Sports
If Ryan Giggs was French, I would’ve been Stuck on the Bench
Zinedine Zidane built a remarkable reputation as a footballer long before stepping into coaching. The elegant midfielder started out at Cannes, but it was after his 1992 switch to Bordeaux that he truly began catching the eye of top clubs across Europe.
His performances helped Bordeaux reach the 1996 UEFA Cup final, and soon after he left France to sign for Juventus. Zidane spent five seasons in Turin, where his influence continued to grow, playing a key role as the club secured two Serie A titles and advanced to a pair of Champions League finals.
His impact was just as significant on the international stage. With France, Zidane became indispensable, famously inspiring the team to World Cup glory in 1998 — the same year he collected the Ballon d’Or. He added another major honour two years later, helping France win Euro 2000.
Renowned for his technique, vision and composure on the ball, Zidane earned admiration from teammates and rivals alike. In 2001, Real Madrid paid a then-record transfer fee to bring him to Spain. During his five seasons at the Bernabéu, he captured both the La Liga title and the Champions League before bringing his playing career to an end in 2006.
And yet, Zidane claims that his career would have panned out very differently, had a certain British footballer represented his beloved France instead – insisting he’d be stuck behind him the pecking order. In 2020, as per Planet Football, the Frenchman had glowing praise for Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.
‘Ryan Giggs Would have Left me on France’s Bench’
Few players are as synonymous with the term “one-club man” as Ryan Giggs is. After debuting in 1990, Giggs spent a staggering 24 years amidst the Manchester United ranks, quickly becoming a key part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s first team and being a crucial cog in the club’s dominance under the Scot. To date, no player has won more than the 13 Premier League titles that Giggs lifted.
Giggs’ brilliance and the longevity of such quality ensured that his legacy in the sport was firmly cemented, a player that would be consistently noticed by fans and peers alike. In discussing Giggs once, Zidane simply said:
“If he was French, (Robert) Pires or myself would have been on the bench.”
Given Zidane’s ability and stature within the French national side, something that is also true of former Arsenal winger Pires, it is an immense compliment to suggest that Giggs would have condemned one of them to the bench were he able. Such admiration was not one way, as Giggs also spoke glowingly of the Frenchman.
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The player in question was labeled as the ‘most complete footballer’ according to Zidane.
Giggs Singled out Zidane as his Greatest Ever Opponent
As aforementioned, Zidane’s ability was so mercurial that he was never far from being a point of praise, with Giggs being yet another professional player to have complimented the midfielder. Speaking to The Manchester Evening News in 2019, as per United in Focus, Giggs said:
“Okay, the best player I played with is Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s the best player I have played with. Best I have played against? Or who had the biggest impact on me was Zidane, when I first played against him, he was playing for Juventus and he was just amazing.
“I looked at him and thought, ‘I need to get to his level.’ He was huge, his touch was brilliant and he had great balance. I played against Messi as well, who is one of the greatest ever, but Zidane just had a big impact on me and was obviously a magnificent player as well.”
Tottenham are said to be working on another deal after all-but wrapping up the club-record Sandro Tonali transfer. Spurs are spending £100million for the Newcastle United midfielder when add-ons are accounted for, and it makes for a record transfer window for the North London club, who have now spent more than £230million.
The spending will not stop there, either, with Roberto De Zerbi set to get even more money to spend before the window is out. Spurs appear to want a winger and potentially a striker, and it looks as though the spending total will soar beyond the £300million-mark when all is said and done.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are now eyeing another Premier League star after signing the Tonali documents.
Spurs still want long-term winger target
According to Romano, Spurs are still hot on Manchester City winger Savinho, who they have been tracking for some time. “And let me tell you, don’t forget also the name of Savinho,” Romano said on his latest YouTube show.
“I always told you Savinho remains a target for Tottenham and Savinho is a target for Tottenham. Then this in terms of timing will depend on several things – the transfer fee, Manchester City movements.
“So, there are a few details before we can say, okay, Tottenham are close to completing the Savinho deal. But the deal is still on. Tottenham have not stopped thinking about Savinho.
“So, remember also him after Sandro Tonali, after Mateus Fernandes, after Senesi, after Robertson, after Dubravka, because Roberto De Zerbi and the team are very busy on the market.”
City are said to be asking for a fee somewhere between £50million and £60million to sell Saviho this summer.
Savinho can be ‘unstoppable’
Speaking earlier this year, now former Man City boss Pep Guardiola said: “At that age, in the one-against-one, he is unstoppable. When we finish the final product, he will be a top, top class player.”
He also said of the winger last season: “What I like from Savinho is always he is digging, go, go, go, all the time. The final decision can be better, of course, but always I reward this work ethic and especially because he goes and he goes all the time.”
Savinho, who is still only 22 years of age, made 24 Premier League appearances for City last season, managing one goal and two assists. Last term was a down season for the Brazilian, though, and he managed 10 assists in the Premier League the previous season.
He Wants to Join: Tottenham Make ‘Extraordinary’ Star Priority Target After Tonali
Tottenham aren’t done yet.
England have advanced to the last eight of the 2026 World Cup following a hard-fought victory against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium. Fans have been full of praise for the entire team, but one unsung hero has received another level of acclaim.
Jude Bellingham netted a first-half double before Harry Kane smashed home a penalty to secure the thrilling 3-2 victory to knock out the home nation on their home turf. Both men have been the stars of the Three Lions’ campaign so far, but they needed their teammates to elevate to their level against Mexico.
That’s exactly what happened. Every man in white left the pitch with significant credit in the bank after digging deep to overcome the perceived disadvantage of the altitude in Mexico City. Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon typified the energy on display.
England Star Puts in Impressive World Cup Display
Gordon, who left Newcastle United to join the Spanish giants earlier this summer, wrestled back his starting place from Marcus Rashford after an impressive substitute cameo against DR Congo. Tuchel’s decision to restore the scouser on the left flank more than paid off.
The 25-year-old played the full match and never stopped running, which was even more vital after Jarell Quansah’s red card. While his passing accuracy (64%) and dribbling success rate (two out of six) weren’t the best, his hard-working nature didn’t allow the Mexican defenders to rest.
He played one key pass, had one shot on target and won the penalty, which eventually produced the winning goal. Gordon’s efforts off the ball were perhaps more impressive than anything he did with it. But it still counts the same.
Gordon Heralded For ‘World-Class’ Performance
England supporters were quick to praise Gordon’s efforts on social media. One even went as far as saying it was the ex-Newcastle attacker’s best-ever game: “Anthony Gordon is having the game of his life, wow.”
“Gordon has been incredible. From his biggest critic – you are the b******* mate,” another usually critical fan stated. An ecstatic supporter labelled the winger an ‘animal’, saying: “Gordon has been an animal in this game.”
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Tuchel didn’t hold back after the match – and Hart wasn’t impressed.
Perhaps the biggest compliment he received on social media was that he was ‘world-class’ on the night. “Anthony Gordon, this is just unbelievable from you, man. Like, I cannot believe how good he’s been out there. Beyond world-class tonight.”
His work rate and never-say-die attitude was clearly appreciated, as another X user said: “Anthony Gordon has 17 lungs,” due to his constant running.
Statistics in this article are courtesy of SofaScore. Correct as of 06-07-26.
Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham are now just one step away from announcing a record transfer as they continue their summer of spending. Spurs have put together a club record-setting window that has seen them spend more than £200million in a bid to transform a bottom-dwelling side into one that is capable of fighting for the European spots.
Roberto De Zerbi is being backed to the hilt after keeping Tottenham in the Premier League last season, and there is excitement aplenty around Hotspur Way this summer.
Spurs snapped up some smart free signings early on, and they added to those with the captures of Jan Paul van Hecke and Mateus Fernandes. They have now added another.
Tottenham prepare to announce record deal
Spurs are now said to have completed a deal to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United. The deal is worth £100million including add-ons, while around £92million is expected to be the bulk payment.
Writing on X, Fabrizio Romano wrote: “All documents are signed between Tottenham and Newcastle for Sandro Tonali. Club statement, next step as Tonali will become #THFC record signing.”
Newcastle paid £55million to sign Tonali from AC Milan in 2023, meaning they make a hefty profit on the midfielder. As for Tonali himself, he swaps clubs without having had the chance to play European football next season with either club, but he has a friendship with De Zerbi due to being from the same area in Italy.
Tonali told Sky Italy recently: “Let’s say De Zerbi played a huge role in this decision. He made a huge difference. He acted as a fellow native of Brescia and a friend, but he also demonstrated that he had a lot of work behind him, and that he is committed to it.”
What Tottenham are getting in Tonali
Speaking back in 2023, Howe described Tonali as ‘magnificent’ after a fine performance and goal. He said: “He was magnificent. The goal, sometimes these things are just meant to happen, and he’s arrived in the box and it’s a great finish.
“I’m delighted with his overall performance. He knitted into the midfield very well. He’s built a really good relationship with Bruno Guimaraes) and the players on the right-hand side. You can see how good he can be.”
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher said recently: “Tonali is a midfielder I really rate. He’s got great pace and great power in midfield. He’s certainly a player I looked at thinking about Liverpool.”
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