Stories By Graham Ruthven

• Sport

  Maddison has quickly filled the void as Spurs’ main man.

  James Maddison was Ange Postecoglou’s third signing following his appointment as Tottenham Hotspur manager this summer, but it was the first signing that truly reflected the influence of the Australian at his new club.

• Sport

  Sterling is back to his best under Pochettino

  If the 1-1 draw against Liverpool on opening weekend of the new Premier League season was a tentative step forward for Chelsea, Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham was certainly a step backwards again.

• Sport

  Pape Matar Sarr has a bright future

  The Ange Postecoglou era has well and truly started at Tottenham Hotspur. While Spurs were far from perfect against Manchester United on Saturday, there was enough in their performance to suggest the Australian’s ideas and methods are starting to take root.

• Sport

  Maguire would be a much better fit at West Ham

  Harry Maguire’s Manchester United career ultimately became a pantomime. This was evident throughout pre-season when the 30-year-old was frequently booed and jeered by his own supporters. Every mistake made by Maguire added to the evidence that doesn’t have the skill set to play for Erik Ten Hag’s team.

• Sport

  Haaland could be even more dangerous this season

  Four minutes was all Erling Haaland needed to open his account for the 2023/24 Premier League season. Within 36 minutes, the Norwegian striker had doubled his tally, netting the first two goals in Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

• Sport

  Jackson must use Nkunku injury to nail down Chelsea starting spot

  Chelsea suffered a lot of problems last season as they struggled through their worst campaign of the Premier League era, but the number nine issue was one that did more damage than most. Without a designated centre forward, the Blues were toothless.

• Sport

  Gvardiol can become the best centre back in the world at Manchester City

  Only one defender in Premier League history cost more than the £77m Manchester City paid to sign Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig last week. Harry Maguire still sits at the top of the list as the most expensive Premier League defender of all-time and most expect Gvardiol to far eclipse the achievements of the England international.

• Sport

  Bellingham already showing his leadership qualities at Real Madrid

  Some players are just made to play for Real Madrid. It takes a certain type of character to thrive in the Spanish capital. The pressure of being a Galactico has crushed several players in the past, but it seems unlikely Jude Bellingham will become another one.

• Sport

  Nicolas Jackson has the potential to thrive at Chelsea

  It took Nicolas Jackson just 12 minutes for the Senegalese striker to showcase his ability in Chelsea’s 1-1 pre-season draw against Newcastle United. The Blues spent €35m to sign Jackson from Villarreal with most expectant he would be a development player for Mauricio Pochettino, but the early signs point to the 22-year-old being more important than that.

• Sport

  Captaincy could bring the best out of Bruno Fernandes for Man Utd

  Bruno Fernandes’ quality has never been in doubt, but he hasn’t always given the impression of being a natural leader. At Anfield last season, for example, the Portuguese midfielder was criticised for what many considered petulance as Manchester United suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

• Sport

  Mbappe’s move to Saudi Arabia would change the face of European football

  In recent times, Kylian Mbappe has been the subject of more transfer gossip than any other football player on the planet. Barely a day passes without a new thread of speculation about his future being woven.

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