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Sergio Reguilon admits that emotions got the better of him in a first Clasico appearance, as he called Lionel Messi a “flea” & Luis Suarez “ugly”.

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• Defender was fired up for Blaugrana clash
• Admits he let emotions get the better of him
• Cried after Man Utd defeat in Carabao Cup

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The hard-working full-back was handed a taste of one of the biggest grudge matches in world football back in 2018-19. He had stepped out of Real Madrid’s academy system and was offered an opportunity to line up against a star-studded Barcelona side in February 2019.

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• WHAT REGUILON SAID

  Reguilon actually faced Barca in back-to-back fixtures at Santiago Bernabeu, as old adversaries locked horns in Copa del Rey and La Liga competition, with the youngster eager to impress. He certainly made an impression, with footage of him aiming insults at Messi and Suarez going viral on YouTube. Reguilon has told of those incidents: “I was young, too emotional, my first Clasico. Unbelievable game, my best for Real Madrid for sure. We lost but I played really well.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Emotions are something that Reguilon has always struggled to contain, with the now 27-year-old admitting to shedding a few tears after forming part of the Manchester United side that lost to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup fourth round during a disappointing loan spell at Old Trafford. He added: “We were defending the title and we were out. I don’t care if I am here for six months, I was upset. I don’t know how long I was crying like a kid. Bruno [Fernandes] comes to tell me to relax and I still have the same shit face. Maybe I am too passionate, too emotional in some moments but I can’t control.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR REGUILON?

  The Spain international defender is now on the books at Brentford, having secured another loan move away from Tottenham in January, and is approaching a big summer when it comes to long-term decisions on his future.

The mood is beginning to shift at Manchester United following back-to-back wins against Burnley and Crystal Palace, with much of that renewed positivity having been centred around the form of promising midfielder, Hannibal Mejbri.

Having scored his first goal for the club off the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion, the 20-year-old has since started each of the last two games, notably impressing with his relentless display away at Turf Moor last week as he ran a whopping 12.9km – more than any United player since records began in 2019.

Despite the competition for places in midfield at present, following the arrivals of Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount, the Tunisian international looks to have firmly forced his way into Erik ten Hag's plans, with the aim now to build on this bright start to life in the senior set-up.

For all the hype surrounding the former Monaco starlet, however, there is potentially another talent who could have shined even brighter in the midfield ranks at Old Trafford had he not departed in recent times, in the form of one-time "wonderkid" Angel Gomes – as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Why did Angel Gomes leave Man United?

Lauded as an "unbelievable" asset by then academy chief, Nicky Butt, the 23-year-old looked set to be a future star at the Theatre of Dreams after being handed his first-team debut at the age of just 16 back in 2017, replacing club legend Wayne Rooney on the final day of the season at home to Palace.

A further nine senior appearances would be awarded to the diminutive playmaker, yet he was never able to truly cement a place for himself in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ranks, amid lingering issues regarding his contract situation.

As it proved, the England youth international rejected any offers of an extension from United amid concerns over securing regular game time in Solskjaer's side, eventually departing in the summer of 2020 following the expiry of his deal.

That failure to tie down the "very talented" maestro – as lauded by Butt – appears to have come back to bite the Red Devils, particularly with Gomes having simply "exploded" since leaving Manchester, in the words of journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos.

How good is Angel Gomes?

Currently on the books at Ligue 1 side Lille, the London-born sensation notably came to prominence after spending time at Portuguese outfit, Boavista following his United exit, scoring six goals and registering six assists in just 36 games for the Primeira Liga side.

Now in France, the 5 foot 6 ace has chipped in with six goals and ten assists in 78 games in all competitions, including racking up three goals and six assists across all fronts last term – more than Mejbri achieved in the Championship with Birmingham City, having scored once and also registered six assists in 41 games.

That stellar rise of late has ensured that Gomes is also now said to be worth in the region of €20m (£17m) – according to CIES Football Observatory – with that again higher than young Mejbri at present – €10m (£9m).

A truly gifted technician, the ex-United man notably ranks in the top 1% among attacking midfielders in Europe's top five leagues for pass completion at an average of 87.6% per 90 and in the top 11% for progressive passes per 90 at an average of 5.64 per 90 – with Mejbri, by contrast, averaging just 63.6% and 3.41 for those same two metrics, respectively.

Now believed to be on the radar of Gareth Southgate at senior international level, Gomes was only recently part of the England U21 side that claimed European Championship glory over the summer, having started in six of the seven games in the competition.

That success is yet a further indication of the majestic talent that Solskjaer and co let slip from their grasp, with current boss Ten Hag likely to have loved to have such an asset on his hands.

Aston Villa women's star Alisha Lehmann was among the crowd on a famous European night at Villa Park as the Villans routed Ajax.

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• Lehmann among crowd on big night
• Villa cruise to Conference quarter-finals
• Miserable return to English soil for Henderson

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The famous old stadium was a sell out as Villa welcomed their illustrious opponents for a last-sixteen clash that was finely poised at 0-0 after the first-leg in Amsterdam. Lehmann had no problems getting hold of a ticket however, and happily posted some shots of herself under the floodlights just before kick off on Thursday evening.

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• WHAT ALISHA LEHMANN SAID

  Lehmann posted some hugs and kisses emojis and the hashtag #UTV — shorthand for 'Up The Villa' as she geared up to watch Unai Emery's side dismantle their Dutch opponents.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Swiss international would have been delighted as Villa emphatically booked their place in the last-eight with a thumping 4-0 victory, especially with the first two goals created by Lehmann's partner Douglas Luiz. The result continued Villa's surging season and brings the prospect of some European silverware into tantalising view.

  For their opponents it was another demoralising result in a troubled campaign and a tough return home for Jordan Henderson who was given a rough ride by the home crowd on the day he retained his place in Gareth Southgate's England squad.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA?

  Villa's men take a trip to that other Claret and Blue side flying in Europe, West Ham, on Sunday. Lehmann and company head the opposite direction to take on Everton on Merseyside on Saturday afternoon.

Tottenham Hotspur signing an in-form star is "on the cards" this winter, and it is believed that manager Ange Postecoglou is personally a "big fan".

Will Spurs sign anyone in January?

While Spurs are absolutely flying under Postecoglou so far this campaign, enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League campaign and most superior since the 1960/1961 season, there is still work to be done on the signings front. Recent Spurs transfer rumours suggest they're chasing the signing of a new central defender for January, with Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson, Juventus star Gleison Bremer, Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly and Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba all mentioned as rumoured Tottenham targets.

Meanwhile, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg news over the last few weeks indicates that the Denmark international is now considering his options in the winter window. Juventus are apparently eyeing a move for the Spurs midfielder, who has since found himself on the periphery of Postecoglou's first team despite being a mainstay under Antonio Conte last term. As a result, Chelsea star Conor Gallagher is one of the names under consideration, if he doesn't end up signing a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

While Tottenham are really impressing without star striker Harry Kane, who joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in a multi-million pound move over the summer window, it has also been claimed that a new number nine could join Spurs in 2024. Indeed, the likes of Brentford star Ivan Toney and even marquee Napoli striker Victor Osimhen have been linked in this regard.

Santiago Gimenez transfer news

Another striker who's found himself on the list of Tottenham transfer targets is Feyenoord star Santiago Gimenez. The Mexico international has scored an exceptional 12 goals in just eight Eredivisie appearances this season, making him one of the most in-form strikers in Europe. Postecoglou is currently lacking an out-and-out striker of real quality, with Son Heung-min instead dazzling in a more central role.

The South Korea international has been one of Tottenham's players of the season so far, but if they're to maintain their place among England's most elite sides, more strength in depth may be required. According to TEAMtalk, Gimenez is a candidate to fill Kane's shoes and could even join as soon as January.

Sharing their information at the bottom of a piece about Tiago Pinto, they claim the 22-year-old's potential move to Spurs is "on the cards" for the new year. They add that Postecoglou is personally a "big fan" of Gimenez, who may become one of European football's hottest commodities next year.

The North American, branded a "machine" by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, has been praised by sections of the press for his excellent form this season. Journalist Graeme Bailey, recently sharing his own update on Tottenham's transfer plans to the Talking Transfers Podcast, absolutely heralded Gimenez as one to watch.

“Santiago Gimenez looks sensational by the way, he looks so good. He looks amazing to me,” Bailey said. “Teams have been watching Feyenoord, of which there is a few, they are the best team in Holland, we know Arsenal and Tottenham have been watching Gimenez as of late.”

Alex Djiku revealed the harrowing experience he endured as Fenerbahce faced violent attacks from Trabzonspor fans following their 3-2 Super Lig win.

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• Fenerbahce players attacked
• Tension boiled over after the final whistle
• Djiku opens up on experience

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  At the final whistle, scenes of violence unfolded as Trabzonspor fans stormed the pitch, targeting Fenerbahce players. Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic was punched, while players Michy Batshuayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel found themselves embroiled in altercations with home supporters.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The longstanding rivalry between the two clubs has been fraught with tension, escalating since the dramatic 2011 league title win by Fenerbahce, secured on goal difference to the detriment of their opponents. And the late victory in Sunday's match, which kept Fenerbahce two points behind title rivals Galatasaray, further heightened tensions between the clubs.

• WHAT DJIKU SAID

  In an interview with Djiku expressed the fear that gripped him and his teammates during the violent onslaught.

  "There was a feeling of fear for our lives, because when a supporter is ready to do battle you never know what might happen," he said.

  "The start of the game went very well, both on and off the pitch, with us winning 2-0. In the second half, the fans started throwing water bottles, coins and smoke bombs.

  "The referee, the stadium announcer and the Trabzonspor players repeatedly asked the fans to calm down to avoid stopping the match. At the final whistle, we celebrated the victory in the middle of the pitch – as we do at every match – given that we were playing against the third-placed team and that Galatasaray had won against Kasimpasa. We saw one fan enter the pitch and within seconds several more, until the stewards were completely overwhelmed. Hundreds of people were coming towards us and the pitch was completely invaded.

  "We all went in at the same time on the recommendation of the stewards and with the help of the Trabzonspor players. It all happened very quickly. Some of my team-mates had no choice but to defend themselves to save their lives. Personally, I was lucky not to have been hit, unlike my team-mate Livakovic and some others."

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• INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY TO NAB THE CULPRITS

  The reprehensible actions of the supporters have drawn widespread condemnation, with Turkey's interior minister Ali Yerlikaya and FIFA President Gianni Infantino both denouncing the violence. An investigation has been launched to address the incident and hold those responsible to account.

  "When we arrived in the dressing room we were still in shock and dismay at what had just happened," said Djiku. "We didn't think that celebrating a victory could lead to so much happening. The safety of footballers should be the sole responsibility of clubs. We felt that it was extremely sad for both teams and for Turkish football in terms of the images that were sent back."

West Ham United won the Europa Conference League last season after keeping the faith in manager David Moyes, who was struggling to replicate his past success in the Premier League.

The Hammers currently top their Europa League group after two matches, having qualified for continental competition despite finishing 16th in the league last season after winning the Conference League.

The return to Thursday night football also means that the east London outfit are now enjoying their fourth successive term on the European scene, and will undoubtedly be targetting further silverware after getting a taste in June.

They are doing so without Declan Rice, with the coveted England international joining Arsenal in a £105m transfer in the summer having risen from the Irons academy to a position as one of the game's finest midfielders.

His development will have been galvanising for the club's latest crop of youthful talent to witness, who know that they too could tread the path that the 24-year-old was walked.

Moyes might want to make use of such players to fill the gaps, with a host of first-teamers, including Aaron Cresswell, set to depart at the end of the season.

Is Aaron Cresswell going to leave West Ham?

With multiple aces currently enjoying their final term at West Ham, Moyes and his transfer team will indeed be discussing internally the options possible to continue the rich vein of form that has stretched, by and large, across four campaigns now.

Of course, this will arrive in a blend of new additions, youth players and the inevitable extensions for one or two possible departees.

One player on the list who likely will be headed for the exit is Cresswell, who would complete a decade of service to United upon his contract's expiry, having joined from Ipswich Town for around £2m in 2014.

Having made 332 appearances, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers were both interested in his signature over the summer but he ultimately remained in London.

Despite his ageing years, Cresswell still maintains his fantastic ball-playing ability, with FBref ranking him among the top 11% of full-backs across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 19% for passes attempted and the top 10% for progressive passes per 90.

The £50k-per-week ace has been a solid and significant stalwart in West Ham's progress over recent years, with his role at the club leading talkSPORT's Tony Cascarino to hail him as an "unsung hero" for the club.

But given that he is out of contract at the end of the campaign, his journey might now be set to reach its culmination, especially given his dwindling presence on the pitch over the past few years.

Because of this, the time might be right to start providing youngster Regan Clayton with added responsibility, with the academy starlet boasting all the attributes to succeed at West Ham and serve as Cresswell's heir.

Who is Regan Clayton?

Clayton has been at West Ham's academy since he was ten, having shone during his formative years and now moves within reach of a senior debut in the not-too-distant future.

Citing Bayern Munich phenom Alphonso Davies as his inspiration, the 18-year-old is electric, unflinching and eager to contribute to offensive passages of play whenever he can, with such dynamic qualities custom-made for a place in a Moyes team.

The club's Scottish manager is perhaps known for his conservative, disciplined philosophy, but would certainly scoff at the 'defensive football' tag at the London Stadium, having scored more goals than Chelsea and Manchester United this season and led West Ham to new, silver-laden heights since his appointment.

A more accurate description is that he instils resilience and solidity and in return breeds fluidity in transition, with overlapping full-backs opening pockets for offensive focal points to work laterally across the frontline.

Clayton would be a fantastic addition to this system, and the teenage talent actually benefits from the rich resources the club currently offers at left-back.

Emerson is considered the Irons' first-choice option, while Ben Johnson offers flexibility across both full-back positions; Cresswell is now a veteran but still brings his creative, rounded skill set to the table.

Davies might be Clayton's idol but it is his senior teammate who is the role model, remarking at the 33-year-old's protean ability across the spectrum of a defender's game.

What is Regan Clayton's style of play?

Now a seasoned veteran at youth level, Clayton has chalked up 90 appearances for the Irons' development squads, posting five goals and assists apiece.

Last season, the prodigy even earned a place on the bench on two occasions in the Conference League for the Hammers – meaning he received a winners medal – emphasising the trust already placed in his ability.

Robson said: “Regan Clayton came in from the U18s and I thought he did excellent when he came on and added some quality, and it’s great we get that level from these lads coming into the U23s.”

One scout was particularly impressed by his displays in a less-favoured centre-back role, claiming that he "has anticipated and defended transitions excellently. Using his intelligence to negate his lack of height at the back."

Such intellect and understanding on the pitch will be crucial in taking the steps towards first-team involvement, but based on the current evidence, he truly is well on the way to realising this.

While Clayton will likely need to build some minutes at U21 level before Moyes decides that he is ready for the senior side, he is set for a big role under Robson this season and could find himself on Premier League soil in no time.

The fact that Emerson, Johnson and co ply their trade at the club should really be viewed as a positive; Clayton can develop and absorb the fruits of his peers' labour, and steadily work his way to the top – a position very much attainable for so talented a prospect.

Chelsea reportedly face the threat of a “more severe” points deduction than Everton and Nottingham Forest as a result of their elaborate spending.

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• Toffees & Reds have been punished
• Blues facing threat of similar action
• Have to sell in order to balance books

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Since the Todd Boehly-led ownership team took charge at Stamford Bridge in May 2022, the Blues have splashed out more than £1 billion ($1.3bn) in the transfer market. Premier League teams are only allowed to post losses of up to £105m ($134m) across a three-year period, leaving Chelsea at serious risk of incurring the same kind of penalties as Everton and Forest – who have had six and four points taken off them respectively in the 2023-24 campaign.

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  WHAT FOOTBALL FINANCE EXPERT SAID

  Football Finance expert, Stefan Borson, has told of where Chelsea stand at present: “There was an assumption with Mason Mount, because he was announced on Manchester United’s website on July 1 that [his sale] had been put into this current season. So the £55m ($70m) of profit was in this season. It now transpires that Mason Mount appears to have been transacted in 2022-23 and that is how they got through [FFP rules]. We also know from the BlueCo accounts that they are currently, from the post-balance sheet events, that they are something like £48m ($61m) in profit for this year. But of course, this year from an operating perspective, is going to be even worse than last year because they've got no Champions League and no Europe at all.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He added on what Chelsea need from the next window: “Really, they have to find buyers for Trevoh Chalobah for £20m ($26m), Armando Broja for £40m ($51m), and Conor Gallagher for £50m ($64m). It's those sort of deals that need to be done. And by the way, they all need to be done by June 30. That, as we know, is articulated within the Forest decision. There's a whole conversation about how hard it is to sell players in the period before June. The Premier League actually suggested that more or less that it was impossible.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  With that in mind, and with the Blues struggling to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Borson went on to say when asked if the west London heavyweights could be stung with harsher punishments than those that have already been handed out: “Yeah. Well, possibly more severe. I think the scale of the losses they're currently forecasting, to me, appear to be vastly in excess of both Everton and Nottingham Forest.”

Leeds United have made a fine start to life back in the Championship this season as they have made themselves play-off contenders so far.

The Whites are currently sitting in fifth-place and have only lost two league matches in 11 outings under German head coach Daniel Farke, who was brought in to replace Sam Allardyce over the summer.

A number of players were snapped up in order to bolster the ex-Norwich City boss' squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, following their relegation from the Premier League.

Jaidon Anthony, Joel Piroe, Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, Sam Byram, Djed Spence, Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev, and Ethan Ampadu were all signed either on loan or on permanent deals.

Despite the side's strong start to the season, the upcoming January transfer window will provide Farke with an opportunity to improve his team again.

One player whom he must look to reignite his interest in is Genk ace Joseph Paintsil, who would thrive alongside Georgino Rutter if the talented whiz can adapt to English football.

Were Leeds interested in Joseph Paintsil?

The Athletic reported that Leeds made an offer of €10m (£8.7m) to sign the Ghana international during the summer transfer window.

It was stated at the time that the player's preference was a move to Elland Road after a transfer to Championship rivals Southampton had fallen through, due to Paintsil and Paul Onuachu – who was set to go the other way – opting against the switch.

However, the Whites were unable to get a deal over the line for the exciting forward and it has since been revealed, by the player, that it was due to reasons out of their control.

Paintsil claimed that he was not interested in a move to Southampton or Leeds as his dream is to play in the Premier League, or in one of the other major European leagues.

The £8.7m-rated whiz added that it was not about Farke's side being a 'bad' team but he could not be convinced to make the drop down to the Championship at that moment in time.

However, the German head coach could make a more convincing case to persuade the Genk star to join the Yorkshire-based outfit in January if his team are well in the race for promotion to the top-flight.

The player has confirmed that his dream is to play at the top level in England and Leeds could offer him a good chance to join a side that could be promoted to that level if they are in the play-off, or automatic, mix by the time that January comes around.

Why were Leeds interested in Paintsil?

Farke and the club may have been interested in a deal to sign the Ghana international due to his phenomenal form for Genk throughout the 2022/23 campaign.

The 25-year-old winger showcased his ability to score and create goals at an impressive rate in the Belgian top-flight and his statistics suggest that he could have been a superb addition to Leeds' squad.

Paintsil was a regular for his side over the course of the campaign as he made 36 league appearances and started 36 times, with an average of 81 minutes per outing, as per Sofascore.

The right-footed whiz was lethal in front of goal and proved himself to be a reliable option to chip in with goals at the top end of the pitch from a wide position.

He ended the Pro League season with a stunning 17 goals from out wide, with only six 'big chances' missed in total. Meanwhile, no Leeds player managed more than 13 league goals last term and no Whites ace has scored more than 17 in a season since Chris Wood in the 2016/17 term.

Paintsil also caught the eye with his ability to carve open the opposition's defence to create opportunities for his teammates. Farke's target created 12 'big chances' and assisted 11 goals in total throughout those 36 outings.

Whereas, no Leeds player produced more than seven assists over the course of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign and no Whites star has hit double figures for assists since Pablo Hernandez did (12) during the 2018/19 Championship season.

These statistics, which were described as "sensational" by Scott Coyne of the Belgian Football Podcast, suggest that the Genk magician has the quality to be a terrific forward for the club and he could thrive alongside Rutter if Farke can snap him up in January.

How has Rutter performed this season?

The French wizard has enjoyed a fantastic start to the campaign and has proven himself to be a big threat at the top end of the pitch at Championship level.

Rutter has contributed with two goals and three assists in nine league starts for the Whites so far this season and has been an exceptional creator for Farke.

The former Hoffenheim prospect has produced ten 'big chances' for his teammates and only been rewarded with three assists for his efforts.

As per FBRef, the 21-year-old maestro ranks within the top 6% of his positional peers at Championship level for xAG (0.49) and shot-creating actions (4.27) per 90.

This essentially means that there are not many players in his position who are able to create high-quality chances as frequently as Rutter.

However, there is work to do with his own finishing as the talented youngster has missed five 'big chances' to go along with his two goals, which suggests that he could be more ruthless in front of goal.

Should Leeds sign Paintsil?

Leeds should, therefore, reignite their interest in Paintsil during the January transfer window as his goalscoring record for Genk suggests that he would thrive alongside Rutter.

The 5 foot 7 talent has proven himself to be a prolific scorer from a wide position and rarely misses presentable opportunities at the top end of the pitch, as shown by his aforementioned statistics from last season.

This suggests that the Whites target would be able to make the most of the chances that the French wizard is putting on a plate for his teammates week-in-week-out.

Paintsil's creative number also indicate that he could provide Rutter with the ammunition he needs to find the back of the net on a regular basis, if the ex-Bundesliga man can find his feet and form in front of goal during the second half of the season.

TalkSPORT pundit and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O'Hara says a once "awful" Spurs player could now be worth "£100 million".

Tottenham 2-0 Fulham

Ange Postecoglou's imperious Lilywhites have maintained their unbeaten start to the season; making it seven wins from a possible nine after Spurs' 2-0 victory over Fulham on Monday evening. Son Heung-min's deadly right-footed finish and another from summer signing James Maddison, 10 minutes either side of half time, sealed a record for Postecoglou – the best ever start made by a new manager in the Premier League.

Supporters, following Antonio Conte's hapless last campaign in charge over 2022/2023, are now in dreamland with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher hailing Tottenham's newly-found exciting style of play under their new popular new head coach.

"Most Spurs fans are not getting too carried away about winning the title. They will be delighted with making the Champions League next season," said the former Liverpool defender.

"They started well last season under Antonio Conte but there wasn't the same excitement. Fans look forward to watching the team play again. It has been a grind for a long time for Spurs and now the style of play brings some excitement back. Tottenham play really brave football. Fans are loving watching their team again."

Postecoglou, though, moved to temper expectations somewhat when speaking to the press; saying that Tottenham can still improve on what they're doing and become an even more formidable side.

"I think I've sat here every week and said that we have a long way to go," said Postecoglou.

"That doesn't change. We are nine games in and we're at the beginning of building something. It would be so much easier for me to sit here and say 'yeah, we're a great team'. What I'm saying is we have to improve and that puts the responsibility on me to make sure we do it. We can be better, absolutely we can."

Usual suspects like Maddison and Son yet again dazzled for the north Londoners last night, but one player who was unable to contribute, due to suspension, was Mali international Yves Bissouma.

Yves Bissouma update

The £25m signing has been one of the major success stories of Postecoglou's early reign; starting every single top flight match for Tottenham before his sending off against Luton Town earlier this month. TalkSPORT pundit O'Hara, speaking to the broadcaster on Monday morning, has heralded the once "awful" Bissouma's transformation and even claims he's now worth "£100 million".

“All of a sudden I look at the side now and think, ‘You know what, we’ve got that kind of team back again’" said O'Hara on talkSPORT.

“[Destiny] Udogie, [Pedro] Porro, [Micky] Van de Ven, James Maddison, you’ve got a side all of a sudden. Bissouma, everyone wrote Bissouma off. Last season, he was absolutely awful. I watched him a couple of times last season and he looked like he had forgotten how to play football.

“Like honestly, it was so bad, it was like watching Gabby [Agbonlahor] playing in midfield. And now it’s turned, Bissouma looks brilliant. He looks like a £100m player.”

In some good news, it's likely Bissouma will return to the line up against Crystal Palace this Friday after serving his one-match suspension.

The Brazil attacker risks being on the outside looking as Los Blancos prepare to revamp their forward line this summer

On March 31, the Santiago Bernabeu crowd prepared to welcome Jude Bellingham back to his still relatively new home. The England midfielder, and La Liga's top scorer, had spent almost a month away from the stadium, a suspension and the international break enforcing his absence.

And while Bellingham broke out his usual bag of tricks against Athletic Club – deft turns, driving runs, angled passes – it was another another Madridista who brought the crowd to their feet. Rodrygo played the role of match-winner in the 2-0 victory, scoring both goals as Los Blancos restored their eight-point lead at the top of La Liga.

It was a performance that reaffirmed Rodrygo's value to Madrid while highlighting the world-class qualities he possess. But for all of Rodrygo's undeniable footballing talent, there is a nagging sense that these might be the final days of his career in Madrid white.

The presumed arrival of Kylian Mbappe this summer will lead to change in the Spanish capital, leaving Rodrygo, still 23 and on the verge of superstardom, with an uphill battle to be a regular starter. It might, then, be time for the Brazilian to consider his future at the Bernabeu.

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  Season so far

  Heading into that Athletic clash, Rodrygo's season seemed to be taking something of a downturn. Despite a number of exciting moments earlier in the campaign, the Brazilian hadn't found the net in 465 minutes of football, going scoreless for seven games despite putting nine shots on target over that spell.

  Regardless of that barren spell, a look at the numbers suggests that Rodrygo is having his best season yet in the Spanish capital. He has scored 15 goals and assisted in eight all competitions, putting him comfortably on pace to surpass his totals of 18 and 11, respectively, from last season. His goals per 90 minutes are also up over last year, despite manager Carlo Ancelotti entrusting him with more time on the pitch.

  He hasn't been perfect, as illustrated by his recent goal drought, and he can still go missing for long periods, especially when stuck out on the right-wing. But Ancelotti has asserted his faith in his mercurial forward.

  “There are very isolated cases of strikers who always score. Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema… With experience, Rodrygo is going to improve in this aspect," the Italian coach said after Sunday's game.

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  Mixed Madrid career

  Consistency is the key to Rodrygo taking the next step. His Madrid career so far has been a story of hot periods in terms of goals and assists mixed in with less prolific runs.

  His lack of time certainly hasn't helped. Last season, Ancelotti never quite made Rodrygo a regular as Federico Valverde, a natural midfielder, occupied some of Rodrygo's minutes on the right of the forward line, while the presence of Benzema made it difficult for the Brazilian to get a look through the middle. He still made 25 league starts, but never enjoyed an extended spell in the side.

  Things were further complicated by public tension with Ancelotti, as Rodrygo told GOAL in 2023 that he felt he was being misused by his manager: "With the 4-2-3-1, behind [Benzema] is the position that I like the most and everyone knows this. I always talk about it with the coach. Of course, I can play in all positions, but that's where it's where I feel more comfortable when it comes to playing."

  The 4-2-3-1 is a system that Ancelotti seldom uses, with the Italian generally preferring his team to play in a 4-3-3, though he has switched to a 4-4-2 diamond in 2023 to get the best out of Bellingham while not having a direct replacement for the departed Benzema. Rodrygo's frustrations boiled over in January 2023, when the forward ignored Ancelotti after being substituted in a 3-2 win over Villarreal in the Copa del Rey.

  When he has been on the pitch, Rodrygo has lived his Madrid career in big moments. Game-changing actions in the Champions League – where he averages a goal or assist every 89 minutes – and Club World Cup final alone have proven his worth to the side. Still, until this season, it felt like he hadn't fully hit his stride.

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  Tactical conundrum

  There remains a nagging sense that Rodrygo has never quite found his best position in a Madrid shirt. His insistence that he is not a central striker has been backed up by his lack of goals when deployed in that area (he has scored more from the right-wing), though Ancelotti's move to utlisie him as one of two split strikers has gotten Rodrygo involved in play more.

  The Brazilian is now often found cutting into his favoured central areas where he can combine with Vinicius Jr and Bellingham. Still, a look at his recent performances in a Brazil shirt – where he was allowed to drop into more of a false nine role – are more indicative of what Rodrygo at his best can look like. For the Selecao, he is allowed to receive the ball between the midfield and defensive lines, link play and drive at the defence.

  That position, currently occupied by Bellingham in the Madrid team, will simply never be available as long as the England international is in Spain.

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  Mbappe's arrival

  The window of opportunity for Rodrygo to make an impact appears to be shrinking even more. Mbappe has been linked with a move to Madrid for years, and, admittedly not for the first time, there is pretty compelling evidence to suggest that it will happen imminently.

  Depending on which version of the story you believe, Mbappe may have already agreed a deal with Los Blancos. Rodrygo himself all-but confirmed it earlier this week, saying after the Athletic Club win: "I don't know about Mbappe yet. I think it's close because everyone says it."

  Though the player is willing and there will be no transfer fee to pay, Mbappe's arrival at Madrid will still not be straightforward. It will represent an immense financial commitment from Los Blancos, and also come with certain demands from the player. Mbappe will not run the club, but he will expect to be granted some tactical freedom, meaning there is no doubt that he will be the team's starting No.9.