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Still on the hunt for their next manager, Rangers have identified their new “leading candidate” to take the job, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Gerrard's Ibrox decision explained

It’s been a woeful start for the 49ers, there’s no escaping it. They instantly had a big decision to make in the summer and turned to Russell Martin as a result, but the manager failed to win over the rest of Ibrox from the very start. As soon as he stepped foot in the dugout, the former Southampton boss looked unlikely to last and just 123 days later, that proved true.

So, it was back to the drawing board for Kevin Thelwell, Paraag Marathe and the rest of the new Rangers board, who quickly identified Steven Gerrard.

The former Liverpool star has made his desire to return to management no secret and it looked as though that would come courtesy of the Gers. After meeting with the 49ers, however, Gerrard came to the conclusion that now is not the right time to return to Ibrox.

Many have had their say as to why that is ever since, including Ally McCoist. The Rangers legend recently claimed that the Scottish Premiership winner must have been left unconvinced by the current project.

McCoist told reporters: “He wouldn’t have come for the interview in the first place would he (if it was a financial). Either they haven’t sold him it, or I would suggest something has happened in the interview process that hasn’t taken his fancy.”

No matter the reason, Rangers are back to square one and have been left with no choice but to identify a new “leading candidate”.

Fabrizio Romano drops update on Rangers' "leading candidate"

According to Romano, Kevin Muscat is now the “leading candidate” to take the Rangers job following Gerrard’s rejection. The Shanghai Port manager was linked with the job back in 2023, before Philippe Clement was hired instead, and could now get the chance to step into the dugout just two years later.

The big obstacle for Rangers to overcome will be getting Muscat out of his Shanghai Port deal. The Chinese Super League side still have four games remaining of their league campaign and sit two points clear on their way to winning the title. Whether Muscat will want to leave before he rounds off an excellent season is the question that those at Ibrox must be asking.

As for his expertise, the 52-year-old would make perfect sense. He’s won everywhere that he’s been, he played for Rangers in the past and he has been a candidate for the job in the past. When his Yokohama side played Manchester City in a pre-season friendly back in 2023, Pep Guardiola was left stunned by the positivity and aggression of Muscat’s side as City ran out 5-3 winners.

Luciano Spalletti is set to return to club management with Juventus after reaching an agreement to replace the sacked Igor Tudor. The 66-year-old, who guided Napoli to the Scudetto in 2023, will sign a deal until June 2026, with an automatic extension triggered by Champions League qualification. His official unveiling is expected after Juve’s clash with Udinese.

Spalletti set to take over at Juve

Spalletti’s long-anticipated return to Serie A is almost complete, as Juventus have reached a full agreement with the veteran coach to replace Igor Tudor. According to Fabrizio Romano, Spalletti will sign a contract running until June 2026, which automatically extends by a year if the club secures Champions League qualification.

As per reports, the 66-year-old is expected to be present at the Allianz Stadium for Juve’s Serie A fixture against Udinese on Wednesday evening, although interim coach Massimo Brambilla will take charge of the game. His formal presentation and first press conference are scheduled for Thursday, with his debut on the bench anticipated for Saturday’s clash against Cremonese.

The appointment marks a major reset at Continassa after an eight-game winless run led to Tudor’s dismissal earlier this week. The Croatian’s final match in charge came in a 1-0 loss to Lazio, leaving the club languishing in eighth place, nine points adrift of leaders Napoli.

Advertisement'Anyone would be happy to coach Juve' – Spalletti

Spalletti acknowledged the magnitude of the opportunity when asked about his candidacy for the role on Tuesday. “Whoever replaces Tudor will be lucky; he’ll certainly find a team he can manage. Juventus is a great club with a great history. I think anyone would be happy to coach them; it could be the fortune of any coach,” he said. The former Italy manager had been out of work since June following his dismissal after the Azzurri’s disappointing start to World Cup qualifying.

The Tuscan-born tactician, known for his attacking brand of football, last managed Napoli, where he masterminded the club’s first Scudetto in over three decades during the 2022-23 season. His title-winning campaign with the Partenopei remains one of the most celebrated in recent Serie A history, showcasing his ability to build dynamic, possession-based sides.

Spalletti’s reputation as a meticulous planner and a player’s coach has long made him one of Italy’s most respected tacticians. His return to domestic football brings both intrigue and expectation as he looks to restore Bianconeri to the summit of Italian football amid inconsistency.

Chiellini's role in the deal

As per Giorgio Chiellini, who is part of Juventus’ management structure, played a decisive role in securing Spalletti’s appointment. Both men were said to be in full agreement that Spalletti’s philosophy aligns with the club’s long-term vision, particularly in balancing competitive football with the development of emerging players.

Spalletti’s first task will be to evaluate the squad and halt Juve’s ongoing winless streak. The Bianconeri have gone eight games without a victory in all competitions and currently sit adrift of the Serie A top four, the worrying reason why Tudor was also sacked.

He is expected to take charge officially in the weekend fixture against Cremonese, before leading Juventus into a crucial phase of the season that includes league clashes with Fiorentina and Inter Milan, as well as the decisive Champions League group-stage fixtures.

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Getty Images SportA coach on redemption mode

Spalletti’s arrival comes at a crucial time in Juventus’ transition phase. After his successful spell with Napoli and his mixed tenure as Italy coach, the 66-year-old now faces the challenge of reviving a club desperate to return to domestic dominance and European relevance.

His tactical blueprint, based on structured pressing and high-tempo build-up play, could help rejuvenate a side that has struggled for creativity and attacking cohesion this season. Moreover, Spalletti’s experience managing high-pressure environments, from Roma to Inter, equips him well for the expectations in Turin.

The coach’s time with the Azzurri ended prematurely, but this Juventus chapter offers him a chance to redeem his reputation on the grandest domestic stage. His appointment is also being viewed as a statement of ambition by Juventus’ new management, who believe Spalletti’s presence can stabilise the club after years of managerial turnover.

If Juventus secure a top-four finish this season, Spalletti’s contract will automatically extend by one year, a clear incentive tied to the club’s European ambitions. For Spalletti, this represents not just a new job, but a chance to cement his legacy as one of Italy’s most enduring managerial figures.

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho was empathetic while speaking about his decision to take off young left-back Samuel Dahl just minutes after his costly error gifted Bayer Leverkusen a goal during their Champions League encounter on Wednesday. Mourinho leapt to the defender's defence, arguing that conceding the goal was the team's mistake and not Dahl's.

Benfica continue to struggle in the Champions League

Benfica's chances of qualifying for the Champions League knockouts took another blow on Wednesday following a 1-0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen. It was the fourth successive defeat for the Eagles in Europe's premier club competition, and the third since Mourinho took charge of the team. 

Their form in Europe has raised eyebrows, despite maintaining an unbeaten record in domestic competitions thus far. They are third on the Liga Portugal table with 24 points, four behind league leaders and Mourinho's former employers Porto. Wednesday's loss puts Mourinho and Co. in a precarious situation, as they have been beaten by Qarabag, Chelsea, Newcastle and now Leverkusen.

AdvertisementAFPMourinho assures Dahl will start in the next game

While Dahl was substituted just minutes after his error led to Patrik Schick's goal, Mourinho defended the youngster and reassured that he will be a starter in Benfica's upcoming league clash against Casa Pia on Sunday. 

"For the game against Casa Pia, I can say right now that Dahl will play," he said. "He had a fantastic game. The first half was delightful to watch. He's a much better player, he looks for depth much more than before. He played a very, very, very good game. I didn't take him off to penalize him for the mistake. It's our mistake, not his. We missed open goals, we wanted to go in with the ball through the net… those were individual errors. The kid played a very, very good game. It breaks my heart for a kid who played an excellent game, then gave an assist for Bayer to win without doing anything to deserve it."

Benfica can still qualify for UCL knockouts, says Mourinho

The result has left Benfica in 35th position on the overall Champions League league phase standings, just one spot above bottom-placed Ajax. However, they are just four points behind 24th-placed Napoli, with Mourinho confident his team can book a place in the top 24 to ensure they reach the play-offs.

"I'm more optimistic than that. Nobody will convince me that we're out," Mourinho asserted at the post-match press conference. "The math is very objective; there are 12 points left to play for, and we need around nine. The math says it's possible, but not only that. This game convinces me that we can win the games we need to. It was a very strong and convincing game. I have a different view from you and perhaps from the fans because I have to see it from all perspectives. The result is the most obvious, and we lost. But I have to see the quality of our attacks, our defence, our build-up play from the back, and the many opportunities we created. Under normal circumstances, we would have scored a goal and won; there wouldn't have been much of a story. The team is growing and playing better and better.

"I've already told you that nobody can convince me that we won't qualify. I can't say right now that we'll qualify because that would be selling snake oil, and I won't do that. But there are 12 points to play for, and the way the team is playing and fighting convinces me. We have two games until the end of the calendar year, and if we win both, we're completely in contention to go through. The Champions League is the highest level of European football. 

"Today, we faced a team that didn't create or risk anything and had the referee's leniency. But it's a very high-level team. With three multi-million dollar centre-backs and a lot of quality. Midway through the second half, the opponent brought on Schick, who has impressive physical capabilities. Only against Newcastle did I feel we wouldn't make it; against Chelsea we didn't feel that way, and today it was glaringly obvious. So, we have to be optimistic and do everything we did well today. Which was everything except winning."

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AFPWho are Benfica's remaining opponents in the Champions League?

Mourinho's men face an uphill task of saving their continental campaign. They will face Ajax and Serie A champions Napoli before the end of the year, before taking on Juventus and Real Madrid in January. 

Arsenal are now looking to sign a £87m striker with the same agent as Kai Havertz, joining a number of their Premier League rivals in the race for his signature.

Gunners looking to sign new striker amid Gyokeres criticism

Having knocked on the door in each of the last three Premier League seasons, finishing second on each occasion, the Gunners look like they are finally in a strong position to take the final step and win the title, most recently defeating Crystal Palace 1-0.

The narrow victory ensured Mikel Arteta’s side moved four points clear at the top of the table, with their stellar defensive record one of the main reasons they continue to set the pace, having shipped just three goals in their opening nine league games.

At the opposite end of the pitch, summer signing Viktor Gyokeres was seen as the final piece of the jigsaw, but the Swedish striker has already developed a reputation of a ‘flat track bully’, having scored just three league goals, two of which coming against Leeds United in August.

Troy Deeney has recently made it clear he doesn’t believe Gyokeres is in the same bracket as Harry Kane or Erling Haaland, given that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Danny Welbeck is outscoring the former Sporting CP man in the Premier League this season.

Gyokeres is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, but there has now been a suggestion that Arsenal are already planning to bring in another new striker, with a report from Caught Offside stating they are keen on FC Porto’s Samu Omorodion.

Omorodion is protected by a monster release clause of €100m (£87m), so the Gunners would need to be willing to spend big to get a deal done, and they are not the only English club keen, with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest also in the race.

The north Londoners have sent scouts to watch the Porto star in action in recent weeks, and they are likely to have been left impressed by his performances…

Arsenal now rivalling Real Madrid for "powerful" £61m maestro who Arteta loves

The Gunners are looking to sign another midfielder.

ByDominic Lund Oct 26, 2025 "Box dominator" Omorodion on fire in Portugal

The 21-year-old is off to a very impressive start to the season, amassing eight goals in all competitions for Porto, and the youngster is showing signs he could be on course to have his best season to date, having progressed year-on-year since breaking through in Spain.

Season

Appearances (all competitions)

Goals

2023-24

36

9

2024-25

45

27

2025-26

10

8

During that time, the former Alaves man also caught the eye of scout Ben Mattinson, who hailed him as a “box dominator” back in February.

Omorodion could be capable of becoming a top-level striker, but there are doubts over whether he would be a necessary signing for Arsenal, given that Gyokeres and Havertz are also on the books, with the Spain international interestingly represented by the same agent as the German.

Fatima Sana continues to lead the 15-member squad that does not have Nida Dar, who is on an indefinite break

Danyal Rasool23-Jul-2025Twenty-year-old Eyman Fatima has been called up to the Pakistan T20I squad to tour Ireland following her success in the National T20 tournament in May.Fatima was the fourth-highest run-scorer in that tournament, amassing 287 runs at a strike rate in excess of 155. She had earlier played in the inaugural women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in 2023 and was Pakistan’s highest run-getter there (and fourth overall) with 157 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 126.61.Fatima Sana will lead the side that will play three T20Is in Dublin. Sana was both the highest run-scorer and the player with the highest strike rate at the National T20 tournament. These will be the first T20Is Pakistan play this year; the last time they played in the format was at the T20 World Cup last year.Related

Nida Dar takes indefinite break from cricket

Allrounder Nida Dar, the highest wicket-taker in Pakistan women’s T20I history, and behind only Australian Megan Schutt globally, took an indefinite break from cricket following a breakdown in the relationship between her and the board and last played for Pakistan at that T20 World Cup. This squad, though, is similar to the one which, under new head coach Mohammad Wasim, stormed through the ODI qualifiers at home earlier this year, winning all five games.The squad was chosen from among the 24 players, who have taken part in a skills camp in Karachi that concludes on July 27. Following that, the 15 players selected will undergo an additional pre-series training camp before leaving for Ireland.The three T20Is take place on August 6, 8 and 10.Pakistan squad for T20Is vs IrelandFatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Waheeda Akhtar

Tottenham Hotspur took the lead in short time against Aston Villa at the weekend, and Thomas Frank’s clear impetus on fast starts is an exciting addition indeed.

But Spurs failed to make that early advantage count as Unai Emery’s Villa gained momentum and left with the spoils in the Premier League. Tottenham’s wretched home form drags on.

Evident is the deep creative issue the Lilywhites are struggling to uproot at the moment. But there’s much room for optimism, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski working hard to return from their long-term injuries.

(1) Crystal Palace

12

17.1

(2) Man United

11

14.9

(3) Man City

17

14.4

(4) Arsenal

15

13.6

(5) Liverpool

14

13.6

(14) Tottenham

14

8.3

Such midfielders are the playmaking stars in north London, true, but Xavi Simons was signed as a difference-maker, and he’s failing to inspire thus far.

Xavi Simons' Spurs career so far

Simons, 22, joined Tottenham from RB Leipzig this summer for around £51m. The Netherlands international has long been regarded among the brightest talents of his age bracket, and he posted 22 goals and 24 assists across two seasons in Germany.

But the English game is a tough one, and across eight fixtures in a Tottenham shirt so far, Simons has yet to open his account, assisting once, on his debut against West Ham United.

He’s a tenacious little player but needs to get up to speed with the pace and rigorousness of the Premier League, and find his footing from a creative standpoint too.

Considering the injured midfielders working hard to return could threaten Simons’ starting berth in the coming months, there’s a case to be made that Frank will utilise the one-time Barcelona academy star from a wider berth.

But with Mikey Moore currently out on loan with Rangers, that spot may well be taken in the years to come.

The Spurs teenager coming for Mikey Moore's shirt number

Moore is still only 18, but already he has featured 21 times for Tottenham’s senior set-up, scoring once and assisting two goals. Scouts have lauded him for his “world-class” potential, and he had a big fan in Ange Postecoglou.

Last season, en route to Tottenham’s Europa League triumph, the teenager bagged his first senior goal against IF Elfsborg, drawing all the plaudits.

Hailed as a “superstar” of a prospect by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Moore’s dynamic approach to his game will serve him well as his physical development continues, and though he’s struggled on loan with Rangers this term, that is more of a reflection of the sinking ship that is Ibrox, embroiled in so many problems this season.

The England U19 captain, with seven goals from 13 games, operates across the frontline, but the left channel is ostensibly the position he is most naturally suited to, with his electric pace and ability to leave defenders munching dust lending itself to the role.

And, while he has yet to establish himself as a prolific force on the senior stage, Moore’s staggering returns on the development scene have created quite the noise around his name. In the U18 Premier League, for example, the diminutive forward posted 17 goals and 12 assists across just 22 appearances. ​​​​​​

Tottenham U18

24

19 (13)

Tottenham

21

1 (2)

Rangers

7

0 (1)

Tottenham U21

5

2 (2)

Tottenham U19

5

0 (0)

Already, the fleet-footed talent ranks among the top 16% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for assists per 90, data courtesy of FBref, and this natural-born creativity is something Tottenham could clearly add to their ranks right now, especially with Simons flattering to deceive.

Simons is an immensely talented attacking midfielder, and he will surely come good, but Moore is a one-of-a-kind talent, striking that balance between entertaining, showpiece football and the intelligent and calculated approach needed to steer through the many grittier moments of a campaign.

Youth scout Jacek Kulig has hailed Moore as “one of the most talented players of his generation in Europe”, and there’s no question that Spurs expect him to play a pivotal role under Frank’s wing in the years to come.

Last season, former Spurs boss Postecoglou had said he’s “very mature for a 17-year-old”, able to grasp the different facets of multi-positional play while retaining prolificness at youth level.

Maddison has even made the rather bold claim of Moore being Neymar-esque when carrying the ball down the wing, artful and elegant but also in full control.

This current campaign will teach him a thing or two about adversity, with Rangers having won just one of their opening eight Premiership matches, languishing some 13 points behind surprise league leaders Hearts.

Of course, there’s nothing to say that Simons and Moore couldn’t operate in harmony in the Tottenham attack, but, as acknowledged already, Kulusevski and Maddison are currently recovering on the sidelines.

The success of Spurs’ Swedish star when shuffled into a central creative berth underscores the size of the task in front of Simons, who was criticised by football.london for his ‘poor’ performance against Aston Villa at the weekend, hit with a 5/10 match rating.

All told, Frank has still made a steady start to life at the Tottenham helm, but he has several creases to iron out, and if Simons continues to struggle in his creative role, Moore might just return and find a pathway toward the starting line-up.

He has already been billed as a teenage talent with the potential to feature on the Premier League billboards, and that will soon be put to the test under Frank’s leadership.

The new Dele Alli: Frank must unleash Spurs' £97m-rated "game changer"

Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Aston Villa on Sunday, Thomas Frank must start his new “game changer” centrally as he’s the new Dele Alli.

ByBen Gray Oct 19, 2025

Bayern Munich are racing to extend Dayot Upamecano's contract, with sporting director Christoph Freund calling it the club's "main goal". The defender is in the final months of his deal, and reports claim Real Madrid have opened talks for a free transfer ahead of next season, which comes as no surprise to the German club's director.

Freund confirms 'main goal' to extend Upamecano deal

The 27-year-old defender's contract at the Allianz Arena is set to expire on 30 June. With the France international now in the final year of his deal, he will be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in less than two months.

This precarious situation has reportedly alerted Europe's elite, including Real Madrid and Liverpool, forcing Bayern to accelerate negotiations. The public confirmation from Freund comes after president Herbert Hainer recently emphasised the club's hope that Upamecano will sign a new deal.

"It's no secret that our main goal is to extend Upamecano's contract," Freund said in a press conference. "It's also not surprising that many clubs, I don't know which ones, are interested in Upamecano because he's simply performing really, really well, is a great guy, and one of the best centre-backs in the world."

Freund noted that the player's current form, which has seen him make 19 appearances across all competitions this season, is a sign of his contentment in Munich.

The French international feels "very, very comfortable," Freund added, stating that is evident in "the energy he exudes" on the field.

However, the sporting director conceded that an agreement is not imminent, stating: "We are in talks, but there is nothing new to report at the moment."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesReal Madrid 'open talks' for 2026 free transfer

The pressure on Bayern is mounting, with reports claiming that Real Madrid have already opened discussions with Upamecano's representatives regarding a free transfer in the summer of 2026.

Los Blancos have reportedly made defensive reinforcement a top priority. With uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, the club are seeking a new leader for their backline.

Upamecano is seen as a perfect fit for this next-generation blueprint, possessing Champions League experience and familiarity with Real Madrid's strong French contingent, which includes Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. His commanding performance in Bayern's 2-1 Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain is said to have solidified Madrid's interest.

Kahn slams 'very weak' negotiating position

The situation has drawn sharp criticism from Bayern legend Oliver Kahn, who blasted the club for allowing a key player to enter the final year of his contract.

"The way he's playing now, at the very highest level, it's not just going to be expensive, not just very expensive, it's going to be very, very expensive for Bayern," Kahn told

The former CEO questioned the club's foresight, placing the blame for their difficult negotiating stance squarely on the board.

“The question that always arises is: why did you let Dayot Upamecano enter the final year of his contract in the first place?” Kahn said. “The only explanation is that Bayern weren't so happy with him a year or two ago. Now he's performing at the top of his game. When you're in the final year of a contract, you're in a very bad position as a club unless you pay a lot of money.”

Reports suggest those demands are high, with the defender allegedly seeking a salary of around €15 million per year plus a significant signing bonus.

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Upamecano's resurgence under Kompany fuels interest

Upamecano's exceptional form, which has triggered this contract race, is widely credited to new manager Vincent Kompany. After struggling for consistency under previous bosses Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel, the Frenchman has thrived under the former Manchester City captain.

The defender, who joined from RB Leipzig in 2021 for €42.5m, has publicly praised Kompany's influence.

"We all watched him when we were young; he was a legend for Belgium and Manchester City," Upamecano said in a recent interview. "He was a very aggressive defender in duels, a leader on the pitch too, a good example for me. He helps me a lot; we do a lot of videos, he talks to me about my positioning. With him, it's always very intense.”

The San Diego Padres took control of their NLDS with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night, winning Game 3 at home, 6-5, to set up an elimination game Wednesday night at Petco Park.

The Padres scored all of their runs in the second inning, with Fernando Tatis Jr. finishing it off with a monster two-run home run to left field that sent the home crowd into hysterics.

MLB shared a video of the home run with just the natural sound from inside Petco Park and it's impossible not to watch more than a few times. Well, unless you're a Dodgers fan. They probably don't want to see this again.

For the rest of us, this is pretty cool:

There is nothing like playoff baseball.

Wiaan Mulder, who got a mammoth 367* against Zimbabwe, gained in both batters’ and allrounders’ rankings

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jul-20251:45

Monga: Gill set the example for India’s batting success at Edgbaston

England batter Harry Brook, who scored 158 in the first innings at Edgbaston, is now the top-ranked Test batter in the world as per the ICC rankings. Brook replaced his team-mate Joe Root at the top, and is now 18 points clear of Root, who has moved down to second.India Test captain Shubman Gill’s historic knocks of 269 and 161 in the second Test, which India won by 336 runs, helped him climb 15 places to move up to No. 6, with a career-best ratings points of 807. Between Brook, Root and Gill, there are Kane Williamson (third), Yashasvi Jaiswal (fourth) and Steven Smith (fifth) on the charts.England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith was also among the beneficiaries after the Edgbaston Test. His twin contributions of a career-best 184*, during which he rescued England from 84 for 5 in the first innings along with Brook, and 88 in the second innings helped him rise 16 spots to No. 10.Full rankings tables

Click here for the full team rankings

Click here for the full player rankings

South Africa allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who got a mammoth 367* in the second Test against Zimbabwe, gained in both batters’ and allrounders’ rankings. While he jumped 34 places to No. 22 among the batters, he also went up 12 places to No. 3 among allrounders. Ravindra Jadeja still leads the allrounders’ rankings.In the ODI rankings for batters, Sri Lanka’s duo of captain Charith Asalanka and Kusal Mendis gained after impactful performances in their 2-1 win against Bangladesh.Kusal entered the top ten by rising ten spots after scoring 225 runs in the series, including knocks of 124 and 56, that got him the Player-of-the-Series award. Asalanka, meanwhile, rose two places to No. 6 after his match-winning innings of 106 and 58 in the first and third ODIs, respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank needs to find a way for his team to create more chances on a consistent basis after some struggles in the Premier League of late.

The Lilywhites created a staggering eight ‘big chances’ against Copenhagen in the Champions League last week, per Sofascore, but they have been unable to showcase that level of creativity on the domestic stage.

Spurs created 0.92 xG in their 2-2 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday, per Sofascore, after creating 0.10 xG in their defeat to Chelsea at home in their previous top-flight clash.

Per FBref, Tottenham rank 14th in the Premier League for xG, with 11.0 in 11 matches, which shows that they are far away from being one of the most creative teams in the division.

The former Brentford head coach, therefore, needs to adjust his system or work harder with the players on the training pitch to ensure that they start creating more chances.

One team selection move that Frank could make to add more creativity to the team in the short-term could be to unleash Wilson Odobert from the start after his excellent cameo on Saturday.

Why Wilson Odobert should start for Spurs

The former Burnley forward came off the bench to make a significant impact against Manchester United, as he provided the assist for Richarlison’s goal with a shot that turned into a cross.

Irrespective of whether it was intended as a shot or a cross, Odobert set himself brilliantly with a perfect first touch and struck the ball superbly, with an effort that may have gone in even if Richarlison had not made contact with the ball.

The France U21 international came on at half-time for Randal Kolo Muani and added directness and excitement to the Tottenham attack with his willingness to take players on with the ball at his feet.

Minutes played

45

Shots

1

Key passes

3

Big chances created

2

Dribbles completed

2/2

Pass accuracy

100%

Duels won

4/4

As you can see in the table above, Odobert created two ‘big chances’ in 45 minutes of action, whilst being incredibly efficient as a dribbler, as a passer, and in his duels.

That impressive cameo against the Red Devils came after he started and scored in the 4-0 win over Copenhagen, which means that the forward has registered goal contributions in successive matches for the first time in his Tottenham career.

This shows that the French youngster is finally finding his feet in North London and is building positive momentum with his performances, which is why Frank should reward him with a start against Arsenal on the other side of the international break.

His direct play and invention with the ball at his feet could improve Tottenham’s creativity and go some way to solving some of the issues that they have had, creatively, in the Premier League this season.

Chalkboard

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

Of course, a player will have to be dropped from the starting line-up in order to facilitate Odobert’s return to the XI, and that unfortunate man could be summer signing Xavi Simons.

Why Spurs should drop Xavi Simons

The Netherlands international created three ‘big chances’ and registered an assist in the 4-0 win over Copenhagen in the Champions League last week, delivering a brilliant through ball for Brennan Johnson to score.

Football FanCast published an article after that match suggesting that it was the kind of performance that could kickstart his season, as it was a reminder of the kind of quality that he can provide at his best.

Unfortunately, the Dutchman, who was signed from RB Leipzig for £52m in the summer transfer window, played 79 minutes against Manchester United on Saturday without creating a single chance for his teammates, per Sofascore.

Unlike Odobert, Xavi was unable to build on his Champions League performance by following it up with productivity in the Premier League, which has been an issue for him throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

After the 2-2 draw with United, content creator Ronaldo Brown claimed “Xavi Simons is the master of taking “one touch too many” which has gotten him swallowed in the Prem”, and it is hard to disagree with that assessment.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has no goals and one assist, which was a corner for Pape Matar Sarr to score, in eight appearances in the Premier League so far this season, since his move from the Bundesliga.

xG

0.31

Bottom 22%

Shots on target

1

Bottom 11%

Goals

0

Bottom 3%

Chances created

6

Bottom 46%

xA

0.64

Top 47%

Assists

1

Top 49%

Touches in opposition’s box

9

Bottom 18%

As you can see in the table, Xavi ranks among the worst attacking midfielders in the Premier League in a host of key metrics, aside from his one assist, which was from a set-piece.

The Dutch playmaker is yet to show the kind of quality that saw him deliver 21 goals and 21 assists in two seasons with RB Leipzig in Germany, per Sofascore, which is why Frank should ruthlessly ditch him from the starting line-up for now.

Unfortunately, Xavi is not delivering enough quality at the top end of the pitch when given chances by Frank, whilst Odobert showed on Saturday that he can impact games in the Premier League at this stage in his development.

Frank must never start £130k-per-week Spurs duo together ever again

Tottenham ended up drawing a frenetic Premier League clash against Manchester United this weekend.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 9, 2025

Therefore, the Spurs head coach should ditch the Netherlands international from the XI to play Odobert in a central position, where he can drive forwards and make things happen for the Lilywhites.