FOOTBALL

Man City Had Barcola Plan if Savinho Left

Savinho (Manchester City)
September 2025

Manchester City rebuffed Tottenham’s £43m bid for Savinho, but reports reveal they had identified PSG winger Bradley Barcola as a backup plan if the Brazilian left. City rated Barcola’s pace and versatility, making him an ideal Guardiola-style wide option. Though PSG resisted losing the 22-year-old, City monitored his situation closely, ready to act had Savinho departed. Ultimately, Savinho stayed put, and Barcola remained in Paris, but the episode highlights City’s forward planning to protect squad depth in key positions.

Lalas Blasts Pochettino for ‘Training Session’ Remark

Alexi Lalas
September 2025

U.S. legend Alexi Lalas hit out at Mauricio Pochettino for framing September friendlies as “training sessions,” saying the coach undermined the honor of representing the national team. Lalas insisted matches still matter deeply to players and fans, regardless of competitive stakes. Speaking on his podcast, Lalas urged Pochettino to “read the room,” stressing respect for supporters. He highlighted America’s traditional strength in the underdog role, pointing to their resilient draw with England at the 2022 World Cup as proof the U.S. can rise against giants.

Mbappé Overtakes Henry in France Scoring Charts

Kylian Mbappé (France/Real Madrid)
September 2025

Kylian Mbappé netted his 52nd goal for France in a World Cup qualifier against Iceland, surpassing Thierry Henry to become the nation’s second-highest scorer. He also assisted Bradley Barcola, moving within five goals of Olivier Giroud’s all-time record of 57. Mbappé’s calm penalty before half-time and creative spark in the second half highlighted his clinical form. With 52 goals in just 87 caps compared to Henry’s 123, his rapid rise suggests it’s only a matter of time before he becomes France’s all-time leading scorer.

Hjulmand Takes Over at Leverkusen After Ten Hag Exit

Kasper Hjulmand
September 2025

Bayer Leverkusen have appointed Kasper Hjulmand as their new head coach after sacking Erik ten Hag just three games into the season. The former Denmark boss has signed a deal until 2027, aiming to restore stability at last year’s Bundesliga runners-up. Ten Hag’s reign ended abruptly after one point from two league games, with Sporting Director Simon Rolfes admitting his hiring was a mistake. Hjulmand, praised for guiding Denmark to the Euro 2021 semi-finals, brings calm leadership and a player-focused approach to reignite Leverkusen’s ambitions.

Onana Clashes With Fan After Cameroon Loss

Andre Onana (Manchester United/Cameroon)
September 2025

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was filmed angrily shoving a fan after Cameroon’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Cape Verde, a game in which he was criticised for failing to close down the scorer Dailon Livramento for the winning goal. Frustration boiled over as Onana, already under fire for frequent errors, clashed with a supporter seeking a selfie, leading to a scuffle and a thrown water bottle. His decline has prompted United to sign Senne Lammens, with Onana expected to join Trabzonspor on loan.

Ronaldo Shirt Breaks Auction Record

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
September 2025

A shirt worn by Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal’s 5-0 win over Armenia has broken the all-time record at MatchWornShirt.com auctions, fetching £61,657 so far and surpassing Lionel Messi’s PSG jersey sale from 2023, with bidding still open. Ronaldo scored twice in the Armenia qualifier, making the shirt a prized collectible. With four days left in the auction, experts expect the final price to climb even higher, further cementing his enduring global appeal and his commercial rivalry with Messi.

Woltemade Praised After Restaurant Visit

Nick Woltemade (Newcastle United)
September 2025

Newcastle’s record £69m signing Nick Woltemade is quickly winning fans off the pitch, with local restaurant Khai Khai calling the German striker a “true gentleman” after he visited their venue following his World Cup qualifying duty with Germany. After returning from international duty, Woltemade dined at Khai Khai, where staff shared their delight and praised his down-to-earth nature. The gesture endeared him to supporters and showcased his commitment to embracing Newcastle’s culture as he begins his Premier League journey.

Staveley Brought to Tears by Fan Tribute

Amanda Staveley
September 2025

Former Newcastle director Amanda Staveley was moved to tears when she heard a heartfelt fan message thanking her for reconnecting the Magpies with their soul. The businesswoman played a pivotal role in bringing Saudi Arabia’s PIF to Tyneside in 2021. Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Staveley listened as a supporter praised her warmth and commitment in making Newcastle feel like a community again. Though she sold her stake last year, her emotional attachment remains strong, with fans crediting her for restoring trust and pride.

Basler Blasts Kimmich’s Midfield Role

Joshua Kimmich
September 2025

Former Germany star Mario Basler slammed Julian Nagelsmann’s reliance on Joshua Kimmich in midfield, arguing his free role destabilises Germany’s balance and unfairly sidelines Leon Goretzka. He even suggested dropping the captain altogether and pairing Goretzka with Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller instead. Despite Kimmich’s strong display against Northern Ireland, Basler claimed his dominance over set-pieces and positioning creates holes, while Goretzka is consistently sacrificed. He insisted Nagelsmann must empower other players like Stiller to avoid overdependence on Kimmich and restore Germany’s midfield cohesion before bigger tests arrive.

Ange Postecoglou named Nottingham Forest manager

Ange Postecoglou
September 2025

Nottingham Forest have appointed former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou as their new manager after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo. The Australian coach signed a two-year deal and will lead Forest into his first game back in the Premier League against Arsenal this weekend. Postecoglou was chosen ahead of candidates like Mauricio Pochettino and Marco Silva following a breakdown between Nuno and owner Evangelos Marinakis. He brings his trusted backroom staff to the City Ground, aiming to stabilize the squad and instill his signature attacking philosophy.