Across his glittering career as both a player and a manager, Pep Guardiola has worked alongside some of the greatest players to ever step foot on the pitch.

Guardiola shared a pitch with the likes of Ronaldo Nazario and Luis Figo, before coaching names such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

As a result, when Pep singles a player out for praise, it’s a strong endorsement. This is especially true when it involves a member of the opposition.

Guardiola “Realised How Good” Talented Player Was

After his Manchester City side beat Southampton 2-1 in November 2017, Guardiola was such a big admirer of one Saints player that he made sure to compliment him after the final whistle.

Pep remembered Southampton winger Nathan Redmond from when the two sides met the year prior. The Birmingham-born speedster had previously tormented City, scoring in the 1-1 draw between the teams at the Etihad in October 2016.

A little over 12 months later, Pep cut an animated figure as he had a passionate discussion with Redmond on the touchline. Their interaction was so eye-catching that Guardiola was asked to explain what he had said to the player.

“I told Redmond how good a player he is. Last season he destroyed us here. I didn’t know him last season, I realised how good he is.”

Player Who ‘Destroyed’ Man City Never Lived Up to Guardiola’s Lofty Praise

Redmond was a regular for England in age-group football and was honoured as England’s Under-21 Player of the Year in 2016. However, he never made the permanent leap to the senior side.

He made his England debut just months after he first impressed Guardiola. He came on for Adam Lallana as a 66th minute substitute. He was named in the squad to face Lithuaina four days later, but never made it on to the pitch for his country again.

With the Three Lions blessed with attacking options out wide at the time, Redmond was in direct competition with the likes of a prime Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Lallana and others.

Although Pep was a fan, then-England boss Gareth Southgate wasn’t quite as taken with the Southampton man. Redmond’s prospects weren’t helped by the fact that the Southampton side he was a part of got progressively worse as time went on.

He would remain on the south coast until September 2022, when he moved to Besiktas in Turkey. He would return to England within 12 months, joining Burnley on a two-year deal.

His international dreams were already dashed by the time he left Turf Moor in May 2025 when his contract expired. Redmond would then join beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday for a three-game stint.

Now 32, he most recently played for Blackburn Rovers, making two appearances at Ewood Park. He will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of next month.

The 2026 World Cup is now underway, but a second team has seen its preparations interrupted by FIFA’s strict kit regulations.

First, Haiti were ordered to remove an image depicting a war scene from their shirt before their opening World Cup game against Scotland. The kit was deemed too ‘political’ and therefore didn’t fit into FIFA’s strict parameters.

Now, a second nation has been told they must make significant changes to their jersey before even kicking a ball at the United States, Canada and Mexico-based tournament.

FIFA Reject World Cup Kit Design at Last Minute

Ken Blaze (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Mohamed Salah’s Egypt are the latest team to be punished for not meeting FIFA’s rules in a new crackdown. The Pharaohs will face Belgium in their first Group G match on Monday, before then playing against Iran and New Zealand.

However, they’ll have to do so without the seven stars they normally have above their crest. Egypt proudly don the stars to symbolise how many times they’ve won the Africa Cup of Nations. But football’s governing body has deemed that unsuitable for the World Cup.

New guidelines state that only World Cup wins can be recognised on shirts being worn during the competition. That means continental trophies such as AFCON, European Championship or Copa America titles cannot be shown in the form of a star.

That’s not the only change the African nation will have to make. The gold numbers and writing have also been rejected by FIFA. Competition officials decided the metallic gold numerals weren’t suitable for visibility reasons.

This will be their fourth appearance at World Cup finals, having most recently played in the 2018 group stages. Due to the teams in their group and the fact more teams advance, Egypt will be hoping to reach the knockout rounds this time around.

Only Eight Nations Allowed Stars on Their Shirt

Nathan Ray Seebeck via Reuters

Due to the guidelines allowing only countries that have won the World Cup to don stars on their shirts, it means only eight nations can do so. One of them, Italy, isn’t even at this year’s competition after failing to qualify.

Brazil (5), Germany (4) and Argentina (3) are the other most successful nations on the biggest international stage, and will all have multiple stars on their kits this summer. France and Uruguay will be allowed to have two stars, while England and Spain have both won the World Cup once each.

Tottenham find themselves in need of a new striker this summer, and their search may have just been handed a significant boost. Roberto De Zerbi and the club’s recruitment staff have already set about improving the squad this summer, quickly adding Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free deals.

Savinho could be the next domino to fall as Spurs continue to work on a deal to snatch the winger from Manchester City, while talks are ongoing over making the loan of Joao Palhinha a permanent move.

In the background, Spurs will be working on identifying striker targets as they look to replace outgoing loan star Randal Kolo Muani and – potentially – Richarlison.

Spurs land Guirassy boost

One striker who has regularly been linked with Spurs over recent weeks is Borussia Dortmund frontman Serhou Guirassy. The proven goalscorer is considering his options this summer, now 30 years of age, and he may be available for transfer at the right price.

There were reports of an agreement with Fenerbahce, but that is not the case, according to his agent and brother, Karamba Guirassy.

He told Sky Sports Germany: “To clarify: no agreement of any kind has been reached. Serhou is currently evaluating his options for next season. Any claim of a verbal deal is simply not true.”

Tottenham should seize chance to move for Guirassy

Spurs will be well aware of the scarcity of options when it comes to proven strikers this summer, and indeed most summers. There are plenty of strikers who have had a good season here or there, but few who have consistently scored goals like Guirassy.

He is just coming off the back of a 22-goal season with Dortmund, adding to the 34 he scored across all competitions the season prior. During his time at Stuttgart before joining Dortmund, he scored 30 goals in his final season and 14 the season before.

Guirassy is not going to be a long-term option, given he is 30 years of age, but the price will reflect that. he is understood to have a £30million release clause in his contract for select big clubs, although it is unknown whether Spurs would fall into that category. He has the pace and power to succeed at Premier League level, and he can find the net on repeat.

Speaking about the striker’s physicality, Dortmund boss Niko Kovac said back in September: “Sensational! As long as his energy held out – he’s in top physical shape, but if you don’t have continuity, you can get cramps after 70 minutes – he made a very, very assured impression: very confident, very strong in the tackle,”

Spurs have had too many strikers who aren’t goalscorers, and De Zerbi can fix that and give his front line a truly dangerous edge by snapping up Guirassy this summer.