the club’s first choice six for the foreseeable future.

After all, while he had played in other positions for West Ham United, he was first and foremost a defensive midfielder in East London.

Unsurprisingly, this was how Arteta used the Englishman for much of the 23/24 season, with him making 31 appearances at the base of midfield, 19 in central areas and one at centre-back.

However, towards the end of that season, the manager was playing his record signing higher up the pitch, and that trend continued into the following campaign, where the 26-year-old became far more of an all-action, box-crashing left-eight.

For example, by the end of the season, he had made 37 appearances in central midfield and just 15 as a six, and as a result, his output massively improved, with him scoring nine goals and providing ten assists.

It seemed that the former Hammers’ captain would continue to play further up the pitch this season, especially with Martin Zubimendi joining the club, but once again, and for the third consecutive campaign, his role has slightly changed.

The 70-capped Englishman is still starting games in central midfield, but on top of getting forward and crashing into the opposition’s penalty area, he is once again dropping deep at times, specifically to create a double pivot with his new Spanish teammate.

Appearances

120

Starts

109

Minutes

9613′

Goals

18

Assists

25

Goal Involvements per Match

0.35

Minutes per Goal Involvement

223.55

Points per Game

2.10

This change is clearly visible during games and on his heatmaps, but he was also happy to tell the press during the last international break that the manager has “adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year to give me a bit more freedom to drop deeper but to also get in the box when I can.”

Add an outrageous ability with dead balls that has already seen him chalk up five assists to go with his two goals this season, and it’s easy to see why so many consider Rice to be one of the best players in the league.

However, even with how well he is playing this year, there is another Arsenal star doing even better who could be in for a shout as being one of the club’s best signings in the Premier League era.

The Arsenal star who could be one of their best-ever PL signings

The good news for Arsenal fans and Arteta is that several players in the current squad could potentially fit this description.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, when it comes to someone who has really taken yet another step up this season, it’s practically impossible to ignore Gabriel Magalhães.

The Brazilian was once seen as something of a liability at the back, so much so that he made just 32 appearances, totalling 2807 minutes, across all competitions during his first season with the club.

However, he began to steadily improve after that initial campaign, and while there were rumours of him being up for sale in the summer of 2023, he’s become utterly invaluable since.

In fact, while William Saliba is viewed as the more cultured of the two centre-backs, and was constantly touted for a move to Real Madrid before his contract renewal, it could be said that the Brazilian has been the better player across the last two years.

25/26

17

5

24/25

42

8

23/24

50

5

22/23

48

3

21/22

39

5

20/21

32

4

For example, he has almost entirely rid his game of the silly mistakes that hurt his reputation early on and has become a titan at the back.

Moreover, while he is more than capable of the cute passes his French partner likes to play, he also has that old-school approach to the game.

He makes more than his fair share of perfectly timed but nonetheless thunderous all-action challenges that get the fans on their feet.

Add to that the fact he’s 6 foot 3, a vocal leader and clearly someone who loves the art of defending, and it’s easy to see why Arsenal writer Adam Keys has described him as the Gunners’ “colossus” at the back.

Now, the 27-year-old’s defensive contributions, which played a vital role in the club’s eight clean sheets in a row, would be reason enough for him to be classed as one of their best signings in the Premier League era, but he’s more than just a defender.

Since joining the league, no defender has been involved in more goals than the Brazilian, and across all competitions, he has racked up an outrageous tally of 22 goals and eight assists.

Seeing the São Paulo-born monster’s name on the scoresheet at the end of a game has become something of an inevitability this season, and yet opposition teams remain incapable of stopping it from happening.

Ultimately, Rice is a world-class player, but over the last couple of years, especially this season, Gabriel has been operating just above him, and therefore, could be one of Arsenal’s best-ever Premier League signings.

Arteta now has Arsenal's best finisher since Van Persie & it's not Gyokeres

The international monster has been incredible for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 7, 2025

Superb scores in the 80s for third-wicket pair Will Luxton and James Wharton helped Yorkshire maintain their slim quarter-final hopes in the Vitality Blast with a dominant 41-run win over fellow strugglers Worcestershire Rapids at Headingley.Wharton, a T20 centurion against the Rapids here in 2023, top-scored with 88 in Yorkshire’s 233 for 6. He shared 134 inside 12 overs with Luxton, whose 81 represented a career best score. Both faced 47 balls.All seven bowlers used by Worcestershire captain Brett D’Oliveira went at nine or more runs an over before their night got worse. New Zealand overseas fast bowler Will O’Rourke struck twice in two balls twice en route to his his maiden five-wicket haul, 5 for 22, in a 192 all out reply.Yorkshire have now won three of nine North Group games, drawing level on 12 points with Worcestershire. They suffered their sixth defeat in nine, with D’Oliveira’s opening 56 off 33 unrewarded.Jonny Bairstow, opening for the first time in this season’s Blast, miscued the contest’s fourth ball from new-ball seamer Tom Taylor to mid-off, falling for 4. Yorkshire’s other big gun, Dawid Malan, followed for 8 at the start of the fifth over when he pulled Ben Allison’s seam out to deep square-leg with the score on 42.Luxton lofted Australian overseas quick Ben Dwarshuis over cover for the first of two early sixes and Wharton hit the left-armer for four fours to end the powerplay at 67 for 2.Four times in the previous three games at Headingley this season had sides topped 200.Luxton and Wharton ploughed on and brought up their century stand in the 13th over of the innings, Yorkshire 142 for 2. Both had just reached quickfire fifties, and the visitors will rue two Allison drops in the deep with Luxton on 9 and 74.Allison did remove him caught at deep cover shortly after the second drop before Wharton and Jordan Thompson – he hit three sixes in the last over in 22 off 8 – were run out at the death.The Rapids needed to posted their highest ever T20 total to win this game. England Under-19 opener Isaac Mohammed made a breezy start with 17. But when he miscued a slower ball from O’Rourke behind to Bairstow, it was 24 for 1 at the start of the third over.Worcestershire needed everything to go their way to have a chance of overhauling this target. And hardly anything did on a true pitch with a lightning outfield.Kashif Ali clothed O’Rourke’s second ball to mid-off before the big Kiwi took a stunning one-handed catch diving to his left at short third off Matt Milnes. At 37 for 3 in the fourth over, the visitors had a mountain to climb.D’Oliveira and Ethan Brookes at least helped them reach base camp with an 83-run stand, the former hitting a trio of sixes all around the ground. But just when hopes started to increase, with D’Oliveira reaching 50 off 33 balls, Brookes was lbw on the reverse against Jafer Chohan’s legspin – 120 for 4 in the 12th.And when D’Oliveira dragged O’Rourke out to deep midwicket in the next, at 132 for 5, it was game over.Dwarshuis clattered a consolatory 42 not out, but Milnes bowled a wicket maiden in the 17th and O’Rourke had both Matthew Waite and Taylor caught at deep midwicket and cover as Yorkshire’s win was secured.

يخوض منتخب مصر للناشئين مباراة قوية اليوم الجمعة، ضد نظيره فنزويلا، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا المقامة في قطر.

وتقام مواجهة مصر وفنزويلا، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثانية من عمر مباريات المجموعة الخامسة لبطولة كأس العالم للناشئين.

منتخب مصر يتواجد في المجموعة الخامسة من بطولة كأس العالم بجانب منتخبات فنزويلا وهايتي وإنجلترا.

وافتتح منتخب مصر مشواره في بطولة كأس العالم، يوم الثلاثاء الماضي أمام منتخب هايتي، وحقق الفوز بنتيجة 4-1.

طالع.. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر وفنزويلا اليوم في كأس العالم للناشئين

ويتصدر منتخب مصر، ترتيب المجموعة من بطولة كأس العالم، برصيد 3 نقاط، يأتي منتخب فنزويلا في الوصافة بنفس عدد النقاط، يأتي منتخبا إنجلترا وهايتي في المركزين الثالث والرابع بدون نقاط. موعد مباراة مصر وفنزويلا اليوم في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

تقام مباراة مصر وفنزويلا، اليوم الجمعة 7 نوفمبر، في تمام الساعة 3:30 بتوقيت مصر، 4:30 بتوقيت السعودية.

It has been a hectic 24 hours or so for Nottingham Forest. The East Midlands side have a new manager, with Ange Postecoglou now at the helm after sacking former boss Nuno Espirito Santo following a successful stint that lasted almost 18 months.

The Australian manager is back in the game after a short time away, following his dismissal from Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season. That was despite the Europa League victory, which saw him guide Spurs to their first trophy since 2007/08.

Forest, a defensively sound and counter-attacking side under Nuno, will see what one analyst described as a “drastic shift” in style. Postecoglou is famed for his high line and intense counter pressing, a huge difference in approach.

With that in mind, here is a look at the Australian manager’s dream Forest side ahead of his new role at the City Ground….

1

GK – Matz Sels

It seems highly likely that Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels will keep his place as Forest’s number one despite the change of manager. He was an integral part of Nuno’s side, keeping 13 clean sheets and conceding just 46 times in 38 Premier League games last season.

This term has not been quite the start he might have wanted. Sels has already let in five goals in just three appearances, but with a good campaign under his belt, there is little reason to think Postecoglou will drop him from the side.

2

RB – Ola Aina

Another one of Forest’s stars from last season was Nigerian international Ola Aina. The right-back featured 35 times for the club, chipping in with two goals and assisting another on top of that.

Again, it doesn’t seem likely that Forest’s new boss will change such an important player. Jamie Carragher said at the start of 2025 that Aina “could play for a team who expects to be in the Champions League every season”, and with Europa League football now at the City Ground, Postecoglou will surely rely on that quality.

3

CB – Murillo

One half of a formidable centre-back pairing last season, 23-year-old Murillo was part of the reason why Forest were so hard to breach. He’s a fantastic box defender and will put his body on the line to keep the ball out. Indeed, in 2024/25, he averaged 6.7 clearances per 90 minutes.

Yet, there are surely question marks over his suitability to play in Postecoglou’s system in the long term. As we saw at Spurs, the Australian manager loves to push his centre-backs up as high as possible, which can leave them with a lot of running back.

It certainly doesn’t play to Murillo’s biggest strength of defending the box, albeit with the former Corinthians man no slouch in possession, having regularly been seen tearing up the field with a positive dribble and carry.

4

CB – Nikola Milenkovic

Just as there are questions raised about Murillo under Forest’s new manager, much the same can be said about Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic. Like his defensive partner, he is a top box defender, and made 5.6 clearances each game, but it would be a huge ask to ask him to cover the large spaces he may need to.

Journalist Tom Allnutt said the pair would have to be “hugging the halfway line” under Postecoglou. That is a huge difference to sitting deep and defending the box.

Milenkovic should keep his place in the team, but whether he can keep up with the demands of the system is another question.

5

LB – Oleksandr Zinchenko

The first of Forest’s new signings to get into the team under Postecoglou could be Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko. BBC Sport analyst Umir said he is “such a Postecoglu player”, and it is easy to see why.

Pedro Porro was tasked with playing as an inverted full-back under the former Spurs boss, and it is a role Zinchenko knows well. He has played as a midfielder for Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as playing that inverted role.

It seems that, if Postecoglou is to stick with it at Forest, the Ukraine international could be a dream option.

6

CM – Elliot Anderson

There is no doubt that new England star Elliot Anderson has to slot into the side somehow under Postecoglou. Well, that could be as the deepest midfielder, controlling play and looking to break up attacks.

The numbers behind Anderson’s excellent 202/25 season at the City Ground suggest this role could suit him well. He has the technical talent on the ball to keep things ticking over, and had an 82.3% pass accuracy last season.

Out of possession, he averaged four tackles and interceptions. He is the perfect option if Postecoglou wants a controller as his number six.

7

CM – Morgan Gibbs-White

Anderson’s England teammate Morgan Gibbs-White will also be an essential part of this Postecoglou side. His influence on Nuno’s Forest side last season was incomparable, and he scored and assisted 17 Premier League goals.

Ange tends to ask two of his midfielders to push up into the half spaces and operate high up the pitch. Given the fact that Gibbs-White created ten big chances last season, his creative nous fits the bill perfectly.

8

CM – James McAtee

New summer signing James McAtee, who joined from Manchester City, could also fit the bill quite well for one of those advanced midfielders. Despite limited opportunities for his boyhood club in 2024/25, he still impressed with seven goals in 24 games across all competitions.

Last season for Pep Guardiola’s side, he averaged 0.8 key passes per game, and has already played an average of one per game in a Forest shirt. The extra goal threat and creativity between the lines should make McAtee a good option for Postecoglou.

9

RW – Dilane Bakwa

Although he is yet to make his debut for Forest, new £30m signing Dilane Bakwa could be an exciting option out wide for Postecoglou. Described as a “menace” of an attacker by football scout Antonio Mango, he managed 12 goals and 21 assists in 71 games for former club Strasbourg.

The fact he is a true playmaker out wide might pique Postecoglou’s interest when it comes to starting Bakwa, especially since he can play on either flank. However, it would mean fellow new addition Dan Ndoye is dropped, despite scoring and assisting already this season.

10

LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi

Next up in Postecoglou’s dream side for Forest this season is Callum Hudson-Odoi. The former Chelsea star was key for Nuno last term, and chipped in with eight goals and assists in the Premier League.

Under Postecoglou, his creativity in the final third from wide areas will be key, just as it is for Bakwa. Last term, the former Chelsea star averaged 1.5 key passes per 90 minutes, so he has that creative nous from out wide to provide a regular service.

Kim Min-jae’s time at Bayern Munich could be nearing an end after struggling to earn regular minutes under Vincent Kompany. The former Napoli defender, now behind Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah in the pecking order, has emerged as a target for AC Milan and Juventus ahead of January. However, his €9 million salary could block a Serie A return despite growing frustration in Germany.

Kim's Bayern struggles continue

Once a key figure in Napoli’s Scudetto-winning campaign, Kim’s spell at Bayern has failed to take off as the South Korean defender, who joined for €57 million in 2023, has managed just six appearances this season, totalling 326 minutes. With Tah and Upamecano now the preferred pairing, Kim’s future in Bavaria looks increasingly uncertain. According to journalist Matteo Moretto, the centre-back could be on the move in January if his situation doesn’t improve.

AdvertisementSerie A comback on the cards?

Juventus and AC Milan are among the clubs monitoring "unhappy" Kim’s situation closely. The 29-year-old, nicknamed “The Monster” for his dominant physical style, is viewed as a proven Serie A performer after his stellar year at Napoli. Juve reportedly see him as a potential short-term solution amid Bremer’s ongoing knee issues, while Milan view him as ideal depth to solidify their backline. Kim had previously rejected offers from Saudi Arabia, determined to continue in top-flight European football, making Serie A an appealing destination to relaunch his career.

The major stumbling block remains Kim’s hefty salary as the defender currently earns around €9m annually at the German giants, a figure considered excessive by Italian standards, especially for a centre-back. The Bavarians, while open to a sale or loan, know few clubs outside the Premier League can match those wages. “The biggest obstacle remains his salary,” wrote , noting that any return to Serie A would likely require Kim to lower his financial demands.

World Cup could lead to January transfer

Despite limited game time, Kim Min-jae remains determined to fight for his place at Bayern. As per reports the Korean international insist he “will not give up on the competition,” but the looming World Cup could force a rethink if minutes remain scarce. Regular playing time will be crucial for South Korea’s key defender ahead of next summer’s international commitments. Bayern, however, are wary of losing defensive depth, with only Upamecano, Tah, and Kim forming the senior centre-back rotation under Kompany.

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AFPWinter transfer imminent for Kim?

With the January transfer window approaching, Kim Min-jae’s future is set to dominate headlines again. A return to Italy could revive his form and confidence, but the financial and competitive realities make a deal complex. Bayern are still chasing records in the Bundesliga and Champions League, and letting go of an experienced international mid-season could prove risky. For Kim, the coming weeks may determine whether he stays to fight in Munich, or heads back to Serie A to reclaim his status as one of Europe’s most reliable defenders.

كشف مصدر بمنتخب مصر الأول، عن وجود اهتمام من قبل الجهاز الفني، بلاعبين من صفوف نادي بيراميدز، بعد تألقهما في الفترة الأخيرة.

ومن المنتظر أن يخوض منتخب مصر معسكرًا خلال فترة التوقف الدولي، نوفمبر المقبل، من أجل الاستعداد لخوض منافسات كأس الأمم الإفريقية في شهر ديسمبر المقبل، في دولة المغرب.

وعلم بطولات، أن ثنائي بيراميدز، محمود مرعي وأحمد عاطف قطة، يدخلان حسابات الجهاز الفني لمنتخب مصر في معسكر نوفمبر المقبل.

طالع.. خاص | منتخب مصر يتلقى عرضًا لخوض ودية قبل كأس أمم إفريقيا

ويعد الثنائي من أبرز الوجوه الجديدة المرشحة للانضمام لمعسكر المنتخب في نوفمبر.

وتوج بيراميدز ببطولة السوبر الإفريقي للمرة الأولى في تاريخه على حساب نهضة بركان المغربي، بهدف دون رد أحرزه فيستون مايلي.

يذكر، أن منتخب مصر حسم تأهله إلي نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، المقبل، بعد تصدره المجموعة الأولي في التصفيات برصيد 26 نقطة من الفوز في 8 مباريات والتعادل في مواجهتان.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر، في المجموعة الثانية من بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، مع منتخبات زيمبابوي، أنجولا وجنوب إفريقيا.

With the summer transfer window now closed, Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank now knows the players he will be reliant upon for the next stage of the 2025/26 campaign.

The Dane has been handed a little over £100m to splash on new additions, in an attempt to bolster various areas of his first-team squad during his maiden campaign in the role.

Mohammed Kudus was the most expensive addition made by the hierarchy, costing around £55m from Premier League rivals West Ham United – with the player already making an immediate impact in North London.

The Ghanaian international has registered two assists in his first three league outings for the Lilywhites, helping Frank’s side sit fourth going into the international break.

However, the 25-year-old could be aided in his attempts at the club in the coming months, especially after the late business conducted by the hierarchy in the market.

Xavi Simons’ move to join Spurs this summer

Throughout the summer transfer window, Spurs made signing a new attacking midfielder a priority – especially after the long-term injury suffered by James Maddison.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze were the two main targets, but the Lilywhites failed to complete deals for the pair – with the latter joining arch rivals, Arsenal.

However, the club managed to complete a £52m deal for the signature of Xavi Simons from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig – securing the player’s services until the summer of 2030 with a two-year option to extend.

Such a move has undoubtedly generated excitement among the fan base and understandably so, given his tally of 11 goals and eight assists in Germany’s top-flight last campaign.

At just 22 years of age, the Dutchman has bags of time to try and build on the impressive start to his career, potentially being Frank’s key man in such a role for the foreseeable future.

The Spurs player who’s worth more than Simons

Despite Spurs’ measly 17th-placed finish in the Premier League, the club’s frontline managed to impress throughout 2024/25 – racking up 64 goals in their 38 outings.

Such a record saw the Lilywhites average 1.7 goals scored per 90, with their tally of goals the seventh highest of all sides within England’s top-flight throughout last campaign.

Winger Brennan Johnson finished the season as their top scorer, netting 11 times in the league, even scoring the winner in the Europa League final against fellow English side Manchester United.

After the recent summer window, the addition of Kudus and Simons has added further depth and quality to the attacking department – helping the likes of Dejan Kulusevski reach the next level.

The Swedish international joined the club originally on loan for an 18-month spell in 2022-2023, racking up 57 appearances in all competitions – before subsequently completing a permanent transfer.

The hierarchy forked out a fee in the region of £29m for the 25-year-old’s signature – a fee that now appears to be a bargain given his form over the last couple of years.

He’s racked up 89 appearances across the last two seasons in all competitions – with last year being his best to date, notching 10 goals and 11 assists under Ange Postecoglou’s reign.

1. James Maddison

16

= Heung-min Son

16

2. Brennan Johnson

14

3. Dominic Solanke

12

4. Dejan Kulusevski

11

5. Pedro Porro

8

6. Pape Sarr

5

= Richarlison

5

Kulusevski, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by Rio Ferdinand, managed a run of five games in a row in which he scored – which has certainly bolstered his price tag in recent months.

As a result of his performances in North London, the Swedish star is now valued at £58.6m by FootballTransfers – a figure that is £6.6m higher than the fee paid for Simons.

Both players have showcased their talents over recent months, potentially having a huge part to play in any of the success endured during the Frank era in North London.

If the duo can operate alongside one another, it’s a prospect for the fanbase to be excited about, with their versatility and consistent quality potentially able to help the side build on their recent European triumph.

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1 ByBen Gray Sep 2, 2025

Liverpool have been left devastated after confirming the sudden death of former women’s team manager Matt Beard at the age of just 47. The news has sent shockwaves through football, with tributes pouring in for a man who transformed the women’s game in England and became the most decorated coach in Liverpool Women’s history.

A career filled with milestones

Beard’s managerial resume is stacked with achievements. Twice named WSL Manager of the Year in 2013 and 2014, he remains the benchmark for success in Liverpool’s women’s history. Only last season, Beard was still at the helm of Liverpool, helping to stabilise the club in the top flight. His most recent post came at Burnley, where he was appointed manager in June 2025 before stepping down just two months later in August.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesShock as Beard’s death rocks football world

The cruel loss was confirmed by his wife, Deb, who wrote an emotional message on social media. “It is with great sadness that our beautiful Matthew Beard has passed away tonight at 7.28pm,” she said. “He is a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was the most amazing, caring man who was loved by anyone who had the pleasure to meet him. All of our family kindly ask for time to grieve in peace at his loss. We will love you forever, you absolute legend.”

Liverpool leads the tributes

Liverpool Football Club were among the first to issue a statement. His connection with the Reds was unbreakable, having returned for a second spell in charge to guide the club back to the top flight after relegation.

"Liverpool Football Club is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of former LFC Women manager Matt Beard," it read. “The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time. Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”

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GettyTributes from across the game

The Women’s Super League added its voice, acknowledging Beard’s enormous influence on the sport.

“Everyone at WSL Football extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones of Matt Beard following news of his passing," the statement read. "Matt played an instrumental role in the growth of women’s football and will be missed by everyone associated with the game.”

Messages of condolence are expected to flood in from across the footballing landscape in the coming days. Clubs, players, and fans alike are already sharing their grief online, painting a picture of a man universally respected and admired.