Lionel Messi's outrageous hat-trick for Argentina against Bolivia helped him create more history even after equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's record.

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Argentina beat Bolivia 6-0Messi was involved in five of the six goalsFirst to net three hat-tricks in CONMEBOL WCQ historyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi was at his absolute best as he powered Argentina to a commanding 6-0 victory over Bolivia in a 2026 CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match. The Argentine captain was unstoppable, scoring a hat-trick and delivering two assists in a game that helped him match Ronaldo’s record for the most international hat-tricks (10).

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In addition to matching Ronaldo’s record, Messi made history by becoming the first player ever to score three hat-tricks in the South American World Cup qualifiers. He also became the third player in the competition’s history to score two hat-tricks against the same national team, Bolivia, joining the ranks of Brazilian legends Tostao (vs Venezuela) and Zico (vs Bolivia).

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi's remarkable display also made him the first player to be involved in five goals in a South American World Cup qualifier since Bolivia’s Joaquín Botero, who achieved a similar feat in 2009 when he scored three goals and assisted three more in a 6-1 victory against Argentina. With this win, La Albiceleste remains firmly on course for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they stand atop the CONMEBOL standings, three points ahead of Colombia, who sit in second place, and six points clear of their fierce rivals, Brazil.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

After this impressive performance on the international stage, Messi is set to return to his club duties with Inter Miami. Fans can expect to see him back in action this Saturday when Inter Miami takes on the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer (MLS) and his form with Argentina will undoubtedly be a boost to The Herons as they push for a strong finish to the league stage.

Manchester United’s summer transfer window of the 2021/22 season did not quite work out as planned. Then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought in three major signings and had high hopes of toppling Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and returning the former glory of his side back to Old Trafford.

The headline signing that summer for the Red Devils was Cristiano Ronaldo, who returned to United following over a decade away. The legendary Portuguese striker had an impressive return to Old Trafford, but his side failed to capitalise on his 24 goals in all competitions and win a trophy.

Raphael Varane was a more successful addition to the club, although injuries really hampered his three-year spell at Old Trafford. The Frenchman played just 29 games in all competitions in his first year at Old Trafford.

However, things did not quite work out as every United fan had hoped. Solskjaer’s signings didn’t work on the whole, and he was sacked in November. The Norwegian never did manage to get his hands on a title during his time as United manager, to add to all the trophies he won as a player at Old Trafford.

Only one of his signings from that fateful summer remains, but he could depart the club this summer.

Winger could leave Man Utd

The player in question here is England international winger Jadon Sancho. The 24-year-old has had a tough season for United and has spent the second half of the campaign on loan at his former club Borussia Dortmund.

According to reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano, United bosses “remain 100% decided on selling” the winger, regardless of who is in charge at the club. This comes after Sancho and manager Erik Ten Hag’s public fallout at the start of last season.

The club are thought to be looking for a fee of around £40m, according to Romano. It is not just Dortmund who are interested in the permanent return of the Englishman, with Sancho thought to be of interest to other unnamed clubs.

If he did leave Old Trafford permanently, it would see United save a considerable amount of money on wages.

The winger was on a whooping £250k-per-week two seasons ago, which was since reduced to around £190k per week in the 2023/24 campaign, according to Capology.

Sancho exit could be Forlan 2.0

It has been a rocky time at United so far for Sancho. The 24-year-old has scored just 12 goals and registered six assists in 82 games for the Red Devils so far. He only showed flashes of his form during his first spell at Signal Iduna Park, which led to United buying him for £73m in 2021.

Should United sell Sancho this summer, it could lead him to rediscover his best form in a new environment. He is clearly a good player, having scored 53 goals and registering 67 assists for Dortmund across both spells at the club.

Games

158

82

Goals

53

12

Assists

67

6

Stats from Transfermarkt

If that were to be the case, it would be reminiscent of another United sale from years gone by, legendary Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan.

He joined the club in 2002 from Independiente for a fee of £6.9m. However, Forland struggled in Red, scoring just 17 times in 98 games. He became a cult hero in 2002, for scoring twice against Liverpool at Anfield, but struggled to find the back of the net on more occasions.

However, upon leaving Old Trafford, the striker found his best form. Firstly, for Villarreal, where he scored 59 goals and registered four assists in 127 games, winning the Golden Boot in 2004/05 for scoring 25 goals. He then moved to Atletico Madrid, where he scored 96 goals in 198 games, whilst registering 31 assists.

Forlan once again won the Golden Boot in 2008/09, after scoring 32 times in 33 La Liga outings.

His exploits for Urguary were also impressive. The striker played 122 times for his country, scoring 36 times. However, six of those games came in World Cup campaigns, where he made ten appearances in total.

Sometimes, a change of environment can be exactly what a player needs. Forlan is a prime example, of that, and once he left United, he excelled. Perhaps Sancho will be similar in that sense.

He is clearly a talented player, but the environment is everything, and the 24-year-old could explode once more should he depart Old Trafford.

Man Utd's "very special" wonderkid can send Sancho packing permanently

He has just signed his first pro contract

ByJoe Nuttall May 2, 2024

Debutant Abdullah Shafique leads slim chase with 41 off 33 balls

Danyal Rasool10-Nov-2020
In a game so similar to the second T20I it could almost be a carbon copy, Pakistan eased to a seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe to complete a clean sweep over the visitors. It was another game lit up by a delightful spell from Usman Qadir whose 4 for 13 ripped Zimbabwe to shreds as they stuttered to 129, their lowest total of the series. Pakistan made short work of the chase again, getting to the target with a dismissive Khushdil Shah six with nearly five overs to go. Zimbabwe failed to apply any pressure on a youthful top order; Babar Azam decided to push debutant Abdullah Shafique up the order, who didn’t disappoint, his 33-ball 41 the top score.Zimbabwe won the toss, and for the fifth straight time on tour, the visitors batted first. But if the opening stand has been an Achilles heel for Chamu Chibhabha’s side, the entire bating order failed to turn up on Tuesday. Brendan Taylor’s dry run in this format continued when he holed out to square leg off Imad Wasim while Haris Rauf snared Craig Ervine with a lovely outswinger two overs later.But it was the Qadir show once again. He demonstrated the exciting potential he carries with a mesmeric spell of legspin bowling. He coaxed a top edge from Chibhabha, who top-scored for Zimbabwe with 31, with his second delivery, allowing just one run off the bat in that first over. If the previous T20I game was a showcase of how well Qadir bowled the googly, he demonstrated today he wasn’t a bad exponent of the traditional legbreak either. Giving the ball air and beating the Zimbabweans in the flight consistently, he kept the run-scoring on a leash, and as the pressure began to build, he forced low-percentage slogs from them.Milton Shumba was beaten all ends up by a googly that simply required the wicketkeeper to whip off the bails, while Wesley Madhevere was undone by the classical legbreak as he tried to see him off with a defensive shot. As was the case on Monday, Qadir would remove Elton Chigumbura, playing his last international game, off the final ball of his spell, whose inside edge was sharply pounced upon by Rizwan.All told, it was a sorry display with the bat from Zimbabwe. After a smart start that saw them rack up 21 runs in the first two, they began to fade, and once the wickets started to fall, the run rate began to fall as well. The middle order, traditionally Zimbabwe’s strength, capitulated in the face of a sparkling bowling performance, nos. 3 to 7 managing a mere 27 runs between them. It was left to a wagging tail to get Zimbabwe past 120, with Donald Tiripano’s spirited 28 combining with Wellington Masakadza for a 33-run eighth-wicket partnership, the highest of the innings.Babar Azam might have fancied his chances of scoring a fifth straight half-century this white-ball series, but instead selflessly decided to promote Shafique up the order to open with Fakhar Zaman. While Zaman didn’t quite get the runs he so desperately needs in international cricket – he was dropped once and managed just 21 off 24 balls – Shafique showed more promise. Alongside Haider Ali’s whose swashbuckling style is already becoming something of a trademark, he broke the back of the target with a sharp 40-run partnership. Zimbabwe failed to create any real chances that might have allowed them to have a crack at the lower-middle order, and even when Shumba got Ali to nick off, Shah was sent in ahead of the Pakistan captain.Pakistan fans were offered a glimpse into the type of power-hitting he might have to offer lower down the order, as he made a blistering cameo that drew the curtains on Zimbabwe’s tour in frighteningly quick time. Three fours and as many towering sixes in a 15-ball knock saw him rattle along to 36, and when he smashed Faraz Akram over cow corner, he sealed a 3-0 sweep.Pakistan may have faded somewhat in this format over the past year or so, but with a new generation of talent, they may now feel they stand in good stead ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be left to rue a series that takes the shine somewhat off a stellar ODI series.

Jonny Evans was named in a makeshift Manchester United back four containing three centre-backs against Brentford – provoking howls of derision online.

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• Three CBs in starting XI
• Evans or Martinez to play at LB
• Ten Hag under pressure to get a win

• AFP
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Erik ten Hag had to scramble together a defence against the Bees due to the absences of Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, leaving fans guessing as to who would be playing at left-back.

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• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  United fan TerfaTG wrote on X: "No Amad. No party. That front three don’t hold the ball up enough. The manager never learns."

  Utdcynical concluded that 36-year-old Evans was drafted in as an emergency full-back. "Jonny Evans at left back" they wrote, with two crying emojis.

  Fellow Red Devils' supporter Utdjacobi_ wrote: "What did Harry Amass do to offend Erik ten Hag?"

  Another dismayed supporter, bayonuels, added: "This line up confirms that ten Hag is too scared to be dynamic. Possibly Martinez playing in left back when we can play 3 at the back with high flying wing backs or even be more daring and pair Zirkzee with Hojlund in a 4-4-2. Anyways, all the best to the team!"

  The official account of the Northern Ireland team was pleased to see their former international Evans included in the team. "Evans masterclass pending," they wrote.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ten Hag desperately needs a victory to ease the pressure on him after United won just two of their opening seven Premier League games, heading into the game in 13th in the table. He survived the international break, during which England appointed Thomas Tuchel, who was a serious candidate to replace the Dutchman in the summer.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Brentford boss Thomas Frank is admired by INEOS and is also believed to have spoken to United. And if the Dane can mastermind another victory over the Red Devils after the 4-0 battering in Ten Hag's debut campaign, his chances of eventually taking over at Old Trafford will rise.

“I am very excited that at least we are getting some cricket” – Harmanpreet Kaur

Hemant Brar03-Nov-2020

Manali Dakshini, M Anagha and Ayushi Soni. Those are the three players, according to Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur, to watch out for during the Women’s T20 Challenge 2020, which kicks off Wednesday when Kaur’s Supernovas take on Raj’s Velocity in Sharjah.In the last edition, India had discovered Shafali Verma, the hard-hitting opener who then earned a T20I call-up and was the highest run-getter for India in the T20 World Cup earlier this year.”We do have a couple of young talents in our side,” Raj said on the eve of the tournament opener. “Manali, she is a fast bowler. And we have Anagha, the left-arm spinner and Under-19 player, in our squad. I think this platform gives them an exposure to interact with the overseas players, to see the national players, how they prepare themselves before a tournament.”Overall, the sort approach a professional athlete has is what these young girls can learn through this Women’s T20 challenge.”Mithali Raj on bio-bubbles

“I think the quarantine period is tough. It’s challenging because you are confined to your rooms and there is no interaction with your team-mates. But the bio-bubble does give us space where we can talk to the team-mates and the support staff. Overall, I think it’s something very new and anything new is challenging but it is what it is and if it’s required for having matches then as players we are ready to accept the new norm of being in the quarantine and the bio-bubble.

“As players, we have come up with certain innovative things to keep training during the quarantine period and even in the bio-bubble. We do have timeslots for training sessions and it does help in some ways to keep yourself fit mentally and physically.”

Kaur, meanwhile, has been on the lookout for a middle-order batter. “Maybe someone who can bat in the middle order,” she said, when asked which piece of the jigsaw she was looking for as India’s T20I captain. “Right now, we have good batters who can bat at the top but someone who could bat in the middle order… because that’s what we are struggling with in the Indian team. Maybe someone who can bat after me, that will be a big positive for us.”One such candidate is 20-year-old Soni, who not only bats in the middle order but also bowls seam-up. “I guess Ayushi Soni is doing very well, she has done very well in the domestic also,” Kaur said. “She is someone who has really impressed us.”Raj’s side will be in action again on Thursday when they take on the Smriti Mandhana-led Trailblazers. While admitting that the schedule could be hectic, Raj said it was equally important to spend some time in the middle to prepare for the future. She has also been noting how the IPL teams have done in Sharjah, the venue which will host all the women’s matches.”I think if you give it more space in your mind, it weighs you down,” she said about back-to-back games. “You take it one day at a time. Yes, it’s going to be a bit of a challenge. The recovery time is less, the next day it’s a 2pm game. But again, it’s important that we get these games going so that we have some game time for the players for the coming series. “All I can say is that we are here to play our best cricket and also enjoy the platform because it’s a privileged tournament, everybody would want to be part of this tournament. So, as players, as a team, we are looking forward to these matches.”I think at the start of the IPL, teams were getting 200-odd runs in Sharjah, and now the totals have come down to 120-130. That definitely reflects that the wickets are slowing down. There was a lot of dew factor in that game I watched, the RCB vs SRH. The players spoke about how it was difficult for the bowlers to grip. Again, seasoned players will find a way out, and for inexperienced players, it will be an exposure on how to deal with these variable factors during a match and how they can take help from the senior players and prepare themselves for these matches.”For Kaur and Raj, Wednesday’s game would be their first outing after quite a while. Kaur’s previous match was the T20 World Cup final in March, while Raj, who has retired from the shortest format, was last in national colours in November last year. Understandably, both were upbeat about the resumption of cricket.”As soon as the lockdown was lifted, I did spend a lot of time in my training sessions, in terms of fitness as well as my batting skills,” Raj said. “I am definitely looking forward to the matches because then I will be able to gauge whether whatever little changes I have made in terms of my bating help me or not in my future one-day innings.””I know it’s been a long time that we didn’t play any cricket but to be honest, I am very excited that at least we are getting some cricket,” Kaur said. “As a cricketer, I definitely look for more cricket and I hope we keep getting more and more matches. I am not putting too many things into my head. I am very excited because sitting at home is more painful than getting some games. So I am really looking forward to that.”

كشفت تقارير صحفية عن تطور جديد في مستقبل مهاجم وهداف الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي آينتراخت فرانكفورت، عمر مرموش، مع دخولنا في النصف الثاني من الموسم.

وتألق مرموش مع فرانكفورت هذا الموسم بشكل لافت، حيث سجل 18 هدفًا وصنع 9 أهداف أخرى بإجمالي 27 مساهمة في جميع البطولات المحلية والقارية خلال 24 مباراة.

وبحسب شبكة “Caught Offside” أن مرموش في الأيام الماضية كانت هناك رغبة من جانب فرانكفورت لتمديد عقده وزيادة راتبه لتحصينه من الرحيل إلى الدوري الإنجليزي بنهاية الموسم.

لكن مرموش لم يستجب بشكل إيجابي للمفاوضات مع إدارة فرانكفورت، وبالتالي، ربما هذا يجبر النادي الألماني على الموافقة على رحيله للاستفادة المادية.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدافع سلافيا براج: لا أخشى أي مهاجم في العالم بعد مواجهة عمر مرموش

عمر مرموش 🇪🇬
جمال موسيالا 🇩🇪
فلوريان فيرتز 🇩🇪
مارتن زوبيميندي 🇪🇸
برونو جيماريش 🇧🇷

مانشستر سيتي يستهدف التعاقد مع 5 لاعبين للخروج من كبوته حسب صحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية 📝 pic.twitter.com/TTQ0f0ld0r — Btolat.com (@Btolat) December 29, 2024

عقد مرموش مع فرانكفورت ينتهي في 30 يونيو 2027، لكن أداء اللاعب مع ناديه الألماني يجعل كبار الدوري الإنجليزي يرغبون في ضمه بقوة وعلى رأسهم آرسنال.

ووفقًا للتقرير أن آرسنال قد قام بالتحرك بالفعل وتواصل مع فرانكفورت لمعرفة إمكانية ضم مرموش، في حين أن هناك اهتمام من جانب ليفربول وتشيلسي بالفرعون.

وأفاد التقرير أن ربما آرسنال يكون هو الأفضل حالًا للمهاجم خاصة وأن الفريق يعاني هجوميًا من قبل إصابة، بوكايو ساكا، وازداد الأمر تعقيدًا بعد التأكد من غياب اللاعب لفترة طويلة مع عدم ظهور، كاي هافيرتز، بالمستوى المأمول.

في حين أن ليفربول يمتلك مهاجمين مميزين مثل كودي جاكبو، لويس دياز وآخرين لكن رحيل محمد صلاح المحتمل قد يجعل الريدز يتحركون لضم مرموش.

مع عدم نسيان تشيلسي الذي قد يكون مكانًا مناسبًا بالنسبة لمهاجم منتخب مصر أيضًا لأن ليس هناك مهاجمًا بالفريق سوى نيكولاس جاكسون ومستقبل كريستوفر نكونكو غير واضح.

الجدير بالذكر أن الأندية المذكورة ليست وحدها بالسباق هناك مانشستر سيتي، أستون فيلا ونيوكاسل مع اهتمام برشلونة وروما من خارج إنجلترا بضم مرموش.

MatériaMais Notícias

A vitória por 2 a 1 diante do Criciúma no último sábado (4), na Vila Capanema, manteve o Paraná Clube com chances de permanecer na Série C do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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>Aplicativo de resultados do LANCE! está disponível na versão iOS

Após o embate, o zagueiro Vinicius Guarapuava celebrou a vitória e garantiu que o Tricolor ficou ainda mais fortalecido já pensando no confronto direto contra o Mirassol, no próximo domingo (12), às 18h, novamente na Vila Capanema.

– A gente sabia que a tabela tinha nos ajudado pela derrota do Mirassol. Isso nos fez acreditar ainda mais e que dependia da gente fazer a nossa parte. A gente vai ainda mais motivado para enfrentar o Mirassol, vamos jogar na nossa casa e temos que manter a postura que tivemos nesse jogo diante do Criciúma, errar o mínimo possível e, na frente, buscar sempre aproveitar as chances – afirmou Guarapuava que elogiou a postura do time tricolor contra o Criciúma.

– Nossa postura foi a mesma que todos os jogos. Claro que fomos mais incisivos no ataque. Nos outros jogos talvez não foi visto uma postura dessas porque saímos atrás do placar, tomando gol no início e isso acabava complicando a estratégia do jogo. Dessa vez foi diferente, saímos na frente e nos deu mais estabilidade. Tivemos menos erros e mais acertos. Na frente fomos precisos e na defesa, não apenas a zaga, mas o time todo, se doou muito para conseguir a vitória – emendou o camisa 4.

Diante do Criciúma, Vinicius Guarapuava teve um novo companheiro de zaga. Pela primeira vez atuou ao lado do experiente Luan, que é volante de origem e voltou a atuar depois de oito meses se recuperando de uma lesão. Para o defensor, o bom desempenho defensivo veio aliado muita conversa durante a semana e também durante os 90 minutos.

– A gente tenta criar o entrosamento o mais rápido possível. O Luan estava há algum tempo sem jogar, mas é um atleta experiente e, mesmo sem jogar na posição de origem dele, sabe o que faz. Procuramos conversar nos treinos e encaixar da melhor maneira para ele. O resultado foi bom. A gente tentou ser o mais simples possível, só que com bastante segurança. Nos ajudamos muito e graças a Deus tivemos uma boa atuação – finalizou Guarapuava.

No duelo contra o Criciúma, Vinicius tomou o terceiro cartão amarelo e será desfalque do Tricolor frente ao Mirassol.

Chelsea, having already announced the arrival of Omari Kellyman from Aston Villa, have reportedly turned their attention towards landing an international gem for Enzo Maresca this summer.

Chelsea transfer news

It's already been a fairly busy summer for the Blues, who have welcomed the likes of Kellyman and Tosin Adarabioyo with a deal also sealed to sign Estevao Willian this summer. The three arrivals will all hope to make impressive impacts, be it in the future or as soon as next season, as Maresca looks to guide Chelsea back into the Premier League's top four next season.

Speaking for the first time since completing the move, Kellyman told Chelsea's official media channels via BBC Sport: "It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started."

He's like Jackson: Chelsea enquire over £120k-p/w Dewsbury-Hall partner

He is available for transfer for £100m this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 30, 2024

Following the departure of Ian Maatsen, however, Kellyman seems unlikely to be the last name through the door. Leicester City's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall looks set to be the next to sign for £30m.

Also, according to The Athletic's Tom Bogert, Chelsea are also in advanced talks to sign Caleb Wiley from Atlanta United this summer. The USA international is just 19 years old and could arrive to instantly fill the void left behind by Maatsen at left-back.

Whilst the deal is not done yet, Wiley would certainly follow the Chelsea trend of young players making their way to Stamford Bridge in place of academy graduates, although a move to Strasbourg first before the Blues is also a possibility.

"Amazing" Wiley can succeed Chilwell

With a difficult history of injuries at Chelsea, Ben Chilwell remains an unreliable option at Stamford Bridge despite his position as vice-captain behind Reece James. And that could see an opportunity eventually emerge for Wiley if he can fend off competition from Marc Cucurella.

Though the American is still just 19 years old, he's earned plenty of praise throughout his career, including from former Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda, who said via 90Min: "Yes, for Caleb it’s [the goal] amazing. I think it was a good play overall. I think those were the moments where we were probably putting a little bit of pressure and then I think Caleb with his speed, his power and decision, he is going to get a lot of those. So, I am happy for him, he did a tremendous game."

Scoring once and assisting a further two times in all competitions last season, Wiley will hope that a potential Premier League move only results in improvement and opportunities in what is arguably the highest-quality league in world football. It's in England's top flight that he could quickly emerge to become a wise piece of business by Chelsea.

It may feel as if the 2023/24 campaign has only just finished, but the start of pre-season is now just right around the corner, with Ange Postecoglou no doubt hoping that Tottenham Hotspur can get their business done early in time for the squad reunion next week.

The latest suggestion is that the Lilywhites are once again looking to strengthen their midfield ranks, with Aston Villa starlet Jacob Ramsey believed to be a leading target for the former Celtic boss.

According to recent reports, the north London outfit are hopeful that they could prise the Englishman from Villa Park for a fee of around £50m, with the 23-year-old able to offer increased competition to likes of Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur in the centre of the park.

Despite that move having received the backing of Postecoglou, Ramsey is seemingly not the only promising midfield talent to have caught the eye of late…

Latest on Spurs' search for a midfielder

Having reported on the club's interest in Ramsey, football.london journalist Alasdair Gold has also revealed that Spurs are considering Stade Rennais sensation, Desire Doue, as a possible target this summer.

The 18-year-old enjoyed a real breakout season in France and is said to have captured the interest of a host of clubs across Europe, according to Gold, with Tottenham seemingly among the latest suitors to have thrown their hat in the ring.

While there is no suggestion that Postecoglou and co have made a concrete move as yet, if the Premier League side are to push through a move for the teenage Frenchman they may reportedly have to fork out around €40m (£34m).

Why Spurs should sign Desire Doue

Much like Ramsey, Doue would prove a welcome addition to Postecoglou's ranks due to his innate versatility, with the Rennes youngster able to operate in an attacking midfield role, as well as on either flank.

That flexibility played its part in what was a hugely impressive 2023/24 campaign for the in-demand talent, as he chalked up four goals and five assists in 31 Ligue 1 outings – Ramsey, by contrast, scored just once and provided only one assist in 16 league games during an injury-hit season.

Of course, it is harsh to judge the Villa man based on his injury woes last term – as he did contribute 13 league goals and assists the season prior – but Doue does stack up well when comparing their records across the last 365 days.

Stat (per 90)

Doue

Ramsey

Non-penalty goals

0.18

0.11

Assists

0.18

0.11

Shot-creating actions

4.79

3.06

Pass completion

74.9%

79.8%

Progressive passes

6.71

2.95

Progressive carries

4.38

3.48

Successful take-ons

3.42

0.84

Tackles

1.87

1.69

Interceptions

0.91

0.32

As shown in the table above, it is the French diamond who notably holds the edge with regard to his dribbling prowess and ability to beat a man, as indicated by his superior record with regard to progressive carries and successful take-ons, per 90.

That ability to simply glide up the pitch with the ball has earned Doue comparisons to notable figures in European football, with data analyst Ben Mattinson remarking that he is "similar to [Jamal] Musiala" in the way that he "toys with defenders".

Musiala – who boasts 74 goal involvements in just 163 games for Bayern Munich at the age of only 21 – has stolen the headlines in recent weeks due to his displays for Germany at Euro 2024, with the one-time England youth star scoring a goal in each of the hosts' opening two group games.

To think that Spurs could get their hands on their own version of the fleet-footed Bayern man is truly mouthwatering, and at a potentially cheaper cost than Ramsey, Doue could be a worthy target for Postecoglou this summer.

Spurs now lead race to land "exceptional" £60m Ramsey alternative

The brilliant star would be far more effective for the Lilywhites than the Villa man.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 29, 2024

Lionel Messi is no longer the only plan for Argentina, with Lionel Scaloni explaining why the World Cup winners can cope without their captain.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Skipper is a talismanic presence
• Going strong at 37 years of age
• Cover will fit same tactical plan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  For the best part of 20 years, having made his international debut in 2005, Messi has been a talismanic presence for his country. He has reached 188 appearances for the Albiceleste, with a historic haul of 109 goals being registered along the way.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi broke his senior trophy duck with Argentina at the 2021 Copa America, before going on to win the Finalissima and World Cup in 2022. He is the most decorated player of all-time, with trophies still being collected at MLS side Inter Miami, but has passed his 37th birthday.

• WHAT SCALONI SAID

  Argentina continue to find a leading role for their iconic No.10, but Scaloni has said of putting a system in place that can be replicated during any enforced absences for Messi: “For the game, it's important that Messi is there because almost all of the team's attack goes through him. In a goal-scoring play he's almost always there, but the idea of the game is always the same, whether he's there or not. We prefer him to be there, logically, but our football concept doesn't change, we already have a way of playing.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Messi was missing due to injury during the September international break, as Argentina dropped 2026 World Cup qualifying points in Colombia, but returned for a 1-1 draw with Venezuela and will be hoping to inspire another victory when facing Bolivia on Tuesday.