'Jack Grealish, where are you?!' – Erling Haaland reveals sadness at £100m team-mate's Man City exile as Pep Guardiola's squad head to FIFA Club World Cup

Erling Haaland has aired his sadness at seeing a close friend exiled, asking "Jack Grealish where are you?" as Manchester City head to America.

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  • Premier League giants heading to the States
  • Ready to chase down a global crown in America
  • England international left out of travelling squad
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Premier League giants are preparing to get their FIFA Club World Cup campaign underway. Pep Guardiola’s side will have a few days acclimatising to conditions in the United States before facing Wydad AC on Wednesday.

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    Norwegian frontman Haaland, on the back of a 2024-25 campaign that delivered another 31 goals, is set to figure prominently for City as they attempt to make history by becoming the first team to win the expanded 32-team Club World Cup crown.

    Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream now

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    While Haaland has an important role to play in Guardiola’s plans, England international Grealish has been left at home. The 29-year-old playmaker was omitted from the City squad that has more major silverware in its sights.

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    Haaland is disappointed not to have a regular travelling companion by his side, with the 24-year-old posting a sad picture of the empty seats next to him on the plane as City jetted across the Atlantic.

Klopp was brewing a bigger star than Trent but he left Liverpool for £0

Liverpool have procuded some excellent players from their academy over the years, that are now finding making their way in the first team.

One of those, Curtis Jones, has become a key player under Arne Slot this term, and started the first game of Thomas Tuchel’s reign as England manager.

There are also a few notable academy graduates in defence who have had a part to play in the first team at Anfield; they include effervescent right-back Conor Bradley and centre-back Jarell Quansah.

However, the most notable academy graduate in the first-team is Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sadly, he could be set to depart the club at the end of the season.

Why Trent has decided to leave Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold has done it all in a Liverpool shirt. In 349 games for his boyhood club, he’s scored 22 goals and grabbed 87 assists, helping his side to their first-ever Premier League title and the Champions League in 2018/19.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

He has been one of the most creative players in Premier League history, notably reaching double figures for assists across three separate top-flight campaigns, registering 12 in 2018/19, 13 in 2019/20 and another dozen in 2021/22.

Yet, he might not add many more things to the incredible legacy he has built at Anfield. The 26-year-old is on the verge of signing for Real Madrid, according to highly reputable journalist David Ornstein.

In a recent report, he explained that Los Blancos are ‘working to close’ the signing of the England international, which will not cost them a transfer fee given his contract will expire at the end of the season.

This would be a seismic loss for Liverpool, who would need to find a way to replace one of their most important attacking outlets. Ornstein reports that Madrid have been tracking the right-back for two years and have been trying since January to convince him to join the club.

Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldapplauds fans after the match

So, why is he departing? Well, it’s certainly not for the money. The Liverpudlian currently earns £180k-per-week in Merseyside and according to talkSPORT, he’s set to earn £220k-per-week at the Santiago Bernabeu, only a small raise.

It could also be in an attempt to boost his own profile. Last year the right-back admitted he wanted to win the Ballon d’Or, and Madrid could give him the platform to do just that considering they are serial Champions League winners. Europe’s elite competition is often seen as the catalyst for the game’s top players to be crowned the best player in the world.

But, where did it all begin? Well, in the youth ranks at Liverpool, of course. It was during the infancy of his career that he ran into some of the finest to come through the youth system, although some, as is the case in this scenario, don’t make the grade at Anfield.

Liverpool academy star was ahead of Trent

Liverpool’s academy has always been a rich source of quality players, no more so than when Alexander-Arnold came through the ranks.

Making his Liverpool U21s debut in 2016, a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City, the full-back was soon joined in the same side by Ben Woodburn. It was during that 2016/17 campaign where both players started making waves in the academy.

sheyi-ojo-ben-woodburn-liverpool-opinion

Woodburn looked like a serious talent and was already being talked about more regularly than Trent, largely because he’d scored eight times and assisted six goals in just 15 Premier League 2 outings.

It wasn’t long before the Welshman started making an impact at first-team level too, actually making his Premier League debut a month before Alexander-Arnold did, featuring in a 2-0 win over Sunderland, aged 17 years and one month.

So vast was the forward’s potential that he actualy holds a prestigious record at Anfield. He is the club’s youngest ever goalscorer, finding the back of the net against Leeds United in the League Cup at the age of 17 years and 45 days. He beat Michael Owen’s long-standing record in the process.

However, it didn’t work out for the prodigy. In total, the Liverpool academy graduate made just 11 appearances for the club, with his strike against the Whites his only goal for the club. Woodburn’s final first-team appearance came on the final day of the 2017/18 Premier League season.

The Wales international went on four separate loan spells during his time at Liverpool, but never really managed to settle at one club. In 2022, he departed Anfield on a free transfer, where he first played for Preston North End and, most recently, Salford City.

For the Class of ’92-owned club, Woodburn has enjoyed the most successful spell of football in his career. In 26 appearances, he’s scored three goals and grabbed three assists, the same as he got at North End in 64 appearances.

Woodburn record by club

Club

Games

Goals

Assists

Liverpool

11

1

0

Sheffield United

8

0

0

Oxford United

16

1

5

Blackpool

11

0

0

Hearts

30

3

2

Preston

64

3

3

Salford

26

3

3

Stats from Transfermarkt

Sadly, Woodburn did not live up to the expectation of him at Anfield. At one stage, it looked like he could go on to have a long and successful career at Liverpool, just as Alexander-Arnold has done, but it was not to be.

When Trent set up a Real Madrid goal: Worst defensive moments for Liverpool

With Trent Alexander-Arnold edging closer to the exit door, here’s a look at some of his more embarrassing moments.

By
Stephan Georgiou

Mar 26, 2025

رسميًا.. إسماعيل مسعود ينضم لمنتخب مصر لكرة السلة بعد استخراج جواز السفر

أعلن عمرو مصيلحي، رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة، عن نجاحه في استخراج جواز السفر المصري للاعب إسماعيل مسعود، المحترف في الدوري الإسباني، تمهيدًا لانضمامه الرسمي إلى صفوف منتخب مصر خلال الفترة المقبلة.

وأكد مصيلحي أن هذه الخطوة تأتي في إطار دعم المنتخب الأول بعناصر مميزة تمتلك خبرات احترافية خارجية، مشيرًا إلى أن إسماعيل مسعود يُعد من أبرز اللاعبين المصريين المتواجدين في الخارج، وسيكون إضافة قوية للفريق.

طالع.. منتخب مصر لكرة السلة يواجه كوت ديفوار استعدادًا لبطولة الأفروباسكت

ووجه رئيس الاتحاد الشكر إلى الجهات المسؤولة التي ساهمت في تسهيل إجراءات استخراج جواز السفر، مؤكدًا أن الاتحاد يعمل على تجهيز المنتخبات الوطنية بأفضل صورة ممكنة، من خلال الاستفادة من جميع العناصر المصرية الموهوبة داخل وخارج البلاد.

واختتم مصيلحي تصريحاته بالتأكيد على أن الهدف الرئيسي هو إعادة منتخب مصر لكرة السلة إلى منصات التتويج القارية، التي غاب عنها في السنوات الأخيرة.

KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer in match simulation training ahead of Asia Cup squad selection

This process is seen as the final steps in their road back from injury to the Indian team; Asia Cup squad likely to be out by August 20

Shashank Kishore14-Aug-2023As the final steps in their road back from injury to the Indian team, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer are now taking part in match simulations at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. This process will culminate in a couple of practice games for them, as they make their way back from a thigh (Rahul) and back (Iyer) injury.Rahul and Iyer are expected to take part in this training all through this week, which will give the national selectors clarity on how they are shaping up in a match environment before they sit down to pick India’s Asia Cup squad, which is expected to be out by August 20.”We have a few guys coming back from injuries in any case,” head coach Rahul Dravid had said in Florida after the fifth and final T20I against West Indies on Sunday. “We are going to have to give them opportunities to play [in the Asia Cup]. I haven’t really thought about the Asia Cup at this stage. We have a one-week camp in Bengaluru from August 23. We’ll be assembling there as a one-day team. We will take it as it comes.”Late last month, the BCCI issued a media statement confirming Iyer and Rahul’s return to batting in the nets and fitness drills. ESPNcricinfo understands the delay in Asia Cup squad announcement is to give selectors more of a chance to assess the duo, and give them the best chance to feature in the tournament which in many ways is a dry run for the World Cup in October-November.India’s Asia Cup contingent and reserves will undergo a week-long conditioning camp in Bengaluru from August 23-29 prior to leaving for Sri Lanka for the tournament, where India will open their campaign on September 2 against Pakistan.Asia Cup squad = World Cup squad?The selectors are keen on the Asia Cup being an unofficial hard stop as far as team selection for the World Cup goes, but it’s likely there could be an exception or two made, given India also play Australia in three ODIs prior to the World Cup campaign. As things stand, the BCCI must announce a preliminary World Cup squad by September 5, but can make changes to the squad as late as September 27, the day of the third and final ODI against Australia.Rahul and Iyer are among four players who are in line for comebacks. The other two, Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna, are part of the Ireland tour party for the three T20Is from August 18-23.If fully fit, Rahul is India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs and will likely slot into the middle order along with Iyer, who has a formidable record at No. 4. In Iyer’s absence, the selectors have experimented with a number of options, including Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson and Axar Patel during the recently concluded ODI series in the Caribbean.Iyer hasn’t played any competitive cricket since the fourth Border-Gavaskar Test against Australia this March. He underwent a back surgery in London subsequently, which forced him to miss the entire IPL season. He was in line to return for the Ireland T20Is, but this had been pushed back after the NCA staff felt he needed a longer rehabilitation window.Rahul, meanwhile, pulled up towards the end stages of IPL 2023, when he tore a tendon in his right thigh while fielding. Like Iyer, Rahul too underwent surgery in the UK and has been in rehab at the NCA for the past two months.Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah all set for Ireland gigPrasidh and Bumrah had been had been put through similar match simulation exercises by the NCA staff late last month as their final lap of preparation before the squad selection for Ireland. On Sunday, Prasidh played for Mysuru Warriors in the Maharaja T20 Cup, his first top-level game in almost a year.Both players have now linked up with the squad leaving for Ireland.

Jaiswal and Gill dominate as India draw level

Hetmyer’s fighting fifty led West Indies to 178, but it was nowhere near enough as India waltzed home with three overs remaining

S Sudarshanan12-Aug-2023

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill put up a century opening stand•AFP via Getty Images

Shubman Gill has had a year to remember and is on the way to cement his spots across formats for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal is only taking his first steps in international cricket but is already making the right noises. And together, they helped India do what no team managed to do in 15 previous T20Is at Lauderhill in Florida – successfully chase down a score greater than 95.Gill and Jaiswal added 165 for the opening wicket – the joint-highest for India in T20Is – to chase down 179 and draw level 2-2 with West Indies with a game to go in the five-match series. This was after Shimron Hetmyer’s 61 – his second successive fifty-plus score in T20Is in Florida – helped West Indies to 178.Gill and Jaiswal, a glimpse of the future
If West Indies had a semblance of hope of sealing the series with a game to spare, India’s young guns had other ideas. Jaiswal bookended the opening over of the chase with fours, slashing the length ball from Obed McCoy through third before lofting one over mid-off. He then greeted Jason Holder with three fours before Gill brought his trademark short-arm jab to deposit McCoy over deep midwicket.Jaiswal’s back-to-back fours off Romario Shepherd following which Gill tore into Odean Smith in the last over of the powerplay that went for 16. India rollicked to 66 for 0 in the powerplay.Gill and Jaiswal did not offer any respite to the West Indies bowlers even after the powerplay, playing out only two non-boundary overs in the phase till their stand was broken. Gill notched up his second fifty-plus score in T20Is before Jaiswal got to his maiden half-century in just his second match. It was utter domination from the pair that helped them equal Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul’s record for the highest opening partnership for India, before Gill picked out deep midwicket with his flick.Jaiswal, in the company of Tilak Varma, ensured India suffered no more hiccups in keeping the series alive.A familiar story till…
On a bright and hot morning, West Indies opted to bat first on a flat surface in the first of back-to-back T20Is in Florida but couldn’t get the ideal start. Kyle Mayers started with a couple of fours off Axar Patel, who opened the bowling for India, before smacking a maximum off Arshdeep Singh over deep midwicket. But Arshdeep exacted revenge next ball bouncing Mayers out to get him caught behind.Brandon King continued to bat positively to drive West Indies in the powerplay. He danced down the track to Yuzvendra Chahal’s legspin to tonk him down the ground for a maximum before heaving a length ball from Arshdeep over deep midwicket. But once again Arshdeep struck after a boundary ball to have King caught at short third.Kuldeep Yadav rattled West Indies with a double-strike in the seventh over•AFP via Getty Images

When Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets in his first over – including having Nicholas Pooran miscue one to long-on off his first ball of the match – it seemed West Indies would once again flatter to deceive after an attacking first six overs where they scored 55 for 2.… Hope and Hetmyer propel West Indies
Shai Hope was brought in for his first T20I since March 2022 after Johnson Charles had returns of 3, 2 and 12 in the first three matches. He used his feet to attack both Axar and Chahal. At the other end, though, West Indies lost three wickets for three runs to go from 54 for 1 to 57 for 4 when Hetmyer joined Hope.After a couple of quiet overs, Hope broke the shackles by hitting Chahal for a four and six in the tenth over. Hetmyer then unleashed a flurry of boundaries – first flicking Kuldeep over midwicket before greeting Hardik Pandya into the attack with a six and a four. They added 49 off just 36 balls for the fifth wicket before Hope holed out to long-on.Hetmyer then changed gears to scoop Mukesh Kumar over short fine leg for a six before freeing his arms to send Kuldeep soaring over extra cover. He walloped Arshdeep into the deep midwicket stands before becoming his third victim, thanks to an athletic effort from Tilak Varma, who charged in from long-on and dove forward to pouch the catch.

'We will have contact with him' – Enzo Maresca reveals Chelsea response after Mykhailo Mudryk doping charge as Ukraine international faces lengthy suspension

Enzo Maresca has insisted that Chelsea still support Mykhailo Mudryk after he was officially charged by the FA for breaching anti-doping rules.

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  • Mudryk charged by FA for anti-doping breach
  • The winger could be banned for four years
  • Maresca says Mudryk is still backed by Chelsea
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Mudryk has been officially charged by the FA after testing positive for a banned substance in a routine urine test last November. The Ukrainian international was provisionally suspended in December and now faces a potential four-year footballing ban if found guilty. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca addressed the situation at a press conference on Thursday.

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    Mudryk has not played for Chelsea since November but was present during the Blues’ Europa Conference League celebrations in Poland last month. The Ukrainian is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031, and as it stands, he cannot train or participate in team activities during his suspension. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Maresca says the winger remains supported by the club.

  • WHAT MARESCA SAID

    Speaking to the media, Maresca said: "I spoke with Mischa in Poland when we played the Conference League final. I haven’t spoke with him since then.

    "I didn’t see the news but they communicated it to me but there is nothing more I can add because I don’t have more information.

    "Last time I spoke to him he was quite good, I didn't see him worried, I didn't speak to him since then so I don't know but for sure we will have contact with him."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR MUDRYK?

    Mudryk awaits the outcome of the FA’s investigation, which could lead to a lengthy suspension. Chelsea are expected to maintain contact and monitor his situation closely while exploring their squad options ahead of the new season.

Pep has unearthed his new Yaya Toure in Man City star & it's not Rodri

Pep Guardiola has worked with some exceptional players throughout his time in charge of Manchester City, from the likes of Sergio Aguero through to Erling Haaland.

The Spanish head coach has had the pleasure of coaching some terrific talents across the pitch in all sorts of positions, like Vincent Kompany and Ruben Dias, or Joao Cancelo and Josko Gvardiol.

ruben-dias-manchester-city-leeds-united-transfer-gossip-farke-taylor-harwood-bellis

He has had some simply sublime stars in the central midfield positions, in particular, and one of the best he has ever worked with has been Ivorian powerhouse Yaya Toure, who played under him at Barcelona and Manchester City.

Why Yaya Toure was important for Pep Guardiola

At both of those clubs, the midfield sensation provided a powerful and quality presence in the middle of the park with his marauding runs and technical ability.

The now-retired star made 128 appearances in all competitions under the Spanish head coach for both clubs combined, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists in that time.

That return helps to show why Yaya Toure was an important player for Manchester City and Guardiola throughout his career, as he provided a threat as both a scorer and a creator from a midfield position.

The Ivorian dynamo, who produced 80 goals and 45 assists in 316 appearances for the Cityzens in all competitions, could step up with big moments to win matches for City thanks to his ability in front of goal, and Guardiola has found his new Yaya Toure in the present day.

Manchester City's new Yaya Toure

Rodri may seem like the obvious comparison, given his height and powerful play in midfield, as well as his tendency to score in big moments – like in the Champions League final against Inter.

Yaya Toure

However, the Spain international, who is currently out with an ACL injury, is not a naturally attack-minded player, like Yaya Toure.

He has never scored more than eight goals in a single league campaign, showing that he is not a constant threat at the top end of the pitch, and that is why Phil Foden is Guardiola’s new version of the midfielder.

Former Manchester City centre-back Joleon Lescott even once compared the England international to the ex-Barcelona ace. He told the club’s official website:

“He’s exceptional wherever he plays. His debut for the first team was left-back. He loves it, and because he will play anywhere, if he plays in the middle, because he can go past people, like [former Spurs midfielder] Moussa Dembele, when he beat someone the game changed.

“Yaya Toure was the same, if you face your midfielder up and go past them, it changes the game.”

24/25

24

7

2

23/24

35

19

8

22/23

32

11

5

21/22

28

9

5

20/21

28

9

5

19/20

23

5

2

18/19

13

1

0

17/18

5

0

1

As you can see in the table above, Foden has provided a threat as a scorer and a creator of goals for the majority of his Premier League career since his breakthrough at senior level in the 2017/18 campaign.

As Lescott explained, the left-footed wizard also has the ability to breeze past opposition players, averaging 1.2 completed dribbles per game over his entire career, and he has the quality to make a difference in the final third after opening up space by beating defenders.

Therefore, whilst they are not identical as players, Guardiola has found his new version of Yaya Toure in Foden, as the Englishman is a midfielder who can take defenders out of the game with his dribbling whilst also delivering goals and assists on a regular basis.

Sancho 2.0: Man City lost "electric" gem for £0, now he's outscoring Foden

Manchester City must rue selling “wonderkid” who’s been outscoring Foden this season

ByConnor Holden Mar 27, 2025

Better than Marmoush: 9/10 Man City star has made himself undroppable

After Erling Haaland had squandered a first half penalty and AFC Bournemouth raced into a one goal lead courtesy of star striker Evanilson, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City looked set for a demoralising FA Cup exit.

But, a terrific second half turnaround saw the Citizens eventually run out as a determined 2-1 victors to soar into the semi-finals, with the aforementioned Nordic centre-forward atoning for his spot-kick howler by levelling up proceedings in the South Coast sunshine.

The lethal City number nine wasn’t the only striker to get in the on the goalscoring act, as the winning goal of the afternoon would fall to new recruit Omar Marmoush a matter of minutes after he came on in place of Haaland.

Marmoush's performance in numbers

Marmoush has been an instant success donning his new colours, with the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt forward already a reliable option Guardiola can throw into contests.

Indeed, the electric Egyptian has five goals next to his name from 11 City outings, with his goal contribution numbers for the season – which includes his whirlwind output in Germany – up to a staggering 40 goals and assists from 35 clashes.

Kepa Arrizabalaga could perhaps have done better with this effort, but the clinical City number seven wouldn’t have cared one bit when wheeling away in celebration, knowing his strike had sealed his side’s progression through to Wembley.

It really was a game where the substitutes stood out for the star-studded visitors, with 20-year-old sensation Nico O’Reilly arguably putting in the performance of the game when handed the full second half.

O'Reilly's performance in numbers

Everyone associated with the reigning Premier League champions knows that this summer could be one of immense change as some of the current declining crop move on from the Etihad.

Thankfully, stars such as O’Reilly are proving to the City faithful that the future can be bright with a next generation of talent coming through.

O’Reilly’s numbers vs Bournemouth

Stat

O’Reilly

Minutes played

45

Goals scored

0

Assists

2

Touches

30

Accurate passes

10/15

Key passes

2

Big chances created

1

Total duels won

3/5

Stats by Sofascore

From just 30 touches of the ball, the promising City number 75 would wreak absolute havoc, with one dart forward early into the second half finished off by Haaland, before then teeing up Marmoush for 2-1.

Away from shining in an attacking capacity, O’Reilly also won his fair share of duels with three successfully won, on top of also winning two tackles to preserve his side’s slender advantage right until the full-time whistle was sounded.

Having picked up three goals in the FA Cup this season too away from his heroics against the Cherries, it now feels like a matter of time before the 20-year-old is regularly picked by Guardiola in the Premier League, with his versatility to play in a number of different roles potentially coming in handy.

The Manchester-born starlet has lined up as an attacking midfielder and striker primarily for the U23s, but the 9/10 performer – as was the post-match rating gifted to him by Manchester Evening News journalist Simon Bajkowski – has even lined up in the left-back spot in the senior set-up to date which more than proves his flexible nature.

With the future of Guardiola’s men very much a topic of conversation, O’Reilly’s time for more consistent first-team minutes must come very soon, especially if he can continue to change games in the same manner he did against Andoni Iraola’s stern hosts.

Indeed, although he did not start today’s game, he’s made himself undroppable heading into their midweek fixture. He simply has to be on the team sheet.

Pep has unearthed his new Yaya Toure in Man City star & it's not Rodri

Manchester City have their new Yaya Toure in “exceptional” star & it is not Rodri.

2

By
Dan Emery

Mar 29, 2025

USMNT Transfers: Damion Downs garners Southampton interest, Yunus Musah to Napoli hits snag, Ricardo Pepi to Fulham?

The USMNT Transfer Notebook tracks American player movements, with latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool

The Summer of Soccer is fully underway, with the CONCACAF Gold Cup and FIFA Club World Cup both being played in the U.S. The USMNT opened their Gold Cup campaign with a dominant win over Trinidad and Tobago. Several Americans are playing in the Club World Cup, including the Juventus duo of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah.

At USMNT camp, newcomer Damion Downs – who missed the opener due to an illness – has been the subject of interest from clubs all around Europe. Reports surfaced last week that Southampton are monitoring his situation.

Another striker to watch this summer is Ricardo Pepi. Transfer speculation surfaced this week, as Premier League side Fulham is reportedly considering an approach. In Italy, it seemed all but certain that Yunus Musah was set to swap AC Milan for Napoli. However, there's been a snag in talks, and the deal is stalled.

Meanwhile, Brentford is set to promote 19-year-old goalkeeper Julian Eyestone to the senior team next year, as the former Duke University standout makes waves with the Premier League side. There's also a handful of potential moves on the cards involving prominent USMNT contributors, including Josh Sargent, midfielder Johnny Cardoso, and goalkeeper Matt Turner.

GOAL tracks all of the American player movements in the USMNT Transfer Notebook, a recurring feature covering the latest developments for those in the U.S. national team pool.

Getty ImagesEyestone eyes first team football

Julian Eyestone is set to represent the U20 U.S. men's national team at the U20 FIFA World Cup this fall, and with that, he's set to be rewarded by Premier League club Brentford, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Eyestone, 19, is set to be handed a new contract with the , where he will be locked down until 2031. In addition, he's set to be promoted from the club's B team to the senior team, and is expected to be with the first team for the Premier League campaign next season.

A product of Duke University, who previously was a part of the FC Dallas academy, the 6-7 goalkeeper made waves domestically before his move to England. In his lone season with the Blue Devils, he earned a spot on the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman team, as well as on the All-Atlantic Coast Conference second team.

Another goalkeeper in Europe within the USMNT's ranks will only benefit the national team, but there's stiff competition in his age group, with Barcelona's Diego Kochen and Chelsea's Gaga Slonina also looking for roles.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDowns to England?

Recently relegated English side Southampton reportedly have interest in Damion Downs, according to Sky Sports Germany. The 20-year-old forward, who is a dual national with Germany, led FC Köln to promotion from the 2. Bundesliga this past season. The 6-4 striker scored 10 goals and recorded three assists in 29 regular-season appearances for FCK during the 2024/25 campaign.

Downs made his USMNT debut in a recent international friendly against Switzerland, coming off the bench and logging 15 minutes in a 4-0 loss – but he is not cap-tied to the program because it was a friendly. If he features in the Gold Cup, he will be.

Southampton, meanwhile, were relegated from the Premier League. They finished last in the standings this past season and are heading to the English Championship for the 2025-26 campaign.

Downs was part of the FCK squad that was relegated from the Bundesliga in the 2023-24 season. In that campaign, he made 10 appearances while scoring two goals off the bench – but it wasn't enough to keep them afloat in the top division.

A potential fee of $5.7M (€5M) is reportedly being discussed, but FCK doesn't want to lose him this window. Local media outlet Kölner Stadt Anzeiger has reported that FCK is prepared to offer the 20-year-old a new four-year contract with a hefty raise.

The question begs: is he willing to risk relegation with FCK once again, or is it worth moving to England in the Championship with a club known to offer a pathway to the Premier League?

Getty ImagesMusah deal hits a snag

Musah's agreement to join Napoli seemed all but settled last week, but recent developments have halted progress. According Milan News, the two clubs have come to a stalemate in negotiations over bonuses. The deal has been on the table for "days" according to reports, but there is no agreement over the bonus structure.

Antonio Conte's side were named Serie A champions in the 2024-25 campaign, topping Inter by one point in the standings to secure just their second regular-season title since 1990. The side has also added Belgian midfielder and former Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne this summer.

The 22-year-old Musah fell out of favor at Milan this past season, struggling under the leadership of Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao during the second half of the domestic campaign. However, veteran Italian manager Max Allegri has since been appointed as the manager.

Allegri doesn't appear to be blocking any transfer away from the club for Musah. Talks are at a standstill, but if an agreement can be made, the 22-year-old could be wearing Napoli blue next season.

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AFPPepi to the Premier League?

Ricardo Pepi could be on the move this summer, as clubs from all around Europe monitor his situation at PSV. Missing out on the Gold Cup due to injury, the 22-year-old is now reportedly the subject of an approach from Premier League side Fulham, according a report from Romano.

Across all competitions in 2024-25, the American scored 17 goals and recorded three assists for the Dutch club as they won their second straight Eredivisie title. However, he injured his knee in the Champions League in January and was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign in February.

Fulham finished their Premier League campaign in 11th on 54 points – 12 back from a European placement spot. USMNT star Antonee Robinson had a standout season for Fulham. Previous U.S. internationals to sport the Fulham badge include Clint Dempsey, Tim Ream, Brian McBride, Eddie Johnson, Luca De La Torre, Kasey Keller, and Carlos Bocanegra.

Their American representation over the years has earned them the nickname "Fulhamerica."

The Premier League side won't be the only club chasing Pepi this summer, the report added, as clubs from Italy and Spain are also monitoring his situation.

Vini Jr. se pronuncia após caso de racismo e sentencia: 'Não vou parar de bailar'

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Um dia após ser vítima de racismo na imprensa espanhola, o atacante Vini Jr. se pronunciou sobre o ocorrido. Em um vídeo postado nas redes sociais, o jogador do Real Madridfoi direto: condenou as falas, prometeu que seguirá “bailando”, de cabeça erguida, e deu seu recado.

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O camisa 20 merengue relembrou que tem projetos sociais que ajudam a comunidade onde nasceu, em São Gonçalo, no Rio de Janeiro, e afirmou que “a felicidade de um preto, brasileiro, vitorioso na Europa incomoda muito”.

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Vini Jr. falou ainda sobre suas danças, que foram criticadas pelo volante Koke, do Atlético de Madrid, e citou que outros atletas também comemoram com irreverência. Nominalmente, o ex-Flamengo lembrou os casos de Matheus Cunha, Griezmann e João Félix, que jogam nos Colchoneros.

Por último, o jovem de 22 anos, que atua também pela Seleção Brasileira, exclamou que continuará com sua alegria e que não irá parar de bailar.

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VEJA NA ÍNTEGRA A FALA DE VINI JR.

“Enquanto a cor da pele for mais importante que o brilho nos olhos, haverá guerra. Tenho essa frase tatuada no corpo. E tenho atitudes na minha vida que transformam essa filosofia em prática. Dizem que felicidade incomoda. A felicidade de um preto, brasileiro, vitorioso na Europa incomoda muito mais. Mas a minha vontade de vencer, o meu sorriso são muito maiores do que isso. Fui vítima de xenofobia e racismo em uma só declaração, mas nada disso começou ontem.

Há semanas, começaram a criminalizar as minhas danças. Danças que não são minhas; são do Ronaldinho, do Neymar, do (Lucas) Paquetá, do Pogba, do Matheus Cunha, do Griezmann e do João Félix. Dos funkeiros e sambistas brasileiros. Dos cantores latinos de reggaeton e dos pretos americanos. São danças para celebrar a diversidade cultural do mundo. Aceitem, respeitem ou surtem. Eu não vou parar.

Não costumo vir publicamente rebater críticas. Sou atacado e não falo. Sou elogiado e também não falo. Eu trabalho e muito, dentro e fora de campo. Desenvolvi um aplicativo para auxiliar a educação das crianças de escolas públicas sem ajuda financeira de ninguém. Eu estou fazendo a escola com meu nome e farei muito mais pela educação. Quero que as próximas gerações estejam preparadas como eu estou para combater racistas e xenofóbicos. Sempre tento ser um exemplo de profissional e cidadão. Mas isso não dá clique. Não engaja em rede social. Então os covardes inventam algum problema para me atacar. E o roteiro sempre termina com um pedido de desculpa ou um ‘fui mal interpretado’. Mas repito para você, racista: eu não vou parar de bailar. Seja no Sambódromo, no (Santiago) Bernabéu ou onde eu quiser.

Com carinho e sorriso, de quem é muito feliz, Vini Jr.”

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