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أتخذ الجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، بقيادة أحمد عبد الرؤوف، قرارًا جديدًا، استعدادًا لمواجهة الأهلي في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري.

ويلتقي الأهلي والزمالك، في المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس السوبر المصري، يوم الأحد 9 نوفمبر، في تمام الساعة 5:30 بتوقيت مصر.

وقرر أحمد عبد الرؤوف إقامة مران اليوم الجمعة، في صالة الجيمانيزيوم، في تمام الساعة الرابعة بتوقيت مصر، السادسة بتوقيت الإمارات.

جاء قرار المدير الفني بخوض المران اليوم في صالة الجيمانزيوم من أجل منح اللاعبين فرصة لالتقاط الأنفاس، وأداء تدريبات استشفائية في ظل ضيق الوقت بين مواجهتي نصف النهائي ونهائي السوبر.

طالع | أول رد من الزمالك على إيقاف القيد.. وتطورات مفاوضات حامد حمدان

وقسّم الجهاز الفني اللاعبين إلى مجموعتين للتدريب على فترتين، وستضم المجموعة الأولى، اللاعبون الذين شاركوا في لقاء بيراميدز بشكل أساسي، في حين ستضم المجموعة الثانية البدلاء والمستبعدين من المباراة.

وكان فريق الزمالك فاز على نظيره بيراميدز 5-4 بركلات الترجيح في المباراة التي أقيمت على ستاد آل نهيان في نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المحلي بعد انتهاء الوقت الأصلي بالتعادل السلبي.

Rallying after a frustrating 2023/24 campaign, Newcastle United and Eddie Howe marched toward the Carabao Cup title last season, and they qualified for the Champions League too.

The new term is well underway, but the Magpies are still finding their footing after a stormy transfer window.

There is no need to panic. Newcastle have carved out a new future over the past several years, and the shift in ownership and impetus runs deeper than merely the first team. Indeed, the club’s academy is working at a faster and more efficient pace than during the Mike Ashley era, and indeed the years preceding that interminable stretch.

It would be handy to have a homegrown forward burst onto the scene, helping Anthony Gordon and co adapt to this new Alexander Isak-less world.

But that can hardly be a given, and Gordon needs to step back up to the fore.

Anthony Gordon needs to step up

Now that Isak has left for pastures new, it is time for Gordon to set things straight and rekindle the verve that led him to being named Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24, having hit double figures for both goals and assists in the Premier League.

Last season yielded less fruitful returns for the England international, who only scored six times in the Premier League and lacked his previous confidence and authority, but he remains an immensely talented Premier League star, coveted by Liverpool last year and priced at £100m.

While that early-season defeat against the Reds in August put a dampener on Gordon’s resurgence, he bounced back with a consolation strike against Barcelona last week, and the 24-year-old will now look to build himself back to his former level.

Anthony Gordon – Premier League Comparison
Stats (* per game)	23/24	24/25
Matches (starts)	35 (34)	26 (25)
Goals	11	6
Assists	10	5
Shots (on target)*	2.3 (0.9)	2.1 (0.7)
Big chances missed	9	10
Pass completion	82%	80%
Big chances created	16	6
Key passes*	1.6	1.9
Dribble (success)*	1.5 (49%)	1.3 (45%)
Ball recoveries*	3.6	3.4
Tackles + interceptions*	1.8	1.3
Total duels (won)*	5.3 (49%)	4.8 (51%)
Stats via Sofascore

Gordon is a high-class winger, and he’s bolstered by a range of talented Newcastle stars. However, Howe is sure to hope that one of the club’s most promising youngsters quickly breaks the surface, having already been compared with one Lamine Yamal.

Newcastle's own Lamine Yamal

Newcastle can expect academy stars to emulate the likes of Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley in wedging their way into the Toon first team, but they need the first-teamers to maintain a high level so as to ease them into the fray.

That’s why the understated addition of Vakhtang Salia could prove such an excellent piece of business for the Toon, with the Georgia U21 international having completed his move from Dinamo Tbilisi to Newcastle at the end of August, a year after a deal was agreed to sign the teenager.

Said to be “one of the best teenage prospects in the world” by journalist Graeme Bailey, Salia is powerful and agile and endowed with sharp pace when on the ball. His tactical dynamism lends itself to a range of different attacking berths.

Sadly, Howe and co will have to wait to see how the prospect settles into life in England since he has picked up a small hamstring injury before making his bow for the U21s.

It’s frustrating, but those in the know claim that it will be worth the wait, with Salia boasting a skillset that could see him rival the most talented youngsters in the Premier League.

There’s even a sense that Salia might have a bit of Yamal about him; only a few weeks ahead of his 18th birthday, the tricky forward is settling into his new life on Tyneside and brings a potent attacking threat, having scored eight goals and supplied four assists for Dinamo’s senior side.

Yamal will be dejected and perhaps even a touch aggrieved that his name was not etched onto the plaque, but Ousmane Dembele was a worthy winner after leading Paris Saint-Germain to a historic quadruple, winning their maiden Champions League title.

It is probably worth stressing that we are not advocating Salia’s talent to lie at the same level as Yamal’s, but there are undeniable similarities in the versatile forwards’ respective styles of play.

Salia, silky and dangerous when advancing, has quite naturally been likened to his world-class countryman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but one Barcelona analyst actually believes it is indeed Yamal who is more aptly comparable, remarking that the Georgian is “of a similar profile” to the prodigious Spaniard.

Ballon d’Or runner-up Yamal is one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents since Lionel Messi broke onto the scene way back when. He is that good.

A relentless, oft-unstoppable dribbler with an eye for flair and a natural clinical edge, Yamal has been described as “the best player in the world” by Chelsea’s Cole Palmer earlier in 2025.

To expect Salia to emulate him at St. James’ Park would be foolish indeed, but if Howe can manufacture a player of comparable athleticism and energy and approach play, it would be quite something.

This may feel like overblown praise, but United battled tooth and nail against some of Europe’s biggest hitters to sign this rising star, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich both registering interest of their own before Newcastle secured his signature.

Hailed as an “elite talent” by Hungarian journalist Bence Bocsak, Salia has so much potential, and he’s in the right place to realise those natural qualities. However, for now, we must wait.

Everything suggests it will be worth it for those of a Newcastle persuasion, though.

Howe must axe "one of the best" at Newcastle – he's already got a successor

Star’s shot-stopping vs new signing’s distribution fuels Newcastle latest debate

By
Will Miller

Sep 23, 2025

Last season Tottenham Hotspur may have won the Europa League but there is no hiding behind the fact that domestically, things were a complete write-off.

Former boss Ange Postecoglou proclaimed that things are always better in season three, but sadly for the craggy-faced Aussie, he didn’t see in his third campaign at the helm.

The writing had been on the wall for a while, really. Spurs were a mess at the back. It’s “who we are, mate” Ange also exclaimed when asked about his philosophy and high line. Yet, those who fail to adapt and change…ahem, Ruben Amorim, often fail.

The truth is that Postecoglou did not change his ways, leading to the concession of 65 Premier League goals, the fifth-worst record in the division last term.

With Thomas Frank now at the helm, he made an immediate attempt to improve the backline before anything else and that decision has been vindicated.

Spurs look like a different outfit now. They are more organised, more structured, and the numbers showcase that. They have kept five clean sheets already in 2025/26 across all competitions and have shipped just five goals. Only Arsenal (3) have let in fewer.

While Frank will take a lot of the plaudits, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero’s partnership has looked like one of the best in the division.

Why Van de Ven and Romero complement each other so well at Spurs

Since arriving in north London, Romero has attracted his fair share of criticism.

He’s too hot-headed, too rash, too ill-disciplined to ever be a competent defender. Those were the cries from certain sections of the media and fanbase. Alas, there is a reason that he is captaining the side and there is a reason that Real Madrid have reportedly courted him.

The Argentine is a typical South American defender. He’s brutish, has a never-say-die attitude and when faced with a striker, it’s not often they get the better of him.

Indeed, he’s only been dribbled past 0.3 times per match under Frank so far, winning 65% of his ground duels and another 65% of his aerial duels.

To put those numbers into context, he’s winning more aerial battles than Arsenal’s imperious Brazilian, Gabriel (60%) and a similar number of ground duels to William Saliba (66%).

Romero is the more aggressive of he and Van de Ven, but the Dutchman’s recovery speed and ability to sweep in behind his defensive colleague is why they work so well.

Last term, no player was quicker in the English top-flight than Spurs’ number 37.

Yet despite all of that, the club have a defender in their ranks who stands an excellent chance of disrupting this fine partnership. Step forward Spurs’ new Mousa Dembele.

Spurs have found the defensive version of Dembele

What a player Dembele was in his prime. Part of a very special Spurs team including the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen, the Belgian was the glue that held everything together.

In the words of Kyle Walker, “Dembele was probably the best player I’ve ever seen play football” while Eric Dier, now of Monaco, stated that he was “a freak of nature”.

Shots

0.8

Key passes

1.0

Dribbles

2.9

Times fouled

1.1

Tackles

3.6

An all-action machine, it was nigh on impossible to get the ball off Dembele. He was a fine dribbler but he was also a duel monster.

From 2012 to 2019, no player in the Premier League had a better success rate for dribbles than Dembele’s tally of 77.9%. The next best during that time frame was Nemanja Matic on 73.1%.

As for winning duels, during the 2015/16 season, only three players, of which one was N’Golo Kante, won more tackles per match. Dembele won 3.6 while Kante topped the charts with 4.7.

Why is this all relevant now? Well, it looks like Spurs have found another duel machine, someone capable of dominating play in a similar manner, albeit from defensive phases of play.

That player is Luka Vuskovic. Spurs first reached an agreement to sign the centre-back in 2023 for £12m from Hajduk Split when he was only 16.

They had to wait until 2025 for the young Croatian to finally arrive but it was worth the wait. Vuskovic scored in pre-season against Reading and more than looks the part.

Now 18, the teenager has already made a habit of scoring regular goals. At KVC Westerlo in the Belgian top-flight last season, he scored seven goals in 36 outings.

Now on loan at Hamburg in Germany, he’s already showcasing why he’s so highly rated. The youngster has featured on four occasions, scoring once and breaking a little bit of history along the way.

During Hamburg’s clash against Union Berlin last weekend, he won a mind-blowing 18 aerial duels. To sum up just how incredible that statistic is, no player has won more aerial duels in a Bundesliga game across the last ten seasons and he is the first player to win 18 aerial duels in a single match in Europe’s top five leagues over the last five seasons.

While Dembele may not have been as menacing in the air as that, it demonstrates Vuskovic’s imperious duel-winning ability and his capability to overpower his opponents.

When asked what he thought of his teammate, Hamburg full-back Miro Muheim simply described him as a “monster” after the game. Rather apt if you ask us.

But, as the Athletic’s German Football correspondent, Seb Stafford-Bloor, outlines, the Croat is also “good with the ball at his feet”, emulating Dembele with that area of the game too.

Vuskovic has completed 85% of his passes in the Bundesliga so far and has also been successful with 100% of his dribble attempts, according to Sofascore.

Not just a beast physically, he’s technically brilliant, just as Dembele was from further forward. An exciting player no doubt, and one who could well make this Spurs backline even better.

You bet Frank can’t wait to get him back in the fold next season.

17-year-old Spurs prodigy is their most exciting academy star since Kane

Tottenham Hotspur have been on the look out for the next Harry Kane ever since he left for Bayern Munich.

ByMatt Dawson Oct 1, 2025

When Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United in 2013, he left behind a squad of Premier League winners. The Red Devils had just beaten rivals Manchester City to the league title, securing Ferguson’s 13th and final time lifting England’s greatest honour. But that trophy only papered over the cracks that would soon appear.

Keane said Man Utd star was "like Paul Scholes", now he's the new McTominay

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ByRobbie Walls Sep 19, 2025

Choosing his replacement, Ferguson turned towards Everton’s David Moyes. A Scottish manager who was beginning to make a name for himself elsewhere, Moyes likely reminded the legendary Man United boss of himself. On paper, the appointment made plenty of sense and 12 years ago, it was unlike the Red Devils to get things wrong.

Of course, as we now know, over a decade later, that decision sparked the beginning of United’s long downfall which has featured moments that go lower and lower in their history.

Games

51

Wins

26

Draws

10

Losses

15

From a manager that stayed at the club and achieved so much for 26 long years, United gave Moyes just 51 games to make his mark before pulling the plug on his tenure.

At the time, the blame was sent the manager’s way. The assumption was that it simply had to be him. After all, he was the only change at the club, but perhaps that’s where the problem truly lied. Since then, five permanent managers have tried and all five have failed to do what Moyes initially failed to do as United remain sleeping giants.

Before Moyes arrived, however, things could have been so different. Ferguson reportedly approached a manager who soon became a Premier League winner, only to be turned down.

Why Jurgen Klopp turned Ferguson and Man Utd down

As revealed by the former Liverpool manager himself, Ferguson approached Jurgen Klopp before Man Utd hired Moyes, only for the German to turn down the chance to move to Old Trafford as he was already planning for the 2013/14 season at Borussia Dortmund.

It was then just two years later that he was approached with a similar offer from Liverpool, who secured his arrival and went from sleeping giants into a club firmly back at the top of English football. Whilst United continued to struggle, the Reds and Klopp won the Premier League, Champions League and everything in between.

No one knows for sure whether Klopp would have done better than Moyes, Jose Mourinho and others, but evidence from his Liverpool spell gives us a fairly solid indication of how things could have been so different for the Red Devils.

The signing of Xavi Simons marks nearly a month-long pursuit for Tottenham Hotspur to find their James Maddison replacement.

In a World Cup year, this was set to be an important campaign for the Englishman, who was notably excluded from England’s squad at the European Championships.

More heartbreak has befallen Maddison, set to miss most of the 2025/26 campaign with an ACL injury.

Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White were the main targets but the former joined Arsenal instead and the latter was handed a shiny new contract by Mr Marinakis at Nottingham Forest.

So, Simons ended up being the man, penning terms after Spurs agreed to pay RB Leipzig £51m to attain his signature.

Yet, the Lilywhites may not be done there.

Spurs could conclude one last deal

If Spurs are to conclude any last-minute deals then it’s likely to be in attack. Dominic Solanke has picked up another injury problem while Richarlison has had his own setbacks throughout his time in the capital.

As such, going into the campaign without another forward player signed could be a recipe for disaster as far as Thomas Frank and Co are concerned.

A number of players have been linked in recent days, notably Lucas Paqueta and Ademola Lookman, but the more likely name to join is Manchester City winger, Savinho.

A number of weeks ago reports emerged that stated Spurs were in talks to sign the Brazilian winger and indeed, the Lilywhites are still trying to conclude a deal worth around £69m.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

City are reluctant to sell but the 21-year-old is trying to force through a move in the remaining hours of the transfer window, having been left frustrated by his club’s stance.

Now, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, both player and club are trying to make a deal happen.

Bailey states that Spurs “love” Savinho, suggesting that a deal “is not dead in the water yet”. That’s presumably due to the player’s stance.

Indeed, the report further notes that the Brazilian is ‘keen to make the switch’, with his desire to leave a factor that could ‘yet make the deal possible’.

Why Xavi Simons would love playing alongside Savinho

The addition of Simons in the last few days is undoubtedly a landmark addition for the Lilywhites.

He will bring goals, having scored 11 times last season, and he will bring assists, registering eight in all competitions throughout 2024/25.

Simons – Bundesliga (2024/25)
Stats (per 90)	Tally
Games	25
Goals & assists	17
Pass accuracy	83%
Chances created	2.2
Successful dribbles	1.4
Tackles won	75%
Duels won	5.7
Stats via FotMob

The Dutchman is certainly one of the best playmakers in European football and at the age of just 22, he’s only going to get better.

Combine his playmaking ability with the creativity of Savinho and you have a duel threat that could transform the fortunes of Frank’s attack.

While Spurs didn’t struggle to fashion chances against Burnley and Manchester City, scoring five goals, they really did against Bournemouth on Saturday. Spurs managed just five total shots to Andoni Iraola’s side’s 20, and they failed to carve out a single big chance.

Therefore, Simons and Savinho could work in tandem to boost the forward line. After all, they are two of the most creative players in Europe.

Last season, while the Brazilian struggled in front of goal with just three strikes, he was particularly creative.

A “superstar in the making”, in the words of Paul Merson, the 21-year-old contributed with 13 assists in all competitions. As such, he ranked among the top 13% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for assists per 90 minutes.

He also sits inside the best 3% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons, rubberstamping his credentials as one of the most exciting wide players on the continent.

Those numbers draw similarities to the likes of Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz, with FBref declaring the two Premier League stars as some of the most similar players in Europe to Savinho.

That creative and progressive nature would make him a phenomenal player for Simons, a player who possesses very similar traits.

Indeed, over the last year, the former Leipzig man ranks among the best 13% of players in his position for progressive passes. With Savinho, a willing runner, and Simons, a willing creator, this feels like a match made in heaven for Spurs.

What this would open up are multiple areas of attack. Simons would have the remarkable pace of Brennan Johnson to feed and then he’d also have the more skilful nature of Kudus and Savinho to tee up.

It really does feel like Frank would be covering all bases behind the main centre forward if this occurred.

Better signing than Simons: Spurs to send bid for £35m star in coming hours

Tottenham are looking to seal one or two more signings before the end of the transfer window.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

Aug 28, 2025

Daniel Levy discovered his Tottenham Hotspur sacking on the day it was announced, per a new report from The Athletic. The long-serving powerbroker in north London was shockingly removed from his position on September 4, and the new report suggests he had no idea he was about to be axed from a position he had held since 2001.

• Levy axed

  Spurs announced on September 21 that Levy had left his position as executive chairman of the club, marking an end to a 24-year reign that saw a glistening new stadium built, and two trophies won – the League Cup in 2008 and the Europa League last season. The Athletic now reports that Levy discovered his exit on the day it was announced, with him reporting for work with no idea the axe was about to fall. With the summer transfer window closed, and the likes of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus signed, Levy walked into a meeting with director Peter Charrington, who informed him that he would be leaving his role. 

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• AFP
  

  A brutal goodbye

  Levy's departure came about so suddenly that the departing chairman was not even allowed into the training ground to retrieve his belongings. His wife, Tracey, who also worked at the club until the day of her husband's exit, also saw her access revoked as Spurs took immediate steps to cut the pair off. Spurs eventually returned their possessions via a removal van. It is not unusual in business settings for such a brisk exit to be conducted, but it remains shocking given Levy's length of service and his famously hands-on approach. Per the report, he was still heavily involved in transfer dealings throughout the summer, with his responsibilities not diminishing ahead of his departure. 

• 'I will be appreciated when I'm gone'

  Levy gave an interview to The Overlap's Gary Neville in the summer and revealed his belief that he will be appreciated after his exit, as Spurs fans reflect on his influence. 

  He said: “It’s one of those situations when I’m not here I’m sure I’ll get the credit. 

  “This stadium is a symbol of ­Tottenham Hotspur on the global map. It’s fantastic for the local ­community – the employment we’re creating because of this stadium. The fact that other clubs are now trying to copy what we’re doing, that should be a sign that maybe we did do something bold and something right.”

  Levy also drove the appointment of Thomas Frank after sacking Ange Postecoglou and added: “Whenever you appoint a coach, you always believe it’s right. You need a lot of ­ingredients for it to be right. Thomas is a highly intelligent individual, a ­fantastic way about him in terms of communication.

  “He will be great at ­developing young players and older players and making them better. He gets the style of football we want to play. We haven’t said to him: ‘You’ve got to win the league this year.’ We just want to compete at the highest level.”

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• Frank's shock

  Further to the shock announcement, even Frank has confirmed that he had no idea his boss was about to be forced out. 

  He told Sky Sports: "It was a big surprise for me. Of course, I was told a little bit before it was announced, but that still came very sudden, very quick in every aspect. I've worked together now with Daniel for three months and enjoyed that. I think I owe him a lot.

  "I've definitely been on course for a long relationship with Daniel. That was the plan, that was my idea. But in life and football, things happen, things change, and then you need to move on. And against West Ham it will be business as usual.

  "The legacy he has at Spurs is fantastic, and it's such an incredible job. He's done it in many ways. He's been here for 24 years and has been a big part of changing the club. The two biggest things are this world-class training centre and, of course, a world-class stadium. So to have those two to stand on as a foundation is incredible.

  "So we can really build something for the future that's hopefully going to be even better and bigger and more hopeful."

It would be fair to say that, so far, Chelsea have had a great transfer window this summer.

The club have made plenty of money selling the likes of Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, and Djordje Petrovic, while seriously improving the squad with exciting additions like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens.

Moreover, it looks like the Blues’ owners, BlueCo group, are in the process of securing the services of the promising Julio Enciso.

However, while the young Paraguayan could be an excellent addition to the squad, the Blues are also closing in on someone who’d be an even better signing.

Chelsea chase better signing than Enciso

Even though they’ve already completed more signings than most teams would in a summer, Chelsea are still on the lookout for more talent, and while someone like Xavi Simons has been consistently touted for a move to the club in recent weeks, Enciso is set to be the latest addition.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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In fact, the Brighton & Hove Albion gem’s move to the West Londoners has already been given the ‘here we go’ treatment, but instead of heading straight to Stamford Bridge, the plan is that he’ll be spending a year in France with Strasbourg.

The 21-year-old is undoubtedly an exciting signing, but it appears that the Pensioners are now moving to complete a move for someone who’d be an even better signing.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which has reaffirmed Chelsea’s intense interest in Alejandro Garnacho.

Moreover, the report has now revealed that the Blues are preparing an offer for the Manchester United ace that’ll be worth around £25m.

It seems likely that the Red Devils will reject such a bid, but given the player’s open desire to make the move, a compromise of some kind feels like the likely outcome.

It could therefore still be something of a complicated and costly transfer for Chelsea, but given Garnacho’s ability and potential, he’d be worth the effort, especially as he’d be a better signing than Enciso.

Why Garnacho would be a better signing than Enciso

Now, it should be said that both players are incredibly talented and look like they have bright futures in the game ahead of them.

However, there are a few reasons why we believe Garnacho would be a better signing for Chelsea than Enciso, and the first is their output last season.

For example, between his spells with the Seagulls and Ipswich Town last season, the Caaguazú-born gem was only able to score three goals and provide four assists in 29 appearances, totalling 1458 minutes.

Garnacho vs Enciso in 24/25

Players

Garnacho

Enciso

Appearances

58

29

Minutes

3568′

1458′

Goals

11

3

Assists

10

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.36

0.24

Minutes per Goal Involvements

169.90′

208.28′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That means that he maintained a middling average of a goal involvement every 4.14 games, or every 208.28 minutes, which isn’t terrible, but it’s also not particularly noteworthy.

In contrast, the Madrid-born “superstar” in the making, as dubbed by journalist Liam Canning, was able to score 11 goals and provide ten assists in 58 appearances, totalling 3568 minutes.

In other words, the Argentine international was able to average a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or 169.90 minutes for a historically terrible United side.

The second reason the “electric” United ace, as dubbed by Statman Dave, would be a better signing is down to his experience.

While both players are still just 21 years old, the Red Devils gem has made 36 more appearances in the Premier League, has played in the Champions League, and has experience of not just playing in finals, but scoring hugely important goals in them that secure his side silverware.

Ultimately, Enciso is an undeniably talented footballer, but he lacks the numbers and extraordinary moments Garnacho has at the same age.

Therefore, we reckon the Argentine international would be the far better signing for the club this summer.

Related Chelsea receive £250m windfall as Fabrizio Romano confirms another sale

The Blues have been made serious cash this summer.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 21, 2025

Former Aston Villa midfielder and Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has talked up the idea of Birmingham City signing an £8.6m-rated player in the summer transfer window.

Davies ecstatic after memorable Birmingham win

The Blues picked up a dramatic 2-1 win away to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship on Saturday, scoring twice in stoppage time to secure a memorable turnaround. Chris Davies was understandably in great spirits after the match, loving what he saw from his players.

“We showed our quality. We looked fit and strong. When there was a chance to counter attack we did it, and there were six red shirts bursting out there, but I love that about us. The determination, the desire, and the belief that they wanted to win it.“There is no destination in football, there’s memories, and there’s moments.

“For those fans that travelled all the way here, who paid their money, stood out there and supported the team. We heard them. Even at 1-0 down they were singing louder than ever. That’s the team, and the club, everyone together, and that pushes us on. To give them that moment, I’ll never forget that for the rest of my life and I don’t think they will.”

It’s now a case of Birmingham trying to get more names through the door this summer, including bolstering Davies’ attacking options, in order to aid their Championship promotion push.

Hendrie reacts to Birmingham links for £8.6m striker

Speaking to Football League World, Hendrie discussed Birmingham’s interest in signing Porto striker Danny Namaso, saying he would be an ideal summer signing.

“Obviously, there’s interest in Namaso. He’s a player that’s had a spell at Reading, but he’s 24 years of age. He can play in the 10 and can play as a striker. They’ve got a lot of reinforcement in that area, I think, but I know they have been looking for someone who can fit the bill of playing in that 10, who can have that bit more of a creative flair.

“You think this would be a real big signing for Birmingham on top of what they’ve bought already. I mean it just shows their intent and where they want to go this season, and that’s to the Premier League. Spending the likes of €10m (£8.6m) on a player, again, their recruitment has been spot on from last season up to now, so a really good signing and, as I say, he can play in a number of positions as well.”

Namaso could be perfect for Birmingham, coming in as a statement signing who has already proven himself at a high level in his career to date.

He has 24 goal contributions in 106 appearances for Porto – 14 goals and 10 assists – and he has actually played 28 times in the Championship in the past during a spell at Reading.

Cameroon

2

0

England Under-20s

9

1

England Under-19s

10

4

England Under-18s

7

0

England Under-17s

14

6

England Under-16s

8

4

Capped across five different youth age groups for England, Namaso is now a two-cap Cameroon international, too, so he would bring international pedigree to Birmingham’s squad.

So far this summer, West Ham United have signed just three players. With just weeks left until the 2025/26 Premier League campaign gets underway, Graham Potter must act swiftly to bolster his squad.

Last season, the Irons finished 14th in the top flight, having the sixth-worst attacking record in the entire division.

As such, signing another striker or two wouldn’t go amiss this summer. The question is, who would be a perfect fit for Potter and his style at the London Stadium?

West Ham’s search for a striker

At the time of writing, Niclas Füllkrug is the only senior centre-forward available to Potter after the club released Danny Ings and Michail Antonio at the end of the season.

The Irons have been linked with Harvey Elliott recently, yet he isn’t a striker, despite scoring five goals for England U21s as they won the European Championship this summer.

According to talkSPORT, meanwhile, Callum Wilson has agreed terms with West Ham ahead of a proposed move. The 33-year-old striker is available on a free transfer after being released by Newcastle at the end of last term.

Despite his advancing years, Wilson could provide a decent option for Potter over the next 12 months and potentially beyond. He must remain fit, however.

If he does, then the Englishman could be an upgrade to Fullkrug.

Why West Ham want to sign Callum Wilson

Fullkrug joined the club last summer from Borussia Dortmund after enjoying an excellent spell in the Bundesliga.

He netted 15 times for the German side throughout 2023/24, but struggled with injuries in his debut campaign at West Ham, making just 20 appearances last season.

When he was on the pitch, the striker scored only three goals, hardly worth the £27m investment that was splashed out on him.

Wilson has endured his own injury issues, but if you compare his 2023/24 campaign in the Premier League to Fullkrug’s stats from last term, the Englishman would be a significant upgrade.

Callum Wilson’s Newcastle statistics

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2024/25

22

1

0

2023/24

26

10

1

2022/23

36

18

5

2021/22

18

8

0

2020/21

28

12

5

Via Transfermarkt

Indeed, that season, Wilson scored nine league goals and grabbed an assist for the Magpies. Fullkrug scored three times and grabbed two assists for the Irons.

Wilson also averaged more total shots (1.8 vs 0.9), scored more frequently (110 minutes vs 263 minutes) and even succeeded with more dribbles (0.7 vs 0.1) comparing their respective league campaigns.

Eddie Howe once described Wilson’s importance to Newcastle as “incredible” and it now seems as though he is set to enjoy an Indian summer in London.

Should Wilson return to full fitness, he would be a massive boost to Potter and his attempts to take West Ham back into the top half of the Premier League table, having already netted 88 times in England’s top flight. Fullkrug, by contrast, scored just 56 times in Germany’s top tier.

The signing may well be a gamble, but given Wilson won’t cost a penny in transfer fees, it couldscore 12 times in 16 meetings turn out to be a shrewd one indeed.

West Ham fans will be hoping the striker can replicate the form which saw him win nine England caps and has seen him score 12 times in 16 meetings against them. That’s a certainty.

Related Scouts sent: West Ham now enter race to sign £12m Richard Rios alternative

The Hammers aren’t the only club interested…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Jul 26, 2025

أعلن البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا، المدير الفني لنادي الزمالك، تشكيل الفريق الرسمي لمواجهة المصري، في المباراة التي تقام بينهما اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وتقام المباراة على استاد برج العرب بالإسكندرية، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من الدوري المصري الممتاز موسم 2025-2026.

طالع | بدلاء الزمالك أمام المصري في الدوري.. ظهور بارون أوشينج

ويحتل الزمالك، المركز الثاني في جدول الدوري المصري الممتاز، برصيد 10 نقاط من الفوز في 3 مباريات والتعادل مرة والخسارة في أخرى.

وشهد تشكيل الزمالك تواجد نبيل عماد دونجا وآدم كايد أساسيًا بعد جلوسهما على دكة البدلاء في آخر لقاءات الأبيض بالدوري قبل التوقف الدولي. تشكيل الزمالك أمام المصري في الدوري

حراسة المرمى: محمد صبحي.

خط الدفاع: محمود بنتايج، محمد إسماعيل، حسام عبد المجيد وعمر جابر.

خط الوسط: نبيل عماد دونجا، ناصر ماهر وعبد الله السعيد.

خط الهجوم: آدم كايد، عدي الدباغ وخوان بيزيرا.