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Liverpool are reportedly close to their first signing of the summer, in the form of defender Aissa Mandi.

According to beIN Sports commentator Hafid Derradji (relayed via @AnfieldEdition), the Reds and Real Betis are in talks over a move for the Algeria international.

Mandi is currently valued at £10.8million according to Transfermarkt, which is a fair price for the versatile defender. The 28-year-old can play across the entire back-line, despite predominantly being a centre-back.

Jurgen Klopp could be looking to provide a long-term partner for Virgil van Dijk or add another option to his defensive roster, particularly given that Dejan Lovren has moved on. The holding Premier League champions will need to shift into gear and recruit some new meat if they want to try their hand at defending their first ever title next season.

Many Liverpool fans are already on board with bringing Mandi to Anfield, with one supporter tipping him to be the ‘best signing of the summer’ if the deal goes through. Another Kopite has commented ‘let’s go, something to be excited about’ after months and months of stagnant Thiago Alcantara talks. Indeed, Mandi enjoyed a decent campaign with Betis last time out, averaging three clearances per game as well as 1.3 interceptions and 1.1 tackles (WhoScored).

Read more replies from the Anfield faithful here:

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James Maddison has lauded Leicester City teammate and soon-to-be Rangers player Calvin Bassey.

Earlier this month, the ‘Gers announced that they had signed the 20-year-old Foxes defender on a four-year deal ahead of the upcoming transfer window (via Rangers FC).

Leicester star Maddison has wished the youngster good luck on Bassey’s official Instagram post and also heaped praise on him with his comment of “some player”.

The left-back didn’t break through into Brendan Rodgers’ first team this season but Rangers were still keen on snapping up the Italian-born ace. Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard has said he is pleased that Bassey chose the Scottish side considering a lot of other teams were interested in his services.

“He’s a strong and dynamic athlete who is very much the modern day full back. He will develop further and we are excited to have made another strong addition to our group,” the former Liverpool midfielder told the club’s official website.

Bassey will join the ‘Gers as soon as the summer window opens and will be eligible for selection in the 2020/21 season.

For a player of such high calibre as Maddison to be publicly lauding his abilities, Bassey must be a real coup for Gerrard’s squad.

If Rangers decide to integrate the 20-year-old into the first team straight away, he will provide competition for Borna Barisic, who is the club’s only recognised senior left-back at the moment. He may also prove to be ‘one that got away’ from Leicester’s perspective in a couple of years’ time.

What’s your take on Bassey’s scheduled departure, Foxes fans? Join the conversation in the comments below…

After a hugely disappointing 0-0 draw away to a relegation-battling Bournemouth side on Thursday night, it was no surprise to hear some pundits take aim at Tottenham.

One man in particular, Roy Keane, certainly didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Lilywhites.

Speaking whilst on duty for Sky Sports, the former Manchester United captain said (as quoted by The Daily Mirror): “Tottenham were poor tonight. When you analyse Tottenham, and watch Tottenham closely you shouldn’t be surprised. They’ve got that type of performance in their make-up, we’ve seen it regularly over the years.

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“They went to Sheffield United last week, Mourinho’s spoken about it, they didn’t show any fight. He had to make changes at half-time. That is in Tottenham’s DNA, they will constantly disappoint you. When you look at the table, the table doesn’t lie at this moment in time. Tottenham are ninth in the table, that’s where they deserve to be.”

It was a particularly scathing verdict, and one that certainly rings true. No trophies to show for well over a decade, and multiple instances of slipping up at the final hurdle, whether it’s the Champions League or a race for the Premier League title.

And whilst the early months of Mourinho’s reign in north London has hardly been in inspiring, Daniel Levy absolutely made the right call in getting rid of Mauricio Pochettino and appointing him.

This change in mentality, and ‘DNA’ that Keane talks about, isn’t going to change overnight. For all the trophies he has won throughout his illustrious managerial career, Mourinho is no magician, capable of waving a magic wand and ridding Spurs of all their bad habits.

The structure of winning that the Portuguese man has almost always built at the clubs he has been at, takes time to develop and consolidate. For all the great work that Pochettino did in establishing Spurs as a Champions League regular, he could never get them over the trophy hump.

And that was precisely why Levy chose to bring in Mourinho. Speaking at the announcement of his appointment, the Spurs chairman said: “In Jose we have one of the most successful managers in football. He has a wealth of experience, can inspire teams and is a great tactician. He has won honours at every club he has coached. We believe he will bring energy and belief to the dressing room.”

If allowed the funds to bring in the players he wants this summer, and shape the squad in his image, then Mourinho stands a far better chance of delivering Spurs what they want.

Keane’s comments were searing, but they proved that Levy took the right gamble in trying to change the club’s DNA.

After signing Kevin Mbabu as a 17-year-old back in 2013, Newcastle didn’t really get to see the defender truly flourish and develop at St James’ Park.

He spent the majority of his time on Tyneside with the club’s U23s, and only made five first-team appearances. After then spending a season on loan back home in Switzerland with BSC Young Boys, the Magpies allowed him to join them on a permanent basis in the summer of 2017, and his career has gone uphill since then.

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After playing 100 games for the Swiss side, Mbabu earned a move to Bundesliga outfit VfL Wolfsburg, and on Saturday afternoon, put in an impressive display against Augsburg.

As per Sofascore, his 8.0 match rating was the highest of any player on the pitch, winning a mammoth 14 of his 18 total duels, completing seven of his nine attempted dribbles, and having 105 touches – all of them being the highest on the day.

And after seeing his display, Newcastle fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on their former ace.

Some Newcastle fans bemoaned the fact that former manager Rafa Benitez made a “mistake” in failing to give Mbabu a proper chance and let him go.

As is always the case in football, there are just certain youngsters who either fall through the net, or don’t realise their actual potential until they go somewhere else.

And that’s certainly what’s happened with Mbabu. The Swiss ace has come into his own in recent seasons with Young Boys and now Wolfsburg, and naturally, Newcastle fans look back at their decision to sell him with a sense of regret.

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West Ham United goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has been voted the Footballer of the Year by Polish news outlet Pilka Nozna, as per whufc.com, ending a run of seven consecutive seasons in which Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was crowned champion.

What’s the word?

West Ham’s official website report that Pilka Nozna is Poland’s oldest and biggest magazine.

And they have deemed Fabianski the best performer in the country across the past year.

West Ham signed the 33-year-old from Swansea in the summer, spending £7million, per BBC, to acquire the stopper’s signature.

He was relegated with the Swans last season but was voted the club’s Player of the Season and travelled with Poland to the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He played 90 minutes in the tournament, keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Japan, per Transfermarkt.

Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…

And, after being ever-present for the Hammers thus far this season, he has been recognised with a major award.

Jakub Blaszczykowski won the award in 2010 before Lewandowski’s era of dominance began.

Bizarre decision

The Bayern man has every right to feel aggrieved, though.

The striker has scored 24 goals in 27 games this season alone while in 2017-18 he netted 41 times in 48 appearances.

Also snubbed is Krzysztof Piatek, now at AC Milan after a January move from Genoa, who has scored 34 goals since the start of 2018.

And it can be argued that Fabianski is not even Poland’s best goalkeeper – Juventus stopper Wojciech Szczesny has kept 13 clean sheets already this season, compared to Fabianski’s four.

The Hammers star should count himself very lucky to have been honoured.

The squad is nowhere near as strong as it will be, which gives coach Tata Martino some difficult choices to make

Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets have arrived. Inter Miami's new era has begun. It'll officially kick off on Friday night against Cruz Azul in the club's first-ever Leagues Cup game, which will also serve as the debut of the club's new legendary signings, either as starters or off the bench.

Still, while most of the legwork has been done, Miami remain an unfinished team. Jordi Alba is on his way, as are several other Gerardo 'Tata' Martino signings, but the team currently assembled is far from the one that will likely finish the 2023 MLS season.

Because of that, Martino has some shuffling to do. Miami are in last place in the Eastern Conference, and they're there for a reason. This team, quite frankly, isn't very good, although the arrivals of Messi and Busquets will no doubt take them to a new level.

Others will be on their way soon, but Friday night's battle with Cruz Azul isn't about that; it's about Messi and Busquets. All eyes will be on this game as the two superstars take the field for the first time in what will be a historic moment for Miami, MLS and American soccer in general.

But, Messi and Busquets aside, what will Martino do with his XI? What players could we see next to them in the XI? GOAL takes a look…

GettyGK: Drake Callender

The team's regular No.1, Callender is a player who has really risen through the ranks in Miami. He's been their first-choice goalkeeper for a season-and-a-half now, having been with the club since the beginning, and has earned U.S. men's national team looks. He'll be the team's starter for the foreseeable future.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLB: Noah Allen

The teenager is keeping this spot warm until Jordi Alba gets involved. Once the ex-Barcelona man arrives, there's no doubt who will be starting in this position. Until then, the 19-year-old defender could hold down this spot, with previous starter Franco Negri out with an ACL tear.

GettyCB: Kamal Miller

Miller was Miami's big in-season signing until he absolutely wasn't a few weeks ago! The Canada international is back from the Gold Cup and has been a key player for Miami since arriving in a trade from CF Montreal earlier this season.

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GettyCB: Sergiy Kryvtsov

A veteran Ukraine international, Kryvtsov has been a regular since joining the club earlier this year. He's started 19 of the club's 22 games so far and will likely be very, very excited to have a player like Busquets in front of him as a new midfield shield.

The Brentford loanee failed to deal with the cross that led to Anthony Gordon's winner at St. James' Park in another unconvincing display

Arsenal's unbeaten start to the Premier League season is over as Newcastle ran out 1-0 winners over the Gunners on Saturday off the back of Anthony Gordon's goal midway through the second half.

In a first half of few chances, Kai Havertz sparked the game into life with a reckless challenge on Sean Longstaff that saw him narrowly avoid a red card, while three Newcastle players were booked for their protests.

The game improved after the break, and it was the home side who broke the deadlock through Gordon, who finished from close-range before having to endure an agonising wait while three different criteria were checked by VAR before the goal was given.

Arsenal will feel they should have dealt bette with Joe Willock's ball into the box which led to Gordon's goal, and despite Mikel Arteta making some attacking substitutes in the final 20 minutes, his side couldn't find a way back into the game, and now face being left behind somewhat in the early weeks of the title race.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from St. James' Park…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (4/10):

In a game where he had little to do, making a mess of Willock's cross led to Newcastle taking the lead. Still far from convincing.

Ben White (6/10):

Solid enough in his work going both directions. Did well to get back and block an effort from Gordon early in the second half.

William Saliba (7/10):

Outstanding in the first half as he extinguished a number of Newcastle attacks. Looked a little less solid after the break, but remains a top performer.

Gabriel Magalhaes (3/10):

The target of Newcastle's press, the Brazilian didn't deal with it overly well, especially in the opening half an hour. Too weak under challenge from Joelinton for the Newcastle opener.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (6/10):

Drifted into the middle well after being preferred to Zinchenko, and got forward down the outside too. Struggled at times, especially when Tripper overlapped.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Declan Rice (7/10):

Carried the ball well through midfield and won plenty of challenges to switch the game's momentum.

Jorginho (6/10):

Did a lot of good work both off the ball and in possession. Looked to be incisive with his passing, though coudn't create anything of note.

Kai Havertz (5/10):

Actually showed some nice touches in place of the injured Odegaard, but brainless challenges threatened to end his night early. Lucky not to be sent off and still needs to show more to justify his price tag.

Getty ImagesAttack

Bukayo Saka (5/10):

Far from his best night. Sloppy in possession at times, and too often ran down blind alleys. Worth wondering how fit he actually is.

Eddie Nketiah (5/10):

Had little to no service, and did keep the ball moving for the most part when he got it. Just couldn't get the chances to put the ball in the net.

Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):

Arsenal's most potent attacking threat, he fired straight at Pope after a nice run in the first half. Couldn't quite find the cutting edge to break Newcastle down.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Oleksandr Zinchenko (6/10):

On for the final 20 minutes but couldn't provide much attacking thrust from left-back.

Leandro Trossard (4/10):

Unable to create anything of note in just over 10 minutes on the pitch. Set-piece delivery was abysmal.

Fabio Vieira (5/10):

A late foul throw as Arsenal looked to launch an attack summed up his short cameo.

Mikel Arteta (4/10):

Team selection can't be criticised, but his side played as if they were trying not to lose until they went 1-0 down. More thrust will be needed if they are to win the league this season.

Reigning champions, the U.S. is one of the favourites for the title. But who is on its World Cup roster?

This summer, the U.S. women's national team will aim to do what no team has ever done before and win a third successive Women's World Cup title.

However, things have not been easy for the world champion in recent times, with defeats to England, Spain and Germany in the latter months of 2022 showing the growth of women's soccer in Europe.

This is still a team packed with talent, though, and there will be high expectations on head coach Vlatko Andonovski at his first World Cup tournament despite recent struggles.

So, who has trusted to deliver on the big stage and handle the pressure that comes with playing for the USWNT?

GOAL breaks down Andonovski's 23-player World Cup squad…

GettyGOALKEEPERS

It was expected that the most predictable department on this roster would concern the goalkeepers.

Alyssa Naeher, Casey Murphy and Adrianna Franch is the trio Andonovski has selected for the USWNT's last four camps. However, Aubrey Kingsbury has surprinsingly made the cut instead, at the expense of Franch.

Naeher and Murphy should compete hard for the starting spot and possibly rotate in the tournament, though it is anticipated that the former will be the team's No.1.

Name Club

Aubrey KingsburyWashington SpiritCasey MurphyNorth Carolina CourageAlyssa NaeherChicago Red StarsAdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS

There is a lot of experience and quality in the USWNT's defensive options but the team will be without its biggest leader in New Zealand – captain Becky Sauerbrunn ruled out through injury in June.

Naomi Girma and Alana Cook should be the center-back partnership, then, with Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn and Sofia Huerta competing to complete the back four.

Kelley O'Hara and Emily Sonnett, meanwhile, are both back from recent injuries and provide similar depth and versatility.

Name Club

Alana CookOL ReignCrystal DunnPortland ThornsEmily FoxNorth Carolina CourageNaomi GirmaSan Diego WaveSofia HuertaOL ReignKelley O'HaraGothamEmily SonnettOL ReignGetty ImagesMIDFIELDERS

There have been a lot of questions surrounding the USWNT's midfield – particularly its base, with Julie Ertz having been out for a while as she became a mother for the first time. She returned in April, though, and is now set to head to her third World Cup.

Andi Sullivan is another option in that deeper role, one that Rose Lavelle – in the 23 despite a recent injury problem – has also played.

Lyon's Lindsey Horan and Ashley Sanchez, Sullivan's Washington Spirit team-mate, are on the roster as expected, with Kristie Mewis also making the cut.

One of the big surprises is the inclusion of Savannah DeMelo. The Racing Louisville star is in good form but had not been called up since November and is yet to make her USWNT debut.

Catarina Macario is a notable absentee due to injury.

Name Club

Savannah DeMeloRacing LouisvilleJulie ErtzAngel CityLindsey HoranLyonRose LavelleOL ReignKristie MewisGothamAshley SanchezWashington SpiritAndi SullivanWashington SpiritENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GettyFORWARDS

The strength in depth that the USWNT has right now in the forward areas is .

Sadly, they will be without Mallory Swanson after the in-form forward was carted off with a knee injury in April but this roster still has plenty of firepower, including the 2022 NWSL season's MVP, Sophia Smith, and Golden Boot winner, Alex Morgan.

Trinity Rodman, one of the most exciting young talents in world football, could take on a bigger role in Swanson's absence. Or perhaps it will be an experienced head like Megan Rapinoe that will be called upon more by Andonovski as a result.

Rounding out the forward pool are Lynn Williams, who returned in January and has shown good form since, and Alysssa Thompson, the 18-year-old who only made her debut last October. She, too, has been playing brilliantly in the NWSL after being selected first overall in January's draft.

Name Club

Alex MorganSan Diego WaveMegan RapinoeOL ReignTrinity RodmanWashington SpiritSophia SmithPortland ThornsAlyssa ThompsonAngel CityLynn WilliamsGotham

Few think the Gunners can get a result in their potential title-decider at the Etihad Stadium, but these matches prove that anything is possible

“If you want to be champions, you have to win these matches. It’s as simple as that.” Those were the words of Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s huge clash at Manchester City on Wednesday.

The Gunners make the trip to the Etihad Stadium sitting five points clear of City at the top of the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola’s side have two crucial games in hand.

Three successive draws in recent weeks have left Arsenal with no more room for error as they go hunting a first title since 2004.

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So it all adds up to a huge occasion in Manchester, and it’s a game that many believe will decide who will get their hands on the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.

Given the form of both teams, few are giving Arsenal any hope of victory. But the Gunners have had some huge results away from home in their long history that proves that anything is possible when it comes to football.

GOAL takes a look at some of Arsenal’s greatest ever away days…

Getty ImagesAnfield, 1989

Surely the most famous of Arsenal away wins?

Travelling up to Anfield on the final day of the 1988-89 season, George Graham’s side needed to win by two clear goals to be crowned champions. Fail to do so and the title would be Liverpool’s once again.

Few gave Arsenal a chance, especially as they went into the game having lost at home to Derby County and then been held to a 2-2 draw by Wimbledon.

But it was the visitors who came out on top, with Michael Thomas’ dramatic injury-time strike giving them the 2-0 success they required to claim a first league championship since 1971.

This success, more than any other, proves that anything is possible in football.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesOld Trafford, 2002

Arsenal went to Old Trafford in May 2002 as England’s best side. They had just beaten Chelsea to win the FA Cup a few days earlier and knew a win at the home of Manchester United would see them claim the double.

Arsene Wenger’s side got the three points they needed to win the title at the home of their great rivals. Sylvain Wiltord scored the goal that did it, following up from close range after Freddie Ljungberg’s shot had been saved.

It was a win that highlighted Arsenal’s superiority over United at that stage.

GettyWhite Hart Lane, 2004

This may not have been a win, but it was still one of the great Arsenal away days.

Chelsea’s defeat at Newcastle earlier in the day meant that Arsenal needed just a point at Spurs to claim the Premier League title.

They flew into an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, and even though they were eventually pegged back for a 2-2 draw, they got the result they needed to be crowned champions at the home of their bitter north London rivals.

Arsenal fans will never forget the celebrations that took place on the pitch at White Hart Lane after the final whistle. Spurs fans probably won’t be able to either…

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Getty ImagesOld Trafford, 1998

Arsene Wenger’s side were on a roll when they went to Old Trafford in March 1998 having won four of their last five games in the Premier League.

A title charge, which had looked unlikely just a few weeks earlier, was suddenly on the cards. But only if they could go to the home of the champions and beat them.

And beat them they did, with Marc Overmars racing away to score the only goal of the game in the second half.

It was a victory that gave Arsenal the belief to go on and overcome United in the race for the title.

Jose Mourinho was the last manager to guide Manchester United to a title

Manchester United are off to a terrible start in the ongoing Premier League campaign after losing their first two matches of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford respectively.

The Red Devils went down 2-1 against Brighton in their season's curtain-raiser and then Brentford piled on their misery by scoring four past the 20 times league winners.

Manchester United fans currently see their club languishing at the rock-bottom of the league, something that has happened for the first time in 30 years.

But the harrowing defeat against Brentford is not something that the Red Devils experienced for the first time. In fact, in the last four years, they conceded four or more goals on multiple occasions.

Manchester United lost both their Premier League ties last season against arch-rivals Liverpool in terrible ways, conceding a 5-0 defeat at Old Trafford and a 4-0 bashing at Anfield.

The club last won a trophy under Jose Mourinho in the 2016/17 campaign and since the Portuguese manager left the club in December 2018, they've seen plenty of agonising defeats.

Let us take a look at some of Manchester United's worst results since the exit of Mourinho.

Getty ImagesEverton 4-0 Manchester United

Date: 21/4/2019

Competition: Premier League

During Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's stint as the club's caretaker manager in the 2018/19 season, Manchester suffered a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Everton towards the end of the campaign.

Until then, the Red Devils were very much in contention for a top-four finish but the thrashing at Goodison Park changed the equation. Thereafter, United went on to lose two more matches and drew the other two which meant that they had to settle for the sixth position, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesManchester United 1-6 Tottenham

Date: 4/10/2020

Competition: Premier League

The Red Devils' worst defeat in the last four years came against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the third match of their 2020/21 Premier League. United started their campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace but came back in the second game with a 3-2 win over Brighton only to find themselves in a mess against Spurs, as they shipped six goals at home.

GettyManchester United 0-5 Liverpool

Date: 24/10/2021

Competition: Premier League

Manchester United suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford in the first of the two Premier League ties last season. The Red Devils were simply no match for Jurgen Klopp's side who were just too good on that day. United were 4-0 down at half-time, an almost unthinkable proposition against their greatest rivals. Moreover, Paul Pogba was sent off in the second half for a crude challenge on Naby Keita.

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GettyLiverpool 4-0 Manchester United

Date: 9/4/2022

Competition: Premier League

Similar to their earlier tie at Old Trafford, the clash at Anfield in April saw Klopp's Liverpool dictating terms on the pitch throughout the match and routed the Red Devils 4-0. It was the first of four defeats that Manchester United suffered in their final six matches of the season and eventually finished sixth in the league with 58 points, their worst tally in the Premier League era.