Football
Ange Postecoglou sends message to Daniel Levy over Spurs transfer strategy
Ange Postecoglou is making it clear that Tottenham Hotspur must strengthen their squad with experienced players during the upcoming summer transfer window.
After ending Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Europa League final, the manager emphasized the importance of adding seasoned professionals to the team.
That triumph in Bilbao marked a major milestone for Postecoglou in just his second season in charge, though it came at the cost of their Premier League form.
Throughout the season, Tottenham struggled with injuries to key players, which forced Postecoglou to lean heavily on youngsters Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Both teenagers were brought in last summer and had no previous Premier League experience.
Despite their limited background, they impressed during the campaign, particularly as Spurs battled through challenges on multiple fronts. However, as the team prepares to return to the Champions League, Postecoglou believes a more balanced squad is needed.
Speaking ahead of their final Premier League fixture at home against Brighton, the manager reflected on the lessons from the past season.
He noted that their preseason preparations were less than ideal and highlighted the need for a different approach heading into the next year. Preparing players for the dual demands of domestic and European football will be crucial, and Postecoglou expects improvement in that area.
He praised Dominic Solanke for his contributions after joining the club and also acknowledged the performances of the young signings. Wilson Odobert, another teenage addition, missed a significant portion of the season due to injury, but Gray and Bergvall stepped up impressively.
Postecoglou pointed out that these young talents won’t be as green next season and believes they’ll be far more ready to handle the pressure and pace of top-tier football. Still, he stressed that relying solely on youth is not the way forward.
He called for the recruitment strategy to focus on experienced players who can provide stability and leadership on the pitch.
Reflecting on the season, he said there was consistent progress and that Spurs would be in a much stronger position at the start of next season than they were last August.
His confidence in the club’s direction was further reinforced during the trophy parade in North London, where thousands of jubilant supporters lined the streets to celebrate.
Postecoglou admitted he was overwhelmed by the passion and scale of the crowd, noting the emotional response from fans of all ages. It served as a powerful reminder of the club’s stature and potential.
He acknowledged that while the immediate aftermath of the season would bring a brief respite, serious planning for the future must begin soon. The manager recognized the weight of expectation that now sits on the club after tasting success and emphasized the opportunity to build something even greater.
Juventus are reportedly set to compete with Napoli for the signing of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer.
The 25-year-old is back at Old Trafford following a season-long loan at Chelsea, where he made a solid impact with five goals and 10 assists across 41 competitive appearances. He also found the net in Chelsea’s convincing 4-1 victory in last month’s Conference League final, though his efforts were not enough to convince the club to make the deal permanent.
Chelsea were initially expected to secure Sancho for £25 million as part of their loan agreement but ultimately chose to walk away from the obligation. As a result, they were required to pay Manchester United a £5 million penalty fee.
Despite being under contract with United, Sancho is not considered part of manager Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. If he fails to secure a transfer in the coming weeks, the winger is expected to be left out of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States.
Juventus enter the race for Sancho
Napoli had previously emerged as the frontrunner for Sancho’s signature, with the player reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the Serie A champions. However, a deal between Manchester United and Napoli has yet to be finalized.
According to Sky Sports News, Juventus have now entered the picture, exploring the financial and contractual terms of a potential move. The Turin-based side is seriously evaluating the opportunity to sign the England international, who has earned 23 senior caps.
Is Juventus the right fit for Sancho?
Juventus manager Igor Tudor is preparing for his first full season in charge after leading the team to a top-four finish last term. Known for deploying a 3-4-2-1 formation, Tudor’s system does not traditionally utilize wide wingers like Sancho.
If he joins Juventus, Sancho would likely compete for one of the two attacking midfield spots behind the main striker—a role that currently sees strong competition from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao, and Nico Gonzalez. Unless one of these players is sold, Sancho might struggle to find regular playing time in Turin.
Napoli, on the other hand, could offer a more suitable environment for the former Borussia Dortmund star. With the club still looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who departed in January, Sancho may find more opportunities to thrive in his preferred position on the wing.
Nicolas Jackson endured a nightmare cameo as Chelsea collapsed in the second half against Flamengo during their FIFA Club World Cup clash, suffering a 3-1 defeat that puts their tournament hopes at risk.
Chelsea initially took the lead through Pedro Neto, whose composed finish through the goalkeeper’s legs gave the Premier League side a promising start. However, the momentum quickly shifted after the break.
Flamengo responded in ruthless fashion, netting twice in quick succession. Substitute Bruno Henrique capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range, followed by another back-post finish from Danilo that stunned the Blues and put the Brazilian side ahead.
Matters worsened for Chelsea when substitute Nicolas Jackson was shown a straight red card just four minutes after entering the pitch.
His dangerous challenge saw his studs connect with Lucas Ayrton’s shin, leaving the referee with little choice but to send him off immediately.
Flamengo sealed the win with a third goal, as Wallace Yan added the final blow to a chaotic second half that Chelsea will want to forget.
The result means Chelsea must now beat African side ES Tunis in their next match on Tuesday to progress to the last 16. However, finishing second in the group could set them up for a much tougher path, likely facing the winner of Group C, which may include Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.
Flamengo’s victory strengthens their bid to top Group D and extends the unbeaten run of South American teams in the Club World Cup’s newly expanded format.
Flamengo vs Chelsea Highlight
Monterrey secured their spot in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup by winning the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League, now known as the CONCACAF Cup.
Fast forward four years, and the team returned to the international stage at the Rose Bowl with only one player from that title-winning squad still in the lineup: veteran goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. The club had not lifted any silverware since that 2021 triumph, which made what happened next even more unexpected.
In a surprising twist, Monterrey opened the scoring against Inter Milan in the 25th minute, as Sergio Ramos delivered a perfectly placed header.
The Spanish defender, who joined the Mexican outfit earlier this year on a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, had cited the Club World Cup as a major influence in his decision to sign. His goal sent the Monterrey fans into wild celebrations.
However, their joy didn’t last long. Inter’s star forward Lautaro Martínez—fresh off a World Cup win—responded with a close-range finish following a perfectly orchestrated set-piece.
The Argentine’s goal silenced the Rayados-dominated crowd and brought the game level at 1-1 before halftime.
The second half saw both teams tighten up defensively, limiting each other’s chances as the game wore on.
Inter, still recovering from a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in last month’s UEFA Champions League final, looked eager to reassert themselves. But it was Monterrey who rose to the occasion, matching their European opponents stride for stride and leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a gritty performance.
Monterrey 1-1 Inter Milan Highlights
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