The October international break hasn’t quite slammed shut, but Liverpool fans are already looking with anticipation toward the return of Premier League action.

Arne Slot’s Premier League champions have been well below their best for most of the campaign, demonstrating much tenacity to find late winners across the opening weeks of the campaign but lacking balance and control.

They could only ride this wave for so long, with the tide turning in recent weeks and the Reds falling in successive top-flight outings, defeat in the Champions League at Galatasaray sandwiched in between.

Many high-profile signings have been made, but Liverpool need to rediscover their swagger and style. With names like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak added to the fold, welcoming another forward seems ludicrous, but it might be the answer to the Anfield side’s troubles in the long run.

Liverpool need another forward

Sporting director Richard Hughes and the senior figures at Liverpool remain confident that it will all come together. For Liverpool not to return to top-class form at some stage seems ludicrous, given the existing squad’s pedigree, the money spent this summer, and the calibre of signings brought in.

But Mohamed Salah’s form has been one of the big negative talking points this term. The 33-year-old has less than two years remaining on his £400k-per-week deal, and it’s well-known that Liverpool must spend big to secure a replacement.

According to Caught Offside, Hughes has already compiled a list of names he’s eager to pursue as Salah enters the final stretch of his Premier League career, and though talks were held in recent months for Lyon’s Malick Fofana and Bournemouth sensation Antoine Semenyo is being considered, it is Bayern Munich star Michael Olise who must be signed.

The France international is very much on Liverpool’s shortlist, with previous reports this month claiming the Merseysiders are even preparing an offer for the £86m-rated winger.

The 23-year-old joined Bayern from Crystal Palace for £50m in 2024, but Liverpool feel a deal could be struck given their good relationship with the Bundesliga champions.

What Michael Olise would bring to Liverpool

Olise thrived at Crystal Palace, joining from Reading and helping lift them toward their modern peak. Under Oliver Glasner, the Eagles are flying, and the French winger was crucial in getting the system up and running.

But his move to Germany has placed his name on the world atlas.

Last season was one of great success for Olise and his outfit, and he’s carried that form into the new campaign and fashioned something even greater, having notched five goals and six assists from just ten matches in all competitions.

There’s a sense that the best is still to come, and it’s for this reason Liverpool must chase his signature over Semenyo’s, as talented and dangerous as the Bournemouth star may be.

Comparing the two, we can see that Olise is the more clinical player and also the more explosive – though if Semenyo maintains his 2025/26 form across the duration of the year, that one may edge considerably closer.

Antoine Semenyo vs Michael Olise (past 12 months)
Stats (per 90)	Semenyo	Olise
Goals scored	0.39	0.39
Assists	0.20	0.50
Shots taken	3.07	3.47
Shot-creating actions	3.88	6.56
Touches (att pen)	5.13	6.32
Pass completion (%)	72.7	80.7
Progressive passes	3.832	7.50
Progressive carries	3.88	5.02
Successful take-ons	2.01	2.48
Ball recoveries	4.46	3.81
Data via FBref

Semenyo is likely a bit more physical and active throughout the different phases of play, but Salah’s success over the past nine years would tell you that a pick-and-choose approach bears just as many dividends, if not more. And it’s not as if Olise isn’t one of the silkiest and most fleet-footed wingers in the game.

Disregarding the players’ clinical starts to the campaign, their underlying metrics are evidence of their elite athleticism, with Sofascore also showing Olise has created 1.8 chances and won 4.3 duels per game in the German top flight this season, completing 83% of his passes.

Liverpool did manage to bag all three points in a frenzied match against Bournemouth on the opening day of the season, but Semenyo was electric throughout, bagging two special goals.

Make no mistake, Liverpool would not fumble if they were to sign the Ghana international next summer, but Olise is simply a level higher, with podcaster Henry Swain even describing him as “one of the best wingers in the world”.

Moreover, he’s younger than Semenyo, almost two years his junior, and has not yet been modelled into the final shape that could place him in conversations not too dissimilar to those which have followed Salah throughout his Liverpool journey.

The Cherries star, 25, has been in inspired form at the start of the season, it must be said. He has scored six goals and assisted three more in the Premier League this season, and Salah has paled in comparison on Liverpool’s right flank.

Both Olise and Semenyo would fall into similar financial ballparks, and so Liverpool must simply pick which player they believe stands a better chance of replacing the Egyptian King effectively, across many years.

We know he can do it in the Premier League, and the rise in prolific quality since moving to the Allianz Arena has been exciting to witness. Olise is the real deal and would be the perfect profile to ease Salah’s departure when that fateful day comes.

For now, he will continue to develop and improve in the Bundesliga, but it’s hard to imagine Olise being anything other than a triumph if he returned to the Premier League and took a place on Liverpool’s right wing.

FSG sold "world-class" Liverpool star, now he's outperforming Salah & Isak

Liverpool have lacked balance and fluency in the final third this season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 12, 2025

Bayern Munich's dominance caught Paris Saint-Germain by surprise, winger Bradley Barcola admitted after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat at home against the German giants on Tuesday. A Luis Diaz double in the first-half put Bayern fully in control of the Champions League tie before the Colombian was sent off. A late goal from Joao Neves pulled one back as PSG pushed for an equaliser, but Barcola says the damage had already been done by their tame start.

Bayern’s 10-man show shocks defending champions

Many expected PSG to be Bayern’s first real test in the European competition, especially with the German side on a 15-game winning streak heading into the tie. But Vincent Kompany's team were ruthless as they tore through the French side’s defence. Even after losing their brace scorer, Diaz, to a red card for a reckless challenge on Achraf Hakimi, Bayern held strong at the back to secure a crucial win.

It was a bitter pill for the defending champions, who also had to cope with major injuries to two of their key starters during the game. Hakimi was left in tears after the ex-Liverpool winger went in late on the Moroccan, catching him on the ankle after losing possession. He was initially shown a yellow card, but it was upgraded to red following a VAR review.

Earlier in the game, the reigning Ligue 1 champions had Dembele limping off just minutes after scoring an equaliser, which was ruled out by VAR. The 28-year-old, who has struggled with a hamstring injury this season, was replaced by Barcola in the 25th minute, who couldn't make much impact in the game.

AdvertisementgettyBarcola admits PSG were caught off guard

The French forward was candid in his assessment after the game, explaining how Bayern’s performance exceeded expectations. "It's surprising," he said. 

"We knew it was going to be difficult. We honestly weren't expecting this, but we'll try to take the positives from this match because it was a really tough evening. It's a good wake-up call. They were a very good team we were up against, and we'll try to bounce back as quickly as possible," the 23-year-old added.

The former Lyon player was particularly critical of PSG’s start and the defensive errors that allowed Diaz to score twice in the first half. "We lacked concentration on certain plays, which cost us goals," he analysed. "It wasn't all bad; we did wake up well, but the start of the match was very costly. We weren't fully committed from the outset, and the first half was very average, which is what made us lose the game."

Meanwhile, manager Luis Enrique also rued the poor defending in the first half and admitted that the upcoming games will be tough for his injury-riddled team. He told Canal+: "At 11 against 11, Bayern were stronger, without a doubt. We gave the opposition some very nice gifts in the first half. We could have conceded more. In the second half, it was different because we had an extra player. Consequences? I can't talk about the future. We know our schedule is the worst. The next few will be difficult."

More injury troubles for Luis Enrique

PSG’s injury woes have been mounting since the start of the season, with international breaks proving particularly cruel. Dembele and Desire Doue both missed early matches after picking up injuries during duties with France. While the French forward returned to action, Doue suffered another setback during a Ligue 1 clash against Lorient, where he had to be stretchered off in tears. The former Rennes prodigy now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, according to , Hakimi is expected to be out until mid-December, potentially missing the start of the 2025 AFCON. With Dembele again sidelined, the Spanish manager faces a major challenge in keeping PSG competitive in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

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AFPWhat's next for PSG?

The French giants now face a tough few weeks as they try to navigate the season with several key players sidelined. The small silver lining for PSG boss is that despite the injury setbacks, the club still sit atop the Ligue 1 table, with seven wins in 11 matches, just two points ahead of Marseille, who are themselves battling a severe injury crisis. After a tough Tuesday's loss ,the team will now prepare for another tricky game against Lyon. 

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions and sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table, boasting a 100 per cent record in the Champions League to boot.

Mikel Arteta answers Arsenal critics

There is a sentiment going around that the Gunners have adopted a ‘boring style of play’, but as long as they get the job done, Mikel Arteta won’t be in the least bit bothered.

Besides, this ongoing narrative is in stark contrast to their imperious win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League last Wednesday, and club legend Paul Merson was quick to note that nobody blows away Diego Simeone’s side like Arsenal did that night.

Four goals inside just 14 minutes cemented what was a statement three points for Arteta’s men, and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres silenced his own doubters with a quick-fire brace to end his barren run without scoring.

The result means Arsenal still haven’t lost a single game in all competitions since their narrow defeat at Anfield in late August, and even that was down to a sumptuous late free-kick from Dominik Szoboszlai which David Raya could do nothing about.

The catalyst for Arsenal’s amazing run has undoubtedly been their rock-solid defence, which has leaked the fewest goals of any Premier League side, with just three scored past them in nine top flight games.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Much to pundit Jamie O’Hara’s detest, who said last week that Arsenal are “killing” the Premier League with their guerrilla tactics, the north Londoners have proved a constant menace through dead balls and long-throws — which have acted as a secret weapon that no opponent can match.

Gabriel already has four goal contributions as a direct result of corners and free-kicks, bagging a header against Atlético and setting up Gyokeres for his second, and teams barely have an answer to the Brazilian’s constant set piece threat.

It’s been a very promising start to 25/26, and their excellent Champions League run has now forced Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher into a U-turn.

Jamie Carragher admits he got one thing very wrong about Arsenal

Speaking live on CBS Sports last week, analysing Arsenal’s win over Atlético, Carragher admitted that Arsenal are now one of the favourites to win the competition — despite previously saying they’re not a Champions League team.

After a summer of lavish spending, where Andrea Berta splashed nearly £270 million on eight major signings, the pressure is on Arteta to end the club’s two-decade-long wait for a league title.

Arsenal’s water-tight defence has formed the backbone for what could well be a successful challenge after years of near-misses, with both Gabriel and Saliba privately promising to remain at the club for years to come last summer.

With David Raya, who’s won back-to-back Golden Glove awards, commanding his area and defenders who don’t give an inch, Arsenal are proving they can grind out results when it matters most.

That kind of steel is exactly what you need to win a marathon like the Premier League, where every point counts and slip-ups are severely punished, with Arteta’s looking like real favourites for the crown as things stand.

كشفت تقارير صحفية عالمية تطورات جديدة بشأن اهتمام النادي الأهلي بضم أحد المهاجمين من قارة أمريكا الجنوبية لتعزيز صفوف الفريق.

ونشرت “MUNDO CRACKS” التشيلية أن لوكاس أسادي مهاجم يونيفرسيداد التشيلي يقدم أفضل مواسمه مع ناديه مما أثار التكهنات حول انتقاله إلى أندية خارج تشيلي الموسم المقبل.

وأصبح صاحب القميص رقم 10 محل أنظار أحد الأندية الإفريقية الكبرى وهو النادي الأهلي، حيث يعد عام 2025 هو الأفضل في مسيرة النجم الدولي الشيلي وخاصة النصف الثاني من الموسم.

وأصبح اللاعب الأكثر حسماً في تشكيل المدرب جوستافو ألفاريز حيث ساهم بـ11 هدفا وصنع 6 تمريرات حاسمة في 32 مباراة، وجذبت هذه الأرقام اهتمام أندية حول العالم بما في ذلك العملاق المصري.

أقرأ أيضاً.. الأهلي يقترب من التعاقد مع مهاجم جديد خلال ميركاتو الشتاء

ويعد الأهلي أنجح نادي في تاريخ كرة القدم حيث توج بـ107 ألقباب محلية و45 لقب قاري وشارك مؤخراً في كأس العالم للأندية بنظامه الجديد لكنه غادر من دور المجموعات.

ونقلاً عن إذاعة “ADN” فإن الأهلي يراقب موقف النجم التشيلي عن قرب بهدف ضمه لصفوفه ومع ذلك لم تتم سوى استفسارات فقط عنه ولم يتم تقديم عرض رسمي.

وتدرك إدارة النادي التشيلي أنه بعد الموسم المذهل الذي قدمه أسادي، فإن عدة أندية تهتم بالتعاقد معه ولهذا السبب فإنه سيكون هناك سعي لتجديد وتحسين عقده للحصول على مكاسب مالية أكبر من بيعه في المستقبل، ويمتد عقد أسادي حتى 31 ديسمبر 2026.

Tottenham striker Richarlison could leave the club in 2026, and it is believed that Thomas Frank has already been offered a replacement for the Brazilian.

Richarlison targeted by Orlando City with talks held

The 28-year-old started this season in electric fashion, scoring an early goal of the season contender with a bicycle kick against Burnley on the opening day, but doubts have surrounded Richarlison’s ability to lead the line on a consistent basis.

Signed for £60 million from Everton, the striker’s flashes of brilliance have been undercut by stretches of inconsistent form and bad luck with injuries.

Matches

11

Wins

6

Draws

3

Losses

2

Points

18

Points per game

1.91

Frank dropped Richarlison in favour of Mathys Tel against Leeds, with the Frenchman responding by scoring their opening goal of the game and helping Tottenham to a gritty 2-1 win at Elland Road.

With his contract expiring in 2027, CEO Vinai Vinkatesham and the new-look Spurs board must make a decision on the striker’s long-term future soon.

Crystal Palace have been named as a potential destination for Richarlison, as have MLS side Orlando City, who’ve moved with the most serious intent so far.

Oscar Pareja’s side held a meeting with the forward’s representatives in London ahead of a potential 2026 move, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, with an exit for Richarlison next summer viewed as possible, even if he’s a “key player” for Frank at this moment in time.

Dominic Solanke’s injury woes, with the striker still out of action after minor ankle surgery, also highlights the potential need for Spurs to consider new striker options heading into next year.

Frank is said to have personally contacted Ivan Toney about the possibility of joining Tottenham on loan in January, according to some reports, and now Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović has emerged as an option too.

Tottenham offered Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović by agents

According to journalist Graeme Bailey and TBR Football, Vlahovic’s camp are reaching out to potential suitors, and they’ve held talks with Spurs.

The Serbia international’s contract expires in 2026, meaning he could be available either for free next summer or for a small fee in January. He’s started the campaign in fine form — scoring four goals in eight appearances so far — including a brace against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

That being said, he’d almost certainly have to take a dramatic pay cut on his rumoured £370,000-per-week wages if a move to N17 is to become possible.

As Tottenham are offered the chance to sign Vlahovic, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich also weighing up free transfer offers next summer, Frank’s side could potentially sneak ahead of the European heavyweights by agreeing a low-cost winter deal.

Money won’t be an obstacle, especially since the Lewis family have just pumped £100 million into Spurs via ENIC.

What’s more, Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has already called Vlahovic “one of the best of his generation”.

Tottenham Hotspur took the lead in short time against Aston Villa at the weekend, and Thomas Frank’s clear impetus on fast starts is an exciting addition indeed.

But Spurs failed to make that early advantage count as Unai Emery’s Villa gained momentum and left with the spoils in the Premier League. Tottenham’s wretched home form drags on.

Evident is the deep creative issue the Lilywhites are struggling to uproot at the moment. But there’s much room for optimism, with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski working hard to return from their long-term injuries.

Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders

Team

Goals Scored

xG Total

(1) Crystal Palace

12

17.1

(2) Man United

11

14.9

(3) Man City

17

14.4

(4) Arsenal

15

13.6

(5) Liverpool

14

13.6

(14) Tottenham

14

8.3

Data via FBref

Such midfielders are the playmaking stars in north London, true, but Xavi Simons was signed as a difference-maker, and he’s failing to inspire thus far.

Xavi Simons' Spurs career so far

Simons, 22, joined Tottenham from RB Leipzig this summer for around £51m. The Netherlands international has long been regarded among the brightest talents of his age bracket, and he posted 22 goals and 24 assists across two seasons in Germany.

But the English game is a tough one, and across eight fixtures in a Tottenham shirt so far, Simons has yet to open his account, assisting once, on his debut against West Ham United.

He’s a tenacious little player but needs to get up to speed with the pace and rigorousness of the Premier League, and find his footing from a creative standpoint too.

Considering the injured midfielders working hard to return could threaten Simons’ starting berth in the coming months, there’s a case to be made that Frank will utilise the one-time Barcelona academy star from a wider berth.

But with Mikey Moore currently out on loan with Rangers, that spot may well be taken in the years to come.

The Spurs teenager coming for Mikey Moore's shirt number

Moore is still only 18, but already he has featured 21 times for Tottenham’s senior set-up, scoring once and assisting two goals. Scouts have lauded him for his “world-class” potential, and he had a big fan in Ange Postecoglou.

Last season, en route to Tottenham’s Europa League triumph, the teenager bagged his first senior goal against IF Elfsborg, drawing all the plaudits.

Hailed as a “superstar” of a prospect by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Moore’s dynamic approach to his game will serve him well as his physical development continues, and though he’s struggled on loan with Rangers this term, that is more of a reflection of the sinking ship that is Ibrox, embroiled in so many problems this season.

The England U19 captain, with seven goals from 13 games, operates across the frontline, but the left channel is ostensibly the position he is most naturally suited to, with his electric pace and ability to leave defenders munching dust lending itself to the role.

And, while he has yet to establish himself as a prolific force on the senior stage, Moore’s staggering returns on the development scene have created quite the noise around his name. In the U18 Premier League, for example, the diminutive forward posted 17 goals and 12 assists across just 22 appearances. ​​​​​​

Mikey Moore – Club Stats so Far

Club/level

Apps

Goals (assists)

Tottenham U18

24

19 (13)

Tottenham

21

1 (2)

Rangers

7

0 (1)

Tottenham U21

5

2 (2)

Tottenham U19

5

0 (0)

Data via Transfermarkt

Already, the fleet-footed talent ranks among the top 16% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for assists per 90, data courtesy of FBref, and this natural-born creativity is something Tottenham could clearly add to their ranks right now, especially with Simons flattering to deceive.

Simons is an immensely talented attacking midfielder, and he will surely come good, but Moore is a one-of-a-kind talent, striking that balance between entertaining, showpiece football and the intelligent and calculated approach needed to steer through the many grittier moments of a campaign.

Youth scout Jacek Kulig has hailed Moore as “one of the most talented players of his generation in Europe”, and there’s no question that Spurs expect him to play a pivotal role under Frank’s wing in the years to come.

Last season, former Spurs boss Postecoglou had said he’s “very mature for a 17-year-old”, able to grasp the different facets of multi-positional play while retaining prolificness at youth level.

Maddison has even made the rather bold claim of Moore being Neymar-esque when carrying the ball down the wing, artful and elegant but also in full control.

This current campaign will teach him a thing or two about adversity, with Rangers having won just one of their opening eight Premiership matches, languishing some 13 points behind surprise league leaders Hearts.

Of course, there’s nothing to say that Simons and Moore couldn’t operate in harmony in the Tottenham attack, but, as acknowledged already, Kulusevski and Maddison are currently recovering on the sidelines.

The success of Spurs’ Swedish star when shuffled into a central creative berth underscores the size of the task in front of Simons, who was criticised by football.london for his ‘poor’ performance against Aston Villa at the weekend, hit with a 5/10 match rating.

All told, Frank has still made a steady start to life at the Tottenham helm, but he has several creases to iron out, and if Simons continues to struggle in his creative role, Moore might just return and find a pathway toward the starting line-up.

He has already been billed as a teenage talent with the potential to feature on the Premier League billboards, and that will soon be put to the test under Frank’s leadership.

Related The new Dele Alli: Frank must unleash Spurs' £97m-rated "game changer"

Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Aston Villa on Sunday, Thomas Frank must start his new “game changer” centrally as he’s the new Dele Alli.

Posts ByBen Gray Oct 19, 2025

West Ham United are now preparing the documents to sign a “special” attacker, who could be Nuno’s first signing.

Nuno still searching for first win as West Ham boss

After Graham Potter became the second managerial casualty of the Premier League season, West Ham thought Nuno would be the man to turn things around, but the former Nottingham Forest boss hasn’t made the greatest of starts.

The 51-year-old is still searching for his first win since replacing Potter in the dugout, with the Hammers losing their last three games on the spin in the Premier League, which leaves them in 19th place and four points adrift of safety.

The most recent result is likely to be the most concerning, with the Irons falling to a 2-1 defeat against Leeds United at Elland Road, in what could prove to be a real six-pointer come the end of the season.

It was a very poor performance from Nuno’s side, who recorded an xG of just 0.65, which suggests they need to bolster their forward line in the January transfer window if they are to stave off fears of relegation.

According to reporter Alan Nixon (via Caught Offside), West Ham are now preparing the documents to sign Barcelona attacker Dro Fernandez, with a major January recruitment drive now on the cards as a result of their very poor start to the season.

Nuno offered "world class" West Ham signing on loan and it isn't Toney or Endrick

The Hammers need reinforcements in January.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 24, 2025

Fernandez has now emerged as a serious target for the Hammers, and they are looking to be savvy by getting a deal done before his valuation goes through the roof, with the attacker in line to become Nuno’s first signing as manager.

However, the La Liga giants are well-aware of the 17-year-old’s potential, meaning he is likely to have a high valuation, which could potentially be prohibitive.

"Special" Fernandez could be destined for the top

It would perhaps be a surprise if Barca were willing to sanction the teenager’s departure, considering he clearly has a lot of potential, having received very high praise from former coach Javi Roxo in the past.

Roxo said: “Dro was always very special, he has a gift for touching the ball and has always been very creative.

“Dro is capable of everything and if Flick puts him on the wing he can also do well, it won’t be Raphinha but he can look like the Iniesta who played on the left. If he relieves himself of pressure and plays freely, he is capable of anything, his talent is infinite.”

Despite his age, the young Spaniard has already forced his way into first-team contention too, with scout Jacek Kulig left impressed after his recent display in the Champions League.

That said, it would be a gamble for West Ham to sign Fernandez in an effort to get them out of relegation trouble, given his lack of experience, and it may be a better idea to target proven Premier League players.

Wrexham star James McClean delivered a shock message to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's side amid a lack of game time. The winger has dropped a stunning revelation, claiming that his passion for boxing has eclipsed his love for football, and he’s planning to hang up his boots for gloves sooner rather than later.

• When football turned feisty for McClean

  McClean’s tempestuous edge boiled over as tensions flared behind the scenes during Wrexham’s Carabao Cup derby clash against fierce Welsh rivals, Cardiff City. Emotions were running hot at the Racecourse Ground, and after the match, an incident in the players’ car park threatened to turn ugly. A group of Cardiff City fans reportedly breached a restricted area and confronted McClean, forcing him to defend himself. Witnesses claimed that he stood his ground and handled himself well. An internal investigation is now underway into how rival supporters gained access to the secured zone. But for McClean, the encounter only deepened his belief that he might be better suited to a ring than a pitch.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  McClean is a fighter at heart

  Over the past year, McClean has been training intensively in boxing. He has been posting workout clips to his Instagram that show sharp jabs and fierce combinations. 

  Speaking in an interview with Westlife star released on Thursday, he said: "I'll be honest, I've really enjoyed it [at Wrexham] up until the last two or three months. It's not been ideal, I've not been playing as much as I'd like, which is never a good thing. You want to be playing and you want to be in the mix. I've never dealt really well with not playing."

  The Republic of Ireland international, who joined Wrexham from Wigan Athletic in August 2023, has helped guide the club to back-to-back promotions. But the step up to the Championship has brought new realities. And it seems to have bruised his pride.

  "Nowadays, I just channel that frustration and annoyance and do my training. Before, I'd throw my toys out of the pram," he said. "Now, I just channel that frustration into the punch bag and it seems to blow off a bit of steam. You kind of feel better for it afterwards."

• Taste of the big stage for McClean

  McClean isn’t just shadowboxing, but he has already dipped his toes into the professional world. On September 5, the Wrexham winger walked out with Michael Conlan for his high-profile bout against Jack Bateson at Dublin’s 3Arena. Now, he confirmed that talks have already taken place about entering the Misfits Boxing circuit. It is an influencer-led crossover promotion that’s given everyone from YouTubers to ex-footballers a shot at the spotlight.

  "I do want to box," he admitted. "Misfits (boxing company) is opening up opportunities for a lot of people who aren't professional boxers to give them the opportunity to step in and experience what it's like to be a boxer. Absolutely, it's something I want to do and there has been background chats about it, but I'm contracted at the moment. It's definitely something I want to do in the near future.

  "A lot of my training now is boxing training. I have a bigger passion now for boxing than I do for football. I would rather watch boxing than watch football. It's something I want to do and it's something I want to experience to tick off my bucket list. I've done the ring walk for Mike Conlan in Dublin. Being on the stage that night and doing the ring walk was unbelievable. I was thinking, imagine doing that, where this is for you and you're going into the ring for a tear up. I get goosebumps."

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  What comes next for McClean?

  McClean was once seen as one of the dressing room’s emotional leaders. But he has now found himself watching from the sidelines more often than not this season as he has made just 10 appearances across all competitions. Wrexham currently sit 14th in the table, comfortably clear of the relegation zone but well off the play-off pace. Their next test is a home tie against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which will be their final game before the international break.

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A passagem de Bruno Lage no Botafogopode estar próxima do seu final. Após sucessivas reuniões realizadas nesta terça-feira (3), a cúpula alvinegra considerou que a situação do português chegou ao seu limite. O Lance! apurou que a decisão sobre o seu futuro está nas mãos do empresário John Textor, acionista majoritário do Glorioso.

O treinador não é visto com bons olhos também pelo elenco alvinegro. Um grupo de atletas manifestou sua insatisfação a Textor (esta informação foi divulgada inicialmente pelo “ge” e confirmada pela reportagem). O episódio da barração de Tiquinho Soares na partida com o Goiás, no Nilton Santos, acentuou o mal-estar do comandante com os jogadores botafoguenses.

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Uma das queixas em torno do trabalho de Lage é sua dificuldade em se adequar ao projeto da SAF alvinegra. O fato do treinador não compartilhar mais suas decisões com todos do departamento de futebol do clube trouxe controvérsias acerca do seu trabalho.

Além disso, a equipe vem de maus resultados na temporada. São cinco jogos sem vitórias, quatro deles pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. No empate em 1 a 1 diante do Goiás, Tiquinho saiu do banco e evitou a derrota alvinegra.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is so good at baseball that even his mistakes are impressive.

During the Dodgers' 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium on Monday night, Ohtani found himself in a bit of a pickle after reaching first base on a single in the bottom of the first inning.

The Dodgers star, who ranks second in the majors in stolen bases, took off for second just as Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo delivered a pickoff throw to first base, leaving Ohtani caught in a rundown.

But Ohtani managed to get out of the rundown and slid safely back into first base after outrunning the ball and evading the tag by Mariners first baseman Justin Turner.

Nine times out of 10, Ohtani would have had no way out of the rundown, but the Mariners gave him a bit of an opening and, like the great ones do, he seized his chance. The Dodgers slugger finished the game 1-for-3 with a walk.