Sports
Tottenham End Of An Era Sparks Major Transfer Rebuild
The UEFA Europa League triumph apart, it has felt like Tottenham have been sleepwalking into a major crisis for some time now.
And that crisis is happening right before our eyes with the battle to avoid relegation to the Championship.
With this season now coming to an end, one of the so-called big six in the Premier League have only finished in the top six in three of the seven seasons since Mauricio Pochettino was sacked.
The Argentine had led Spurs to five consecutive top-six finishes in his five seasons in charge, with four straight top-four finishes.
Finishing 17th last year and likely to finish either 17th or 18th this year, the cracks that have been emerging since Pochettino left the club are widening.
Tottenham Have Tried Everything To Secure Success
Roberto De Zerbi – Spurs’ third manager this season – has been tasked with not only papering over the cracks, but re-affirming the foundations of the club and getting things back on an even keel in north London.
The Italian will want to do that from the comfort of the Premier League, rather than having to rebuild in the Championship next season, but that requires four big results between now and the end of the season to get themselves out of trouble.
If Tottenham do go down, however, it would give credence to a long-held belief of Pochettino’s that has not been heeded.
The now USA manager told Spurs chiefs that a “painful rebuild” was required after the UEFA Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019. That rebuild was not forthcoming and Pochettino was sacked months later.
Spurs have struggled to recover ever since, trying various different methods to try to get back on track – born winners in Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, pragmatic coaches in Nuno Espirito Santo and Thomas Frank, Tottenham style managers in Ange Postecoglou and now De Zerbi. But while the playing squad has changed it has never truly evolved into anything better.
The likes of Hugo Lloris, Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and others were replaced by lesser players over the years and it has shown on the pitch.
The Pochettino era will finally come to an end this summer, however, as the last remaining member of the playing squad from the Argentine’s time at the club will say goodbye.
Ben Davies has been a Spurs stalwart, giving 12 years of his career to the Lilywhites, but with his contract ending, so too is his time in north London, with no extension to be awarded.
It will be back-to-back seasons in which Tottenham have struggled at the wrong end of the Premier League table and De Zerbi must be given time and funds to make the requisite changes at the club – the ones he can influence at least – in order to get Spurs back where they belong.
De Zerbi needs to completely hit the reset button and be ruthless with the owners and with the playing squad, stripping back and starting again afresh.
Pochettino Explains Transfer Strategy Is Not Just About Buying Players
Speaking on the Overlap this week, Pochettino said: “When you see the first game when Jurgen Klopp arrived was against us and then a few years after when we played the final of the Champions League, you see it was a completely new team, while we kept the same structure.
“It’s not only about money, sometimes players that are good don’t belong anymore in certain clubs. If you don’t remove, these players maybe are impossible to improve or increase their level and that for me is key for all projects. Make the decision to be right not only in players that you want, but also when is the moment when players don’t belong anymore? That’s when things are maybe not in line.”
Pochettino knew in 2019 and maybe before that he needed to change things, not just slightly, but hugely, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He was not able to and was given the boot. De Zerbi now must make sure wholesale changes that are required, are made.
That may, however, depend on which division Tottenham find themselves in…
Sports
Boris Becker Names Steffi Graf, Not Serena Williams, as GOAT of Female Tennis
When asked about the women’s GOAT of tennis, you would imagine many picking Serena Williams, but not Boris Becker.
With the most female Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era at 23, Williams isn’t just in the discussion when it comes to the GOAT of female tennis players, she is also up there as one of the best tennis players, male or female.
With 836 wins compared to 155 losses throughout her career, anyone coming up against her would feel threatened.
The former world number one tennis player, Becker, does not see these achievements as enough to make her the greatest of all time in the women’s game, though.
Boris Becker Snubs Serena Williams & Reveals His Women’s GOAT
Eurosport Germany had the chance to ask Becker about who he believes is the best female and male players to grace the court.
His male pick was not the most surprising, with Novak Djokovic taking the title. The Serbian has won one more Grand Slam singles title than Williams, with 24 to his name, so with that you might have then thought that he would go for the American with her impressive tally as well, but he did not.
10 Greatest Female Tennis Players in History [Ranked]
The likes of Venus Williams, Martina Hingis, Billie Jean King, and Serena Williams all make the list.
Who you might be wondering has taken his top spot. Is it Martina Navratilova? No. Could it be Chris Evert? Not quite. His vote went to German Steffi Graf.
Graf achieved 22 singles titles during her career, seven of those happening at Wimbledon. One way to compare these two greats of the female game is through win percentage, with Graf finishing her career at a crazy 91.4%. Williams finished at a slightly lower 86.8%. Maybe this is one of the factors Becker took into account when deciding on who he believes to be the greatest.
Graf also takes the crown when it comes to the number of weeks ranked as the world number one, with a staggering 377 weeks under her belt.
Due to injuries, Graf had to cut her career short, retiring at 30 years old. Who knows where the now 57-year-old’s career could have taken her if she’d been able to stay in the game a bit longer.
10 Greatest Rivalries in Tennis History [Ranked]
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are well on their way to creating one of the best rivalries ever.
Despite many expecting Williams to get the title from Becker, if you look further back in history, there have been many dominant and impressive female tennis players that also deserve to be held in the same high esteem that Williams is in.
What we do know, though, is that everyone will have a different opinion when it comes to the GOAT of female tennis. Some may say Graf, some may say Williams, and some may go for another incredibly successful lady.
Sports
Police Confirm Investigation Into Ryan Mendes ‘Over an Alleged Rape’
Police have confirmed that an investigation is ongoing regarding an alleged rape by Cape Verde’s Ryan Mendes, who is currently playing at the 2026 World Cup.
Cape Verde, the third smallest nation in World Cup history, have progressed to the Round of 32 after drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Mendes has captained his country in all three group stage games and is one appearance away from his 100th cap.
Supercomputer Ranks Every 2026 World Cup Team’s Chances – Argentina Above England
Opta’s Supercomputer claims Lionel Messi’s Argentina have a stronger chance than England
But it has now been reported that the 36-year-old is being investigated by police over an incident that allegedly took place in March this year.
Cape Verde’s Captain Investigated By Police
According to Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, the incident took place while the Cape Verde team were staying in Oceania for two friendly matches. They played against New Zealand and Chile during the FIFA Series.
A Brazilian woman living in New Zealand was contracted by the New Zealand Football Federation as a translator for the Cape Verde team and staff. The complaint alleges the incident happened on March 27 at the hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, where the team were staying.
Meet Vozinha: The 40-Year-Old Cape Verde ‘Dreamer’ Who Has Become A World Cup Hero
Cape Verde keeper stunned Spain with an incredible display at the World Cup
Mendes allegedly entered her room, strangled her, punched her, bit her and raped her while she was trying to defend herself. The medical report noted bruising in several areas of her body, such as her neck, lips, and areas of tenderness.
A genital examination reportedly found ‘two circular lesions, painful to the touch, at the base of the labia minora’. The alleged victim and her husband sent extrajudicial notices on May 10th to the Cape Verde Football Federation and FIFA with evidence and her account of events.
Cape Verde Statement on Mendes Situation
However, they reportedly received no reply. Globo claim to have revealed a WhatsApp conversation which shows an official from Cape Verde’s camp telling the alleged victim that the matter was ‘Ryan’s personal problem‘. The implication appears to be that they would not be looking into the complaint.
But New Zealand police have confirmed the matter has been under investigation since April and the country’s football federation said in a short statement: “We understand that this matter is with the New Zealand Police, so they would be more appropriately positioned to comment on the situation.”
FIFA, however, have declined to comment on the matter involving Mendes, who plays for Igdir FK in the Turkish Second Division.
Sports
Supercomputer Predicts Entire F1 Race After Qualifying
It’s a return to the Red Bull Ring this weekend for Formula One, with many Dutch fans making their way over to support their hero Max Verstappen.
With this race already being declared as a heat hazard for the drivers, meaning the temperature is predicted to be over 31 degrees Celsius, tomorrow’s race is already looking like it will be a tough one.
Reason Why George Russell Kept Pole Position For Austrian GP Despite Infringement Explained
It was a controversial ending to qualifying in Austria, as George Russell kept his pole and Max Verstappen crashed out.
Last year it was McLaren‘s Lando Norris who took the chequered flag first ahead of his teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc. This year, though, McLaren don’t look so dominant, with Mercedes currently being the team to beat in the Constructors’ Championship.
Ahead of the race, the Supercomputer has made its predictions on who will take the win this year. After a confusing qualifying session earlier today, we now know that George Russell will start from pole position tomorrow with the two Ferraris of Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton starting in P2 and P3.
|
Austrian GP predicted by Supercomputer (22-11) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Position |
Driver |
Team |
|
DNF. |
Fernando Alonso |
Aston Martin |
|
DNF. |
Franco Colapinto |
Alpine |
|
20. |
Lance Stroll |
Aston Martin |
|
19. |
Nico Hulkenberg |
Audi |
|
18. |
Gabriel Bortoleto |
Audi |
|
17. |
Valtteri Bottas |
Cadillac |
|
16. |
Sergio Perez |
Cadillac |
|
15. |
Carlos Sainz Jr |
Williams |
|
14. |
Esteban Ocon |
Haas |
|
13. |
Oliver Bearman |
Haas |
|
12. |
Pierre Gasly |
Alpine |
|
11. |
Alex Albon |
Williams |
10
Arvid Lindblad
Racing Bulls
Starting in P10 and predicted to finish 10th, Lindblad had a good qualifying, and the Racing Bulls looks to have set up a good car for this weekend. Currently 13th in the Drivers’ Championship, the British driver will be looking to gain points on his next closest rival, Franco Colapinto.
9
Liam Lawson
Racing Bulls
Starting one place higher than his teammate and predicted to finish one place higher is Lawson. With the two Racing Bulls starting so close together, the team would expect no contact and fair play between the two of them, which, if things go as predicted, would result in a double points finish for the team.
8
Isack Hadjar
Red Bull
Once again, the Supercomputer has predicted the eighth-place driver to finish in eighth. After finishing sixth in Spain, Hadjar will be looking to carry on a pretty solid job for Red Bull this season. After so many years of struggles with their second driver, this would be Hadjar’s fourth consecutive points finish since his retirement from the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May, so many would say a pretty successful run.
7
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
Fan-favorite Verstappen will be hoping not to disappoint the crowds that have gathered for him this weekend, but after a crash in qualifying today, the fast and furious Dutchman will be hoping to make up for missing out on a pole position that could have been his.
6
Lewis Hamilton
Ferrari
After a win two weeks ago in Spain, Hamilton will be hoping to continue his success by claiming a win here as well. With many now hoping that this could be the start of a championship challenge for the Ferrari driver, a win here would really keep that momentum going, but, alas, the Supercomputer has not predicted that and instead put him down in sixth.
5
George Russell
Mercedes
Pole sitter Russell is not likely to have a good race if we go off of these predictions. With Hamilton now between Russell and his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ Championship, and the young Italian seeming to be in top form this season, a bad race here is not what the 28-year-old needs if he wants to keep his championship hopes alive.
4
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
Predicted to just miss out on the podium is Leclerc. After a retirement in Spain, the Monegasque will be hoping to gain back some of the points that he lost out on at the last race weekend. With only two points separating Leclerc and Norris in the Drivers’ Championship, finishing behind the McLaren driver is not a good result for Leclerc.
3
Kimi Antonelli
Mercedes
The current championship leader is not predicted to come out on top this weekend. Starting in fourth place, Antonelli will have to pull off a few overtakes to get back to winning ways like he’s used to. If the Supercomputer is anything to go by, though, there will only be one overtake necessary for the Italian instead of the three for first place.
2
Lando Norris
McLaren
With his home Grand Prix looming, Norris will want to go into next weekend with confidence and a back-to-back podium finish will provide that. After finishing in third last race weekend, Norris is predicted to go one step higher this weekend and claim second.
1
Oscar Piastri
McLaren
A 1-2 finish is predicted for the British-based team, with the Aussie taking the top step. A third podium for Piastri and a first win this season would do a lot to boost his and the team’s morale going into an important weekend for them next week. Piastri will be starting from seventh tomorrow, so the possibility of a win may not seem terribly likely, but it is definitely not completely out of the question.
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