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Manchester City have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud recently and his signing could prove to be a repeat of the deal that saw Ilkay Gundogan join the Citizens in 2016.

According to the Daily Mail, a host of Premier League clubs including City, Chelsea, Everton and Chelsea are all interested in signing the 25-year-old, who has just one year left on his deal with BVB.

The report suggests that City were keen on the midfielder before his move to Dortmund from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016 and they could reignite their interest this summer as he continues to impress with the Signal Iduna Park outfit.

So far this season, the German international has made just 12 appearances in the Bundesliga, in which he has contributed one goal and no assists, averaging a solid if unspectacular 6.74 WhoScored average match rating for his performances.

However, he has impressed with his displays in the Champions League, as he has averaged a 7.21 WhoScored rating for his performances, which suggests that he can be a top midfielder when on form.

City’s last signing from Borussia Dortmund was the deal which saw Gundogan join in 2016 and he has certainly proven to be a huge success, despite the injury concerns many had when he made the move to the Etihad.

This season in particular has seen the 30-year-old impress, as he has contributed 12 goals and one assist in 23 Premier League appearances, resulting in a superb 7.23 WhoScored rating.

However, the Turkish-born midfielder was not usually renowned for his goals at Manchester City, with his six league goals in the 2018/19 Premier League season his previous best tally.

WhoScored suggests that both Dahoud and Gundogan’s main strengths are their passing and long shots, which suggests that the Dortmund midfielder is a very similar style of player to the 30-year-old and could duly be a big hit at City should he join Guardiola’s side this summer.

Therefore, sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely consider bringing the £7.65m-rated midfielder to the Etihad Stadium in the summer, as it could prove to be a repeat of the masterclass which saw them sign Gundogan five years ago.

In other news… Txiki may regret £25m Man City decision with “phenomenal” beast

Some Rangers fans have called for Scott Wright to start in their Scottish Cup clash at home to Cove Rangers on Sunday evening.

Speaking in a pre-game press conference ahead of the match, the 23-year-old said: “It is great to get the title won but we are not going to stop, we want to win every game and now we are focused on the Scottish Cup.”

His great attitude toward the tie prompted a lot of Gers supporters to call for Steven Gerrard to start him at Ibrox.

Wright has played in seven games in total over all competitions so far for the Glasgow club, making one assist (Transfermarkt), and will surely be hoping for another start to try and get his team into the next round of the competition.

Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see whether Gerrard will decide to rotate his squad a bit, especially after the latest round of international fixtures.

Rangers fans on Wright comments

These RFC fans have called for Wright to start after reading his comments on Twitter, with one Ger claiming that he is a ‘quality’ player:

“Buzzing for him to start. Such a quality little player.”

Credit: @AGRFC55

“He’s got to start”

Credit: @mbrfc72

“He has to start what else does he need to do?”

Credit: @Nikokaticthego2

“You need a start young fella. You’ve more than proved yourself capable. You’re going to be a big player for us next season, I can feel it in my blue bones”

Credit: @HuttonMonaghan

“Deserves a start at the weekend”

Credit: @cameron56689617

“Really hope he gets a start at the weekend he has looked great whenever he’s came on”

Credit: @RossDouglas4

In other news, find out which pundit has mocked one Rangers achievement here!

Liverpool's dressing room celebrations were soundtracked by Dua Lipa and Calvin Harris' 'One Kiss' after the Carabao Cup final triumph over Chelsea.

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• Liverpool claim Carabao Cup with 1-0 win
• Reds aiming to win quadruple
• Celebrate with Dua Lipa's 'One Kiss'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Virgil van Dijk scored a header late into extra time to secure victory over Chelsea after a back-and-forth game that was abundant in chances but devoid of goals. Van Dijk led the cheers inside the dressing room to the chorus of Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa's 2018 hit song One Kiss, in a video that the club shared on social media.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The song has grown to be a Reds anthem, and Harris was even asked to play a DJ set at Liverpool's trophy procession after winning both the FA and the Carabao cups in 2022, also against Chelsea. The song became famous among the supporters of the Merseyside club when Dua Lipa performed the hit at the Champions League final between them and Real Madrid in 2018.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  The Reds will celebrate the night away but will soon have to return to their senses as they prepare to take on Southampton on Wednesday in the FA Cup fifth round.

According to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, via West Ham Central, Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard has expressed that he would like to sign for the Hammers on a permanent basis – prompting plenty of West Ham fans to become excited. 

Lingard, who has shined so far under Irons boss David Moyes since signing in January, even being nominated for February’s Premier League Player of the Month award, eventually missing out to Ilkay Gundogan, has already expressed a desire to join West Ham permanently, according to ExWHUemployee.

The 28-year-old has bagged four strikes and an assist in the Premier League already over just six starts (WhoScored), all while averaging an impressive and threatening 3.2 shots on goal per 90.

Now, Ex has revealed the attacking midfielder would like to sign for West Ham as a permanent player from parent club United – prompting plenty of excitement from supporters.

One Iron lauded the ‘great news’, and it’s hardly surprising given his fine start to life in east London.

Find all of their best verdicts down below.

West Ham fans excited by ExWHUemployee news

“Great news”

Credit: @riceTHEchamp

“Yessss”

Credit: @Lorrain94741983

“YESSSSS OF COURSE LİNGARD STAY AT WEST HAM”

Credit: @AtAvratLingard

“Let’s get the deal done!”

Credit: @SamanthaWalsh1

“perfect”

Credit: @DavidG87

“buzzing”

Credit: @ryan_hall27

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @WHU_CENTRE

“That’s great news COYIS “

Credit: @SandieBarrick

In other news: West Ham fans want this Premier League ace, find out more here.

Steven Gerrard has revealed Ryan Jack is an injury doubt for Glasgow Rangers’ Europa League round of 16 second leg tie with Slavia Prague next Thursday.

Gerrard reveals Jack blow

Jack was unavailable for the clash in Czechia this week, but he has been an important player for the Ibrox outfit throughout the campaign.

Speaking after the first match with Slavia, Gerrard revealed he could well be missing in Glasgow as well. He said (via The Glasgow Times):

“I’d still say Jack is a doubt at this stage. He’d have to have a real positive four or five days coming up to be available.”

Disappointing

Jack has struggled with injuries throughout the campaign, with both his knee and his calf causing him problems (Transfermarkt). However, he has still had an important role to play this term, appearing in 24 matches in all competitions. Having him available would give Gerrard another option, and a quality one at that.

Should he be ruled out, though, the Gers do at least have plenty of alternatives. Glen Kamara, Steven Davis and Scott Arfield, in particular, can continue to deputise for the £2.7m-valued 29-year-old (Transfermarkt). The 1-1 draw in Prague puts the 55-time Scottish champions in a strong position, and they will feel confident of reaching the quarter-finals even without the Scotland international.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this Sky Sports news.

Emma Hayes was left frustrated by Chelsea's lack of 'technical execution' after her side drew 0-0 with Hacken in the Women's Champions League.

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• Chelsea draw 0-0 with Hacken
• Hayes laments poor 'technical execution'
• Chelsea miss chance to go top of UWCL group

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  On Thursday the Women's Super League champions were held to a goalless draw by Swedish side BK Hacken. Chelsea dominated possession and created a few decent opportunities, but overall they put in a rather flat performance at Stamford Bridge.

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  Chelsea spurned the opportunity to move top of Group D, meaning the Swedish underdogs remain at the summit after already beating Real Madrid and Paris FC. Hayes was hoping her side would bounce back from a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, a performance she described as one of the worst during her time at the club.

• WHAT HAYES SAID

  After the draw with Hacken, Hayes said: "The execution in and around the box is where it was lacking and we got a bit frustrated with that. Our technical execution rather than the decision making was the problem.

  "If one had gone in then it would have been a different outcome, we would have gone on to win the game comfortably but that is not the case so we take a point and move on."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  Two games without a win isn't a huge deal at most clubs, but at Chelsea it constitutes a mini-crisis. Hayes' side will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Ashton Gate on Sunday to face WSL strugglers Bristol City.

Lionel Messi has a record-breaking haul of 44 trophies to his name, but Inter Miami boss Tata Martino says the Argentine is hungry for more.

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• All-time great the most decorated player in history
• Won silverware at Barcelona, PSG & Inter Miami
• Also collected major honours with Argentina

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Argentine icon made more history in 2023 as he helped to inspire Leagues Cup glory a matter of weeks after completing a stunning move to the United States. That success made the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner the most decorated player to have ever kicked a ball in anger.

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  Messi has La Liga, Ligue 1, Champions League, Copa America and World Cup honours to his name, but there will be no letting up from the mercurial 36-year-old in pursuit of trophy No.45. Martino told reporters when asked why he is so sure that that the South American superstar will have his sights set on more major silverware in 2024: “Because he loves to compete. If you could see that [training], I wouldn't be answering this question.”

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Martino has previously worked with Messi at Barcelona and with the Argentina national team and is loving his third stint coaching the all-time great, with plenty of highs and lows already taken in during a hectic few months in Florida. He added: “We have enjoyed these five months. It’s been like a roller coaster, between so many games and tournaments. We were able to enjoy a championship. For me, it’s always a pleasure to coach him.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Alongside Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup triumph, the David Beckham co-owned franchise also reached the U.S. Open Cup final. They finished as runners-up there, with Messi nursing an untimely injury, and missed out on a place in the MLS play-offs, but attention is already shifting towards next season – with it looking like experienced Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez will be next to join the star-studded ranks at DRV PNK Stadium.

USWNT star Kristie Mewis made a heart signal at fiancee Sam Kerr at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea's win over Liverpool.

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• Mewis made a heart sign at Kerr
• Won NWSL 2023 title with Gotham FC
• Watched Kerr in action for Chelsea against Liverpool

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fresh from winning the NWSL 2023 title with Gotham FC, Mewis visited Stamford Bridge on Saturday to catch Australian star Kerr. Kerr was on the pitch for 75 minutes during which she provided an assist as the Blues thrashed the Reds 5-1. Mewis later uploaded a video on her Instagram story where she could be seen making a heart signal while looking at her fiancée on the pitch.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Earlier this month, the couple got engaged, news that was disclosed by the USWNT star to . Their romance rumours ignited during the Tokyo Olympics. The confirmation of their relationship came shortly after when the Matildas legend posted a heartfelt photo of them kissing on Instagram. Since then, the couple has openly shared their love on social media despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship.

• WHAT KRISTIE MEWIS SAID

  The Gotham FC star uploaded two Instagram stories, the first being her doing a heart signal towards Kerr and the second story had a heartwarming picture of the couple together.

  @kmewis19/IG@kmewis19/IG

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• WHAT NEXT FOR SAM KERR?

  The Australian international will be back in action for the Blues on Thursday when they take on Paris FC in the Women's Champions League.

Mia Fischel and Jaedyn Shaw both scored their first USWNT goals in a a statement victory in San Diego on Sunda

After the U.S. women's national team's disastrous World Cup, it was abundantly clear that changes were coming. Several came swiftly: Vlatko Andonovski was dismissed, legends like Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz stepped aside and a search for a new coach and leader got underway.

The USWNT, for years, had been trying to gradually evolve. The World Cup proved that gradual would now need to become swift.

When we look back at that evolution in five, 10, 20 years time, maybe we'll look back at Sunday's win over Colombia as a key moment. Maybe we'll look back at it as the time several USWNT stars got their start.

Mia Fishel and Jaedyn Shaw scored their first USWNT goals in the 3-0 win as both made their case for the Olympic team. Will they be in that squad under whoever the next manager is? It's too soon to say, but it's clear to say that there time is coming sooner or later.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Snapdragon Stadium…

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  WINNER: The next generation

  You wanted the USWNT's next generation? Well, you saw it on Sunday.

  Three goals, two from players making just their second USWNT appearances. One of those goals was assisted by a teenager that is a "veteran" with eight caps and a World Cup on her resume.

  Don't look now, but the kids are alright.

  We'll start with Fishel, who continues to look like a natural goalscorer on every level. She lit things up at Tigres and is already off the mark at Chelsea. Now with a goal in a USWNT shirt, it appears she is ready to compete for minutes going forward.

  Up next? Shaw, who also scored her first goal in her second USWNT cap. What a moment it was for the 19-year-old attacker, who scored in front of a hometown crowd in San Diego. It was an ideal "Welcome to the USWNT" moment that, in theory, will have plenty more in the years to come.

  And, not to be overshadowed, there's Alyssa Thompson, who is very much ahead of schedule after her World Cup call-up. The Angel City star teed up Shaw's goal, making her own mark on a game that was defined by young stars.

  Overall, it was a show headlined by those that are up next, and the world will be watching as we wait to see more of them.

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  LOSER: Alex Morgan

  She may not be concerned, to be fair. The USWNT, meanwhile, probably won't be too worried either.

  However, the longer this goes on, the more the narrative about Morgan will take hold. And, the more that narrative takes hole, the more discussion there will be about her future.

  It was another tough night for Morgan, who added another game to her goalless run. Once again, she had her chance. Once again, she couldn't put it in the back of the net. In all alone, Morgan couldn't quite pick out a corner, allowing Natalia Giraldo to get a palm to the shot to keep it out.

  She's still got the NWSL playoffs coming up, so there are more chances for her to score, but, until she does so in a USWNT shirt, the chatter will continue.

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  WINNER: Emily Sonnett

  She'll be a bit overshadowed by the young guns, but this was a big performance from the USWNT midfielder.

  Sonnett did just about everything right in the heart of midfield, making contributions in just about every facet. As a leader, she appeared to be key in organizing everyone from that No. 6 position. She got her big offensive moment, too, finding Fishel for her goal to open the scoring.

  Sonnett is something of a Swiss Army Knife that can play in a few different spots, but she seems like she can be a real factor in this midfield spot. We got a look at it in the summer, but this was the best look yet at how good she can be.

  The U.S. has struggled with that spot for some time. Can Sonnett be a locked-in starter by the time the Olympics roll around ? Why not?

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  LOSER: Twila Kilgore's starting XI selection

  The moment the lineup was released, social media made one collective noise: a sigh.

  It was more of the same. After enduring 90 dull minutes that didn't teach us much of anything on Thursday, it looked like Sunday would be more of the same.

  For 45 minutes, it was. The XI was filled with familiar faces, even if Kilgore did add to it a bit. Yes, Sophia Smith was back, Casey Murphy started Savannah DeMelo's introduction was nice, but, just a few months out from the Olympics, the goal of this camp had to be to learn more.

  Knowing that, it feels like the first 45 minutes was another waste. The attack, one that we saw plenty of times over the last year, looked a bit flat. The defense, one that we'd seen play together just about every game over the last few months, provided more of the same.

  Heading into halftime, that aforementioned sigh felt justified, but then…

With the transfer window right around the corner, the top brass at Wolves will be meticulously considering how they can strengthen the squad.

After all, this has been a poor campaign by the Old Gold’s high standards, finishing well out of the reckoning for a place in Europe.

What’s the word?

After a dismal campaign that’ll see Wolves finish in the bottom half of the Premier League, Nuno Santo and Jeff Shi are deciding to switch up their recruitment policy.

That’s according to Tim Spiers of The Athletic who revealed on Tuesday that Wolves will now be focusing on bolstering the first XI and expanding the senior squad.

The Old have made a sprinkling of first-team additions in recent years but the vast majority of their recruitment has been centred around strengthening the academy.

Wolves are now changing their trail of thought in a bid to keep up with the demands of an entire season.

It comes after Nuno issued the following statement last month: “We have to change our philosophy so we can be better prepared for what’s coming in front of us. We need to prepare and plan better.”

He added: “We still believe there’s a balance and I’ll look to avoid having players if I don’t totally trust them. We have to find the right balance.”

About time

After the diabolical events of this season, the news that Wolves will be looking to strengthen the starting XI is news that should leave supporters buzzing for what’s to come this summer.

After all, they’ve been pillaged by injuries throughout the 2020/21 and need far more options in their ranks.

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Jonny is currently undergoing rehabilitation on a second ACL injury of the season while they’ve been missing Raul Jimenez since November.

The Mexican is now nearing a return but with a fractured skull ruining his campaign, the Old Gold have suffered from a lack of goals.

Willy Boly has had his fitness and illness concerns with Marcal also missing a big portion of the second half of the season.

Throw a variety of injuries to Daniel Podence into the equation and they’ve been running with a very small squad.

Nuno has always preferred to work with a smaller group of players but this term has told him he needs to ditch that philosophy.

Wolves clearly need more firepower with Fabio Silva and Willian Jose scoring just five goals between them. Adama Traore, meanwhile, only has two strikes to his name all season.

Neto has stepped up to the plate admirably and is the club’s top scorer but that’s with just a handful of goals.

If Wolves genuinely have desires of returning to the Europa League and breaching the Premier League’s top six, they need to spend their money more wisely and build a better squad of players.

With injuries aplenty, they’ve had to rely on individuals who Nuno struggles to trust.

Therefore, it will be pleasing to the Molineux crowd to know their strategy is going to change. Wolves are doing the right thing by ditching their failed methods.

AND in other news, Wolves could sign the next Van Dijk in 6ft3 colossus who’s “physically very strong”…