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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is a massive admirer of one Premier League star, and the Lilywhites can see themselves securing a deal for him next year.

Tottenham's rumoured transfer plans for January amid £100m boost

The Lewis family made a statement of intent last week, with Spurs’ ownership pumping £100 million of new capital into the club via ENIC.

On the back of this, it is reported that technical director Johan Lange, CEO Vinai Venkatesham and the new-look Lilywhites boardroom could be gearing up for an active January, and this £100m windfall is just the first of ENIC’s cash injections.

The club’s rumoured transfer plans suggest a focus on bolstering both their attacking options and defensive depth, with several high-profile names linked to a potential move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

One of the standout targets is reportedly a proven goalscorer who can provide the clinical finishing Spurs have often lacked.

Strikers like Dušan Vlahović have been frequently mentioned in the media, with the Serbian’s fairly impressive Serie A goal record — having scored at least 14 goals per season since his breakout campaign in 2020/2021 — making him an attractive option to lead Tottenham’s frontline.

Thomas Frank’s managerial record at Tottenham so far	Stats
Matches	11
Wins	5
Draws	3
Losses	2
Points	18
Points per game	1.91

Doubts currently surround Dominic Solanke’s reliability when it comes to fitness and the long-term future of Richarlison, so a new number nine could well be one to watch.

Meanwhile, defensively, Spurs may look to add depth to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League and compete on four fronts.

The winter window could provide an opportunity to bring in experienced defenders who can cover multiple positions, with their over-reliance on star centre-back duo Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero a real cause for concern.

Ange Postecoglou suffered when either one of the pair were unavailable for large periods last season, and despite bringing in Kevin Danso earlier this year, it is believed that Spurs chiefs are considering another central defender signing in January.

The Lewis family’s fresh backing with new funds provides Spurs with the financial muscle to pursue top targets when the window reopens, and their investments could be seen as crucial steps in Tottenham’s long-term strategy to close the gap on England’s elite.

One of their first orders of business could be the permanent signing of midfielder Joao Palhinha, who’s been a revelation since joining Frank’s side on an initial loan from Bayern Munich in the summer.

Tottenham see themselves triggering Joao Palhinha buy option

The former Fulham star’s imperiousness in the engine room has seriously impressed both on-lookers and Frank, with Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reporting that the noise surrounding Palhinha’s potential indefinite stay is “positive” right now.

The Portugal international’s loan deal includes an option to buy worth up to £26 million, and Tottenham can genuinely see themselves triggering Palhinha’s clause as things stand.

The 30-year-old has been an outstanding addition for Frank, quickly becoming a vital presence in midfield and forming a solid partnership with Rodrigo Bentancur.

His impact was felt almost immediately, with the ex-Sporting CP star’s combative style and energy providing Spurs with the steel and stability they desperately needed.

One of Palhinha’s standout performances came away to Man City, where he showcased his ability to break up play and disrupt one of the league’s most potent attacks. He got on the scoresheet too, as Spurs secured an impressive three points at Eastlands.

Palhinha’s remarkable overhead kick against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup was also a highlight-reel moment, but perhaps his most memorable contribution thus far was the dramatic last-minute equaliser against Wolves.

His sensational side-footed finish into the bottom corner earned Frank’s men a vital 1-1 draw and kept their early-season momentum alive, with Spurs fans already hoping to see him stay beyond 25/26.

كشفت تقارير صحفية بريطانية عن موقف لاعبي ليفربول من تصريحات محمد صلاح النارية ضد النادي والمدرب آرني سلوت خلال الساعات الماضية.

ووفقاً لصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية فإن آرني سلوت أصبح يحظى بدعم أكبر من لاعبي ليفربول بعد تصريحات صلاح النارية، والتي كانت تهدف لزيادة الضغط على المدرب الهولندي.

ولا يزال سلوت يحظى بتقدير كبير من إدارة ليفربول كمدرب تكتيكي رغم المشاكل التي واجهها الفريق هذا الموسم.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ميرسون: محمد صلاح أسطورة.. وليفربول لم يكن ليفوز بأي لقب بدونه

وأظهرت مباراة إنتر ميلان وخطة مدرب ليفربول آرني سلوت أنه مازال قادرا على استخراج أفضل ما لدى اللاعبين، حيث حقق الريدز الفوز بهدف نظيف.

وعلى الرغم من ذلك فإن هناك شكوكا من البعض في مهارة آرني سلوت في إدارة اللاعبين، وبرزت هذه المخاوف أكثر من أي وقت مضى بعد تصريحات صلاح.

ولا يزال آرني سلوت يحظى بدعم إدارة ليفربول بما في ذلك الرئيس التنفيذي لمجموعة فينواي الرياضية مايكل إدواردز والمدير الرياضي ريتشارد هيوز.

There is a feeling that Manchester United’s recruitment has turned a corner this season, even with Ruben Amorim’s side still languishing in mid-table in the Premier League.

Bryan Mbeumo, for instance, has already scored six times for the club, while Senne Lammens has tasted defeat just once in his first six games in the sticks.

More is expected of both Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko – who have scored only three goals between them – yet there have certainly been reasons for encouragement, not least the Brazilian’s stellar showing away at Anfield.

That almost £250m quartet have made an impact, no doubt about it, with the INEOS regime looking to have learned from the mistakes of the previous summer – and those that came before them.

Sancho vs Antony: Who was the worst signing?

The beauty of Mbeumo is that the former Brentford man – signed for around £71m – has hit the ground running. He is delivering what supporters would have hoped for, and more.

That certainly hasn’t been the case for United forwards of the recent past, with far too many expensive gambles having backfired, not least in the case of Jadon Sancho and Antony.

Starting with Sancho, the £73m man was courted for over a year before arriving in the summer of 2021 for what looked like a knockdown price at the time, having chalked up 107 goals and assists in 137 appearances during his first spell at Borussia Dortmund.

Hampered by an ear infection, the Englishman never really got going right from the off, in truth, overshadowed too by the subsequent capture of Cristiano Ronaldo.

After such a drawn-out saga, there was a muted excitement when Sancho did arrive, while he subsequently produced mere moments of quality, including the opener in Erik ten Hag’s first win against Liverpool.

The 25-year-old – now on loan at Aston Villa – has been truly forgettable, while Antony’s 2022 signing remains regrettable, with United forking out £86m on a player who was valued at around £25m just a year or so earlier.

A Ten Hag favourite at Ajax, the mercurial Brazilian did score in his first three league games, but that was about as good as it got in Manchester for the much-maligned left-footer.

Two statement goals did follow that season against Real Betis and Barcelona in the Europa League, albeit with that only heightening the belief that he is more suited to a league like LaLiga, where he is currently thriving.

He did at least have those moments, alongside his FA Cup strike against Liverpool, perhaps giving him the edge in the wooden spoon battle with Sancho – not least with expectations having been quite so high for the ex-England international.

Cost

£86m

£73m

Games

96

83

Goals

12

12

Assists

5

6

PL Games

62

58

PL Goals

5

9

PL Assists

3

6

Miserable marquee moves have, of course, followed since, but INEOS might well have made the worst of them.

Man Utd's biggest waste since Antony and Sancho

£70m might have been spent on Casemiro in that same summer as Antony’s arrival, but for all his flaws, the ageing midfielder is still an important figure for Amorim.

Rasmus Hojlund, at £72m, is another questionable, costly deal of recent times, although the Dane did at least finish his first season as the club’s top scorer in all competitions.

Looking back to last summer, too, the investment in Matthijs de Ligt is beginning to bear fruit, while, despite a shaky showing against Everton, Leny Yoro still looks destined to be a star of the future.

The same, unfortunately, cannot be said of another high-profile capture from that INEOS-led window, in the form of £50m man, Manuel Ugarte.

Now, the merits of selling Scott McTominay can continue to be debated, although the real issue is that having sold the Scotland star for £26m, the club then spent almost double on what only looks to be a downgrade in the midfield ranks.

Indeed, while McTominay has gone to secure Ballon d’Or nods and Scudetto triumphs, Ugarte has remained a polarising presence at Old Trafford, having struggled right from the off following his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.

Neglected by Ten Hag, the reunion with Amorim initially looked set to be a fruitful one for the Uruguayan, having memorably put in a standout showing at Anfield in January.

Just four months later, however, the 24-year-old was merely an unused substitute in the Europa League final, having reportedly been given a dressing down by Amorim at Carrington in the wake of that defeat.

Like Donny van de Beek before him, even linking up with a former manager hasn’t helped to spark his United career into life, with Ugarte again notably overlooked during Monday’s defeat to Everton.

In the words of his manager, the £120k-per-week flop is “struggling” right now, with his woes on the ball particularly evident.

Among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues this season, he ranks in just the bottom 15% for progressive passes and the bottom 20% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

The £50m man – who has two goals and six assists in 55 games for the club to date – has only actually started two league games this season, with Amorim favouring the experience of Casemiro ahead of him in that midfield two.

Entering what is a pivotal second season for Ugarte, he is showing no signs of being a player for the long term at Old Trafford, with midfield improvements drastically needed in 2026.

To have forked out such a substantial fee for a truly limited player – one described as “embarrassing” earlier this season by journalist Alex Turk – reflects poorly on the INEOS regime, with the ‘struggling’ asset already heading the way of Antony and Sancho as a notable transfer misfire.

Not Lammens: Man Utd flop is becoming their biggest liability since Onana

Manchester United have a player who has massively failed to deliver at Old Trafford since his transfer.

1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2025

Torpedo bats are just the beginning when it comes to the changes we'll see coming to bats in Major League Baseball.

Keenan Long of LongBall Labs joined on Thursday to discuss the new bats and what is next in the search for technology impacting offense in MLB. He first addressed one big fallacy related to bats, then went on to explain a number of issues related to torpedo bats and what the future looks like.

Ron Darling asked if there was a future where hitters change bats depending on the pitcher, and Long quickly affirmed that.

"Yes, absolutely, Jed Lowrie was one of our first clients and was doing that during his playing days," Long said. "He had a lineup of bats he was going to use for the pitchers he was going to face… So that's happening. It's happening right now."

The torpedo shape may not be the last adjustment we see to bat technology. Things are changing rapidly.

Replacing Kevin De Bruyne was always going to be hard for Manchester City. The Belgian midfielder is one of the all-time greats in Premier League history, and whilst they had Phil Foden to pick up the mantle, it was a burden which they wanted to spread out.

How on earth did they even begin their search to replace a man with 108 goals and 177 assists in 422 games for the club? De Bruyne amassed those numbers on the way to six Premier League titles and one Champions League, part of that famous treble in 2022/23.

Well, one target over the summer was Florian Wirtz.

How close Man City came to signing Wirtz

It would have been an expensive deal to do, but the Cityzens were truly interested in signing Germany international Wirtz over the summer. The 22-year-old was just coming off the back of another excellent season for Bayer Leverkusen.

In total, he made just shy of 200 appearances for the club. Wirtz racked up 197 games for the Bundesliga outfit, scoring 57 goals and assisting 65 in that time.

That was enough to pique City’s interest, with reports suggesting back in April that he was being earmarked, alongside Morgan Gibbs-White, as a possible successor to De Bruyne.

Just a month later after that initial report broke, BBC Sport said that City stepped away from any potential move for the young attacking midfielder. The reason was said to be ‘the soaring costs of any deal’, which we know now were astronomical.

The German attacking midfielder joined Liverpool instead, and cost the 2024/25 Premier League champions £116m. He’s failed to live up to that price tag so far, with just three assists and no goals in 15 games.

The man City ended up signing has been far better than Wirtz this season.

The Man City star who's looking better than Wirtz

We will never know how Wirtz would have started life in the Premier League if he had moved to East Manchester rather than the Red half of Merseyside. Yet, he has certainly been underwhelming for Arne Slot’s side.

At this stage, it seems like City got the better end of the deal with Rayan Cherki. The Frenchman joined the club from Olympique Lyon, costing just £30m. It has been an excellent start to his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Injuries have unfortunately hampered Cherki this season, but when he has been available, the attacking midfielder has shone. In just eight games for the club, he’s already scored and assisted six times, averaging a goal involvement every 44 minutes.

It’s hard to pinpoint his best contribution so far because of how well he has started under Pep Guardiola. However, his goal on debut away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, which included a sharp one-two, dazzling skill and a tidy finish, was a real standout moment.

Just by seeing a goal with that quality, it is easy to see why BBC Sport analyst Umir Irfan thinks so highly of him. He described Cherki as a “genius footballer,” and with the skill he showed for that strike and in the buildup to it, the evidence is clear to see.

Indeed, Liverpool fans might have expected Wirtz to have a quick start like Cherki did for City. However, the Frenchman ranks ahead of him for several key metrics, including more chances created, with 2.8 compared to 2.4 per 90 minutes.

Goals and assists

1.8

0

Chances created

2.8

2.4

Opposition half passes completed

38.7

27.3

Fould won

1.2

0.6

Duels won

5.6

3.6

For not far off £80m less than Wirtz’s fee, it is easy to see how City fans might feel they got the best deal. Cherki is a magician with the ball at his feet, a creative force in the final third and a goal threat.

That is probably what Liverpool fans expected of Wirtz, but the German has not hit those heights yet. Citizens supporters must be delighted they got this end of the deal.

Better than Cherki: 8/10 Man City star is now as undroppable as Haaland

Manchester City confidently got the better of a tough AFC Bournemouth outfit on Sunday in a 3-1 win.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 2, 2025

Leeds United are interested in completing the signing of an international ace, with the individual in question potentially replacing goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Farke rues Leeds missed chances in defeat

The Whites were beaten 2-1 at home to Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime, giving a solid account of themselves but ultimately leaving with nothing.

While Leeds manager Daniel Farke saw plenty that he admired in defeat, he also rued the missed opportunities that came his side’s way at Elland Road.

“So, first, the overriding feeling is we are disappointed because we are playing for results. You want to win points. This is why we play football and for that we are disappointed. Apart from this, I have to say just many compliments to the lads for this performance because after this game I would normally be disappointed even with the draw, not even to speak about a loss. We were the better side today.

“We were the better side in all aspects. We had more possession, we had more passes, we had more expected goals, we had more shots, we had more shots on target, we had more big chances created, we had more big chances missed and we had more corners. Football is decided by goals. We missed too many of the good chances today in the first half and the second half. At this level, each of the little mistakes is punished.”

Away from the on-pitch action, Leeds have now been linked with a move for a new signing when the January transfer window arrives.

Leeds want to sign international goalkeeper

According to journalist Christian Martin [via Sport Witness], Leeds want to sign Ecuador goalkeeper Gonzalo Valle in 2026, with the 29-year-old currently plying his trade at L.D.U. Quito in his homeland.

He is valued at £2.2m by his club side, with his possible suitors willing to spend that much on him, and the Whites could sell £30,000-a-week Meslier in order to make room for him.The Frenchman was in the squad for the defeat to Spurs but is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning a January exit could be on the cards.

Not a huge amount may be known about Valle, considering he isn’t playing in Europe at the moment, but he has international pedigree, which immediately catches the eye.

He has won two caps for Ecuador, appearing for his country earlier this year, so he will be hoping to feature at next summer’s World Cup, and moving to a Premier League club midway through this season could aid his chances of doing that.

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Leeds were defeated 2-1 at home to Spurs on Saturday

ByJoe Nuttall Oct 5, 2025

At 29, Valle is now a hugely experienced figure who would add much-needed depth for Leeds between the sticks, with Meslier showing too often that he isn’t at the level required to be a genuine option for Farke now, proving to be an error-strewn figure.

Should Valle arrive, he would then battle Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow for a spot in Farke’s matchday squads.

Carlo Ancelotti’s time at Everton will always live long in the memory of Toffees fans. The legendary Italian boss was only at Goodison Park for one and a half seasons, but he got his side purring, playing some exceptional football.

In total, Ancelotti took charge of 67 games as Everton boss. He had a positive win rate, too, and was victorious in 31 of those matches, losing 22. His record in Merseyside derbies was excellent, losing once in four clashes, and securing three points at Anfield in his final derby in charge of the club.

Ancelotti also made some important signings during his time as Everton boss.

Ancelotti’s most important Everton signings

There was one signing in particular that Ancelotti made, which turned out to be a very important addition for the Toffees, that of Abdoulaye Doucoure. The Mali international played 34 games under the Italian coach, chipping in with six goals and assists.

It was his contribution after Ancelotti had left the club that was particularly vital for the Toffees. In total, he played 166 games and bagged 21 goals, but the most important strike came on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign.

His goal against Bournemouth ensured Everton avoided relegation. A crucial signing made by Ancelotti.

No doubt the biggest name Everton’s former boss signed during his stint at Goodison Park was James Rodriguez. The iconic Colombian attacking midfielder only spent a single season on Merseyside, but certainly left a huge impact.

He played 26 games under Ancelotti for the club, and started the Premier League season on fire. Rodriguez scored and assisted six goals in his first five games, ending the campaign with six goals and nine assists across all competitions. It was certainly a good deal, given he was signed on a free transfer.

Rodriguez was not the only bargain signing that Ancelotti made at Everton. Another player whom the Toffees signed for an excellent price is a key player at the club today.

The Ancelotti bargain in Everton’s first team

Years on from Ancelotti’s spell at Everton, almost all of the players he signed have now left the Toffees.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Rodriguez now plies his trade in Mexico for Leon, and Doucoure left in the summer to join Saudi side NEOM SC.

The only player that Ancelotti signed who still plies his trade at Everton is actually one of the most exciting young talents in England. Centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite joined the club in January 2020, signing from Carlisle United for just £1m.

The centre-back, who was born in Carlisle and represented them at first-team level, only played five times under Ancelotti, initially playing in the Toffees academy. Yet, they have the Italian to thank for bringing the defender to the club, given how good he’s become.

In total, the left-footed defender has played 86 games for the club now, impressing enough to make his England debut at the end of last season. He’s even chipped in with four goals, including a strike against Liverpool.

The 23-year-old is yet to make an appearance this season due to injuries.

Yet, his numbers from last term show just how much of a talent he is. For example, he won an average of 4.3 duels and made 6.8 clearances per 90 minutes.

Long balls completed

3.1

85

Forward passes

18.6

518

Duels won

4.3

118

Clearances

6.8

188

Ball recoveries

3.4

93

With all that in mind, it might not be a surprise to learn that the “colossal” defender, as Statman Dave called him, has shot up in value. According to Transfermarkt, he is now worth £43.5m, a testament to his quality and future potential.

He has seen an enormous rise in his value of 4200%, which represents excellent business from Everton under Ancelotti, all those years ago. It also means that, if the Toffees are ever to sell Branthwaite, they are surely in line for a huge windfall.

It certainly seems like, for a fee of just £1m, Branthwaite’s signing has been one of the best pieces of business done by Everton in recent years.

Moyes can ditch Barry & Beto to unleash "special" Everton star in new role

Everton may be able to solve their issues in front of goal with this player

ByJoe Nuttall Oct 10, 2025

West Ham chiefs are apparently convinced that one Man United player is the ideal signing for new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, coming amid reports that David Sullivan and the hierarchy are set to back him in January.

West Ham make January recruitment plans after Nuno arrival

The Portuguese oversaw his second Premier League game in charge of the East Londoners last Saturday, culminating in a 2-0 defeat away to title-chasing Arsenal.

Goals from ex-West Ham captain Declan Rice, who was the best player on the pitch, and Bukayo Saka handed Nuno his first loss since taking over from Graham Potter over a fortnight ago.

Rice’s man of the match performance was only overshadowed by Saka reaching impressive milestones, with the England international marking his 200th Premier League appearance by reaching a century of goal involvements for the Gunners.

The 90 minutes went exactly how on-lookers would expect, as Arsenal enjoyed a whopping 68 per cent possession and dominated the overall play.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Despite West Ham winning two of their previous two league games at the Emirates, it was always going to be a very tough ask for Nuno to secure his first win there, but the tactician will already be getting a good idea of the areas that West Ham need to improve in.

As Nuno attempts to galvanise his new side, away from the pitch, it is believed that West Ham want to sign a new attacking player in January to inject some needed creativity in the forward areas.

AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini and Galatasaray forward Baris Yilmaz have all been mentioned as potential West Ham targets for the winter window, and they’ve also got a keen interest in £105,000-per-week Man United striker Joshua Zirkzee.

West Ham think Joshua Zirkzee is perfect for Nuno

According to reports in Spain, West Ham believe that Zirkzee would “fit perfectly” into Nuno’s system, with the London Stadium now seen as a realistic destination for the Dutchman who’s had admirers at the club “for months”.

Zirkzee is yet to get off the mark for Ruben Amorim’s side after being in and out of the Portuguese’s starting elevens so far, playing just 74 top flight minutes so far, and West Ham could offer him an escape route from Old Trafford.

Since joining from Bologna, the 24-year-old has racked up 10 goal contributions (seven goals, three assists) in just over half a century of appearances for the Red Devils, but the arrivals of summer signings Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha now threaten his place long-term.

By contrast, Nuno could seriously use an alternative to injury-prone striking duo Callum Wilson and Niclas Füllkrug, with Zirkzee’s previous Serie A exploits highlighting how he would really upgrade West Ham’s options.

This is echoed by United legend Lee Sharpe, who backed Zirkzee to become a “superstar” this season.

Kylian Mbappe’s stunning solo goal helped France ease to a comfortable 3-0 victory and take another giant step towards qualifying for next years’ World Cup with victory over Azerbaijan in Paris. Adrien Rabiot and Florian Thavin were also on target, but there were worrying scenes towards the end as talisman Mbappe signalled to come off with what looked like an ankle injury.

France were far from their best against lowly opposition and came into the match with a mountain of injuries, but boss Deschamps made six changes to the starting XI that faced Iceland, including Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike, who made his first international start. Mbappe, who is in scintillating form for club and country, should have opened the scoring with just 17 seconds on the clock, but fired over from the edge of the box and there were two further chances squandered in the opening minutes by Malo Gusto and Dayot Upamecano. The visitors rode their luck in the opening stages and just as France began to look frustrated the deadlock was finally broken in time added on at the end of the first half, courtesy of a thrilling goal from Mbappe. The Real Madrid striker slalomed through the visitors’ defence and Ekitike got a touch before the ball was thrashed home into the corner of the goal. And it was Mbappe who set-up the second, his cross was met by Adrien Rabiot who nodded home from seven yards out. Thauvin added to the scoring, just seconds after coming on as France maintained their 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying.

GOAL rates FRANCE players from Parc des Princes…

Goalkeeper & Defence

Mike Maignan (6/10):

Rarely called into action, was virtually a passenger for large swathes of the match. Probably could've left his his gloves back in the changing room. 

Theo Hernandez (7/10):

A useful performance, but was rarely tested in defence, played with France's very high line, supplied the assist for Thauvin's goal. 

Dayot Upamenco (7/10):

Came so very close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute, but failed to connect with a header at the back post. Calm and composed throughout, in the face of very little threat from the visitors. 

William Saliba (6/10):

A very quiet evening and had little to combat from the Azerbaijan attack. Arsenal fans will be glad he completed the match without any injury worry. 

Malo Gusto (6/10): 

Nearly bagged his first international goal in the 10th minute and would have been disappointed to see the keeper beat away his shot from just 10 yards out. 

AdvertisementAFPMidfield

Adrien Rabiot (8/10):

Almost wrote all the headlines with an audacious reverse flick which floated wide. But was on hand to confirm the win, heading home from Mbappe's cross from seven yards out. Was subbed off just a few seconds later.

Khephren Thuram (7/10):

Will be pleased with his debut performance and almost bagged a delightful strike from just outside the box in the 67th minute. Showed some neat touches and will be happy with his performance. 

Michael Olise (7/10):

Has been in thrilling form for Bayern Munich so far this season and was a constant threat in the heart of France's midfield, always looking to drive forward or find a killer pass. Wasted a golden opportunity in the 38th minute, delayed his shot which allowed the defender to smother. Subbed in the 70th minute.

AFPAttack

Kingsley Coman (7/10):

A non-stop performance down France's left wing, with his usual step-overs, tricks and flicks. Cut a frustrated figure at times as his hard work failed to produce the killer final product. Hooked in the 70 minute. 

Kylian Mbappe (8/10): 

France's talisman really should have scored after just 17 seconds, but fired over from the edge of the box. But scored a world class solo goal, skipping past defenders and firing low into the corner of the net. Sent in cross for Rabiot's goal in the second half, but worrying sight as he asked to be subbed off in the 81st minute with what looked like an injured ankle. 

Hugo Ekitike (6/10):

Was strangely subdued in the first half, but very nearly scored following a wonderful piece of individual skill, but fired low at the keeper just before the break. And he hit the base of the post with a powerful low drive just after the re-start. Subbed in the 79th minute. 

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AFPSubs & Manager

Maghnes Akliouche (6/10):

Thrilling piece of skill almost set up a goal just seconds after coming on. Showed glimpses of real class, but not on the pitch long enough to make major impact. 

Florian Thauvin (8/10):

Replaced Mbappe in the 81st minute, and scored two minutes later, courtesy of a delightful touch and finish and edge of six-yard box. What a comeback!

Christopher Nkunku (7/10):

A few neat touches, but had very little to do after coming on

Jean-Philippe Mateta (6/10):

Made his France debut, coming on in the 79th minute at the ripe old of 28! Had half a chance to score a dream goal on debut, but his shot was blocked. 

Eduardo Camavinga (6/10): 

Replaced Rabiot in the 70th minute, but had too few involvements to make a decisive impact on the game. 

Didier Deschamps (6/10):

Would have been concerned as the first-half progressed, but will be pleased his much-depleted side stayed calm and eventually took their chances. 

Pep Guardiola was not impressed by suggestions that his Manchester City side were pegged back late on at Monaco in the Champions League due to the replacement of Rodri with Nico Gonzalez in midfield. The City boss defended the contribution Gonzalez made off the bench after coming on in the 61st minute, while he conceded that Ballon d'Or winner Rodri is not yet fit enough to play 90 minutes multiple times a week and "needs protecting" from recurring injury issues.

Rodri replaced as Man City drop points at Monaco

City led twice away at the Ligue 1 giants but were forced to settle for a point after Eric Dier equalised from the spot in the 90th minute. Gonzalez conceded the penalty for a high boot which caught the former Tottenham Hotspur man in the face, in what was certainly a moment of poor judgement by the midfielder.

Guardiola was quick to justify his decision to substitute Rodri, though, stating that the 29-year-old was not fit enough to see out the game and must be eased back into the demanding schedule required across multiple competitions for the Cityzens.

AdvertisementAFPGuardiola defends Gonzalez but makes concerning Rodri claim

Guardiola said: “Are you suggesting that they scored because Nico Gonzalez was on the pitch and not Rodri? How can you prove that?”

When asked if City can replace Rodri with just one man, Guardiola added: “We cannot play with 12. No, we cannot play with 12. I know Rodri is irreplaceable in many things. But Rodri could not play three days before because his knee was in a bad, bad condition. So, that’s why.

“So, in that moment, Nico Gonzalez, in the 30 minutes he played, was the player who recovered most balls in the transition of attack to defence. We conceded less transitions than with Rodri, who conceded more in the first half when he was playing.

“That is the reason why. I would love to tell you that ‘yes, because Rodri is not on the pitch, we concede the goal’. But I cannot prove that. Because if I had felt it, Rodri would have been on the pitch. But Rodri cannot play in certain moments, cannot play 90 minutes in many, many games. And Nico played really well against Burnley. Really, really good. He’s learning, he’s improving, and we need him.

“Because Kova [Mateo Kovacic] is not ready, and Rodri cannot sustain yet the rhythm for games, 90 minutes. He made an incredible effort in the week against United, Napoli and especially Arsenal in that way.

“I try to protect my players. Because look at what happened to Carvajal at [Real] Madrid, look what happens to players with many injuries, he’s injured again and again. So, sometimes I want the best players there, being fit, but they are still not. That’s why I have to protect the players.”

Rodri eased back in by Guardiola after extended injury lay-off

Rodri suffered an ACL injury against Arsenal over a year ago now, not making his return to first-team action until May. He has only made five starts in all competitions for his club since returning from the injury and has seen multiple minor setbacks since, including a knock picked up during the Club World Cup. His performances have yet to return to his imperious best, which is more than understandable.

Getting Rodri back to full fitness will be a priority for City in the coming months. But, as stressed by Guardiola, the midfielder must be protected, or else further injury problems may occur. In the meantime, the likes of Gonzalez must step up – as that is precisely what he is in the squad to do.

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Getty Images SportThe pressure is on as Man City look to return to their best

The games will continue to come thick and fast for Man City, who face five matches in October across three different competitions. Their next Champions League trip to Villarreal is looking all the more important following their draw in Monaco.

Guardiola has never gone two consecutive seasons in his managerial career without winning a league title, never mind without winning a major trophy. The Sky Blues may still be recovering from their limited pre-season following their Club World Cup exploits, a problem which is currently being felt to the extreme by its winners, Chelsea.