Bryan Mbeumo is a player who has dominated the news around Manchester United over the last couple of weeks, with the attacker firmly on the lips of all supporters.

The Brentford star has become one of the Premier League’s leading talismen, after registering 20 goals under Thomas Frank in the capital throughout last season.

As a result of his goalscoring form, the Red Devils have been firmly in the race to land the 25-year-old, even making two separate bids for his signature this window.

The latest offer of around £62.5m, including add-ons, was rejected, with Keith Andrews’ side holding out for £70m to part ways with the Cameroonian during the off-season.

He’s also stated his desire to move to Old Trafford this summer, potentially linking up with a new striker should he make the move to join Ruben Amorim’s side ahead of 2025/26.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Victor Osimhen has once again reemerged on United’s shortlist this summer, with the Nigerian a player who’s been subject to interest after scoring 37 goals on loan at Galatasaray last season.

He’s not the only striker who’s been in their sights, with Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres still a player they want to sign, despite the Swede stating his desire to join Arsenal.

However, another name has entered the mix over the last couple of days, with Ivan Toney a player on their radar, according to Football Insider’s latest update.

They claim that the English forward appears to be keen on a return to the Premier League, moving back to his homeland after joining Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli less than 12 months ago.

The report also states that the Red Devils hierarchy have been watching the 29-year-old in recent weeks and that Toney ‘wants’ to join the club after scoring 30 goals in his 44 appearances in the Saudi League.

Why United’s latest target would be the perfect ST for Mbeumo

As previously mentioned, Mbeumo has been a player who has caught the eye of many supporters across the country, with his talents leading to United’s keen interest in his signature.

However, he’s often starred in a right-wing role, a position that he will have to switch from if he moves to Old Trafford, likely operating in a number ten role behind the striker.

It’s a position that he could thrive in under Amorim, especially if the Red Devils can secure a deal for the Cameroonian international along with former teammate Toney.

The 25-year-old previously starred alongside the English striker in London, with the pair operating alongside each other for four seasons, helping the Bees win promotion from the Championship and subsequently securing their top-flight status.

In the 2020/21 campaign, the pair registered 59 combined goals and assists between them, with Toney scoring 31 times and Mbeumo providing 10 assists – with both tallies being the highest at the club.

2023/24

42

13

10

2022/23

71

29

12

2021/22

68

16

12

2020/21

95

38

20

Total:

276

96

54

The pair topped both of the respective categories in three of the four years they spent together at Brentford, with the only exception coming in 2023/24 after the striker was banned for betting offences.

Despite not starring together anymore in the present day, Toney, who’s been labelled “sensational” by journalist Simon Stone, has still managed to score 30 times in 2024/25, ten more than Mbeumo’s tally.

However, the pair’s respective goalscoring tallies combined from last season are higher than the Red Devils managed as a whole squad, showcasing the added threat the pair would bring to Old Trafford.

With the former Bees striker seemingly wanting to join Amorim’s side this summer, it is a deal worth exploring, with the Englishman having the experience of finding the back of the net in England’s top flight.

If Mbeumo also makes the move, the pair could replicate the form they produced in the capital, potentially playing a massive role together again and helping United push for a place in Europe next season.

Better than Watkins: Wilcox in talks to sign "monster" £64m CF for Man Utd

Manchester United could be about to end their hunt for a new striker this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 3, 2025

It’s not been a summer to remember for Newcastle United so far.

On the pitch, they’ve now suffered back-to-back defeats in pre-season friendlies, first demolished 4-0 by Celtic in Glasgow, before a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Arsenal at the Singapore National Stadium; Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy on target but in vein in Kallang.

One player who has notably not made the trip to Southeast Asia is Alexander Isak, with widespread reports claiming that the Sweden international is pushing to leave the club this summer.

Given that ongoing situation, Eddie Howe and his recruitment team have very much entered the transfer market for a new centre-forward, so have they identified their number one target?

Newcastle's search for a new striker

As outlined by Seb Stafford-Bloor and David Ornstein of the Athletic, Newcastle were very much in the running to sign Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt, but he joined Liverpool for around £79m instead.

It was then reported that the Magpies would make a move to sign Yoane Wissa from Brentford, only for Dharmesh Sheth and Keith Downie of Sky Sports News to claim that the deal is now off, stating that Newcastle ‘are set to move on to other targets’.

Following Callum Wilson’s release, William Osula, the only available senior centre-forward at the club, led the line in Singapore on Sunday, but could the Toon Army go big to change that fact?

Well, according to a report by Craig Hope of the Daily Hope, Newcastle have enquired about the possibility of signing Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig.

Earlier in the window, the Slovenian striker’s most likely destination appeared to be Arsenal, with James McNicholas and Mario Cortegana of the Athletic claiming he was the Gunners’ ‘preferred target’ until the arrival of Andrea Berta, who was instrumental in them securing Viktor Gyökeres instead.

Now, as reported by Yvonne Gabriel of BILD, due to limited interest, Leipzig have lowered their asking price from €100m (£87m) to around €70m (£61m), so should Newcastle snap up Šeško at this reduced price?

How Benjamin Šeško would improve Newcastle

It’s unquestionable that Šeško is a massive talent, with presenter Adam Keys praising his ‘superb ball-striking’ ability, labelling him ‘powerful’ and physical.

Meantime, Ben Mattinson of Breaking the Lines is impressed by his ‘elite’ movement and mobility, noting that he is a strong finisher with both feet, with scout Jacek Kulig even describing him “the new Haaland” such are his wonderful array of attributes.

In two seasons at Leipzig, Šeško has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances, thereby on target every 136 minutes, which is certainly impressive for a 22-year-old.

So, let’s see how he compares to Newcastle’s previous leading striker target Wissa?

Šeško vs Wissa 2024/25

Statistics

Šeško

Wissa

Appearances

45

39

Minutes

3,258

3,079

Goals

21

20

Assists

6

5

Shots

65

74

Shots on target

40

45

Shots on target %

61%

62.32%

Big chances missed

18

18

Chances created

20

29

Big chances created

7

3

Take-on success %

52.53%

38.5%

Average Sofascore Rating

7.15

7

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, Squawka and SofaScore

As the table documents, Šeško and Wissa’s statistics last season are very similar, with the Leipzig forward scoring one more goal across all competitions, while also creating more big chances and completing a higher percentage of his take-ons.

Wissa does have the edge in many categories, underlining that he would more than likely score goals for Newcastle, but the reported £35m fee that was being banded around does appear high for a player who is into the final 12 months of his contract, and will celebrate his 29th birthday come early-September.

Šeško, on the other hand, has only just turned 22 years old and has the potential to get even better, so surely seems to be the more shrewd investment, both in the short but also longer term.

Related More prolific than Sesko: Newcastle targeting move for £87m "monster"

Newcastle are looking to bring in another striker or two this summer

Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jul 27, 2025

حضر بيدري جونزاليس لاعب خط وسط برشلونة إحدى الفعاليات في قاعة المنتدى ببرشلونة، حيث شارك الجمهور العديد من الأمور الشخصية.

وقد نظمت الشركة الرياضية الفرنسية أكبر فعالية لها حتى الآن في إسبانيا يومي الخميس والجمعة بحضور أكثر من 500 شخص للقاء لاعب خط وسط برشلونة.

ورد أثار بيدري على أسئلة الجمهور خاصة بعد تألقه ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد في الجولة الأولى بمرحلة الدوري لدوري أبطال أوروبا.

وقد سئل بيدري عن أصعب مدافع واجهه ولم يتردد في اختيار فيرجيل فان دايك قائد ليفربول، حيث قال: “لا بد لي من القول إنه يبدو قوياً على التلفزيون لكن فان دايك أقوى في الملعب، لعبت ضده مؤخراً ومن الصعب جداً تجاوزه”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. برشلونة يحدد قائمته لحضور حفل الكرة الذهبية.. غياب اسمين بارزين

وتحدث لاعب خط وسط برشلونة عن أصعب لحظة واجهها والتي كانت خلال فترة معاناته من الإصابة وشرح من أين وجد الإسباني الدعم.

وأضاف بيدري في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” :”في عائلتي الذين ساندوني دائماً، كانت أسوأ لحظة مررت بها هي فترة الإصابات، إنها ليست لحظة محددة بل تلك اللحظات، كان الأمر صعبًا لكنني تدربت بجد أكبر قدر الإمكان والآن أنا بصحة جيدة”.

وأكمل بيدري عن مشاعره عند ظهوره الأول مع برشلونة في عام 2020: “كان حلماً، منذ صغري كنت أرتدي قميص برشلونة في كل مكان وعندما أبدأ مسيرتي مع ما أعتبره أفضل فريق في العالم، يكون الأمر مذهلا”.

وختم عن طريقة احتفاله المميزة بالأهداف: “أحتفل بهذه الطريقة من أجل والدي، في أحد الأيام كنت أتناول الغداء معه في المنزل وأردت أن أهديه الأهداف فهو دائماً معي منذ صغري، ولأن جميع أفراد العائلة يرتدون النظارات فقد ابتكرنا هذه البادرة”.

Victoria duo sent a reminder to Australia’s selectors with a 239-run stand, before Tasmania hit back with late wickets

Alex Malcolm08-Oct-2024Victoria duo Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb have sent very timely reminders of their talents to Australia’s selectors with twin centuries for Victoria against Tasmania at the Junction Oval on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield season.With Cameron Green’s availability for the Test series against India still unknown due to a back injury and Steven Smith’s Test batting position also unclear, Harris put forth an early case to be reinstated as Australia’s Test opener by making 143, his 29th first-class century. Meanwhile, Handscomb is less likely to be considered for the upcoming Test series, but did his chances of earning a spot on the January-February Test tour of Sri Lanka no harm with 129, his 26th first-class hundred and his fifth in 2024.The pair put together a near-faultless 239-run third-wicket stand, having come together at 22 for 2 after Ash Chandrasinghe and Campbell Kellaway both fell cheaply to Gabe Bell. But having put Victoria in a superb position at 261 for 2 with just under 30 overs left in the day, the pair was unable to kick on to massive scores, as Tasmania’s bowlers fought back late in the day to leave Victoria 330 for 7 at stumps.Harris, though, continued his love affair with the Junction Oval, scoring his seventh Shield century at the venue. His ground average of 69.84 in 12 matches compared to his average of just 33.30 at Australia’s five major Test venues has raised questions about his credentials for a Test recall. But this was one of his best on a surface that provided plenty of assistance to Tasmania’s seamers in the first session after the visitors had won the toss and elected to bowl.Harris scored with typical fluency, but he looked especially assured with his alignment and decision-making around the off stump. He drove and cut the ball powerfully when opportunities presented without taking on too much risk in the first two sessions in particular. But after play he played a straight bat to talk of Test selection following Green’s injury.”Everyone keeps asking me that,” Harris said. “Probably in the past, it’s weighed on my mind a lot more than what it is at the moment.”I’m just sort of playing it as it comes at me. I think last year was a good lesson for that. I’ll just keep playing whatever I’m playing and trying to put some runs on the board.”I think it’s always helpful if you get runs early in the season, to sort of kick-start your season a little bit. But, yeah, just focus on what I’m doing here.”Handscomb provided the perfect foil, and continued the outstanding form he displayed in the recent county championship season with Leicestershire, where he scored three centuries and averaged 74.50 in division two. He accumulated runs with characteristic calmness, and allowed Harris the freedom to expand when the pitch settled after lunch.Post tea, Harris looked to put the foot on the accelerator and tried to hit left-arm orthodox spinner Matthew Kuhnemann out of the attack. Harris launched the three-Test spinner twice over deep midwicket, with the wind at his back, before skying a catch to mid-off trying to go a third time in four balls, handing Kuhnemann his first Shield wicket for his new state after moving from Queensland.Victoria’s progressed slowed significantly after Harris’ fall. Beau Webster picked up his first wicket of the new season shortly after when Tom Rogers was caught behind for just 1 on Sheffield Shield debut.Handscomb and Sam Harperthen shared a 45-run stand for the fifth wicket, but only scored at just over two runs an over as Kuhnemann and Brad Hope bowled tidy spells. Harper had a scare when he was struck on the helmet attempting a pull shot. There were concerns initially given Harper’s concussion history, but he was cleared to continue with a new helmet.Handscomb was then caught and bowled skillfully by Hope on 129, before Tasmania took the second new ball late in the day. Bell returned with Lawrence Neil-Smith to pick up two more before stumps and leave the game nicely poised.

Even before the summer transfer window opened, Manchester United entered the off-season with one clear goal: improve the forward line ahead of 2025/26.

Such a task needed to be undertaken after the Red Devils only managed to score 44 times in their 38 Premier League outings during the most recent campaign.

Ruben Amorim has showcased his desire to improve the current situation, making multiple moves to land Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha from Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively.

Whilst the pair notched 35 combined goals in the Premier League last season, other additions are still being pursued within the final third before the end of the summer window.

Given the climate of the current window, a new talisman would likely cost a pretty penny, but that hasn’t stopped the hierarchy from targeting numerous players over recent days.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions

Moise Kean has been a player firmly on United’s radar throughout the current window, even making contact with Fiorentina over a deal to land the Italian striker.

However, if they are to land a deal for the 25-year-old during the current window, they will have to pay over the odds, after his £44m release clause expired on the 15th of July.

He’s not the only player who’s currently in their sights at present, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins once again a player they’re interested in, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The journalist claimed that the Red Devils have held talks over a move for the 29-year-old star, after he scored 16 league goals last campaign.

He also claims that Unai Emery’s side see the England international as not for sale during the ongoing transfer window, potentially making any deal for his signature somewhat harder.

Why United’s latest target would be a better signing than Sesko

Alongside a deal for Watkins, the United hierarchy have been targeting a move for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko in an attempt to complete their hunt for a new centre-forward.

The Slovenian has been a key target for numerous sides this summer, but the Red Devils could be about to have a free run at his services after Arsenal and Liverpool opted for other targets.

He could prove to be a viable option for Amorim’s men, after he bagged 21 goals across all competitions for the Bundesliga outfit throughout 2024/25.

At just 22, he has bags of time to develop into an elite-level talisman, but any move could prove to be a huge risk given his current £67m asking price.

As a result, it would make Watkins a cheaper option for the hierarchy, whilst also providing a more experienced Premier League option in the club’s hunt to return to their former glory.

The Englishman did register more league goals last time around, subsequently offering a bigger goal threat, with his underlying stats also just as impressive.

Watkins, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers in Europe” by boss Emery, also posted a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate, subsequently taking advantage of more chances that fall his way in front of goal.

Games played

38

33

Goals scored

16

13

Shot on target accuracy

44%

43%

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.3

Pass accuracy

72%

67%

Key passes made

0.8

0.7

Carries into opposition box

1.3

0.5

Progressive carries

1.9

1.7

He also completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst posting a higher key passes per 90 tally, able to provide fellow new additions Cunha and Mbeumo with chances in the final third.

The Englishman’s talents are further reflected in his tally of carries into the final third per 90, able to create his own chances rather than being reliant upon others around him.

Given the difference in the stats and price tag, Watkins would evidently be the better addition for United during the current transfer window, subsequently bolstering their chances of success next season.

If he can replicate the levels he’s produced at Villa Park, it would be a phenomenal addition and one that would inject the added dimension Amorim is hunting for in his forward line.

Mbeumo 2.0: Man Utd make direct phone call to sign "sensational" £22m star

Manchester United appear to be making a move for a star just like Bryan Mbeumo.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 24, 2025

Setting their sights on signing another attacking addition this summer, the Friedkin Group are now reportedly plotting a move to sign a talented £50 million star for Everton.

Friedkin could hand Everton £150m spree

Friedkin are in a strong position to make some much-needed changes at Everton this summer. As revealed by earlier reports, the Toffees are able to spend as much as £150m if they please ahead of next season, having already signed Thierno Barry, Mark Travers and Carlos Alcaraz on a permanent deal.

As they head into a new era at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, David Moyes still reportedly wants to sign two midfielders to soften the blow of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s exit and a new winger.

Several targets have emerged who would tick those boxes too, with the likes of James McAtee and Takefusa Kubo chief among their priorities. Both would be excellent additions, especially the latter, who came through at Real Madrid and has since thrived at Real Sociedad.

The Japan international, whilst not at his true best last season, still managed seven goals and four assists; the type of numbers that would see Everton land an instant upgrade on former loanee Jack Harrison.

Whether Moyes’ side can agree a deal with Sociedad in the coming weeks is the big question.

The Merseyside club are reportedly preparing to submit an offer worth around £35m, which they hope will be enough to advance any deal to sign Kubo. The move would mark Everton’s second La Liga signing of the summer after Barry and would once again steal plenty of headlines.

That said, Kubo isn’t the only option on their shortlist.

Indeed, reports are now suggesting that Friedkin have set their sights on another talented winger.

Everton plotting Tyler Dibling swoop

As reported by The Times’ Paul Joyce, Friedkin are now plotting a fresh swoop to sign Tyler Dibling from relegated Southampton this summer. The teenage talent was one of few standouts for the Saints in a season to forget last time out, and he could now get the chance to retain his Premier League place.

Everton could land the dream signing for Douglas Luiz in £75k-p/w "monster"

Everton targeting former Premier League midfielder to partner Douglas Luiz in central role

ByWill Miller Jul 26, 2025

Dibling won’t come cheap, however. There are claims that Southampton are looking to secure as much as £50m to sell the 19-year-old this summer in what would make him Everton’s joint-record signing with Richarlison.

The big question will be whether Dibling is worthy of breaking that record, and based on Russell Martin’s praise last season, the answer is a resounding yes.

The former Southampton boss told reporters:

“Tyler was unfortunate not to play earlier because he had an amazing pre-season.

“So he has an incredible belief in himself in a really nice, humble and modest way. But he has to just keep living at 100 per cent and understand where that is and understand what’s got him this far.

“I think he has a brilliant support network with his family. He has a lot of trust from us and he has that back. It’s not always plain sailing with young players.”

Cricket South Africa (CSA), in consultation with the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA), will make a decision by the end of this week on whether the Test team will travel to Bangladesh for two matches next month.The series, according to the Future Tours Programme, is scheduled to start on October 21 but South Africa’s willingness to tour Bangladesh depends on the security reports, which are currently being completed.The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, which was originally scheduled in Bangladesh, was moved out of the country after the anti-government protests there in early August. CSA sources told ESPNcricinfo the information they have is that the situation in Bangladesh has settled and that South Africa are hopeful they will be able to tour, but they emphasised that they will not travel if any risks were identified in the security assessments.Related

• Jansen and Coetzee on road to recovery, likely to be back in action by November

• South Africa add fresh faces for white-ball games against Afghanistan and Ireland

• ICC moves women's T20 World Cup out of Bangladesh to the UAE

A decision will be made collectively, which means it is unlikely that CSA will leave it to individual players to decide whether they are comfortable with travelling to Bangladesh.South Africa only have six Test matches left in the ongoing World Test Championship [WTC] cycle. They have already played six games, having won two, lost three and drawn one Test. They are currently seventh on the points table and need to win at least five of their remaining games to have a chance of qualifying for next year’s final at Lord’s.All six of their series in this cycle have been limited to two Tests as CSA prioritised the launch of the SA20, their domestic T20 franchise competition, and cost-cutting. It is understood that there is no thought of playing the Bangladesh Tests elsewhere at the moment.If they do travel to Bangladesh, South Africa are unlikely to go with Marco Jansen or Gerald Coetzee with both fast bowlers expected to be back in action only by November. South Africa will next travel to the UAE for a white-ball series against Afghanistan and Ireland with plenty of fresh faces in the mix.

With a World Cup looming and losses piling up, those on the outside are finding it difficult to trust Pochettino's process

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Multiple times over the last few months, Mauricio Pochettino has responded to questions about American soccer culture. It's not Argentina, he has said. In an ideal world, it would be something like college football. The passion, the togetherness, the pageantry – having recently experienced it, Pochettino was enamored with it. Imagine that atmosphere for U.S. men's national team games.

Fortunately for Pochettino, though, that isn't the case. For all of the benefits of the culture of Argentina or NCAA football, there are downsides – namely the pressure on those who take the field. Every game, every result, regardless of circumstances, matters. Pochettino himself said he believed in that line of thinking at his first news conference when he was hired last year. 

That, though, hasn't been the case with the USMNT in 2025, a year in which Pochettino has largely prioritize process over results. With a World Cup looming, those on the outside are finding it harder and harder to trust that process, particularly without any guarantee of what that end result will be. Through all of the noise, Pochettino has continued to experiment and, at least in the short term, that tinkering is not working.

The reason has been clear: Pochettino is desperate for competition within the squad, so much so that he was willing to shake the core of the USMNT to generate it. The problem he's discovered is that the USMNT's core is more important than ever – and more irreplaceable, too. And so the losses have piled up – he has just nine wins in 17 matches since taking over for the fired Gregg Berhalter last year – forcing Pochettino and the USMNT to confront reality. The plan isn't working.

American soccer fans are more patient than most, and Pochettino has alluded to that. However, the time for patience is nearing an end. Soon, the time for results must begin. In the wake of a 2-0 loss to South Korea on Saturday night, Pochettino, rightly, said that a team really doesn't have to win until the World Cup begins.

That may be true, but in the high-pressure environments he's so enamored with, losing this much wouldn't be tolerated. Optics matter. So do results. The good news? This is fixable so long as Pochettino and the USMNT stare down a few harsh truths.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  A rough 2025

  Numbers don't lie, it has been said. And the USMNT's numbers in 2025 aren't telling a good story.

  After losing to Mexico in Guadalajara last year, Pochettino's USMNT went into 2025 seeking a signature win. It hasn't come yet. While a series of Gold Cup victories with a weakened squad surely built momentum, it doesn't overshadow the series of losses to World Cup-caliber teams. Losses to Panama and Canada initiated the USMNT's summer shake-up. Pre-Gold Cup defeats to Turkey and Switzerland set off alarm bells.

  Pochettino was notably upset by the Gold Cup final loss to Mexico, at least partially because he knew that it meant the narrative would shift around his players' efforts this summer. And then came Saturday, a 2-0 loss to South Korea. With some, but not all, of the regulars back in the picture, the USMNT once again lost to a World Cup-bound team.

  Pochettino, though frustrated, said he saw positive signs. Coach speak, surely, because the USMNT were, by and large, second best in just about every version of the eye test. In their last seven matches against top-25 teams, the U.S. have been outscored 11-2 in the first half, and haven't beaten a non-North American top-25 squad since Iran at the 2022 World Cup.

  For all the talk of promise, talent and excitement, the fact is that, right now, this USMNT group has yet to show they can beat legitimate opposition. They've gone toe-to-toe with a few, for sure – namely Brazil last summer – but the program has lost virtually every ounce of goodwill in the year since that pre-Copa America friendly.

  So is it doom and gloom? Absolutely not. In truth, the answers are essentially staring Pochettino in the face.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  A dead-end competition

  Johan Cruyff once said that this sport is simple – the hard part is to play simply. That quote can apply to management, too. Sometimes, setting up a team can be as easy as "play the best players."

  It's something that the USMNT, for one reason or another, has not done for a long time. Injuries have robbed the U.S. of Antonee Robinson, Sergino Dest, Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi for extended periods of time. Christian Pulisic skipped out on the summer, although he returned for that South Korea game.

  Meanwhile, talented players such as Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Joe Scally, Tanner Tessmann, Aidan Morris, Johnny Cardoso, Malik Tillman and Haji Wright were left at home for this camp. So, too, were centerback contenders Mark McKenzie, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty. There are others. Quite clearly, the USMNT that played South Korea wasn't at full strength. That was true for the Gold Cup, in part due to injuries or club situations. Much of it, though, is also seemingly by choice.

  He hasn't outwardly said it, but Pochettino was clearly frustrated by the results in the Nations League, and his roster selections since indicate that. It's been quite clear that he's been trying to foster competition to both introduce potential World Cup contenders and remind the established players that nothing is guaranteed.

  "When you see different national teams that won World Cups, I think you really understand what [that means]," Pochettino said. "Players need to feel the threat from your teammate, and they need to defend their place in every single possibility that they join the national team.”

  The problem is that there's been to defend. The competition has produced very few bonafide contenders while robbing this group of several crucial chances to build chemistry with the players that will actually be at the World Cup next summer. The biggest lesson we've learned over the last six months is that there are a finite amount of World Cup-quality players in this player pool, and at no point recently has that group actually been together.

  Former USMNT star Charlie Davies put it bluntly after the South Korea loss, saying, "I’m trying to stay positive, but this is a failure. We don’t have a signature win, we don’t even have a signature XI… We have signature sh*t, is what we have."

  The results, ultimately, have suffered because of that. South Korea are very good, and they're also a well-drilled team that knows who they are and what the guys around them are going to do.

  Pochettino seems ready to fix that for the USMNT. He said prior to camp that this was his final go at experimenting and, starting in October, the process of buckling down will begin. The problem is that, while that timeline works for Pochettino, it doesn't for the public as they look for some signs of life months before a World Cup.

• Getty Images
  

  Dealing with public perception

  Social media, of course, is an imperfect barometer of national team progress. So, too, are pundits. In truth, there's really no dissecting Pochettino's plan until it runs its course, even for those who understand their version of the national team.

  There is something to be said for public opinion, though, particularly in a country that, as Pochettino said, is still expanding its soccer culture. The fastest way to nurture that culture is to win and, in particular, to win at World Cups. Right now, it's hard to argue that the U.S. looks to be in a better position to do that than they did when the final whistle blew on their 2022 adventure in Qatar.

  “Mauricio Pochettino isn’t a fool, but he’s trying to pass the buck here,” former USMNT striker Herculez Gomez said this week. “He’s putting up excuses like ‘Hey, I don’t score the goals and I can’t defend them, the real thing we’re trying to do here is instill a culture, and get them on the right path.’ They didn’t give you $6 million a year so we can look back 20 years from now and say ‘Oh Mauricio Pochettino, he’s the one who laid the foundation.’

  "No, no, no. It’s for a World Cup, a tournament. They need you to get this pool of players ready for a home tournament, not to shape the next 60 years of American soccer, which he has no understanding of.”

  Former USMNT midfielder Stu Holden, meanwhile, was frustrated with Pochettino's tactics, which have failed to produce many goals against top opponents, saying, The fact is, again, we didn't score a goal. Again, we didn't beat a top-25 opponent, which we haven't done since the 2022 World Cup. And once again, we're left with more questions than answers."

  Former USMNT star Charlie Davies put it bluntly after the South Korea loss, saying, "I’m trying to stay positive, but this is a failure. We don’t have a signature win, we don’t even have a signature XI… We have signature sh*t, is what we have."

  Pochettino shouldn't be surprised by the criticism. In truth, it's healthy to have such debates in a soccer country. These comments aren't any different than coaches in Argentina, France or England would deal with. In fact, they're almost certainly more measured.

  The difference between those countries and the U.S., though, is that America is about to host a World Cup. The program is no longer in a place to send messages or, as Gomez said, build foundations. It has to be in a place where it could win World Cup games.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  The need for wins

  Tyler Adams understands the frustration. He, too, doesn't want the USMNT to lose these games.

  "I love the feeling of winning," Tyler Adams said after Saturday night's loss. "So I would like to win games before the World Cup. But I understand his thought process. We talked about it in there. You can still have a good performance and not necessarily get the result. Yeah, I think at certain times, it's important to get some results but, for what positives we can take from today, it's about getting new faces into the national team and getting them exposure."

  Going forward, getting those results won't be easy. Up next is Japan on Tuesday, to close the September window. After that, the U.S. faces Australia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay to close 2025. All five of those teams are bound for the World Cup. All will present challenges the USMNT will need to navigate next summer. In that sense, these are the perfect tests, but they're ones the USMNT will actually have to show up prepared for by bringing their best.

  No one is asking for, or expecting, the USMNT to go out and win all of those games. There will be bumps along the way. Bumps are good. Bumps provide lessons, prepare a team, separate those who can make a difference from those who can't. The road to 2026 can't only be bumps, though. There needs to be some tangible success to build confidence, both inside and outside of the program. 

  Maybe that won't make a difference in the long term. Maybe all will be forgotten with a few wins next summer. There's something to be said about the present, though, and what that means for the future.

  “We need to start to win when the World Cup starts,” Pochettino said on Saturday. “There are too many examples of teams that win and then arrive at the World Cup and they don’t arrive in the best condition. I was involved in 2002 with Argentina, we were winning for years and then, the World Cup, and we were out in the group stage.

  “I think for sure we have talented players and we are going to be much better and we are going to prove and for sure we are going to arrive in the best condition. That is my message to the fans. We are going to arrive in a very good condition and with the help of the fans, I think we are going to be very, very difficult to beat.”

  The USMNT hasn't shown that yet. It sure would be helpful if they did soon.

Everton’s ongoing search for a reliable winger has become one of the defining narratives of their pre-season.

Following the departures of Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom, both of whom returned to their parent clubs after loan spells last term, manager David Moyes faces mounting pressure to reinforce his squad’s attacking width.

The club has cast a wide net in pursuit of fresh talent, but so far, the results have been disappointing.

One key target, Lyon’s Malick Fofana, one of Ligue 1’s most exciting young prospects, looks to have turned down a £31.5m move, reportedly preferring a move to a club competing in the Champions League.

That has left Everton to identify alternatives capable of filling the void quickly.

Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo has also been linked with a move to Goodison Park, but the Spanish side’s insistence on his £51.9m relegation release clause makes negotiations difficult.

Meanwhile, Como’s Assane Diao, who has impressed since arriving from Real Betis, is another name in the mix, but competition for his signature is fierce.

One of the most intriguing potential signings is Southampton’s 19-year-old Tyler Dibling, with the Toffees said to have made a £27m bid for his services. That offer was swiftly rejected, with it yet to be seen if a renewed approach will arrive.

Dibling is a player with a promising future and has attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Dibling’s natural aggressiveness and ability to influence matches through direct running rather than intricate passing are traits increasingly valuable in modern football.

However, despite these qualities, Dibling remains largely unproven at the highest level.

Everton’s immediate needs may demand more than promise and potential.

Everton looking at Dibling alternative

Enter Jack Grealish. The 29-year-old England international has become a focal point of speculation in the Everton transfer saga.

Left out of Manchester City’s Club World Cup squad last December and struggling to find consistent game time, Grealish is reportedly available for transfer.

As per TEAMtalk, while his hefty £300k per week salary complicates the possibility of a permanent deal, Everton are willing to make a substantial loan bid in order to bring him in. There is said to be optimism on Merseyside that a deal can be struck.

Grealish’s versatility is a major asset. He can operate both as a winger and as an attacking midfielder, providing Moyes with tactical flexibility.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

While last season saw him limited to just 721 minutes, his previous campaigns have demonstrated his class at the highest level.

Why Grealish could be the upgrade Everton need

According to data from FBref, during the 2022/23 treble-winning season, Grealish was a creative powerhouse, boasting 6.27 progressive carries per 90 minutes and averaging 4.55 shot-creating actions.

His pass completion rate was an impressive 84.1%, and he made nearly 34 touches in the attacking third every game.

This kind of influence and creativity is precisely what Everton have been missing.

Pep Guardiola, speaking in February following an FA Cup fourth-round win, encapsulated this spirit perfectly:

“Jack is one of those players that came to fight in these stadiums when the people shout; he is a fighter.”

This, combined with a proven record in the Premier League and international football, marks Grealish out as a safer bet compared to younger, less experienced targets.

Looking deeper into the profiles of Grealish and Dibling reveals the dilemma Everton face between short-term reliability and long-term potential.

Dibling’s statistical profile impresses in terms of physicality and defensive contribution.

He ranks in the 90th percentile or higher for several key metrics: fouls drawn (2.49 per 90), tackles in the midfield third (0.86), and percentage of dribblers tackled (61.5%).

He also ranks highly for shots blocked and successful take-ons, underscoring his combative style and willingness to engage opponents directly.

In an era where many players focus on limited touches and rapid distribution, Dibling’s approach of moving the ball with pace by dribbling is a distinctive asset that could unlock defences.

However, Dibling’s end product at the Premier League level remains limited: just two goals and one assist in a full season of appearances.

Everton’s current squad demands players who can immediately influence the attacking phase, and Dibling still has work to do to reach that level consistently.

Grealish, on the other hand, offers proven creativity and goal involvement at the top tier. With 27 Premier League goals and 39 caps for England, his experience is vast.

His impact when fully fit is undeniable.

His progressive passing and dribbling numbers during his peak season reflect a player capable of dictating play and carving open defences.

Furthermore, Everton’s financial situation means a loan deal for Grealish could provide immediate quality without a long-term financial commitment, balancing ambition and pragmatism.

Ultimately, Everton’s winger conundrum highlights a broader strategic choice: invest in a young, unproven talent with high potential or secure an experienced player who can deliver now.

Given the team’s recent struggles and urgent need for creativity, Grealish appears to be the upgrade Everton need, even if only temporarily.

The new James Rodriguez: Everton readying offer for "special" PL star

Moyes wants to reinforce Everton’s attack this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Jul 30, 2025

Manchester United are probing the market for reinforcements and could now be about to strike to bring one of the best players in the world to Old Trafford, per a report.

Manchester United ambitions at high bar courtesy of Ruben Amorim

After a wretched campaign last term, Ruben Amorim will hope some major tweaks can help his side enjoy a far more successful time of things in the Premier League, alongside putting up a better challenge in both cup competitions.

No European football has taken a financial toll at the club. Still, bringing in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon for a combined £140.5 million is a sign that INEOS are serious about bringing glory back to Old Trafford by investing in the playing squad.

Sharing that ambition, Amorim has claimed Manchester United can win the Premier League or Champions League again due to their pedigree as one of football’s most successful clubs.

He stated: “I know it’s a massive gap from where we finished – but it’s Manchester United. We need to return to Europe. I have no doubts.

“There are some things you cannot buy that this club has: pedigree, history, fans. With all these things, if we have a different culture, we can return to our place.”

Manchester United’s results in pre-season

Manchester United 0-0 Leeds United

Manchester United 2-1 West Ham United

Manchester United 4-1 Bournemouth

Manchester United 2-2 Everton

Laying claim to the Premier League Summer Series trophy may prove to be a solid foundation to build on as Amorim’s players continue to acclimatise to his style. However, there are still too many faces needing replaced to breed a new culture of success.

Financially, the Red Devils may need to scope out ways of recruiting quality without major transfer fees involved, and they could now be about to submit a bid for a world-renowned star who could be available this summer.

Manchester United set to submit bid for Gianluigi Donnarumma

According to Stretty News, Manchester United are preparing a £26 million bid for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, which may be enough to tempt him to England as he enters the last year of his deal in France.

The Italy international has been subject of heavy interest from Turkey this window and also rejected a £20 million-a-year contract to join Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

Contending for this year’s Ballon d’Or, Donnarumma kept 17 clean sheets in 47 matches for Paris Saint-Germain and played a pivotal role in their run to becoming holders of the Champions League.

Interest in his services from Manchester United has been well-documented in recent weeks, though his arrival would likely plunge the future of Andre Onana between the sticks into major doubt.

Lucas Chavelier has been brought in at Paris Saint-Germain, signifying a change of guard between the sticks, and the Red Devils could be set to follow suit if they can find an agreeable package for all parties between now and the close of play on the market.