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Chelsea’s pursuit of yet more attacking players this summer suggests Enzo Maresca is looking to challenge for both the Premier League and Champions League next season.

Given their performances at the Club World Cup, where they defeated PSG to win the title, the Blues could be a force to be reckoned with throughout 2025/26.

Alexander Isak has been linked with a move amid the news that he is exploring options away from Newcastle United, with the Blues said to have the budget to lodge such an ambitious swoop.

While a transfer seems unlikely, it would signal another huge statement of intent by the Blues if they managed to land him.

As to a deal to secure the signature of Dutch sensation, Xavi Simons, this move does appear to be close.

Chelsea are closing in on next move

According to Caught Offside, Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement on personal terms with Simons as they seek to sign him from RB Leipzig.

In terms of the fee, the German side are demanding €80m (£70m) to sanction a sale and, given Chelsea’s spending this summer, that shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.

Simons would add something extra to an already stacked Chelsea frontline next term, but imagine how better they would be should Isak secure an unlikely move to London.

Why Chelsea want to sign Xavi Simons

The Dutchman offers plenty of positional flexibility, which is an added bonus for Maresca. Indeed, last term, he played 16 games on the left wing and 15 as an attacking midfielder.

Across those two positions, Simons registered nine and ten goal contributions, respectively, proving that he can shine no matter where he is deployed.

Isak, of course, would operate through the middle as the lone centre-forward, but the Dutch youngster would thrive playing behind the Swede, no doubt about that.

When compared to his positional peers in the Champions League last season, Simons was sublime across several metrics.

Not only did he rank in the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.88), but the 22-year-old also ranked in the top 2% for shot-creating actions (5.91) and in the top 11% for progressive carries (3.22) in Europe’s premier club competition.

Goals

10

Assists

7

Key passes per game

2

Shots per game

2

Total duels won per game

5.4

Big chances missed

2

Producing the goods in the biggest tournament on the continent proves that Simons is a man who would generate plenty of opportunities for Isak should the unthinkable occur.

Indeed, in the Bundesliga, Simons created an impressive 12 big chances for Leipzig, while also averaging two key passes per game.

It is perhaps no wonder that the Dutch starlet has been hailed as a “game-changer” by talent scout Jacek Kulig recently, following a performance for the Netherlands against Spain.

Making a move for Isak would be the cherry on the cake for Maresca this summer. While Liverpool lead the race for the striker, nothing can be counted out at this stage.

Should he have the talents of a player such as Simons operating behind him, Isak would reach new heights at Stamford Bridge; that much is certain.

£80m Chelsea star tells agents to find him new club after becoming "unhappy"

He’s keen on leaving Stamford Bridge.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 25, 2025

Trevor Gwandu returns to the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2024Zimbabwe have named the uncapped duo – allrounder Tashinga Musekiwa and fast bowler Tinotenda Maposa – for the T20 World Cup regional qualifiers to be played in Kenya this month, to try and earn a spot for the main tournament in 2026. The selectors also recalled fast bowler Trevor Gwandu in the 15-man squad which sees 11 players from the series against India in July.Zimbabwe go into the six-team T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier B under new head coach Justin Sammons with a young squad with an average age of 26, a Zimbabwe Cricket release said. The team will be led by the experienced Sikandar Raza. The qualifier also includes Gambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda and the Seychelles. The top two sides from these will progress to the regional final to be joined by Namibia and Uganda.Musekiwa, 24, has just 21 T20s to his name – apart from one first-class game and 29 one-dayers – for Mid West Rhinos. His T20 high score is an unbeaten 38 and his best figures are 3 for 24 out of his total wickets tally of 10. He most recently played for Zimbabwe Emerging against the South Africa Emerging side in two one-dayers, and scored an unbeaten 51 in the second.Maposa, 21, has featured in five first-class games for 14 wickets and is yet to play white-ball games in domestic cricket. His last series was the Logan Cup in which he played four red-ball games for Matabeleland Tuskers in January-February for 12 wickets with one five-for.”We have picked a young squad that is good enough to make us qualify and I am confident they will deliver in Kenya,” convener of selectors David Mutendera said in the release. “If you look at the direction we are taking, with the 2026 T20 World Cup and the future in mind, we have been blooding in youngsters who will definitely do the job like they did in winning single matches against Bangladesh and India in our last two series.”Raza is still there for now, but we had to start the process of building a younger team for the future.”Gwandu makes a return having last played for Zimbabwe in December 2023, against Ireland at home. After playing the domestic T20 competition for Southern Rocks in March this year, he too played for Zimbabwe Emerging, but in the African Games in Accra, Ghana, where Zimbabwe won the tournament.Zimbabwe squadSikandar Raza (capt), Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava

Former allrounder was jailed for rape in 2019, and served two years of a five-year sentence

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Sep-2024Alex Hepburn, the former Worcestershire allrounder, has been suspended from playing in ECB competitions for 10 years by the Cricket Discipline Commission, three years after serving a prison sentence for rape.Earlier this year, Hepburn was charged by the Cricket Regulator with two breaches of ECB Directive 3.3. The first related to his conviction in 2019, for which he was released in October 2021 after serving two years of a five-year sentence, while the second related to his participation in a misogynistic Whatsapp group during his playing days with Worcestershire in 2017.Hepburn, now 28, has not played professionally since the details of his arrest in April 2017 were made public. In the course of his four-day trial, it was heard how Hepburn had “dehumanised” women, rating them in text messages to his team-mates in a “sexual conquest competition”.He was subsequently found guilty on one count of oral rape, after an attack that took place in the flat that he shared with his then team-mate, Joe Clarke, with whom the victim had initially believed she was having sex. He appealed against the conviction, but the appeal was dismissed in September 2020.Given Hepburn’s time in prison, the Cricket Regulator was only able to serve him notification of the charge earlier this year, but his suspension has been backdated to the date of his release, on October 30, 2021. The suspension relating on the second charge, for a period of two years, is deemed to have been already served.A statement from the Cricket Regulator added: “Mr Hepburn failed to respond to the charge letter and related communication. As such, the CDC panel reached its decision in his absence. Mr Hepburn has not appealed the CDC panel’s decision.”Hepburn will also have to undertake “appropriate professional treatment” for the issues which led to his criminal conviction, and undertake appropriate training and education courses before he will be permitted to play, coach or undertake any cricket-related activity which falls under the authority of the ECB.He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for life as part of his conviction.

Setting their sights on a fifth arrival this summer, Tottenham Hotspur have now reportedly made an approach to sign an experienced player for Thomas Frank.

Latest on Tottenham incomings

In Spurs’ ideal world, they would have Morgan Gibbs-White at their disposal right now, but Nottingham Forest and Evangelos Marinakis quickly proved to be as stubborn as ever even after the Lilywhites triggered the midfielder’s £60m release clause.

Good news quickly turned into legal news for those in North London when Forest decided to threaten a legal complaint over Spurs’ move.

According to reports, Gibbs-White still wants to complete a move to Spurs this summer, but it remains to be seen whether the Lilywhites do return with a second attempt to sway an already-disgruntled Nottingham Forest.

The same can be said for Yoane Wissa. As things stand, all signs point towards Newcastle being in pole position to sign the forward despite Spurs’ interest.

Given the Magpies’ recent habit of missing out on top targets, though, the door may still be left ajar for Frank to reunite with the impressive Brentford striker.

Frank has, of course, already welcomed both Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel, Mohammed Kudus and Kota Takai this summer.

Asked about Kudus’ arrival in particular, who comes as their main blockbuster signing of the window so far, the Spurs boss told reporters: “I think it’s a great signing from the club. It’s top work from Daniel Levy getting a very good player early in pre-season so we can start working with him.”

Tottenham expected to make "official move" for "standout" £35m defender

Spurs are targeting a new centre-back.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 25, 2025

It’s the type of “top work” that Frank will now be hoping to see more of from Levy this summer, which could see Spurs land a top-level midfielder.

Tottenham make Joao Palhinha approach

According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham have indeed made an approach to sign Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich, backing up similar previous reports. However, they have so far only worked on personal terms rather than submitting a proposal to the Bundesliga champions themselves.

Dubbed a “leader” by Fulham boss Marco Silva the last time that he starred in the Premier League, Palhinha could now be on his way back to English football just one year after leaving Craven Cottage.

Whilst things haven’t exactly gone to plan for the Portugal international in Germany, he remains a player with plenty of know-how and one who could rediscover his best form under Frank at Spurs.

That said, it remains to be seen whether Spurs are able to match Palhinha’s staggering £9m-a-year salary at Bayern or whether he is forced to take a pay-cut to secure a summer switch.

Leeds United are “in the race” to sign a brand new striker who has loved playing at Elland Road in the past, according to a new update.

Leeds want new striker despite positive Piroe pre-season form

The Whites are on the search to sign another striker this summer after bringing in Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg. Daniel Farke has made Patrick Bamford surplus to requirements, whereas Mateo Joseph is looking to force a move away from Yorkshire before the deadline.

One positive in pre-season though has been the form of Joel Piroe, who could be set to lead the line for Leeds against Everton on the opening weekend.

The Dutchman, who won the Championship Golden Boot award last season, has found the back of the net on four occasions in pre-season, including against Villarreal on Saturday. Talking about the impact Piroe could have in the Premier League, Farke said:

“It’s up to him to prove that he’s capable to have a big impact on this level. He has not played so far on this level. It would be a lie if I could give you some guarantees, it’s always up to the player. So he came back – this was important – in a good fitness shape, really good endurance and he has worked hard during the summer break.

“He’s had a really good pre-season so far and has already proved in the games against Man United and Villarreal, two opponents on a top level, that he is competitive.

“He has to show this in this league. Friendlies are friendlies, he has to show this when the real competitive games start. But he has all the chances, all the backing from us, and we hope of course that he has a similar impact to last season. I could do with 20 goals. Not that I will predict this but the sky’s the limit for every one of my players.”

The new Rutter: Leeds submit bid to sign "fascinating" £22.5m star

Leeds United have reportedly submitted a bid to sign a star who could be their new Georginio Rutter.

ByDan Emery Aug 4, 2025

It has been no secret that Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz has been Leeds’ top striker target this summer, however, the Whites are yet to agree a deal with those at Craven Cottage.

Now, they are looking at a former Fulham star as a potential alternative.

Leeds “in the race” to sign £26m Aleksandar Mitrovic

According to reporter Sebastien Vidal, Leeds are well and truly “in the race” to sign £26m Aleksandar Mitrovic from Al-Hilal before the deadline.

The Saudi Pro League side are looking to receive £26m for the powerful striker, who picks up a whopping £22m a season with his current employers.

Leeds fans will know all about Mitrovic during his time in England, finding the back of the net regularly in the Championship and Premier League. In fact, the Serbian has scored five goals against Leeds in his career, three of which have come at Elland Road in the top flight.

Games

129

Goals

38

Assists

11

As can be seen, Mitrovic is an experienced striker in the Premier League, however, the finances involved for the 30-year-old could prove extremely tricky.

“I am not sure where I am going next, but it is almost sure that I am not going home,” he told ESPNcricinfo

Mohammad Isam17-Oct-2024Shakib Al Hasan has said that he is unlikely to travel to Dhaka, the venue of the upcoming first Test against South Africa, because of protests against him in the city. Shakib was included in the Bangladesh squad for the first Test, which was going to be his final appearance in the format.”I am not sure where I am going next, but it is almost sure that I am not going home,” Shakib told ESPNcricinfo via WhatsApp.Shakib had earlier expressed concern about his safety if he came to Bangladesh, given the number of Awami League leaders being arrested since August 5, the day their government effectively resigned from power after 15 years. Shakib was a member of parliament from his hometown Magura. He was one of 147 people named in an FIR for an alleged murder during the unrest.Shakib, however, remains in the Bangladesh squad for the first Test according to chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain. He said that they haven’t received any further instructions from the BCB about Shakib. On Wednesday when announcing the squad, selector Hannan Sarkar said that they picked Shakib after getting a “green signal” from the authorities to select him.”We haven’t received any further instructions from the BCB or the cricket operations committee. It is a paused status at the moment. He is in transit in Dubai,” Ashraf said.While Shakib had reportedly been assured safe passage into Bangladesh, students started protesting his imminent arrival from Wednesday evening. A group recognising themselves as “Mirpur Chhatro Janata” informed the BCB that they will protest Shakib’s appearance in the stadium. Late into Wednesday evening, Shakib was reportedly asked to wait in Dubai where he was transiting from New York. Although Shakib’s flight is on Thursday evening, he is unlikely to come to Dhaka.Meanwhile, the chief adviser’s deputy press secretary Azad Majumder said that the decision is up to Shakib to return to the country. “Shakib can return to Bangladesh anytime. It’s his decision whether he will arrive here or not,” Majumder told ESPNcricinfo.According to , Youth and Sports adviser Asif Mahmud said in a statement that he had advised Shakib not to return home to ‘avoid untoward situations’.”I have advised Shakib not to come [to Bangladesh] to avoid any untoward circumstances. This decision was made to ensure the safety of players and to protect the country’s image,” Asif said.

England captain Harry Kane matched a Wayne Rooney goal record after scoring in his country's 5-0 rout of Serbia.

England beat Serbia 5-0Kane scores in victoryMatches Rooney milestoneFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

The Bayern Munich star opened the scoring as Thomas Tuchel's men romped to a commanding 2026 World Cup qualifier victory in Belgrade on Tuesday. The 32-year-old has now scored an away goal against 16 different opponents for the Three Lions, with the striker drawing level with England legend Rooney.

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Pressure has been mounting on England boss Tuchel following an underwhelming start to his managerial tenure. But this win over 10-man Serbia will be a real shot in the arm for the German and his players ahead of next year's World Cup in North America.

AFPDID YOU KNOW?

Former Tottenham forward has now scored 74 goals in 109 England internationals. The experienced attacker, who is enjoying one of the best years of his career after lifting his first major trophy with Bayern, has now scored five goals in six matches in 2025 for his country. 

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WHAT NEXT?

England return to action next month when they host Wales in a friendly and then travel to Latvia in their next World Cup qualifier. Kane will hope the Three Lions can make it six wins from six in these 2026 qualifiers.

When Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool behind prior to the Club World Cup, fans at Anfield were left furious.

In all honesty, it was no secret that Trent was going to head to Real Madrid, but the way in which he departed has rubbed some the wrong way.

The Liverpool-born full-back had been part of the Reds setup for nearly his entire life and it came to a point where he refused a new deal at the club.

The fact they weren’t initially getting a fee for one of their prized assets was remarkable, really, but he did eventually fetch £10m when Madrid decided they wanted him in the squad for the Club World Cup.

Liverpool have since replaced him but have they truly replaced his best qualities?

How Liverpool can replace Trent

With Trent gone, Richard Hughes and Co moved swiftly to secure the services of Jeremie Frimpong who like Florian Wirtz, traded Bayer Leverkusen and Germany for the Premier League.

Frimpong is incredibly attack-minded, just like Alexander-Arnold, but he’s more about pace and aggression, soaring down the right wing, rather than inverting and spraying passes.

Both are progressive but in their own different ways. So, how can Slot rediscover that progression from central areas?

Well, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton wouldn’t go a miss.

Transfer Focus

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

Reports in recent weeks have linked Liverpool with a move for the England international and he’s still being touted with a switch.

talkSPORT report this week that Manchester United are considering a bid for the midfielder amid doubts surrounding their pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.

The report further notes that Liverpool are long-term admirers of the former Blackburn Rovers star.

While it’s unlikely Wharton moves this summer, particularly amid a £100m asking price, this is certainly one to watch for Richard Hughes and Co heading into 2026.

How Wharton could replace Trent’s best qualities

While Liverpool won’t lose any attacking intent having swapped Alexander Arnold for Frimpong, they will lose a big dose of creativity.

We’re all familiar with how Frimpong loves to get down the flank but what that means is that he’s not going to be someone who plays passes through the lines.

According to data supplied by FBRef, in the 2024/25 Bundesliga, Frimpong made just 2.14 progressive passes and 1.17 key passes per 90 minutes, metrics that ranked him in the very worst 11% of full-backs in the division for the former and the top 34% for the latter.

Liverpool’s former number 66, however, was very strong in this department. In the 2024/25 Premier League, the scouser made 8.83 progressive passes per 90 minutes, ranking him in the best 1% of positionally similar players. He also supplied 1.98 key passes every 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 5%. It’s safe to say he’s an elite creator.

So, where do Liverpool rediscover those attributes with a player in the centre?

Wharton would certainly help. Described as a “generational talent” in the words of former Sky Sports employee Matthew Stanger, he is one of the calmest and composed players in possession in England.

Last season, he made 1.78 key passes per 90 in the league, more than Frimpong and also registered 7.31 progressive passes across the same time frame. That ranked him among the division’s finest 7% of midfielders for that metric.

Not just creative from central zones like Alexander-Arnold was, he could be a defensive upgrade too.

Tackles won

0.96

1.90

Interceptions

1.37

1.18

Aerials won

0.48

0.11

Errors

0.00

0.15

Yellow cards

0.14

0.19

A look at the numbers indicates that while the former Red got through his fair share of tackles, overall, Wharton is a lot more complete from a defensive point of view, winning more aerial duels and making a higher volume of interceptions.

So, while the Palace superstar may not play in the same position as Alexander-Arnold, he could be everything that was hoped of Trent if he had eventually become a midfielder.

New Coutinho: Liverpool considering late move to sign £86m Isak alternative

Liverpool set sights on Real Madrid Galáctico with an £86m price tag.

ByWill Miller Aug 14, 2025

Punchy partnership with Jones breaks back of stiff 143-run chase at Buffalo Park

Firdose Moonda24-Nov-2024England 143 for 6 (Sciver-Brunt 59, Jones 31, Marx 3-19, de Klerk 2-20) beat South Africa 142 for 5 (de Klerk 29*, Dean 2-21) by four wicketsNat Sciver-Brunt brought up her 15th T20I half-century – the most by any non-opening batter in the women’s game – and ensured England took the opening honours on their tour of South Africa. She eclipsed an excellent allround effort by Nadine de Klerk, who scored a 19-ball 29 to push South Africa over 140 and took 2 for 20 to keep South Africa in it, but their bowling inexperience showed.In an XI without Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka, who are both being rested for this series, South Africa’s discipline was under the microscope. Sune Luus opened the bowling for the first time in a T20I, and was one of three bowlers to concede at more than six runs an over. South Africa may also be disappointed with their batting effort. While six of their top seven got starts, no-one kicked on and they had no half-century stands.England, despite a sometimes messy effort in the field, put it together where it mattered most. Sciver-Brunt and Amy Jones put on 50 for the fifth wicket, which was the key to their successful chase.Wolvaardt starts well but England get the openers early South Africa’s opening pair of Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits picked up from where they left off at the T20 World Cup, with a typically industrious start. Wolvaardt found the boundary off the second ball when Sciver-Brunt strayed down leg to be clipped behind square, where a misfield gave her four. She went on to cream Lauren Bell through the covers and smear Sophie Ecclestone over midwicket for two more boundaries in successive overs while Tazmin Brits only faced five balls in the first three overs. Wolvaardt looked dangerous until she advanced on Charlie Dean, missed a straight one and was bowled. Brits started to find her touch and took on Ecclestone with a confident sweep but her ambition got the better of her. Like Wolvaardt, Brits danced down the track and was beaten for pace, which gave Jones a simple stumping.England’s fielding: The ridiculous and the sublime Perhaps it was not quite that extreme but England’s full range was on display in the mid-section of South Africa’s innings. There were shades of their drops against West Indies in the T20 World Cup semi-final when an Anneke Bosch chance slipped through Sciver-Brunt’s fingers at deep backward square. Bosch, on 13, swung at a Sarah Glenn delivery and hit it with the wind, which may have been what foxed Sciver-Brunt despite being in a good position to take the catch. That only cost England five runs before Bosch was bowled by Freya Kemp. In the next over, Ecclestone timed her movements well to take the catch that dismissed Sune Luus for a duck. Luus, who only has one 50 from her last 15 T20I innings, hit Dean in the air to mid-off, where Ecclestone had to move left and jump to take a sharp catch, and did so with ease.De Klerk’s cameo South Africa’s hundred came up in the 16th over, when the 36-run stand between Annerie Dercksen and Nondumiso Shangase was broken, which gave de Klerk four overs to show off her finishing skills. Her first boundary was a strong sweep off Bell but she was kept quiet until the last ball of the penultimate over when she hit Ecclestone’s final ball to fine leg. De Klerk took control in the last over when she hit Bell for two more boundaries in an 18-run over, to finish unbeaten on 29 off 16 balls. Her 42-run sixth-wicket partnership with Dercksen was South Africa’s highest of the match and pushed them over 140.Sophie Ecclestone takes the plaudits after catching Sune Luus•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesHlubi’s horror start It is only Ayanda Hlubi’s third T20I match so it’s difficult to be too harsh on her but she seemed to struggle with her run-up and rhythm immediately. Her first ball was short and down leg and Maia Bouchier helped it on its way for four. Then, she overstepped. Bouchier popped the free hit up to mid-off (who dropped it, though it didn’t matter), but two balls later, Hlubi overstepped again. And then again. Bouchier could not take advantage of any of the free hits and the over finally ended after nine deliveries with England 11 without loss. Hlubi’s second over was more disciplined but her third cost 22 runs, including another no-ball that was hit for four by Jones, who launched the resultant free hit for the innings’ only six.How low can you go? Buffalo Park is not known for its bounce and tends to get slower and lower as matches go on. That’s exactly what happened through England’s innings as Eliz-Mari Marx, on comeback, took full advantage. When Bouchier premeditated a switch-hit of sorts over backward point, in the fifth over, and missed, Marx bowled her but her came when she was brought back on in the 11th over. Marx stunned England captain Heather Knight, who stayed back in her crease to a full delivery, and inside-edged onto her stumps. England were 65 for 4 in the 11th over, and needed 78 runs inside 10 overs to win.No getting past Nat Sciver-Brunt Some of the others may have looked rusty but Sciver-Brunt was in fine touch as early as the second ball she faced. She punched it off the back foot through the covers to get going. Her ease against South Africa’s spinners saw her score 33 runs off the 31 balls she faced against them and her dominant on-side play meant South Africa could not plug the gaps quickly enough. Sciver-Brunt scored 48 of her 59 runs in the on-side, including five of her seven boundaries. She scored 20 runs off 15 balls in the last five overs, to keep England in touch with the required run-rate and clear the path for a win.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone named Barcelona as his favourite opponents and showered high praise on Blaugrana counterpart Hansi Flick.

Simeone picks Barcelona as his favourite opponentAtleti coach praises Hansi Flick for bringing the best out of playersArgentine opens up on Atletico’s slow start to La Liga seasonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Simeone admitted he enjoys preparing for games against Barcelona, praising their attack and the way they play as a team. At the same time, the Argentine confessed his frustration with Atletico’s consistent third-place finish behind Barca and Real Madrid. It hasn’t helped that his side has got off to a poor start this season, managing just two points from their first three matches.

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Simeone, who has been in charge of Atletico since 2011, knows Barcelona better than most. He has faced them in countless domestic and European clashes, including four times last season. The Catalan giants came out on top in three of those meetings, knocking Atletico out of the Copa del Rey. 

But the challenge for his side goes beyond just Barca. Atletico, who last won the league in 2021, have finished third in four of the last six seasons, stuck behind Barca and Real Madrid in those occasions. Third place might keep them in the Champions League, but for Simeone, it doesn’t feel like enough for a club that wants to push for more.

WHAT DIEGO SIMEONE SAID

Speaking to , the Atleti coach praised Hansi Flick's side and revealed that he enjoys playing against their attacking team. 

"They [Barcelona] attack well, they have verticality, the wingers are important… They have a great team and they play as a team. The best coaches are those who manage to bring out the best version of each player."

He also spoke about Atletico’s tendency to finish behind Barca and Real Madrid in La Liga, making it clear he isn’t satisfied with third place.

"I know we have to win. And I've known this for four years. If Atletico wants to continue growing and improving as a club and as a team, it has to win again. We won in 1996, 2014 and 2021 and… it's time. It's time, we have to win. I try not to get comfortable, not to relax, not to interpret that third place is enough for me, because it's not. Am I happy being third? No, it doesn't make me happy, but for the club it's extremely important to be third and I'm a club man."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR DIEGO SIMEONE

With the international break over, Atletico Madrid will look to bounce back from their slow start when they host Villarreal on September 13. While Simeone is convinced they will take off, he knows the pressure is on to turn things around quickly and push the club back into the title race.