Harry Kane’s struggles at Bayern Munich may be generating “hilarity for miserable souls”, but he is being backed to break a trophy duck in Germany.
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England captain moved to Germany in 2023
In danger of missing out on major silverware
Expected to honour more than 12 months of deal
WHAT HAPPENED?
That may not happen this season, with the England captain enduring a testing debut campaign at the Allianz Arena. He has delivered on a personal front, registering 29 goals through 30 appearances, but is in serious danger of seeing elusive major silverware fall out of reach once more.
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WHAT JORDAN SAID ABOUT KANE
Bayern have slipped off the Bundesliga title pace, and are trailing a Champions League last-16 encounter with Lazio, but Kane is being tipped to spend more than 12 months in Munich. Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has told the : “Anyone who looks at Bayern Munich’s woes as some form of retribution for Harry Kane upping sticks to Germany, where titles are apparently a given for his new club, is particularly mean-spirited. It is ironic given the upheaval, upset and lack of achievement at Tottenham that, after winning the title for 11 years in a row, it looks like Bayern are going to miss out this season. Cue much hilarity for miserable souls who seem to take delight in Kane’s failure to win a trophy. But, really, it is unfair to suggest Kane is complicit in Bayern falling short. He has done his job, scoring 25 goals in 22 games, so placing any criticism at his door is ridiculous. I’ve never been of the view that his lack of trophies reflects poorly on him. The guy scores 25-plus goals a season come rain or shine. That is the definition of a world-class striker and there are so few about. That’s why they command so much money and why they are so difficult to buy. Although Kane could be the perfect signing for any elite Premier League club looking for that elusive world-class striker, I don’t see him coming back to England this summer. If I were him I would want to stay until I had won something, otherwise what was the point in going?”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Jordan went on to say, with Kane committing to a contract through to 2027: “In fact, a barren year would be even more reason to stay. The fact that the allegedly wonderful, revolutionary and innovative manager Thomas Tuchel will not be there is unlikely to affect his thinking either. Would his appetite to win trophies have been sated by winning something with an all-conquering Bayern this season? No. So why would he leave after one year when they haven’t won anything? At the time of his transfer I questioned whether a Bundesliga title would be meaningful to the England captain, but he made his choice and I don’t see him cutting and running just because Bayern are having a poor season. He went to Germany to win things and it is more likely than not that they will win something next year. They are certainly a better bet than any Premier League side who might want to sign him — apart from Manchester City. In the unlikely event that Bayern were happy to cash in, Kane would obviously interest England’s top clubs. Chelsea and Arsenal may have most need for his services and are perhaps able to meet his expectations. But a move to either of Tottenham’s arch-rivals is a flight of fancy and would be the ultimate legacy killer for a player who appears to pride himself on loyalty and integrity.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?
There has been talk of Manchester United being ready to rekindle their interest in Kane, but the Red Devils cannot offer guarantees of trophy triumphs and Kane – who will lead his country into a quest for Euro 2024 glory this summer – is expected to stay put after stepping out of a professional comfort zone and moving his young family to Germany.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is keen to strengthen his forward line and fill the void left by Harry Kane and could turn to one of Europe's most exciting young strikers to succeed the England international, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
What's the latest Tottenham Hotspur transfer news?
Enjoying a fruitful summer, Lilywhites boss Postecoglou has added Ashley Phillips, James Maddison, Guglielmo Vicario, Micky van de Ven, Alejo Veliz and Manor Solomon, as per Transfermarkt.
Nevertheless, losing talisman Kane to Bayern Munich has left a bitter taste in the mouth for Spurs in the infancy of Postecoglou's project being designed in N17 and a replacement figure will be needed to enthuse a fan base who want to see major progress on the field.
According to 90min, Tottenham have failed in an inquiry to Brighton & Hove Albion surrounding Irish youngster Evan Ferguson, who has already notched 11 goals in 30 senior matches on the South Coast.
The same outlet claim that talks between Tottenham and Gent have taken place regarding the availability of Nigerian striker Gift Orban amid speculation surrounding his immediate future in Belgium.
Football Insider indicate that Spurs' scouts have been 'blown away' by Orban's exploits at Gent and feel that he has 'huge potential' to succeed in the Premier League.
Across his entire career, Orban has netted 44 goals and laid on nine assists in 50 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer guru Romano confirmed that Orban is a name that is 'on the list' of attacking targets that Postecoglou is considering this summer.
Romano stated: “So, Gift Orban is a player that they have on the list, for sure. They like and appreciate him, they have been scouting him for a long time so, for sure, he’s a player on the list. And the player is really keen on a Premier League move so that could be positive for Tottenham Hotspur.”
Who else could Tottenham Hotspur sign and who could leave the club?
Speaking to Betfair via Football London, former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has signalled that his old side should look to Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku as a surprise replacement for Kane.
The 42-year-old stated: "I heard that Romelu Lukaku was a potential candidate. He's an interesting option. If the problems he's been having at former clubs are resolved, then why not? He's underrated. He can score goals wherever he goes. He has to play because, if he doesn't, then he won't be happy and there will be problems for Spurs."
According to The Independent, Nottingham Forest have set a £40 million price tag for Wales international Brennan Johnson amid interest from Tottenham, Chelsea and Brentford.
On the contrary, Tottenham fringe defender Djed Spence could depart the club on loan and it is believed that both Crystal Palace and Southampton are keen on the 23-year-old, according to Football League World.
Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco are willing to offer Colombian central defender Davinson Sanchez an escape route away from Tottenham and will consider making an offer in the coming days, as per Foot Marcato.
After being named in the Premier League Team of the Season so far, Fulham defender Antonee Robinson poked fun at himself with a clown meme.
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Robinson pokes fun at himselfNamed in Premier League Team of the Season so farShares clown memeWHAT HAPPENED?
In two Instagram stories, the USMNT left-back first shared a WhoScored graphic that showed Robinson's name in the Premier League Team of the Season so far. In his second story, Robinson shared the famous meme where a clown is standing in between four army men in uniform.
The 26-year-old may not think he is worthy of the honour, but he has enjoyed a purple patch at Fulham this season, having appeared in 22 matches across all competitions where he provided four assists. He finds his name in WhoScored's team alongside stars like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Bruno Fernandes and Erling Haaland.
DID YOU KNOW?
Liverpool recently held talks with the Cottagers over a possible transfer of the American. The Reds are in dire need of a new left-back as Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas have been ruled with long-term injuries, though it remains to be seen whether Fulham will allow one of their most important players to leave.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ANTONEE ROBINSON?
The player returns to action with Fulham on Friday when Marco Silva's side face Rotherham in the third round of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage.
The spin combination of Hayley Matthews, Afy Fletcher and Stafanie Taylor worked through Sri Lanka’s batting order to set up a six-wicket victory for West Indies in the first match between the two – which counts for points in the ICC Women’s Championship – in Tarouba. Sri Lanka’s batting floundered against the three, who picked three apiece, as they collapsed from 63 for 1 to 136 all out.Sri Lanka lost their first wicket in the 12th over after opener Nipuni Hansika was struck on the pads by legspinner Fletcher. Yasoda Mendis and Chamari Atapattu set up a 41-run second-wicket partnership, with the latter becoming the first Sri Lanka batswoman to score 2000 runs in ODI. Matthews’ charge, however, removed both the batsmen before they could build on their starts. She also dismissed the No. 5 Prasadani Weerakkody for 8.Taylor and Fletcher scythed through the rest of the order as Sri Lanka fell away quickly.West Indies were off to a shaky start as they lost Kycia Knight and Taylor inside the first five overs. With 49 for 2 on the scoreboard, Matthews retired hurt on 22 and had to be stretchered off after the third ball of the 20th over. Having pulled the ball to short square leg, she dropped on her knees, clutching her right thigh. Earlier, following the third ball of the 14th over, she had received medical assistance for what seemed to be slight unease with her left hamstring. However, later she confirmed to ESPNcricinfo: “It was just bad cramp, but I’m all good”.After Matthews departed, Chedean Nation and Deandra Dottin kept the chase ticking along before slow left-armer Inoka Ranaweera removed both of them and reached the 50th-wicket milestone in ODIs. However, Merissa Aguilleira (32 of 48 balls) and Kyshona Knight (21 off 36 balls) finished the job over the next ten overs.Matthews was named the Player of the Match for her spell of 10-2-18-3.
Brett D’Oliveira batted Worcestershire into a strong position•Getty Images
A dusty, used surface awaits R Ashwin when he finally gets to bowl at New Road on his Worcestershire debut, but on the opening day he had to satisfy himself with a useful supporting role for Brett D’Oliveira, who celebrated a new county contract with a top-score of 93 on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship clash with Gloucestershire.Ashwin has started a four-game spell at New Road as Worcestershire strive to reinforce their promotion credentials, with Sussex, Kent and Northants all vying to join runaway leaders Nottinghamshire in the top two, and he looked full of class in making 36 in the middle order on a sun-soaked day.But the main innings of the day came from D’Oliveira who, along with Ed Barnard, has committed his long term future to the County with new deals.The 25-year-old fell just short of his third Championship hundred of the campaign but his efforts were a key component in Worcestershire totalling 338 for 7 from 98 overs on a used pitch.There were useful contributions all down the batting order and now Worcestershire will be hoping Ashwin can work the kind of magic with the ball which has brought him 292 Test wickets.Gloucestershire opted for a toss but lost out as home skipper Joe Leach decided to bat first on a pitch used for the England Under-19 v India Under-19 four-day ‘Test’ and a NatWest T20 Blast fixture.Paceman Liam Norwell struck an early blow as Daryl Mitchell went for a drive and Cameron Bancroft held onto a low chance at first slip. But he then dislocated the little finger on his bowling hand fielding a return shot from new batsman Tom Fell and went for a hospital x-ray and did not return to the attack until after tea when the second new ball was taken.Spin was introduced as early as the 13th over via Tom Smith.Fell has experienced a poor summer with the bat but he looked in good form during a stand of 72 in 26 overs with D’Oliveira. He went past his previous highest Championship score of 35 in 2017 but added only three more before he was lbw to Smith.D’Oliveira was not afraid to use his feet and lofted Jack Taylor for a straight six and repeated the stroke against Smith. Joe Clarke reeled off a series of exquisite drives in making 32 but would have been disappointed with the way a casual flick off his legs from Kieran Noema-Barnett ended up in the hands of short midwicket.Smith enjoyed a second success as George Rhodes played back and nicked to George Hankins at first slip. D’Oliveira continued to score freely but on 93 he played forward to Smith and Hankins completed the catch after Will Tavare had initially got a hand to the ball at second slip. His 188 ball knock contained two sixes and 10 fours.Ashwin was warmly applauded on his way to the wicket in what is arguably Worcestershire’s most high profile overseas player since Glenn McGrath in 2000. He looked full of composure and class and it soon became evident why he often bats in India’s top six.He made 36 off 50 balls with a six and four fours before being undone by a ball of extra bounce with the second new ball from Norwell which was edged to Chris Dent at second slip.But keeper Ben Cox (56 not out) and Barnard ensured Worcestershire remained on top during a partnership of 86 in 15 overs before the former on 46 from 49 balls was run-out after a mix-up.
Farhaan Behardien’s sixth-wicket stand with Dwaine Pretorius was the game changer•AFP
Farhaan Behardien’s unbeaten 37 guided South Africa A to a two-wicket win against India A in the tri-series opener in Pretoria.Yuzvendra Chahal almost pulled it back with three quick wickets to leave South Africa A on 145 for 8 in their chase of 153. Behardien calmly finished the game off in ones and twos, with Aaron Phangiso, who earlier in the day picked four wickets, for company. South Africa A won with 74 balls to spare.Their seamers Beuran Hendricks and Dwaine Pretorius did the early damage, removing Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer respectively, inside two overs. Pandey and Karun Nair put together 42 to lead a brief recovery before Pretorius trapped Nair lbw for 25. When Rishabh Pant (10)and Krunal Pandya (0) fell, India A slipped to 65 for 5.Pandey waged a lone battle from there on to raise a half-century off just 86 deliveries. He was the seventh batsman out, stumped for 55 off left-arm spinnner Phangiso. Pandey found some support from Chahal, who made 24 not out, to lift the total past 150 before they were bowled out in 41.5 overs.South Africa A wobbled at the start with the seamers picking up the first three wickets. India turned to spin from the 12th over; Axar Patel struck in his first when he removed Khaya Zondo. He then dismissed Heinrich Klaasen (24) in his very next over.South Africa A, tottering at 71 for 5, were then driven by a 62-run sixth-wicket stand between Behardien and Pretorius, who made 38 to go along with his three wickets earlier in the day. As it turned out, the partnership helped them ride a wobble and register two points.India A will play Afghanistan A in the next game on Friday.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham sported some unreleased adidas Predators in his team's Champions League match against Napoli on Wednesday.
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Bellingham wore unreleased adidas boots
Comes days after Alexander-Arnold did so
Midfielder went on to score against Napoli
WHAT HAPPENED?
Bellingham took to the field wearing some new adidas Predator boots that resemble the type Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane used to wear. The boots have not been released and they seem to be working their magic as the England international scored to give his team a 2-1 lead in the first half of the clash.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Bellingham is not the first top name to wear unreleased adidas boots on the field in recent days. Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was spotted wearing a pair of next generation adidas Predator boots during his team's 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Saturday. The Madrid midfielder also teased the return of the Predators' famous tongue with his celebration against Cadiz at the weekend.
DID YOU KNOW?
Bellingham's goal against Napoli is his 15th in all competitions this season. The 20-year-old has scored four times in as many games in the Champions League, adding to the 11 he has netted in 12 appearances in La Liga since making the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.
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WHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?
Bellingham and his Madrid team-mates had already booked their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League before their meeting with Napoli in midweek. They are in action again on Saturday, facing Granada at home in La Liga.
Al-Nassr have put the wheels in motion for a potential bid to sign Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City, it has been claimed.
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De Bruyne wanted by Saudi sideHave contacted agent about meetingStar's Man City contract ends in 2025WHAT HAPPENED?
The Saudi Arabian side have contacted the Belgium international's agent with the aim of arranging a meeting, according to Rudy Galetti. Al-Nassr's plan is to explain their long-term strategy to convince the attacking midfielder to join.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
De Bruyne, 32, is currently contracted to City until 2025. He remains a key part of Pep Guardiola's team but has featured just once in the Premier League this season, having been ruled out with a muscle injury he sustained in the early stages of their first game against Burnley. As a result of his fitness troubles, City are reported to have put a stop to talks over a new contract until he recovers
DID YOU KNOW?
De Bruyne would be one of many big names to make the move to the Middle East if Al-Nassr are able to convince him. He would reunite with ex-City team-mate Aymeric Laporte as well as the likes of former Premier League rivals Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Alex Telles.
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Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
De Bruyne will continue his recovery and prepare to return to the City team before he will consider making the switch to the Saudi Pro League.
Liverpool will continue to monitor the market as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to rebuild after a challenging campaign, and Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch is one young talent who they are 'pushing' to sign.
What's the latest on Ryan Gravenberch to Liverpool?
That's according to the Mirror, who state that Klopp has received the green light to complete a move for the Dutchman, who has endured a frustrating maiden term in the German Bundesliga with the formidable champions.
The player is said to be 'keen' on a move to Anfield and, while in an ideal world he would remain at the club he chose to kickstart his career one year ago, a lack of minutes and the offer of prominence at Liverpool could result in a transfer, with a fee of around £25m enough to prise him away.
Especially considering that James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all left the club; Alexis Mac Allister has been signed for £35m but the robust Gravenberch could be new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke's masterstroke this summer.
Should Liverpool sign Ryan Gravenberch?
Gravenberch forged 103 appearances for Ajax and was a key component of an outfit that gleaned the Eredivisie thrice and the KNVB Cup twice across three campaigns, catching the eye of many an outfit across Europe and subsequently earning a €24m (£20m) transfer to Bavaria.
However, five starts from 33 matches across all competitions in Germany this season will do little to convince the precocious talent of committing his future to the club despite winning the title this year, with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka unlikely to fall out of favour any time soon.
Previously hailed as the Netherlands' "greatest talent" by ex-Ajax ace Wim Kieft, the £152k-per-week machine ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 23% for progressive passes, the top 19% for successful take-ons and the top 27% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, which emphasises the dynamism of his trade and hints at a future as one of Europe's most destructive conductors.
If Klopp succeeds in signing the 21-year-old, he will strengthen the Dutch spine Anfield currently boasts, with Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo occupying prominent roles either side of the centre of the park, where Gravenberch could pull the strings and inject the unrelenting intensity to send the Kop into rapture.
He could forge a distinctively slick partnership with Gakpo, who has impressed since signing from PSV for an initial £35m last winter and scored seven goals and three assists as he ostensibly slots into the departing and iconic Roberto Firmino's all-encompassing frontal role.
Adept and weaving the threads of Klopp's hundred-hued tapestry together with his creative ingenuity, Gakpo ranks among the top 10% of forwards for rate of assists, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 1% for tackles per 90.
Such metrics play into Gravenberch's favour – and indeed vice versa – because of his role in tethering the midfield to the attack, opening space for the inversions of wide forwards such as Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez, and keeping the robustness intact with his multi-faceted approach.
Lauded for his "dominant" demeanour on the pitch by his former youth coach Brian Tevreden, the confidence that exudes from Gravenberch's tenacity in the middle will keep the system ticking, and the countrymen could play significant roles in the next phase of Klopp's dynasty in Liverpool.
You can't go far wrong with an all-white Madrid home kit, but which is the best ever? GOAL decides…
There is, admittedly, little to be done with a Real Madrid home kit. The Spanish giants will always wear white, with some sort of accent occasionally thrown in. But that doesn't mean there haven't been some legendary kits worn by Los Blancos.
From the early days of their adidas partnership in the 1980s to the golden stripes of the early 2010s, the club have released some gorgeous shirts. And with the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Raul suiting up for the club, there's plenty of star appeal, too.
And so after their new home kit for 2023-24 was released, GOAL takes a look at Real Madrid's best home shirts from over the years…
Getty102012-13: It falls apart under Jose
Madrid's struggles in 2012-13 have been well-chronicled at this point. It was the year when Jose Mourinho left the club in dramatic fashion, making a conscious effort to burn every bridge possible before he departed by "mutual consent" the following summer.
Still, there were some positives here. Los Blancos beat Barcelona three times, signed Luka Modric, and got 55 goals out of Ronaldo.
AdvertisementGetty Images92004-05: The end of the Galacticos
This should have been a memorable season. Sure, some of the famous Galacticos were past their best, but Ronaldo and Raul remained world-class. That Zidane guy wasn't bad, either. Add a prime Michael Owen, and all the ingredients were there for a La Liga win. It didn't quite go to plan, with Los Blancos falling short of Barcelona by four points.
European success was similarly elusive, as Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League in the last 16 to an excellent Juventus side.
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images82015-16: Zizou wins the Champions League (again)
Madrid were enduring a tricky first half to the 2015-16 season when they brought Zidane in to manage the first team. And the club legend took over a top-tier squad with aplomb. Los Blancos battered Europe, with the famous Benzema-Bale-Ronaldo attacking trio leading Madrid to a famous 11th Champions League title.
Any other year, and Madrid would have been celebrating a double. However, a rampant Barcelona side pipped them to the league title by just a single point.
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Getty Images71999-2000: Champions League dominance
The 1998-99 season was something of an underwhelming campaign for Los Blancos, and they tried to amend that with a series of signings for the next year. And they did so with aplomb.
Madrid spent big in the transfer market while Raul came into his own as a goalscorer. It all amounted to a team primed for European glory. And they delivered, winning the 2000 Champions League, battering Valencia in the final.