Goal efficiency
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Inter · Euro Championship · Defender · #5 · England · 31 yrs
J. Stones plays as a defender for Inter. J. Stones is a English international, 31 years old, defender, currently at Inter. J. Stones wears shirt number 5 for Inter. J. Stones was born in Barnsley, England on 1994-05-28. J. Stones is 188 cm tall and weighs 80 kg. J. Stones's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across Euro Championship, Euro Championship - Qualification, FIFA Club World Cup, Premier League Asia Trophy, and other leagues. J. Stones's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore J. Stones season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
| Season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 |  England ENG |
| 2025 | England ENG |
| 2025 |  Manchester City MCI |
| 2024 | England ENG |
| 2024 | Manchester City MCI |
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-08-09 | € 55.6M |  Everton EVE | Manchester City MCI |
| 2013-01-31 | € 3.5M |  Barnsley BAR | Everton EVE |
Season intelligence
Profile as Defender: high usage. Archetype: Box-to-box engine. Season rating 7.0.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
J. Stones plays as a defender for Inter. J. Stones is a English international, 31 years old, defender, currently at Inter. J. Stones wears shirt number 5 for Inter. J. Stones was born in Barnsley, England on 1994-05-28. J. Stones is 188 cm tall and weighs 80 kg. J. Stones's Sportra profile tracks season statistics across Euro Championship, Euro Championship - Qualification, FIFA Club World Cup, Premier League Asia Trophy, and other leagues. J. Stones's page brings together career clubs, trophies, injury history, multi-competition stats, and related news headlines. On Sportra you can explore J. Stones season statistics, transfer history, trophies, injury updates, and related news across every competition tracked in the profile.
| Season | Team |
|---|---|
| 2026 | England ENG |
| 2025 | England ENG |
| 2025 | Manchester City MCI |
| 2024 | England ENG |
| 2024 | Manchester City MCI |
| Date | Type | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-08-09 | € 55.6M | Everton EVE | Manchester City MCI |
| 2013-01-31 | € 3.5M | Barnsley BAR | Everton EVE |
Season intelligence
Profile as Defender: high usage. Archetype: Box-to-box engine. Season rating 7.0.
Scaled 0–99 from season output — map to fantasy, comparisons, or scouting cards.
Per-90 rates, efficiency ratios, and Sportra indices from season totals.
How clinical and direct the player was in front of goal — volume, accuracy, and conversion.
Playmaking output: assists, key passes, and custom chance-creation signals.
Isolation threat and progressive carrying — volume plus success rate.
How often they draw fouls and stay out of trouble with cards.
Tackles, duels, and off-ball defensive contribution.
Shot-stopping, goals conceded, and penalty saves.
Minutes, availability, and how central they were to the team.
Every tracked category for this league and season, grouped by Sportra.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright (Picture: Getty) Ian Wright has named his dark horses to challenge Arsenal this season as Mikel Arteta’s side prepare to begin their Premier League title defence. After an emphatic victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend, the Gunners now turn their attention to beginning the defence of their league title. Arsenal will kick off the new campaign at the Emirates against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday as they look to lay down an early marker for the season ahead. New summer signings Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes are expected to feature, but Wright still wants to see Arsenal bring in more marquee signings before the end of the transfer window. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. ‘Arsenal still have a lot of business to do and things have been slow up to this point,’ Wright told Metro. ‘I know the World Cup would have had a big effect on that, but as we know how important it is to start this league strong, the sooner those new players can come in, the better. ‘We heard what the manager said after the Champions League final defeat about what was needed for the next level for this club so that’s what we are going to hold the club to. Arsenal are set to begin their title defence on Friday (Picture: Getty) ‘The window of opportunity is now so I’m hopeful we end the window with a much stronger squad.’ Arsenal will head into the season as favourites, but predicting their closest rivals could prove difficult after a summer of overhaul for much of the ‘Big Six’. Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola have taken over at City, Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively, while Michael Carrick is preparing for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford. And despite their dismal tenth-place finish last season, Wright believes that a lack of European football could see Chelsea vault straight back into title contention under Alonso this time out. Chelsea have been tipped to thrive under Xabi Alonso (Picture: AP) ‘City, Chelsea and Liverpool all have new managers, which makes all of them a bit unknown,’ he said. ‘It’s a huge transition season for City: no Bernardo Silva, Stones, Pep and Rodri. But they have Haaland, and that’ll take you far regardless of other issues. ‘I fancy Chelsea to challenge if Alonso gets a good start and is able to make them more solid defensively. Gillette and Ian Wright are calling for an end to yellow cards for shirt-off goal celebrations (Picture: Greg Coleman) ‘He’s brought in some experienced players, which they’ve needed for a while. I can see them getting into a good rhythm without European football.’ And asked who else could cause a surprise this season, Wright added: ‘I’ll have my eye on Nottingham Forest now that Oliver Glasner has come in. ‘They have a lot of talent which they have held onto, Glasner is a very good coach, and they have made a couple of good signings. ‘Teams like Brighton, Bournemouth and Sunderland have Europe to contend with, which could affect them in the league to Forest’s advantage. ‘Spurs also have one game a week and have made big improvements. They probably still need a goalscorer but I’d expect them to shoot up the league.’ Wright backs new campaign to change football rule Wright was speaking to Metro after throwing his support behind Gillette’s campaign to stop footballers getting booked for taking their shirt off as a celebration. Recalling his favourite shirt-off celebration, the Gunners legend said: ‘I’d say the one when we played Aston Villa, with my “I love the lads” t-shirt. ‘Things were just starting to happen, we were making great moves as a team and I was having a great time with the boys; it was brilliant. That’s probably my best one. ‘Every time I see the picture I get the feeling of the dressing room and the joy we shared. Patrick was coming through, it was a great time.’ @wrightyofficial This h
The 2026 FA Community Shield is here, with Arsenal and Manchester City fighting for the title on Sunday, August 16. Here are all the details on how to watch this match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Arsenal vs Manchester City on US television and via legal streaming: WHO: Arsenal vs Manchester City WHAT: Community Shield WHEN: 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT • Sunday, August 16, 2026 WHERE: Fubo STREAM: WATCH NOW Match Overview Arsenal enter the new season’s curtain-raiser with sky-high expectations after shattering Manchester City’s domestic dominance to claim the 2025/26 Premier League title. The Gunners, built on the league’s best defense, finally reached the summit and now have the chance to secure the first piece of silverware of the new campaign and prove their championship was no fluke. Across the pitch, Manchester City begins a new era. With legendary manager Pep Guardiola’s reign over, former assistant Enzo Maresca takes the helm for his first competitive match. Despite losing their league crown, City remained unbeaten against the Gunners last season and will be fueled by the urgency to make an immediate statement that they are still the team to beat in England. Tactical Analysis & Match Context This clash pits the newly crowned champions against a powerhouse in transition. Arsenal’s title-winning campaign was a masterclass in defensive solidity, finishing with the lowest expected goals against (28.3 xGA) in the division. Their momentum is strong, and the challenge is now to build a lasting dynasty. The tactical battle will be fascinating, setting Arsenal’s disciplined structure and lethal set-piece prowess against Maresca’s expected possession-heavy system. The game will likely be decided by whether Arsenal’s organized press can disrupt City’s build-up or if City’s world-class attack, which led the league in scoring last season, can find cracks in the Gunners’ formidable backline. For both squads, the motivations are crystal clear. Arsenal is determined to solidify its status as England’s top club by adding another trophy to the cabinet. For Manchester City, this is a crucial opportunity for Maresca to begin his tenure with a statement win and signal that the club’s hunger for trophies remains as intense as ever, even in a new chapter. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, Arsenal holds the upper hand in this fixture, having won 101 of the 216 all-time meetings between the clubs. However, the recent dynamic has shifted dramatically in favor of their opponents from Manchester. In the last six encounters, Arsenal has managed just a single victory, highlighting City’s modern dominance. Last season, Manchester City took four points from the two league meetings and also defeated the Gunners in the EFL Cup final, asserting their authority over the eventual league champions. Recent games have consistently produced goals, with both teams scoring in four of the last five matchups. These fixtures have averaged a high-scoring 3.4 goals per game, suggesting an entertaining affair is likely. Furthermore, a draw at halftime has been a frequent outcome, occurring in six of the last ten head-to-head clashes. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both managers face significant selection headaches due to injuries and the staggered return of players from summer international duty, which will heavily influence their starting XIs. Arsenal has been dealt a massive blow with key defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber sidelined with long-term injuries, forcing Mikel Arteta into a defensive reshuffle. Additionally, core players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are returning late, raising questions about their match fitness for this crucial opener. Manchester City is also navigating a period of transition. The squad is without holding midfielder Rodri, while defensive stalwarts John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji have all departed the club. Star striker Erling Haaland has had limited
John Stones marked his Inter debut in style, scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory over Real Betis in a pre-season friendly. The post Stones ‘very excited for what’s to come’ after scoring on Inter debut appeared first on SoccerNews.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith (Picture: Getty) Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith is confident that only two clubs will be in the running to win the Premier League this season. Following three successive second-place finishes, Mikel Arteta finally guided Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years last season. And over the summer, the Gunners have looked to strengthen their squad further as they prepare to begin their title defence. The early signings of Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier have been bolstered by the marquee arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, with Arsenal still looking to add depth in defence and in wide forward areas before the deadline. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. But it has been a summer of upheaval for several of Arsenal’s rivals, with a slew of managerial changes ahead of the new season. Enzo Maresca is back at Manchester City, while Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso have been tasked with improving the fortunes of Liverpool and Chelsea after their respective poor domestic campaigns last season. And elsewhere, Michael Carrick is preparing for his first full season at Manchester United after arriving at Old Trafford midway through last season. Arsenal are bidding to defend their Premier League title (Picture: Getty) But despite all that change over the off-season, former Gunners striker Smith believes the title race could well be a repeat of last year’s between Arsenal and City. ‘I think Man City are the key challenger [to Arsenal],’ he told Metro via BestBettingSites.co.uk. ‘Obviously, they have a new manager, so that puts a little question mark in there about how Maresca can settle with his players,’ but I still see them being the only challenger. ‘There’s a whole host of others just below that, but I’d say it’s [between Arsenal and] City at the moment.’ Enzo Maresca has replaced Pep Guardiola at Manchester City (Picture: PA) As well as Pep Guardiola, City have seen stalwarts such as John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Nathan Ake leave the club this summer. World Cup winner Rodri also looks poised to leave for Barcelona, and Smith reckons those departures might give Arsenal the edge in the title race. ‘I’ve got to go for Arsenal winning it again; let’s hope,’ he added. Smith's predicted top-six for this season Arsenal Manchester City Manchester United Liverpool Chelsea Aston Villa ‘Then City. Manchester United, they finished third last year, and I think they’re going to be better off this year. ‘Carrick is getting his feet under the table, so maybe Man United third, Liverpool fourth, and Chelsea perhaps having a much better season than they did last time under Alonso. ‘They have made some good signings, so I’d see that as the top five, then that sixth spot I’d say Aston Villa are favourites.’ Arsenal and City will face off against each other this weekend in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The Gunners then kick off their league campaign against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday, with City hosting Bournemouth in their first game of the Maresca era. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Cristiano Ronaldo is back training with Al Nassr, leaving fans wondering when he'll be back on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the training pitch with Al Nassr, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see him make his season debut. According to The Al Nassr Tribune, the Portuguese forward is expected to make his first appearance of the 2026-27 campaign on August 21 against Al Riyadh in the Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League. That means Ronaldo will sit out the club’s first two matches of the new season: the league opener against Al Fateh, and the King Cup Round of 32 clash with Al Diriyah just days later. Both absences trace back to the same reason — his recent wedding to Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal, which prompted manager Ange Postecoglou to grant him extended leave. Ronaldo hadn’t taken part in a single Al Nassr training session until today, meaning he now needs time on the training pitch to build up match fitness before he can be considered for selection. Look who just arrived at Nassr 🤩💛 pic.twitter.com/ToSL2uOmB3— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 13, 2026 For now, Postecoglou will have to navigate the opening rounds of the season without his star forward, leaning on the rest of the squad to get points on the board before Ronaldo is expected to slot back into the starting lineup for the trip to face Al Riyadh later this month. Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals Beyond the return-to-fitness storyline, this season carries extra significance for Ronaldo as he closes in on one of football’s most extraordinary milestones. At 41 years old, the forward sits on 976 career goals — 830 for club and 146 for Portugal — meaning he needs just 24 more to become the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals. The timeline suggests it’s well within reach. Ronaldo scored 28 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr last season, and if he maintains anything close to that rate once he’s back up to speed, the 1,000-goal mark could realistically fall before the 2026-27 campaign is over.
Manchester City are assessing Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as they prepare for the possibility of losing Rodri to Barcelona before the transfer window closes. City’s midfield is undergoing major change following the departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones, while Rodri’s potential return to Spain would remove arguably the most influential player in their […] The post ‘I know internally..’ – Journalist names shock Liverpool star on Man City radar appeared first on CaughtOffside.
While announcing his marriage with Georgina Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to miss the first two games of the 2026-27 season for Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo is celebrating one of the happiest personal milestones of his life after officially confirming his marriage to long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez. However, the wedding celebration will temporarily impact Al Nassr, as the Portuguese legend is reportedly expected to miss the club’s first two official matches of the campaign. On Tuesday, August 12, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez publicly confirmed their marriage following an extended summer vacation following the conclusion of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup run. Taking to social media, the couple published a joint post showcasing matching gold bands with a brief caption that read, “I do.“ According to People, the civil ceremony embraced an intimate setting rather than a lavish public spectacle. Reports indicate the wedding took place in Cascais, an upscale coastal town west of Lisbon, Portugal, with attendance limited exclusively to the couple’s five children: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., Eva Maria, Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda. The marriage took place exactly one year after Ronaldo proposed to the model on August 11, 2025. “Yes, I do. In this life and in all my lives,” Rodriguez wrote at the time while displaying her oval-cut diamond engagement ring, valued at roughly €6 million (around $7.8 million USD), which also appeared in the background of their official wedding announcement. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announce their marriage. (@cristiano/Instagram) Ronaldo set to miss first two Al Nassr fixtures Following Portugal’s World Cup elimination on July 6, Ronaldo did not join his Al Nassr teammates for their preseason preparations. While Al Nassr completed their overseas training camp in Portugal before returning to Riyadh, the club captain did not attend a single session, with the competitive season commencing in less than a week. According to a report from Al Riyadhiah, team sources confirmed that Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s first two competitive fixtures of the 2026-27 campaign across two separate competitions. Having been granted an extended leave of absence following international duty at the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo was absent from the club’s summer training program. The forward utilized the additional rest period to complete his marriage to Rodriguez in Portugal before traveling to Saudi Arabia to resume club activities. Lacking full match fitness for the opening fixtures, Ronaldo will first miss Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on Saturday, August 15, as the club begin their title defense. Al Nassr will then play their second fixture on Tuesday, August 18, facing Al Diriyah in the Round of 32 of the King’s Cup. Based on those reports, Ronaldo is targeted to make his seasonal debut on Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League against Al Riyadh on Friday, August 21. Until his return, new head coach Ange Postecoglou will need to adjust his attacking options to fill the central No. 9 role.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: AP) Chelsea have been urged to launch a late bid to sign England full-back Djed Spence after he was offered to both Liverpool and Manchester United. Spence has spent just two full seasons at Spurs having initially struggled to secure a first-team role following his £20million move from Championship side Middlesbrough four years ago. But the 25-year-old enhanced his reputation at this summer’s World Cup, producing several standout performances in an England shirt as Thomas Tuchel’s side finished third in North America. Despite those performances, Spence does not appear to be guaranteed regular minutes at Tottenham this season, with Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro preferred by Roberto De Zerbi on both flanks. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. And Spence is therefore keen to seek a summer exit from Spurs, with reports earlier in the week suggesting that both Liverpool and United had been offered the chance to sign the versatile full-back. But former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend believes the Blues should join the race to sign the Englishman as they look to bolster their options at full-back following the departure of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. ‘I don’t know what he would cost because of how well he did at the World Cup,’ Townsend told talkSPORT. ‘Has that inflated his price tag unreasonably? I genuinely haven’t got a clue. Djed Spence impressed at the World Cup with England (Picture: Getty) ‘If Cucurella is going to Real Madrid for over £60million, I would have thought Djed Spence at £40million, something around that figure, would be a decent acquisition. ‘It wouldn’t do them any harm to have someone who is still looking to improve as a player, who is all ears and wants to get better. ‘He is now showing what he is capable of, so that would be a good piece of business.’ Chelsea may have to move quickly if they are to secure Spence’s signature, though, with reports suggesting that Inter Milan have now entered talks with Spurs over a deal for the defender. Townsend: 'Sanchez not a title-winning goalkeeper' Robert Sanchez (Picture: Reuters) Elsewhere, Townsend urged his former club to find a replacement for Robert Sanchez, who has never fully convinced since his £25m move from Brighton in 2023. ‘Robert Sanchez is one of those goalkeepers that Monday to Friday, he must be unbelievable,’ he added. ‘He must be plucking them out of the top corner and making saves from all angles – he must be brilliant. ‘Everyone at the club thinks there is a proper goalkeeper there, whereas most of us are waiting for a lapse in concentration. You are just waiting for him to scupper all of the good work that clearly he can do. ‘I would have thought that if Chelsea want to win the league, and I am sure they will want to again at some point, they are going to have to upgrade. But they obviously haven’t seen anything they really fancy, so they are going to continue to go with Sanchez.’ Inter are keen to strengthen at right-back after the departure of Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid. A fee in the region of €30million (£25.6m) could be enough for Spurs to sell Spence, who is under contract until the summer of 2028. Spence would follow in the footsteps of international colleague John Stones, who departed Manchester City to join the Serie A giants on a free transfer last month. Speaking earlier in pre-season, Spurs manager De Zerbi stressed that he is keen for Spence to stay at the club but said he would not stand in the way of any player if they want to move. ‘I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas [Bergvall],’ De Zerbi said. ‘I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don’t want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Com
Inter Milan are on the verge of signing Djed Spence from Tottenham (Picture: Getty) Djed Spence is edging closer to leaving Tottenham for Inter Milan, according to reports in Italy. Spence struggled to live up to expectations after joining Tottenham from Middlesbrough back in 2022, having helped Nottingham Forest win promotion to the Premier League during an outstanding loan spell at the City Ground. After three separate loans with Rennes, Leeds and Genoa, though, Spence enjoyed something of a resurgence at Spurs last season, earning himself a place in England’s World Cup squad. Spence emerged from the tournament as one of the Three Lions’ unlikely stars after working his way into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI in the midst of an injury crisis at full-back. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. But Tottenham’s hierarchy were unmoved and made it clear they were open to offers for Spence at the start of the summer transfer window, meaning the versatile 26-year-old returned to north London with his club future up in the air. Reports last week indicated both Manchester United and Liverpool had been offered the chance to sign Spence before the transfer deadline. However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have muscled themselves into pole position for Spence and the England international is said to be ‘on his way’ to the San Siro. Spurs are ready to sell Spence for a fee of £25.6m (Picture: Getty) The versatile full-back was one of England’s breakout stars at the World Cup (Picture: Getty) It’s claimed the relevant parties have come close to reaching an agreement ‘in the last few hours’ over a move expected to be worth in the region of €30million (£25.6m) plus bonuses. The report adds that Spence will be brought in as Denzel Dumphries’ long-term successor in Milan ‘barring any unexpected developments’. Spence is set to follow in the footsteps of international colleague John Stones, who departed Manchester City to join the Serie A giants on a free transfer last month. Given their grueling summer with England, neither player is expected to be ready in time for Inter’s opening match of the Italian top-flight season at home to Monza on August 22. De Zerbi’s side begin the Premier League season away to Brentford (Picture: Getty) Tottenham had initially slapped a £35m price tag on Spence but ultimately decided to relax their demands in order to remove the defender from their wage bill. Spence is likely to put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Inter and the impending move could pave the way for Luis Enrique to complete a switch to Roma. Inter have been forced to drop their pursuit of Tottenham defender Cristian Romero but remain interested in a deal for Liverpool and England midfielder Curtis Jones. As one of Tottenham’s many World Cup participants, Spence was not included in Roberto De Zerbi’s touring party to New Zealand and Australia for the club’s pre-season matches against Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea. Spurs continue their busy pre-season schedule with a friendly against Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend before kicking off their Premier League campaign away to London rivals Brentford on August 22. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence has spoken to Inter Milan star John Stones about a move to the Italian giants. The post ‘Already Spoken With’ – Tottenham Hotspur Star Done Homework On Move appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
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Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright (Picture: Getty) Ian Wright has named his dark horses to challenge Arsenal this season as Mikel Arteta’s side prepare to begin their Premier League title defence. After an emphatic victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend, the Gunners now turn their attention to beginning the defence of their league title. Arsenal will kick off the new campaign at the Emirates against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday as they look to lay down an early marker for the season ahead. New summer signings Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes are expected to feature, but Wright still wants to see Arsenal bring in more marquee signings before the end of the transfer window. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. ‘Arsenal still have a lot of business to do and things have been slow up to this point,’ Wright told Metro. ‘I know the World Cup would have had a big effect on that, but as we know how important it is to start this league strong, the sooner those new players can come in, the better. ‘We heard what the manager said after the Champions League final defeat about what was needed for the next level for this club so that’s what we are going to hold the club to. Arsenal are set to begin their title defence on Friday (Picture: Getty) ‘The window of opportunity is now so I’m hopeful we end the window with a much stronger squad.’ Arsenal will head into the season as favourites, but predicting their closest rivals could prove difficult after a summer of overhaul for much of the ‘Big Six’. Enzo Maresca, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola have taken over at City, Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively, while Michael Carrick is preparing for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford. And despite their dismal tenth-place finish last season, Wright believes that a lack of European football could see Chelsea vault straight back into title contention under Alonso this time out. Chelsea have been tipped to thrive under Xabi Alonso (Picture: AP) ‘City, Chelsea and Liverpool all have new managers, which makes all of them a bit unknown,’ he said. ‘It’s a huge transition season for City: no Bernardo Silva, Stones, Pep and Rodri. But they have Haaland, and that’ll take you far regardless of other issues. ‘I fancy Chelsea to challenge if Alonso gets a good start and is able to make them more solid defensively. Gillette and Ian Wright are calling for an end to yellow cards for shirt-off goal celebrations (Picture: Greg Coleman) ‘He’s brought in some experienced players, which they’ve needed for a while. I can see them getting into a good rhythm without European football.’ And asked who else could cause a surprise this season, Wright added: ‘I’ll have my eye on Nottingham Forest now that Oliver Glasner has come in. ‘They have a lot of talent which they have held onto, Glasner is a very good coach, and they have made a couple of good signings. ‘Teams like Brighton, Bournemouth and Sunderland have Europe to contend with, which could affect them in the league to Forest’s advantage. ‘Spurs also have one game a week and have made big improvements. They probably still need a goalscorer but I’d expect them to shoot up the league.’ Wright backs new campaign to change football rule Wright was speaking to Metro after throwing his support behind Gillette’s campaign to stop footballers getting booked for taking their shirt off as a celebration. Recalling his favourite shirt-off celebration, the Gunners legend said: ‘I’d say the one when we played Aston Villa, with my “I love the lads” t-shirt. ‘Things were just starting to happen, we were making great moves as a team and I was having a great time with the boys; it was brilliant. That’s probably my best one. ‘Every time I see the picture I get the feeling of the dressing room and the joy we shared. Patrick was coming through, it was a great time.’ @wrightyofficial This h
The 2026 FA Community Shield is here, with Arsenal and Manchester City fighting for the title on Sunday, August 16. Here are all the details on how to watch this match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Arsenal vs Manchester City on US television and via legal streaming: WHO: Arsenal vs Manchester City WHAT: Community Shield WHEN: 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT • Sunday, August 16, 2026 WHERE: Fubo STREAM: WATCH NOW Match Overview Arsenal enter the new season’s curtain-raiser with sky-high expectations after shattering Manchester City’s domestic dominance to claim the 2025/26 Premier League title. The Gunners, built on the league’s best defense, finally reached the summit and now have the chance to secure the first piece of silverware of the new campaign and prove their championship was no fluke. Across the pitch, Manchester City begins a new era. With legendary manager Pep Guardiola’s reign over, former assistant Enzo Maresca takes the helm for his first competitive match. Despite losing their league crown, City remained unbeaten against the Gunners last season and will be fueled by the urgency to make an immediate statement that they are still the team to beat in England. Tactical Analysis & Match Context This clash pits the newly crowned champions against a powerhouse in transition. Arsenal’s title-winning campaign was a masterclass in defensive solidity, finishing with the lowest expected goals against (28.3 xGA) in the division. Their momentum is strong, and the challenge is now to build a lasting dynasty. The tactical battle will be fascinating, setting Arsenal’s disciplined structure and lethal set-piece prowess against Maresca’s expected possession-heavy system. The game will likely be decided by whether Arsenal’s organized press can disrupt City’s build-up or if City’s world-class attack, which led the league in scoring last season, can find cracks in the Gunners’ formidable backline. For both squads, the motivations are crystal clear. Arsenal is determined to solidify its status as England’s top club by adding another trophy to the cabinet. For Manchester City, this is a crucial opportunity for Maresca to begin his tenure with a statement win and signal that the club’s hunger for trophies remains as intense as ever, even in a new chapter. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, Arsenal holds the upper hand in this fixture, having won 101 of the 216 all-time meetings between the clubs. However, the recent dynamic has shifted dramatically in favor of their opponents from Manchester. In the last six encounters, Arsenal has managed just a single victory, highlighting City’s modern dominance. Last season, Manchester City took four points from the two league meetings and also defeated the Gunners in the EFL Cup final, asserting their authority over the eventual league champions. Recent games have consistently produced goals, with both teams scoring in four of the last five matchups. These fixtures have averaged a high-scoring 3.4 goals per game, suggesting an entertaining affair is likely. Furthermore, a draw at halftime has been a frequent outcome, occurring in six of the last ten head-to-head clashes. Squad News & Projected Lineups Both managers face significant selection headaches due to injuries and the staggered return of players from summer international duty, which will heavily influence their starting XIs. Arsenal has been dealt a massive blow with key defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber sidelined with long-term injuries, forcing Mikel Arteta into a defensive reshuffle. Additionally, core players like Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are returning late, raising questions about their match fitness for this crucial opener. Manchester City is also navigating a period of transition. The squad is without holding midfielder Rodri, while defensive stalwarts John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji have all departed the club. Star striker Erling Haaland has had limited
John Stones marked his Inter debut in style, scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory over Real Betis in a pre-season friendly. The post Stones ‘very excited for what’s to come’ after scoring on Inter debut appeared first on SoccerNews.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith (Picture: Getty) Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith is confident that only two clubs will be in the running to win the Premier League this season. Following three successive second-place finishes, Mikel Arteta finally guided Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years last season. And over the summer, the Gunners have looked to strengthen their squad further as they prepare to begin their title defence. The early signings of Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier have been bolstered by the marquee arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, with Arsenal still looking to add depth in defence and in wide forward areas before the deadline. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. But it has been a summer of upheaval for several of Arsenal’s rivals, with a slew of managerial changes ahead of the new season. Enzo Maresca is back at Manchester City, while Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso have been tasked with improving the fortunes of Liverpool and Chelsea after their respective poor domestic campaigns last season. And elsewhere, Michael Carrick is preparing for his first full season at Manchester United after arriving at Old Trafford midway through last season. Arsenal are bidding to defend their Premier League title (Picture: Getty) But despite all that change over the off-season, former Gunners striker Smith believes the title race could well be a repeat of last year’s between Arsenal and City. ‘I think Man City are the key challenger [to Arsenal],’ he told Metro via BestBettingSites.co.uk. ‘Obviously, they have a new manager, so that puts a little question mark in there about how Maresca can settle with his players,’ but I still see them being the only challenger. ‘There’s a whole host of others just below that, but I’d say it’s [between Arsenal and] City at the moment.’ Enzo Maresca has replaced Pep Guardiola at Manchester City (Picture: PA) As well as Pep Guardiola, City have seen stalwarts such as John Stones, Bernardo Silva and Nathan Ake leave the club this summer. World Cup winner Rodri also looks poised to leave for Barcelona, and Smith reckons those departures might give Arsenal the edge in the title race. ‘I’ve got to go for Arsenal winning it again; let’s hope,’ he added. Smith's predicted top-six for this season Arsenal Manchester City Manchester United Liverpool Chelsea Aston Villa ‘Then City. Manchester United, they finished third last year, and I think they’re going to be better off this year. ‘Carrick is getting his feet under the table, so maybe Man United third, Liverpool fourth, and Chelsea perhaps having a much better season than they did last time under Alonso. ‘They have made some good signings, so I’d see that as the top five, then that sixth spot I’d say Aston Villa are favourites.’ Arsenal and City will face off against each other this weekend in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The Gunners then kick off their league campaign against newly promoted Coventry City on Friday, with City hosting Bournemouth in their first game of the Maresca era. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Cristiano Ronaldo is back training with Al Nassr, leaving fans wondering when he'll be back on the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo is back on the training pitch with Al Nassr, but fans will have to wait a little longer to see him make his season debut. According to The Al Nassr Tribune, the Portuguese forward is expected to make his first appearance of the 2026-27 campaign on August 21 against Al Riyadh in the Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League. That means Ronaldo will sit out the club’s first two matches of the new season: the league opener against Al Fateh, and the King Cup Round of 32 clash with Al Diriyah just days later. Both absences trace back to the same reason — his recent wedding to Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal, which prompted manager Ange Postecoglou to grant him extended leave. Ronaldo hadn’t taken part in a single Al Nassr training session until today, meaning he now needs time on the training pitch to build up match fitness before he can be considered for selection. Look who just arrived at Nassr 🤩💛 pic.twitter.com/ToSL2uOmB3— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) August 13, 2026 For now, Postecoglou will have to navigate the opening rounds of the season without his star forward, leaning on the rest of the squad to get points on the board before Ronaldo is expected to slot back into the starting lineup for the trip to face Al Riyadh later this month. Ronaldo’s chase for 1,000 career goals Beyond the return-to-fitness storyline, this season carries extra significance for Ronaldo as he closes in on one of football’s most extraordinary milestones. At 41 years old, the forward sits on 976 career goals — 830 for club and 146 for Portugal — meaning he needs just 24 more to become the first player in history to reach 1,000 official goals. The timeline suggests it’s well within reach. Ronaldo scored 28 goals across all competitions for Al Nassr last season, and if he maintains anything close to that rate once he’s back up to speed, the 1,000-goal mark could realistically fall before the 2026-27 campaign is over.
Manchester City are assessing Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as they prepare for the possibility of losing Rodri to Barcelona before the transfer window closes. City’s midfield is undergoing major change following the departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones, while Rodri’s potential return to Spain would remove arguably the most influential player in their […] The post ‘I know internally..’ – Journalist names shock Liverpool star on Man City radar appeared first on CaughtOffside.
While announcing his marriage with Georgina Rodriguez, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to miss the first two games of the 2026-27 season for Al Nassr. Cristiano Ronaldo is celebrating one of the happiest personal milestones of his life after officially confirming his marriage to long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez. However, the wedding celebration will temporarily impact Al Nassr, as the Portuguese legend is reportedly expected to miss the club’s first two official matches of the campaign. On Tuesday, August 12, Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez publicly confirmed their marriage following an extended summer vacation following the conclusion of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup run. Taking to social media, the couple published a joint post showcasing matching gold bands with a brief caption that read, “I do.“ According to People, the civil ceremony embraced an intimate setting rather than a lavish public spectacle. Reports indicate the wedding took place in Cascais, an upscale coastal town west of Lisbon, Portugal, with attendance limited exclusively to the couple’s five children: Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., Eva Maria, Mateo, Alana Martina, and Bella Esmeralda. The marriage took place exactly one year after Ronaldo proposed to the model on August 11, 2025. “Yes, I do. In this life and in all my lives,” Rodriguez wrote at the time while displaying her oval-cut diamond engagement ring, valued at roughly €6 million (around $7.8 million USD), which also appeared in the background of their official wedding announcement. Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announce their marriage. (@cristiano/Instagram) Ronaldo set to miss first two Al Nassr fixtures Following Portugal’s World Cup elimination on July 6, Ronaldo did not join his Al Nassr teammates for their preseason preparations. While Al Nassr completed their overseas training camp in Portugal before returning to Riyadh, the club captain did not attend a single session, with the competitive season commencing in less than a week. According to a report from Al Riyadhiah, team sources confirmed that Ronaldo will sit out Al Nassr’s first two competitive fixtures of the 2026-27 campaign across two separate competitions. Having been granted an extended leave of absence following international duty at the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo was absent from the club’s summer training program. The forward utilized the additional rest period to complete his marriage to Rodriguez in Portugal before traveling to Saudi Arabia to resume club activities. Lacking full match fitness for the opening fixtures, Ronaldo will first miss Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League opener against Al Fateh on Saturday, August 15, as the club begin their title defense. Al Nassr will then play their second fixture on Tuesday, August 18, facing Al Diriyah in the Round of 32 of the King’s Cup. Based on those reports, Ronaldo is targeted to make his seasonal debut on Matchday 2 of the Saudi Pro League against Al Riyadh on Friday, August 21. Until his return, new head coach Ange Postecoglou will need to adjust his attacking options to fill the central No. 9 role.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: AP) Chelsea have been urged to launch a late bid to sign England full-back Djed Spence after he was offered to both Liverpool and Manchester United. Spence has spent just two full seasons at Spurs having initially struggled to secure a first-team role following his £20million move from Championship side Middlesbrough four years ago. But the 25-year-old enhanced his reputation at this summer’s World Cup, producing several standout performances in an England shirt as Thomas Tuchel’s side finished third in North America. Despite those performances, Spence does not appear to be guaranteed regular minutes at Tottenham this season, with Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro preferred by Roberto De Zerbi on both flanks. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. And Spence is therefore keen to seek a summer exit from Spurs, with reports earlier in the week suggesting that both Liverpool and United had been offered the chance to sign the versatile full-back. But former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend believes the Blues should join the race to sign the Englishman as they look to bolster their options at full-back following the departure of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid. ‘I don’t know what he would cost because of how well he did at the World Cup,’ Townsend told talkSPORT. ‘Has that inflated his price tag unreasonably? I genuinely haven’t got a clue. Djed Spence impressed at the World Cup with England (Picture: Getty) ‘If Cucurella is going to Real Madrid for over £60million, I would have thought Djed Spence at £40million, something around that figure, would be a decent acquisition. ‘It wouldn’t do them any harm to have someone who is still looking to improve as a player, who is all ears and wants to get better. ‘He is now showing what he is capable of, so that would be a good piece of business.’ Chelsea may have to move quickly if they are to secure Spence’s signature, though, with reports suggesting that Inter Milan have now entered talks with Spurs over a deal for the defender. Townsend: 'Sanchez not a title-winning goalkeeper' Robert Sanchez (Picture: Reuters) Elsewhere, Townsend urged his former club to find a replacement for Robert Sanchez, who has never fully convinced since his £25m move from Brighton in 2023. ‘Robert Sanchez is one of those goalkeepers that Monday to Friday, he must be unbelievable,’ he added. ‘He must be plucking them out of the top corner and making saves from all angles – he must be brilliant. ‘Everyone at the club thinks there is a proper goalkeeper there, whereas most of us are waiting for a lapse in concentration. You are just waiting for him to scupper all of the good work that clearly he can do. ‘I would have thought that if Chelsea want to win the league, and I am sure they will want to again at some point, they are going to have to upgrade. But they obviously haven’t seen anything they really fancy, so they are going to continue to go with Sanchez.’ Inter are keen to strengthen at right-back after the departure of Denzel Dumfries to Real Madrid. A fee in the region of €30million (£25.6m) could be enough for Spurs to sell Spence, who is under contract until the summer of 2028. Spence would follow in the footsteps of international colleague John Stones, who departed Manchester City to join the Serie A giants on a free transfer last month. Speaking earlier in pre-season, Spurs manager De Zerbi stressed that he is keen for Spence to stay at the club but said he would not stand in the way of any player if they want to move. ‘I repeat what I said to Djed, and to Lucas [Bergvall],’ De Zerbi said. ‘I would like you to stay if you want to stay. If you don’t want to stay, if you want to leave, then you have to leave.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Com
Inter Milan are on the verge of signing Djed Spence from Tottenham (Picture: Getty) Djed Spence is edging closer to leaving Tottenham for Inter Milan, according to reports in Italy. Spence struggled to live up to expectations after joining Tottenham from Middlesbrough back in 2022, having helped Nottingham Forest win promotion to the Premier League during an outstanding loan spell at the City Ground. After three separate loans with Rennes, Leeds and Genoa, though, Spence enjoyed something of a resurgence at Spurs last season, earning himself a place in England’s World Cup squad. Spence emerged from the tournament as one of the Three Lions’ unlikely stars after working his way into Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI in the midst of an injury crisis at full-back. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. But Tottenham’s hierarchy were unmoved and made it clear they were open to offers for Spence at the start of the summer transfer window, meaning the versatile 26-year-old returned to north London with his club future up in the air. Reports last week indicated both Manchester United and Liverpool had been offered the chance to sign Spence before the transfer deadline. However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have muscled themselves into pole position for Spence and the England international is said to be ‘on his way’ to the San Siro. Spurs are ready to sell Spence for a fee of £25.6m (Picture: Getty) The versatile full-back was one of England’s breakout stars at the World Cup (Picture: Getty) It’s claimed the relevant parties have come close to reaching an agreement ‘in the last few hours’ over a move expected to be worth in the region of €30million (£25.6m) plus bonuses. The report adds that Spence will be brought in as Denzel Dumphries’ long-term successor in Milan ‘barring any unexpected developments’. Spence is set to follow in the footsteps of international colleague John Stones, who departed Manchester City to join the Serie A giants on a free transfer last month. Given their grueling summer with England, neither player is expected to be ready in time for Inter’s opening match of the Italian top-flight season at home to Monza on August 22. De Zerbi’s side begin the Premier League season away to Brentford (Picture: Getty) Tottenham had initially slapped a £35m price tag on Spence but ultimately decided to relax their demands in order to remove the defender from their wage bill. Spence is likely to put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Inter and the impending move could pave the way for Luis Enrique to complete a switch to Roma. Inter have been forced to drop their pursuit of Tottenham defender Cristian Romero but remain interested in a deal for Liverpool and England midfielder Curtis Jones. As one of Tottenham’s many World Cup participants, Spence was not included in Roberto De Zerbi’s touring party to New Zealand and Australia for the club’s pre-season matches against Auckland FC, Sydney FC and Chelsea. Spurs continue their busy pre-season schedule with a friendly against Hoffenheim at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend before kicking off their Premier League campaign away to London rivals Brentford on August 22. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence has spoken to Inter Milan star John Stones about a move to the Italian giants. The post ‘Already Spoken With’ – Tottenham Hotspur Star Done Homework On Move appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
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