Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers would appear, on the surface, to have recovered from a poor start. His .370 on-base percentage is slightly more than his career percentage, and his 23 RBIs put him on pace for just shy of 100.
However, Devers has been vocal about his dismay with his offseason position switch. Long a third baseman, Devers has shifted to designated hitter to accommodate Alex Bregman—and per the three-time All-Star, the Red Sox now want him to move to first base.
On Thursday, he candidly expressed his frustrations with Boston—calling out general manager Craig Breslow in the process.
"I just feel like it's not an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position," Devers said, as told by Christopher Smith of MassLive. "It was the GM that I spoke with. I'm not sure what he has with me. He played ball and I would like to think he knows that changing positions like that isn't easy."
Breslow, a reliever for seven teams in a 12-year span from 2005 to '06 and 2008 to '17, has held his current position since Oct. 2023.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Devers—a franchise cornerstone—the Red Sox are 20-19 and squarely in the thick of the still-developing playoff race.
Vitor Matos now reportedly wants to take the Swansea City job in a major boost for the Championship club, who are preparing to trigger his big-money release clause.
It’s been a chaotic search for a new manager in Wales. The Swans decided to sack Alan Sheehan at the same time that Southampton, Norwich City and Middlesbrough all moving on from their own coaches – sending the Championship into a managerial merry-go-round.
Ultimately, it was Swansea who were made to pay for their timing, with top target Kim Hellberg now heading to Boro to replace Rob Edwards and send his first admirers back to square one.
With the Championship set to make a return from the international break this weekend, Swansea remain without a manager and will be led by Darren O’Shea on an interim basis.
Up against Bristol City on Saturday afternoon, Swansea will be looking to avoid a fifth-straight game without a victory and avoid dropping down to as low as 20th in the Championship.
Just when they’ll have their next permanent manager in charge is the big question. The Jacks head straight from their game against Bristol into a Tuesday night clash against Derby County and with the fixtures coming thick and fast, they need a permanent appointment sooner rather than later.
According to some recent reports, however, they could be in for some good news in their chase to sign Matos, who has made his decision.
Swansea preparing to trigger Matos release clause
According to reports in Portugal, as relayed by Wales Online, Swansea are now ready to trigger Matos’ release clause following rumours that the Maritime manager has decided to take the job if the opportunity comes his way.
Meanwhile, although other reports have claimed that Maritime are not willing to enter negotiations under any circumstances, those in Portugal have revealed that Matos has a release clause worth €1m (£900k) in his current contract – allowing Swansea to bypass club-to-club talks.
It’s good news for Swansea that the 37-year-old is keen to take the job, but there’s no denying that hiring him would be a gamble. The former Liverpool coach is incredibly inexperienced and the Swansea job would be his first as a manager in England.
Jurgen Klopp would be the first to hand the 4-3-3 coach rave reviews, but even the German is yet to see Matos in a potential relegation scrap. Those in Wales currently sit just seven points clear of the Championship’s dropzone and simply cannot afford to get their next appointment wrong in the coming weeks.
Instant blow for Matos as "one of Swansea's key players" could now leave
تحدث محمود حسن تريزيجيه، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، ومنتخب مصر، عن وفاة والدته ودورها في حياته.
وقال تريزيجيه، عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “والدتي الله يرحمها بعد ربنا لها الفضل فيما وصلت له، وكانت تتمنى عودتي إلى الأهلي وأن تكون معي”.
وتابع: “والدتي كانت تحب الأهلي جدًا وكانت حزينة على رحيلي أول مرة ونفسيتها تأثرت وقلت لها أنا عندي طموح و(أكيد هرجع)”.
وأكمل: “كنت أتمنى أن أفعل لها أكثر مما أتمنى، وأجلس معها وقت أكثر منذ أن كنت 9 سنوات حتى 18 سنة وأنا أعيش في استراحة الأهلي، ووالدي توفى وأنا صغير وإخوتي لم يجعلوني أحتاج إلى شيء”.
وأضاف: “من الأمور التي أثرت علي خلال رحلة الاحتراف أن والدتي لم تكن معي وتوفت وأنا في طريقي للعودة ولم ألحق أن أدفنها”.
طالع.. تريزيجيه: رفضت عروضًا بـ6 أضعاف الأهلي.. وزيزو توقع ما حدث أمام الزمالك
واستكمل: “الكلام عن عودتي للأهلي بدأ من شهر نوفمبر 2024، الموضوع أخذ وقتًا كبيرًا لأن نادي طرابزون كان لديهم عرض ضخم جدًا، لكن عندما تحدث معي الكابتن الخطيب كلمني قلت سندخل تلك الحرب مع بعض”.
وأشار: “أنهينا الحرب مع طرابزون، وأول ما وقعت للأهلي، وبعد نزولي من الطائرة عند عودتي بكيت لأنني سأعود ولو كنت أستطيع أن أعود في وقت مبكر عن ذلك، كنت سأفعل”.
وأفاد: “الكابتن الخطيب لا ينام، وشغله الشاغل النادي، ورأيت ذلك في المفاوضات مع طرابزون”.
وقال عن تجربة كأس العالم: “لم يكن يحالفنا التوفيق، لا أريد التحدث عن أعذار أو الطقس، لكن لم يُحالفنا التوفيق أمام إنتر ميامي وبورتو، وأعرف أنني أخطأت أمام إنتر ميامي بتسديد ركلة الجزاء، أعترف بذلك، أوأعرف شعور الناس وكنت أتمنى الفوز وفي كل الفرق التي لعبت لها كنت أسدد حتى لو لم يكن دوري لكنها صفحة وتم إغلاقها”.
وأشار: “في ركلة الجزاء أمام الزمالك كنت أنا رقم واحد، وكنت مركزًا، وكان محمد صبحي واللاعبين يضايقونني، لكنني اتخذت القرار أن أسدد، لأننا اتخلقنا للضغوط”.
وأفاد: “عدم التوفيق لأننا كلاعبين لم نلعب مع بعض فترة طويلة، ونحن فريق كبير، لكن كانت هناك ظروف لم تساعدنا، حاولنا كلاعبين وإدارة ولكن ما كنا نتمناه لم يحدث، صفحة وأغلقت وعندنا تحديات أخرى كثيرة، اللاعبون هم الأسلحة التي تحارب بها ويجب أن نحافظ عليهم”.
واسترسل: “ريبيرو لم يكن موفقًا، تجربة لم تكن الأفضل، حاولنا أن نساعده ولم نستطع، وعماد النحاس مدرب كبير، وشخصية كبيرة ومحترمة ويعرف إمكانيات اللاعبين، فنيًا على أعلى مستوى، ونفسيًا كان عارف يتعامل معنا بشكل جيد جدًا”.
وأتم: “النحاس كان يجعل اللاعبين (ينزلوا ويموتوا أنفسهم بسبب الثقة)، وأتمنى له التوفيق في العراق ويشرف اسم بلده”.
Sahibzada Farhan’s 63 finished Pakistan’s tour with an improved batting performance
Mohammad Isam24-Jul-2025Pakistan ended their Bangladesh tour with a 74-run win in the third T20I in Dhaka. They bowled out the home side for 104 runs, after posting 178 for 7, a marked improvement from the last two games when their batting hardly stood up.Sahibzada Farhan, who took Fakhar Zaman’s place, top scored with 63 off 41, with 54 runs coming from boundaries. He provided Pakistan with a blistering start, after which Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Nawaz struck quick runs to take them to the highest total at the Shere Bangla National Stadium since 2021.Later it was newcomer Salman Mirza, the left-arm quick, who blew through Bangladesh’s top-order, as the home side slipped to 34 for 6. Bangladesh’s batting was in sharp contrast to that of Pakistan who finally got their groove upon being sent to bat first.Farhan blitzkrieg in MirpurFarhan got Pakistan off to a flyer that lasted beyond the powerplay. He clattered Mahedi Hasan for a six in the third ball of the match, before sweetly flicking Shoriful Islam in the next over. Farhan laid into Taskin Ahmed in the sixth over, that went for 15, including a beautiful straight six.Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub put on 82 for the first wicket•AFP/Getty ImagesMehidy Hasan wasn’t spared either. Farhan smacked him for two sixes in the seventh over, one straight and slogged over midwicket. He finished the over by reaching his fifty, the second of Farhan’s career. Saim Ayub got into the act a little later, but soon after striking his first six, he fell to Nasum Ahmed. It broke the 82-run opening stand.Haris can’t cash in on luckFarhan fell for 63 in the twelfth over, having struck five sixes and six fours in his 41-ball stay. There was hope that Farhan’s start would help the rest of the Pakistan’s batters. However, Mohammad Haris couldn’t quite capitalize despite getting three lives in his short time at the crease. Litton Das missed a difficult stumping chance in the tenth over, before Nasum dropped Haris at fine-leg. He also survived a lbw decision, before Taskin removed him with a catch at deep third. Haris finished with 5 off 14 balls.The Nawazes’ fine finishHasan Nawaz slammed three sixes in his 17-ball stay, one of them a slice over cover, but Mahedi’s tumbling catch from mid-off stopped him on 33. Hussain Talat then fell cheaply, before Mohammad Nawaz creamed two sixes and as many fours, in his 16-ball 27. Both his sixes came off Mohammad Saifuddin, one struck over deep square-leg, and the next one the cover boundary.Mirza cuts through top orderPakistan’s first wicket was slightly fortuitous, but all credit goes to Mirza. Tanzid swished at a wide delivery outside off-stump, but wicketkeeper Haris didn’t appeal. Mirza insisted he heard something, which convinced Pakistan captain Salman Agha. A healthy deviation was spotted upon review.Faheem Ashraf then struck twice in his next two overs, first removing Litton for 8, before Mehidy holed out to mid-on for 9. Mirza then bowled two superb deliveries in the fifth over to reduce Bangladesh to 25 for 5. Both times, he got the ball to cut through Jaker Ali and Mahedi and rattle their stumps.Saifuddin doesn’t get supportSalman bowled Shamim Hossain with one that spun into the left-hander, as Shamim tried to play back. Mohammad Naim holed out to a simple catch at mid-off.Saifuddin’s 34-ball 35 took Bangladesh past their lowest total of 70 and while Nos 9 to 11 all got boundaries, they didn’t hold on for long. Talat removed Nasum for 9. Hasan Nawaz took a fine catch running in from backward square leg to remove Taskin Ahmed, before Saifuddin struck couple of sixes off Ahmed Daniyal. Shoriful was the last man to go with Abbas Afridi taking a superb catch at long-on.
Ryan Mason has had plenty of time now to chew over West Bromwich Albion’s disastrous 3-0 defeat away at Millwall last time out in the unforgiving Championship.
It will be intriguing, therefore, with the international break giving him that adequate time to assess what went wrong, what Baggies team he selects for West Brom’s return to league action versus Preston North End on Saturday.
The rookie boss will just hope his team doesn’t collapse under the weight of being early promotion candidates, with three defeats in the league to date, only leaving them five points shy of Frank Lampard’s free-flowing Coventry City at the very top of the division.
Worryingly, though, West Brom only have nine goals next to their name when weighed up alongside the Sky Blues’ absurd 27 efforts, with Mason crying out for a Matheus Pereira-type presence in the here and now to take his pedestrian side up a notch.
Pereira's promotion-winning magic
West Brom very much hit instant gold when securing the services of Brazilian star Matheus Pereira in 2019.
Signing initially on loan, with a view to making his switch permanent, Pereira would go on to be a talismanic figure for Slaven Bilic’s promotion-chasers at the time, with ex-Baggies legend Jonathan Greening even stating – during that promotion push – that the spellbinding number 12 can do a “little bit of everything.”
Pereira’s numbers for West Brom
Stat
Pereira
Games played
77
Goals scored
20
Assists
26
Promotions
1x
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Judging from his ridiculous numbers above, it’s clear that West Brom had pulled off a mighty coup, tempting Pereira to the Hawthorns when they did, with his blistering 20 goals and 26 assists from 77 outings pushing the West Midlands outfit up to the Premier League, before relegation was unfortunately served up.
Clearly, after becoming West Brom’s top goalscorer in the daunting top-flight, Pereira was always going to be uneasy about being a big fish in a small pond in the EFL again, with a mega-money switch to Al-Hilal then bringing his whirlwind stay in England to a close.
To this day, however, Pereira is still heralded as one of the most entertaining attackers to have graced the Hawthorns, with the football served up by Mason and Co. so far this season failing to be as captivating to watch.
The 34-year-old does have Isaac Price at his disposal as one entertainer, but there is another member of his camp now who could go on to be a Pereira-style figure, having once lined up for Juventus in the Champions League, before relocating to the Baggies.
The West Brom "menace" who's the new Pereira
While Price does have three goals and one assist next to his name this season already, from just nine league appearances, he has looked poor in recent match-ups, notably away at the Den last match.
Indeed, the usually electric midfielder would manage just one drab effort on the Lions’ goal throughout, with possession also squandered a costly 14 times from his 40 touches of the ball.
Coincidentally, his replacement during the 3-0 defeat in Samuel Iling-Junior could actually be Mason’s own Pereira-type figure, operating as another dazzling left-footer either centrally or on the flanks.
Iling-Junior’s career path
Club
Games
Goals + Assists
Juventus U18s
58
14 + 15
Juventus
45
2 + 4
Middlesbrough
16
1 + 2
Bologna
16
2 + 0
Juventus Next Gen
13
5 + 2
Chelsea U18s
9
0 + 1
Juventus Youth League
8
1 + 2
West Brom
4
1 + 0
Chelsea Youth League
3
0
Aston Villa
0
0
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Much like Pereira, who boasted Bundesliga side Nuremberg on his career CV before moving to the Baggies, Iling-Junior has a long list of esteemed clubs on his own unfurling resume, with a youth education that saw the 22-year-old line up for both Chelsea U18s and Juventus U18s.
His time with the Old Lady would even see him make 45 senior appearances – as he was also dubbed a “superb” talent by scout Jacek Kulig during one Champions League outing for the Italian titans – culminating in his parent employers, Aston Villa, splashing out a whopping £12m to win his services in 2024.
He is yet to make a senior appearance for Unai Emery’s men, but with near neighbours West Brom, he is already living up to the “menace” billing once handed to him by scout Antonio Mango, with this terrific solo goal at the end of September, his first ever strike in Baggies’ blue and white.
Mason will be praying that more goals such as this magic solo effort are put away shortly, with Iling-Junior perhaps the force that catapults West Brom into the promotion reckoning more convincingly.
After all, all those years back, Pereira was a similar bright spark capable of such fine individual moments as Premier League football was clinched.
Not just Wallace: West Brom "goalscorer" is on borrowed time under Mason
Despite once costing a considerable amount, this West Bromwich Albion star looks to now be on borrowed time under Ryan Mason.
أعلنت رابطة الدوري الإسباني اليوم الأربعاء، عن موعد مباريات الجولة الـ19 من الليجا، والتي كان من المفترض أن موعدها محدد مسبقًا.
ويتصدر نادي ريال مدريد ترتيب بطولة الدوري الإسباني برصيد 27 نقطة، وبفارق خمس نقاط عن برشلونة صاحب المركز الثاني.
وعزز ريال مدريد صدارته في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، بعدما هزم برشلونة بهدفين مقابل هدف واحد يوم الأحد الماضي، في كلاسيكو الجولة العاشرة من المسابقة المحلية.
وأكدت رابطة الدوري الإسباني، أنه حدث تغيير في موعد مباريات الجولة ال19 من البطولة، وذلك بسبب ظروف إقامة بطولة كأس السوبر الإسباني في المملكة العربية السعودية.
اقرأ أيضًا .. عملاق أوروبي قد ينقذ فينيسيوس بعد أزمته مع ألونسو في ريال مدريد
وسوف تلعب بطولة كأس السوبر الإسباني في المملكة العربية السعودية وتحديدًا في جدة بين يومي 7 يناير و11 من نفس الشهر ، على ملعب الإنماء.
وكان من المفترض أن تبدأ الجولة الـ19 يوم 11 يناير، وهو نفس موعد نهائي بطولة كأس السوبر الإسباني، حيث يشارك كلًا من ريال مدريد، وأتلتيكو مدريد، وبرشلونة وأتلتيك بلباو.
وبناءً على موعد مباريات كأس السوبر، فقد قررت رابطة الدوري الإسباني تقديم مباراة برشلونة وأتلتيكو مدريد في الجولة ال19 لتلعب يوم 2 ديسمبر من العام الحالي بدلًا في شهر يناير.
وعلى الجانب الآخر سوف يواجه ريال مدريد أتلتيك بلباو يوم 3 ديسمبر كذلك بدلًا من بداية العام المقبل.
وكان برشلونة قد حقق بطولة كأس السوبر الإسباني العام الماضي، عقب انتصاره الكبير على ريال مدريد 5-2 في نهائي البطولة المحلية.
Liverpool haven’t been at their best in the Premier League this season, and yet Arne Slot and his squad have claimed five wins from five, sitting pretty five points clear at the top.
However, Saturday presents a tough test, all right, with Crystal Palace awaiting the Reds at Selhurst Park. Under Oliver Glasner, Palace have been transformed, winning the Europa League and the Community Shield (against Liverpool) in 2025.
The Eagles have yet to click into gear in an attacking sense this term, but neither have they been leaking goals. No side have conceded fewer strikes than their two this term.
Marc Guehi has helped shape this successful start to the season, with his move to Anfield falling through on deadline day. To breach his backline, Liverpool’s frontline will need to be sharp and fluent, but they will have to do it without the in-form Hugo Ekitike.
Ekitike misses trip to Selhurst Park
Ekitike has been in fine fettle since signing for Liverpool this summer, having posted five goals and an assist for the Merseysiders, less than two months after making his debut.
The latest of which, sadly, saw him sent off, shown a second yellow after removing his shirt in celebration for scoring the winner against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
Ekitike will be missed, not least because record signing Alexander Isak is not yet considered to be totally match fit.
However, Federico Chiesa is enjoying a resurgence in his second season at the club, and Slot suggested in his pre-match presser that the Italian could play an important role at the weekend.
It’s unlikely that Chiesa would start the game over Isak, who scored his first goal for the club on Tuesday, but he is bound to see some second-half action.
And given Liverpool’s proclivity and need for last-minute winners this year, it’s likely he’ll be expected to contribute strongly. However, Slot may have an even more exciting super-sub he could call upon.
Slot's Liverpool super-sub
Chiesa came up trumps on the opening day of the Premier League season, putting Liverpool back in front as they snuffed out a brave Bournemouth comeback.
However, Rio Ngumoha’s winning goal at St. James’ Park one match later was more emphatic still, with the 16-year-old writing his name into the division’s record books and rubber-stamping his prodigious reputation.
Described as a “phenomenal talent” by his former youth coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, who also stressed he has the natural talent to challenge for the Ballon d’Or one day, Ngumoha’s rise has come at the expense of Liverpool signing a new left winger, having parted ways with Luis Diaz in August.
That bears testament to his skills, all right, having featured four times in total this term, starting against Saints in midweek.
With electric pace and a directness and drive that bespeaks his precocious qualities, Ngumoha will not be afraid to help steer Liverpool over the line against an undefeated Palace team who would relish causing another upset after lifting the Community Shield at Liverpool’s expense.
1
James Vaughan
16 yrs, 8 months, 27 days
2
James Milner
16 yrs, 11 months, 22 days
3
Wayne Rooney
16 yrs, 11 months, 25 days
4
Rio Ngumoha
16 yrs, 11 months, 26 days
5
Cesc Fabregas
17 yrs, 3 months, 21 days
He’s already got one Premier League strike to his name this season, and if Liverpool find themselves pressing against the Palace ramparts in the final stages, searching for another late winner, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if Ngumoha enters the fray and finds the space and time to make something happen.
This kid is the real deal, after all.
Now worth more than Guehi: Liverpool lost "superstar” for less than Quansah
Liverpool must regret parting ways with this iconic Jurgen Klopp talent.
Jamie Carragher admits that Liverpool are missing Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the Reds' class of 2025-26 yet to click into gear. Arne Slot spent heavily during the summer transfer window, with record-shattering deals being completed for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. They are yet to settle in new surroundings, with the Premier League title holders considered to be missing creative and attacking sparks.
Faultless start ended after huge summer spending spree
Slot’s side did open the 2025-26 season in faultless fashion, with a flurry of late goals allowing priceless points to be picked up at home and abroad. Liverpool were not entirely convincing, though, and they have now suffered back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray in domestic and Champions League competition.
Dutch coach Slot has taken to getting creative with his selections at times, delivering a mixed bag of results and performances, with the Reds still ironing out flaws in a new-look side. German playmaker Wirtz, who cost £116 million ($156m), is waiting on his first goal contribution – with the talented 22-year-old yet to deliver on lofty expectations. He is being charged with the task of picking holes in opposition defences and making Liverpool more fluid when operating on the front foot.
AdvertisementGettyHow much do Liverpool miss Alexander-Arnold?
Carragher believes Alexander-Arnold is proving to be a big miss in that process, with the Merseyside native having stepped out of his comfort zone when running his contract down and linking up with Real Madrid. Reds legend Carragher wrote in his column for : "It sounds odd to say it, but Wirtz was signed to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold – a No 10 to provide the passing range and creativity of a unique full-back. He is yet to add what Liverpool are missing without Alexander-Arnold, while at the same time the team has lost the intensity which made them so difficult to play against. It means Slot has a dilemma as he tries to defend the title going through a transitional phase that might take longer than many thought. He must decide whether to regroup and temporarily revert to the strategy of last season, accommodating Wirtz in a different role or leaving him out entirely until he is up to speed with English football.
"Or he might persist with his vision believing more short-term pain might be necessary until it clicks. The latter would be dangerous because even with all the credit in the bank from his title win, there is immense pressure to keep winning, especially when you have spent a combined £230m on two players who are supposed to be ready-made to take a championship-winning side to the next level. Slot excelled by moulding Klopp’s signings into a better team. Now he has to repeat the trick with his own recruits."
Why Liverpool wobble is a good thing
Carragher is not overly concerned about Liverpool’s recent wobble, with it important for them to come through some testing times in order to prove their worth as defending champions. He went on to say: "Part of me is worried by how Liverpool have played so far. Another part of me is excited and reassured. It is exciting because I am looking forward to seeing how Slot goes about making the necessary adjustments and improvements. It is reassuring because creating and maintaining a winning team has to require much more than signing huge cheques, otherwise the chasing pack might as well give up. You need to build connections, and dedicate hours on the training pitch to ensure everyone knows what is demanded with and without the ball so the balance is right.
"Liverpool spent nearly £450m on new players over the summer, regardless of how much they recouped via sales. For the greater good of English football, it would have been disheartening had that level of investment led to instant brilliance. Just like Chelsea have discovered after spending £1.5bn over the past three years, there should be no shortcuts to success."
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(C)GOALLiverpool fixtures: Chelsea test for the Reds
Liverpool, who have seen their lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to two points by Arsenal, will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Chelsea. That contest will take them into the next international break, with the likes of Wirtz and Isak preparing to head off with their respective countries.
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has invited recently retired club legend Jerome Boateng to return as an intern as he begins his journey toward a coaching career. Kompany believes Boateng’s vast experience can provide valuable insight and guidance to the current squad. However, the former defender’s options extend beyond Bayern, as he has also contacted other coaches about potential opportunities.
Boateng's retirement and his post retirement plans
Former German defender Jerome Boateng announced his retirement from football last week. A 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, Boateng also lifted two Champions League titles, nine Bundesliga titles, and two UEFA Super Cups before hanging up his boots. Already holding a UEFA B coaching license, he aspires to become a head coach but knows he must first gain experience by interning with established managers. One of his options is to return to his former club Bayern Munich and work under Kompany.
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Kompany's invitation to Boateng
When asked if he would be open to working with Boateng, Kompany replied: “Of course, I would warmly invite him to come and stay with us for a few weeks and share his experience as a top defender with us. That's so valuable. I would invite any well-intentioned Bayern legend to spend a week with us and share their experiences. Our boys still want to learn – we mustn't forget that."
Kompany also expressed confidence in Boateng’s coaching potential: “Of course he can become a top coach if he wants to. You just have to work very hard. And if you make an effort and surround yourself with good people, which is also important, then you can always set the best example.”
Finally, Kompany congratulated Boateng on his career, saying: “First of all, it was great to see how successful he became after our time together in Hamburg: He won two Champions League titles, a World Cup, and so many Bundesliga titles. I don't think any of us would have imagined that 20 years later we would be looking back on a career like this. I'm delighted he achieved all of this. That's why I'm very proud of him!"
Boateng's alternate options
Kompany's comments come after, Boateng revealed in an interview with he is yet to formally ask Kompany about working with him at Bayern, while praising his and Sandro Wagner’s transition from player to coach: “I haven't asked Vincent yet, but I will. He's a great example of how a former player became a great coach. Sandro Wagner, too. Both are authentic. I want to be that, too.”
Boateng also made it clear that his options extend beyond Bayern and Kompany, highlighting interest in working with other coaches: “I've already spoken with Hansi. I can shadow him at FC Barcelona whenever I want. I'm really looking forward to it. I'd also like to shadow my former teammate Patrick Vieira, coach of CFC Genoa."
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Boateng's challenges and Kompany's hope
Boateng will assess his options carefully before making the best decision for his career. For Kompany, bringing Boateng into his backroom staff could add valuable experience, with the former defender’s wealth of knowledge serving as guidance for the squad’s backline.
It’s been an interesting summer for Arsenal so far this year.
Andrea Berta and Co have been very active in the transfer market, bringing in six new faces for Mikel Arteta so far.
Undoubtedly, the most exciting addition has to be Viktor Gyokeres, who was a lean, mean goalscoring machine for Sporting CP last season, and looked good in the club’s final pre-season game.
Gyokeres
However, while he was part of the team that picked up three points away to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, he didn’t look anything like the goal threat we saw last season.
While he’ll likely only get better as he gets used to the Premier League, Arsenal could help speed things along by signing another international ace they’ve been linked with this summer, an international who could potentially help Gyokeres hit Erling Haaland-esque numbers.
Gyokeres' underwhelming debut
While Gyokeres looked impressive against Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup, scoring a header and coming incredibly close to getting another, he didn’t make a great impression on his Premier League debut on Sunday.
Granted, it was a bad day at the office for most of the side, apart from David Raya and some of the defence, but with the eyes of the league watching him to see if he could translate his sensational goalscoring form from Portugal to England, the Swedish marksman failed.
For example, in his 60 minutes of action, the Stockholm-born international failed to take a single shot – the first time that has happened in a competitive game since his days at Coventry City – was unable to complete a single dribble, played no key passes, lost ten duels and took just 22 touches, which was 25 fewer than Raya between the sticks.
Now, in his defence, there were a couple of occasions when he drove out wide before firing a ball back towards the centre in reasonably dangerous positions only for nobody to get on the end of it, but by and large, it was a debut to forget.
However, given his form over the last few years, Gyokeres will surely find his shooting boots sooner or later, and for their part, Arsenal could bring in a particular player who might be able to help him reach Haaland-esque numbers: Rodrygo.
Why Rodrygo could help Gyokeres explode
Among all the attacking players Arsenal have been linked with this summer, Rodrygo has arguably been the most exciting, and while he is now being touted for a move to Manchester City, there is supposedly still a chance the Gunners can secure his services for around £78m.
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Now, on top of being an exceptional signing in his own right, why would the Real Madrid star be able to help Gyokeres’ goalscoring numbers explode this season?
Well, the first reason is that he’s already proven himself to be a reliable source of goals and assists with the Spanish giants over the last couple of years.
For example, across the 23/24 to 24/25 seasons, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has found the back of the net on 31 occasions and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7159 minutes.
In other words, the often “unstoppable” dynamo, as dubbed by Madrid columist Kiyan Sobhani, was averaging a goal involvement every 2.05 games, or every 140.37 minutes in that period, which is made all the more impressive by the fact he was playing everywhere but his preferred position of left-wing.
Rodrygo’s recent record
Season
23/24
24/25
Appearances
51
54
Minutes
3707′
3452′
Goals
17
14
Assists
9
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
0.46
Minutes per Goal Involvement
142.57′
138.08′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Just imagine the numbers the Swedish goal-machine would be able to put up with the 24-year-old to his left, instead of Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka to his right – they could be Haaland-esque if things click.
Moreover, when we take a look at the former Santos gem’s underlying numbers, it quickly becomes clear that he is elite at getting the ball into dangerous areas through carrying, which for a traditional number nine like Gyokeres could be perfect.
For example, FBref ranked him in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in La Liga last season for carries into the final third, the top 3% for touches in the attacking third, the top 6% for total carrying distance, the top 10% for carries and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, with his record from the last two years being what it is, we know Gyokeres can score goals at a rate few can match, and to help him get close to those numbers again, Arsenal need to bring in a world-class left-winger like Rodrygo.
Arteta must axe 4/10 Arsenal star who was worse than Gyokeres vs Man Utd
Arsenal may have secured victory at Old Trafford but there were some negatives.