Manchester City are closing in on an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for forward Omar Marmoush, talkSPORT understands.
The two clubs held advanced talks on Saturday and there is confidence that the deal could go through next week.
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City are close to signing Marmoush from FrankfurtCredit: Getty
Frankfurt are looking for a total package worth north of £60million for the Egypt international.
Marmoush scored in their 1-0 win over FC St Pauli on Saturday to extend his Bundesliga goal tally to 14 for the season.
This is one behind Harry Kane, who has netted 15 for Bayern Munich and sits top of the scoring charts in Germany.
Marmoush is set to be one of two new arrivals at City as they have also agreed a deal worth £33m plus add-ons for Abdukodir Khusanov.
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The 20-year-old centre-back will join from Lens and sign a four-and-a-half year contract with the option of another 12 months.
City have been missing Ruben Dias and John Stones in the centre of defence recently, with both players nursing injuries.
They could be without another experienced player this month as Pep Guardiola revealed that Kyle Walker has asked to leave the club.
“He said to the club two days ago that he wants to explore going abroad,” he told talkSPORT after their 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City. “He wants to finish his career in another place.
“He asked two years ago and I tried to convince him to commit to stay and he signed a contract and he was really important and won the Premier League last season as a captain.
“Now he’s saying that he would like to go to another country in this transfer window.
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Marmoush is the second highest scorer in the Bundesliga this seasonCredit: Getty
“He’s a player who when he’s fit and he’s focused with the attitude as a player he can play one, two, three more years. I’ve never seen a physical condition like he has in my life.
“All the success we’ve had in the eight years belongs a huge part to him and the guys almost had 100 games with the England national team.
“I don’t need to tell you how important he’s been but now he’s said to the club that he wants another experience – to explore was the word – and we will see what happens.”
City will hope their heavy January spending inspires an upturn in form during the second half of the season.
Their Premier League title hopes hang by a thread as they are sixth in the table and 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Khusanov is set to become City’s first signing of the transfer windowCredit: Getty
Khusanov will now undergo a medical ahead of signing a four-and-a-half year contract with the option of an extra year in what will undoubtedly be the biggest deal of the January window so far.
The Uzbekistan international was previously a target for Tottenham but will now join their Premier League rivals this month instead.
He is set to be City’s first signing of the January transfer window and will be a welcome boost given their injuries in defence.
John Stones is currently nursing a foot injury whilst Ruben Dias is dealing with a muscle problem.
Khusanov was a youth player for Uzbek club FC Bunyodkor before he moved to FC Energetik-BGU Minsk in Belarus.
He scored four goals in 37 appearances for the club to earn a transfer to France with Lens.
The defender became the first Uzbek player to ever feature in the French top flight when he made his debut in September 2023.
At international level, he has made 18 appearances for his country and featured at the AFC Asian Cup last year.
City could also be set to make another addition in January to help revive what has been an underwhelming season as defending champions.
Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush is of interest to the club but talkSPORT understands they’ll need to pay £50million for him.
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The centre-back will help ease their problems in defenceCredit: Getty
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Marmoush could also be on his way to the Premier League championsCredit: Getty
Marmoush has netted 13 goals in the Bundesliga this season, which is one behind leading scorer Harry Kane of Bayern Munich.
Pep Guardiola chose not to comment on his potential arrival when he spoke to the media before their FA Cup clash against Salford City, live on talkSPORT.
“I was clear in my answer, I’m not going to talk,” he insisted.” He’s a player from another club, I’m not saying an answer.
“You can say in every single press conference to talk about the transfer window until the end, I’m not going to answer one question!
“In the past, the same happened. I was clear. You can try it any time you want, no problem at all, but you know my answer. It’s easy. No comment.”
Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s director of football Markus Krosche has previously commented on the club selling players.
Man City put on red alert as Eintracht Frankfurt’s asking price for Omar Marmoush revealed
“For us, we don’t want to lose so many key players,” Krosche said.
“I have to honestly say that no Eintracht player is unsellable, but we want to keep the team together.
“I talk about Marmoush after every game. But that’s a good thing. Omar gives our game an incredible amount.”
A Marmoush arrival for £50million would become the biggest deal of the January window so far as clubs strengthen for the final months of the season.
The Euro 2024 runners-up head to Greece for Thursday’s must-win Nations League match before a Wembley meeting with Ireland on Sunday.
But interim boss Lee Carsley’s final camp, before the arrival of Thomas Tuchel as the new manager, has been hit by an eye-watering eight pullouts.
The situation has frustrated Kane, who will lead the side out at the Olympic Stadium in Athens knowing key players are absent for a match they must win to stand a chance of automatic promotion.
Asked if there was one thing former manager Gareth Southgate put in place that senior players need to ensure is not lost, the striker told ITV: “I think the joy to play for England. I think he brought that back.
“I think every camp people were excited to come, every camp people wanted to play for England and, yeah, that’s the most important thing.
“I think England comes before anything. England comes before club.” The Bayern Munich forward said it was a “shame” that so many players had withdrawn.
England’s striker Harry Kane (C) stands with teammates during a training session at St George’s Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England, on November 12, 2024 ahead of their UEFA Nations League B Group 2 football matches against Greece and Ireland. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP).Source: AFP
“It’s a tough period of the season and maybe that’s been taken advantage of a little bit,” he said.
“I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. I think England comes before anything, any club situation.” Eight players withdrew from Carsley’s initial 26-man squad for the Nations League double-header, including Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer.
Jarrad Branthwaite was among five players brought into the squad but the Everton centre-back did not travel to Greece, with Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah called up in his place.
Carsley insisted he was simply focusing on the players available to him. “The focus all camp has been on the players that are here,” he said. “It is important that we make the most of this situation.
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“With the amount of players that have pulled out, it gives other players the opportunity to be here. We’re looking forward to the game.” Carsley, who will return to his job coaching the England Under-21s after the Nations League games, sought to sidestep Kane’s comments and said the dropouts were not unusual at this time of year.
“I think it’s his opinion. I can only deal with what’s in front of us. “With the amount of pullouts we’ve had in this window, historically it has been like that in the past. November has always been a challenging window.
“The players who are currently here fully deserve to be here and are ready for the game tomorrow.
“Look at the players we’ve brought in,” he added. “It is really a proud moment for them. The focus is on the players that are here, not the ones that aren’t.”
Manchester City and Spain defensive midfielder Rodri has won his first Ballon D’Or in what turned out to be not much of a shock as the signs pointed to the 28-year-old taking out the prestigious gong.
Rodri was second favourite yesterday behind Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior but Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham also in the mix, Real Madrid made the stunning decision to boycott the ceremony in Paris.
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The no-show from the Spanish giants effectively made it clear that Rodri would take home the mantle as the best male footballer of the year.
Despite the controversy, he put together a remarkable year.
He was player of the tournament as Spain won the Euros, scored the winner in last year’s Champions League and is a vital part of one of the world’s best club sides – unfortunately for Manchester City he is currently sidelined with an ACL injury.
Former City player George Weah presented the award – which was another omen that Rodri would win – on a historic night for the club as their rock in defensive midfield became the first player ever from the blue half of Manchester to win the award.
He is also the first defensive player to achieve the accolade in almost two decades as Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro was the last in 2006.
Incredibly Rodri is also the first Spanish player to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Luis Suárez in 1960 which is remarkable for a country with such great football pedigree.
“An incredible night for me,” Rodri said. “It’s a special day for me, my family and my country.”
Rodri thanked his girlfriend Laura as the award ceremony fell on their anniversary, and also acknowledged his Manchester City and Spain teammates before touching on himself.
“I always try to improve every day, the level of my game, [playing] the modern holding midfielder role, playing further forward,” he said.
“I’m just a normal guy, I enjoy sport, enjoy my profession. I try to be a good person, try to be a leader. I’m a calm person, until I get upset. I’d like to show the kids that you don’t have to be crazy, you can be a normal guy, try to do your best.”
Matildas take down Euro heavyweights | 02:29
REAL MADRID BOYCOTT EXPLAINED
The Ballon d’Or ceremony got underway on Monday in the absence of Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham after the Spanish club said it would boycott over a perceived snub of its players.
The Spanish and European champions earlier on Monday told AFP it questioned the methods behind the selection of the Ballon d’Or winner, saying that their defender Dani Carvajal, another of the 30 players nominated, had also been unfairly overlooked.
“If the award criteria doesn’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner,” Real Madrid told AFP.
“As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected.” The seven players from the Madrid contingent that were short-listed for the individual award, including Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Fede Valverde and the retired Toni Kroos, did not show up to walk the red carpet at Paris’ Chatelet Theatre before the ceremony began.
For this year’s edition, the organisers had decided to keep the winner’s identity secret until the on-stage announcement.
With the absence of the Madrid’s double-winning stars, especially that of the bookmakers’ favourite Vinicius, many are now tipping Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri to win the award.
However, the Ballon d’Or organisers told AFP that “no player or club” knows in advance who will win the award.
The Ballon d’Or is awarded by a jury of journalists representing the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings.
Cooney-Cross scores long-range worldie! | 00:43
BONMATI WINS AGAIN, MATILDAS SNUBBED
Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati on Monday won her second successive women’s Ballon d’Or, after leading her club to a historic continental quadruple of titles and claiming the Nations League with her country.
The 26-year-old playmaker joins team-mate Alexia Putellas as the only women to win the Ballon d’Or twice, since the award’s inauguration in 2018.
“This cannot be achieved alone, I am very lucky to be surrounded by players who make me better every day,” Bonmati said after receiving the award.
“Thanks to the staff, to the club workers, without you we would not achieve so much success.” Already considered an all-time great of the women’s game, Bonmati was the stand-out performer as Barcelona romped to a trophy-laden 2023/24 season.
The Catalans won every trophy available to them last term — the Spanish league, the Copa de la Reina, the Supercopa de Espana and a second-successive Women’s Champions League.
Bonmati scored a goal and put in a player-of-the-match performance as Barcelona beat Lyon 2-0 in the final of the Champions League to claim their third title in four seasons.
Not a single member of Australia’s Matildas squad was selected in the top 30 as Sam Kerr has been out with an ACL injury.
Owen’s advice to Irankunda | 02:37
– ‘Proudest I’ve felt’ –
“It’s the first time we’ve beaten Lyon. I’m proud of the team, and we know that with these fans we have, we can’t fail,” Bonmati said after the crowning moment of her season, which was played in front of 51,000 spectators in Bilbao’s San Mames stadium.
A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, the diminutive midfielder was also named player of the season by UEFA for her six goals and six assists during her side’s successful European campaign.
With eight goals and 11 assists in Spain’s Liga F, Bonmati was equally influential in guiding Barcelona to a fifth-straight league title.
The 2023 World Cup winner added the inaugural Women’s Nations League to her resume in February, when she scored Spain’s opener in their 2-0 win in the final against France.
She was again selected by UEFA as the overall player of the finals for her performances and goals in the semi-finals and final.
Only a shock defeat in the Olympics semi-final against Brazil prevented Bonmati from having the chance to secure a remarkable six titles for club and country in one season.
In April, Bonmati was named Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus Awards, becoming the first footballer to do so, and was rewarded along with her Spain team-mates for winning the Women’s World Cup in August 2023.
She also received praise for helping to combat sexism in the Spanish football federation by protesting with her team-mates after disgraced former president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed player Jenni Hermoso.
“She’s a role model of a player. How she trains, her attitude, the way she approaches things every day, she just sets a great example,” then-Barcelona coach Jonatan Giraldez said of his star asset in May.
“We met when she was starting out her career. I’ve watched her grow up, go through the whole process. I’m pleased to have seen everything that’s happened (to her), and she deserves it all.”
The women’s Ballon d’Or is chosen from a shortlist of 30 players by a voting panel of 50 international football journalists.
A 27th minute Darwin Nunez header took Liverpool to a controlled 1-0 win at RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, continuing their excellent start under new coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool broke through some early Leipzig pressure just before the half-hour mark when Mo Salah hit a perfect header across his body.
Nunez jumped high to tap in the goal-bound ball, grabbing his first Champions League goal since February 2023.
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Despite a late Leipzig flurry, Liverpool again showed the control and resilience that has taken them to the top of the Premier League table just days out from Sunday’s clash at Arsenal.
Slot has won 11 of his first 12 games in charge in all competitions, the best start of any manager in Liverpool history, while Leipzig are now zero from three in Europe this season.
Both sides had impressed domestically this season on the back of strong defensive records, with Liverpool conceding three in eight Premier League games and Leipzig just two in seven.
Slot made three changes to the side which beat Chelsea 2-1 at home on Sunday, benching Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones for Kostas Tsimikas and Alexis Mac Allister, while Nunez replaced Jota.
Leipzig coach Marco Rose’s starting XI made his intentions clear, the coach going for the all-out attack of Lois Openda, Xavi Simons, Benjamin Sesko and Antonio Nusa.
Rose’s constellation worked early, with Leipzig pressing Liverpool hard and hitting them on the counter.
Sesko went close after 19 minutes, pouncing after Caoimhin Kelleher surged out of his box and failed to clear, but the big Slovenian’s long-range effort curled just wide of the post.
Openda scored from well outside the box on the 26-minute mark but the Belgian’s stunner was ruled out for off-side.
Liverpool made Leipzig pay immediately, Nunez tapping in a goal-bound Salah header, just his second strike in nine appearances this season.
Nunez went inches from doubling up shortly after but his point blank header was well saved by Peter Gulacsi.
With one eye on Sunday’s match at Arsenal, Liverpool tried to take the sting out of the game in the second-half, controlling the match and keeping Leipzig at bay.
Salah was upset to be subbed with half an hour remaining, but by then Slot clearly had Arsenal in mind.
The home side rallied late, Openda again having a goal struck off for a clear off-side, but Liverpool held on to make it three from three in the Champions League.
HAALAND’S ACROBATIC LIGHT UP CITY ROUT
Erling Haaland’s spectacular acrobatic effort lit up Manchester City’s 5-0 win over Sparta Prague to move into third place in the Champions League table.
The Norwegian scored twice, including a backheel at shoulder height, as City ran riot against the Czech champions.
Phil Foden, John Stones and Matheus Nunes were also on target for Pep Guardiola’s men, who remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Sparta had taken four points from their opening two Champions League games against Salzburg and Stuttgart, but City were a step up in class too far for the visitors.
Foden’s struggle for form and fitness has compounded City’s injury problems with Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne sidelined.
But there were encouraging signs for Guardiola as, restored to the starting line-up, the England international drilled home the opening goal after just three minutes.
Haaland had nine efforts on goal in total but was frustrated in the first half as Sparta refused to let the floodgates open before the break.
Peter Vindahl produced a stunning save low to his right to parry a powerful downward header from Haaland on 10 minutes.
Vindahl also denied Foden, while Haaland had another towering header hacked off the line.
For all the home side’s dominance, Sparta would have levelled midway through the first half but for a brilliant save from Ederson to turn behind Veljko Birmancevic’s strike on the counter-attack from a City corner.
Haaland did finally deliver City’s second with an effort reminiscent of his strike against old club Borussia Dortmund two years ago that won Champions League goal of the season.
Savinho’s chipped cross was slightly behind the 24-year-old, who contorted his body to strike the ball martial arts style and fire it past Vindahl.
Stones nodded in a vital stoppage time winner against Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday and continued his hot streak in front of goal with a looping header from Nunes’ cross.
Haaland then completed a three-goal blitz in 11 minutes at the end of a scintillating City counter-attack.
Slick passes from Rico Lewis, Foden and Nunes teed up Haaland to slot home his 44th Champions League goal in just 42 appearances in the competition.
Guardiola could afford the luxury of replacing his star number nine, along with Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in the closing stages with City in the midst of a run of seven games in 21 days.
Nunes completed the rout from the penalty spot after he had been felled inside the area.
Victory takes City onto seven points from their opening three Champions League games, behind only Premier League rivals Liverpool and Aston Villa.
RAPHINHA HAT-TRICK HELPS BARCA THRASH BAYERN
Raphinha scored a stunning hat-trick as Barcelona hammered Bayern Munich 4-1 on Wednesday in a riveting Champions League clash.
The Catalans had lost their last six games against Bayern but outplayed the six-time winners at the Olympic stadium with Robert Lewandowski also on the scoresheet, while England star Harry Kane struck for the visitors.
Hansi Flick, who was in charge of the Bundesliga side in a humiliating 8-2 romp over Barca in 2020, led the Catalans to an emphatic triumph which indicated they may be capable of winning the trophy for the first time since 2015 after a decade of disappointment.
Defeat leaves Bayern with only one victory from their opening three group games and in the bottom half of the table, while Barcelona have two wins and are in the top third.
Hansi Flick brought Spanish midfielder Fermin Lopez in for his first start of the season after injury, while his Bayern counterpart Vincent Kompany opted for Serge Gnabry in place of Jamal Musiala, who was only fit enough for the bench.
Barcelona had not scored in their last four matches against Bayern but were ahead inside one minute, with Lopez playing Raphinha in behind the visitors’ high line.
The Brazilian winger, on his 100th appearance for the club since joining from Leeds, and proudly sporting the captain’s armband, stayed cool to dribble around Manuel Neuer and roll home.
Former Tottenham striker Kane had a similar chance to equalise at the other end but took a heavy touch and Inaki Pena raced out of his goal quickly to deny him.
The Englishman, who ended a four-game drought with a hat-trick against Stuttgart on Saturday, beat Pena with a header moments later but was ruled marginally off-side.
Bayern kept pouring forward and Kane found the net once more after 18 minutes, and this time it counted.
The striker finished acrobatically from Gnabry’s inviting cross with Barcelona’s defence all at sea, like Bayern playing high and inviting the Germans to break in behind.
– Relentless Raphinha –
Barcelona recovered their composure and began to threaten, with former Bayern striker Lewandowski firing wide and Lamine Yamal sliding in to tackle Neuer but seeing the ball roll beyond the post.
Joshua Kimmich was booked for taking out Lopez, who was charging into space in Bayern territory.
The Barcelona midfielder, a ball of energy, created his team’s second for Lewandowski. Lopez left Kim Min-jae for dead with a clever nudge, which Bayern complained about to no avail, before knocking the ball across for Lewandowski to turn home.
The veteran Polish striker, 36, has been the chief beneficiary of Flick’s arrival after struggling last season and now has 15 goals in 13 appearances.
The unstoppable Raphinha rattled home a superb third before the interval, driving into the area after Marc Casado spread the play out to the left flank and arcing a shot through Dayot Upamecano’s legs and beyond the reach of Neuer at full stretch.
Raphinha completed his hat-trick 10 minutes into the second half, controlling Yamal’s ambitious pass brilliantly on his chest while on the sprint, before planting a rasping effort into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box.
Kompany reacted with a quadruple substitution, bringing on four household names in Musiala, Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka.
At 4-1 up Barcelona’s fans began to cheer their team’s passes as Bayern chased the ball, the style of the victory continuing the team’s potential redemption arc after nearly 10 years of hurt in the competition.
Having not reached the Champions League semi-final since 2019, belief is starting to grow in Catalonia that Flick could help restore their position among Europe’s elite.
Another test of that theory soon follows — Barcelona’s next match is a visit to face reigning Spanish and European champions Real Madrid in a tantalising La Liga Clasico on Saturday.
Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior netted a treble for Madrid on Tuesday against Dortmund but his compatriot Raphinha matched him in style against Bayern as Barca sent a message of their own.
Thomas Tuchel was named England’s new manager on Wednesday, with the German set to start in the role from January 1, 2025.
The 51-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season, succeeds Englishman Gareth Southgate as permanent coach and becomes the third foreign manager of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
A former coach of Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, Tuchel has the trophy-winning pedigree that the FA is seeking to help end a 58-year wait to win a major tournament.
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Epic free-kick steers England to victory | 00:47
However, the move has drawn criticism over the FA’s unwillingness to trust an Englishman with its top job.
Tuchel will be assisted by English coach Anthony Barry, who worked alongside him at Bayern Munich.
“I am very proud to have been given the honour of leading the England team,” Tuchel said in a FA statement.
“I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country, and it has given me some incredible moments already. To have the chance to represent England is a huge privilege, and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.” Tuchel won league titles at PSG and Bayern and the German Cup with Dortmund, but his greatest success came during his time in English football at Chelsea.
He led the Blues to Champions League glory just months after taking charge in 2021 and also won the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with the London club.
Tuchel was sacked in September 2022 in a bold early move by Chelsea’s new ownership group that did not pay off.
He becomes the permanent successor to Southgate, who led the Three Lions to back-to-back finals of the European Championship, plus a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final in his four major tournaments in charge.
England, though, are still yet to win a major men’s tournament since the 1966 World Cup on home soil.
“We are thrilled to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world,” said FA CEO Mark Bullingham.
“Since Gareth resigned, we have worked through the candidate pool, meeting a number of coaches and evaluating them against that criteria.
“Thomas was very impressive and stood out with his vast expertise and his drive.” Tuchel will inherit a richly talented generation of players, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, that will be among the favourites for the 2026 World Cup.
HOW ENGLAND REACTED TO APPOINTMENT
In response to Tuchel’s appointment, The Sun newspaper printed “it’s coming home” in German on its front page.
Meanwhile, The Daily Mail didn’t beat around the bush, publishing a comment piece that claimed: “This is a dark day for English football. We are the laughing stock of the world game.”
Former England captain Alan Shearer told The Rest Is Football podcast: “We need a trophy, it’s as simple as that. We need a manager who can deliver that.
“There’s no doubt (Tuchel) has an incredible CV, but this is going to be a very different test for him. It’s a bold move from the FA, there’s no doubt about it.
“You have to win the tournament, that’s what he’s been hired for. They (the FA) have seen the bunch of players are the best England have had for a long, long time.”
Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane declared he was looking forward to a reunion with the coach that signed him for Bayern Munich last year.
“I think it’s a really great appointment,” Kane said.
“I worked closely with him last season and think he’s a really top, top coach and also a great person. He’ll bring a lot of energy to the squad and experience.
“You have to win the tournament, that’s what he’s been hired for.
“They (the FA) have seen the bunch of players are the best England have had for a long, long time.
“Tuchel will have looked at this squad and thought there is so much talent in there, this is an unbelievable opportunity of winning the greatest trophy of all.”
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher argued England should hire an English manager.
“England have a brilliant manager, but I think he should be English,” Carragher said.
“My feeling is that the whole point of international football, certainly with the major nations who compete for the tournaments, is that it’s your best versus their best.”
Former England defender Micah Richards claimed: “We don’t have an English candidate strong enough to take that job.”
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister and Arsenal fan Keir Starmer welcomed the former Chelsea manager.
“Best of luck to the new England manager Thomas Tuchel,” Starmer said.
“I won’t hold his old job against him, but I wish him well in the new one”.
HOW WILL ENGLAND PLAY UNDER TUCHEL?
England fans can expect an exciting play style from the new manager but it comes with a word of warning from Sky Sports News senior reporter Rob Dorsett.
Former manager Gareth Southgate was often criticised for playing too conservatively, but a flick of the switch in recent matches under interim boss Lee Carsley did not neccesarily translate to better results.
“Wherever he’s gone, he’s played attacking, positive football. We’ve heard from people in his camp today who told us very clearly that his pitch to the FA was to sell this idea of high-octane football,” Dorsett said.
“He will get a lot of England’s attacking talent onto the pitch. They will play with a high press and with a high energy.
“That’s what he will expect of him and it will be an attractive style that England fans will like to see.
“It’s something Gareth Southgate was accused of not doing for so long but – just a word of caution – that is what Lee Carsley tried the other day against Greece and England came a cropper and looked really open.
“They lost 2-1 but it could have been 4-1 or 5-1 in truth. Gareth Southgate said to me that he was not a fantasy football manager, he is the England manager. He can’t crowbar all the talent in.
“He said that you need to have a system, and Tuchel knows that too as he is a brilliant tactician. England will score and he will keep them secure at the back. The hope is that he can turn it into a winning formula.”
Foord stars despite Chelsea defeat | 00:43
HOW HAS THE NEWS GONE DOWN IN GERMANY?
The news has come as somewhat of a shock in Germany with Sky in Germany’s Kerry Hau saying on Sky Sports News, “you don’t expect a German manager to be the English national team coach”.
But as they have dug deeper, the German press believe Tuchel’s connection with England captain Harry Kane from his time at Bayern Munich is one of the main driver’s of the appointment.
Tuchel played a key role in bringing the former Tottenham striker to Munich last year, and his straight down the line style when it comes to giving players honest feedback is regarded as something many players in the England set up could benefit from.
“I’m convinced the FA know who Thomas Tuchel is and they know him as a person too. It’s not a surprise, and no mystery Tuchel is not the easiest person in football to handle, but he’s honest,” Hau said.
“Every time he says something or gives feedback he’s 100 per cent honest – and that’s very important for some palyers.
“Younger players cannot always deal with it if you say the real things, but that’s the way he communicates.
“It’s something necessary for an English team, there is amazing talent, with amazing players – the line-up against Greece and then the performance was so disappointing.
“For him, it’s also a good step. He wasn’t happy with the way his spell at Bayern ended.
“He was unlucky with the injuries for the club, but you have to take into account he delivered in the Champions League. They beat Arsenal and almost beat Real Madrid to reach the final.”
Hau also expects that Tuchel’s deal with the FA will begin at the start of next year and his long-term future in the role will not be overly secure.
“Tuchel doesn’t sign long-term contracts so this contract will probably be until the World Cup in 2026. After that, they’ll have to assess whether they want to keep going,” Hau said.
“Contracts aren’t that important for Tuchel. His deal at Bayern ran for two years and is still going until 2025. But now he will sign with the FA on January 1 next year.”
Nuno Tavares has went from Arsenal flop to assist king following his loan switch to Lazio in the summer.
Deemed as surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta at the Emirates, the left-back is more than making his mark in Serie A.
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Tavares has enjoyed a stunning start to the season on loan at LazioCredit: Getty
It is the the third consecutive season that the 24-year-old has been shipped out on loan by the Gunners.
Tavares linked up with Arsenal from Benfica in an £8million deal in 2021, where he featured in 28 matches in all competitions in his opening campaign.
He initially wowed fans with his athleticism when deputising for the injured Kieran Tierney, but his performances soon began to drop.
The Portugal Under-21 international notably threw a strop after being hauled off in the first half of Arsenal’s FA Cup third round defeat at Nottingham Forest, where he angrily tossed his gloves on the floor, before blanking Arteta as he walked off the pitch.
Another poor performance in the 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in April led to Tavares again being taken off – this time at half-time.
And in footage from Arsenal’s Amazon ‘All or Nothing’ docuseries, Arteta was filmed screaming in his face in the dressing room at half-time.
With Arsenal chasing a top four spot and drawing 1-1 at the break, the Spaniard unleashed a heated X-rated rant, where he stood directly in front of Tavares, who failed to close down the cross which led to Jarrod Bowen’s equaliser.
Arteta yelled: “Do you want to play in the Champions League? Do you want to play in the f****** Champions League?”
The decision was then made to send the defender on loan to Marseille, with French media claiming Arteta and his staff had been left ‘annoyed with his behaviour’.
It was Tavares who had the last laugh at the time, as he featured in all six of Marseille’s outings in Europe’s premier competition, while Arsenal were forced to play in the Europa League.
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Arteta deemed Tavares as surplus to requirements following one season togetherCredit: Arsenal FC
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The Spaniard once screamed in Tavares’ face away at West HamCredit: Amazon
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Tavares struggled for consistency in the 2021/22 campaign
A loan at Forest followed with the player now at Lazio, where he has finally showcased the talent which saw Arsenal buy him having registered an impressive five league assists.
No other player in Serie A has more assists than the Arsenal loanee so far from the opening seven matches.
Only Gunners winger Bukayo Saka boasts more assists [seven] than Tavares in Europe’s top five leagues this term.
Alan Pardew insists Bukayo Saka’s DOMINANCE will deliver Arsenal the Premier League title over Manchester City
The full-back’s incredible start to the 2024/25 term sees him level with Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Lamine Yamal, Joao Neves and Alex Baena with five assists.
Having been an unused substitutes in Lazio’s opening two Serie A matches, he has since become one of the club’s key players – starting the last five games to help the Stadio Olimpico outfit sit fourth in the table.
Lazio signed Tavares on loan with an obligation to turn his temporary stay into a permanent switch for around £5m-£6m should certain conditions yet.
And if he carries on his form, it will look to be a bargain for Marco Baroni’s side.
Having played for five different teams in as many years, Tavares has hinted he wishes to remain in the Italian capital – insisting he’s happier than ever.
He told O Jogo: “I feel more and more at home at Lazio. Fortunately, things are going well for me personally and collectively.
“I think we have risen to the challenge and can only think about improving. We still have a long way to go but, for now, the balance is very positive.”
Tavares added: “I feel good watching my team-mates. It’s good to have this understanding with them in this short space of time.
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Tavares is only behind Saka in terms of most assists in Europe’s top-five leagues this season
“We can only improve. I’m very happy to be here.”
But despite Lazio’s gain in Tavares, it is not Arsenal’s loss, who have moved past having a flying full-back in the team.
For Tavares, he will be hoping to continue impressing in his quest to earn a Portugal call-up for the November international break as he awaits his first senior cap.
Brennan Johnson has equalled Harry Kane’s near six-year scoring record for Tottenham with his latest goal against Brighton.
The 23-year-old fired in for Spurs on 23 minutes from a Dominic Solanke through-ball moments after they had a goal ruled out for offside.
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Johnson’s low finish gave Spurs the lead at BrightonCredit: AFP
Johnson was in excellent form for the north London side prior to the weekend’s trip down to the south coast, scoring five goals in five.
He has now extended this to six in six appearances in all competitions, matching club legend Kane in the process.
The striker was the last Spurs player to net in successive games in January 2019, doing so across three different competitions.
Of his seven strikes, five of them came in the Premier League, with the other two were netted in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Johnson has scored three in the league and another in the Carabao Cup, and his other two finishes have been in the Europa League.
The former Nottingham Forest man’s first came late on in their 2-1 Carabao Cup away at Coventry City before the second was scored at home against Brentford.
Qarabag were the next opponents to concede to Johnson in the Europa League ahead of his opener for Spurs in their 3-0 win at Manchester United.
Goal number five was scored against Ferencvaros, with Johnson firing on all cylinders in his second season at the club and surpassing his goal tally of five from the previous campaign.
Spurs’ evening got even better in the 37th minute as James Maddison fired the ball through Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen after receiving a pass from Timo Werner.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have responded well to their back-to-back league defeats against Arsenal and Newcastle by scoring 12 goals in six matches.
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Johnson’s goal was his sixth in as many consecutive appearancesCredit: Getty
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Kane was the last player to net in such a timeframe for SpursCredit: Getty
However, Brighton pulled a goal back just moments into the second-half via a Yankuba Minteh finish from inside the area.
The Seagulls then turned the match on its head when Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck scored within eight minutes of each other.
Brighton held on to complete the remarkable comeback to take them to sixth in the Premier League, with Spurs below them in tenth.
Martin Keown has put his Arsenal allegiances aside to back Tottenham legend Harry Kane following scathing criticism from German media.
The England captain has 54 goals in 53 appearances for Bayern Munich but has been hounded over his recent performances, with Bild lambasting his goalless displays against Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa.
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Kane was branded -‘invisible’ and a ‘ghost’ as Bayern Munich lost to Aston Villa in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
Following the 1-0 loss to Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday Bild wrote: “The England star was hardly seen and missed a great header chance to equalise shortly before the end.
“When he returned home [to England], the captain of the English national team remained invisible. Just as he did against Leverkusen. [He] only managed his only shot on goal seconds before the final whistle.”
Despite his strong attachment to north London rivals Arsenal, Gunners legend Keown was quick to defend Kane when discussing his treatment in the German press with Jim White and Troy Deeney.
He said on the White and Jordan show: “I think the German media are having an absolute laugh to be criticising him after what he’s done for Bayern since he’s been there. He isn’t the reason they didn’t win the Bundesliga last year.
“He’s been magnificent. He could’ve got them back into the game against Villa right at the end but Emi Martinez made a great save.
“I find it ridiculous. If he was German he would be lauded and we’d be talking about him for years to come, but in Germany for some reason they want to criticise him. It’s out of order.
“54 goals in 53 games is not someone who is not doing it.”
It has been an unusual time in Germany for Kane – despite netting 36 goals in his debut season it wasn’t enough for Munich, whose streak of 11 successive Bundesliga titles was broken in invincible fashion by Bayer Leverkusen.
That led into a difficult Euros for the England captain, who – despite helping the Three Lions to the final – struggled to link up with his teammates in a way fans had been accustomed to during his iconic career at Spurs.
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Keown is not happy with the German media’s treatment of the England and former Tottenham starCredit: talkSPORT
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Kane has scored goals for fun since moving to Bayern – but it has not saved him from criticism from the local pressCredit: Getty
When asked about his performances over the summer Keown said: “I think it’s a different matter. He wasn’t at his best and maybe in reflection Gareth Southgate could’ve taken him off sooner.
“Maybe not start him in the last game when Ollie Watkins had already shown he was a worthy starter and for some reason Harry couldn’t find the form in that tournament.
“His performances for Bayern Munich have been top draw.”
See the breakdown of how much Harry Kane earns at Bayern Munich by the second!
Simply put, Kane is a goal machine who has continued to fire under former Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, scoring ten in eight appearances in all competitions this season – including four goals against Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
That match saw the 31-year-old overtake Wayne Rooney as the highest English scorer in Champions League history.
In September, Bayern got off to a flying start with 20 goals scored in one week across three games. Eight of those came from Kane.
People were full of praise for Bayern and the forward then, but as we know football narratives change quickly.
Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka inspired Arsenal’s 2-0 success against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday as the Gunners secured their first win in the Champions League this season.
Havertz headed Arsenal into the lead and Saka netted before the interval to underline their superiority at the Emirates Stadium.
After drawing their opening league phase tie at Atalanta, Mikel Arteta’s side moved onto four points in their bid to reach the knockout stage of the revamped tournament.
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Premier League legend Frank Lampard said Arsenal had “taught a bit of a lesson” to PSG, who were weaker and less aggressive both on and off the ball.
Meanwhile, Oliver Holt wrote in the Daily Mail that the win announces Arsenal as one of the favourites to win the competition.
“Arsenal were not at their best but they did not have to be. PSG may not be favourites to win the Champions League but they are counted among the contenders and Arsenal made beating them look relatively routine,” he wrote.
“They deserve to be among the favourites. With City and Real Madrid, they, not PSG, look like a team to fear.”
Man City cruise to victory in Slovakia | 01:03
Eliminated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals last season and pipped to the English title by Manchester City, the Gunners are now unbeaten in nine games in all competitions this term as they chase silverware on both fronts.
There was further good news for Arsenal as Spain midfielder Mikel Merino made his long-awaited debut for the last 30 minutes.
Merino’s recovery from a shoulder injury suffered in his first training session following his close-season move from Real Sociedad was a welcome boost for Arteta with Martin Odegaard currently sidelined.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was back in goal for PSG after missing the last three games with a thigh injury and the Italian had an early test of his fitness as he sprinted off his line to save at Gabriel Martinelli’s feet.
Saka, captaining Arsenal for the night, quickly switched the momentum in the hosts’ favour when he cut in from the right flank to curl just over from the edge of the area.
Havertz rewarded Arsenal’s relentless pressure with the opener in the 20th minute.
Leandro Trossard curled a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box and Havertz made a perfectly-timed run behind the visitors’ flat-footed defence to bravely head past the advancing Donnarumma.
The Germany forward, who scored Chelsea’s Champions League final winner in 2021, endured a difficult start with Arsenal after moving across London for £65 million ($86 million) last year.
But since the start of February, only three Premier League players have more combined goals and assists in all competitions than Havertz’s tally of 21 as he banishes the ‘waste of money’ jibes.
‘4 goals in 1 half!’ Palmer’s EPL RECORD | 00:37
– COMPOSED ARSENAL –
PSG’s cause wasn’t helped by the absence of France winger Ousmane Dembele, who was left out after the 2018 World Cup winner’s reported clash with boss Luis Enrique when he was substituted in their win over Rennes on Friday.
Dembele is PSG’s most potent attacking force following Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid.
Nuno Mendes tried to provide an attacking spark for the spluttering visitors as the defender’s blast from 18 yards smashed off the post and bounced to safety.
But Arsenal were always in control and Saka doubled their advantage in the 35th minute.
Under the guidance of their set-piece guru Nicolas Jover, Arsenal have become lethal from free-kicks and corners, while PSG are notoriously deficient in that area.
So it was little surprise that Arteta’s team were able to capitalise on their dead-ball expertise yet again.
Whipping an in swinging free-kick towards Donnarumma’s goal, the England forward expected a teammate to get a touch on his delivery.
Instead, there was enough swerve on the ball that it eluded a gaggle of players and caught the slow-to-react Donnarumma unsighted as it flashed into the net.
Only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior have been involved in more Champions League goals than Saka since the start of last season.
Trossard shot just wide before halftime as PSG’s creaky defence looked more League One than Ligue 1.
Donnarumma made a fine save to keep out Martinelli’s volley soon after the interval, but PSG were inches away from grabbing a lifeline when Joao Neves’ effort smacked off the bar.
On a rainy evening in north London, Arsenal battened down the hatches in the closing stages as they eased to a significant victory.smg/nf
10-man Spurs start strong in Europa | 00:53
LEWANDOWSKI HITS BRACE AS BARCA CRUSH YOUNG BOYS
Robert Lewandowski struck twice for Barcelona as they demolished Young Boys 5-0 in a one-sided Champions League clash on Tuesday.
The Catalan giants, five-time winners, made amends for their defeat by Monaco in their first match by thumping their Swiss visitors.
Raphinha and Inigo Martinez strikes as well as an own goal helped Hansi Flick’s side secure a sizeable victory and boost their goal difference significantly.
“We knew after the game against Monaco in the Champions League we had to give a quick reply in the next game, which was this one, and we did that well,” Raphinha told Movistar.
“A couple of days ago we lost a game in La Liga too (at Osasuna) and we had to give a quick response, and we did that.
“It’s much easier playing here at home because of the joy (the fans) give us.” Raphinha said with the expanded Champions League format and one table for all the teams, it was useful to build a good goal difference.
“It’s important to score so many goals because at the end of the eight games, it will be handy,” he added.
Barca coach Flick rolled out arguably his strongest available team after the loss at Monaco, despite the Swiss side’s struggles.
Young Boys are in the relegation zone of their domestic league with just one win in eight games and were thrashed at home by Aston Villa on their European debut this season.
It took Barcelona just eight minutes to move ahead, with Lewandowski applying a poacher’s finish to Raphinha’s cross-shot.
Jules Kounde hammered over and Ferran Torres had a shot saved as Barcelona dominated, but Young Boys carved out a first opening after 30 minutes when Ebrima Colley pulled an effort wide.
Raphinha, enjoying a strong start to the campaign, doubled Barcelona’s lead from close range after Pedri’s shot was blocked but the ball ricocheted to his feet.
Centre-back Martinez headed home Barca’s third from Pedri’s free-kick shortly afterwards as the Catalans overran their ragged visitors.
– Barca romp –
Torres wasted a fine chance for the fourth when he fired straight at Young Boys goalkeeper Marvin Keller when well placed to score.
Lewandowski netted his second with a close-range header after Martinez had nodded Lamine Yamal’s corner back across the face of goal as Barcelona began the second half just how they finished the first.
It was the 36-year-old’s ninth goal in 10 games this season as he enjoys a revival under his former Bayern Munich coach Flick.
Young Boys winger Joel Monteiro struck the crossbar but that was as close as the visitors came to joy in Catalonia.
Barcelona fans were pleased to see Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong come on as a substitute for his first appearance since an ankle injury in April as the game petered towards a close.
Mohamed Camara deflected Alejandro Balde’s cross into his own goal for Barcelona’s fifth in the 81st minute.
Home supporters chanted the name of former Barca midfield icon Andres Iniesta, after reports the Spanish 2010 World Cup winner will announce his retirement next week.
Monteiro had a late goal ruled out for off-side and Inaki Pena made a smart save at his near post late on, with Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny watching on from the presidential box.
Barcelona are poised to sign the former Juventus and Arsenal stopper to replace the injured Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND ROUT CELTIC
Karim Adeyemi scored three goals in the first half as Borussia Dortmund handed Celtic a brutal Champions League reality check, winning 7-1 at home on Tuesday.
Celtic came into the match having won eight from eight in Scotland and Europe this season, but were blown off the park in Germany, Dortmund leading 5-1 at halftime.
Dortmund added two goals in the second half to equal their biggest ever win in the Champions League.
