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The matches will be available without a subscription on the Kayo platform after Nine did not take the rights

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2022The Women’s ODI World Cup will be removed from a paywall after Alyssa Healy labelled the Nine Network’s failure to pick up the event as a “slap in the face”.Healy and fellow players were left annoyed on Sunday morning when it was confirmed that Nine had purchased simulcast rights from Fox to broadcast the next two men’s World Cups. However missing from the release was March’s Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand. That prompted Healy to offer up 20 vouchers to steaming platform Kayo for followers on social media.Foxtel have since confirmed to AAP they made the call on Sunday to make it part of their “freebies pack”, meaning viewers will be able to watch it on Kayo without a subscription.The move will please both cricket fans and players, after both Healy and Rachael Haynes criticised the move.”It’s a little bit of a slap in the face to say that we’re not commercially viable,” Healy said. “That someone doesn’t want to stick their hand up and say, ‘we’re going to put this on the telly so that everyone can watch it’. It’s a little bit hard to take in that regard.”Not having it on free-to-air excludes a fair chunk of our population who don’t want to pay or can’t afford to pay for subscription TV.”Under the broadcast structure, Foxtel purchases the rights to all ICC tournaments from the ICC’s global partner Star Sports.Fox can then on-sell the rights to free-to-air broadcasters, which is how Nine picked up the rights to this year’s Men’s T20 World Cup and next year’s ODI World Cup.Nine also simulcast the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia, attracting 825,000 viewers for the final as well as criticism for placing it on secondary channel 9GEM while Married At First Sight was on the main channel.”I think people get obsessed with bums on seats and numbers at the ground,” Healy said. “But the reality of modern day sport at the minute is that’s not realistic for people to get there and watch the games live.”So for us it’s probably more relevant the TV audiences that we’re getting and even just looking the other night I think the first T20 here in Adelaide actually got really good number of of people watching the game considering we were fighting Nick Kyrgios for TV time.”AAP sought comment from Nine on Sunday if they had been offered the rights to broadcast the Women’s World Cup, but did not receive a direct answer.”Nine’s sub license agreement with Foxtel only includes rights to the Men’s T20 World Cup,” a Channel Nine spokesperson said in reply.The removal of the paywall subsequently came at the same time Haynes called for change.”It sends a really powerful message to see our female athletes have an opportunity to share in the spotlight,” Haynes said. “The visibility is extremely important. I am disappointed it’s not on free-to-air TV in Australia.”Meanwhile Nine confirmed it will screen every game involving Aaron Finch’s side at this year’s men’s T20 World Cup, which is being staged in Australia from October 16 to November 13.The network has flagged it will broadcast “other big match-ups”, likely to include a blockbuster between India and Pakistan at the MCG on October 23.Every match at the two World Cups will be screened on Foxtel and Kayo.Last year’s Men’s T20 World Cup, where Australia won the title for the first time, was not available on free-to-air in the country because when the initial broadcast deal was signed it was due to be a Champions Trophy event.

The Red Devils look worse than ever under the Portuguese tactician, but he's shown real bravery in dire circumstances

"I truly believe in the players. I know you [the media] don't believe a lot, but I do. I want to try new things. You guys don't think it's possible, but I do. Call me naïve, but I truly feel that I am the right man in the right moment. I could be wrong, but the earth will turn and the sun will rise again, it doesn't matter, and I am not worried about that. I truly believe that I am the right guy for this job."

Just three months on from his opening press conference, you have to wonder if Ruben Amorim still has that same belief in his Manchester United players. United have only won four of their first 15 Premier League games under the Portuguese, which has left them wasting away in 15th place, just 13 points above the drop zone.

Relegation still seems unlikely given how much newly-promoted-trio Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton have struggled, but it's not beyond the realms of possibility, because United have been bad. And even if Amorim keeps them in the top flight, he won't escape the embarrassment of overseeing their worst-ever finish in the Premier League era.

As such, some critics believe that Amorim has already been proven wrong. Their consensus is that United have hit a historic new low on the 40-year-old's watch, and the players haven't improved, so how can he be the "right guy" to take the club forward?

However, that viewpoint doesn't take into account the huge risk Amorim took by leaving his comfort zone at Sporting CP to try and clean up the mother of all messes at Old Trafford. Things were always going to get worse before they got better. Amorim has conducted himself with dignity and class in the face of unfair scrutiny, while also refusing to budge on his ideals, and might just be the ' guy' capable of seeing this daunting project through.

Getty 'We have so many problems'

United's latest setback came at Goodison Park on Saturday, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Everton, who are enjoying a resurgence under former Red Devils boss David Moyes. But it could have been a lot worse.

Everton dominated the first half and went in at the break with a two-goal lead. Incredibly, United failed to muster a single shot on target in the first 70 minutes of the game, and only sparked into life after Bruno Fernandes curled a low free-kick into the far corner of the net to reduce the arrears.

Manuel Ugarte then earned United a point with a brilliant volleyed finish in the 80th minute, though they did also have VAR to thank for overturning a last-gasp Everton penalty. But there was no reason to celebrate, certainly not for Amorim.

When asked why he has yet to build any momentum in terms of positive results at United, Amorim told after the game: "I don't know. If I knew, I would change it. We have to continue to think in the next game, everything we do in the week we have to use it in the game. If we do that, we are near to winning games like we did in the second half. In this moment we need to focus on day by day. We need to survive this season, and then to think ahead.

"We have so many problems, and then when we go to the game and let the time pass, it's really hard. I don't want to just say the negative part, the second half was so much better in the belief. In the end we were near to winning this game."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBest way to affect real change

Amorim's honesty has counted against him since his arrival at Old Trafford. His refusal to make any excuses for bad performances, or indeed try to sugar-coat the limitations of the squad, which he famously branded "the worst in the club's history", has led to questions about his leadership style.

But Ten Hag was the polar opposite, and there is no doubt whatsoever that his approach didn't work. The Dutchman became a laughing stock due to his delusional ravings, claiming United were making progress after every miserable defeat, and he showed blind loyalty to a host of players who were guilty of letting the team down.

At least now the man in charge is facing the problems head-on instead of burying his head in the sand. It's true: United are in survival mode, and Amorim is learning who he can and cannot trust in this time of crisis.

Most of the first-team squad are fighting for their futures at the club. Amorim is demanding the highest possible standards from a group severely lacking in quality and character, which is the best way to change the culture of mediocrity that has been allowed to run rampant at Old Trafford over the past decade.

GOAL/Getty'Stick to the plan!'

A large number of fans and pundits have called for Amorim to tweak his tactics to halt United's slide. This was the case again at half-time at Goodison Park, but Amorim never considered any kind of deviation from the 3-4-3 formation that served him so well at Sporting.

"[He told us] to stick to the plan, that's what the manager was very upset with us [about]," Fernandes revealed to . "To stick to the plan that we have during the season to make it work, even if things are not going well. We have to stick to what our ideas are."

Amorim confirmed as much by adding: "In training, we continue to do the same. That's why in the second half we didn't change anything, we have to do the same thing, but in a good way." So far, that attitude has merely led to Amorim being labelled as a stubborn, one-dimensional coach, but the bigger picture isn't being taken into consideration.

The main reason for Ten Hag's failure was his team's lack of identity. With no clear plan or patterns of play, United were relying purely on individual brilliance, which simply wasn't sustainable. United won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in spite of Ten Hag's input, not because of it.

A bull-headed leader was needed to undo the damage done by Ten Hag, and that's exactly what United now have in Amorim. There will be progress if he is afforded patience, though much will also depend on if he is backed in the transfer market in the same way his predecessor was.

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Getty/GOALPaying the price

The "problems" Amorim keeps referring to are almost entirely out of his control. United's injury list is the main one, with Amad Diallo and Lisandro Martinez ruled out for the remainder of the season, Kobbie Mainoo facing "weeks" on the sidelines, and firm return dates still not forthcoming for Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.

Amad and Mainoo are arguably the best players in the United squad, along with Fernandes, while Martinez is the only centre-half who can naturally play on the left of Amorim's three-man defence. It's no surprise, then, that the Red Devils are shipping too many goals and creating so little at the other end.

The January signing of promising young full-back Patrick Dorgu was a step in the right direction, but United need to bring in more high-quality defensive reinforcements in the summer, and find a replacement for calamitous goalkeeper Andre Onana. Upfront, meanwhile, a major overhaul will be necessary.

Rasmus Hojlund was subbed for 17-year-old Chido Obi with United losing 2-0 against Everton, which means he has now gone 16 games across all competitions without scoring. It's fair to say now that the £72 million ($90m) United paid Atalanta for the Danish striker's services in 2023 was a complete waste of money.

That's not yet true of £36m ($45m) Joshua Zirkzee, who is clearly a decent footballer, but his end product has to improve dramatically. The enigmatic Argentine, Alejandro Garnacho, is just as frustrating in that respect, and Amorim has had no choice but to turn to the academy to try and muddle through.

It's clear Amorim is paying the price for Ten Hag's poor decision-making. How can he blamed for United's short-falls when he played no part in creating them?

“You need that kind of shot-making ability” at the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year, says the India captain

Sidharth Monga23-Feb-2022″That guy has got talent, man.””I mean whenever we have seen him bat, he has just produced an innings where everyone goes over the moon watching that innings. He has got the skillset to succeed.”How many times did you hear this sentiment being expressed about Rohit Sharma, with a touch of wistfulness, ten years ago? It could have been a pundit or a fan or captain saying this about Rohit, who was yet to translate that talent into results at the top level. To the extent that Rohit started to hate the word “talent”.Related

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Instead, the year is 2022, and Rohit, now having gone through that process of translating talent into runs, is saying this about someone. You must take notice.Sanju Samson has been given one more chance by India to realise his potential at the international level. Go on, listen to how much in awe of Samson Rohit is.”His back-foot play is superb,” Rohit said on the eve of the first game of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. “Some of the shots you might have seen in the IPL, the pick-up pull, the cut shots, standing and delivering over the bowler’s head. Those kind of shots are not easy to play. And I believe when you go to Australia [where the next T20 World Cup is], you need that kind of shot-making ability.”Samson definitely has it in him. I just wish him the best and hope that he utilises his potential to the maximum.”Samson has played ten T20Is and an ODI for India over a span of six years. He played four of these as part of a second-string side that went to Sri Lanka last year. His highest score in the 11 internationals is 46. At domestic level, he is not quite the rounded batter that Rohit was in first-class cricket, but he is different gravy in T20 cricket. He T20 cricket, and he has shown he has the skillset of doing some really difficult things in T20 cricket. That’s why, despite not having great traditional numbers, Samson is rated.

“We see a lot of potential, we see a lot of talent, and we see a lot of match-winning ability in that individual. I hope we give him the confidence whenever he gets the opportunity to play for us. I hope he understands that”Rohit Sharma on Sanju Samson

“That is the whole point about this sport,” Rohit said. “A lot of people have the skillset, a lot of people have the talent. But it’s how you utilise that talent that is the most critical part. I think it’s up to Sanju now to understand how he wants to utilise the talent and how he can maximise it.”Because as a team, as a team management, we see a lot of potential, we see a lot of talent, and we see a lot of match-winning ability in that individual. I hope we give him the confidence whenever he gets the opportunity to play for us. I hope he understands that. Definitely he is in consideration [for Australia], which is why he is part of the team.”As Samson makes his comeback, these words must really buoy him. At the same time, you wonder if the lack of patience in the past has deflated him. For the way Samson plays, it comes with an inherent risk. To do the things he does, you need to play low-percentage cricket. To be able to do that, the team has to live with early dismissals.The last time Samson played in a full-strength Indian side, the message was to be aggressive right from the start, but that kind of batting needs backing and security and sometimes doesn’t come off in the first series. He found himself out after that.Now, the captain and the chairman of selectors have publicly backed Samson and brought him back despite there being two wicketkeepers – plus KL Rahul – in the set-up already. If it translates into role clarity and chances in the middle, this might just be Samson’s best chance to build an international career.

As is to be expected by now, this season has been another one full of ups and downs for Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou’s side looked like one primed for a crisis following their loss to Ipswich Town earlier this month but then quashed any such talk with an emphatic 4-0 win away to Manchester City on Sunday.

Based on their last performance, the Lilywhites are a side that not many teams would want to play at the moment, and they should be taking that confidence into their Europa League clash with Roma tonight.

That said, the Italian giants should not be underestimated as they have some serious talents of their own, including the incredibly exciting Paulo Dybala, but Ange might already have his own version of the Argentine in his squad that must start.

Dybala's links to Spurs

As many Spurs fans will be well aware, Roma’s Dybala is a player who has been touted for a move to N17 on several occasions over the years, starting back in 2019.

One of the biggest transfer sagas that summer was the Argentine’s supposed move to the Lilywhites, and according to a report from Sky Sports News, the North Londoners had actually agreed on a £64.4m fee with Juventus.

However, just a day later, once the fans were excited about the supremely gifted star’s potential arrival, the Serie A side stopped the transfer over an inability to get an adequate replacement.

Then, a few years later, when the former Palermo ace was finally set to leave the Old Lady, Tottenham were once again said to be interested in signing him, only for Roma, who were managed by former Spurs boss José Mourinho at the time, to swoop in and secure the talented attacker’s signature themselves.

Now the Laguna Larga-born star is 31 years old and settled in Rome; it seems like the Lilywhites will never get their man, although there’s a dynamic attacker in Postecoglou’s squad who could be their answer to him.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Spurs' own Dybala

Okay, so there are a few candidates for this tag in the current Spurs squad, from Dejan Kulusevski to possibly even Lucas Bergvall, should he continue to develop in the way he is.

However, the player we are talking about is James Maddison, and there are two reasons for this.

The first is that, like the Roma ace, the Englishman is adept at scoring goals and setting up his teammates with exquisite passes.

For example, in his 46 appearances for Spurs thus far, the “incredible” attacker, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored nine goals and provided 13 assists, equating to a goal involvement every 2.09 games.

Likewise, during his time with the capital club, the former Juve ace has scored 36 goals and provided 18 assists in 90 appearances, which equates to a goal involvement on average every 1.66 games.

Appearances

90

46

Goals

36

9

Assists

18

13

Goal Involvements per Match

0.60

0.47

The second similarity is where the pair plays.

When we look at the former Leicester City star’s heatmap, we see that he spends most of his time on the left-hand side, between the halfway line and the penalty area.

Interestingly, the five-time Serie A winner occupies the same space, just on the right-hand side, showing that the pair are about as attacking as a midfielder can get without occupying the same areas as their strikers do.

Lastly, while it’s not possible to quantify, both players are sensationally entertaining to watch, and while they may make a mistake here and there, you know that they will also try and make something happen at some point.

Ultimately, we’ll never know just how good Spurs could have been with Dybala in the team, but they have someone similar in Maddison.

Therefore, Postecoglou must make sure he starts the game tonight.

Spurs star who got sold by Poch for big money has become an 'embarrassment'

The veteran international has not had a great season so far.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 26, 2024

Maya Jama appears to have received another romantic gift from Manchester City defender Ruben Dias, with a huge bunch of red roses being delivered.

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Couple met at the MTV Europe Music AwardsSpent New Year's Eve together on IbizaJama has hinted at starting to learn PortugueseFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty/GOALWHAT HAPPENED?

Love Island host Jama has been keeping her new relationship out of the public eye, with only the odd glimpse being offered into her private life. She was first spotted with Portugal international Dias at the turn of the year, as they welcomed in 2025 on the party island of Ibiza.

AdvertisementTHE GOSSIP

A source told at the time: “When Ruben got injured and had to miss the congested new year fixtures, he jumped at the chance to see in 2025 with Maya in Spain. Spending New Year’s Eve together was a real step forward in their relationship. They get on really well and obviously make a gorgeous couple, but it’s early days.”

DID YOU KNOW?

The couple first met at the MTV Europe Music Awards in September 2024, which took place in Manchester. They have dined out together since then, with their bond continuing to blossom. That is now quite literally the case after Jama took ownership of a giant bouquet of flowers.

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WHAT NEXT?

It is being suggested that said present was ordered by City star Dias. Jama would appear to be getting serious with her new beau, with the 30-year-old recently posting on social media that “lessons have started” after recording her herself trying to speak Portuguese to Dias – who could be heard in the background.

Ron Kalifa emerges as favourite as ECB prepares to unveil Rob Key and name Ben Stokes as captain

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Apr-2022The power vacuum at the top of English cricket looks set to extend throughout the home summer, after the ECB was forced to restart the recruitment process for its new chairman, amid reports that Ron Kalifa – the man leading the nominations committee – is set to be put himself forward for the role instead.And in a further blow to the ECB’s hopes of a smooth transition, Barry O’Brien – who has been standing in as interim chair since the resignation of Ian Watmore in October – has chosen to stand down due to ill health, with Martin Darlow, the current deputy chair, stepping up as the stand-in’s stand-in.The chaotic scenario comes on the eve of Rob Key’s unveiling as the new director of men’s cricket, with Ben Stokes also set to be named as Joe Root’s successor as Test captain. Simon Katich and Gary Kirsten are among the names being touted for the head coach role – a job that the ECB has confirmed will be split between red-ball and white-ball following the publication of separate job adverts – but none of the team appointments yet know who they will be reporting to in the long-term, with the governing body in a state of paralysis.Related

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Kalifa, who has been on the board since November 2020, withdrew from the nominations committee at a board meeting on Tuesday, with his fellow non-executive director Brenda Trenowden taking over as chair.Kalifa is understood to have the support of several key executives within the ECB, and could pave the way for Andrew Strauss to be put forward as the new chief executive. However, with the process set to extend into the summer months, the likelihood is a stay of execution for the incumbent CEO, Tom Harrison, who had been expected to step down after seven years in charge, but may now be required to stay in office as the only experienced executive on the board.”The ECB Board met last night and has agreed to restart the process for recruiting its next permanent chair,” read a statement released on Wednesday.”Following an ongoing process involving a number of strong candidates undertaking interviews with both the Nominations Committee and a Cricket Panel it was felt that no single candidate was able to fully meet the criteria to become next chair.”In light of this, the board decided that the process should now be restarted. A new Nominations Committee will be appointed, chaired by senior independent director Brenda Trenowden, to run the new process.”In light of extending timelines in appointing a new ECB chair, Barry O’Brien, who has been standing-in as interim chair since October, will now step-down from the role due to ill health and hand over to deputy chair, Martin Darlow.”Stokes, meanwhile, is believed to have spoken to Key in recent days, with a view to taking over the Test captaincy following Root’s resignation earlier this month.He had been favourite to take charge, having served as vice-captain under Root, and is reportedly keen on the role despite the addition to his workload as a key allrounder and one of the Test team’s few default picks. Stokes is currently working his way back from a knee problem but could make a playing return for Durham in next week’s round of Championship matches.Key is set to be unveiled at Lord’s on Thursday, with the appointment of Stokes high up a to-do list that also includes recruiting for several vacancies in the wake of England’s Test series defeats in Australia and the Caribbean.

Inter Miami have big names and cache in the U.S., but the MLS side will be challenged to make a deep run this summer

Inter Miami were always going to be here. It made literally no sense of them not to be. This is the Club World Cup, FIFA's flagship new tournament in America. Lionel Messi plays soccer here. Even if they had undergone a middling season, they would find a way to participate.

And so it came to pass, the 2024 MLS Supporters' shield winners were named to the competition and are hosting the opener of what FIFA hopes will be a crucial part of the fabric of world football for years to come.

All of the storylines center around one player, of course. Fans from all over want to see Lionel Messi play. But look closer, and there's a semblance of a good team to be found. Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba may be well past their best, but they still have experience in bunches.

Meanwhile, new manager Javier Mascherano has been tactically astute to open MLS's campaign. Making a run in the Club World Cup, though, is another matter. What's possible for Messi and Miami?

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.

Next up is Inter Miami, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for one of the two MLS sides participating in this summer's tournament.

Getty ImagesThe Basics

DOMESTIC LEAGUE: MLS

CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: None

GROUP: A (Inter Miami, Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly FC)

OPENING MATCH: Al Ahly – June 14, 8 p.m., Miami

AdvertisementImagnHow they got here

There didn't seem to be very clear criteria, honestly. Miami got here because FIFA sort of wanted them to be. There was a bit of controversy involved in their qualification. When Miami won the Supporters' Shield at the end of last year, FIFA announced that they would be playing this summer. MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy, meanwhile, will watch from home.

GettyThe player to watch

The competition notwithstanding, the subtext of the 2025 Club World Cup is about the spread of soccer in the United States, and what better to do it than have Lionel Messi play a central role? Of course, it's not that Messi will be particularly easy to miss.

The Argentine is 37, and doesn't move as much these days, but is still among the best in the world (those eight Ballons d'Or didn't win themselves).

He sort of strolls his way through MLS, and if the pieces were better shaped around him, he would be entering this with a winner's medal around his neck already. The question is what sort of impact he might be able to have against the bigger teams.

He is still elite for Argentina, but there were signs at last year's Copa America that he could be stifled. Either way, when you have Messi, you have a chance. Welcome to the Leo show.

Getty Images SportRealistic expectations

It depends on results elsewhere in the group, of course. Miami absolutely to beat Al Ahly in their opener, and hope that results elsewhere go their way. Four points, historically, tends to be enough to get out of a four-team group.

A result against Palmeiras, and hope that Porto win out – which they really should – and Miami could sneak through in second place.

After that, all bets are off. A kind draw might get them through the last 16, but – in a tournament featuring the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, among others – anything beyond that would be a minor miracle. MLS clubs just aren't at that level yet.

Tottenham Hotspur have “lined up” a “sensational” manager as their top target if the club decide to sack under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou – and one who was a “leading candidate” to succeed Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea before Enzo Maresca got the job.

Ange Postecoglou under pressure amid inconsistent Tottenham form

This time last season, Postecoglou was a seriously popular figure in N17, collecting 26 points from his first 10 Premier League games as Spurs boss, breaking records in the process.

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ByEmilio Galantini Dec 7, 2024

Postecoglou recorded the best start ever made by any new manager in the division’s history in 2023/24, racking up more points in his opening 10 games than legendary Premier League managers like Arsène Wenger and José Mourinho, but fans are now starting to turn on the Australian.

Spurs’ head coach was spotted confronting a group of supporters in the away end at Bournemouth as words were exchanged, before stewards eventually defused the situation and waved Postecoglou away.

“They’re disappointed and rightly so,” said Postecoglou on the confrontation.

Tottenham vs Chelsea

December 8

Southampton vs Tottenham

December 15

Tottenham vs Liverpool

December 22

Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham

December 26

Tottenham vs Wolves

December 29

“They gave me some direct feedback, which I’ve taken on board. I didn’t like what was being said because I’m a human being but you’ve got to cop it.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that when things don’t go well, you’ve got to understand the frustration and disappointment. And they’re rightly disappointed because we let a game of football get away from us. But that’s OK. I’m OK with all that.”

Barring a sensational 4-0 win away at champions Man City, the Lilywhites have suffered recent defeats to Ipswich Town, Galatasaray and Bournemouth, all while failing to beat Roma in the Europa League and Fulham last weekend.

The results have been sub-par, and you could argue that Spurs have regressed since last season.

Postecoglou certainly hasn’t been helped by injuries to Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero – who form the defensive spine of the team – but their inconsistency was still present when all three were fit and available.

Postecoglou retains backing in the Tottenham boardroom according to reports last month, but if they continue on this downward trajectory, that probably won’t last much longer.

Tottenham line up Kieran McKenna as top target

According to Football Transfers, contingency plans are being put in place by chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange if they do opt to hand Postecoglou his P45.

Indeed, it is believed Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has admirers within the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium following the Englishman’s back-to-back promotions at Portman Road and reputation as one of the country’s most promising young coaches.

Tottenham have lined up McKenna as their “top target” to potentially replace Postecoglou, coming after Chelsea were widely reported to be after the 38-year-old as a candidate to step into Pochettino’s shoes in the summer.

GiveMeSport’s Dean Jones backed reports at the time that McKenna was a “leading candidate” for the Chelsea job, owing to how highly rated he is in the game, with Liverpool legend John Barnes also calling him a “sensational” tactician.

Interestingly, McKenna was also briefly a youth player at Tottenham, and featured in their reserves before retiring (Transfermarkt).

Manchester United legend Patrice Evra is trying his hand at becoming a reality TV star after landing a spot in the new Netflix show 'Sidemen'.

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Evra wants to be known as a YouTuberHas joined Sidemen show on NetflixBattles other celebrities for £1m prizeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The former France left-back has appeared in the new series of Inside, a show hosted by YouTube group Sidemen, which sees 10 celebrity contestants locked in a house together.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The celebrities are put through a series of challenges as they compete to win a £1 million prize. Evra's participation was announced as a surprise in the first episode, marking the latest chapter in the 43-year-old's attempt to become an internet star.

WHAT EVRA SAID

Evra spent eight years at United and won five Premier League titles and reached three Champions League finals, winning the competition in 2008. Despite his Old Trafford heroics, he hopes instead to be recognised for his YouTube career.

"I hope, in maybe one year, that people will say: 'Oh, this is the YouTuber!'. I prefer them to say that then saying: 'Oh, he's the legend of Man United'," he said on the show.

Getty Images EntertainmentWHAT NEXT FOR EVRA?

Evra will compete against the likes of PK Humble and JasonTheWeen among a host of other influencers as the ex-United, Juventus and Marseille hero attempts to win the big prize.

In recent years, Newcastle United have had some players represent the club who have gone under the radar. Perhaps two of the most famous examples of this are Ivan Toney and Mikel Merino.

Although they have gone on to pastures anew, with Toney playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and Merino now at Arsenal, they have both played for the Magpies.

England international Toney made just four appearances for the North Eastern side, and Merino, a Euro 2024 winner with Spain, played 25 times for the Magpies in 2017/18. Another of the more under-the-radar former Newcastle players is Joselu.

Josuel, it must be said has gone on to enjoy an intriguing career since leaving Tyneside, as too has one of his former teammates – more on that man later…

Joselu’s Newcastle career

Another 2024 European champion with Spain, Joselu has had a curious career. The 34-year-old might be considered by many as a journeyman.

Now playing in Qatar for Al-Gharafa SC, he has also played for clubs in Spain, Germany and England, namely Stoke City and, of course, Newcastle, who he joined from the Potters for £5m in 2017.

His record for the Magpies over two seasons is rather underwhelming. The Spain international managed just seven goals and two assists in 52 appearances for the North Eastern outfit. Six of those strikes came in the Premier League across two campaigns.

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He left St James’ Park to return to Spain in 2019, after a tough couple of years in those famous Black and White stripes of Newcastle. Joselu joined Alaves for an undisclosed fee, closing the chapter of his career in English football.

Incredibly, at the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the Stuttgart-born striker got his dream move back to Real Madrid, whose academy he previously played for. Although he spent just one season at Los Blancos, it was certainly memorable.

Joselu scored an impressive 17 goals in 49 games and was important in their Champions League win last term. He scored twice in the second leg of the semi-final against Bayern Munich, overturning a deficit to send his side through to the final at Wembley, which they went on to win.

The Spaniard left the Santiago Bernabeu a hero in the summer and was promptly replaced by none other than Kylian Mbappe. Interestingly, there is another former Newcastle star, Ayoze Perez, who is competing against the Frenchman in La Liga, and is holding his own.

Perez’s Newcastle career

In the Premier League era, there are just ten players with more top-flight goals for Newcastle than Perez. His influence at St James’ Park was impressive across the span of five seasons, including one campaign in the Championship.

In 195 total appearances for the Magpies, Perez managed to find the back of the net 48 times in all competitions, registering 17 assists, too. A versatile forward, he could be seen playing right across the front line.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2014/15

39

7

0

2015/16

37

6

2

2016/17

41

12

7

2017/18

37

10

4

2018/19

41

13

3

Now at Villarreal, versatile forward Perez has been fantastic for the Yellow Submarine in La Liga this term. He has seven goals in ten top-flight games, just two less than Mbappe, although he has played five fewer games.

Indeed, the pair are comparable on FBref after 15 games of the La Liga season. Perez actually trumps Mbappe when it comes to the number of goals per 90 minutes, with 1.13 compared to just 0.63 for the Frenchman. The former Newcastle star also scores more goals per shot, with 0.35 to Mbappe’s 0.09.

It is certainly interesting to see just how close to someone like Mbappe, who is valued at £120m, Perez is performing. As the stats show, he was a fairly consistent goalscorer for the Magpies, so no doubt their supporters are pleased to see his progress in La Liga.

Newcastle fans might well wish Mike Ashley had never sold Perez to Leicester City in 2019. Whilst they got £30m for him, he is performing at similar levels to a £120m player, so it could well be viewed as a bad decision.

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