Sports
Bacary Sagna Names Rayan Cherki as a Future Ballon d’Or Winner
The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or will be a fascinating one. While domestic trophies, such as the Champions League, will always play a role in voting, the World Cup will surely be the biggest influencer.
As such, it’s hard to know who will be the next winner. As things stand, names like Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, and even Arsenal’s Declan Rice are in the conversation – as is current holder Ousmane Dembele.
However, former Gunners right-back Bacary Sagna has instead named a Manchester City star as a future winner in his eyes.
Sagna Names a Future Ballon d’Or Winner
Sagna played 284 times for the Gunners, proving to be a reliable right-back as he won one FA Cup with the north London club in 2014. He then joined Manchester City, lifting the League Cup in 2016, making 86 appearances with the Cityzens.
With allegiances to both clubs, he appars to have been blown away by one talent in the Premier League right now. That man is Rayan Cherki. As quoted by Goal, Sagna backed the ‘special’ player as a future Ballon d’Or winner:
“Cherki is special. You can tell by the way he plays he is a showman. He’s entertaining the whole crowd! He is the type of player you go to the stadium to watch, to be able to witness this level of talent. He’s just a joy to watch. He’s creative, very natural, and I like that he’s always playing with a smile. He’s the type of technical player that can unlock situations, which not many players are able to do.
“You can see he’s from the street by the way he plays. He reminds me of the Brazilian players with the ability to dribble, play and have a good touch. I’m a lover of street football players because it’s pure natural skill. I think he can definitely win the Ballon d’Or in the future and he’s still got time on his side as he’s still very young.”
Ballon d’Or 2026 Power Rankings
Tracking the leading contenders to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2026.
Cherki’s Debut Season at Man City
The Manchester City star has had a very impressive frst season in England, winning both the League Cup and the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola seems to be happy with the player as well, praising him highly in April 2026:
“These players have this ability to play with the rhythm of the opponents and the vision to make the extra pass, this is what defines the best.”
However, despite 10 goals and picking up 15 assists in all competitions, the Frenchman was unable to help Man City win the Premier League. Instead, Sagna’s other former club, Arsenal, won the title, which makes it all the more surprising that the retired right-back didn’t suggest a player from north London as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
Sports
Arsenal’s Dream Starting XI if Rumours Prove True, Including Vinicius Jr
Arsenal are now just weeks away from the start of the Premier League season, and they are yet to address either of their big needs, but that is likely to change. The Gunners are hoping to land Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in the coming days, and they look on track to pull it off.
The Gunners also want to sign a new elite winger, and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr could be on the table amid stalling contract negotiations with Real Madrid. Vinicius is out of contract next summer, but he is demanding huge money, and that could mean he falls onto Arsenal’s laps, as long as they are willing to spend the money Los Blancos are not on wages.
Here we take a look at what the Arsenal team could look like if Vinicius does join this summer.
GK – David Raya
There is no doubting Arsenal’s number one. Raya may have been number two at the World Cup this summer, but his starting spot at Arsenal is not in question. Raya was the Premier League’s best goalkeeper last season, and there are no doubts about him currently.
LB – Piero Hincapie
Hincapie came in and did a sterling job on loan last season, leading to him being signed permanently this summer. He is a steady option defensively, which Arteta loves, and it’s likely Hincapie leads Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori in the starter race on the left.
CB – Gabriel Magalhaes
There is little doubt about Arsenal’s centre-back pairing, who have been a rock Arteta can rely on week-in, week-out. There is plenty of depth at the centre-back position, too which will be important.
CB – WIlliam Saliba
That depth could come in handy, with Saliba dealing with a back injury currently, and that could impact his role early in the season. But when is at full fitness, the Frenchman is going to have a starting spot locked down.
RB – Ben White
There is an intriguing race for the starting role on the right. Ben White is a trusted player, particularly due to his defensive ability, but Jurrien Timber will provide fierce competition, and it’s likely we will see plenty of both players this season.
CDM – Declan Rice
Rice is one of the first names on the teamsheet, and the midfielder will be hoping to get some much-needed rest and get back to it this season. The midfielder is one of the most important players for Arteta, and it will be interesting to see how his role evolves with the arrival of the next name on this list.
CDM – Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes looks set to arrive on a big-money deal from Newcastle United, and if he does, he is going to be a starter going forward, even with plenty of competition. Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and others will be competing for minutes, but Arsenal want to sign Guimaraes for a reason.
CAM – Martin Odegaard
Odegaard may have more of a fight for his starting role this season after a below-par season of last, but he remains the best option. Odegaard will largely battle with Eberechi Eze for a starting role, but we can expect him to start the season in the 10 role.
RW – Bukayo Saka
Saka should have had some much-needed rest this summer, given he wasn’t overly involved for England at the World Cup, and he should be back to his best after his surgery late last season. Saka is going to be the starter on the right, with Noni Madueke providing competition.
LW – Vinicius Jr
Arsenal need an elite signing on the left of attack, and if they can get their hands on Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr, there will be a new first name on the teamsheet. The Brazilian is one of the best wingers on the planet, and he would transform Arsenal’s attack should a deal become possible.
CF – Viktor Gyokeres
Arteta has some good competition up top, between Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, and it will likely be the former who starts for the most part. The forward breached the 20-goal threshold last season, and he will want to keep adding to his goal record while becoming even more consistent in front of goal. The Gunners could sign a new striker if Gabriel Jesus leaves, but it’s unlikely to be anyone who replaces Gyokeres and Havertz, unless someone like Julian Alvarez can be signed, but that will mean no Vinicius.
Sports
Man Utd Fans Believe Mason Mount Can Save Club £80 Million
Manchester United fans believe the club can save themselves £80 million this summer following their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid.
United won the Snapdragon Cup at Strawberry Arena in Stockholm on Saturday night. Arnau Ortiz put the Spanish side 1-0 up in the 5th minute, but Michael Carrick’s men secured victory thanks to Bryan Mbeumo’s second-half brace.
United are still without their 2026 World Cup stars, which meant another game for 19-year-old Shea Lacey, who impressed. Summer signing Andrey Santos produced another positive performance in midfield, while promising JJ Gabriel (aged 15 years and 299 days) became the youngest player in Manchester United’s history to feature in the first team.
There was also praise for defender Leny Yoro. The 20-year-old has experienced a topsy-turvy first two seasons with the Red Devils but, at 20 years old, is still a player with enormous potential.
However, it’s the performance of another player who United supporters are really encouraged by.
Mason Mount Looked Excellent vs Atletico
Mason Mount has only managed to show flashes of his quality since completing his £55 million move from Chelsea in 2023. But the England international, who wears United’s most iconic shirt number (seven), showed exactly what he’s capable of with a magnificent midfield showing against Diego Simeone’s side.
A three-minute clip of Mount’s highlights against Atletico have gone viral on X (Twitter) – and the footage has sparked a huge response from fans. Watch the clip below:
A handful of fans made the same point: why spend £80 million on Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott when we already have Mount?
“Basically Alex Scott without having to spend £80m,” one fan wrote, while another said:
“Why would we splash £80m on Alex Scott when we have his exact archetype except this one is a proven world beater UCL winner instead?”
Another supporter commented: “£116 million Elliot Anderson doesn’t have these fundamentals on lock.”
While a fourth said: “This is the best he’s ever looked.”
A fifth fan commented: “This is a £100m midfielder,” while a sixth wrote: “Genuinely super performance. Can’t get my hopes up with Mount through injuries but we know in top form/fitness there is a hell of a player.”
And a seventh fan said: “He’s going to make me eat all my words this season, isn’t he?”
Mount’s looking extremely sharp ahead of the 2026-27 season and will be hoping to impress in United’s three remaining pre-season fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain (August 8), Leeds United (August 12) and AC Milan (August 15).
Carrick’s men begin their Premier League campaign with an away visit to newly-promoted Hull City on August 22 before taking on another promoted team, Ipswich Town, at Old Trafford eight days later.
Sports
Liverpool Tell Tottenham to Pay £72m to Sign Cody Gakpo
Tottenham have made Liverpool star Cody Gakpo a leading target for the summer transfer window, and now they know how much they need to pay to get a deal done.
Spurs have had a huge summer window so far with six arrivals so far, bringing in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes, and Sandro Tonali, and Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that he now wants to address the forward areas within his squad.
Man City star Savinho has been earmarked as the top target, with talks ongoing with Man City over a deal, but the Netherlands international has now also been made a leading target, and Liverpool have set their asking price.
Liverpool Set Gakpo Asking Price
Gakpo, who has been described as ‘world-class’, has been a regular at Anfield since making the move from PSV Eindhoven back in January 2023. The winger has made 180 appearances for the club, scoring 50 goals in that time, and that has attracted the attention of Spurs.
The north London club are keen to add more options to their front line with Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski, and Wilson Odobert recovering from serious knee injuries, while the future of Richarlison is also up in the air.
Gakpo has been identified as a target, and Liverpool have not shut the door entirely on a move away from Anfield.
According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool have now set a £72m asking price for Gakpo if he is to move away, after using the Anthony Gordon transfer to Barcelona earlier in the window as a benchmark.
Gordon moved to Spain in a deal worth £70m, and the Reds feel that Gakpo is worth a similar fee if he is to be allowed to move on, especially with a rival club showing the strongest interest.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Tottenham Planning ‘Bomba’ Transfer
De Zerbi told the world that Tottenham are only 60% done in the transfer market this summer, and they were planning on a ‘bomba’ signing in attack alongside Savinho.
Gakpo would certainly fall into that category as a major signing, having won the Premier League and played at the highest level for the Netherlands, with 24 goals in 54 caps, having played at two World Cups.
Spurs may find it difficult to convince him to make the move without Champions League football this season, but they have got the money to get a deal over the line and they have shown that their project is one that is appealing to top stars with the business they have already done.
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