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The England opener has opened up a controversial episode in his career saying it was ‘a really, really tough time’

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Oct-2024Ben Duckett has lifted the lid on the incident that saw him sent home from Australia during the 2017-18 Ashes after pouring a drink over James Anderson, revealing Anderson threw a drink over him first before feeling bad and encouraging Duckett to return the favour.Duckett was part of the Lions tour at the time, desperate to add to four Test caps picked up from tours of Bangladesh and India at the end of 2016. The indiscretion ended up setting him back as he was sent home with a fine and suspension from the ECB. He eventually returned to the Lions set-up at the end of 2018.The incident took place before the third Test against Australia, at Perth’s Avenue Bar, with England 2-0 down and subject to intense scrutiny of their off-field behaviour. The venue had already gained notoriety on the tour after Jonny Bairstow “greeted” Cameron Bancroft at the bar by butting heads ahead of the series, a story that emerged with falsely malicious undertones during the culmination of England’s loss at the Gabba in the first Test.Related

• Duckett 'poured drink over' Anderson

• Bairstow 'headbutt' allegations 'blown out of proportion' – Strauss

• Dynamic Duckett gives England a puncher's chance on turning deck

The ECB was already on high alert heading to Australia after Ben Stokes was charged with affray in September of that year, before being found not guilty in 2018. Duckett’s misdemeanour ended up being the final straw, prompting a midnight curfew instilled following the Bairstow-Bancroft episode to be made permanent, though it has been relaxed intermittently since.At the time, head coach Trevor Bayliss could not contain his anger, telling reporters: “It’s a fairly trivial incident but, in the current climate, it’s just not acceptable”. Anderson used his column in the to downplay what he regarded as “a pretty silly incident”.Both Bayliss and managing director Andrew Strauss – who had to insist England players were not “thugs” after losing the first Test in the wake of the Bairstow’s “headbutt” – put their foot down as allegations of a booze culture prevailed. England ended up succumbing to a 4-0 series defeat. By then, Duckett had already returned home as part of the collateral.Seven years on, Duckett is an established international, and with Anderson now retired – though he remains part of the Test set-up as a bowling consultant – he is comfortable clarifying that he was not the instigator on that fateful night in Perth, and that he feared his England career was over.”Jimmy actually threw a drink on me, but no one knows about that,” Duckett told podcast. “And then said, ‘oh, we’re just messing around. You can just lob one on my head. That’s fine.’ Genuinely. So then I just poured one on his head and the security guard saw me from the ECB, who looks after us, and it filtered back.”That was kind of basically the story. We carried on the rest of the night together, getting on well. That’s the story that’s got blown up. Then obviously when things start getting out in the media and everyone’s saying all this stuff, then everyone believes that like that. And as soon as a story or a headline’s out there, ‘well that’s what happened then’.”But then you can’t really come out and say what I’ve just said, because I’m a young lad trying to break into the England team. It’s one of the best ever England players, you know? And people didn’t really want to hear me.The 2017-18 Ashes tour was largely a miserable one for England•Getty Images

“It was actually a really, really tough time. People look back and it’s probably funny and stuff like that. But when you’re in Australia and you’re kind of being told you can’t go to training, you can’t play – it’s a lonely place for a 22-year-old.”And being in Australia, you’re not getting much sympathy from any anyone out there, are you? But yeah, it was one of those things where… it feels like your world’s ending. The time difference, you’re not speaking to family much. The lads around me in that group at the time were amazing.”Duckett’s subsequent emergence as an England regular across has allowed him to put a positive spin on that period of his career. Only Joe Root (2250) has more than Duckett’s 1980 runs since returning to the Test side as an opener at the end of 2022, at a strike rate of 88.55, with four centuries.The left-hander was one of just three batters to average over 50 in the recent 2-1 series defeat to Pakistan. He is also set to be a vital cog in the rejuvenation of the limited overs set-up, led by Test head coach Brendon McCullum who will assume control of England’s white-ball sides in the new year.While Duckett feared for his future after that 2017-18 winter, he believes the resolve it bred has been integral to developing as a mainstay across all three formats.”It’s not that moment that was the issue. It was, you know, for the next 12 months, it was, ‘you’re basically on hold now for a little while’. Which for a 23 [year-old]… that’s kind of a bad time to basically get told you’ve got no chance here.”It does make you grow up a little bit faster and stuff and dealing with what I had to deal with probably made me a little bit more resilient as a person and probably a bit tougher.”All these things now, in a really weird way, I wouldn’t change much of it because, where I am right now, when I play for England, it’s like I don’t want to give that shirt to anyone else.”I’ve probably not made things easy at times. I’m not a saint and an angel, and I probably was an easy target at the time. That would be the only thing I’ll say – whether it was dealt right or wrong, that’s for people to make their own mind up.”

If Manchester United are to claim silverware for the third season in succession, then once again the Red Devils will largely have Bruno Fernandes to thank for that success, with the club’s talismanic skipper simply dragging his side to the Europa League final.

The 30-year-old has scored seven times in the competition this term – six of which have come in the knockout stages – alongside chalking up five assists, with the Portuguese’s ice-cold penalty notably kickstarting the stunning late comeback at home to Lyon.

Of course, as the captain of a side currently residing in 16th in the Premier League table, the playmaker is not exempt from blame. No player in the current squad is above criticism.

And yet, the murmurings surrounding a potential offer from Saudi Arabia for the former Sporting CP star have only served to reinforce just how vital Fernandes is to this struggling side. As Ruben Amorim put it, he is “one of the top players in the world”.

Perhaps the modern-day equivalent of the great Bryan Robson, a shining figurehead in a far from glorious era for United, Fernandes deserves to be part of a side truly challenging for Premier League and Champions League glory.

First, however, major surgery is needed to strengthen the side around him…

Latest on Man Utd's transfer search

After the dismal Erik ten Hag-led transfer policy, which revolved around Eredivisie-based or Dutch imports, it would appear that the INEOS regime are seeking a change in tact this time around, amid reports that the club are ready to raid the Premier League for high-profile talents.

Indeed, the two leading candidates to arrive at Old Trafford this summer appear to be Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap, with the exciting pair – who have scored 27 league goals between them – looking set to depart Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town, respectively.

Aside from that duo, however, Football Insider are also reporting that Amorim and co are now in ‘pole position’ to sign Bournemouth sensation, Antoine Semenyo, amid the Ghanaian’s standout season on the south coast.

Transfer Focus

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

As per the report, the chances of United landing the 25-year-old are ‘likely to be boosted’ if they secure Europa League glory next week, with the club potentially needing to fend off Arsenal and Newcastle United in the battle for his services.

This comes amid recent speculation which suggested that INEOS were willing to fork out £38m to sign the former Bristol City man, albeit with it yet to be seen whether the Cherries would accept anything less than their £60m asking price.

If United can win the race for the forward’s signature, he could represent the perfect addition to help revive Amorim’s limp forward line.

Why Semenyo could thrive at Man Utd

As the defeat to West Ham United showcased, this is a Manchester United side devoid of energy and athleticism. As Amorim himself admitted, there was a real “lack of urgency” from his charges.

A particular problem, something which the 40-year-old has also regularly pointed to, is the club’s struggles with ‘physicality’, a factor that has perhaps explained the difference between their success domestically and on the continent.

Bringing Semenyo into the fold could then go some way toward changing that dynamic, with the 25-year-old a simply explosive and electric presence in attack, having been described as “almost unplayable” at times by journalist Ed Aarons.

As former Bristol boss Nigel Pearson stated in the past, the 6 foot 1 ace is “very difficult to play against” due to his “pace and power”, having scored nine league goals this season while operating as a striker or on the flanks.

A player who can stretch a difference with a searing run in behind, Semenyo could then strike up a devastating partnership with that man Fernandes, with United’s “creative machine” – as hailed by Kevin De Bruyne – simply a master at picking out his teammates with a lofted or threaded pass to unlock a defence.

That was notably evident with regard to the Portuguese’s relationship with Marcus Rashford in the past, having jointly contributed to 26 goals alongside the Englishman, while notably providing six assists for his exiled teammate in the Premier League during the 2022/23 campaign.

Interestingly, Rashford is actually noted as a similar player to Semenyo among those in their position across Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref, thus further outlining that he has the attributes to potentially thrive in partnership with Fernandes next season.

While the captain’s long-term role in the side is yet to be decided, he is a creative weapon wherever he is deployed, be it as a number six or a number ten, having again topped the division this term for chances created (88).

All he needs now is teammates to properly thrive on those opportunities. Could Semenyo fit the bill?

Man Utd could sign £150k-a-week Aston Villa star if Bruno Fernandes leaves

He has enjoyed an outstanding season for his current team.

2

By
Henry Jackson

May 12, 2025

Playing shots is not the only way to be positive. Cheteshwar Pujara has shown that to keep his side alive in the Adelaide Test

Sidharth Monga in Adelaide06-Dec-20182:15

Top-order should have batted better – Pujara

“” – Cheteshwar PujaraIndia should get this pro tip – given out originally to the – printed out in a large font, headline it “Commandment of Che” and stick it up on the white board in their dressing room. And carry it everywhere.**Perhaps in a smaller font, they should stick the Commandment of Arvind Pujara too: “To hold your mind for so long is the most difficult part of batting. You decide anything in your life. Let’s say you say you won’t lie today, but somewhere you will end up doing it. So many things happen on a cricket field that can set your mind doing other things than the way you know is best to bat. He is able to bat those long innings because he can hold his mind.”India came to Adelaide with their best chance to beat Australia in a series in Australia but also with a terrible recent record in the first Test of series. Starting with England’s tour of India in 2016-17, India have beaten only West Indies and Sri Lanka in the first Test of a series. The rest involves losses in England and South Africa, one to Australia at home, and a draw against Sri Lanka at home. India came aware of that record.Virat Kohli said they wanted to play “not tentatively”. They wanted to impose themselves early. “Not wait to find out what the condition of the pitch is going to be”, “read it really early”, and “alter our game accordingly”, unlike in South Africa and in England. He didn’t want rash shots, but the focus clearly was on seizing the game early. You live through that prolonged build-up, the photo shoots, the press conferences, you walk out on the first morning of the series, the mind starts racing ahead of the body, you work yourself up, and as it is you are naturally excitable. You feel like being rushed into everything. It must be easier for professionals to hold their mind, but it can’t be easy, and that is the light through which you might want to look at the first session.ALSO READ – Long live the ChesistanceFor starters, India won the toss. They have never lost a Test after Kohli has won the toss. Their last defeat despite winning the toss came four years ago, in Brisbane. They won this toss on a dry hot day, with temperatures expected to nudge 40. They were up against an attack that didn’t have a fifth bowler. This was a great opportunity to put the miles in the bowlers’ legs, make them come back for spell after spell, demoralise the attack. Yet the mind can get ahead of you. Either you don’t trust your defence or you can’t hold your mind, and you start doing things you know are not right.Let’s get a couple of things out of the way. This was not the usual Australian road. Pujara said it took him two sessions to figure out what shots he could play on this pitch. And we will come back to that soon. Also the bowling from Australia was great execution of Test-match plans. Bowl full but not half-volleys. Bowl fast. Exploit the occasional spongy bounce and the occasional seam movement. Cricviz data says the average pace of 144.46 ks over the first 10 overs was Australia’s fastest in a year, and the average pace of 142.78 over 25 overs was the fastest by any team this year.Then there was a new plan to Virat Kohli. Teams target him in the channel outside off when he first walks in, but here he was tucked up and made to play every ball without any room. Of the 16 balls bowled at him, two were short balls, 12 straight at him with square leg plugging the single, and only two were bowled outside off. Kohli had a waft at the second of the sucker balls; it is a plan he will look to counter in the rest of the series.

“Those who have not seen Pujara bat with tail in domestic cricket are the most surprised at this aspect of Pujara’s game: the manipulation of the strike, the big hits; an IPL joke always crops up. Imagine watching highlights with a voiceover that is stunned at watching what you have been doing all your life.”

Every other specialist batsman played a bad shot. Asked a question, each of them responded with shots. You wondered if they didn’t trust their defence or if they couldn’t hold their mind. KL Rahul, bowled or lbw in his last eight innings, looked to play at everything. M Vijay kept fending at short balls, and then flayed at the full one. Ajinkya Rahane’s only response to Nathan Lyon evoked some of the hapless West Indies batsmen in India: just play your shots. Rohit Sharma gave it away after getting set. That after having little time to adjust to the bounce differential in Australia.ALSO READ: ‘One of my top five innings’ – Pujara on his Adelaide hundredAmid all the carnage one man kept trusting his defence, kept trying to understand the situation and conditions to play accordingly. This is what brings him under pressure, if not from the team then from the fans and commentators. “He is getting stuck,” it is said. “He is building the pressure on his partners.” Well, he is just batting, trying to negotiate the tough spell before he can capitalise on a softer ball and a tired attack. Pujara had a control rate of 85%, the joint-best with R Ashwin, whose entire innings was played against the old ball. He left alone 53 balls, 23 more than other specialist batsmen put together.And when it was time to strike, he struck with great vengeance and furious anger, but only because he knew he needed to do so with only the long tail for company. And he took two sessions to know what he could play. Others began to do it in two balls at times.Those who have not seen Pujara bat with the tail in domestic cricket are the most surprised at this aspect of Pujara’s game: the manipulation of the strike, the big hits. An IPL joke always crops up. Imagine watching highlights with a voiceover that is stunned at watching what you have been doing all your life.Hopefully his team-mates aren’t. Thanks to him, they still have a fair chance. They themselves have been at the receiving end of a lost toss and a middling total by an opposition. They know how difficult it can be to chase. They will want their bowlers to make sure Australia are chasing a decent total and not 120-odd. They will want to exploit the weakened batting. They will be thinking all this because one man refused to play shots and chose to understand and play according to the situation. Never forget the Commandment of Che.

أوضح خافيير تيباس، رئيس رابطة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، وجهة نظره في سبب عدم فوز نجم برشلونة لامين يامال بجائزة الكرة الذهبية.

يامال، البالغ من العمر ثمانية عشر عامًا، حلّ ثانيًا في تصويت الكرة الذهبية، خلف الفرنسي عثمان ديمبلي.

فاز عثمان ديمبيلي، مهاجم باريس سان جيرمان، بالكرة الذهبية بعد أن ساهم في فوز فريقه بالثلاثية الموسم الماضي، بما في ذلك لقب دوري أبطال أوروبا لأول مرة في تاريخ النادي.

ويامال توج بجائزة كوبا التي تمنح لأفضل لاعب شاب، وقد حققها للعام الثاني على التوالي، وهو أول لاعب يفوز بها مرتين متتاليتين.

وقال تيباس، وفقًا لما نقلته صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “لو كان عمر يامال يزيد عن 23 عامًا، لكان فاز بها أيضًا، أنا متأكد، ولكن بما أنه كان أصغر سنًا، فقد مُنح الجائزة الأخرى (كوبا)”.

وأضاف تيباس: “إذا استمر على مستواه الحالي، وهو أمر مرجح، أعتقد أنه سيفوز بـ الكرة الذهبية بلا شك”.

ولم يشارك يامال في آخر ثلاث مباريات لبرشلونة بسبب إصابة تعرض لها أثناء مشاركته مع منتخب بلاده إسبانيا في وقت سابق من هذا الشهر.

Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers have ventured down a relatively similar path this season and could now fight it out to sign an Ivory Coast international this summer, per a report.

Everton and Wolves both looking forward with optimism

Not so long ago, Everton and Wolves looked certain to be involved in a prolonged relegation dogfight after their respective poor starts to the Premier League campaign.

Gary O’Neil and Sean Dyche were both relieved of their duties, and it is fair to say their replacements have made a world of difference at both Molineux and Goodison Park as the two clubs look forward to next season in the top-flight.

David Moyes has added a tactical flexibility and change of style at Everton, while Vitor Pereira is becoming a heroic figure in the West Midlands due to his infectious desire to improve their fortunes.

For now, the rest of the campaign takes priority for both sides. However, history will reflect fondly on the defining moment either hierarchy decided a change in the dugout was necessary to preserve their league status.

Loyalty goes a long way in football, and it could always be Moyes or Pereira on the chopping block in months to come, but you would struggle to find too many people harbouring scathing criticisms of either manager.

David Moyes’ record since arriving at Everton

Wins

5

Draws

6

Losses

4

Vitor Pereira’s record since arriving at Wolves

Wins

10

Draws

2

Losses

7

Exciting times could be on the horizon for Everton and Wolves, with the former set to enter a new era at Bramley Moore Dock after so much anticipation over their stadium move.

Nevertheless, the pair mentioned may now lock horns in the pursuit of a talented defender to bolster their ranks ahead of the new season.

Everton and Wolves go head to head for Auxerre defender Clement Akpa

According to Foot Mercato, Everton and Wolves are fighting it out to sign Auxerre defender Clement Akpa and it has been made clear that he is almost certain to leave the Ligue 1 outfit this summer. Eintracht Frankfurt, Hoffenheim and Stuttgart are also keen on the 23-year-old, who has registered one assist in 27 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25.

Their next Fellaini: Moyes driving Everton deal for £90k-p/w "machine"

Everton are expected to strengthen in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 19, 2025

No talks have taken place as of yet, but there is every chance he will be available for a modest fee due to Auxerre’s need to boost their financial situation. Intriguingly, he could become part of a current of French top-flight defenders set for moves to either England or Germany, which also includes the likes of Everton target Facundo Medina.

Becoming an imposing presence for Auxerre, Akpa has won 114 duels this season. Primarily a centre-back, he has also been used in a berth on the left-hand side of their defence, earning 2 caps for Ivory Coast this year.

Versatility is key for any club with aspirations of staying in the Premier League, so it will be intriguing to see the battle commence between Everton and Wolves to land the France-born defender.

Harry Kane insists his full focus is on winning the Club World Cup and that he is not thinking about the Ballon d'Or.

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• Kane dismisses Ballon d'Or talk
• Focusing on Club World Cup
• Wants more silverware

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Kane could be in the running for the individual award after spearheading Bayern's Bundesliga title victory and impressing in the USA would push his case forward further. However the England skipper is adamant it is not on his mind.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT KANE SAID

  Kane said: "Every individual award is the result of what you achieve as a team. Of course, I'm more focused on helping my team, whether with goals, assists, or even without the ball. When you receive an individual award, it's a bonus for what you've achieved during the season. If we win the Club World Cup after the Bundesliga, it would mean we're one of the best teams in Europe and the world. We'll see if that results in a personal award for me, but that's not on my mind right now."

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane finished 10th in the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting, a long way behind runaway top three Rodri, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham. He could benefit from winning his first piece of silverware at club level this year.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

  Kane will be part of the Bayern side that takes on Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica in the group stage of the Club World Cup.

Michael Clarke backs Marnus Labuschagne to come good but has spotted a technical issue

Andrew McGlashan31-Jan-20242:35

Should we be worried about Marnus’ form?

Aaron Finch believes that Australia’s bowling attack has helped paper over some cracks in the batting line-up this season after five Tests that brought just two individual centuries.Australia fell to an eight-run loss against West Indies at the Gabba on Sunday, one of the biggest upsets in Test history, after a collapse of 8 for 94 in a chase of 216. In the first innings they had also been 54 for 5 before Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins led a recovery.Related

Morris suffers side strain, in doubt for New Zealand Tests

No runs for fun: how bowlers are now holding sway in Australia

Ball-by-ball: Shamar Joseph rips through Australia at the Gabba

Takeaways: Batting under scrutiny, Green's evolution and masterful bowling quartet

While the home side had won the previous four Tests of the season, their batting had been under significant pressure since the opening game against Pakistan in Perth where they made 487. Only two individual centuries were scored – by David Warner and Travis Head – although Mitchell Marsh twice fell in the 90s and Steven Smith carried his bat for 91 in Brisbane.Marnus Labuschagne made 18 runs in three completed innings against West Indies, and has averaged 28.25 for the season, while Head made a king pair at the Gabba. Aside from his matchwinning 119 in Adelaide, Head’s next-highest score for the five Tests was 40.”Think the bowlers have been the ones who have got them out of jail a few times, but also Usman Khawaja…and Mitch Marsh is also pulling his weight in that regard. They’re not great numbers for a middle order that I think have got some much talent.” Finch told ESPN’s show “The hundreds column is a concern for me. Guys are getting starts, and that’s reflected in the numbers, it’s not like they’re averaging six.”If you have a bad series in two Tests like Marnus [Labuschagne] that’s okay, everyone will have that at some point, but there’s not enough hundreds. There’s a few cracks that have been papered over from Usman Khawaja and the bowlers who have done a brilliant job for a long time.”On Labuschagne, specifically, there remains confidence that he will work through his slump ahead of the New Zealand Test series which starts in late February. Michael Clarke said that it was a phase almost every player will endure at some point, but had spotted a small technical challenge Labuschagne was going through.”The only thing I can see technically is that he just looks to be squaring up a little bit with his right shoulder,” Clarke said. “So mainly the balls that are that back-of-a-length, instead of staying really side on like he does and back-foot defends the ball to cover or to point, or even drops it to his feet, he’s just squaring up a little bit. And that’s why he’s playing a little in front of himself, edging it to a second, third [slip], gully area.”Again, he’s such a good player, he’ll go away now, he’ll work on that before New Zealand. You can’t write Marnus off. He’s batting at No. 3 which is one of the toughest positions in Test cricket. Don’t be surprised if he comes out against New Zealand and he’s the leading run-scorer. About every top-class batsman goes through a stage like this.”1:34

Finch: They’re not great numbers for a middle order

Finch added: “Think that’s been highlighted in his strike-rate as well,” he said. “You get into a defensive frame of mind where you think about survival first and I’ll cash in later on. But the wicket’s they’ve been playing on, you don’t get that opportunity to cash in – it’ not like they flatten out and become absolute roads and you can bat for two days, we just don’t see that anymore.”Meanwhile, Callum Ferguson warned that the task for the top order is unlikely to get any easier when they head to New Zealand for two matches which shape as key in the current World Test Championship cycle.”Don’t think Marnus is the only one getting caught out squaring up and that can be a bit of a result of batting on some wickets that are bowler-friendly,” Ferguson said. “You just get a little bit out of shape, so they’re going to have to do some hard work before they get over to New Zealand to just get a bit more side on, a few of them, and start playing a touch later. Because over in New Zealand they’ll be seaming, swinging conditions and New Zealand are very good at extracting the most out of those pitches.”

Real Madrid are plotting a move for Ibrahima Konate when his Liverpool contract expires next year, having already snared Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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Real Madrid eye Konate free transfer Los Blancos picked up Alexander-Arnold Frenchman's deal runs out next year Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid are putting in the groundwork to sign Liverpool defender Konate next year, according to . Los Blancos have already poached Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer and want to secure a similar deal for the Frenchman, whose contract at Anfield runs out next year.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Madrid's interest in Konate has already been established, with reports of their fondness for the 26-year-old emerging last month. claim officials at Liverpool fear a repeat of the Alexander-Arnold situation, who allowed his deal to run out before moving to the Bernabeu for free. Talks between the Reds and Konate regarding an extension have been ongoing, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

DID YOU KNOW?

Madrid have already taken steps to address their central defence issues, with Dean Huijsen recently arriving from Bournemouth. The likes of Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba have all been ruled out of action due to injuries in the past few years and younger options are clearly being targeted by club president Florentino Perez.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID AND LIVERPOOL?

While Liverpool aren't involved in this month's Club World Cup, Madrid are preparing for their first outing, which comes against Al-Hilal on Wednesday night at the Hard Rock Stadium.

Let us take you back to 2007. Gareth Bale has learned his trade at Southampton and is still effectively a boy. He’s only 17. But here he is, signing for Tottenham Hotspur.

A £10m move at the time didn’t exactly blow Spurs fans away but it was a deal that would change the modern landscape of this football club.

It took a while for that to occur, however. Bale didn’t win any of his first 24 games in Spurs colours. He was a jinx, perhaps even a curse.

However, he managed to turn his career around after a rocky start and is now perhaps only second to Harry Kane in terms of modern icons at White Hart Lane.

When Real Madrid came calling in 2013, lodging an £85m bid, Spurs banked a ridiculous amount of profit but said farewell to one of their greats.

Taking into account the Welshman’s second stint in north London – a loan spell – he featured across 237 games, bagging 71 goals and posting 53 assists.

So, where’s the next Bale coming from? Well, the Lilywhites have a number of top young stars, notably Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Mikey Moore.

Moore is perhaps one of the most exciting.

Mikey Moore's debut campaign in the Spurs first-team

Last summer marked Moore’s emergence in the Spurs first-team. Ange Postecoglou loves him and couldn’t wait to unleash the teenager in the senior game.

He did so for the first time against Manchester City, bringing the 17-year-old from the bench in the last two games of the Premier League campaign.

Moore played a more prominent role during the club’s pre-season preparations, dazzling defenders by scoring against both Hearts and Vissel Kobe while also posting an assist against QPR. It was some start to life as a first-team player.

While the teenager has not been a regular contributor in terms of goals and assists since, failing to find the net in the Premier League but scoring twice in all competitions, he’s still looked incredibly promising.

Injury and illness have stunted Moore’s development across the new year but he’s left not just a lasting impression on fans but also his teammates.

Speaking after their 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar in November, James Maddison remarked: “From minute 45 to 65 I thought we had Neymar on the left wing. He was brilliant. Just demanding the ball and fearless.”

Still only 17 years of age, the future is certainly bright for the England youth international, named among GOAL.com’s top 50 wonderkids around the globe.

Still, one of the players on that list could be an even bigger talent.

Spurs have a bigger talent than Mikey Moore

Featuring on GOAL’s list were five Spurs players, chief among them Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Those two are certainly further ahead in their development so it makes sense for them to be included higher up.

However, we want to talk about Luka Vuskovic, the young defender who’s yet to be seen in Spurs colours.

Yang Min-hyeok

#43

Luka Vuskovic

#26

Mikey Moore

#22

Lucas Bergvall

#17

Archie Gray

#13

It was back in September 2023 that Spurs first announced they had agreed a deal to bring a then 16-year-old Vuskovic to the club from Croatian side Hajduk Split.

He won’t officially transfer clubs until the summer of 2025 so we are still waiting for his Spurs debut, but now aged 18, he’s showcasing the immense potential many expect from him.

A centre-back by trade, the teenager is on loan at KVC Westerlo in Belgium’s first tier where he’s not just demonstrated himself to be a capable defender but he also has a habit of finding the back of the net, scoring seven times in 28 appearances.

So, why is there such hype? Well, standing at 6 foot 5, he’s been described as a “freak athlete” by data analyst Ben Mattinson and an “insane talent” by scout Jacek Kulig.

He’s got the imposing frame to terrify defenders, the goalscoring ability to impact things at the opposite end of the pitch and he’s dominating even when he’s not finding the net.

Indeed, according to Sofascore, he’s achieved the highest match rating in a single game among defenders in Europe’s ‘top ten leagues’ in a game where they didn’t find the net or assist a goal.

That was during a 0-0 draw with OH Leuven where the young centre-back completed 91% of his passes, won ten of his 12 aerial duels, completed a key pass and successfully made all seven of his long balls.

This is an elite talent in the making, a comfortable passer, a menacing header of the ball and a goalscorer. What more could you want?

Those in his homeland are already getting excited and who can blame them? Croatian media have been quick to celebrate his performances, crowning Vuskovic as “a talent who is born once in 100 years”.

Perhaps, like Bale, he is blessed with the potential to play for a club like Madrid. Spurs will hope they get a few years of service out of him before anything like that happens.

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After taking one step into the Champions League quarter-finals, Aston Villa now reportedly want to get another one over on Europe’s top sides in the race to sign a defensive target.

Aston Villa transfer news

It wasn’t so long ago that goal-line technology was malfunctioning against Sheffield United on Aston Villa’s way to Premier League survival. Now, almost five years on, they’re no longer just surviving in England’s top flight, they’re thriving. Unai Emery has dragged the Midlands club away from the bottom half and into the Champions League, where they have taken Europe by storm.

Having defeated Club Brugge 3-1 to take a comfortable lead into the second leg of their last 16 tie, the Villans’ Champions League dream undoubtedly remains a reality with their sights now potentially set on the last eight.

Away from their European ventures, however, Emery’s squad still needs plenty of work in pursuit of a consistent place inside the Premier League’s top four. Currently sat 10th and five points adrift of the Champions League places, the Villans have already set their sights on one particular reinforcement.

According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Konstantinos Koulierakis ahead of both Liverpool and Real Madrid in a deal worth up to €50m (£42m).

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The young Wolfsburg centre-back has enjoyed an impressive campaign and could yet emerge to become Emery’s eventual replacement for 31-year-old Tyrone Mings.

With plenty of competition for his signature, European football could prove to be key – making Aston Villa’s current position all the more frustrating as the Premier League season enters its final stretch.

"Complete" Koulierakis is a rising star

At just 21 years old, Koulierakis is undoubtedly one to watch. Helping Wolfsburg into the top seven of the Bundesliga this season – just four points adrift of the top four – it’s no surprise that the defender has reportedly attracted the interest of several top sides.

The only question that could remain this summer is just where Koulierakis will end up and whether it will be those in the Midlands welcoming a new star with open arms. Emery could certainly use with the depth and, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig described the Wolfsburg star, a “complete” defender in Koulierakis.

Aston Villa’s squad depth could prove to be the main factor behind their top four failure this season, but arrivals such as Koulierakis would quickly put an end to those struggles for years to come.