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Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’s arrival at Sunderland has been game-changing and his tenure so far has exceeded even the most ambitious of supporters.

That being said, he didn’t particularly have much to live up to. Stewart Donald’s reign was filled with despair as the Black Cats consistently failed to get promoted.

However, with the young Frenchman at the helm, there is already a brighter future taking shape.

Sunderland have won their first trophy for over 40 years and they are now just three points off top spot with two games in hand in League One. If they don’t get promoted this season, you have to wonder if they ever will.

The atmosphere surrounding the Stadium of Light has been much improved and that’s mainly been down to Dreyfus’ entrance.

He has a plethora of decisions to make when the summer comes round, though. A number of their players will be out of contract, including Charlie Wyke.

Failure to go up, however, and Wyke could take the decision out of the owner’s hands.

Another situation that could be taken out of his hands is the future of Dion Sanderson. The 21-year-old has been a breath of fresh air to the Sunderland backline this term, being dubbed a “shining light” and a “Rolls-Royce” by Lee Johnson for his performances.

He has been part of a Mackems defence that has now kept eight clean sheets in their last ten outings; no wonder Sanderson has received such enormous praise.

As a result of his displays, the youngster has attracted plenty of suitors throughout the Football League. Sunderland have reportedly opened discussions over a potential £2m deal, though.

This would be an almighty show of ambition and it would be a huge statement from Louis-Dreyfus if he spent such money early on in his ownership.

That being said, if they go up, he’d be a vital addition. Sanderson already has Championship experience with Cardiff and as we’ve seen in recent months, he is one of the Black Cats’ most important players.

He has won 23 aerial duels over the last ten matches, making 33 clearances in the process. When an opposition attacker is met with the young defender, they often come out second best.

His talent is undeniable and if you heed the words of Stephen Elliott, he’s set for a bright future.

Speaking to The Athletic, he commented: “It looks like he’s played a lot more football than he has.

“He’s composed, he steps out of defence, he can pass it, he reads the game, wins headers, even if he makes a mistake, he doesn’t get flustered. I can’t really fault him.”

Elliott added on Twitter: “If Sanderson continues playing like this then there will be a lot of higher placed football teams in the football league if not Prem after his signature. Going to be a big star.”

Indeed, that’s exactly why this signing would be such a statement of intent.

Sanderson is destined for bigger things than Sunderland; he is an astute defender with qualities in every area. £2m would be daylight robbery for a player of his quality.

This shouldn’t turn out to be another Will Grigg situation.

AND in other news, Drop him: Sunderland liability who lost possession 35x continues to let Johnson down…

The England international got the vital goal and the Spanish shot-stopper was on top form to ensure the Red Devils side stayed in the lead.

Marcus Rashford is the man who will get the most credit for his fantastic goal that secured a 1-0 win for Manchester United against West Ham, but this was a success with many fathers.

The likes of Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot and Christian Eriksen all deserve credit for their roles in the narrow victory, while David De Gea produced his best all-round performance in years between the sticks.

The goalkeeper was absolutely magnificent against the Hammers, particularly towards the end of the game as he pulled off some spectacular saves to keep the visitors out.

Martinez and Maguire, too, were solid at the back and Dalot made some important headers to keep upsetting David Moyes' men.

The win sees United extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches and puts them in fifth place in the league.

Erik ten Hag's men sit just one point behind Newcastle and are well and truly in the fight for a top-four finish amid the progress they have made under the new coach.

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  The Winners

  Marcus Rashford:

  The 24-year-old made the difference for his team with the vital goal that secured the three points. Was a good threat throughout the game as he netted for the seventh time this season and the 100th overall for United. Having now scored in two games in a row, he will be hoping to have impressed England coach Gareth Southgate with another strong performance.

  David De Gea:

  Rashford got the winning goal but De Gea was just as important at the back. West Ham grew into the game and pushed for the late equaliser and the Spanish goalkeeper stayed alert to pull off some fantastic saves to protect his team's lead. A prime De Gea display.

  Diogo Dalot:

  The full-back is getting better and better and he put in another impressive performance at Old Trafford on Sunday. Made some vital defensive headers to clear the danger as West Ham's crosses put his team under pressure but he dealt with the danger so comfortably.

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  The Losers

  Jarrod Bowen:

  The West Ham star will be kicking himself after missing a golden opportunity to tie the game up right at the end. Other than that, it was a disappointing performance from the 25-year-old as he failed to create anything against a resolute United defence. Overpowered throughout the 90 minutes and then fluffed his lines with the big chance.

  Anthony Elanga:

  The Swedish winger was United's weakest player in this game. He just looked out of his depth and unable to combine with his team-mates or create anything on his own to justify his place in the starting XI. It was no surprise to see him taken off with 30 minutes still to play.

  David Moyes:

  The West Ham boss looked furious after the game after seeing his side unable to take any of the chances they created. He has struggled to get the best out of his team this season and Sunday's game was another disappointing one. They threatened more towards the end of the game but he does not make the right changes to his team's shape to give them a chance of stopping bigger teams.

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  Man Utd Ratings: Defence

  David de Gea (8/10):

  Pulled off a couple of great saves in the final 10 minutes to keep his team in the league and made a few vital interventions for his side beyond that.

  Diogo Dalot (8/10):

  Made some important headers to clear the danger from West Ham's crosses. A solid defensive performance from the Portugal international.

  Harry Maguire (7/10):

  Left his team exposed a few times when West Ham tried to hit on the counter attack. Had some good moments in clearing the danger around the box, though, including an important one to stop Declan Rice right at the end.

  Lisandro Martinez (8/10):

  Another solid performance from the Argentine defender with his tackles and sensible passing. He has settled in really well and has well and truly defeated the scepticism that accompanied his arrival.

  Luke Shaw (7/10):

  Looked good going forward for the home team and linked up well with Rashford a few times as he looked to create some danger on the left side.

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  Midfield

  Casemiro (6/10):

  Looked strong and made some useful passes to keep things ticking over in midfield for the Red Devils.

  Christian Eriksen (8/10):

  The Denmark international provided a lovely assist for Rashford to open the scoring and was always looking to create something for the home team.

  Bruno Fernandes (7/10):

  Linked up well with Eriksen to send in the cross for Rashford for the decisive goal but not his strongest performance overall as he did not create enough for the home team.

Joel Matip sunk Ajax with a late goal at Anfield as Liverpool earned a desperately needed 2-1 win.

Not Mohamed Salah. Not Diogo Jota. Not Luis Diaz. Not Darwin Nunez.

No, the Reds got their Champions League campaign up and running with a clutch winner from centre-back Joel Matip on Tuesday night.

The defender rose highest to head home Kostas Tsimikas’ corner, sparking joyous scenes as Jurgen Klopp’s side put the misery of last week’s abject defeat to Napoli behind them.

In the process, Matip spared Nunez from harsh post-match reactions. The substitute striker failed to take a gilt-edged opportunity late on, dragging wide from Salah’s pass, as an uneven start to his Anfield tenure stumbled on.

Salah had earlier netted Liverpool's opener only for Mohammed Kudus to lash an equaliser past Alisson.

The win means Liverpool move level with Ajax on three points from two games in Group A, and they are next in action on October 4, when they welcome Rangers to Anfield.

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  The Winners

  Joel Matip:

  Where else to start but with the matchwinner? Matip hadn't started for Liverpool since the opening weekend of the season, but he marked his return to the XI in fine style here, his 90th-minute header blowing the roof off Anfield and ensuring the Reds are back in control of their European destiny.

  This was a good snapshot of what the former Cameroon international brings to this Reds team. Defensively he was superb, stepping forward with the ball, reading the game expertly and rarely losing an aerial duel.

  Then, with the clock ticking down, he was there to meet Tsimikas' corner flush to send the Kop wild.

  Welcome back.

  Mohamed Salah:

  You can't keep the world's best players down for long. Salah's start to the season has, like Liverpool's, been a mixed one, but this was much more like it from the Egyptian.

  He buried the first chance that came his way, latching onto Diogo Jota's pass and finishing sharply on his left foot after 17 minutes. It was exactly what Jurgen Klopp will have wanted to see, his forwards linking up to devastating effect, with Salah profiting centrally instead of being marooned on the right flank as in recent weeks.

  When he drift wide, however, he was also dangerous, willing to run at Daley Blind and ask questions of the former Manchester United man. Meanwhile, he showed – as he always does, to be fair – his selflessness and team ethic by chasing back 60 yards to help stop an Ajax counter-attack.

  All in all, a welcome step in the right direction for the Reds' star man.

  Mohammed Kudus:

  Two games, two left-footed finishes of unerring quality, plenty of reasons to get excited about Kudus.

  The Ghanaian is certainly making his mark on the Champions League this season. His goal here looked to have grabbed his side a priceless away point, only for Matip to go and spoil the party late on.

  Kudus was a target for Everton in the summer, only for Ajax to block the move. How glad they must be that they did. The 22-year-old is a top prospect, and one whose name may well be finding its way into the minds of Liverpool's scouting and recruitment team after this.

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  The Losers

  Darwin Nunez:

  The chance was there, and it would have been some goal too. Liverpool, for once in the second half, opened Ajax up, with Joel Matip, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah all combining.

  Salah rolled the ball invitingly into the path of Nunez, who had only been on the field 14 minutes, but the Uruguayan fluffed his lines, scuffing his effort wide of Remko Pasveer's right-hand post.

  It looked like it would cost his side, only for Matip to save the day. Nunez, in fairness, made an impact after coming on alongside Roberto Firmino, but he still looks like a player playing with tension at times.

  He could do with a goal, but Liverpool don't play again until October 1.

  Joe Gomez:

  It feels harsh to single out a player who didn't even play, but when the man who replaces you performs as Matip did here, and then ends the night the hero, then you have to wonder what Gomez was thinking.

  Last week, he was terrorised in Naples, unable to cope with the Italians' speed and movement. It was no surprise that Matip came in for this game, and it is unavoidable that Liverpool looked far more secure with him alongside Virgil van Dijk.

  Gomez will come again, for sure, but for now he has lost his shirt, again.

  The noisy minority:

  Anfield paid its respects to Queen Elizabeth II prior to kick off, as the stadium fell silent for a short period.

  Silent, that is, except for a few isolated idiots, intent on making themselves heard when nobody wanted them to. It was not what anyone needed, not Liverpool, not Ajax, and not the majority inside the stadium who kept quiet.

  No doubt there will be some who look to make a bigger deal of it than necessary. Some will have been desperate for Liverpool fans to show themselves up. As it was, it was only a handful who did.

  The trouble is, the noise of an idiot will always be heard.

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  Liverpool Ratings: Defence

  Alisson (7/10):

  Played some of his side's best passes in the first half. Beaten emphatically by Kudus but immaculate otherwise.

  Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

  Ajax's equaliser came down his side, and a little too easily as well. Did fine otherwise, including a few excellent tackles on Bergwijn in the second half.

  Joel Matip (8/10):

  His ability to step into midfield was helpful, and he defended on the front foot well. Might have pulled the trigger when well-placed on the edge of the box a few times in the second half. Oh, and he scored the winner too, of course.

  Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

  Stood off Kudus in the box and was punished. Otherwise did what he needed to.

  Kostas Tsimikas (7/10):

  Had his hands full with the experienced Tadic but defended stoutly and put some decent balls into the box, including the one which led to the winning goal.

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  Midfield

  Fabinho (7/10):

  Looked happier with Thiago next to him, and had some snap back in his challenges.

  Thiago Alcantara (8/10):

  Back in the starting XI, he showed how much his absence has been felt. Always in control and able to take an extra touch before finding the right pass. Perhaps tired in the second half, but that was understandable. What he provided for his team was superb.

  Harvey Elliott (6/10):

  Bright and purposeful on the ball, though clearly still learning the positional side of the game as a midfielder. His tidiness is an asset.

Slavia Prague defender Alexander Bah has bizarrely claimed Glasgow Rangers fans stormed Ibrox in the aftermath of Thursday’s match between the two sides.

Bah makes bizarre claim

Slavia progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals after beating the Gers 2-0 at Ibrox. However, the match was marred as Glen Kamara claims he was racially abused by Ondrej Kudela.

The atmosphere was unsurprisingly heated, and Slavia have already claimed Kudela was punched in the back of the head in the tunnel (slavia.cz). Now, £2.25m-valued Bah (Transfermarkt) has incredibly suggested Rangers supporters stormed the stadium after the full-time whistle. He explained to Danish outlet Bold.dk:

“After the game we stood for an hour or a half out in the stadium because we couldn’t get into our dressing room as it was surrounded by fans and some of their players.

“In the end we were finally able to get into the dressing room and then we were told to take a quick bath and then go together to the bus quite quickly. ‘As I understood it, a lot of fans had turned up in front of the entrance to the stadium, and I think there were also some who had come in. There was a sea of police officers as we were going out to the buses, so it was a wild experience.”

Lies?

Quite frankly, this is a lie. There has been no suggestion any fans were at the stadium, with journalist Graeme Hanna sharing a picture of a quiet Ibrox around the time Bah suggested supporters were causing trouble. It hardly supports the claims that are coming out of the Slavia camp.

Clearly, something happened in the tunnel – UEFA must launch an investigation into all the incidents that occurred on the night. Their task will not be made any easier by lies from those involved, though. The whole affair continues to get uglier and uglier.

In other news, Alan Hutton suggests this ace could leave Rangers this summer.

Leeds United will not have to face Thiago Silva in their Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, acting as a late boost to the Whites.

Marcelo Bielsa side’s host the Blues this weekend, in what has the potential to be an intriguing tactical battle at Elland Road.

Chelsea will pose a huge threat to the Whites, with Thomas Tuchel not yet suffering defeat in 11 matches in charge, taking them up a level after Frank Lampard’s departure.

Leeds will be aiming for a response after their disappointing 2-0 defeat away to West Ham, with Bielsa without Pascal Struijk and Pablo Hernandez due to injury, as reported by The Athletic‘s Phil Hay on Twitter.

Chelsea suffer Silva injury blow

Chelsea have also suffered a major late injury blow, however, with the Yorkshire Evening Post confirming that Silva will miss out at Elland Road after a new issue in his recovery from a previous problem.

The 36-year-old hasn’t featured for the west Londoners since their 1-0 win at Tottenham early last month, but was expected to feature very soon. YEP’s report details the Brazilian has ‘suffered a setback’ in his recovery, and will now not make his return this weekend.

Transfer Tavern take

Silva’s absence means Chelsea look likely to continue with their three-man defence of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.

Tuchel’s men haven’t conceded in their last four matches, in all competitions, proving that they are still thriving without the Brazilian legend in the team, but it will certainly make Patrick Bamford and co’s task easier not having to face a player with such experience and leadership qualities.

Silva is described in the report as having a ‘huge impact’ at Stamford Bridge, and so his absence may prove to have an equally large influence on Saturday’s proceedings.

In other news, Paul Robinson has urged Leeds to make a move Odsonne Edouard. Read about it here.

The Blues have won the most Women's Super League titles in total and in succession. They can extend both records this season with another triumph…

The Women's Super League is back and the champions, Chelsea, are ready to show what they've got.

Spearheaded by stars like Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby, Emma Hayes' side have won the last three league titles, more than any club has managed in a row since the rebranding of England's top tier.

However, Arsenal were not far from denying them that feat last season and the Gunners will be determined to go one better this time around.

It's clear the Blues will have another fight on their hands to retain their trophy but they have an incredibly talented squad – one they will hope can finally deliver the European glory they so crave, too.

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  The Squad

  If there is one certainty about Chelsea, it's that they will score goals. Sam Kerr holds so many records for this that it's hard to keep track. Fran Kirby is her electric partner-in-crime and Pernille Harder, formerly the most expensive women's footballer in history, is renowned for her ability to both create chances and put them away.

  This summer, Hayes has brought in even more firepower. Winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd arrives with quite a reputation from her native Sweden, the same country in which midfield reinforcement Jelena Cankovic has been one of the best players on show for the last few years. Katerina Svitkova, a playmaking Czech international, has also come in from West Ham and forward Lauren James is back to full fitness.

  With defenders Kadeisha Buchanan and Eve Perisset also signing, and the long-serving Jonna Andersson, Ji So-yun and Drew Spence all moving on, it's been quite a summer of change for the champions.

  The challenge for Hayes now is to get all of these players to gel while also fitting them into a system that brings the best out of them and the team.

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  The Hopes

  Chelsea's aims each year are the same: win as many trophies as possible. Last season, they picked up two, the league and the FA Cup, but lost the Continental Cup final and went out of the Champions League in the group stages.

  The latter was a remarkable surprise given the Blues reached the final in Europe the year before, but they did land in a tough group with old rivals Wolfsburg and Juventus, a club massively on the rise in the women's game.

  That exit will have only fuelled their desire to claim the continental crown that has so far eluded them. Hayes and her players treat all the competitions they compete in with huge respect, but to win the Champions League is a huge ambition of this club. They will hope this summer's business can get them closer to achieving it.

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  The Fears

  Chelsea may have one of the most well-stocked squads in Europe, but that doesn't mean it is faultless. With Melanie Leupolz on maternity leave, and Spence and Ji leaving, they are lacking a bit of steel in midfield.

  This summer, they tried to bring in Paris Saint-Germain captain Grace Geyoro to fix that, but the French giants stood firm and rejected what would've been a world-record fee despite the player wishing to try a new challenge.

  Hayes has got creative to try and strengthen the area, transforming tenacious winger Erin Cuthbert into a deep-lying midfielder in pre-season. It's not the only experimenting she's done, either.

  Harder has dropped into "a bit more of a midfield role", as the Dane described it to GOAL, while captain Magdalena Eriksson looks like she will move from centre-back to left-back due to a dearth of options. The Swede is more than comfortable there, but she is certainly at her best in the heart of defence.

  Will these positional changes be enough to address gaps in the squad? Only time will tell.

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  The Hero

  If there's an easy way to sum up Sam Kerr's incredible goal-scoring, it's in the fact that she has now won seven successive golden boots – across three leagues, in three different countries, on three different continents.

  Those who doubted her ability to bring the quality she showed in Australia and the United States to England have now been silenced as she continues to show she is one of the best forwards in the world.

  "The best have it both sides of the ball," Emma Hayes said of Kerr after she had scored twice to help the Blues win the title again in May. "Defensively from the front, she can make it a nightmare for the opponent and once spaces open up, she's scored all different types of goals."

  She's formed deadly partnerships since signing for Chelsea with Kirby and Harder, and this season she has some more exciting attacking options to terrorise defenders with.

How have football stars such as Paulo Dybala, Mikel Arteta and Paolo Maldini been affected by the virus?

The coronavirus pandemic has swept the world and a number of footballers have been confirmed as having contracted it, forcing leagues everywhere to a standstill.

As well-paid athletes, elite-level footballers are ostensibly in a much better position to fight off the virus, but some have reported feeling serious pain and being scared.

There are a few commonly reported symptoms, but those who are asymptomatic can also be carriers and unknowingly spread it.

Some of the main symptoms include:

• Fever 
• Tiredness 
• Dry cough 
• Loss of smell & taste
• Aches & pains
• Sore throat

Goal takes a look at some of the symptoms and experiences reported by footballers who contracted the coronavirus.

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  Mikel Arteta | Arsenal

  Symptoms: temperature, dry cough, chest pain

  Arteta explained: "In terms of symptoms, it was a normal virus for me. I had three or four days which were a little bit difficult, with a bit of a temperature and a dry cough, and some discomfort in my chest. That was it."

  'That's when the fear comes' – Arteta details coronavirus experience

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  Callum Hudson-Odoi | Chelsea

  Symptoms: "similar to a mild cold"

  Chelsea and England star Hudson-Odoi recovered from the virus after spending a week-long period in self-isolation. The winger reported symptoms "similar to a mild cold".

  Hudson-Odoi reveals he has recovered from coronavirus symptoms

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  Daniele Rugani | Juventus

  Symptoms: mild fever

  Rugani tested positive for the virus, but was ostensibly asymptomatic. In a message posted on his Twitter page, he said: "You will have read the news and that's why I want to reassure all those who are worrying about me, I'm fine."

  His girlfriend Michela Persico told: "Daniele recorded three mild fever lines, he was at a temperature of 37.5.

  "He asked to be checked and, the next day, the test was positive, but he already had no fever, nor did he have or had a cough or something else. So we didn't expect it. We don't have a clue how the infection happened."

  Juventus defender Rugani tests positive for coronavirus

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  Luca Kilian | Paderborn

  Symptoms: sore throat, fever, headache

  "On March 12 I had the first of my hot flushes and a day later they were really strong. Fever and strong shivers. It was then I started being really scared for the first time," Kilian told .

  The player added: "It took four days for the fever to drop, and after that I felt better every day.

  "I'm a sportsman and in form, but I had to fight a lot against the virus. For the people who already have health issues, it could put their life in danger."

Liverpool are continuing to be linked with a move for Lille midfielder Renato Sanches ahead of the summer, and the Portuguese could be the ideal long-term heir for Jordan Henderson.

According to reports from Italy, the 23-year-old ‘seems destined’ to join Jurgen Klopp’s side this summer, as he continues to impress with his performances in Ligue 1.

Whilst the young midfielder is perhaps best known by a lot of Premier League fans for his torrid time on loan with Swansea City, Sanches has proved himself an extremely capable player in his time with both Bayern Munich and Lille, whilst also being one of Portugal’s stars of Euro 2016.

This season has seen Sanches has made 10 starts in Ligue 1 and in the games he has started, he has averaged a solid 6.97 rating for his performances, whilst also contributing one goal.

The midfielder has averaged a solid 89.1% pass accuracy in Ligue 1, whilst Henderson has managed an 87.3% pass accuracy in the Premier League.

Both Henderson’s and Sanches’ main strength is their passing, whilst the Portuguese international is also strong when it comes to dribbling, crossing and defensive contribution.

WhoScored (see links above) suggest that both players like to play long balls and play the ball off the ground often, which suggests that Sanches would fit into Liverpool’s style of play well.

Considering Henderson will turn 31 in June, the Reds arguably need to cast their eye towards the future and look at bringing in a long-term replacement for the influential captain, although his impressive fitness levels suggest that he has a few more years at the top at least.

Sanches also scores superbly on the scouting website FBRef, with his chance creation and progressive passing stats particularly impressive.

He was also well thought of during his time at Bayern Munich, with former manager Niko Kovac full of praise for the midfielder in 2018, saying:

“Renato has an exceptionally good technique, very good speed and a great body.

“It’s true that people fly off him left and right – just like they used to do with Lothar Matthaus.”

Therefore, the 23-year-old could certainly prove to be the long-term replacement for Henderson in this Liverpool side, as all the stats suggest that he would fit well into Klopp’s style of play.

AND, in other news… Edwards can rectify January transfer window blunder with summer swoop for 21 y/o centre-back beast

With the Blancos poised to get rid of €31.5 million flop Danilo, Goal looks back at other players who failed dismally at the Santiago Bernabeu

Real Madrid have never been afraid to splash the cash. This, after all, is a club responsible for half of the eight most expensive transfers of all time.

However, the capital club haven't always spent their money wisely. Indeed, for every Cristiano Ronaldo or Sergio Ramos, there's a Kaka or Jonathan Woodgate.

Below, Goal runs through the worst transfers that Real have ever made…

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  NICOLAS ANELKA | From Arsenal | €34.5m | 2009

  Real took a massive gamble when they signed a talented but temperamental French striker who had already earned himself the nickname ' Le Sulk ' in the English press. It did not pay off. Nicolas Anelka lasted just one season in Spain – but it was an eventful campaign.

  His first goal came in the Clasico, while he netted twice in the Champions League semi-finals against Bayern Munich. However, there were just seven goals altogether, not least due to the fact that the forward was suspended for 45 days at one point for refusing to train, with Anelka accusing his Spanish employers of treating him "like a dog".

  "Something does not turn around properly in his head," Real president Lorenzo Sanz countered, shortly before selling his  to PSG.

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  ELVIR BALJIC | From Fenerbahce | €26m | 1999

  Real have John Toshack to blame for the waste of money that was Elvir Baljic, as it was the Welshman had been impressed by the Bosnian during his time working in Turkey and, consequently, persuaded Real president to pay a shockingly large fee for the forward.

  Baljic's hopes of making an impact in Spain were hardly helped by a knee injury shortly after his arrival but even when fit, he did not look like he belonged at the highest level and he was loaned back to Fenerbahce after just one season, and one goal, in La Liga. He later mused: "It doesn't hurt me to see media listing me among Real's biggest flops; I don't see myself that way." Unfortunately, Real's fans do.

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  ANTONIO CASSANO | From Roma | €5m | 2006

  The fee may have been small but Antonio Cassano was a colossal waste of money. His goal return was dismal (just one in seven appearances), his attitude dreadful and his diet even worse.

  "In Madrid, I had a friend who was a hotel waiter," the enigmatic Italian later revealed. "His job was to bring me three or four pastries after I had sex. He would bring the pastries up the stairs, I would escort the woman to him and we would make an exchange: he would take the girl and I would take the pastries. Sex and then food, a perfect night."

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  DANILO | From Porto | €31.5m | 2015

  Danilo has openly admitted that it is difficult to deal with the amount of scrutiny players are subjected to by the media in Madrid. "An error, no matter how small, goes viral," he lamented. "A mistake becomes very great even if it is small. But, of course, when you do something good, it is also very great."

  Unfortunately, the Brazilian has rarely done anything good since joining from Porto two years ago – he played every minute of every defeat Real suffered during the 2015-16 campaign – and is now set to be sold, with both Chelsea and Juventus inexplicably interested in signing Dani Carvajal's understudy.

Gareth Crooks believes Tottenham Hotspur should have moved to sign Jesse Lingard from Manchester United in January.

Spurs should have made Lingard move

Lingard made the switch to West Ham on loan last month, and has since scored three goals in four games (Transfermarkt) – one of which came against Spurs on Sunday in a 2-1 win.

Crooks included the England international in his BBC Team of the Week, and he suggested Jose Mourinho should have made an approach. He said:

“I find it particularly interesting that it is Moyes who has given Lingard a chance to rejuvenate his career, when it was Spurs who desperately needed him. Lingard is playing out of his skin.”

Hard to agree

Hindsight is a wonderful thing – it is very easy for Crooks to now say that Mourinho should have moved for £9m-valued Lingard (Transfermarkt) when he is impressing at another club. The fact of the matter is, he had managed just four goals since the start of the 2019/20 campaign before leaving Old Trafford for the Hammers on a temporary basis and it looked like his best days were behind him.

Tottenham have their very own Englishman who has fallen on hard times in Dele Alli – the last thing they needed was to bring in another such player. Lingard is doing fantastically well at the London Stadium, and David Moyes deserves credit for that, but it may not have been the case elsewhere.

In other news, Tottenham are said to be interested in this Champions League midfielder.