Manchester City return to action in the Premier League this afternoon as they welcome Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth to The Etihad.

The Cityzens booked their place in the last eight of the League Cup on Wednesday night with a 3-1 win against Championship side Swansea City away from home.

That night in Wales provided some players with an opportunity to show that they deserve to start in the Premier League, and Rayan Cherki grasped that chance with both hands.

The key change Pep must make to the Man City starting XI

France international, Cherki, came off the bench against Villarreal and Aston Villa in the last two games after returning from injury, and finally made a return as a starter against Swansea in the League Cup.

Cherki, as shown in the graphic, was incredibly influential in the 3-1 win over the Welsh outfit, with a staggering 119 touches across the 90 minutes, which led to him creating six chances for the team.

The French magician buried a composed finish into the bottom corner for his goal and played a slick pass through for Omar Marmoush to score in the second half.

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Cherki is not the only player who should keep his place in the starting line-up from the win, though, as Pep Guardiola should also unleash Marmoush from the start to make Erling Haaland completely unplayable.

Cherki is not the only Man City star who can make Haaland even better

Haaland has scored 11 goals in nine matches in the Premier League, five more than any other player in the division, so you could argue that he already looks unplayable.

However, the Norway international blanked against Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League, as he only had 0.23 xG worth of chances, with Savinho and Oscar Bobb on the flanks to support him.

Savinho and Bobb, who are goalless in the Premier League this season, did not create any ‘big chances’ between them, which is why Cherki and Marmoush should be unleashed alongside Haaland against the Cherries.

They could provide a tangible threat at the top end of the pitch that the other two forwards have been unable to, which could then create more chances and more space for Haaland because of the attention that they can draw from opposition defenders.

Marmoush, who scored against Swansea, has proven that he can provide a consistent threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals, for Eintracht Frankfurt and since his move to Manchester City in January.

Omar Marmoush (24/25)

Bundesliga

Premier League

Appearances

17

16

xG

8.87

5.49

Goals

15

7

Minutes per goal

97

170

Big chances created

11

8

xA

4.14

2.12

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Egypt international produced 15 goals and ‘big chances’ created in 16 appearances in the Premier League last season, which shows that he hit the ground running in English football.

Marmoush, who was described as a “proper maverick” by analyst Ben Mattinson, also has good memories against today’s opponents, as he won the club’s Goal of the Season award with a sensational long-range strike.

The former Bundesliga star has the quality to be a real difference maker for the Cityzens, as evidenced by his statistics, and Cherki, given his output against Swansea, falls into the same bracket.

Their combined presence at the top end of the pitch against Bournemouth could draw some of the attention away from Haaland, giving him more space to work with, which could make him completely unplayable.

Related Man City closely monitoring Ezri Konsa as Aston Villa may now be forced to sell

Pep Guardiola is looking to bolster his options at the back, having identified Konsa as a target.

Posts ByDominic Lund Oct 31, 2025

The Norwegian star is already the best striker in the Premier League, given his goal return this season, but selecting Cherki and Marmoush could take him to another level entirely.

The New York Yankees have a glaring need at third base, and not too much time to figure out a solution.

MLB's trade deadline is rapidly approaching, looming just three weeks away, and the Yankees find themselves in a bit of a rut. The team limped through the month of June, going 12-14, before getting swept in a four-game series at the start of July.

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. set to return to his more trained position of second base, New York is set to deploy Oswald Peraza at the hot corner. He has an OPS of .487 and an OPS+ of 37. For a team hoping to contend for a World Series, that won't suffice.

Finding the right third baseman within the organization seems unlikely at this point, so a trade feels like the best route to address the position. There could be a few third baseman available on the market, and the Yankees should absolutely be making phone calls in the coming weeks in order to get a deal done.

Here are a few players they could target:

Eugenio Suarez, Arizona Diamondbacks

Eugenio Suarez would be an excellent addition for the Yankees at the trade deadline, though his scorching hot first half of the season will certainly have raised his price tag. The 33-year-old has 28 home runs and 74 RBIs, which rank fourth and second in MLB respectively, and boasts an OPS of .881. While he's not the greatest defensive third baseman, he could further bolster an already strong lineup in the Bronx while addressing their most dire positional need.

Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals

Nolan Arenado may not be the slugger he was during his prime with the Colorado Rockies, but he's still a gifted defensive third baseman who can still flash some pop from time to time. Areando has 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in 81 games for the Cardinals this season. He's touching career lows across his entire slash line, but his .694 OPS is only just below the league average mark of .715. An Arenado trade was discussed during the offseason but never came to fruition. Considering the Yankees' defensive woes, having Arenado's glove in the infield would be a worthy acquisition.

Ke'Bryan Hayes, Pittsburgh Pirates

Ke'Bryan Hayes is one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball. He's also probably the worst offensive one. Hayes is a Gold Glove winner at the hot corner, but for all he provides defensively, he's a complete liability at the plate. After logging a dismal 61 OPS+ across 96 games in 2024, Hayes has followed that up with a 64 OPS+ 84 games into the 2025 season. Would his ability to save runs defensively outweigh his inability to create runs at the plate?

Ryan McMahon, Colorado Rockies

Ryan McMahon is another option the Yankees could look into at third base. The Rockies veteran is a great defender and has put up solid numbers at the plate in his career, though he's certainly benefitted from playing at Coors Field. McMahon has an .813 OPS at home in his career versus a .665 on the road. Still, he's a left-handed hitter who has hit 20 or more home runs in five of the previous six seasons, and he could be a nice addition at the deadline for the Yankees.

Gio Urshela, Athletics

A reunion with Gio Urshela could be a possibility for the Yankees at the trade deadline. Urshela wouldn't be a flashy addition, but he's familiar with the organization having previously played in the Bronx from 2019 to '21. Urshela has played in just 38 games this year and has a .629 OPS, but if New York doesn't want to spend big on a third baseman at the deadline, the 33-year-old could be a less expensive option.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis continue their unbeaten Europa League run, powered by the resurgence of former Manchester United winger Antony. The Brazilian has been in exceptional form, scoring crucial goals and earning his manager’s full trust after their 2-0 win over Lyon. Pellegrini now sees Antony as undroppable, insisting his consistency and impact make rotation impossible as Betis eye the knockout stages.

Antony’s fairytale revival at Real Betis

Betis are quietly turning heads in Europe. Their 2-0 win over Lyon at La Cartuja kept them undefeated in the Europa League, placing them on eight points from four games and within touching distance of qualification. 

If there is one player symbolising Betis’ European charge, it’s Antony. Once a divisive figure at United, the Brazilian winger has found redemption in Seville. In just seven La Liga appearances this season, he has scored four goals and registered one assist, adding vital contributions in the Europa League as well with two goals and an assist in three games.

Pellegrini has been clear: Antony’s current form makes him undroppable.

“He and Abde [Ezzalzouli] are in great form, that’s why we rotate them less,” the Betis boss explained. “The players have no problem playing on Thursdays and Sundays. They're both inspired and scoring goals. I'm happy with the team's performance, because we can change six or seven players and the team stays the same.”

Antony’s recent brace against Mallorca, including a long-range strike and a deft curler into the far corner, showcased the confidence that once defined his early Ajax days. Also, the fact that Antony missed majority of the pre-season training with Betis and yet is able to fit right in and perform at this level, provide more reasons why the Pellegrini considers him a vital component of the starting XI.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBetis march on as Pellegrini’s plan delivers

For head coach Pellegrini, it was more than just another group-stage victory as it reflected the team's tactical balance, squad depth, and the emergence of Antony as Betis’ new attacking heartbeat as he clinched his second consecutive goal.

“We were very solid,” Pellegrini said in a post-match interview. “They had very few chances on our goal and were a team that had won three matches in Europe and hadn't conceded a goal. A very complete match overall.

"As a team we functioned very well, with many recoveries in the first half. We stole four very dangerous balls and rushed our finishing. With the two goals, we returned to our normal rhythm and the second half was calm, dominating the game and trying to find the third goal."

The Chilean manager’s trademark composure and structured approach have given Betis both resilience and rhythm, the kind of qualities that have eluded them in past European campaigns.

Betis thriving under Pellegrini's guidance

Under Pellegrini, Betis have embraced an identity rooted in patience and precision. Their Europa League campaign has featured strong results – a 2–2 draw against Nottingham Forest and a 2-0 win over Lyon – built on controlled possession and disciplined defending, with just two goals conceded in four matches.

Antony thrives in this setup. Operating on the right wing, he stretches defences, presses high, and links play with quick one-twos – the exact traits Pellegrini values. His 13 chances created underline a growing playmaking instinct, while his defensive contributions help maintain shape when Betis are out of possession.

With Betis targeting a top-eight finish to avoid February’s playoff round, Antony’s influence could be the difference between another respectable run and genuine contention. His chemistry with forward like Ceric Bakambu and winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli adds further fluidity to Betis’ evolving attack.

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AFPCan Betis win a trophy this season?

Antony’s loan spell at Betis is fast becoming one of the most successful redemption arcs in recent European football. After struggling to adapt at Old Trafford – where he managed just 12 goals across two Premier League seasons, the Brazilian has rediscovered both confidence and consistency in Spain.

For Betis, it’s a timely resurgence. Pellegrini’s men sit comfortably in the upper half of La Liga and are now among the dark horses in the Europa League. The coach’s trust in Antony has been repaid with end product, work rate, and professionalism – qualities that once came into question in England.

As the season progresses, Antony’s challenge will be sustaining this level, converting flashes of brilliance into long-term reliability and with last season's wound still fresh after defeat in the Conference League final against Chelsea, Pelligrini and Co. will leave no stone unturned into making this season a productive one clinching a few trophies on the way.  

Sussex 210 for 9 (Coles 47, White 3-21) vs Yorkshire Yorkshire enjoyed a productive opening day of their key Rothesay County Championship clash with Sussex at Scarborough, a day lit up by a stunning James Wharton catch in the deep.Sussex, inserted on a green-tinged pitch, were limited to 210 for 9 from 96 overs. James Coles top-scored for them with 47 off 54 balls.New-ball seamer Jack White impressed with 3 for 21 from 17 overs, with the first of his wickets coming courtesy of what was labelled in some quarters as one of the all-time great catches by Wharton running back towards deep square-leg.Yorkshire came into this fixture second-bottom after 10 of 14 matches. They were seven points away from third-bottom and eighth-placed Durham, with Sussex only 21 ahead of the White Rose in fifth.These two counties were promoted from Division Two last summer. Yorkshire beat Sussex here last August. In fact, Sussex have never won a first-class match at North Marine Road. This is their 11th attempt. If Yorkshire’s start is anything to go by, that run may extend.Quite where Wharton’s catch stands on the list of all-time great grabs is difficult to say with certainty. What can be said with certainty, however, is that was a truly outstanding catch. You will struggle to see better at any county venue this season.Tom Haines looked to whip White over the leg-side but skied a chance off a top-edge. Wharton, positioned at a short midwicket, raced back towards deep square-leg and took the catch mid-air having dived full length.That left Sussex at 19 for 1 in the ninth over. From there, Yorkshire took wickets at regular intervals. Sussex reached lunch at 92 for 3 in the 29th over.Australian left-hander Daniel Hughes was the second wicket to fall when bowled by a beauty from White which angled in from around the wicket, straightened and hit the top of off stump with the score on 26.Coles and Tom Alsop steadied the ship, the former actually counter-attacking, including a six over long-on against the offspin of Dom Bess, Yorkshire’s stand-in captain with Jonny Bairstow on paternity leave. Coles fell just before lunch when caught behind against George Hill.A feature of the White Rose bowling performance was how miserly they were. For example, Sussex only scored 57 runs in an afternoon session which saw three more wickets fall – 149 for 6 at the tea break – and then 61 more after tea.White got wicket No. 4 when he had Danial Ibrahim caught at first slip pushing forwards before visiting captain John Simpson feathered behind a drive at Matt Milnes, leaving Sussex at 113 for 5 in the 44th over.Alsop, twice a fifty-maker in last year’s clash, was then the second Sussex batter to fall in the 40s after Coles. The left-hander had exactly 40 when he was bowled through the gate by one angled in from Revis with 129 on the board in the 53rd.More damage was done shortly after tea as Sussex lost three wickets for the addition of run one in eight balls, slipping to 150 for 9.The three wickets fell courtesy of catches at first, second and third slip. Two of them went to Will Sutherland’s seam in the 66th over – Fynn Hudson-Prentice for 23 and Jack Carson for a duck. Henry Crocombe also fell without scoring in the next over to Hill.Sussex were then boosted late on by an impressively watchful 10th-wicket partnership of 60 unbroken between Danny Lamb and Gurinder Sandhu. Both men pulled sixes off seam, Lamb finishing on 40 and Australian Sandhu 24.

It was an unfortunate toss to win, but India will look back at how they faced up to the challenge and question their methods

Sidharth Monga17-Oct-20241:53

Should India be worried about Australia after 46 all out?

If you were to fantasise a scenario in which New Zealand, coming off a 2-0 loss in Sri Lanka, were to challenge India in India – unbeaten for 18 straight series at home – the fantasy would have looked quite close to, if not exactly like, what happened in Bengaluru. It had been raining in the lead-up to the Test, the first day was washed out, overcast skies were expected, and as the final piece in the fantasy, you would expect New Zealand to insert India and run through them.The last bit of it, in fact, changed a little. New Zealand wanted to bat first, but were denied the death wish by India. That’s because of the dry pitch. If anything, India were clearer in what they wanted to do: bat first and play three spinners. New Zealand’s second spinner was Glenn Phillips, and they still wanted to bat first.With that stroke of luck, New Zealand put India through the wringer of good length and consistent seam movement. In the first session, Matt Henry drew an average seam movement of 1.3 degrees, Tim Southee 1 degree and Will O’Rourke 0.8. Himanish Ganjoo, analyst and cricket writer, tweeted it was not just the seam – 0.87 degrees median seam in 30 overs compared to 0.5 degrees in the last three years in India – but also 20% extra bounce compared to the last three years.Related

• 'Relentless' Matt Henry revels in the gloom

• Rohit Sharma 'hurting' after misjudging Bengaluru pitch

• Pant stays off the field after picking up knee injury while keeping

• Stats – India plumb new lows on their way to 46 all out

• India 46 all out as Henry and Conway create New Zealand's dream day

Once both the sides misjudged the conditions and India were the unfortunate ones to win the toss, the New Zealand seam bowlers were just perfect for the conditions. No drive balls, about half the balls on good length, and the extra bounce for O’Rourke.That said, India will look back at how they faced up to the challenge and question their methods. This was not like the 36 all out, the closest such event in recent memory, where the ball actually seamed less that morning and India were bundled out in just 32 false shots. Here India batted almost out of muscle memory and hoped to just hit the bowlers off their length. It took 75 false shots for India to be bowled out, which is not a million miles away from about the 10 it usually takes for a wicket on an average in Test cricket.Yashasvi Jaiswal started off leaving the ball, but drove loosely to just the 12th ball he faced. There was no reason why he should have drove at that ball in particular: it was neither overpitched nor wide. He tried to walk at the bowlers to cut down the movement, but there were 21 false shots in his 63-ball stay, 10 of those drives and aggressive shots. He could just as easily have got out to a shot that looked ugly.Rohit Sharma was not so lucky. He was bowled the first time he tried to hit out. Rishabh Pant enjoyed Jaiswal-like luck, surviving 20 false shots and a dropped catch before nicking to second slip. Sarfaraz Khan, asked to bat higher than he does in domestic cricket, took the attacking option third ball with no luck.KL Rahul was out for a six-ball duck•Getty ImagesWhile it sounds brave and selfless of Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz to bat out of position, India will also question if KL Rahul was not the best man for No. 3 in these conditions. Rahul is one of only two Asian opening batters to have scored a century in all three of Australia, South Africa and England. Rahul’s resolute old-fashioned grinding down of England, in partnership with Rohit, was the reason why India drew 2-2 in England.If India had a week to prepare for the conditions they got in Bengaluru, chances are they would have buckled down similarly. Instead they did what came to most of them instinctively: counterattack. There is logic to that too, as you don’t want to be sitting ducks on a seaming pitch. You can’t dismiss this thought process straight off the bat, but as the control figures and the final score shows, you are leaving a lot to luck if you keep on attacking in these conditions and if the bowlers are not erring in length at all.Traditional wisdom suggests you try to ride out the period of extravagant seam movement and hope that you still have one or two specialist batters left when the seam becomes softer and the sun comes out. Here, India didn’t trust the traditional wisdom, either because things were so different to their expectations that they were too shocked to respond or because they consciously decided not to do so. The ones who did – Kohli and Rahul – were unlucky to get out before they could get in.You can still get out for 46 or 36 doing that, but you can look back and say you tried to give yourselves a chance and then move on and hope for better luck another day. India did just that in Australia after 36 all out. This day, you suspect, won’t be so easy to erase from memory.

He will take over the position from Jon Lewis at a franchise that has struggled since reaching the playoffs in WPL’s inaugural season

Nagraj Gollapudi and Ashish Pant25-Jul-2025UP Warriorz (UPW) have appointed former India allrounder Abhishek Nayar as their head coach for the next edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Nayar’s appointment comes after the franchise parted ways with Jon Lewis, who had been at the helm for the last three seasons.Nayar comes to the set-up with an extensive coaching background. A Mumbai stalwart in first-class cricket, Nayar also played three ODIs for India before his retirement in 2019. Since then, he has transitioned into coaching. He was the lead coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders academy in 2018 and then joined the KKR support staff as assistant coach. Nayar also served as the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) head coach in CPL 2022.While Nayar has never coached a women’s team, he oversaw a week-long off-season camp with UPW in August 2023 in Bengaluru. He has also worked on a one-on-one basis with several international and uncapped Indian players over the years.”I really enjoyed my time working with the UP Warriorz before and I’m thrilled to take on this new role,” Nayar said. “WPL is a fantastic platform for women’s cricket and I’m looking forward to working closely with the management to build a strong team for Season 4. UP Warriorz already have a strong foundation in place, and I believe we can build something truly special. There is incredible potential and I will give it my all to help win their first-ever title this season.”During his stint at KKR, Nayar built a rapport with mentor Gautam Gambhir, and their partnership helped the franchise lift their IPL third title in 2024. When Gambhir was appointed the head coach of the Indian side the same year, Nayar joined it as assistant coach, but his contract was terminated less than a year into the job. He subsequently returned as KKR’s assistant coach for IPL 2025, having been a part of their backroom staff from 2018 to 2024.Related

UP Warriorz and coach Jon Lewis part ways

“Bringing Abhishek Nayar on board as head coach feels like a natural and exciting step forward for UP Warriorz,” Kshemal Waingankar, COO and director of cricket UPW, told ESPNcricinfo. “When someone of Abhishek’s calibre became available, it was a no-brainer. Few in Indian cricket bring the same depth of experience when it comes to shaping players and shaping winning cultures.”In just the past 18 months alone, Abhishek has been part of three championship-winning campaigns, each in a different role, each leaving a lasting impact. We are thrilled to have him lead a Warriorz side that’s united, fearless and hungry to grow. With Abhishek at the helm, we believe this group can do something truly special.”Nayar played a crucial part in unlocking Dinesh Karthik’s potential as a finisher in T20 cricket. At various times, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi have also credited Nayar for their batting resurgence.More recently, KL Rahul also thanked Nayar: “I’ve worked really hard on my white-ball game the last year or so. Big shoutout to Abhishek Nayar. I’ve worked a lot with him ever since he’s come into the Indian team.”UPW haven’t had the best of times at the WPL so far. They made it to the playoffs in the inaugural season in 2023, where they lost to eventual champions Mumbai Indians in the eliminator. Since then, they have finished second to bottom and bottom of the five-team points table, in 2024 and 2025 respectively.UPW have played 25 matches in the WPL across seasons, of which they have lost 15 games and won ten. Deepti Sharma was named their captain for WPL 2025, after Alyssa Healy was ruled out of the tournament due to injury.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos tem a vantagem de 1 a 0 sobre o Palmeiras, conquistada no primeiro confronto da final do Paulistão, e conta com mais “trunfos” para quebrar o jejum de títulos. Desde 2016, o Peixe não conquista uma taça, e a última foi justamente um Campeonato Paulista.

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➡️ Com R$50 no Lance! Betting, você pode faturar R$200 no empate ou R$312 com uma vitória do Santos sobre o Palmeiras

➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

O primeiro deles é o retrospecto vitorioso de Fábio Carille. Dos quatro estaduais de São Paulo que disputou, o treinador conquistou três: ele foi tricampeão seguido pelo Corinthians, em 2017, 2018 e 2019. Nas finais, bateu Ponte Preta, Palmeiras e São Paulo, respectivamente.

Além disso, Carille, técnico do Santos, tem bom histórico diante do Palmeiras. São 12 jogos, oito vitórias, um empate e três derrotas, com 69% de aproveitamento.

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➡️ Palmeiras x Santos: onde assistir, horário e escalações da final do Paulistão

Durante o primeiro jogo da decisão, na Vila Belmiro, o Peixe foi superior ao Verdão e poderia ter conseguido uma vantagem ainda maior para a partida da volta.

PRESSÃO NA ARBITRAGEM?

O Santos acompanhou as repercussões negativas da escalação de Raphael Claus para a final contra o Palmeiras nas redes sociais e emitiu uma nota oficial sobre a situação.

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Em 2023, o lateral Rafinha, do São Paulo, foi expulso de um clássico contra o Verdão e deixou o campo dizendo: “O Claus é palmeirense”. Em 2023, o lateral Rafinha, do São Paulo, foi expulso de um clássico contra o Verdão e deixou o campo dizendo: “O Claus é palmeirense”. O árbitro também já foi elogiado publicamente por Abel Ferreira. Esses dois episódios foram lembrados por santistas na internet.

Durante a fase de grupos do Paulistão, o Peixe teve uma iniciativa semelhante. O clube emitiu uma nota sobre a arbitragem de Edina Alves, que apitaria o clássico contra o São Paulo, antes da bola rolar. Tendo influencia direta ou não, as decisões da profissional em favor do Alvinegro na partida foram muito contestadas por tricolores, e o Santos saiu vitorioso no confronto.

Tudo sobre

Campeonato PaulistaFabio CarillePalmeirasSantos

Tottenham have set a mammoth price tag for star defender Micky van de Ven amid serious interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, according to a new report.

Micky van de Ven continues to shine at Tottenham

Van de Ven has been an outstanding presence for Spurs in the opening months of 2025/2026, quickly establishing himself as a key figure under Thomas Frank.

The young defender has combined defensive solidity with a remarkable goal-scoring touch, already finding the net five times across all competitions – a striking return for a player primarily tasked with keeping things tight at the back.

Van de Ven has also scored twice as many goals as any other Premier League defender so far this term, including Arsenal’s highly-praised set piece weapon Gabriel, with the Dutchman involved in all but one of Tottenham’s seven clean sheets this season too.

The 24-year-old’s combination of pace, power and goal threat has made him an indispensable member of Frank’s starting eleven, and his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch gives Spurs a unique edge.

Van de Ven’s importance to the Lilywhites is nothing new, as he bailed Ange Postecoglou’s high line out time and time again when he was fit and available to take part.

With Cristian Romero out injured and steadily working his way back to match fitness, van de Ven and Kevin Danso have helped to fill the Argentine’s shoes to great effect as Spurs now sit third in the Premier League table.

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

22/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

08/11/2025

Cristian Romero

Groin

01/11/2025

Destiny Udogie

Knee

08/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

08/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

Van de Ven’s brace against Everton, with both goals coming from set plays, sealed a crucial three points for Spurs last Sunday as they became the first away team to claim victory at the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Ever since van de Ven’s arrival in north London over two years ago, the Netherlands international has been linked with a high-profile move elsewhere.

Real Madrid have specifically been mentioned as suitors amid their reported search for new centre-backs, so much so that reports suggest Tottenham are prepared to double van de Ven’s salary to keep him away from the Bernabeu.

Spurs are in no immediate danger of losing the centre-half, considering he’s contracted until 2029, and Frank is convinced that he is happy in N17.

That being said, there is always a danger that Real could turn a player’s head, and if they manage to tempt van de Ven, Spurs are apparently clear in their demands.

Tottenham set 'historic' Micky van de Ven price tag as Real Madrid and Liverpool circle

According to reports from Spain, Tottenham have set an ‘historic’ price tag for van de Ven as Real, Liverpool and even Bayern Munich circle for his signature.

It is believed that Spurs want a minimum £88 million for van de Ven, which is described as an ‘historic’ sum and would make him the most expensive defender in football history — eclipsing the £80 million that Man United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.

Frank’s side are determined to keep hold of him and only a “massive offer” would see him leave, highlighting his growing importance both on and off the pitch.

This valuation could be part of a broader strategy reflecting Tottenham’s ambition and financial muscle, especially following a significant £100 million capital injection by the club’s owners, the Lewis family.

The investment underscores their long-term commitment to strengthening the squad and competing at the highest level, and stopping key stars like van de Ven from leaving will be pivotal as the north Londoners look to kick on from their Europa League triumph in May.

Former Premier League star Kevin Doyle, who represented the likes of Wolves and Reading in his playing days, has been caught on camera appearing to call Dominik Szoboszlai a “Liverpool c***”. Said words were allegedly uttered during the wild celebrations which accompanied the Republic of Ireland’s dramatic World Cup qualifying win over Hungary.

• Luck of the Irish: Parrott hat-trick secures play-off berth

  Ex-Ireland international Doyle was helping to cover that game for RTE Sports. The 42-year-old lost his composure after seeing Troy Parrott complete a historic hat-trick at the Puskas Arena. Said effort was recorded in the 96th minute of an epic encounter that saw Ireland trailing a must-win contest with just 10 minutes remaining.

  One-time Tottenham striker Parrott, who is now plying his trade in the Netherlands for AZ, helped to turn that tie on its head. With the Irish going on to prevail 3-2, they have now booked a World Cup play-off berth – presenting them with a shot at qualification for the 2026 finals.

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• What ex-Ireland star Doyle said during wild celebrations

  Jubilant Doyle was left wheeling around the RTE studio after seeing Parrott land himself a match ball in Budapest. An edited version of his celebration was posted by RTE, but the full scenes were captured off camera – with an uncut video making its way onto social media.

  In that, Doyle appears to bellow in the direction of current Anfield star Szoboszlai: "Suck on that you Liverpool c***!” He then apologises to former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who was also on punditry duty.

  Doyle hung up his boots in 2017 having finished his career in MLS with the Colorado Rapids. He has moved into media work since then, while also stepping up his long-standing interest in horse racing.

  While he was left beaming at the end of Ireland’s stunning victory over Hungary, Szoboszlai – who has been putting his versatility to good use at Premier League champions Liverpool this season – said when asked how much his heart aches after missing out on a World Cup berth: “Very much.”

• Emotional Parrott reacts to historic hat-trick for Ireland

  Ireland hero Parrott – who also bagged a brace when downing Portugal in a game that saw Cristiano Ronaldo sent off – told as emotion spilled out of him on the back of becoming the first man to net a hat-trick away from home for The Boys in Green: “I'm really really emotional right now…sorry. They're tears of joy. What a night. What a night.

  “I'd rather have that pressure on me and whatever happens will happen, rather than put it on somebody else and leave it out of my hands. I can't believe it. I really can't believe it. This is why we love football because things like this can happen.

  “Look, I love where I'm from. So this means the world to me. My family is here…this is the first time I've cried in years as well. It's unbelievable. Everyone's crying. I said against Portugal that this is what dreams are made of but tonight, I don't think I'll ever have a better night in my whole life. It really is a fairytale. You can't even dream about something like that. Honestly, I have no words to describe the emotions right now.

  “Everyone wrote us off at the start of the group. But I couldn't have said it enough, that there's always a chance. And we've taken the chance. Everyone should be proud of the group of players that are over there. To go down twice and come back like that, it's beautiful.”

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  2026 World Cup play-off draw: When is it & who could Ireland face?

  Ireland will now take their place in the play-off draw, which will be held on November 20. The semi-finals are set to start on March 26, 2026, with the finals getting underway five days later. There are 16 teams fighting for just four places at the World Cup finals.

  Having kept themselves in the hunt for tickets, Ireland could be paired with the likes of Wales, Slovakia, Scotland, Czechia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo. They will fear nobody when looking to complete a fairytale run to another major international tournament.

Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Nawaz punished an error-strewn display in the field from the UAE, helping Pakistan recover from a jittery 80 for 5 and seal a 31-run win. Having set UAE 172 to win, Abrar Ahmed, playing his first game this series, helped run through the top and middle order, removing each of Muhammad Waseem, Asif Khan, Rahul Chopra and Harshit Kaushik. UAE would end up folding with limited resistance, and the result guarantees Pakistan and Afghanistan passage through to the final on Sunday, with the hosts eliminated.Pakistan soon ran into trouble after winning the toss and opting to bat. Sahibzada Farhan made a brisk start once more but couldn’t find staying power, holing out to the short onside boundary. It is the fourth game in a row he has been unable to convert a start, and Saim Ayub fell soon after.Related

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UAE dragged Pakistan back post-powerplay, but sloppiness in the field was a harbinger of what was to follow. After Zaman and Nawaz were each put down off an excellent Haider Ali over, Pakistan found their opportunity to cut loose, flaying the UAE for 69 in the final four overs to post 171.The hosts’ response never truly got going, as if they were unsure how to pace the chase. Waseem was circumspect for once, and Alishan Sharafu wasn’t as belligerent at the top as he would be later on during his half-century, and the asking rate only climbed. Abrar was superb through his spell, and ran through the top order, getting rid of each of Waseem, Asif Khan and Rahul Chopra. Sharafu attempted to reignite a flagging chase with a sublime display of power-hitting at the backend, and while it did plenty to burnish his reputation, UAE’s fate in this tournament had already been sealed.Drops lose matchesDespite a vastly improved bowling showing, the first innings was littered with errors in the field for the UAE, who made their bowlers’ jobs much harder than they already were. It all came to a head in the 16th over.Left-arm spinner Haider Ali had conceded just six runs in his first three overs, getting rid of Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz in the process. His final over represented a chance to break the burgeoning sixth-wicket stand between Fakhar and Nawaz, with the possibility of running through the tail afterwards. Having nearly yorked Fakhar first ball, he drew Nawaz into a miscue off the penultimate delivery, only for midwicket to grass it. So he made sure the catch Fakhar offered up the next ball was as easy as it could be, arrowing straight down to long-on. That, too, would somehow be dropped by Sharafu, to howls of anguish from the bowler. That frustration would become even more acute by what followed. The wheels come offBy the end of the 16th over, Pakistan were stuttering at 108 for 5, with the UAE dragging them below seven per over. They had had multiple chances to get rid of the Fakhar-Nawaz pairing, but so far, the damage was manageable. But it was now, the first delivery after those two dropped chances, that the momentum swung on a dime.Fakhar clipped Junaid Siddique for six over long-off, and though he got out of that over, the boundaries soon began to rain down. Fakhar smashed Muhammad Jawadullah for a pair of boundaries to bring up his half-century, but the real carnage came in the final two overs. Nawaz, who had found his innings a struggle until then, lashed Siddique for two fours and two sixes off the final four balls of the 19th, before Fakhar plundered five boundaries on the trot to finish the innings off. The final two overs had gone for 42, and the final five for 74. UAE were never to recover.UAE had no answer to Abrar Ahmed’s wiles•Emirates Cricket Board

Abrar’s career-bestAbrar had lost his place to Sufiyan Muqeem in the starting eleven, but spent that time honing more than just a flashy new haircut. Given his first opportunity, the 26-year-old wasted no time making a statement. In a dazzling display of modern legspin bowling, all of his variations were on display in the shop window, and on a spinning surface, the UAE could not muster a response. A brave over in the powerplay, where he packed the offside and challenged Waseem to beat it, yielded just two, and he snared his man off the first ball of the second sliced wildly towards point.Taken out of the attack, he returned for the 13th over, and his impact was instant once more. He had the courage once again to float one to big hitting Asif Khan, whose eyes lit up as he succumbed to temptation, leathering it high into the Sharjah sky. Shaheen Afridi and Nawaz orbited around it before narrowly avoiding a collision as Afridi held on, and while Rahul Chopra was unfortunate to be adjudged lbw off a googly two balls later, Abrar had earned his luck. He would sign off his spell with the scalp of Kaushik, and ensuring he finished with his best-ever T20 figures, 4-0-9-4 a true reflection of his artistry.