Donald Trump is not exactly renowned for underselling himself. Whether it is his business, politics, or ability with a club in his hands, the 47th President of the United States is always number one – in his eyes anyway.

Golf, in particular, has become something of a specialty for Trump. Just last week, he claimed to have posted a two-under 70 to win the Senior and Super Senior Men’s Club Championship at his Bedminster golf course in New Jersey. According to the president, this is the 43rd Club Championship he has won across his collection of golf courses.

His response to his emphatic win?

Timothy A. Clary / AFP – Getty Images file

Any chance at subduing his ego, however, was squashed as world No. 34 and two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau pandered to the 80-year-old’s vanity after they played a round together a couple of years ago.

Bryson DeChambeau Analyses Donald Trump’s Golfing Ability

The American golfer spoke highly of Trump, calling him a “great golfer and even better human being.” He also insisted that the American people are ‘so lucky to have him as the President of the United States.’

The pair have formed a close bond over the past few years, with Trump even going so far as to name DeChambeau the chair of the Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

Back in 2024, after playing several rounds of golf together, the LIV Golf star was extremely complimentary of the president’s game, even going so far as suggesting there were parts of it where Trump was better than him.

“Man, his iron play was great,” DeChambeau said.

Perhaps Trump has finally found the one arena in which repetition is considered a virtue.

DeChambeau is not the only golfing icon to have these opinions either.

Jack Nicklaus Praises Donald Trump’s Golf Game

Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers to ever grace the course, described Trump as the best president he ever played against.

“Well, the ones I’ve played with, actually Trump is probably the best player,” Nicklaus said.

This, however, must be taken with a pinch of salt. The 18-time Major winner wrote in 2020: “You might not like the way our president says or tweets some things – and trust me, I have told him that! – but I have learned to look past that and focus on what he’s tried to accomplish.

REUTERS/Mandel Ngan

“This is not a personality contest; it’s about patriotism, policies, and the people they impact. His love for America and its citizens, and putting his country first, has come through loud and clear. How he has said it has not been important to me. What has been important are his actions.”

Trump may have many doubters when it comes to his ability as a president and his all-round brain coherence, but according to Nicklaus and DeChambeau, we may have been wrong to doubt his ability on the golf course.

All 20 teams that will compete in the 2026/27 Premier League season have now had plenty of time to navigate the transfer market and shape their squads. Naturally, the first thing fans look for each summer is the star names signed – and, just as importantly, those who have been moved on or forced their way out.

For neutrals, however, judging a team’s chances solely by the name on the back of the shirt can be something of a fool’s errand. Indeed, Arsenal are the favourites to retain the title according to the Supercomputer, while Chelsea and Tottenham – having splashed out the most on net spend so far – will be hoping for much-improved campaigns.

That said, experience and top-flight know-how can often be another overlooked but useful yardstick for success. There is a caveat, though: younger squads can play with a freedom and fearlessness that sometimes catches more seasoned opponents off guard. With that in mind, and thanks to Transfermarkt (via Tribuna), every squad has been ranked from oldest to youngest – and the results are interesting.

20-16

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

The oldest squad in the Premier League as things stand is Fulham, who look set to need all the experience they can get if they are to avoid slipping down the table towards the relegation zone. The departures of long-term manager and goalscorer Marco Silva and Harry Wilson have already seen Jeff Stelling predict that they are doomed to go down.

Their average age of 27.5 just about edges out last season’s Championship play-off winners Hull City (27.4), Leeds United (27.2) and Ipswich Town (27.1).

Aston Villa, who won the Europa League, have the fifth-oldest squad, with Emiliano Martinez, John McGinn and Tyrone Mings among their more seasoned players, while Ollie Watkins is no longer the young striker he once was at 30.

15-11

In 15th, and therefore around the mid-table mark, are Coventry City, who will be hoping Frank Lampard can finally prove his Premier League management credentials this time around by avoiding relegation.

Sunderland are next, with their squad age of 26.3 reflecting a group that has constantly changed over the last 18 months. The hierarchy have given their full backing to manager Regis Le Bris, allowing a turnover of more than 20 players during that time.

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, who have been locked in an unlikely rivalry over the course of the last season after their battles over Europa League qualification – as well as Evangelos Marinakis hiring Oliver Glasner and then suing the Eagles’ fanbase over a banner at a match last season – are level on a squad age of 26.2. Everton, meanwhile, have an average age of 26.1, placing them just outside the top 10.

10-6

After going 22 years without winning a league title, it would seem Mikel Arteta is now at a point in his Arsenal tenure where he has struck the perfect balance between youth and experience to continue building a dynasty after last season’s league triumph. An average age of just shy of 26 means most of their players are entering their prime years, with the signing of Bruno Guimaraes only strengthening that balance.

Manchester United have the same average age, with Michael Carrick now expected to build on a third-placed finish, while Tottenham (25.7) are tipped to undergo a huge transformation under Roberto De Zerbi after spending more than £330 million in the transfer window to ensure they are not operating precariously above the dotted line.

Newcastle (25.6) and Liverpool (25.5) round out this section. With 10 players aged 23 or under, the Magpies continue to let go of their star players while they are still in their prime, meaning they could be left thin on the ground next season and need to put their faith in youth to keep the squad fresh. Liverpool’s sixth-youngest squad, meanwhile, could prove to be a strength for Andoni Iraola, with his high-pressing attacking system reliant on high energy rather than the experience needed to grind out results.

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5-1

Chelsea’s Danny Welbeck via REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Despite signing both Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck to try to bring their squad age up, Chelsea still have the youngest squad by some distance. Todd Boehly continues to pump money into youth, which often backfires as the Blues are then forced to pay huge amounts to either capture players from rival clubs or re-purchase academy players they had previously sold.

Their average age of 24.1 is nearly a year younger than second-placed Brentford, while Brighton’s youthful approach isn’t exclusive to a never-ending conveyor belt of academy prospects and a well-functioning scouting system reliant on statistical databases, but also manager Fabian Hurzeler – the Premier League’s youngest-ever boss, who is still only 33.

Manchester City (25.3) have only three players over the age of 30, which could work for or against them in life after Pep Guardiola. Rodri is by far their best leader, but he looks set for a move to Spain, with Ruben Dias next in line to prove his senior capabilities. Elsewhere, Bournemouth rank fifth and are also going through a transition period with new manager Marco Rose.

It’s been a controversial summer for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who is now at risk of losing his job after a series of questionable decisions.

The 56-year-old drew criticism ahead of the 2026 World Cup due to his close relationship with United States President Donald Trump. Even those within FIFA were said to be embarrassed as Inaftinao handed Trump the Peace Prize.

The outrageous call to then rescind Folarin Balogun’s red card during the tournament did not help, but Infantino’s biggest mistake came after the World Cup, when it became apparent that he wanted to sell off shares in the FIFA competition. As a result, UEFA have declared a loss of confidence in Infantino, with many nations withdrawing support for the current president ahead of the 2027 elections.

Vincent Kompany Backed as Next FIFA President

With Infantino’s future in doubt, a few names have been suggested in the media as possible candidates to run for FIFA president. Perhaps the most exciting name yet has now emerged with Toby Alderweireld tipping a four-time Premier League winner for the job.

Indeed, the former Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur star has suggested his old Belgian teammate Vincent Kompany would be ideal to take over from Infantino. As quoted by FourFourTwo, Alderweireld explained:

It’s interesting to note that Alderweireld expected Kompany to take on a more administrative role within football, as opposed to becoming a coach. However, still only 40 years old, the former Manchester City captain has quickly established himself as one of the best young managers in the game, working for Anderlecht and Burnley before taking on his current role at Bayern Munich.

Alderweireld: ‘Next FIFA Boss Must Be Someone Who Played the Game’

Names like Aleksander Ceferin, Patrice Motsepe, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Lise Klaveness, Dariusz Mioduski, Mattias Grafstrom, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Victor Montagliani have been touted as possible challengers for Infantino, but Alderweireld has explained what he is looking for in the next FIFA boss.

“It’s very important that the FIFA president is someone who played the game and knows the game,” the former Belgium centre-back said. “We’ve all been a fan. Then we’ve become a football player. We know both sides. When I was a child, I went to all the away games on the bus. We’re not just people who made good money out of playing in the Premier League and Champions League.

“We’re football fans too. We played the game. We know how it is. What it is to be a player and a fan. The one thing that’s very important is that the person who’s doing the talking should be a football guy because look at the World Cup. A 20-minute show at half-time? That’s where you need someone who knows football to say no.

“The most beautiful thing about the sport is its traditions. New things have their place too but we need to protect the traditions as well and that’s why you need football players, football people who have been around the game, to keep the businessmen in check.”

As things stand, Kompany has a contract with Bayern until 2029 and, having won the Bundesliga twice in his first two seasons, it remains unclear but feels unlikely that he would have any interest in stepping away from management to run for FIFA president at any time soon.