Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank had his goalkeeper to thank for his side avoiding a defeat to Monaco in the Champions League earlier this week.

Italy international Guglielmo Vicario made a stunning eight saves, preventing 2.68 goals and earning a 10 rating on Sofascore, to keep the French side at bay.

Arguably, his best save was when Folarin Balogun tried to place the ball into the bottom right corner and the Spurs goalkeeper brilliantly got down to his left to tip the ball wide of the post with a strong hand.

Whilst Frank will have been delighted with Vicario’s performance against Monaco, the former Brentford boss will not have been pleased with his team’s play in possession.

Spurs only created one ‘big chance’, per Sofascore, in the game, which shows that they did not do enough on the ball to cause Monaco problems defensively.

Lucas Bergvall was selected to play in the number ten position, ahead of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur at the base of the midfield, and he failed to impose himself on the game.

Why Lucas Bergvall should be dropped by Spurs

The Sweden international had a huge opportunity to show that he has what it takes to nail down a place as a regular starter for Spurs in that area of the pitch, but he did not take it.

Instead, Bergvall was disappointing against Monaco. The attacking midfielder made two errors that led to shots for Monaco, without making any key passes for his own team.

This, essentially, means that he had a direct hand in creating more chances for Monaco than he did for Spurs, which sums up how ineffective the 19-year-old gem was with the ball at his feet for Tottenham.

Minutes

60

Key passes

0

Big chances created

0

Crosses completed

0/2

Shots

0

Dribbles attempted

0

Duels won

1/3

Error led to shot

2

As you can see in the table above, Bergvall played an hour without registering any key passes, completed crosses, dribbles, ‘big chances’ created, or shots, whilst he also lost two of his three duels.

These statistics suggest that Frank should be dropping the central midfielder from his starting XI for this afternoon’s trip to the Hill Dickinson to face Everton in the Premier League.

Bergvall, who scored his first top-flight goal for the club against West Ham United in September, is not an awful player who should not be in contention to play any part against Everton, though, despite his midweek showing.

The Swedish starlet has one goal and one assist in the Premier League this season, whilst he has also won 53% of his ground duels, per Sofascore, which shows that he could still provide some energy and quality off the bench as an impact substitute.

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

However, his performance as a starter in the number ten position against Monaco suggests that he should not be in the starting line-up to face Everton today, as he failed to offer enough on the ball in the Champions League.

That is why Spurs head coach Frank should be unleashing summer signing Xavi Simons as the team’s attacking midfielder against the Toffees in place of Bergvall.

Why Spurs should unleash Xavi Simons over Lucas Bergvall

The Lilywhites splashed out £52m to sign the Netherlands international from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window to bolster the club’s options at the top end of the pitch after James Maddison suffered an ACL injury in pre-season.

Simons has not hit the ground running with several goals and assists to his name for Spurs. However, he has shown some promising signs in his early performances for his new club in the top-flight.

Per Sofascore, the Dutch playmaker has created six chances, one ‘big chance’, and registered one assist in four Premier League starts for Tottenham so far this season, which shows that he has provided creativity in the number ten berth.

Supporters may be waiting for more to come from the former RB Leipzig star, though, because he arrived in England with a brilliant reputation, thanks to his form in the Bundesliga.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder proved himself to be adept at delivering goals and assists on a regular basis as a number ten or a wide player across his two seasons with Leipzig, which is why the club opted to spend £52m to bring him to North London in the summer.

Appearances

32

25

xG

8.26

5.11

Goals

8

10

Big chances created

14

12

Key passes per game

2.5

2.0

Assists

11

7

As you can see in the table above, Simons produced 18 goals and 19 assists in two Bundesliga seasons with the German club, which shows that he can be an influential player at the top end of the pitch when he is at his best.

U23 football talent scout Antonio Mango once described the Tottenham attacking midfielder as a player who “has the X-Factor”, which is backed up by his statistics for Leipzig.

The £52m signing can be a difference-maker in the final third with his ability to both score and assist goals, which is why Frank should look to unleash him against Everton in place of Bergvall, who has yet to show a similar level of quality on the ball.

Whilst it has not fully clicked yet for Simons, who is still looking for his first goal for the Lilywhites, he has created chances and provided an assist in the Premier League, which suggests that, at the very least, he can be a creative spark against the Toffees.

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It is now down to Frank to ruthlessly ditch Bergvall from his starting line-up this evening in order to bring the Netherlands international back into the side as the attacking midfielder.

Premier League pair Liverpool and Manchester City are set to be embroiled in a club vs country row ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations later this year. The duo are expected to be without respective forwards Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush for the end of 2025 and start of 2026. However, both sides are unlikely to release their players for a pre-AFCON friendly in mid-December.

• AFP
  

  Liverpool and City among those affected by AFCON

  Egypt take on fellow AFCON rivals Nigeria in a friendly in Cairo a week before the tournament kicks off on December 21st. Clubs are expected to release their players in good time ahead of the competition to prepare with their respective nations prior to Morocco 2025.

  AFCON will run until January 18th 2026, meaning teams could be without key players for up to eight weeks. The tournament itself runs over the hectic festive period and with the expansion of the Champions League and Europa League, players could miss a number of league and continental fixtures.

  While Arsenal and Chelsea won't be affected by the tournament, both Liverpool and Manchester City are expected to lose a key player each with Salah and Marmoush set to lead the charge for the Pharaohs as they chase a record-setting eighth AFCON title. However neither side are prepared to release the players for the friendly with Nigeria, which takes place a day after Liverpool host Brighton, and the same day City take on Crystal Palace.

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• Salah & Marmoush could miss at least seven games

  Instead, City's EFL Cup meeting with Brentford on December 16th is expected to be the first game Marmoush will miss for Pep Guardiola's side, and could be the first of eight the former Eintracht Frankfurt forward sits outs. City teammate Rayan Ait-Nouri, who represents Algeria, is also likely to miss a substantial chunk of the season owing to AFCON.

  Liverpool, meanwhile, were dumped out of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night as Arne Slot named an inexperienced XI in their eventual 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace. Salah was a number of first team players who didn't even make the matchday squad for the disappointing home defeat.

  And the Reds expected the first game the 33-year-old would miss is the the trip to Tottenham on December 20th. In total, Salah could miss seven matches if Egypt, as some expect, go the distance in Morocco.

• AFP
  

  'We will see the situation and take the decisions'

  City boss Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, isn't worried about losing Marmoush and Ait-Nouri for an extended period of time. Marmoush only returned to the starting XI following injury in the midweek 3-1 win over Swansea, a game the 26-year-old scored in.

  Asked about the scheduling of the tournament, Guardiola said: "This competition [is] for their countries so they have to go. Always I try to solve the problem when the problem is in front of me. Right now I don’t think [about it].

  "I have to use them for Sunday and next Wednesday and next Sunday before the international break. When it is going to happen they cannot be here and we will see the situation and take the decisions."

  Sunderland are expected to be hit the heaviest by AFCON, and could be without up to nine players for the tournament. Manchester United, meanwhile, will be without Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, who are expected to be called up for international duty by Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively.

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• Premier League becoming like the NBA

  Guardiola, whose City side take on high-flying Bournemouth this weekend, believes the Premier League is becoming more like the NBA. Liverpool ended City's dominance last season, while Arsenal are now the frontrunners for the Premier League title, mirroring the NBA, which has had a different champion in each of the last six seasons.

  "I remember when I was in Munich or Barcelona, I always heard the rumours that in England, everyone could beat everyone, I always had that sense. Maybe Liverpool and ourselves in the past changed that dynamic because we were so consistent in terms of points and arriving every season with 90, 90, 90 points, close to 100 points.

  "But I think the Premier League has always been like this, all the teams can beat each other, it is good. At some point like the NBA, there is not a dominant team in the last four or five or six years, there is always one different team and everyone can beat everyone. I think for the spectators and for the show of the Premier League it is really, really good."

كشفت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية التفاصيل الخاصة برحلة نجم فريق إنتر ميامي ومنتخب الأرجنتين، ليونيل ميسي، المفاجئة إلى برشلونة حيث تفاجأ الجميع بالصور التي نشرها صباح يوم الإثنين، حيث تواجد في ملعب “كامب نو” الجديد.

وتسبب ليونيل ميسي في ضجة كبرى وسعادة غامرة لدي مشجعي برشلونة، خاصة وأن تواجده في معقل النادي الكتالوني لم يكن معروفًا لأي من المسؤولين، وهو بنفسه من أعلن عن تلك الزيارة بعدما نشر عبر حساباته الشخصية بمواقع التواصل الاجتماعي (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وذكرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية أن ليونيل ميسي وصل إلى برشلونة على متن رحلة خاصة من مطار فورت لودرديل، ميامي، حوالي الساعة 2:30 ظهرًا، برفقة أقرب المقربين إليه ومواطنه رودريجو دي بول، حيث استغل كلاهما مشاركتهما المقررة مع المنتخب الأرجنتيني في أليكانتي يوم الإثنين لتقديم رحلتهما يومًا والاستمتاع ببضع ساعات من الاسترخاء في برشلونة.

وأوضحت أنه بعد يوم هادئ، قرر ليونيل ميسي الإقامة في فندق برينسيسا صوفيا مع بيبي كوستا، رفيق دربه في برشلونة لسنوات طويلة، ومن المثير للاهتمام أنه قد مُنح غرفة مطلة على ملعب كامب نو، ولم يره سوى أربعة أو خمسة مشجعين.

وراقب أولئك المنطقة التي يدخل ويخرج منها المشاهير بتكتم، معتقدين أن ميسي سيغادر من هناك، ولكن بدون مبالاة مدهشة، غادر النجم صاحب الـ38 عامًا من المدخل الرئيسي، وظهر واختلط بالناس كأي شخص عادي.

وفي ذلك المساء، تناول ليونيل ميسي العشاء مع دي بول في مطعم شهير في المدينة، معروف بأجوائه الحميمة ومكان شهير للاعبين الذين يزورون برشلونة، ثم لاحقًا سافرا إلى كامب نو.

ونزل ميسي من السيارة أمام تانايتوري دي ليس كورتيس، حيث تفقد الملعب الذي كان موطنه لأكثر من عقدين، وفي تلك اللحظة صادفه أحد مشجعي برشلونة، وهو من رواد المدينة الرياضية، ولم يستطع إلا أن ينادي اسمه.

والتقط الأرجنتيني، الذي كان ودودًا ومبتسمًا طوال الوقت، صورة مع ذلك الشخص، ثم دخل الملعب من نفس المدخل ليخطو مرة أخرى على أرض الملعب حيث كتب بعضًا من أروع فصول تاريخ كرة القدم، حيث مثلت لحظة حافلة بالعاطفة والرمزية كونها أول عودة له إلى “كامب نو” منذ رحيله المفاجئ والمؤلم في صيف 2021.

وأشارت إلى أنه بعد الزيارة، عاد ميسي ودي بول بتكتم إلى الفندق للراحة لبضع ساعات قبل أن يستقلا رحلة خاصة صباح اليوم إلى أليكانتي، حيث انضما بالفعل إلى المنتخب الأرجنتيني.

While it wasn’t the perfect weekend for Manchester City, it wasn’t far off.

The Citizens claimed all three points in what was a relatively routine win over Everton, while Liverpool lost at home to Manchester United.

So, while they are still three points behind Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side are now a point clear of the Reds in second place and look set to mount a proper challenge for the Premier League title.

Moreover, with Erling Haaland back to his very best, there is no reason they couldn’t overtake the Gunners, especially when another of Pep’s best signings is playing so well.

Pep's best Man City signings

On top of revolutionising the way the game is played in this country, Guardiola has also signed some of the very best players to grace the Premier League.

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

For example, while he was already performing at a high level for Tottenham Hotspur, it would be hard to deny that Kyle Walker massively improved during his time in the North West.

During his time with the club, the Burnley ace made 319 appearances, during which he scored six goals, provided 23 assists, averaged 2.33 points per game and won everything there is to win in the club game, including a Champions League and six league titles.

Walker’s City record
Appearances	319
Starts	286
Minutes	25710′
Goals	6
Assists	23
Points per Game	2.33
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Another stalwart of Pep’s best sides has been Rodri, as before his injury problems last season, he was one of the very best players in the world.

After all, the Spaniard is the only defensive midfielder to ever win the Ballon d’Or.

Moving on from defensive players, it’s hard to look past Bernardo Silva when it comes to the iconic manager’s best City signings.

The former AS Monaco dynamo moved to Manchester in the summer of 2017 and has since made an astounding 417 appearances across all competitions, in which he has scored 72 goals, provided 74 assists and dazzled fans all over the country with his mercurial abilities on the ball.

Finally, it would be impossible to talk about some of Guardiola’s best signings and not bring up Haaland.

The former Borussia Dortmund star made his way to the Etihad in the summer of 2022, and to say he has been a successful signing would be a laughable understatement.

Haaland’s City record
Appearances	156
Starts	148
Minutes	12774′
Goals	138
Assists	22
Goal Involvements per Game	1.02
Minutes per Goal Involvement	79.83′
Points per Game	2.12
All Stats via Transfermarkt

At the time of writing, the Leeds-born force of nature has scored 138 goals and provided 22 assists in 156 games for the club, totalling 12774 minutes.

In other words, the 25-year-old monster has averaged 1.02 goal involvements per game, or one every 79.83 minutes since joining City.

In all, it would be fair to say that Guardiola has signed more than his fair share of stars over the years, and it looks like he might have just landed his best since Haaland.

Guardiola's best signing since Haaland

Fortunately, there are a few players who could claim this title, from Josko Gvardiol to Savinho, but in this instance, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to look past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Yes, the Italian international only joined City this summer, but he is already putting in brilliant performances for the club.

And while some may say he lacks the ball-playing ability of Ederson, he more than makes up for it with his shot-stopping, which is surely what matters most with a goalkeeper.

His game-saving abilities were on full show in the match away to Brentford, when he came out on top from a one-on-one situation with Igor Thiago.

Moreover, while it is still early on in his time at the Etihad, the numbers are already showing that he should be in the same conversations with the very best in the league.

For example, he has conceded just two goals, which works out to 0.40 per 90 and puts him just behind David Raya who many would consider to be a part of the best defensive unit in the league, if not the world.

Finally, on top of the promising start to his time in the North West, there are also plenty of examples of him putting in game-saving performances for Paris Saint-Germain and Italy over the years.

For example, in the Champions League semi-finals last season, he prevented 2.09 goals across both legs against Arsenal, which was enough to send the Parisians through and see Italy legend Alessandro Costacurta label him “the best in the world.”

Ultimately, so long as Donnarumma can keep up the form he is already showing this season, and replicate some of his incredible performances of seasons prior, then it might soon be a commonly held opinion that he’s City’s best signing since Haaland.

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

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-Jul-2025 Gloucestershire 380 and 12 for 0 trail Glamorgan 528 (Kellaway 139, Ingram 117) by 136 runsBen Kellaway and Colin Ingram both made centuries as Glamorgan pushed into a first-innings lead to set up the prospect of a draw against Gloucestershire.Glamorgan’s middle-order pair put on 254 for the fifth wicket (147 added from overnight) out of a total of 528, as Gloucestershire’s bowlers were subjected to a mammoth 151.1 overs on a day in which just six wickets fell.Kellaway’s 139 was the 21-year-old’s second century of an eye-catching season for his home county while South African veteran Ingram racked up his 16th first-class century for Glamorgan.Glamorgan started the day with their partnership of experience and youth already established, having recovered from 121 for 4 on day two, and the Glamorgan balcony watched on as Gloucestershire’s bowlers endured all but 11 overs of the day’s play.An early itchiness to get going from Kellaway seemed evident, proactively using his feet against the early spin to start the day despite still trailing by 152.The pair settled into their work, having come through a wicketless evening session on day two, and carried that stand through to lunch as well, demolishing the new ball in the process – they took 32 from the first five overs from Ajeet Singh Dale and Zaman Akhter.Kellaway, and shortly afterwards, Ingram didn’t have to wait long for their milestones. On 99, Kellaway cover-drove his fellow youngster Archie Bailey to the fence, then kept the momentum up, taking three boundaries in the same over, as the partnership passed 200.At 365 for 4 at lunch, and with 10 overs still available to chase bonus points, Gloucestershire opted for a negative ploy: Graeme van Buuren bowling left-arm-over outside leg stump while the pacers banged in short balls from round-the-wicket.Negative it may have been deemed but successful it was. Both the partnership contributors fell to short balls, Ingram upper-cutting to deep-third, Kellaway pulling to square-leg in the 110th over. Just 23 runs were scored in the first hour of the afternoon as the hosts missed a potentially key fourth batting point while the visitors picked up a second bowling point.Chris Cooke and Timm van der Gugten remained cautious in a turgid session despite adding useful cameos. Cooke initially struggled to settle but opened up with reverse-sweeps coming to the fore in his partnerships with the tail, before Todd Murphy wrapped up the innings for his sole wicket.Walking out with 11 overs remaining and 148 behind, Gloucestershire made it to the close unscathed despite two direct run-out attempts that flew just wide of the stumps.

There might have been a few shaky moments in the first half, but Arsenal’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup went about as well as it could have last night.

Mikel Arteta almost completely changed his entire starting lineup, but instead of collapsing like some other Premier League-chasing sides, the North Londoners came out 2-0 winners.

Moreover, while the changes in the second half helped secure the win, a number of the starters did put in a good shift.

This is especially true of a starter who outperformed Bukayo Saka and showed some shades of Mesut Özil in his game.

Arsenal's standout stars vs Brighton

When looking at some of those who put in a good showing against Brighton, it’s hard to look past Ethan Nwaneri.

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

Yes, it’s certainly true that he almost tried too hard at times in the first half, but in the second 45, the Hale Ender was a serious threat.

He helped to create chances, kept the ball ticking over, and, most importantly, following a great pass from Myles Lewis-Skelly, placed the ball in the far corner for the opening goal.

His fellow Hale End graduate also had a brilliant game, as, on top of the assist, he once again showed his immense strength and even made several lung-busting runs through the middle of the pitch.

Talking about academy gems, it would be unfair not to praise debutant Andre Harriman-Annous.

The 17-year-old didn’t score a goal, but he provided the pass before the assist for Nwaneri, made several impressive runs, and it was his initial shot that allowed Saka to score his goal in the second half.

The Gunners’ talismanic number seven came on in the 71st minute, and unlike on the weekend, when he was ill, the 24-year-old was a handful and looked to make something happen whenever the ball was at his feet.

The Brighton defence simply didn’t have an answer for the dynamic winger, and if he plays like that on Saturday, it could be a very long game for Burnley’s backline.

With that said, there was another player who made even more of an impression than Saka, someone who showed shades of Ozil in his performance.

The Arsenal star who outshone Saka

While several other Arsenal players impressed against Brighton on Wednesday night, it should come as no surprise that the real talking point, and the gem who shone more than Saka and Co was Max Dowman.

The 15-year-old became the youngest player to ever start a game for the Gunners, but that lack of genuine experience at the top level did little to slow him down.

Nor did it see the Seagulls go easy on him, as time after time the visitors doubled and tripled up on him, and even then, more often than not, he made them look foolish.

The Hale End superstar in the making, whom analyst Rohan Jivan dubbed a “certified worldie of a talent”, was able to beat the Seagulls’ backline both through his incredible close control and eye for a pass.

It’s the fact that he’s already so impressive in both facets that makes it easy to argue that there are, in fact, shades of Ozil to his game, as, like the German, he can – and most certainly will – punish the opposition with his dribbling and passing.

Moreover, while the former Gunners ace was primarily a ten, he was no stranger to playing out on the right-hand side when Arsène Wenger needed him to.

Unsurprisingly, the teenage sensation more than left an impression on the watching press, with the Standard’s Simon Collings awarding him a match rating of 8/10, writing that he was ‘electric all night.’

Minutes

71′

Touches

34

Dribbles (Successful)

8 (5)

Fouls Won

4

Accurate Passes

14/16

Ball Recoveries

3

Ground Duels (Won)

14 (9)

Key Passes

1

The statistics from the night more than justify such praise, as in 71 minutes of action, the youngster completed five of eight dribbles, played a key pass, took 34 touches, won nine of 14 ground duels and completed three ball recoveries.

Ultimately, it’s still absurdly early in Dowman’s career, but he looks to be the real deal, and if he can perform like he did against Brighton again, he could be in for far more starts this season.

Not Zubimendi: Arteta has found Cazorla 2.0 in Arsenal's "little magician"

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MatériaMais Notícias

Renato Augusto foi ausência pelo segundo treino consecutivo do Corinthians durante a Data Fifa. O camisa 8 sentiu um desconforto na panturrilha durante o empate do Timão com o Flamengo, pelo Brasileirão, no sábado (7), e vem convivendo com lesões durante a temporada.

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+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

Entre as atividades na academia e os exercícios em campo, Mano Menezes e Sidnei Lobo, auxiliar técnico do Timão, conversaram com Fausto Vera durante o treino. O momento foi divulgado pela Corinthians TV.

Contratado por R$ 30 milhões na temporada passada, o meia argentino não entra em campo pelo Timão desde o dia 3 de setembro, quando saiu do banco de reservas e atuou por 15 minutos no empate com o Palmeiras, pelo Brasileirão.

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Fausto Vera era titular absoluto com Vítor Pereira e elogiado pela torcida corintiana em 2022, mas caiu de rendimento na atual temporada. O argentino não inicia uma partida entre os titulares desde 29 de agosto, na eliminação do Corinthians diante do São Paulo, pela semifinal da Copa do Brasil.

Depois da derrota corintiana contra o São Paulo, pelo returno do Brasileirão, o auxiliar Sidnei Lobo garantiu que Fausto terá mais oportunidades no clube até o final da temporada.

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– O Fausto vai ter o espaço dele novamente. Tivemos só um dia de treino, foi uma opção que tivemos. Ele é bom jogador e mais para frente vai ter oportunidade – disse o auxiliar técnico de Mano.

Desde o Dérbi contra o Palmeiras, o meia argentino foi relacionado para seis dos sete jogos do Corinthians, mas não atuou em nenhum.

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Nesta quarta-feira (11), Mano Menezes e sua comissão organizaram um trabalho de duelos de um contra um ofensivos e defensivos. Houve também confrontos de dois contra dois para aprimorar a transição ofensiva e defensiva. O elenco corintiano retorna ao CT Joaquim Grava na manhã de quinta-feira (12), com a presença da imprensa.

France legend Emmanuel Petit has suggested that Benfica boss Jose Mourinho should take up the challenge of trying to keep Wolves in the Premier League. The ex-Chelsea boss only joined the Portuguese team in September but Petit thinks an English top-flight return would be too good to refuse, particularly as he has not had the "best of starts" at Benfica.

Mourinho admits Premier League ambition

Mourinho announced himself as 'The Special One' more than 20 years ago after leading FC Porto to Champions League glory and taking up the managerial role at Chelsea. After two spells at Stamford Bridge, he has also managed at Manchester United and Tottenham, with varying success. Although he has spent many years coaching in England, in addition to being in the dugout at Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Roma, Fenerbahce, and more, the Benfica boss still wants more. 

In October 2024, he said: "The best thing I have to do is when I leave Fener is that I go to a club that doesn’t play in UEFA competition. So a club at the bottom in England who needs a coach in two years, I’m ready to go. I don’t want to speak anymore about it. I want to speak about the game."

Now, Petit can see him picking up the reins at manager-less Wolves, who sit bottom of the Premier League.

AdvertisementPortuguese legend 'loves the Premier League'

The Frenchman believes that the lure of the English top-flight may be tempting, especially as this will be a new challenge with a team at the wrong end of the table. He added that the Portuguese's "fierce character" could fire Wolves to safety.

He told JeffBet: "Jose Mourinho is not having the best of starts at Benfica, but you never know with him. Mourinho loves the Premier League and managing a team like Wolves could be something completely different for him. He's used to teams with big players and a lot of money, trying to avoid relegation is something unexpected from Mourinho. Why not? Wolves are linked with many Portuguese people, and have been for years now, so it would probably suit Mourinho. It would be a huge battle for him though, Mourinho is a fierce character and maybe Wolves need his fighting mentality to stay in the Premier League. For me, I'd be happy to see Mourinho back in the Premier League and managing Wolves."

Petit added that his old Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard should not go to the West Midlands outfit. 

"No, Patrick Vieira shouldn't take the Wolves job. Vieira has been let go in a few jobs now, so I think he would benefit from a more stable environment. I'd wish Vieira and Steven Gerrard a lot of luck if they decide to manage Wolves, but there would be some tough moments, and they would need to learn how to get through that," he added.

Mourinho wouldn't have tolerated Spurs pair's actions

Incidentally, Petit also believes that Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence wouldn't have snubbed Mourinho, or Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, if he were in charge at Tottenham. Spurs head coach Thomas Frank asked the duo to applaud the fans after their uninspiring defeat to Chelsea but they gave the Dane the cold shoulder. They have since apologised but Petit thinks this wouldn't have happened under Mourinho.

Petit said, "I think Thomas Frank would have been very disappointed. Micky Van de Ven and Djed Spence are very lucky that he didn’t choose to react differently. Would they have reacted like that if Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola were their manager? No. These managers may have punished the players, even if they apologised. If I was their manager, I would make sure they know that I am the manager, and I won’t be disrespected like that. Frank is the last manager to throw players under the bus, I can't remember him pointing a finger at his players, so I can imagine he was very hurt by their actions."

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GettyWhat comes next for Mourinho?

Unless Mourinho is given the sack at Benfica, it seems a move to Wolves is unlikely. He has overseen six wins, two draws, and two losses so far, with the Portuguese giants currently third in the league. But a move to the Premier League could yet happen in the future for the 62-year-old.

Manchester United have now entered the race to sign a “deadly finisher” who’s been dubbed “England’s Ousmane Dembele”.

Man Utd keen on new forward despite impressive Brighton showing

Man United invested heavily in their frontline during the summer transfer window, and they have now started reaping the rewards, picking up all three points courtesy of a fantastic attacking display against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.

Ruben Amorim’s side ran out 4-2 winners against the Seagulls, and their new-look front three were on top form, with Matheus Cunha scoring his first goal since arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Benjamin Sesko grabbed an assist.

Bryan Mbeumo was undoubtedly the star man, however, picking up a brace and creating one big chance in what was an extremely encouraging performance, not long after being described as United’s “best player” so far this season by Wayne Rooney.

The Red Devils must err on the side of caution, but recent results mean there is plenty of cause for optimism heading into November, moving up to sixth in the Premier League table.

Despite their attacking prowess, Man United have now joined the race to sign another winger, according to a report from The Boot Room, which credits them with an interest in Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga.

Having emerged as a first-team regular for Leicester, the forward has started to attract attention from a number of top Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, but Manchester City are currently leading the race for his signature.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey provides further information on the situation, saying: “Interest remains high, and there is a belief that by January he could be ready to make a move.

“Leicester are hoping that giving him regular first-team opportunities will convince him to stay until the summer, when he can sign a professional deal. At that point, the club could either sell him or at least secure a fee, rather than risk losing him for minimal compensation.”

"Deadly finisher" Monga could be "England's Ousmane Dembele"

There are few greater compliments than being compared to a Ballon d’Or winner, and Ben Mattinson has likened the Leicester youngster to the most recent winner of the prestigious award, while also praising his finishing.

Just 16-years-old, the teenager has already made 19 senior appearances for Leicester and grabbed his first senior goal, which showcases just how much potential he has, so it is little wonder Man United are in the race.

Cunha, Sesko and Mbeumo are currently looking like an exciting attacking trio, but it is always worth planning for the future, and if Monga continues receiving first-team football with the Foxes, it may not be too long before he is capable of starting for a top club.

Somerset 379 (Banton 84, Abbas 3-59) and 4 for 1 trail Nottinghamshire 509 (Haynes 157, Slater 124, Kishan 77, James 66, Leach 6-121) by 126 runsJack Haynes hit his third Rothesay County Championship century of the season to lead Division One leaders Nottinghamshire into a strong position on the third day of the match with Somerset at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.Starting the day on 214 for three in reply to their opponents’ first innings score of 379, the visitors ran up 509 all out, Haynes leading the way with a career-best 157, while Ben Slater fell early for 124, Ishan Kishan made 77 and Lyndon James 66.Jack Leach ended a tough day for Somerset’s bowlers on an unhelpful pitch with hugely creditable figures of six for 121 from 53.2 overs, displaying exemplary accuracy as Notts steadily built a lead of 130. The hosts had to face one over before stumps and closed on four for one, nightwatchman Matt Henry bowled by Patterson-White’s final delivery.Unbeaten on 34 overnight, Haynes’ hundred occupied 176 balls and featured 11 fours and a six. It was just the innings his side required to first stave off any prospect of a significant first-innings deficit and then build what could prove a match-winning advantage.Leach opened Somerset’s attack at the start of play, bowling in tandem with off-spinner Archie Vaughan, and struck an early blow when Slater, having added only eight to his overnight score, aimed a back-foot forcing shot and edged a catch to wicketkeeper James Rew. It proved Somerset’s only success before lunch, despite taking the second new ball at 238 for four.Haynes went to a 92-ball fifty and found a more aggressive partner in Kishan, who quickly dispatched a delivery from Matt Henry over fine leg for six with a vicious pull shot to bring 250 up. On 60, Haynes survived a confident shout for a catch behind off Leach, but it was a rare moment of alarm for Notts as they closed in on Somerset’s total.By lunch, the scoreboard read 322 for four, Kishan having just moved to a half-century off 83 balls, with four fours and two sixes. The deficit was down to 57 and Haynes was looking rock solid on 81.The pattern continued in the afternoon session, Haynes pulling a boundary off Vaughan to bring up the century partnership. Somerset then had two difficult chances to make a much-needed breakthrough as Kishan offered low diving chances to wicketkeeper Rew down the leg side off Kasey Aldridge and Craig Overton at slip off Vaughan.Notts looked set to collect a third batting point when moving to 347 for four with five balls remaining of the 110th over, but Aldridge prevented Kishan from scoring from any of them. It was a minor setback as Haynes went to his eighth first class hundred, and third of the season, with a boundary off a leg-side full toss from Aldridge.The fifth-wicket stand was worth 138 when Kishan edged a delivery from Leach onto his front pad and presented a straightforward catch to Tom Abell at short-leg. The Indian wicketkeeper had faced 128 balls and increased his boundary count to eight fours and two sixes.James had a scare with only a single to his same when edging Leach through the legs of wicketkeeper Rew standing up to the stumps. That was as good as it got for Somerset as tea was taken with Notts 431 for five and leading by 52 runs.The final session saw James go to fifty off 87 balls, with 7 fours, before Haynes brought up his maiden 150, having faced 287 deliveries and struck 15 fours and two sixes. Their century stand followed as Somerset continued to toil in the warm sunshine.Haynes finally fell lbw trying to sweep Leach with the lead just short of 100. Liam Patterson-White was then stumped pushing forward to Vaughan before the tireless Leach made it a five-for, turning a ball from on leg stump to force Brett Hutton to edge to slip.Farhan Ahmed departed to Vaughan for a duck and James edged a drive off Leach to slip, but by then it was Nottinghamshire’s highest ever total at Taunton.