علّق ريناتو جاوتشو، المدير الفني لفريق فلومينينسي، على فوزهم الثمين ضد إنتر ميلان، مساء أمس، في إطار منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، نسخة 2025.

وتلاقى الفريقان في خضم منافسات دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، حيث حقق فلومينينسي مفاجأة بعدما فاز على إنتر ميلان بهدفين دون رد، ليتأهل إلى دور ربع النهائي.

وقال ريناتو جاوتشو، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “UOL” البرازيلية: “لقد ارتكبنا بعض الأخطاء، وحصلنا على فرص قليلة ولكننا نجحنا بفضلها في تسجيل هدفين ساعدانا على التأهل”.

وأضاف: “رغم ضيق الوقت، آمن اللاعبون بالخطة الجديدة، تحدثت معهم كثيرًا، في الأيام القليلة الماضية أشرت لهم إلى إمكانية تحقيق ذلك، في المقابل هناك فريق رائع يمتلك موارد مالية أكبر بكثير منا، ولكن في الملعب دائمًا ما يكون الأمر 11 لاعبًا ضد 11 لاعبًا”.

وواصل: “لقد بذل فريقي قصارى جهده وتفانوا وقدموا كل ما لديهم، ركزوا بكل قوة، تستحق تلك المجموعة التهنئة، ولكننا نريد كذلك تهنئة جماهيرنا على دعمهم لنا في الملعب، وكذلك جماهيرنا في البرازيل تستحق الاحتفال كثيرًا لأننا وصلنا إلى ربع النهائي، بينما لم يثق بنا الكثيرون”.

وأردف: “كرة القدم البرازيلية تظهر قوتها، نحن متأخرون عن الأندية الأوروبية من الناحية المالية، لديهم الإمكانيات اللازمة لاستقطاب أفضل اللاعبين في العالم ولكن في الملعب، عندما يتعلق الأمر بالالتزام والتفاني والروح المعنوية، فإن هذا ما كان عليه فريقي اليوم”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لاوتارو مارتينيز منفعلًا بعد الخروج من كأس العالم للأندية: وداعًا لمن يرغب في الرحيل

وشدد: “عرفنا كيف ندافع عن أنفسنا، كيف نتحمل المعاناة في بعض مراحل المباراة، وفي الوقت المناسب فزنا، إنه فريق واعي للغاية، ينصت جيدًا لما يجب القيام به في الملعب وينفذونه، والنتائج تعكس ذلك”.

واستكمل: “أثبت كل من فلومينينسي وبالميراس أنه بالالتزام والروح الرياضية في الملعب، يكون الفريقان 11 ضد 11، أما خارج الملعب، لا يمكن منافسة خصومنا ماليًا، نحن نمثل كرة القدم البرازيلية تمثيلًا رائعًا”.

واعترف: “بلا شك ذلك أحد أكبر انتصاراتي كمدرب، لأنه حدث ضد فريق أوروبي كبير، هذا أمر مهم للغاية، ولكن الأهم هو التزام الفريق، إنه انتصار للجميع وليس شخصي لي، أتقاضى أجري لكي أفكر، وعندما أفضل خطة، أعرف ما أفعله”.

واستأنف: “يقول الناس إن ريناتو (هو) إما هذا أو ذاك، أو أنه لا يدرس كرة القدم أو أنه لا يفهم كثيرًا في التكتيكات، ولكن ما أفهمه أكثر هو هذا، لست ملزمًا بشرح الأمور الفنية لكم، بل لفريقي، وعندما نفوز يكون الجميع جيدًا، وعندما نخسر، لا أحد جيد، عليً تبادل الأفكار وإرضاء فريقي، هذا هو سبب احتفالنا اليوم، أنا أعرف قدراتي وقدرات الفريقي، أفهم نفسي من خلالهم”.

واختتم: “لم نواجه أي فريق، بل واجهنا فريقًا عظيمًا في كرة القدم الأوروبية، وصل إلى نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا، نحن فخورون بأنفسنا بهذه العاطفة والفرحة التي منحناها لجماهيرنا وللكرة البرازيلية”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Com a classificação para a semifinal da Copa do Brasil, após empatar com América-MG por 2 a 2, o São Paulo arrecadou mais R$ 8 milhões para seus cofres. O time se classificou por conta da vantagem no jogo de ida.Com isso, o clube do Morumbi embolsou R$ 19,5 milhões.

RelacionadasSão PauloATUAÇÕES: Mesmo com falhas de Reinaldo, Luciano é o homem da classificação do São PauloSão Paulo18/08/2022São PauloLuciano marca duas vezes e classifica São Paulo contra o América-MG para semifinal da Copa do BrasilSão Paulo18/08/2022São PauloSão Paulo e Luís Fabiano negociam realização de partida de despedida no Morumbi em janeiroSão Paulo18/08/2022

ATUAÇÕES: Mesmo com falhas de Reinaldo, Luciano é o homem da classificação do São Paulo

O time já havia batido sua meta no mês de julho, quando avançou para as quartas de final do campeonato. No planejamento, a pretensão era estar entre os oito primeiros. Em 2021, o São Paulo apresentou um déficit de R$100 milhões. A dívida geral do clube já ultrapassou os R$700 milhões. A Copa do Brasil aliviaria um pouco os cofres do Tricolor paulista.

Porém, o que mais chama atenção é quanto recebe o vencedor. Ir para a decisão final já garante mais R$25 milhões. Quem erguer a taça,ganha R$60 milhões. Assim, caso o São Paulo vença o campeonato pela primeira vez, receberá mais de R$100 milhões. A Copa do Brasil já é vista como uma das grandes prioridades de Rogério Ceni neste ano.

Como dito antes, além do dinheiro que é de muito bom grado, nunca em toda a história o time venceu o torneio. Tal acontecimento seria um fato extremamente memorável tanto para o treinador quanto para o restante do elenco.

Vivo na Copa Sul-Americana e na Copa do Brasil, alguns problemas relacionados ao orçamento já podem ser resolvidos com as decisões. É importante ressaltar que tudo isso está estipulado na meta deste ano. O Tricolor agora se prepara para enfrentar o Flamengo na semifinal da competição.

The Pakistan allrounder rescued the innings from 44 for 4 and also played his part in the field

ECB Reporters Network23-Jun-2023

Shadab Khan showed off his batting class (file photo)•Getty Images

Sussex claimed victory over Glamorgan by 20 runs with Shadab Khan staring with bat to set up a straight forward win for his team.Sussex were in trouble early in their innings but Shadab led a brilliant fight back to post an imposing 182 for for 6. The Pakistan allrounder was well supported by Michael Burgess and James Coles as the Sussex middle order took the game away from the home side.The mainstay of the Glamorgan batting effort was New Zealander Cam Fletcher who made his first meaningful contribution for the side having been signed as injury cover for Colin Ingram. However there was little support for Fletcher and the Glamorgan innings fell away in the face of a professional Sussex bowling performance.Both of these teams have a mathematical, if improbable, chance of making the knockout stages of the Blast but it will be difficult for either side to turn around the net run rate advantage held by other teams in the South Group.It was an outstanding start from the Glamorgan bowlers inside the powerplay with Timm van der Gugten claiming three vital wickets in the opening overs. Van der Gugten dismissed both openers with full balls that were caught inside the circle and got Oli Carter caught at fine leg when he attempted a scoop shot.Jamie McIlroy also chipped in with a wicket inside the fielding restrictions, with a stunning catch down the leg side by Chris Cooke sending the Sussex captain, Ravi Bopara, back to the dugout. That left Sussex 46 for 4at the end of the powerplay and in urgent need of a partnership.A 58-run stand between Michael Burgess and Shadab took Sussex past the 100-run mark and started to build a platform. Shadab was the player leading the fightback as he secured his second half-century of this Blast campaign, but Burgess played his part as he made 29 from 22 balls before he chopped a ball from Andy Gorvin on to his stumps.Shadab found another willing partner in James Coles as they attacked in the back end of the Sussex innings after a successful rebuilding job. The final five overs saw 65 runs added to the visitor’s total. Shadab pased fifty from 39 balls but put on another 36 runs from the next 14 deliveries he faced to finish on 87 not out.The Glamorgan chase got off to the worst possible start when captain Kiran Carlson was caught in the gully from the first ball of the innings, but Will Smale and Sam Northeast did a decent job of recovering from the early loss of Carlson with a stand of 37.Smale looked to be really getting going before the extra pace of Tymal Mills did for him. He was bowled for 25 to leave Glamorgan 37 for 2. Northeast, back to opening after a spell in the middle order, looked in fine form as he made 44 from 30 deliveries before he was caught on the boundary by Harrison Ward off the bowling of Bopara.Cooke was run out in bizarre fashion at the non-strikers end by Shadab. Fletcher drilled the ball straight back at the bowler and Shadab stopped the ball with his foot with a touch that was worthy of Lionel Messi before calmly picking it up and running out Cooke.The timing of that shot was indictive of how well Fletcher struck the ball throughout his innings. He had made just one run from his two previous visits to the crease for Glamorgan, but he found some form here on his way to 57 from 40 balls.As wickets fell around Fletcher there was little he could do as the required rate crept up to make a win mathematically impossible by the time the last over started and he fell attempting to swing for the fences as Sussex closed out the victory.

PSG president sent a pointed message to Kylian Mbappe and claims Luis Enrique said they would win the Champions League before facing Arsenal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Al-Khelaifi mocks MbappePSG won Champions League after Frenchman's exitPresident hits back at 'farmer's league' jibesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi sent Kylian Mbappe a subtle dig after his side finally ended their long hunt for a first ever Champions League title at the end of last month. The Ligue 1 giants thrashed Inter 5-0 in the final, with their success coming after Mbappe left to sign for Real Madrid last year.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ligue 1 has been criticised for being the weakest of Europe's top five leagues, having not provided a Champions League winner before PSG since 1993, when Marseille beat AC Milan in Munich. However, Luis Enrique's side beat a number of Premier League sides as they came out on top in Europe and Al-Khelaifi has made sure fans and pundits won't forget it with his most recent comments, also revealing his manager told him PSG would claim the silverware long before the final.

WHAT AL-KHELAIFI SAID

He told Qatari channel Al-Kass Sport: "It's easier to score goals in La Liga than in Ligue 1. Luis Enrique proudly represented Ligue 1 and defended it against Premier League fans who called it the 'farmer's league'. We ended up beating Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal in the Champions League this season.

"Nobody thought we would win the title. We approached the Champions League step by step. The match at Anfield gave us confidence.

"Luis Enrique told me before the match against Arsenal that we would win the Champions League. I was delighted with every goal in the final; I could hardly believe the 5-0 victory against Inter. This club has become a source of pride for Qatar and France around the world. After this incredible achievement, the club is now profitable."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

PSG previously came closest to lifting the Champions League trophy in 2020, when they were runners-up to Bayern Munich after Kingsley Coman struck the winner against his former club.

Jack Grealish is set to depart Manchester City, and it has been reported that Everton have joined Newcastle in the race for his signature.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Grealish set for Etihad departure this summer
• Man City outcast finds himself on Everton's radar
• Newcastle also interested in signing ex-Aston Villa man

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to a report from the , Everton are keeping close tabs on Grealish’s situation at Manchester City, with the out-of-favour Englishman expected to leave the Etihad this summer. The Toffees have joined Newcastle on the list of teams who have shown an interest in acquiring Grealish's services ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While no formal talks have taken place between the two clubs, Everton are fully aware of Grealish’s potential availability. Any deal would likely take the form of a loan, given the financial constraints imposed by the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations. Grealish currently earns a reported £300,000 per week, a wage figure that poses a challenge for many domestic suitors. Despite those hurdles, a move to Everton would represent a major statement of ambition from the club’s new owners, the Friedkin Group, and Grealish could serve as a marquee arrival at the new Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bayern Munich are also reportedly monitoring the winger’s situation closely, with the Bundesliga giants facing uncertainty over the futures of Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane. Newcastle have also been linked strongly with Grealish, although manager Eddie Howe is known to be reluctant to pursue loan deals and the club is currently assessing a wide range of attacking targets.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR GREALISH?

  The 29-year-old will soon have to weigh up his options, as he won't be a part of the Man City squad that will participate in the Club World Cup. England head coach Thomas Tuchel has weighed in on the situation, stressing the need for Grealish to play regularly if he hopes to be recalled to the national team setup.

Tottenham Hotspur are now genuinely interested in a move for an “unbelievable” forward in the summer transfer window, having emerged as one of the clubs most interested in his signature, according to a report.

Spurs stepping up forward pursuit

Tottenham have struggled considerably this season, with a Europa League triumph their only possible salvation as we enter the business end of the campaign, and it seems like Ange Postecoglou’s job could be very much on the line.

A lack of depth has been an issue for Spurs, especially considering the amount of injuries Postecoglou has been forced to deal with, and the manager is keen to bolster his options in attack this summer, should he remain in the job.

Lazio attacker Gustav Isaksen is one of the names on the shortlist, with Daniel Levy now readying a £33.3m bid for the winger, while the chairman is also actively involved in the pursuit of Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, who may now be available for around £50m.

Tottenham eyeing Iraola alternative who Guardiola called "one of the best"

Spurs could change managers yet again this summer.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 29, 2025

Tottenham have opened talks over a deal for Dibling, following claims he would be keen on a move to north London this summer, but the youngster is not the only Premier League winger on the shortlist.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Spurs now have a genuine interest in signing Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, with Pep Guardiola’s £100m signing potentially in line to leave this summer, having fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Chelsea (a)

April 3rd

Southampton (h)

April 6th

Eintracht Frankfurt (h)

April 10th

Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

April 13th

Eintracht Frankfurt (a)

April 17th

Postecoglou’s side are one of the most interested parties in the race for Grealish’s signature, should Man City be willing to let him leave for a reasonable amount, with their asking price previously being considered too high.

The Englishman would have to be willing to take a wage cut, if he were to complete a surprise move to north London, with the structure not accommodating of his £300,000-per-week earnings.

"Unbelievable" Grealish needs to move this summer

The 29-year-old’s decision to move to City was fully justified by the incredible treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, during which he received high praise from Guardiola, who described him as “unbelievable”.

However, the winger’s career has stalled somewhat recently, failing to score and picking up just one assist in the Premier League this season, having often been limited to cameo appearances from the bench.

As such, a move to Tottenham could make perfect sense for all parties, should City be willing to take a significant loss on the former Aston Villa man, and it is promising news that Postecoglou’s side hold a genuine interest.

That said, a move for Dibling could make more sense, given that the Southampton ace is still in the very early stages of his career, while Grealish will turn 30 early next season.

A captain’s knock from Richie Berrington, followed up by a clinical bowling performance from the Scotland bowlers gave them a 111-run win over United Arab Emirates, thereby knocking the Asian side out of qualification contention on Friday afternoon in Bulawayo.Berrington walked in at 11 for 2 and was put on the back foot when Scotland were reduced to 48 for 4, but he fought through the rebuilding process alongside his middle order before blossoming in the slog overs. His 136-ball 127 was a clinic in pacing an innings through a demanding situation, hitting nine fours and three sixes. His first century in 13 months set UAE a stiff target of 283.UAE could never recover from Berrington’s batting blows. When they came to bat, they were rattled by Chris Sole’s opening spell, further jolting their challenge in a must-win match. Muhammad Waseem, Basil Hameed and the lower order provided brief resistances, but with the team’s highest individual score reading only 36, they were never in touch of the chase, and were bowled out for 171 in 35.3 overs.But UAE did start the game as the better side. After winning the toss, they dominated with the new ball. Junaid Siddique and Ali Naseer led the way in Scotland going four down inside 15 overs, and their spinners strangled the batters for most of the middle overs.But Berrington ensured he didn’t throw his wicket during the difficult period, and alongside Michael Leask (41), Chris Greaves (22) and Mark Watt (44*), kept the scoreboard moving. That ensured Scotland had mitigated the risk of being bowled out, which then gave them the freedom to go hard in the final ten overs.And, Berrington and Watt did just that, dominating from the 40th over. They upped the tempo in the last five, scoring 63 runs in the last 30 deliveries. Their 66-ball partnership of 109 for the eighth wicket took Scotland from hoping for a target of 220 to eventually finishing on 282 for 8. UAE’s bowlers did not strike once in the last ten overs, with only an unselfish attempt at a second run in the innings’ final delivery dismissing Berrington.UAE’s start to the chase was promising for the first four overs, and Waseem threatened to repeat what his opposite number did. The veteran opener lost four partners inside 16 overs, but while he was there, UAE had hope. However, that was dashed when he was the fifth man gone – lbw by Watt – for 36, leaving UAE reeling at 82 for 5.Basil Hameed (30), Aayan Afzal Khan (21) and Karthik Meiyappan (23*) briefly thwarted the Scottish challenge but the regular loss of UAE wickets meant they were entertaining but still quite far away from the 283 target. When Safyaan Sharif returned for his second spell, he cleaned up the resistance with three lower-order wickets, finishing with 4 for 20 on the back of that burst.Scotland now join Sri Lanka and Oman on four points in Group B, realistically needing just one more win in the last two games to be assured of qualification for the Super Sixes. For UAE, their hope of playing in India at the ODI World Cup ended, and now play for pride in their final fixture against Ireland.

Liverpool are believed to have entered talks over the signing of a “complete” Premier League player this summer, a new report has claimed.

Liverpool preparing for huge PSG clash

The Reds beat Southampton 3-1 in relatively unconvincing fashion on Saturday, which coupled with Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away to Manchester United further increased Arne Slot’s side’s stranglehold on the Premier League title.

Next up for Liverpool is their crucial Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, following last week’s smash-and-grab 1-0 victory at the Parc des Princes. Huge improvements will be needed by the Merseysiders, in terms of performance level, or their European dream could easily end.

In terms of Reds-related transfer news, Marcus Thuram has been mentioned as a target for the summer, with the Inter Milan striker reportedly watched by Liverpool scouts during his side’s Champions League clash with Feyenoord last week, in which he opened the scoring in a 2-0 victory in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman has also been linked with a move to Anfield at the end of the season, being seen as a potential replacement for Luis Diaz, should the Colombian leave. The 28-year-old has registered four goals and assists apiece in the Bundesliga in 2024/25 to date, but has been limited to just 11 starts in the competition.

Liverpool in talks to sign "complete" Bournemouth star Huijsen

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have “initiated talks” to sign Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen in the summer transfer window and are one of several teams preparing a bid worth up to £30m.

The 19-year-old is a wanted man, following an outstanding season at the heart of the Cherries’ defence, with Arsenal and Tottenham also in the race, though they may all have to up their offers given he has a £55m release clause.

Huijsen looks like a wonderful prospect, taking to the Premier League like a duck to water following his permanent move to Bournemouth from Juventus last summer.

The Spain Under-21 international has played a big role in the Cherries’ success throughout the campaign, averaging 5.3 clearances and 2.1 aerial duel wins per game in the league, and football talent scout Jacek Kulig has called him both “complete” and “one of the most talented” teenage centre-backs in Europe currently.

A new central defender is needed at Liverpool this summer, in order to give Slot more options at the back, and bringing in a player with the long-term potential of Huijsen is a no-brainer.

Liverpool now battling to sign £70m ace who just starred in front of scouts

He’s outscored Nunez this season…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 9, 2025

The Bournemouth man could develop into a world-class player over time, assuming he continues like he is, and he could blossom even more playing alongside elite footballers at Anfield.

Their trophy cabinet might not reflect this, but Tottenham Hotspur have had some sensationally talented players in recent history.

The likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Mousa Dembélé are just some of the incredible stars who have pulled on the famous white shirt in modern history.

Moreover, while this season has been an unquestionable failure, at least on the domestic front, Ange Postecoglou still has a number of brilliant talents in his squad.

In fact, it could be said that one of his star men has been the club’s best signing since Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min.

Son and Bale's Spurs records

Tottenham completed the £10m signing of Bale from Southampton in May 2007, and while the Welshman’s first couple of seasons in North London were a nightmare of injuries and poor form, a positional shift from full-back to winger under Harry Redknapp in the 09/10 season changed everything.

Instead of having to think about attacking and defending, the former Saints gem was free to focus his attention at the sharp end of the pitch, and over the following few years, transformed from a promising young winger into one of the best in the world.

It was in the 12/13 season that the Cardiff-born monster reached truly world-class levels, as in just 44 appearances, totalling 3891 minutes, the Spurs phenomenon scored 26 goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.22 games, or every 108.08 minutes.

Such a sensational rate of return was enough to convince Real Madrid to spend a then-world-record £85m on the Lilywhites ace, but it would be two years until the North Londoners would have another exceptional winger in the team when they spent around £22m on then-Bayer Leverkusen gem Son.

The South Korean superstar was something of an unknown quantity to most Premier League fans at the time, but it didn’t take him too long to change that, as in just his second season with the Lilywhites, the Chuncheon-born dynamo racked up a tally of 21 goals and seven assists in 47 games.

Today, the 32-year-old has an incredible record of 173 goals and 95 assists in 448 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.67 games, and on top of that, he wears the captain’s armband.

In short, both Bale and Son proved to be incredible signings for Spurs, and it could be said that one of Ange’s stars this season could follow in a similar path.

Son’s Spurs record

Appearances

448

Starts

362

Minutes

31830′

Goals

173

Assists

95

Goal Involvements per Match

0.59

Minutes per Goal Involvement

118.76′

Points per Game

1.81

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Spurs' best signing since Bale or Son

So, the unfortunate reality is that while there are some brilliant players in the team today, there are not many who could fit into this category, apart from Dejan Kulusevski.

The Swedish international initially joined the club under Antonio Conte on an 18-month loan deal but was then signed on a permanent basis for just £25m in June 2023.

Now, it would be fair to say that during his first couple of campaigns for the club, the Stockholm-born star could be a little inconsistent, running games on his own one week and then fading into the background the next.

However, this season has seen the 24-year-old take a massive step forward, as Postecoglou’s decision to play him more in midfield than on the wing has allowed him to impact games far more than he ever did.

For example, in 42 appearances, totalling 3054 minutes, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored ten goals and provided ten assists.

Kulusevski’s 24/25

Appearances

42

Starts

31

Minutes

3054′

Goals

10

Assists

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvement

152.7′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That means he’s currently averaging a goal involvement every 2.1 games, or every 152.7 minutes, which, for a midfielder in a team struggling as much as the Lilywhites have this season, is seriously impressive.

Moreover, the underlying numbers of the games that the former Juventus star has played in midfield this season are nothing short of incredible.

According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries, shot-creating actions via take-ons, touches in the opposition’s penalty area, carries into the penalty area, the top 2% for key passes, the top 3% for non-penalty goals and more, all per 90.

In short, while he might not necessarily be as talented as Bale or Son were at their peaks, Kulusevski remains potentially Spurs’ best player today and arguably their best signing since picking up the former Bayer Leverkusen star ten years ago.

Related Their new Archie Gray: Spurs submit bid to sign "wonderful" English star

The promising talent could be just what Spurs are after.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 24, 2025

Manchester City are back in action after the international break this weekend as they prepare to travel to Bournemouth in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

This competition is the club’s last realistic chance to win a piece of silverware before the end of the 2025/26 campaign, as they are 22 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League with nine matches left to play.

Their lack of success on the pitch led to a splurge in the January transfer window, as the likes of Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Abdukodir Khusanov came in to bolster the squad.

Marmoush, who scored a hat-trick against Newcastle United in the Premier League, has been the star of those mid-season additions so far with his quality at the top end of the pitch.

That may not be the end of the club’s spending, though, as the summer transfer window could see more players arrive at The Etihad to bolster Pep Guardiola’s side ahead of next season.

This could mean that players who are currently playing in the first-team at Manchester City may have to look over their shoulders, as they could be replaced this summer, and Rico Lewis may fall into that category.

Why Rico Lewis may not be a regular next season

Long-serving right-back Kyle Walker, who started 30 Premier League games last term, only started nine league matches in the first half of this season before being loaned out to AC Milan in the January transfer window.

The 34-year-old veteran’s decline and eventual exit from The Etihad provided Lewis with a huge opportunity to make that position his own, and to become a regular starter for years to come – as Phil Foden has done as another graduate of the City academy.

Unfortunately, however, the England U21 international’s performances for the Cityzens so far this season have been less-than-impressive in the Premier League, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will reach the level that City need from him at right-back.

One of the issues he has had is that he does not excel in any particular area of the game. Lewis is technically secure and decent on the ball, but does not offer exceptional creativity or a goalscoring threat, and his defensive work is not noteworthy either.

Appearances

23

Goals

1

Big chances created

0

Key passes per game

0.3

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.7

Duel success rate

54%

Aerial duel success rate

28%

As you can see in the table above, the City academy graduate has rarely provided a threat at the top end of the pitch, whilst he has been average at best in defensive situations – ranking seventh for tackles (1.2) and ninth for interceptions (0.5) per game in the squad.

Manchester City could, now, make a signing that would send Lewis packing, either out of the starting XI or out of the club, as they are eyeing up a deal for a Bundesliga star.

The latest on Man City's interest in Bundesliga star

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Cityzens have a ‘concrete’ interest in the Netherlands international, who they sold to Celtic in the summer of 2019 for a reported fee of £350k.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

TEAMtalk adds that City are now ‘plotting’ a move to bring Frimpong back to The Etihad for a second spell at the club, although he did not play a single match for the first-team after coming through the academy set-up before his move to Glasgow.

The outlet also reveals that Manchester United and Liverpool are also keen on the Dutch full-back, which could mean that there will be plenty of competition for his signature this summer.

TEAMtalks report claims that a fee of £40m would be enough to tempt Leverkusen to cash in on the right-footed whiz, and adds that City view him as their long-term replacement for Walker – which does not bode well for Lewis’ future in that position.

Why Manchester City should sign Jeremie Frimpong

Frimpong, who is four years older than Lewis, would come in at the age of 24 with his best years still ahead of him, which could make him the long-term option in that area of the pitch.

At 24, the Netherlands international has already built a wealth of experience, with 51 appearances for Celtic and 182 for Leverkusen, whilst still having plenty of years left to develop and improve, making him the perfect age for City to sign him.

The £40m-rated star’s form for Leverkusen in recent seasons also suggests that he has the quality to be an excellent addition to the squad, and one that could send Lewis packing because he could offer far more than the English defender.

Whilst the current Manchester City man has failed to provide a consistent threat at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League, Frimpong has been a constant threat for his club – scoring 29 goals and providing 40 assists for the German side to date.

Appearances

57

39

Goals

13

3

Big chances created

14

4

Key passes

71

20

Assists

12

2

As you can see in the table above, the Dutch sensation has provided far more quality in the final third in comparison to Lewis in the past two league campaigns, scoring ten more goals and registering ten more assists, to go along with a staggering 51 more key passes.

Frimpong, who was described as a “cheat code” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, could come in to improve Manchester City’s attacking output down that flank, with his ability to score and create goals at an exceptional rate.

City swooping to sign the Leverkusen star, who is reportedly viewed as the long-term replacement for Walker, could force Lewis to consider his future at The Etihad, as it would mean that his natural position has been filled for the foreseeable future.

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

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

ByConnor Holden Mar 27, 2025

This could, therefore, send the 20-year-old prospect packing, whether that is a permanent or temporary exit from the club, unless he is able to drastically improve his performances to overtake Frimpong next season, should the Cityzens sign the full-back.