Despite having only taken up his new job 41 days ago, Enzo Maresca is already being hailed for transforming a Manchester City player ‘beyond recognition’ during their 3-1 pre-season win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday afternoon.
The Cityzens are soon to start life without Pep Guardiola for the first time in almost a decade when the Premier League gets back underway for the 2026/27 season at the end of August, and it appears his successor has already been an instant hit with his management of one player in particular.
Omar Marmoush scored a brace, while Rayan Ait-Nouri also added to the flourish in the Spanish capital. However, it is another star name getting all the plaudits for how well he performed, with some even comparing him to Lionel Messi.
Enzo Maresca Praised For Transforming Ace Who Looked “Better Than Messi”
Etihad Stadium
City supporters have been very quick to lay praise on January signing Antoine Semenyo, with multiple videos of his dribbling being widely circulated on social media after he assisted two goals in as many minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano. One X user remarked:
“Antoine Semenyo under Enzo Maresca might be a better dribbler than Lionel Messi, what am I watching?!”
A second added: “You guys are not ready for what Enzo Maresca is going to cook with Semenyo next season,” as a third wrote: “He looks like an absolute beast!” Meanwhile, another concluded: “What Enzo Maresca has turned Semenyo into is almost beyond recognition. At this point, he is better than Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Luis Diaz, I’m sorry.”
Playing much wider than he did under Guardiola, the Ghanaian international looks set to have another fine Premier League campaign, having already registered at least one assist in each of his side’s three pre-season friendlies so far.
Antoine Semenyo Can Somehow Find An Even Higher Gear
Antoine Semenyo
It’s quite ridiculous to think that people are speaking about the possibility of Semenyo finding a new gear next season. After all, he was one of the best performing Premier League players last season based on stats, contributing to 21 goals in 37 matches with both the Cityzens and Bournemouth, before his £62.5m switch in the winter.
But with Maresca a huge fan of wide formations and the key players in those areas – not forgetting his strike partner is none other than Erling Haaland – the 26-year-old might not have hit his prime yet.
That’s a worrying realisation for the rest of the country, especially as Arsenal and Liverpool struggle to find solutions on either flank heading into the new term.
Xabi Alonso reunited with his former Liverpool teammate Luis Garcia as Chelsea drew 3-3 with Malaysian side Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in a friendly on Sunday. The two Spaniards were both signed by Rafael Benitez on the same day back in August 2004.
“He is one of the best coaches in the world,” said Garcia, who played 122 games for Liverpool and won the 2005 Champions League. “And all the quality and calmness he brought for us as a player for Liverpool, he shares on the training ground. Chelsea have pulled off a very exciting hire.”
While Alonso’s coaching path has taken him to Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid and now Chelsea, Garcia is currently Johor Darul Ta’zim’s chief executive officer, a role that sees him work closely with coach Xisco Munoz.
Alonso on Johor Darul Ta’zim role
“I have been in my current role for over a year,” said Garcia, speaking exclusively to GiveMeSport. “I was told that the JDT owner, His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Idris, wanted to speak with me about a job, and I was hooked immediately after that meeting because his passion and commitment for the club were clear. He never misses a match even though he’s busy with all his Crown Prince of Johor duties as well.
“When I finished playing, I tried a lot of things, and I quickly realised my connection with football was about far more than just being on the bench. I got my coaching licence, but also my sporting director badge. And then, over time, I started getting qualified in the business of football. I was fortunate because I got to travel around and learn from Peter Moore and Billy Hogan as part of my ambassador role at Liverpool and that gave me an appetite to move into the boardroom. This job was perfect because it is a chance to not just help JDT succeed but also grow football in Malaysia.”
JDT are the dominant force in Malaysia, having won 12 straight Malaysian Super League titles. And it is perhaps no surprise they drew with Chelsea given they are currently on an astonishing 108-game unbeaten run in the league, equalling the 32-year record set by Ivory Coast side ASEC Mimosas between 1989 and 1994. Avoiding defeat against Kuching City on August 21 when the new season begins will set a new world record.
“We are proud to go unbeaten for so long and excited to hopefully set a new world record,” said Garcia. “Our success has taken a lot of hard work. And we are equally proud of the fact we reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League last season. Our dominance stems from support from His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Idris and the fact we have built the right foundations. The club has an outstanding infrastructure.
“We have an excellent academy where young Malaysian talents can evolve. And we have had some foreign players who have made an impact and acted as mentors. For example, Pablo Aimar was here a few years back, as was Jordi Amat, and now we have Brazilians Marcos Guilherme and Yago and several players from Spain, including our goalkeeper Jon Irazabal. Our squad mix and chemistry has been key to our success.”
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Garcia meets with Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali met with both Garcia and Idris ahead of Sunday’s friendly and GMS understands the trio discussed potential partnership ideas and ways Chelsea and JDT could work more closely together going forward.
JDT are now hoping to build a platform to go even further in the Asian Champions League and play their own part in helping Malaysia one day qualify for the World Cup. JDT’s squad includes Malaysian striker Mohamadou Sumareh, promising midfielder Ziad El Basheer and veteran keeper Syihan Hazmi.
“With the World Cup expanding, Malaysia can dream of appearing at the tournament for the first time,” said Garcia. “The stronger the Malaysian Super League is, the better chance there is of this happening. I’ve only been here just over a year and the feeling is, why can’t Malaysia qualify for a World Cup? That has to be the goal.”
Garcia backs Alonso to succeed at Chelsea
Garcia still keeps a keen eye on the Premier League and is backing former teammate Alonso to succeed at Chelsea. Chelsea have already backed Alonso in the market, spending £117m on Morgan Rogers and also adding full-back Marco Palestra, centre-back Maxence Lacroix, midfielder Jordan Henderson and striker Danny Welbeck. Valentin Barco has also joined from Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg, while Geovany Quenda arrived from Sporting in a deal that was pre-agreed last summer. And Pep Chavarria is close to signing from Rayo Vallecano in a deal worth around £19m.
“I think it was difficult for Xabi at Real Madrid, but it can happen like that there,” said Garcia, who played 39 times for Barcelona. “It is not always an easy place to manage, and I don’t think Xabi was given enough time in Madrid.
“Chelsea is a special job for Xabi and I think he has got the power to decide on transfers and build a team with his own identity. He’s not just a coach but a manager, and maybe now has the same kind of control [in the market] as he had at Leverkusen. Like at Leverkusen, there are also young and hungry players at Chelsea. I expect him to get the best out of that talent. I’m really excited to see him managing in the Premier League, and I’m sure that he’s going to do a good job.”
Garcia has high hopes for Liverpool
REUTERS
Alonso also has high hopes for his former club Liverpool, despite an indifferent season under Arne Slot that ultimately cost the Dutch manager his job. Andoni Iraola has taken charge and Liverpool are expected to be active in the market this month. Barcelona defender Ronald Araújo is the latest player to join on a season-long loan with an option to buy, and talks are ongoing for PSG winger Bradley Barcola.
Garcia believes Liverpool’s recruitment last summer, which saw them add Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, will pay dividends this season regardless of who else arrives.
“I am 100 per cent confident in Liverpool because the talent is there,” said Garcia. “I see no reason why they can’t rival Arsenal and Manchester City for the title.
“The talent they have doesn’t just disappear overnight. Of course, they need to replace Mo Salah, who is a big loss. You are losing 30-35 goals per season. Ekitike showed last season when fit how clinical he can be, and Isak is one of the most prolific strikers in the league. Ryan Gravenberch and Dominic Szoboszlai will also prove important players.
“For whatever reason, it just didn’t click last season, but I can still see a very positive season ahead with Liverpool fighting for every trophy.”
Dana White made a bizarre claim about ring card girls during a live stream with Nina Drama at Zuffa Boxing 10.
Zuffa Boxing set up shop in the Republic of Ireland for their latest event, which saw Aaron McKenna beat Etinosa Oliha to claim the IBF middleweight world title.
Callum Walsh, who has been working with White for the past four years, outpointed Tyler Denny in the co-main event at the 3Arena in Dublin to improve his professional boxing record to 17-0.
WWE president and TKO chief Nick Khan joined White in Dublin, not to mention Nina Drama, who had a chat with the UFC boss.
And during Saturday’s event, White made a questionable claim to Nina about ring card girls that quickly went viral.
Dana White Goes Viral After Making Ring Card Girls Claim
White was asked about the lack of ring card girls at Zuffa Boxing 10. White’s boxing promotion has previously used UFC Octagon girls Chrissy Blair and Red Dela Cruz for their shows.
But there were no signs of either in Dublin on Saturday, prompting Nina to question White.
She asked: “Where are the ring card girls?”
White pulled a face before responding: “Don’t even get me started,” later adding: “The UK won’t use ring card girls unless you have ring card boys.”
Nina immediately put her mic down in utter disbelief when she heard White’s answer, with the UFC president and CEO doing the same.
Needless to say, the conversation between White and Nina emerged on social media and quickly went viral, garnering millions of views across different MMA aggregators on X.
Is Ring Card Boys a Thing?
Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
Well, for starters, Zuffa Boxing 10 took place in the Republic of Ireland, which is not part of the UK. The Boxing Union of Ireland sanctioned the event, not the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).
There is also no such rule under the BBBofC.
Besides, the 3Arena hosted another boxing event last weekend as Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions put on a card headlined by Pierce O’Leary vs Mark Chamberlain.
And there were ring card girls used that night, and they are regularly employed around the UK.
White was unable to follow up on his ring card girls claim following Zuffa Boxing 10 because he left midway through the main-event between McKenna and Oliha, leaving another official to field questions during the post-fight press conference.
Had White been present during the Zuffa Boxing 10 post-fight press conference, he likely would have been asked about his ring card girls claim given it went viral online.
Zuffa Boxing, meanwhile, returns to the UK on September 26. Johnny Fisher, who joined the roster from Matchroom Boxing, is set to headline the Zuffa Boxing 11 card at the Copper Box Arena.
Newcastle United have reportedly set their sights on former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Joao Palhinha as they look to address Bruno Guimaraes’ departure.
Guimaraes left St James’ Park and joined Arsenal in a £75 million deal on Saturday, becoming the latest high-profile name to be sold. Sandro Tonali left for Tottenham Hotspur earlier this summer for £100m, meaning new manager Matthias Jaissle is extremely light in the middle of the park.
The Magpies are preparing for a new era under Jaissle who replaced Eddie Howe following his shock resignation. The German coach needs at least one new midfielder and it appears the higher-ups are plotting a move for one with proven Premier League experience.
Newcastle Eyeing Joao Palhinha
via Reuters
According to Craig Hope of The Daily Mail, Newcastle are eyeing Palhinha and view him as an alternative to Pierre-Emile Hojberg. While they have held talks over a move for Hojberg, they could turn to Palhinha, who is expected to leave Bayern Munich this summer.
Palhinha spent last season on loan at Tottenham and impressed despite the Lilywhites’ relegation battle. Spurs opted against signing the Portuguese midfielder permanently and instead swooped for Tonali.
The 31-year-old’s future at Bayern is in doubt as Vincent Kompany prefers others in midfield, and this could lead to him joining a third Premier League club. Aston Villa are also interested in the former Fulham man, who has two years left on his contract at the Allianz Arena.
In the meantime, Newcastle are continuing to hold talks over a deal for Hojberg, which could cost around £13 million. While the Dane has indicated he is keen on joining Jaissle’s Magpies, there is still ‘work to do ‘, and that could lead to Palhinha arriving instead.
