Sports
Xavi: ‘66-Cap England Star Would’ve Been Valued More if He was Spanish
A truly complete midfielder is rarely seen with weaknesses in their game, and that description perfectly suited Barcelona legend Xavi. The Spaniard slotted effortlessly into the Catalan club’s famous tiki-taka system, a style that helped them dominate European football under Pep Guardiola during a period the club itself later described as “the best Barca”.
Xavi formed part of Barcelona’s legendary midfield trio, controlling matches alongside Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. The three orchestrators also shone together internationally, helping Spain win the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2010.
Although the celebrated Spaniard never played in England, he regularly demonstrated his brilliance in the UEFA Champions League. Few midfielders, past or present, can rival his elegance on the ball — yet he once suggested the England national team had a player who “had everything”.
Xavi: Three Lions Star Deserved To Shine Brighter
Xavi’s appreciation for English football actually began during his youth, when he admired players such as Southampton favourite Matt Le Tissier and Liverpool great John Barnes. In an interview with FourFourTwo, he once explained that “England breathes football in a way Spain doesn’t. In England, a footballer is like a god.”
While there is truth in that claim, there’s little doubt that Xavi’s former teammate Lionel Messi received similar adoration during his years at Barcelona. The Argentine superstar was the crowning piece of Guardiola’s dominant side, thriving in tandem with Xavi.
Many consider that Barcelona team under Guardiola to be the greatest club side ever assembled, and breaking into their star-filled starting XI would have been extremely difficult. Yet there was one English player whom Xavi — and several of his teammates — deeply admired.
Speaking in 2011, Xavi had high praise for one of the Premier League’s most respected figures:
“In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything.”
It’s far from rare to hear Spanish players speak glowingly about Paul Scholes. Guardiola once admitted the Manchester United legend was the one footballer he wished he had managed, while Ander Herrera revealed he studied Scholes closely after arriving at Old Trafford.
Xavi went even further when discussing Scholes’ qualities, making a striking claim about how England had failed to fully appreciate him:
“He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.”
Xavi famously called Scholes his “idol” and first faced him at the age of 18 when Barcelona visited Old Trafford in the Champions League in September 1998. That campaign would go on to be one of the finest of Scholes’ career as he flourished in United’s historic treble-winning side.
The English midfielder scored in a thrilling 3–3 draw with the Catalan club that evening, one of four goals he registered in 10 appearances in the competition. Operating at the heart of Sir Alex Ferguson’s midfield, he was the team’s creative hub — a superb playmaker capable of controlling the rhythm of matches.
Xabi Alonso on England’s Use Of Scholes
Scholes went on to become one of Manchester United’s most decorated players. His experience with England, however, was less successful. He was part of a promising group of players that ultimately failed to fulfill expectations, and retired prematurely in 2004.
Part of the problem was trying to fit him into the same England midfield as players like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, which often resulted in Scholes being shifted out to the left-hand side.
Xabi Alonso, who spent several years playing alongside Gerrard at Liverpool, later discussed England’s attempt to squeeze all three players into the same lineup. Speaking in 2011, he said:
“The collective ideal hasn’t always been there. Paul Scholes maybe hasn’t had the international career he should have. Or Michael Carrick: he makes those around him better, regardless of the fact that he’s not the one who scores the most goals, or a great tackler.”
Scholes himself later admitted he didn’t object to operating on the left, having played there at times for Manchester United. However, he acknowledged that then-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believed Gerrard and Lampard were better suited to the central roles.
The Salford-born midfielder represented England for seven years before retiring from international football in June 2004. His decision ultimately benefited Manchester United, as he dedicated the remainder of his career to club football at Old Trafford and played for another eight years.
Sports
Spurs Set To Offer West Ham Sweap Deal For Fernandes Transfer
Tottenham are preparing to offer West Ham a swap deal in order to complete a deal to sign Mateus Fernandes this summer, according to reports.
Spurs have been in talks with Fernandes and his representatives over a deal to bring the Portuguese to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, with the Hammers looking for a fee in the region of £85million to sanction a deal.
West Ham are hoping there is a bidding war for the Portuguese star, with Manchester United also heavily linked with a move for the 21-year-old. Both teams are in talks over completing a deal with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting that the player does not have a preference over where he ends up.
Fernandes open to Man Utd and Spurs moves
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “The reality of this story is that Mateus Fernandes is prepared to go to Man United or Tottenham. The player is open to both moves.
“The player is ready to accept both projects. It now depends on the club, so who can agree terms with West Ham will get the player, and it’s about the money, because they start at £85million, could be more if these clubs keep fighting for the same player, and also payment tariffs are also important for West Ham, so it’s not just about the fee, it’s also about the timing to pay this money.”
Now, Tottenham are hoping to steal a march on United by offering a swap deal to the Hammers as part of the transfer.
In a post on X, WestHam_Central, in conjunction with Hammers insider ExWHUEmployee stated that “Spurs have offered players to tempt us”.
Tottenham preparing swap deal offer
And one of those players is reported as being youngster Mikey Moore.
The 18-year-old is a highly-regarded prospect at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and enjoyed a fine season away from the club on loan with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership in the 2025/26 season.
The teenager played 47 times across all competitions for the Gers, named in the starting XI for 32 of them. He scored seven goals and laid on four assists and earned rave reviews for his performances out wide.
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Many Tottenham supporters are excited to see him return to the club, but with no European football in the upcoming season, he may find first-team chances harder to come by.
And according the the Hammers insiders, Moore has been offered to the east London club on loan as part of the deal to take Fernandes to Spurs.
With Crysensico Summerville another Hammer linked with an exit from the London Stadium, Moore could be the perfect addition to help them get back into the Premier League, while also securing first team experience in England before returning once more to Tottenham.
‘Ready To Accept’ – Fabrizio Romano Shares Mateus Fernandes Transfer Update
Tottenham and Manchester United are trying to sign the West Ham man
Sports
‘I’m an F1 Team Principal
When it comes to naming the top three drivers on the 2026 Formula 1 grid, there are a wealth of differing opinions depending on the ranker’s persuasion and biases.
To start, there’s the question of how you judge them with there being so many facets to an F1 driver. Do you judge just their current form or their past performances as well? Are they underperforming because the car is slow or because of their ability? Judging their championship standings or how they actually did in the race, crashes, DNFs, the list goes on. Luck versus skill versus top engineering?
Every Formula 1 fan would have a different opinion based on what they regard as important.
However, Alan Permane, the team principal of Racing Bulls, has decided to take on the challenge, but he has snubbed some big names in doing so, including the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
Racing Bull Principal Names Top 3 Drivers on F1 Grid
While his drivers, Liam Lawson and the 2026 season’s only rookie, Arvid Lindblad, haven’t been out in front getting the headlines, they have been quietly toiling away and taking tidy points hauls.
However, it is not Permane’s own drivers that he has highlighted, as he has looked to other teams to make his list.
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Both sides appear open to an agreement…
Despite his underwhelming 2026 season with Aston Martin, in a car burdened by the new regulations, Permane has listed Fernando Alonso in his top three.
Permane was involved in Alonso’s most successful period in Formula 1 working with Renault, watching the Spaniard become a back-to-back champion in 2005 and 2006, ending the legendary Michael Schumacher‘s run of five consecutive championships with Ferrari.
The 44-year-old has the most race starts in the sport and is in his 23rd season, but has struggled with his choice of team ever since. At McLaren, in 2007, he finished behind then-rookie Hamilton, despite ending the season on the same number of points as the Brit, who had more second-place finishes. He joined Ferrari at the time of Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull‘s dominance, but it was his era in red when he would last win a race, in Barcelona in 2013.
Permane’s other inclusions are the four-time world champion Max Verstappen, and the reigning world champion Lando Norris. Both Verstappen and Norris are also struggling with the new regulations, though, not as much as Alonso.
Verstappen is languishing in seventh, which is an unusual sight for the Dutchman, who recovered to second in the championship after a tough start in 2025. Norris, meanwhile, is in fifth, ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri.
However, Permane is standing by his decision and told Mundo Deportivo: “Honestly, I think I put him [Alonso] among the best. I’d probably put Max [Verstappen] first.
“Max, Lando [Norris] and Fernando are all there. Fernando is still among the best.”
Verstappen and Norris were at the forefront of the narrative last year, but have had to fade into the background as Kimi Antonelli has stormed to success with Mercedes, leading the championship at just 19 years of age.
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There are reports suggesting a change could be happening for the 2027 season.
Permane, while continuing to discuss the veteran Spaniard, revealed how impressed he has been by Alonso’s determination and grit at the back of the grid, still seeing the same speed and ability to extract the most performance out of a car, with his easily adaptable driving style.
He added: “What I remember most about Fernando is his ability to extract the absolute maximum performance from any car.
“These days there is a lot of talk about driving style, that one car suits one driver and another doesn’t. I honestly don’t think Fernando has a specific driving style. And I think Max [Verstappen] is similar, although I’ve never worked with him.
“Of all the drivers I’ve worked with, I worked with Schumacher, although back then I was not in engineering but more in the garage, Fernando is clearly among the best of them all.”
With questions being asked about when Alonso will hang up his driving gloves and if this poor season will have any baring on his decision, it is clear that the Spaniard is still highly regarded in the paddock and his talent and work ethic is not going ignored.
Sports
Leeds Agree to Sell ‘Colossus’ Starter to Rivals for Just £20m
Leeds United are set to sell one of their most important starters, and to a Premier League rival, no less. The Whites are on a mission to improve their squad this summer as they look to take the next step towards becoming a Premier League staple after securing safety with relative ease last season.
Daniel Farke shook off his reputation of getting promoted then struggling to keep teams in the Premier League last season, and he is to be rewarded with a significant budget this summer. The Whites are likely to spend, and they also managed to win the Harry Wilson lottery, landing the former Fulham star on a free deal after his superb campaign of last.
But there is a business element to squad building for all clubs, and Leeds have been forced into a difficult business decision this summer.
Struijk on his way out of Leeds
Pascal Struijk was a hugely important player for Farke last season, starting 33 of the 38 Premier League games for the Whites. But as he prepares to go into his final year of his Elland Road deal, Leeds have made the tricky decision to sell the 26-year-old centre-back
The Athletic’s Beren Cross reported: “Leeds verbally agree £20m deal with Brighton for transfer of Pascal Struijk. Formal offer to come, but negotiations concluded today. Leeds pitched new contract, but he wanted fresh challenge and they couldn’t risk losing him for free next summer.”
It’s a tricky deal for Leeds to swallow, given £20million is likely below realistic market value, but the contract situation means Brighton have been able to do a deal at a lower price.
But above all, it will be a big blow for Farke to have lost one of his starting centre-backs, and one who likely still has room to improve, given he is only 26 years of age.
What Brighton are getting in Struijk
Brighton have snapped up Struijk amid a big need at centre-back following the big-money sale of Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham just a couple of weeks ago.
Naturally, Farke is a huge fan of Struijk’s, and he will be disappointed the club couldn’t agree a deal with the Belgian. He said of the defender during last season: “I think he was outstanding, top performance, really like a colossus in the defence, won many, many headers.
“But Pascal was very good on the ball, good in the build-up, important, also aggressive in defending forward, [and showed] good leadership. He was an outstanding player for us in the last season and has proven his worth.
“Of course, he’s a big leader also in the dressing room, but nowadays it’s not just up to one or two players, you need a core group who lead. Each and every player has to show responsibility, but of course, we have a good group of leaders.”
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