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BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
🎧 Blues' behind-the-scenes series hits TV screens
"It should build the fanbase and expand us - who knows who the next investor around the corner might be?"BBC Radio WM's Ed James talks to Birmingham City fan and podcaster Craig Courtney about the upcoming Blues documentary and what it might do for the to Craig Courtney's full thoughts and more on BBC Sounds.
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Thomas Frank's 'charisma' will guide Tottenham to a top five Premier League finish next season, broadcaster Gordon Smart predicts on Mail podcast
A revitalised Tottenham Hotspur under former Brentford manager Thomas Frank will break into the Premier League 's top five next season, broadcaster Gordon Smart has predicted. Speaking to Mark Clattenburg on the Mail's Whistleblowers podcast, Smart claimed that the 'charisma and personality' of Frank, coupled with some shrewd summer transfer business, could see Spurs rebound back amongst the league's elite sides. Under Australian manager Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham endured a disastrous league campaign last term, finishing just above the relegation zone in seventeenth. The club have now turned to Danish manager Frank, who has built a solid reputation at Brentford for developing difficult to beat teams on a limited budget. Adding to a sense of renewed optimism, Tottenham have been active in the summer transfer window, spending a club record £120 million on Mohammed Kudus, Mathys Tel and Croatian defensive prodigy Luka Vuskovic. 'I have a funny feeling about Tottenham this year', Smart told the podcast. 'I don't know whether this is controversial, but I believe Tottenham could crack fifth – based purely on the personality and charisma of Thomas Frank. 'I think Frank will galvanise the fans and they've made some good business this summer. If they can crack on, it's achievable. 'I felt Ange just threw it away deliberately at Christmas last year. It became all about staying up with a focus on Europe. 'Bear in mind too, Heung Min Son was injured a lot of last season. His game is reliant on being so fit and quick. That's apparently back and he's one of the best strikers in the league.' Former referee Clattenburg was sceptical of Gordon's prediction, arguing that while Frank could make Spurs 'more structured', going from 17th to fifth in one season is a mountain to climb. 'Tottenham have never recovered from losing Harry Kane's goals, Son isn't the same type of player. 'Whilst I get the new manager bounce and Frank's tactical nous, I can't see them going from 17th to fifth.' Special guest and Chelsea influencer Rory Jennings was incredulous, calling Smart's analysis 'absolutely wild'. Jennings said: 'They have missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White, Son, even if he gets back to full fitness, will probably never be the same player again. 'Seriously, if Thomas Frank takes Tottenham to fifth, he will be named manager of the year.' Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White had a deal agreed with Tottenham before their owner, Evangelos Marinkas threatened legal action to block the move. Gibbs-White now seems firmly off the table, signing a bumper new deal with Forest to keep him at the club for the next season. Smart then doubled down on his bold prediction, believing Tottenham's rivals like Newcastle and Aston Villa will suffer drops in form. Both Newcastle and Villa have had difficult transfer windows, with their spending hamstrung by FFP (Financial Fair Play). 'Look at the teams around Tottenham for that seventh, eight spot. I think Spurs will surprise people – just wait and see.' To catch the full Premier League predictions episode, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts.
The Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Sun
Alexander Isak training alone at former club as Newcastle star desperately hopes to seal £120million Liverpool transfer
ALEXANDER ISAK is training alone at his former club after telling Newcastle he wants to leave. The Swedish ace, 25, informed the Magpies of his desire to quit last week, with Liverpool the frontrunners to land him. 3 3 Isak did not travel to Singapore with the rest of the Toon squad to focus on his recovery following a minor thigh injury. But the striker has since been seen training alone at the club that sold him to Newcastle, Real Sociedad. Reports in Spain revealed Isak was training in the Basque country. However, Sky Sports adds he has not gone AWOL as Newcastle chiefs are aware of his whereabouts. Earlier this week, it was reported Isak had reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool after the Premier League champions offered him a deal to more than double his £130,000-a-week wages on Tyneside. - combined with a strong PSR position from minimal spending last summer - has given Liverpool chiefs a strong enough base from which to prepare an offer for Isak. It is understood Toon will only sell their star man for a Premier League record deal of £150m. However, Liverpool believe they can chip the deal down to a more palatable £120m - which would still be a Prem record. Should the two clubs reach an agreement, Newcastle will immediately look to recruit one or two new strikers to replace the output - 27 goals and six assists in all competitions last season - lost from Isak's departure. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe gives update on Alexander Isak's Liverpool transfer In the event Isak is sold, Real Sociedad are set to make a tidy sum from the deal thanks to a reported 10 per cent sell-on clause which could bank them around £8.5m. Benjamin Sesko was said to be one target, but the 22-year-old is also a target for Manchester United, while the Red Devils' own Rasmus Hojlund is now under consideration by St James' Park bosses. Elsewhere, Ollie Watkins could be available for around £40m, while the likes of Chelsea 's Nicolas Jackson and Brentford 's Yoane Wissa are also on the market - the latter now being unsettled following a rejected offer by Nottingham Forest. 3
