Sports

Silva and Donnarumma are Key to Man City Success

Published

8 months ago

October 28, 2025

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Gareth Barry says Manchester City’s little and large combination have been an irresistible force this season.

The former Premier League title-winner has pinpointed the players he believes are having a huge impact on Pep Guardiola’s men this season.

Barry looked beyond Erling Haaland’s goals and singled out two players who he feels have a point to prove for different reasons. One because his time was reportedly coming to an end at the Etihad Stadium, while the other has just arrived.

Barry Adamant Silva and Donnarumma are Influential

Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrating after Manchester City scored against Manchester United

Ex-England midfielder Barry, who spent four seasons with Manchester City, has insisted that Bernardo Silva has been every bit as influential as his namesake, David, who Barry spent three seasons playing alongside.

Barry said: “I think there are a lot of similarities between the two. It’s not just the name, but the size, the left foot and the way he plays. There are definite similarities for me and what’s interesting is that he was one of the names who were written off last year. The rumours were that he was on his way out of the club.

“But, to me, he looks hungry, he looks like he’s playing with a point to prove – and that’s the sign of a top professional. That attitude of: ‘I’ll show people I’m not done. I’ve still got a few seasons in me’. And he’s producing the goods as well. Given the squad that they’ve got there, that’s a good sign.”

Barry, who joined Manchester City from Aston Villa back in 2009, says that the spotlight has been largely kept off the Sky Blues as the focus fell on Liverpool and Arsenal during the early-season fixtures.

And he believes a key reason for their appearance once more at the top end of the Premier League table is because of one of their summer imports.

He said: “Manchester City are gelling together really well. They’re looking a lot more solid. But the slickness in their play seems to be because they are controlling games a lot more than they were last year. It’s not only that. I think one of their best pieces of business was signing Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“They bought James Trafford back – and it’s a bit of a shame for him – but they obviously saw something in Donnarumma that they needed. It wasn’t even just his ability as a goalkeeper. But it’s the character of the bloke – look at the clubs he has played for, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain – and the size of him.

“It has brought a steadiness at the back. He looks like he has been playing at Manchester City for years, which is difficult for a goalkeeper coming into that club and also in that position.

“It’s not always easy to do that. He has started very well, it’s settled down the whole defence – and if they can keep that going, they can still have a say in the title race.

“It probably did need freshening up during the summer. They went about their business quietly – and I think they will lift a trophy again this season.”

Silva and Donnarumma, who are on contracts worth a combined total of £550,000-per-week before bonuses, could next be in action when Manchester City make the trip to Swansea City for a Carabao Cup fourth round clash on Wednesday.

All statistics courtesy of Sofascore – correct as of 28/10/2025

Sports

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Names World’s 5 Best Footballers Right Now

Published

13 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has named the world’s five best footballers right now following France’s 3-0 victory over Sweden in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup.

Kylian Mbappe scored another brace and moves level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi on six goals in the race for the Golden Boot. The Real Madrid superstar now has 18 World Cup goals to his name. Only Messi (19) has more World Cup goals in the tournament’s history.

Bradley Barcola scored France’s other goal. Meanwhile, Michael Olise bagged two assists, and Ousmane Dembele set up Mbappe’s opener.

France are unquestionably the World Cup’s standout team so far and will be the red-hot favourites heading into Saturday’s last 16 tie against Paraguay at the Philadelphia Stadium.

Win that and they’ll then face either Canada or Morocco in the quarter-finals before a potential semi-final against Portugal, Spain, United States or Belgium depending on how results unfold in the previous two rounds.

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Ibrahimovic, the legendary retired Swedish striker who has impressed in his role as a pundit for FOX Sports at this summer’s World Cup, believes three members of the France squad are among the five best players in world football as things stand.

The former Barcelona and Manchester United star said after being wowed by Les Bleus:

“Take the five best players in the world, three of them are in [France’s] attack: Dembele, Olise and Mbappe.”

He explained that Messi doesn’t make his top five because the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is in a league of his own, and instead opted for two younger superstars.

Zlatan added: “[Lamine] Yamal and [Erling] Haaland, I would say, because Messi is in his own class… but three of the top five are in [France’s] attack. It’s not easy to make that combination. We have an example when PSG had Mbappe, Messi and Neymar. It was not working 100 per cent.

“But with France, they don’t have this ego, who will be the one. They also do their jobs off the ball, which is more important than on the ball because we know what they can do on the ball. They can decide the game by themselves – all of them. So, it’s scary.”

You scored

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There was no room in Zlatan’s top five for Bayern Munich and England star Harry Kane, who scored a remarkable 61 goals in 51 games during the 2025-26 season. Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also missed the cut, despite being among the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.

Sports

Rangers Agree Deal to Beat Southampton in Transfer Battle for Dan Neil

Published

33 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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Rangers look set to complete a hijack after agreeing a deal to beat Southampton to a new signing, according to reports.

The Glasgow club are preparing to enter a new era after appointing former Hearts manager Derek McInnes as their new boss. He replaces Danny Rohl, who made the move to RB Salzburg.

It was a dismal end to the 25-26 season for Rangers, comfortably missing out on the Scottish Premiership title to rivals Celtic.

As a result, they will be looking to bring in reinforcements during the summer transfer window, likely aiming to strengthen in various areas of the pitch.

It could be a busy few weeks and months for Rangers as they look to back new manager McInnes in the transfer market.

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Tottenham have a decision to make.

Rangers Beat Southampton to Signing

According to both Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie and GIVEMESPORT correspondent Ben Jacobs, Rangers have agreed a deal to sign former Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil.

Jacobs confirms that Neil is expected to join Rangers as a free agent with an agreement in place and close to being formalised.

Downie confirms that Neil was in talks with Southampton and looked to have opted to join the Championship club, but things have changed significantly over the last 48 hours as Rangers swooped in.

Neil has been having a medical over the last 24 hours at Ibrox, and a deal is expected to be confirmed soon.

Rangers completed the signing of Ivor Pandur from Hull earlier this week in a deal worth £6m, so they are clearly making moves in the transfer market.

Sports

Arsenal Eyeing Former Leeds Goalkeeper Illan Meslier

Published

51 minutes ago

July 1, 2026

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Arsenal are showing interest in signing another French star alongside Bradley Barcola of PSG, according to BBC reporter Sami Mokbel.

The Gunners haven’t rushed into any big signings so far in the summer transfer window, which is no surprise after they lifted the Premier League title last season.

The likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool are all working on multiple deals at a time, but Arsenal can afford to sit back and wait.

The Gunners won’t want to rest on what they built last year, especially considering they lost in the Champions League final against PSG.

There’s no doubt Mikel Arteta will be looking to improve his squad in the summer transfer window, but there’s no need for them to panic after their 25-26 campaign success.

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Arsenal Eyeing French Star

According to BBC reporter Mokbel, Arsenal have a strong interest in signing goalkeeper Illan Meslier, who has now left Leeds United following the expiration of his contract.

Arsenal are potentially in the market for a second-choice goalkeeper with Kepa Arrizabalaga’s future uncertain.

The former Chelsea goalkeeper might be considering heading through the exit door in the coming months in order to go and play more regular first-team football.

Meslier isn’t the only French player that Arsenal are currently looking at, with reports suggesting that they also want Paris Saint-Germain winger Barcola.