As serial-winning manager, Jose Mourinho, once poetically put it – “finals are not to be played, they are to win”.

Whether it’s the EFL Cup or the World Cup final, no team or nation wishes to be on the losing side, with a showpiece outing providing the chance of earning immortality for the victors.

Witnessing two juggernauts going head to head to decide silverware is a real treat, but there’s perhaps nothing better than a David vs Goliath clash. An overwhelming favourite taking on a plucky underdog.

On most occasions, it is the superior outfit that takes the acclaim. But not always. Sometimes the football gods have something different in store for a final.

With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of football’s biggest showpiece shocks.

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ByStephan Georgiou Feb 8, 2024 8 Denmark v Germany, 1992 European Championship final

Put simply, Denmark just should not have won this tournament. Having famously not qualified for Euro 1992 before taking their place following Yugoslavia’s disqualification, the Danes went on to do much more than make up the numbers.

The shock here is more about their route rather than the final itself, as the Scandinavian nation showed they were more than a match for plenty of European sides.

After seeing off the likes of England, France and the Netherlands, the unlikeliest of final dates came against Germany, where they defeated the world champions 2-0 thanks to goals from John Jensen and Kim Vilfort (plus a bit of good, old-fashioned timewasting).

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 14, 2024 7 Wimbledon v Liverpool, 1988 FA Cup final

“The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club” was the immortal line that followed the final whistle at Wembley in 1988, but this was so much more than a clash of cultures.

Liverpool had not long confirmed their re-found status as champions of England, securing 90 points – 33 more than their cup final opponents.

The Reds had also gone on an incredible unbeaten run that term, losing just two games all year, ironically with a victory over Wimbledon sandwiched between them.

The Dons had never won a major trophy and the fixture was their first appearance in the final.

While overcoming their underdogs tag, they also survived a penalty scare as Dave Beasant saved from John Aldridge to keep Wimbledon in front, as Lawrie Sanchez’s goal proved enough to create history and one of the biggest shocks the competition had ever seen.

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1 ByRoss Kilvington May 12, 2025 6 Aston Villa v Bayern Munich, 1982 European Cup final

Having somewhat surprisingly won the league title the year before (their first for over 70 years), Aston Villa went one better by going all the way in the European Cup in 1982, beating one of the continent’s finest in the process.

Heading into the final in Rotterdam, it was Bayern Munich who had all the necessary experience to get the job done and secure a fourth European Cup.

However, the likes of Paul Breitner and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge were foiled by Villa – namely substitute goalkeeper Nigel Spink and match-winning goalscorer Peter Withe.

To this day, there has arguably not been a shock like it at that level of the European game.

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ByPatric Ridge May 30, 2025 5 Birmingham v Arsenal, 2011 League Cup final

Birmingham City snatched an unlikely League Cup triumph at Wembley in February 2011, beating title challengers Arsenal in the final moments in dramatic circumstances.

Having taken a surprise lead through Nikola Zigic, Robin van Persie’s equaliser for the Gunners seemed to suggest normal service would be resumed as the favourites took control.

But a defensive mix-up between Laurent Koscielny and Wojciech Szczesny allowed Obafemi Martins to tap in the easiest of cup final winners, causing delirium in the blue half of Wembley.

It was a seismic shock given Birmingham – eventually relegated that season – had successfully seen off an Arsenal side going for the title and fresh from beating Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona a fortnight earlier.

It wasn’t the first time the Gunners had fluffed their lines in the competition, evoking memories of defeats to Luton Town in 1988 and Swindon Town in 1969.

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ByCharlie Smith Dec 18, 2024 4 Sunderland v Leeds, 1973 FA Cup final

Only two lower-league sides have won the FA Cup since Sunderland did in 1973, but the Black Cats’ victory over Leeds is surely the most impressive of the lot.

By this point, Leeds were consistently finishing highly in the First Division, and 1972/73 marked a 10th successive top-four finish. They’d also won two European Fairs Cups in that span and were reigning FA Cup holders.

But Bob Stokoe’s Sunderland had other plans. Ian Porterfield’s first-half goal was the crucial moment of the final, with the underdogs surviving a Leeds onslaught before hanging on to secure one of the famous tournament’s greatest achievements.

3 Greece v Portugal, 2004 European Championship final

Greece entered the 2004 European Championship as tournament nobodies. They had only qualified for two international final tournaments (Euro 1980 and the 1994 World Cup), winning zero games and scoring zero goals.

So when they were drawn in Group A with hosts Portugal and Spain (who they had beaten in qualifying), even the most optimistic of optimists will have struggled to see a path through the quarter-finals, never mind the final.

But under the guidance of Otto Rehhagel, the Greeks formed a defensive solidity that was the bedrock to their success. They beat Portugal in the opening game and held Spain to a draw, squeezing through the group on goals scored.

They proceeded to dump out reigning European champions France and an impressive Czech Republic side to make the final – both shocks in their own rights.

They kept a third successive clean sheet in the final to defeat Portugal once again and record one of the greatest international shocks – in the men’s game, at least…

2 Japan v United States, 2011 Women's World Cup final

Japan’s victory over the United States in the women’s 2011 World Cup final has to be one of the most remarkable outcomes in international football history.

While the US were not at their scintillating best – they came second in their group and had not tasted World Cup glory since 1999 – it is the journey of their victorious opponents that makes this result magical.

In a similar vein to Greece’s men, Japan had never made it past a World Cup group stage, but two wins from two meant their defeat to England was academic, aside from costing them top spot in Group B.

Their campaign also came off the back of Japan’s devastating tsunami, with all the odds pointing towards yet another World Cup triumph for the US, but for multiple displays of courage and perseverance from the underdogs.

Alex Morgan looked to have netted the winner with her 69th-minute finish, only for Aya Miyama’s late equaliser to force extra-time.

United States then had one hand on the trophy again when Abby Wambach nodded home in the added period, though they were to be left disappointed once more.

Homare Sawa’s flick from a corner saw Japan secure an improbable draw – with penalties deciding the winner, where fate was on their side in a 3-1 shootout success, sealed by Saki Kumagai’s spot-kick.

1 Wigan Athletic v Manchester City, 2013 FA Cup final

The 2013 FA Cup final pitted financial heavyweights and outgoing English champions Manchester City against perennial relegation candidates Wigan Athletic.

The Latics were hanging on for their Premier League lives at the time, while Man City had recently relinquished their hold on the title to their local rivals with a whimper.

However, the Citizens were the overwhelming favourites in what was a modern-day David vs Goliath story, sealed by Wigan’s Ben Watson in the dying moments of normal time.

The midfielder headed home from Shaun Maloney’s corner to hand Wigan their first major trophy and the club’s finest moment.

Unfortunately for the victors, they could not continue their heroics in the league as they were relegated just days later, and haven’t been back in the top flight since.

But the memories will last forever, and we’re unsure how long before another final shock as brutal as this one comes along again.

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1 ByAlex Caple May 25, 2024

Granit Xhaka is in talks to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer as the Bundesliga club face a major overhaul.

Article continues below

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• Xhaka in talks to exit Leverkusen
• Veteran midfielder's contract runs until 2028
• Several international clubs interested

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , the 32-year-old midfielder is reportedly evaluating his options as Leverkusen undergo a wave of key departures. Talks are already underway between the player’s camp and interested clubs, with several sides, possibly from Saudi Arabia, showing serious interest.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The former Arsenal star played a central role in Leverkusen’s double-winning campaign last season and still has three years left on his contract. However, with manager Xabi Alonso gone and midfield sensation Florian Wirtz set to depart, Xhaka could be the next big name out.

  It is the latest development in a chaotic season for the German club. Notably, after leading Leverkusen to an invincible season last year, Alonso departed for Real Madrid, while defender Jonathan Tah joined Bayern Munich. Jeremie Frimpong has completed a move to Liverpool, with Wirtz also expected to join the Premier League champions. Xhaka's potential departure comes as Leverkusen undergoes a significant squad overhaul. The 32-year-old midfielder has been a key figure since joining from Arsenal in 2023, making 99 appearances.

• TELL ME MORE

  While there were initial assumptions that Xhaka might return to Swiss club Basel, that option appears off the table, according to . The Swiss international had expressed his desire to return to his boyhood club during his brother Taulant's appearance in final Super League match, but Basel are reportedly not considering him as part of their current plans.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR XHAKA AND LEVERKUSEN?

  Xhaka is currently on international duty with Switzerland for the international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers. He is expected to be in action when the Swiss take on Mexico on June 7. The midfielder is likely to make a final decision on his club future after the conclusion of Switzerland’s international fixtures. Meanwhile, Leverkusen, under new manager Erik ten Hag, have begun reshaping their squad, with Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken the first signing of the summer.

Australia’s hard-fought 89-run victory in the Women’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge was a vindication of the decision to stretch the contest over a full five days, according to Alyssa Healy and Heather Knight, the opposing captains, as well as the Player of the Match, Ashleigh Gardner, whose 12 wickets included the outstanding second-innings figures of 8 for 66.Australia duly wrapped up victory shortly before lunch on the final morning, as Gardner claimed each of the final five wickets to fall for the addition of 62 more runs, and have now taken a huge leap towards retaining the Ashes for fifth series in a row, with England potentially needing to win five of the remaining six matches, starting with the first of three T20Is at Edgbaston on Saturday.”It just shows having five days in the Test match to actually get a result is super-important,” Gardner said at the post-match presentations, having played out draws in each of her previous three appearances in the format.Related

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“We obviously need to celebrate this because it’s super-special,” Gardner added. “This is the first time that I’ve been involved in a Test match where we’ve got a result, but then we also turn our attention pretty quickly onto the T20s. We know how good England are at T20 cricket, so we need to be ready for that first match in Birmingham.”For Healy, captaining Australia in the absence of Meg Lanning, there was pride at overseeing a famous result, but also relief – both at ending her own barren run of form in Ashes Tests with a vital second-innings fifty, and in not messing up in her stand-in role.”It was stressful,” she joked. “I’ve got a few more grey hairs. But I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and I’m really honoured to have been able to do it in Test match, and obviously win one as well. I’m pretty chuffed standing here, but I really thoroughly enjoyed the experience.She added: “First and foremost, how good is it to have a result, and I’m pleased to be on the right end of it. I guess, when you take the pressure off the captains and the teams to try and manipulate a result, it probably makes a little bit easier, but we’ll have to wait and see how [five days for women’s Tests] pans out. Even if it’s just a potential of a reserve day, if there is rain, that wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”Knight, meanwhile, has been one of the loudest advocates for a fifth day in women’s Tests – not least since her brilliant performance in the last Ashes Test at Canberra in January 2022, where her first-innings century set up the game, only for England to have to settle for a draw, nine wickets down, after a thrilling fourth-innings chase.”I’ve been quite vocal about having five days and I think today – and the whole five days, actually – showed why that was,” she said. “Credit to Australia. They were outstanding, but our girls went toe to toe with them for a hell of a long time. And that was really impressive.”In particular, Knight called out the efforts of Tammy Beaumont, whose England-best 208 carried the fight after Australia had posted a daunting 473, and their star spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who picked up a brace of five-fors in each innings, and carried the bowling for a total of 77.1 overs after Nat Sciver-Brunt’s involvement with the ball was hampered by a knee injury.”Sophie, we called her Merlin [like the bowling machine], she just kept going from one end,” Knight said. “Obviously with the loss of a bowler to a niggle, we had to have bowlers that stepped up and really take the job on and they’ve really grafted hard there.”She’s a captain’s dream, I’ve been able to get the ball to her and just for her to hold up an end, she’s so consistent. And, on that pitch, she was a real wicket-taking threat. I did wonder whether I was over-bowling her at one point, but she came back and again and again, and hardly bowled a loose ball all Test match.”She’s pretty tired but she’s done an amazing job for the team. She’s really dug deep and done a real job for us.”The final word, however, went to Australia’s own star spinner, as Gardner took confidence from Ecclestone’s success and ripped the contest her team’s way at the crucial moments.”I couldn’t have dreamt of it, to be honest,” she said after her 12-wicket haul. “There was a little bit of luck involved with the conditions out there, but I think as a whole bowling unit we bowled really well throughout and just tried to bowl in partnerships. I guess I was the lucky one to come away with wickets.”We just said to keep the stumps in play as often as possible, to keep all modes of dismissal in play. Thankfully for me some kept low, some turned – most of mine didn’t turn – but it was just awesome to be able to put a performance on for the team.”

Aston Villa are already beginning to work on plans for the summer transfer window, as they are interested in signing an “exceptional” new winger who would cost around £54 million, according to a recent report.

Emery green lights Villa deal amid rumours of spending spree

The Midlands side have been busy in every transfer window since Unai Emery arrived at Villa Park, and it doesn’t appear this summer is going to be any different – the Villans have already been linked with a move for Genoa’s Morten Frendrup.

Meanwhile, Emery has been watching Villarreal’s Juan Foyth live in action and Villa are also in pole position to sign young striker Charalampos Kostoulas.

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But the transfer news doesn’t stop there, as according to a report from Spain, Villa have expressed an interest in signing Ferran Torres from Barcelona. It is claimed that the Premier League side have been keeping a close eye on the Spain international this summer but do face competition from teams such as Manchester United and Liverpool.

However, Villa are considered the team most likely to make a move for Torres, as Emery has given his approval to the signing, as he believes he will fit into his attacking system. Torres has been a key player for Barcelona this season, but the Spanish giants still need to clean up their accounts, and therefore, they would be willing to listen to offers of around 35 to 40 million euros for Torres.

Aston Villa now keen on signing £54m Atalanta star Lookman

While Emery has given the green light for Torres, he is not the only wide player they are interested in signing, as according to Caught Offside, Aston Villa are keeping a close eye on Ademola Lookman, who is expected to leave Atalanta at the end of the campaign.

The report states that as well as Villa closely monitoring Lookman, several Premier League teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are all doing the same as well. The 27-year-old, who has been at Atalanta since August 2022, is expected to leave this summer, as he will enter the final year of his contract.

Lookman, who has been described as “exceptional” by former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, is said to be available for a transfer for around €65 million, which is roughly £54 million. As well as facing a fight from the Premier League, Villa also face a battle to win Lookman’s signature from Spanish giants Barcelona.

That is because the La Liga side have already contacted the player’s agents regarding a move to Spain this summer, but their ongoing financial problems mean it may be hard for them to complete a transfer. Atlético Madrid and Juventus are also keeping a close eye on Lookman’s situation.

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Lookman was outstanding for Atalanta last season, as he helped the Italian side on their way to Europa League glory. He has continued that fine form this season, netting 13 goals in 23 league games, but comments from manager Gian Piero Gasperini over a missed penalty have now left his long-term future at the club in doubt.

Looking to pick up where they left off in the January transfer window this summer, Manchester City have reportedly made contact in the race to sign one particular gem in the coming months.

Man City set sights on rising star

The Citizens are likely to be one of the busiest clubs in the Premier League this summer, as Pep Guardiola plans his first major overhaul since his first season in charge at the Etihad.

The rest of English football already received a glimpse of what that rebuild could look like during the January window when the likes of Omar Marmoush and Abdukodir Khusanov arrived.

Now, Manchester City could add to those arrivals and complete a swift and effective rebuild which should ensure that results such as this weekend’s 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion become a rarity once again.

On the incomings front, names such as Michele Di Gregorio have already been mentioned in recent reports in what could see the Citizens replace Ederson following his recent struggles.

Meanwhile, those at the Etihad have also reportedly turned their attention towards a rising star.

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Manchester City have now made contact over potentially signing Benja Cremaschi from Inter Miami this summer, but face competition from the likes of Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur for his signature.

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The 20-year-old has played an important part for Inter Miami in the MLS this season, starting in all three of their league games with one of those coming alongside the great Lionel Messi.

Despite his age, Cremaschi already has impressive experience to his name, including at the Olympics when playing for the United States in Paris last summer.

"Technical" Cremaschi is one to watch

Ahead of what looks set to be a Premier League race for his signature, Cremaschi is undoubtedly one to watch.

At just 20 years old, the MLS star is yet to reach his peak and has crucially starred alongside several serial winners to form the foundation for a player destined for big things. Whether those big things come courtesy of a move to Manchester City remains to be seen, however.

The young midfielder has unsurprisingly earned plenty of praise in recent years, including from former Fulham defender Tim Ream. The American said on his podcast ‘The American Dream’ when the topic of Cremaschi’s ability came up: “He’s looked sharp. He’s technical, not afraid to get into a tackle.

“Benja and I think Kristoffer [Lund], he’s kind of settling in [too]. Obviously English is more of a second language, but both very good with their English. [Cremaschi] has been the most impressive for sure in the couple of training sessions that we’ve had.”

As Manchester City look to add youthful exuberance to an ageing squad, the arrival of a rising star in the form of Cremaschi would certainly make sense. The 20-year-old, meanwhile, should jump at the opportunity if it comes his way this summer.

Former England captain makes 72, his highest first-class score at venue

Paul Edwards18-May-2023 Nottinghamshire 13 for 0 trail Essex 298 (Cook 72, Westley 66, Hutton 4-69) by 285 runsTrent Bridge has been sent more love-letters than Marilyn Monroe ever received and today this perfect old ground received a few more, not all of them from the cricketers. At first, though, one came from Alastair Cook, whose overtures were as gracious as one might expect; his 72 was studded with the strokes he has often played at Nottingham when wearing England colours. Later in the day the blandishments of Stuart Broad and Brett Hutton were brusquer, the pair sharing seven wickets, four with the second new ball, as Essex were dismissed for 298, two runs short of a second bonus point. And this rich day finally ended with a straight-driven boundary from Haseeb Hameed.But perhaps it was bound to be Trent Bridge that offered us comfort after the bum-numbing, brain-buggered tedium of Lancashire’s draw with Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday. We had three sessions packed tight with fine things at Nottingham and although some of these may seem extraneous to the cricket, the folk in the Radcliffe Road Stand know it isn’t so.For example, the scorecards are actually made of card rather than the reinforced lavatory paper that some counties currently deem sufficient. And the teams printed thereon are a close approximation to the elevens that take the field rather than a press officer’s postmodernist entry for the Booker Prize. This morning they told us that Calvin Harrison would be making his first-class debut for Nottinghamshire and that Ben Duckett was absent from the home side. We later discovered that having made 401 runs in nine innings since April 6, Duckett had been withdrawn by the ECB, presumably to avoid him collapsing with chronic fatigue.Such an appalling fate has not yet befallen Broad and almost the first entry the conscientious spectators could make on their crisp cards today was to record the dismissal of Nick Brown, leg before wicket for 11 when half forward in the fifth over. Sadly, Broad claimed his victim without appealing to umpire O’Shaughnessy for his judgement, a practice that never fails to look graceless and which will no doubt inspire hundreds of imitations in junior cricket across the country.But such things could not mar our morning. Cook, who only faced six balls in his old mucker’s five-over opening spell, appears to be batting with greater freedom in his latter days and he milked three off-side fours off Hutton and Dane Paterson in the first hour. At the other end, Westley, watchful as a cat in a rat-alley, picked up ones and twos for 70 balls before he straight drove Broad to the pavilion boundary three overs before lunch.The pair continued in a similar vein on the resumption. The day was balmy and windless and it appeared we were set for a batting afternoon with Cook enlisting his formidable powers of patience and concentration to help Essex build something formidable. Ben Slater dropped Westley at long leg off Dane Paterson when the Essex skipper was on 40 and we thought the home side could not afford such laxity. It turned out they could.Six overs later, Cook tried to drive a wideish ball from the same bowler and Harrison marked his debut with a good two handed-catch to his left. Then just as Westley was beginning to dominate Steven Mullaney’s attack, he bottom-edged an attempted pull off Paterson and splayed his stumps much as a drunken driver scatters bollards. Sharp as ever to sense an opening, Nottinghamshire’s bowlers took two more wickets in the next half hour although they had help from their opponents. Dan Lawrence came down the wicket to Hutton and then feathered his drive to Joe Clarke behind the stumps. It was a funky “england23” shot and uncharitable spectators might have observed that Lawrence would have done better to think what Essex needed today rather than what Ben Stokes might want in three weeks’ time. Either way, it was a shabby effort. Two overs later, Matt Critchley meekly followed a ball from Hutton and Essex repaired to the pavilion on 205 for 5.The paradox was that Essex’s fresh batsmen needed the 20-minute break rather more than Nottinghamshire’s tired bowlers. On the resumption, most of the home attack overpitched and both Adam Rossington and Simon Harmer gave such deliveries serious rumpo. The pair had biffed ten fours in their 75-run stand for the seventh wicket when Broad took the new ball and arrowed one into the pads of Harmer who walked without waiting to be told he should. We had thus had a day on which neither bowler nor batsman had required an umpire’s decision. Maybe O’Shaughnessy should apply for an unemployment benefit of some sort.Harmer’s dismissal marked the day’s final shift. Essex lost their last five wickets for 28 runs in less than ten overs, a conclusion to the day’s cricket that most of those at Trent Bridge welcomed warmly. They know this is the best Test venue at which to watch county cricket and Nottingham’s position in the hierarchy is questioned only by the deep-dyed at other venues.This might produce a perverse determination on the part of some neutrals to resist its charms but such a resolve would be useless. One sight of the old pavilion or the uniform white-painted seats and we become soft clay in the hands of those who entered into the inheritance of this place and built it with love. It was really no coincidence that we noticed O’Shaughnessy and Tom Lungley walking round the boundary just before the toss this morning. They might have been beating the bounds of a medieval parish.

MatériaMais Notícias

Um dos assuntos mais comentados nos vestiários do São Paulo após a derrota por 2 a 0 para o Flamengo, em pleno Morumbi, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, neste sábado (6), foi a discussão entre os meias Galoppo e Pablo Maia no apito final.

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GALERIA
+ Confira as notas dadas pela equipe do L! ao São Paulo na derrota para o Flamengo pelo Campeonato Brasileiro

O técnico Rogério Ceni disse após a partida que a discussão é benéfica por mostrar um amadurecimento do elenco são-paulino em meio a um resultado ruim, o sexto seguido da equipe na principal competição nacional.

– Eu vi que chegaram no vestiário, falando, cobrando… Eu não vi nada de discussão dentro do campo, só escutei quando cheguei no vestiário. Mas se eles estão se cobrando, melhor. Podia ser pior, todo mundo calado. É melhor brigar um pouco. Isso é importante para o time criar personalidade. É assim que se faz, cada um tem que aprender a amadurecer.

Segundo Ceni, o episódio reforça a diferença de elencos entre São Paulo e o rival carioca.

– Aqui nós não temos jogadores prontos. A gente não contrata o Everton Ribeiro e o Arrascaeta. No final aqui nós colocamos garotos. E assim eles vão amadurecer, jogando contra equipes boas como é o Flamengo. Equipes que têm talento e a gente competindo de igual pra igual. Me desculpe, mas foi um jogo bem parelho. Talvez esse segundo gol dê uma conotação diferente do que foi. São Paulo tentou jogar, fez, teve bons ataques pelos lados, ultrapassagens boas, mas não conseguimos fazer o gol. Foi um jogo bem movimentado e o São Paulo não teve medo, tentou atacar todo o tempo.

TABELA
> Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22
> Confira todos os jogos da Copa do Brasil-22
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> Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

With the long, drawn-out international break nearly over, the competitive Championship will soon kick back into gear to give us more entertaining clashes to savour.

Sheffield United’s meeting with Coventry City this coming Friday night promises to be another spectacle to behold in the second tier, with Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues on a mission to nail down a playoff spot when heading to Bramall Lane, whilst the Blades cling onto their automatic promotion dreams.

One misstep could see the South Yorkshire outfit fall out of the coveted top two spots, with Chris Wilder hopeful that the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz and Tom Cannon can finally step up to the mark in the crunch games to come, after largely disappointing as statement January additions.

How Brereton & Cannon have performed at Sheffield United

To help boost his side’s firepower, Wilder welcomed Brereton Diaz and Cannon to the building during the hectic mid-season transfer window, well aware that the potent pairing boast 75 career strikes in the second tier.

The Chile international has shown signs of his previous Blackburn Rovers best without blowing anyone away, with the short-term loanee picking up three goals and two assists from 11 appearances at Bramall Lane.

Cannon, on the other hand, has just been a letdown from minute one of his bumper £10m move from Leicester City, with the Irishman yet to find the back of the net for his new employers from eight clashes.

Unfortunately, the out-of-sorts 22-year-old has found himself out of his new manager’s starting lineup plans due to Sheffield United’s next Billy Sharp…

Wilder's next Billy Sharp

This will feel like a wild comparison to make for many Blades supporters reading, considering Sharp is held in very high esteem to the red and white half of South Yorkshire to this day, having bagged a ridiculous 129 goals during two spells at his hometown side.

But, much like the 39-year-old veteran felt whenever he graced the Bramall Lane pitch, Tyrese Campbell will feel very much at home donning his new United colours, with the end of his time at former employers Stoke City, unfortunately, putting him through the wringer.

Injury issues at the Potters saw Campbell miss an eye-watering 343 days of action in total during his bumpy six years at the club, leading to a low 36 goals being registered from 164 games.

To draw comparisons, Sharp also struggled to find his goalscoring groove in the build-up to his big return to South Yorkshire, with unmemorable spells at Leeds United and Southampton passing him by, before the familiar doors of Bramall Lane opened back up for him.

Sheffield United’s top 5 goalscorers in the league – 24/25
Player	Games	Goals scored
1. Tyrese Campbell	26	9
2. Gustavo Hamer	34	7
3. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi	29	6
= 4. Harrison Burrows	35	5
= 4. Kieffer Moore	22	5
Stats by Sofascore

Now, much like Sharp managed when diving back in at United, Campbell has become his side’s most reliable sharpshooter up top, with the 6-foot centre-forward the promotion-chasing club’s top scorer in league action with nine strikes fired home from 26 contests.

Three of those goals have come during his team’s last five league encounters, with a hope that the 25-year-old can follow even more in Sharp’s footsteps by guiding Wilder’s men to a promotion success, considering the EFL legend has three of these accolades next to his name playing for the Blades.

If the revitalised number 23 can hammer home more strikes like this venomous effort at Loftus Road between now and the end of the season, Wilder and Co could be heading for an instant return to the Premier League, with Campbell no doubt seen as a modern great thereafter.

Brewster upgrade: Sheffield United must rue selling a "poor man's Haaland"

Sheffield United arguably lost a bigger talent than Rhian Brewster when selling this star.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Mar 18, 2025

عقد البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، جلسة مع اللاعبين بحضور عبد الناصر محمد مدير الكرة، قبل انطلاق مران اليوم الأربعاء، على استاد الكلية الحربية، في إطار الاستعداد للموسم الجديد.

وشرح المدير الفني للاعبين برنامج تدريب اليوم، وطالبهم بضرورة التركيز وبذل أقصى جهد والاستعداد بجدية للموسم الجديد من أجل الظهور بأفضل صورة تليق باسم نادي الزمالك، ومنحهم بعض التعليمات قبل انطلاق التدريبات الجماعية.

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وخاض لاعبو الفريق فقرة فنية خلال مران اليوم، وتولى الفرنسي بيير باهرلي المدرب المساعد قيادة هذه الفقرة والتي تضمنت التركيز على تحركات اللاعبين بدون الكرة، بالإضافة إلى بعض الجوانب الفنية الأخرى.

وحرص البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني على متابعة هذه الفقرة للوقوف على مدى تطبيق اللاعبين للأفكار المطلوبة منهم.

وفي نفس الوقت أدى الثلاثي محمد عواد ومحمد صبحي ومحمود الشناوي حراس مرمى الفريق تدريبات خاصة تحت قيادة چوجوسلاف لازيتش مدرب الحراس.

كما خصص الجهاز الفني، فقرة بدنية للاعبين خلال مران اليوم، وتولي الإسباني راؤول لوبيز مدرب الأحمال، الإشراف على هذه الفقرة، والتي تضمنت تدريبات بدنية متنوعة لرفع معدلات اللياقة البدنية للاعبين استعداداً للمرحلة المقبلة، والتي ستشهد التركيز على الجوانب الفنية والخططية.

كما قرر الجهاز الفني الانتظام في معسكر مغلق بالعاصمة الإدارية، في الفترة من 15 وحتى 27 يوليو الجاري، في إطار الاستعداد للموسم الجديد.

ومن المقرر أن يخوض الفريق عدة مباريات ودية خلال المعسكر المغلق، يتم الاتفاق عليها في الفترة الحالية، من أجل تجهيز اللاعبين بالشكل الأمثل للموسم الجديد.

ويلتقي الزمالك وديًا مع أورانج، في تمام الثامنة مساء يوم الجمعة المقبل، على استاد الكلية الحربية في إطار الاستعداد للموسم الجديد.

Tottenham Hotspur are now closely monitoring a £43m “leader” ahead of a potential summer transfer swoop, but there may be competition for his signature from a number of their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Spurs pursuing new striker this summer

Dominic Solanke has enjoyed a solid, if not spectacular, debut season with Tottenham, scoring 11 goals in all competitions, in a campaign which has been hindered by numerous injury setbacks.

However, Spurs’ lack of depth in the striker department has caused problems, with Richarlison spending the majority of the season on the sidelines, while Mathys Tel is yet to make a real impact since arriving on loan from Bayern Munich in January.

As such, it appears as though Ange Postecoglou’s side could be keen on bringing in a new striker in the summer transfer window, and they are now prepared to make a ‘super bid’ to sign Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

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The Tottenham manager is not happy with his midfield options, and could look to get rid of an underperforming player this summer.

ByDominic Lund Mar 25, 2025

The Lilywhites are also in active talks over a deal for Lille’s Jonathan David, who is set to be available on a free transfer, but there may be fierce competition for the forward’s signature, with Arsenal and Manchester United in the race.

According to a report from Viola News, Tottenham are also battling their Premier League rivals for Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, who they are now closely monitoring ahead of a potential summer swoop.

Arsenal, Aston Villa and Chelsea are also named as potential suitors for the striker, whose stock has risen considerably this season, most recently impressing by scoring a brace for national side Italy against Germany.

Kean is protected by a €52m (£43m) release clause in his contract with the Serie A side, but in light of his impressive performances, there is a feeling his true value could be much higher.

Kean could now be entering his prime

The Italy striker has been inconsistent throughout his career, displaying some impressive signs with his goal return for Paris Saint-Germain in the 2020-21 campaign, but struggling to make an impact at Goodison Park during his time with Everton.

However, the 25-year-old could now be entering his prime, given the level of his displays this season, netting 20 goals for Fiorentina in all competitions, including a remarkable strike against Genoa last month.

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti described the effort as a “Cristiano Ronaldo-type goal”, while he also received high praise from Fiorentina boss Raffaele Palladino, who said: “Moise is doing a great job for the team; he’s our striker and a leader, not just in possession.”

Kean was far from impressive during his previous spell in the Premier League, but his performances for club and country this season indicate he could deserve a second chance.