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Freddie Freeman definitely chose the right career path. He is now a two-time World Series winner, a World Series MVP and a NL MVP, just to name a few of his accomplishments.

But, before baseball, Freeman had another career dream: working as a CPA.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star told Jason and Travis Kelce this secret past dream of his when speaking on recently. The elder Kelce brother didn't believe him.

"Time out, nobody wants to be a CPA. What are you talking about? You wanted to do taxes?" Jason Kelce said.

Freeman explained that this career idea was sparked by the fact that his dad and uncle ran a CPA business together.

"I wanted to be a CPA. I know it sounds crazy, but I was going to be doing your taxes, you guys," Freeman said, although he admitted he doesn't do his own taxes now.

MLB fans are glad he didn't go down this path and instead stuck with baseball.

Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen lashed out at being constantly asked about his fitness as the Denmark international claimed that he has been fit all season. After spending the majority of the 2024-25 campaign on the sidelines due to serious concerns, Christensen has managed to accumulate just 342 minutes on the in the 10 matches he has played for the Catalan giants this season.

• Christensen's injury crisis

  Until the 2024-25 season, Christensen was a key member of the Barcelona starting lineup, however, an Achilles tendon injury and muscle issues forced him to remain sidelined for the majority of the last campaign.  In the current campaign, the Danish defender has fallen down the pecking order behind Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo under Hansi Flick. He was ruled out for four games due to gastroenteritis but has otherwise been available for the Spanish champions.

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  Christensen frustrated with fitness queries

  Speaking to reporters, the 29-year-old said: "Before last season, there were hardly any questions about my fitness. But since then, there have been many. Now I'm back in competition, without getting injured. In fact, apart from illnesses I've been fit all season. So it's annoying, but I have to accept it. I'll keep my head held high and play, as I always have, except when I've been sick."

  He further claimed that he constantly keeps track of whatever is said about him in the media, as the centre-back added: "I think it's more difficult if you're a player and you follow a lot of news. But since I don't use social media and I almost never read the news in Denmark, luckily I don't see them. So for me it's not that difficult. But I imagine it must be incredibly stimulating and at the same time totally exhausting. Luckily, I don't mind staying out of it."

• Ex-Chelsea defender wants new Barcelona deal

  Speaking to earlier this month, Christensen admitted that Barcelona had not yet approached him about an extension, as he said: "No, not really. I don't think so. I think we're in a good situation, and there's not really anything that can change anything I do in my everyday life. Of course, you want to have it in place and know what's happening. But it's not something that changes our mood during the days, or something we talk about 

  "Of course, we have desires, we all do, but it's not something I think about in my everyday life. I try to do what I can do on the pitch, and hopefully that's enough for me to stay there." Christensen also admitted that his agent will remain involved over future decisions. If there is something that needs to be done, he will, of course, do it. Of course, I would like to know what is happening, but I would rather focus on what I can do, and that is to do what I can do."

  He added: "Oh, no, I have no idea. Not yet. I'm just choosing to focus on being part of the team and playing as much as I possibly can. Hopefully that's how it ends up, but I'll have to take it as it comes, right now. Not at all. No plan B."

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  Will Barcelona offer a new deal to Christensen?

  As of now, there has been no indication that the Spanish champions would offer Christensen a new contract and with his limited role in the current campaign, it is possible that Barcelona could let him leave for free at the end of the season. Last month, Barca sporting director Deco had told : "We’re taking Andreas step by step. He had a spectacular first year. Then injuries have affected him quite a bit. We’ll see how he does this season and we’ll talk. He’s a great player. We don’t have to renew all the players in October either."

  Flick's men will be back in action after the international break on November 22 when they take on Athletic Club in a La Liga fixture at home. 

In a season where no teams are on pace to finish with 100 wins, the playoff picture feels quite muddled considering there are just 11 days left in the regular season.

That's especially true in the American League, as none of the three division titles have been clinched yet and the three wild-card spots are still up for grabs. We've witnessed Aaron Judge steer the New York Yankees to the top of the AL East once again, the Seattle Mariners fumble away a big lead to their AL West bullies in the Houston Astros, and the Cleveland Guardians pull away in the AL Central under the leadership of new manager Stephen Vogt.

There will be a new team representing the American League in the World Series this year, as the defending champion Texas Rangers are all but officially eliminated from playoff contention. So, what could prevent each contender from emerging from the AL bracket? Let's dive into each contender's biggest weakness.

New York Yankees

Current playoff spot: AL East leader
Biggest weakness: Bullpen

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has defended Nicolas Jackson against criticism, calling his impact "outstanding" despite his wait for a first Bundesliga goal. The Bayern boss insists the Chelsea loanee is "where he needs to be" and has interpreted his tactical role perfectly, even as club legend Lothar Matthaus claims he looks "out of place."

• Kompany's 'objective' praise for under-fire Jackson

  Jackson, 24, joined the German champions on a season-long loan from Chelsea for a reported €16.5 million (£14m/$19m) fee, which includes a €65m (£54m/$71m) purchase option. However, the Senegalese international has failed to score in his first six Bundesliga appearances, leading to questions over his suitability.

  Despite the mounting external pressure, Kompany was unequivocal in his support, stating he has a "completely different opinion" to the public and explaining his reasoning.

  "He's working very well," Kompany said. "We talked about his integration last week, and it's gone very quickly for him. I know why the question comes up, but I have no problem having a completely different opinion. I'll explain why objectively."

  "In the first half against Dortmund, for example, he played an outstanding role, and the same against Pafos. He interpreted the game very quickly, understood what we wanted from him, and also got off to a good start against Club Brugge."

  Kompany dismissed the goal-centric criticism as simplistic: "He's a striker; when he scores, we say he's the best. When he doesn't score, we say maybe he's not good enough. I'm happy that we have Jackson here; he'll be important for us this season. In terms of his playing ability, he's already where he needs to be, if only the goals would come."

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  Matthaus criticises Jackson amid wait for league goal

  The public debate Kompany referenced is fuelled by Jackson's unconvincing statistics. In 13 appearances across all competitions, he has clocked just 457 minutes of action.

  His two goals have come in the Champions League, against Pafos and Club Brugge. In the Bundesliga, he has not had a direct goal contribution in 244 minutes of playing time, a stark contrast to his attacking teammates Harry Kane (20 goals), Michael Olise (seven), and Luis Diaz (eight).

  The striker's form has drawn sharp criticism from club legend Lothar Matthaus, who claimed Jackson looks "out of place".

  "He gets little playing time and when he has played, he still seems a bit out of place," Matthaus said. "With Olise, Kane, Diaz, [Joshua] Kimmich, [Aleksandar] Pavlovic, the ball moves well. With him, it always gets a little stuck, or rather, his passing isn't quite sharp enough yet."

  Matthaus also warned that Jackson's minutes could "decrease even further" when Jamal Musiala returns from injury.

• Jackson 'happy' in Bavaria after summer transfer

  For his part, Jackson maintains he is settling well in Bavaria. Speaking to the club's official website earlier in the week, the 24-year-old expressed his happiness.

  "I'm really happy to be here and to be playing alongside such big names," Jackson said. "Oktoberfest was something very special… It gave me the chance to get to know an important part of Bavarian culture. Everything has been fantastic so far. I already feel very much at home here.”

  The former Villarreal forward also spoke glowingly of his partnership with Kane, who has often played in a deeper No.10 role to accommodate Jackson as the central striker.

  "It's incredible. I looked up to Harry even as a child," he added. "Now playing in the same team as him makes me very proud. I learn from him every day and try to pick up a few things from him."

  Jackson's stated aim is to "make our fans happy and repay the trust my teammates and the coach have placed in me."

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  What comes next?

  Kompany's support for his striker comes ahead of a crucial fixture. Bayern host Bayer Leverkusen this Saturday, taking on a side they have not beaten in the last five Bundesliga meetings. The manager acknowledged the "rivalry" is "still there" and that Leverkusen, who have 16 from a possible 18 points under new coach Kasper Hjulmand, remain a "dangerous attacking team".

  While Kompany insists "nobody is assured of their place," his public backing suggests Jackson remains a key part of his tactical plan as he awaits his first, and badly needed, Bundesliga goal.

The Thomas Frank revolution continues at Tottenham Hotspur. Gone are the days of chaos and confusion under Ange Postecoglou. There is an evident fight and spirit about the Lilywhites in 2025/26.

While the north Londoners were far from their free-flowing best away to Leeds United on Saturday afternoon – nor have they been yet under the Danish coach – once again they found a way to win, having run out deserved 2-1 victors at Elland Road.

In what was a hard-fought contest in Yorkshire, the visitors surged ahead following Mathys Tel’s deflected strike, before Noah Okafor levelled things up just nine minutes later, prodding home at the backpost after Guglielmo Vicario’s initial save.

With the game finely poised, up stepped summer signing Mohammed Kudus to nudge Spurs into the lead with his own deflected effort from range, with the Ghanaian’s 57th minute effort ultimately proving the difference as the away side held on for a fourth Premier League win of the campaign.

Spurs' key performers vs Leeds

In wet and windy conditions, the performance from those in black was hardly perfect, yet there was plenty to be encouraged by all across the park, with the defensive duo of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven again looking rather imperious – the latter man notably winning all of his contested duels, as per Sofascore.

Perhaps the most notable place for positivity was in the forward line, however, with Frank unleashing marquee addition Xavi Simons in his preferred number ten berth. The Dutchman didn’t disappoint.

While there was perhaps the odd trick too many, including his attempted rabona pass after the break, the ex-RB Leipzig playmaker showcased glimpses of his sky-high potential, picking out the advancing Pedro Porro late on with a deft dink over the Leeds defence.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, the decision to give young Tel the nod in attack over man of the moment Richarlison certainly paid off, with the lively Frenchman netting his fourth goal since initially joining the club on loan back in January.

Equally, there were also signs of life from Wilson Odobert down the left flank, with the former Burnley starlet beginning to find his feet following what’s been a muted first year or so in Lilywhite.

There may not have been much end product, but a 95% pass accuracy rate highlights the Frenchman’s promising outing.

Rounding off that dynamic quartet was, of course, that man Kudus, with the £55m man continuing his stunning start to life at Spurs with another electric performance off the right flank.

The Spurs star who looked like prime Gareth Bale

Comparisons, particularly at such an early juncture in the season, can appear somewhat over the top, although there truly was something Gareth Bale-esque about Kudus’ performance on Saturday, with the 25-year-old already taking on talismanic status in his new surroundings.

Bale at his best, like in 2012/13 when he plundered 25 goals and assists in the Premier League, was a vision of speed and power, along with an end product to match, with the Welshman regularly wreaking havoc off the left or when cutting in centrally.

With blistering pace and the ability to weave his way past defenders with ease, a prime Bale truly was a sight to behold, with few figures in Lilywhite having ever come close to reaching such lofty heights.

There’s been Harry Kane and Heung-min Son since those times, and now Kudus is the latest to join the party, with the former West Ham United maverick taking his tally to one goal and five assists in just seven Premier League games under Frank’s watch.

Having been booked early on for a late challenge on Gabriel Gudmundsson, the fleet-footed forward subsequently slid in Tel for the game’s opener, before getting in on the act himself just before the hour mark.

Cutting in from the right in trademark Bale fashion, Spurs’ number 20 may have enjoyed a fair bit of luck with his eventual strike, although that goal was just reward for what was an all-round stellar performance in attack.

As noted by Sofascore, he successfully completed all six of his attempted dribbles, having also won ten of his attempted duels, showcasing his ability to impact the game both in and out of possession.

As already stated, this wasn’t Spurs at their most potent, yet once again Saturday’s win highlighted the growing importance of and reliance on Kudus to steal the show for Frank’s side.

Like football.london’s Alasdair Gold put it at full time, when handing the winger a 9/10 match rating, he ‘gave Leeds’ defenders nightmares throughout’.

Long may it continue.

Levy made bigger mistake than Kane over selling "world-class" Spurs star

Tottenham Hotspur made a huge mistake in allowing one player to depart the club under Daniel Levy.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 4, 2025

With 2025 marking the 21st edition of the FIFPRO Men's World 11, GOAL ranks the five best versions ever assembled

Part of the fun of sports is the debate. How would this star do against another? Could this team beat this one? Which era is best? The games are the best, of course, but all of the discussion surrounding them is equally enjoyable and, at times, equally fierce.

Of course, analyzing teams across different eras is entirely subjective. But that's the fun of it. Which brings us to the FIFPRO Men's World 11. Since 2005, global players have voted for their World 11, assembling the greatest collections of players in the game. Imagining these players, all in the same team, is tantalizing. The 2025 winners will be announced Nov. 3, and there are plenty of good candidates.

Until then, though, it's time to look to the past. These teams have included icons of the game and legends that have won it all. So, which are the five greatest FIFPRO Men's World 11 squads ever assembled? GOAL takes a look.

• FIFPRO World 11
  

  5FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2020

  Goalkeeper: Alisson (Brazil)

  Defenders: Alphonso Davies (Canada), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

  Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Thiago (Spain), Joshua Kimmich (Germany)

  Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

  An absolutely ludicrous team of attacking talent.

  You have Ronaldo, Messi and Lewandowski in the attack, with the Polish star fresh off a dominant campaign for Bayern Munich. To supplement that, you have two of the best attacking fullbacks we've seen in Alexander-Arnold and Davies. Oh, you want to build through the midfield? How about De Bruyne and Thiago, with Kimmich cleaning up messes with Ramos and van Dijk behind him and Alisson in goal?

  This team would score goal after goal after goal. But even so, it's fair to question whether they could match the defensive balance that some of the teams above them would possess. Still, if you want excitement, this is the team for you.

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  4FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2011

  Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain)

  Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Spain), Gerard Pique (Spain), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia), Dani Alves (Brazil)

  Midfielders: Andres Iniesta (Spain), Xavi (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain)

  Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Wayne Rooney (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

  Of course, the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Messi and Rooney will get the attention, but 2011 was the period of Spanish dominance, and you can see that in this team.

  The midfield contains three of La Roja's greatest ever, Iniesta, Xavi and Alonso, so you'd know there'd be no chemistry issues there. Ramos and Pique are in the defense, while Casillas is in goal. What about that for a spine? Add in Alves, comfortable with everyone we've named due to his role at Barcelona, and a no-nonsense defender in Vidic and you've got a complete team. It is never going to lose the ball, and the defensive solidity is the stuff of dreams, especially if we assume that Rooney is going to put the legwork in up front. 

  This team seems to capture an era, one that many look back on as when the sport was at its very best.

• FIFPRO World 11
  

  3FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2007

  Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

  Defenders: Carles Puyol (Spain), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), John Terry (England), Alessandro Nesta (Italy)

  Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (England), Kaka (Brazil), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

  Forwards: Ronaldinho (Brazil), Didier Drogba (Côte d'Ivoire), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

  Ronaldo as a midfielder? Well, yeah, but when you look at the pieces around this team, you understand why. Yes, this team is attack-heavy, with Ronaldo joining Kaka and Gerrard in midfield and Messi leading the line alongside Drogba and Ronaldinho.

  However, when you have defenders such as Puyol, Cannavaro, Terry and Nesta in the team, you might just be able to get away with it.

  This team has pace, technique, power and creativity. It can come at you in waves and, with the four players staying back, that might just be enough. This team is about strong defense, pace in attack, and well-rounded center mids. Perfection. 

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  2FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2005

  Goalkeeper: Dida (Brazil)

  Defenders: Paolo Maldini (Italy), Alessandro Nesta (Italy), John Terry (England), Cafu (Brazil)

  Midfielders: Frank Lampard (England), Claude Makelele (France), Zinedine Zidane (France)

  Forwards: Ronaldinho (Brazil), Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)

  It's fair to argue that this team has a Gerrard-sized hole, given his heroics in Istanbul. But even without the Liverpool icon, this group is stacked. There's a reason he didn't make it, after all.

  We have to start with the defense, which is probably as close to perfect as you can get. A centerback pairing of Nesta and Terry is as formidable as it gets, while Maldini's presence on the left balances out Cafu's attacking ambition on the right. In the midfield, you have Makelele cleaning up for Lampard and Zidane, creating a balanced trio.

  And, in the attack, you have the pace of Ronaldinho and Eto'o to aid the finishing of Shevchenko. In reality, this team is perhaps the best balanced. Others may have more talent. But if you're playing an actual match, this might just be the best one. Which makes the top side even more impressive.

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been afraid to splash the cash, with the ownership handing various managers the tools to achieve success.

The Lilywhites have spent around £400m on new signings in the last four years, numerous of which have made a huge impact on their ability to create new history for the club.

Brennan Johnson is one of the players who arrived during such a period, with his £47.5m transfer fee now appearing to be an excellent piece of business, given his record in North London.

The Welshman netted 18 goals across all competitions last campaign, but undoubtedly his most important came in the Europa League final as he helped end the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy.

Despite the 24-year-old’s positive impact in the first-team, the same can’t be said for one player who fell way below the expectations placed upon him after his own big-money transfer.

Tanguy Ndombele’s failed spell at Spurs

In the summer of 2019, Spurs forked out a then club-record fee of £62m for the signature of midfielder Tanguy Ndombele from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon.

Such a move generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase, but it’s safe to say his time in North London was one of bitter disappointment, given his failure to impress.

He would feature a total of 91 times for the Lilywhites over a three-year period, spending two separate spells on loan at Napoli and Galatasaray before his contract was cut short – allowing him to depart on a free transfer in the summer of 2024.

Whilst he produced some moments of magic, including his superb effort against Sheffield United, he was unable to produce such levels on a regular basis – with concerns being voiced around his attitude and fitness.

His tally of 10 goals and nine assists highlight the lack of impact he had, with the hierarchy subsequently losing a small fortune on their investment – especially after he departed for nothing.

However, he’s not the only player to fall below the standards expected of him, with one current first-team player currently finding himself in a similar situation.

The Spurs player who’s becoming the biggest waste since Ndombele

Current boss Thomas Frank has made a solid start to his Spurs career so far, only losing one of his nine games in charge across all competitions in 2025/26.

The Dane has created a settled 4-3-3 side that has allowed them to make some major scalps, including a 2-0 triumph against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad.

However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing, with the 51-year-old unable to secure a win against Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Lilywhites found themselves two goals down with just 24 minutes remaining, but managed to fight back to secure a 2-2 draw and maintain their unbeaten record in Europe this season.

Many players had an off night during the stalemate, but Richarlison once again continued to disappoint and was unable to shake off his recent poor form.

Despite netting three goals in his first six games this campaign, many supporters have become frustrated with the Brazilian, leading to criticism being directed his way.

In the last two games combined, he’s only managed a total of 30 touches combined, completing just seven passes – often unable to get himself into the game.

When in front of goal, the 28-year-old has also been just as dreadful, missing two big chances in as many games – leading to one analyst stating that he “offers nothing”.

To further highlight his lack of impact in North London, he’s only scored 23 times in his 100 appearances for the club, with departed fan-favourite Harry Kane managing to score over 100 goals for Bayern Munich since his transfer two years ago.

If the Brazilian joined in a bargain deal, the lack of impact wouldn’t be as concerning, but the hierarchy forked out £50m for his signature three years ago – with such a decision now looking like an awful one.

There’s no doubt he’s failed to live up to the hype in North London, but the hierarchy must look to offload him and replace him with a top-level player in the months ahead.

They desperately need to recoup a competitive fee for his services, subsequently avoiding losing him for nothing – just as they did with Ndombele a little over 12 months ago.

100% dribbles, 78 touches: Spurs star is now emulating Kane under Frank

Tottenham Hotspur maintained their unbeaten record in the Champions League last night against Bodo Glimt.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 1, 2025

USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes announced her arrival on the Champions League stage with an extraordinary long-range strike for OL Lyonnes, scoring from 57 yards in a commanding 3-0 victory over Austrian side St. Pölten on Wednesday. The 18-year-old scored her first Champions League goal just hours after being named to Emma Hayes' USWNT roster.

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  A moment of pure inspiration

  Standing near the halfway line at Groupama Stadium, Yohannes appeared to be surveying her passing options as OL Lyonnes built another attack against St. Pölten. Instead, the teenage midfielder spotted goalkeeper Schlüter slightly off her line.

  Without hesitation, Yohannes unleashed a powerful right-footed strike that traveled 57 yards before dipping perfectly under the crossbar and into the net. The audacious strike came in the 51st minute with Lyonnes already leading 2-0, effectively ending any hopes of an Austrian comeback.

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• From American prodigy to European star

  Yohannes developed through Ajax's youth system and made history in November 2023 when, at just 16, she became the youngest player to start a Women's Champions League group stage match. Her performances in the Netherlands earned her a high-profile transfer to eight-time Champions League winners OL Lyonnes this past summer.

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  Perfect timing

  Just hours before kickoff, Yohannes was included on Emma Hayes' 26-player USWNT roster for the upcoming October international window. The U.S. will play Portugal on Oct. 23 and Oct. 26, followed by a match against New Zealand on Oct. 29.

Over recent years, Tottenham Hotspur have been lucky enough to have multiple top-level strikers on their books, subsequently giving the fanbase numerous incredible memories.

Harry Kane undoubtedly tops that list, scoring 280 times for the Lilywhites – cementing himself as the highest goalscorer in their history, taking the record off the late Jimmy Greaves.

However, other players haven’t been as impressive, with Roberto Soldado struggling to produce the goods during his own stint in the first team in North London.

The Spaniard joined the club back in the summer of 2013, costing a whopping £26m – a figure that was a club record during those years under Daniel Levy.

However, he only scored 16 times in his 76 appearances for the club, leaving two years later for a measly £10m and losing £16m on their previous investment.

This summer, current boss Thomas Frank has made a move to land his own centre-forward, but the player will undoubtedly be hoping to have a similar impact to the former rather than the latter.

What Spurs can expect from Kolo Muani

In a summer transfer window littered with multiple £50m+ additions, Spurs also made various loan deals to help make an immediate improvement to the current squad.

Joao Palhinha was added to the midfield department earlier in the transfer window, joining on a season-long loan with an option to buy from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

However, on deadline day, Frank’s side also clinched the signing of PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan – despite huge rumours linking him with a return to Juventus.

The 26-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at the Serie A outfit, netting 10 goals in just 22 appearances – subsequently getting his career back on track.

He joined PSG in a £76m deal back in 2023, but only scored 11 times in two seasons, before falling down the pecking order – leading to his temporary spells away from the Ligue 1 outfit.

However, he’s showcased in his recent spell in Italy that he’s capable of thriving with regular minutes, registering 70 goals in the professional game over the last five years.

The former Spurs player who’s outscored Kolo Muani

As previously mentioned, the centre-forward position has been a troubled one for Spurs since Kane departed in 2023, with record-signing Dominic Solanke struggling with his fitness since his own move in 2024.

The Lilywhites forked out £65m for his signature, but he’s only managed 16 goals for the club to date – with injuries halting his progress in North London.

The Englishman has been restricted to just 31 minutes of Premier League action so far in 2025/26, opening the door for Kolo Muani to stake his claim for a regular starting role.

However, former strikers at Spurs have also struggled to match the expectations put upon them, given the stature of the club – none more so than Vincent Janssen.

He joined the club in a £18.6m deal from AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2016, with such a move generating excitement after the Dutchman ended the previous year as the Eredivisie’s top scorer.

During his first campaign in England, the striker only managed to net six goals – only two of which were in the Premier League – ultimately struggling to match the expectations he arrived with.

Janssen would subsequently be sent out on loan to Turkish side Fenerbahce, a move that would spell the end of his stint with the Lilywhites – only making three appearances upon his return to the club.

Such failures in England led to former striker Gary Lineker dubbing the Dutchman as “ a poor man’s Roberto Soldado” – a damning statement given the Spaniard’s own failures in North London.

However, in recent years, the 31-year-old has recaptured his best form away from England – now plying his trade for Belgian side Royal Antwerp, helping his current employers qualify for the Champions League.

He registered 13 goals across all competitions in 2024/25, subsequently outscoring new addition Kolo Muani (12) – highlighting his impressive form after his failed stint in the Premier League.

There’s no denying that the hierarchy made the right call in allowing Janssen to depart the club, with his transfer certainly one to forget given his lack of tangible impact.

However, Kolo Muani will be hoping to not emulate his disappointing spell in North London, undoubtedly wanting to hit the ground running in the clash against West Ham United on Saturday night.

Worth more than Kudus: Spurs have hit the jackpot on Postecoglou signing

Tottenham Hotspur’s excellent work in the market has previously been evident during Ange Postecoglou’s reign.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 11, 2025

It’s not all good news for Newcastle United back in the Champions League amid reports that they’ve comfortably breached one of UEFA’s rules and could be facing a punishment as a result.

Where Newcastle stand financially

Whilst they were incredibly limited in 2024 when it came to spending in the Premier League, Champions League qualification and player sales quickly solved their domestic problems this summer. As such, Eddie Howe was finally in a position to welcome fresh faces again and after much toing and froing, he secured Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey.

Woltemade’s arrival would have come as a particular relief. The German was one of many options on Newcastle’s list of striker targets, as they were handed rejection after rejection. Eventually, it was the Stuttgart striker that arrived and, to his credit, he’s wasted no time before finding his feet – scoring on his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

But after a summer of spending and the record sale of Alexander Isak, where do Newcastle stand financially? Football finance expert Kieram Maguire had his say and compared it to when Aston Villa sold Jack Grealish to Manchester City in 2021.

He told BBC Sport: “It will give them that financial flexibility that they didn’t have 12 months ago when they were forced to do nothing for a couple of windows. You don’t want that repeating, especially when the club are ambitious and aspirational.”

Ready to challenge Woltemade: Newcastle have found a "poor man's Haaland"

Howe might have a secret weapon in the final third at Newcastle.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 16, 2025

So, as things stand, it looks as though PIF will satisfy the Premier League’s financial regulations. However, the same may not be said for UEFA’s financial rules. Reports are now suggesting that Newcastle could be facing further trouble away from the pitch.

Newcastle could be facing UEFA punishment

According to The Athletic, Newcastle have comfortably breached UEFA’s loss limit, which allows teams to lose up to £52m over three years. PIF recorded operating losses at St James’ Park worth around £68m in each of the last two seasons and could now be facing a similar punishment to Aston Villa and Chelsea, who were hit with fines earlier this year.

Even after the sale of Isak, the problem that Newcastle have is that UEFA have noted Elliot Anderson’s move to Nottingham Forest as a swap deal with Odysseas Vlachodimos. They’ve also reduced the sale of Allan Saint-Maximin to Al Ahli to nil profit due to the fact that the Saudi club are a shared party with the club.

Whilst the official financial reports for 2024/25 are yet to be released, it doesn’t look good for Newcastle once again. They will hope that this is the final time that they face such issues after selling big in the summer.

For now, however, it looks as though they’re set to join Villa and Chelsea on the list of Premier League clubs to be hit with a fine by UEFA, unless their accounts provide an unexpected twist.