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Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League triumph in the 2024/25 campaign allowed numerous players to write themselves into the club’s history books forever.

The Lilywhites ended their 17-year wait for a piece of silverware, and did so in tremendous fashion after defeating fellow Premier League side Manchester United in Bilbao.

Ange Postecoglou handed the fanbase memories to last a lifetime with the triumph, but it wasn’t enough to maintain his position as manager in North London.

Thomas Frank was elected as the man to take the reins during the summer, with the Dane handed the responsibility of taking the club to the next level after the European success.

However, his appointment has prevented numerous players from kicking on in their careers, with the first-team members often struggling to replicate the form they demonstrated under the Aussie.

The biggest losers from Thomas Frank's appointment at Spurs

Yves Bissouma was often one of Postecoglou’s first names on the teamsheet during the 2024/25 campaign, as seen by his tally of 44 appearances across all competitions.

The Malian international featured in 11 of the 15 club’s European outings last campaign, but it’s safe to say his spell under Frank has been far from successful to date.

He was left out of the club’s UEFA Super Cup final after being late numerous times, resulting in missing out on the club’s Premier League squad for the current 2025/26 campaign.

However, he’s not alone in that regard, with Brennan Johnson one of the Lilywhites’ most important players in the previous campaign, as seen by his phenomenal goalscoring record.

The Welshman scored 18 times across all competitions – even netting the winner in the Europa League final – subsequently ending the year as the club’s top goalscorer.

Like Bissouma, he’s struggled for consistency this time around, with the 24-year-old only starting five league games out of a possible 11 since Frank took charge in the summer.

Mohammed Kudus’ arrival has no doubt pushed him down the pecking order, with the manager seemingly preferring the Ghanaian international over him at present.

Spurs star is no longer "one of the best in the world"

Spurs’ £120m spending spree during the summer window has made competition for places even tougher in 2025/26, with the first-team now having incredible depth in certain areas of the squad.

Given the number of competitions the Lilywhites are currently featuring in this season, it’s crucial Frank has the ability to rotate and rest certain players when needed.

Competitions such as the Premier League and Champions League will likely take priority, which has seen numerous players have to settle for minutes off the bench as a result.

Djed Spence has taken his career in North London to the next level over the last couple of years, with the full-back taking advantage of the injury crisis last campaign.

The Englishman made himself a regular starter under Ange last campaign, which has resulted in the 25-year-old now becoming an international regular under Thomas Tuchel.

His starts at right-back has provided competition for Pedro Porro in such an area of the pitch, with the Spaniard often missing out from the starting eleven as a result in recent months.

The 26-year-old has become known for his ability in possession rather than out of it, with Spence the complete opposite and making him an excellent fit for Frank’s system.

In 2024/25, Porro registered nine assists across all competitions, the most in a single season since his move to England – resulting in one journalist labelling him the “best in the world”.

However, in the ongoing campaign, the full-back has only registered one assist to date – showcasing his struggles – with his underlying stats also a cause for concern.

He’s completed just 72% of the passes he’s attempted to date, with such a tally ranking him in the bottom 8% of all players in England’s top-flight this season.

Porro’s crossing success has also taken a massive hit in recent months, as the Spaniard has only completed a total of 17% of his efforts as of the middle of November.

Out of possession, he’s struggled just as much, as seen by his tally of just 3.9 duels won per 90, with such a figure placing him in the bottom 25% of all defenders in the league.

His lack of defensive talent is also evident in his tally of being dribbled past 1.3 times per 90, which is higher than 82% of other full-backs in the division at present.

Such numbers will certainly be a cause for concern to the manager, especially given the quality of players such as Spence already on the books in North London.

Despite his form under Ange, Porro could now find himself on borrowed time in the near future, with the hierarchy potentially tempted to cash in on him and invest in other areas of the squad.

He can end Bentancur's stay: Spurs gem is showing "shades of Mousa Dembele"

Tottenham Hotspur have a star who could end Rodrigo Bentancur’s career in North London.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 19, 2025

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is making his seventh All-Star Game appearance on Tuesday night in Atlanta, and he showed up rocking quite the dazzling accessory.

When the American League starters were announced at Truist Park on Tuesday, Judge was seen wearing a diamond chain of a gavel, paying homage to his last name. Turns out, this chain was a gift from his Yankees teammate Giancarlo Stanton. And, it cost a whopping $20,000, according to the .

The piece of jewelry isn't just of a plain gavel. The chain includes 14-karat white gold, 12 carats of diamonds and three bands of amethyst. Additionally, the chain has details of Judge's daughter's name Nora, and her birthday on it, his wife Sam's name and the names of his two dogs Gus and Penny. It also has "2x" written on it to honor Judge's two MVP awards. What an extremely generous gift.

When Judge first revealed the present Stanton gave to him in June, he shared that he's been wearing it every day. Showing off the chain at the All-Star Game was no different.

Let's see if the gavel brings Judge good luck during the All-Star Game.

Sandro Tonali has sparked uncertainty over his long-term future at Newcastle United after admitting he is taking things “year by year” amid ongoing rumours of a potential return to Serie A. The Italian midfielder, who recently signed a secret contract extension until 2029, insists he is “happy” on Tyneside but refused to rule out the possibility of one day leaving the club.

• Tonali admits uncertainty over long-term future at Newcastle

  Tonali has offered a candid update on his Newcastle United future, admitting he cannot guarantee he will stay at St James’ Park long-term. Speaking after the Magpies’ 2-0 Champions League win over Athletic Club, the Italy international said he is taking his career “year by year” rather than making any long-term promises. His response followed reports of interest from Serie A sides Juventus and AC Milan, both said to be monitoring his situation closely.

  Tonali’s comments come despite Newcastle’s firm stance that the midfielder remains a central figure in their long-term project under Howe. The 25-year-old, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan in a £55 million deal in 2023, signed an extended contract while serving his 10-month betting ban, tying him to the club until 2028 with an option for an additional year. Club insiders maintain that Tonali has repeatedly expressed gratitude to Newcastle for their support during that difficult period, and that he remains fully committed to their ambitions.

  However, his nuanced response highlights the growing challenge for Newcastle to keep pace with the ambitions of their biggest stars. After losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool in a £125 million deal last summer, Tonali’s uncertainty serves as a reminder that even their most loyal players may consider other opportunities if the club’s progress stalls. The Magpies’ push for consistent European football — and their ability to compete for trophies — could prove decisive in determining whether Tonali stays for the long haul.

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  Tonali opens up on future — reveals secret renewal

  Tonali was asked directly whether he saw his long-term future at Newcastle. His answer, though measured, left little room for interpretation. “This is a tough question because, you know, [in] football you need to think year for year,” he told The i Paper. “I don’t want to say I want to stay here 10 years and in two years, three years, four years [or] five years I will go.”

  He continued: “I want to think, just for me, year for year. This is football. The last summer was tough for us, for Alex [Isak], but this is football. If you have an option for your life, for another team you need to think about everything.” Tonali added that, for now, he remains content on Tyneside: “I don’t want to say ‘Yes, I want to stay here 10 years,’ but now I’m happy here. I don’t think anything about another team.”

  The Italian also addressed his “secret” contract renewal, clarifying that the extension had been agreed during his betting suspension in 2023. “This extension was three years ago after the ban, I don’t know why the last week everybody spoke about it,” he explained. “The club spoke to me, spoke with my agent, and [we] signed for one more year. It was because I have confidence in this team, and this team have confidence in me. So we worked together.”

• Tonali's constant links with Serie A return

  After becoming the most expensive Italian footballer in history with his £60 million move from AC Milan, Tonali's first season was derailed by a 10-month suspension for breaching betting regulations. Newcastle stood by him throughout, paying his wages and ensuring he stayed integrated within the club’s setup, which deepened his appreciation for the Magpies.

  Since returning to action in August 2024, Tonali has quickly reestablished himself as a cornerstone of Howe’s midfield. He was instrumental in helping the Magpies lift the Carabao Cup last season and has featured prominently in their Champions League campaign this term.

  Nevertheless, Tonali’s ties to Italy — and his affection for AC Milan — remain strong. Speaking to Vivo Azzurro last month, he acknowledged that a return to Serie A “can never be ruled out,” describing Italy as “my country” and a place where “the league is getting better and better.”

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  Tonali still has a Newcastle contract till 2028

  Tonali’s remarks have placed Newcastle’s sporting hierarchy on alert. New sporting director Ross Wilson is currently overseeing a review of player contracts, and Tonali’s status is likely to be a top priority. While his existing deal offers protection until 2028, the midfielder’s stature within the team could prompt discussions about improved terms.

  For Eddie Howe, keeping Tonali happy may hinge more on ambition than money. The Italian’s comments suggest that continued progression — particularly qualification for the Champions League knockout stages — will be key to convincing him that his future remains in England.

In a statement, Smriti Mandhana says “it’s time to move forward”

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Dec-2025India batter Smriti Mandhana has confirmed that her wedding has been “called off”. She and music composer Palash Muchhal were scheduled to marry on November 23, but it was initially postponed after Mandhana’s father was hospitalised.Mandhana appealed for privacy in her statement on Instagram. “Over the past few weeks there has been plenty of speculation around my life and I feel it is important for me to speak out at this time,” she wrote in her post. “I am a very private person and I would like to keep it that way but I need to clarify that the wedding is called off.”I would like to close this matter here and implore all of you to do the same. I request you to please respect the privacy of both families at this time and allow us the space to process and move on at our own pace.”I believe there is a higher purpose driving us all and for me that has always been representing my country at the highest level,” she wrote. “I hope to continue to play and win trophies for India for as long as possible and that is where my focus will forever be.”She concluded her statement by saying, “It’s time to move forward.”Mandhana was the second-highest run-scorer during India’s successful campaign in the recent women’s ODI World Cup, with 434 runs at an average of 54.25.Her next assignment is the five-T20I series against Sri Lanka at home from December 21 to 30, after which she will lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2026 WPL from January 9. RCB play the opening game of the season against Mumbai Indians in Navi Mumbai.

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are riding high at the top of the Premier League table, and supporters have been told one player doesn’t get the praise he deserves.

Arsenal's set-piece kings on course to win the Premier League

Their explosive start has not just positioned them as Premier League title favourites, but also as the current kings of set pieces — a deadly weapon that’s wreaking havoc on opposition sides domestically and in Europe.

Arsenal have scored more goals from dead-ball situations than any other top-flight side so far (11), with star defender Gabriel at the heart of it with four contributions to those strikes as the Gunners make their best weapon known.

Corners, free kicks and even throw-ins have become golden scoring opportunities, as Arsenal turn these situations into major results with surgical precision.

Their aerial strength, combined with clever routines, has made them a nightmare for defenders who can’t afford to lose focus for even a moment.

However, at the heart of Arsenal’s success is their impenetrable defence which has conceded the joint-fewest goals, not only in the Premier League, but across Europe’s top leagues (3), with Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma also conceding just three.

The arrival of no-nonsense new backroom coach Gabriel Heinze is viewed as a real contributor to Arsenal’s increasingly water-tight backline, which has somehow become even more solid, despite already leaking the fewest league goals of any Premier League side in each of the last two seasons.

David Raya is in line for this third-successive Golden Glove award, and only a complete disaster in terms of injuries to key defenders would disrupt Arteta’s side right now.

That being said, even when William Saliba was briefly forced out of the side through injury, Cristhian Mosquera performed exceptionally well next to Gabriel at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, and fellow summer signing Piero Hincapie is also on hand to step in.

Given their imperiousness at the back, Viktor Gyokeres has been somewhat overshadowed.

The Swede, who was brought in to take the mantle of Arsenal’s new prolific number nine, got off to a flying start but went seven games without a goal before his much-needed brace against Atlético Madrid last week.

Gyokeres has attracted some criticism for his fairly underwhelming return so far, but journalist Graeme Bailey insists that he’s actually a pretty underrated new member of the team.

Viktor Gyokeres adds extra element to Arsenal that people don't see

Speaking to TBR Football, Bailey says that Gyokeres brings an “extra element” to Arsenal that “people don’t really see”.

Interestingly, this thought is echoed by Arteta, who says that Gyokeres makes Arsenal a much more “unpredictable” side.

His in-game play is there for all to see, and the former Sporting CP star has already proved a handful for defenders since his blockbuster summer switch.

Now, Gyokeres just needs to add more goals, then the critics will soon be silenced.

Bangladesh’s fast bowlers picked up all ten wickets in a Test innings for the first time, and Mahmud took five of them

Mohammad Isam02-Sep-2024Monday was a landmark day in the history of Bangladeshi fast bowling. When the visitors wrapped up Pakistan’s second innings for 172, they did so with their fast bowlers taking all ten wickets. It was a first for Bangladesh in Test cricket.Nahid Rana created a stir with his pace and bounce, and Taskin Ahmed used all his experience to keep Pakistan’s batters on the front foot. Amid all that, though, was the constant, wicket-taking presence of Hasan Mahmud, who picked up a maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, vindicating the selectors’ decision to bring him into the long format after a strong start in white-ball cricket.Related

• Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana put Bangladesh in sight of historic sweep

• Nahid Rana: A new express finds his fame in Rawalpindi

Mahmud became only the third Bangladesh quick in the last 11 years to take a five-for in Test cricket, and like Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed before him, he too had done so on foreign soil.”I have played a good amount of first-class cricket, so the red ball isn’t new to me,” he said. “It has a different feel in the hand. I like it in my hand. I always have a feeling that I can get a wicket with the red ball.”Mahmud delivered for his captain Najmul Hossain Shanto at important moments. After Bangladesh had made an epic recovery from 26 for 6 to reduce their first-innings deficit to 12 runs, they took the ball late on day three hoping for at least one wicket early in Pakistan’s second innings. Mahmud picked up two. He found Abdullah Shafique’s edge by inviting him to drive at a wide outswinger, and cleaned up nightwatcher Khurram Shahzad to leave Pakistan 9 for 2 at stumps.Mahmud gave Bangladesh two early breakthroughs late on day three•AFP/Getty ImagesOn the fourth morning, Taskin got Bangladesh their first breakthrough by removing Saim Ayub, before Rana ran through the middle order, leaving Pakistan 81 for 6. Then Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha added 55 for the seventh wicket, putting a puzzle in front of Bangladesh.It was time once more for Mahmud to make a mark. He removed Rizwan in much the same way he had sent back Shafique, coaxing a loose drive with a full one outside off, and perhaps this was even more impressive for the amount of late swing he generated with a 36-over-old ball. Next ball, he hit the perfect length in the corridor and found enough movement to get Mohammad Ali to nick to first slip.Agha’s unbeaten 47 led a mini rearguard, as Pakistan’s last two wickets added 36 runs before Mahmud ended their innings with his fifth wicket, that of the No. 11 Mir Hamza.”The bowler has to find ways to get wickets whenever he is handed the ball,” Mahmud said. “Taskin got us going, and then Rana bowled superbly. He was excellent. He shifted the momentum. I stuck to my process, to try to contribute.”A partnership often causes a bit of puzzle in the team. We tried to stop runs from both ends. Dry up the boundaries. It was our plan.”Mahmud’s performance capped a promising series with the ball. He bowled well in the first Test too, removing both openers in the first innings and dismissing Shan Masood in the second. And on the third day of this Test, he showed another facet of his game and his character.Mahmud revived Bangladesh with back-to-back wickets after a fightback from Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha•AFP/Getty ImagesWhen he walked in at No. 10, Bangladesh were 81 adrift of Pakistan’s first-innings total, and Litton Das had run out of recognised batting partners. He was batting with a hand injury and also battling cramps. Bangladesh couldn’t afford to give away a big lead, and Litton needed someone to stay with him. Mahmud did exactly that. He defended for two straight hours, scoring an unbeaten 13 off 51 balls. Mahmud was so focused on his job that it took him a while to realise just how long he had spent at the crease.”[Litton] was the set batter, so there was a lot of work to do,” Mahmud said. “All he told me was that I had to give him support. He said he will do the rest. That’s what I tried to do. I really enjoyed batting with . I know now that I have batted for two hours. I realised this later. I only saw that I batted 55 balls when I was walking off with the bat.”Mahmud reiterated the belief within the group, going back to the mood in the dressing room when Litton and Mehidy Hasan Miraz came together at 26 for 6.”When we faced that situation, we lost all those wickets, we had to come out with a new plan,” Mahmud said. “We trusted Litton and Mehidy out in the middle to do the job. We felt that they will get settled, get the runs. They got settled, so we believed that they can do the job.”Bangladesh’s belief will be tested one last time when they resume the fourth innings on Tuesday morning, needing another 143 with all ten wickets in hand, and potentially rain in the air. This has already been a special tour for Bangladesh. Mahmud has done his bit, and he will hope his batting won’t be required once again as they look to end their trip on a massive, unprecedented high.

Nottinghamshire head coach had been favourite to succeed Andy Flower in role

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2025Trent Rockets have confirmed the appointment of Peter Moores as their new head coach, following the departure of Andy Flower to take charge of London Spirit.The decision to promote Moores from his role as Flower’s assistant, as reported by ESPNcricinfo, comes as part of the new ownership structure at Rockets, following the purchase of a 49% stake by private equity firms Cain and Ares earlier this year.Moores, who is also head coach of Nottinghamshire, has previous franchise experience in the Big Bash, where he coaches Melbourne Stars, and at the PSL.”It feels like a good time to be taking over the Rockets, and I’m really excited about the opportunity to lead the team,” Moores said. “I see this as a great opportunity to continue on from the strong and successful foundations built by Andy Flower.””The investment and energy that’s coming into the Hundred, and the change of ownership at the Rockets in particular, make it a really exciting time. I’m especially looking forward to the auction, where we’ll be looking to ensure the squad is as strong as it can be as we continue to strive for success.”Rockets finished as runners-up in the 2025 Men’s Hundred, losing in the final to three-time champions Oval Invincibles. Nottinghamshire, meanwhile, won the County Championshp – with Moores becoming the first coach to lift the trophy with three different counties.Rockets were losing finalists in the men’s Hundred in 2025•Matt Lewis/ECB via Getty Images

Trent Rockets director of cricket, Mick Newell, said: “We’re really pleased to promote Peter to the role of men’s head coach. It’s no exaggeration to say he’s one of the finest English head coaches of his generation, and his strong existing knowledge of Trent Bridge will be of great benefit in his new role.”His winning mentality, his strong record of improving players, and the experience he gained last year, all make him a superb fit to take over the role from Andy Flower.”Elsewhere, Birmingham Phoenix have renewed Ali Maiden’s contract as women’s coach on a new two-year contract after he took over from Ben Sawyer ahead of last season, despite their seventh-placed finish.”Ali’s impact in his first year as head coach made the decision to extend his contract a straightforward one,” James Thomas, the Phoenix performance director, said. “His proven ability to develop talented young players fits perfectly with our playing strategy, and he is a key part of a strong leadership team that is shaping the Phoenix brand of cricket.”

Manchester City's Ruben Dias has thrown a warning shot at title rivals Arsenal after the defender's side romped to victory over Liverpool on Sunday. City tore through a feeble Liverpool defence to win 3-0 and go within four points of the league leaders, who dropped two precious points away to Sunderland following Brian Brobbey's late equaliser at the Stadium of Light.

• City thrash Liverpool to send statement

  City announced their intentions to wrestle back their Premier League crown in their demolition of the Reds. Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku were on the scoresheet for the hosts as they ran away with a comfortable win over their title rivals. Arne Slot’s side were disappointing and have offered little indication that they can get back into the race with their opponents and Arsenal.

  The defeat of Liverpool sent a statement to Arsenal and the rest of the Premier League that Pep Guardiola’s men are back hunting the top spot in the division. Prior to last season’s collapse, City had won the previous four titles and developed a habit of racking up silverware. Now back in the groove of winning, they threaten to spoil Arsenal’s hopes yet again.

  Speaking after the game, Dias insisted that few teams can match the level of City and suggested that they are back to their ruthless best. With Haaland scoring more than a goal a game, few can write off City from clawing back the slim advantage Mikel Arteta’s team have at the top of the tree.

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  Dias sends message

  Speaking to Sky Sports, Dias said: “Obviously very happy for him [Pep Guardiola on his 1000th game as a manager]. We live for games like this. There is no higher level than this kind of level. Everyone did a great game. We need to push all of us. Everyone, myself, we need to push everyone.”

  The defender praised the performance of Doku and the work rate of Haaland throughout the game, drawing comparisons between their displays and the great City sides of years gone by.

  “I remember before I came to this club and watching this club, these were the details that made them win so much,” he said. “Differences of everyone ready to show up and ready to sacrifice for the guy next to him. This is not new, this has been going on for a while now. We have been talking about a rebuild since last season.”

  City have added to their squad with a flurry of recruitments, but Dias insists that the level of quality has not declined with their arrival. This is in stark contrast to Liverpool, who after a record-breaking summer of recruitment, have seemingly regressed on the pitch.

  “Yes, of course, there are new faces because of the ones that left, but that quality stays the same, and we keep on pushing. It is still early in the season, feet on the ground,” Dias added.

• Arsenal set the standard

  Arsenal have been the standout team in the Premier League so far this campaign. The Gunners have had an impregnable defence this season, conceding just five goals in all competitions, and had appeared most likely to mount a runaway lead.

  Yet, with a disappointing draw against the Black Cats allowing City to move within touching distance, the pressure will inevitably begin to grow around the Emirates. The challenges will keep coming for Arteta’s men too, with fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Chelsea to come after the international break.

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  Magpies to steal City gold?

  City will have their own challenges to deal with once they return from the break. A trip to St. James’ Park to take on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle will prove a difficult fixture for Guardiola to navigate. The Magpies have not been at their best this campaign, but they are always capable of upsetting the bigger teams.

  Home games against Bayer Leverkusen and Leeds United follow as Dias and his team can continue their impressive winning run. The Gunners will need to take maximum points from their upcoming games if they want to keep City at arm's length.