Como Women's star Alisha Lehmann has revealed how beating former club Juventus with her new side earlier this season has given her a big boost. Lehmann moved to Como in the summer transfer window and enjoyed a swift reunion against her former team-mates earlier this month, emerging victorious in a surprise 1-0 Serie A Femminile win at the Stadio Comunale Vittorio Pozzo Lamarmora.
Como pull off shock win over Juventus
Lehmann waved goodbye to Juventus in August after winning the Serie A title and joined Como Women on a three-year contract. The Swiss star said at the time that joining an independent club was an "important factor" in her decision to make the move and that she shared the club's long-term vision. Lehmann then came up against former club Juventus with Como in just their second league match of the season and helped secure a surprise 1-0 win. Lehmann admitted at the time it had been an "emotional" experience playing against her former team and has now revealed how she benefitted from the game.
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Lehmann thrilled by victory against former club
Lehmann told 20 minutes: "Como will continue to grow in the coming years. The victory against my former club, Juve, was incredible and did me a lot of good. I will never say anything bad. I had a good year. I am now a regular starter, and playing is the main reason why we play football. Como also has a really interesting project in women's football."
The 26-year-old also feels she is now in the "perfect place" and is looking forward to an exciting future with the club. She added: "I feel good in Como. It’s the perfect place for me and, certainly, the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived. I live right on the lake, and it’s absolutely magnificent. I’ve even run into a few celebrities because we go to the same restaurants. But it’s nice here because everyone respects each other so much."
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Why Lehmann left Juventus for Como
Lehmann may have tasted success with Juventus last season but she was far from a regular in the XI and her move to Como offers her the chance to establish herself as first choice once again. The Swiss star also told she was keen to stay in Italy as she sees plenty of potential for the women's game to grow.
“I came here to play football and hope to earn my place by working hard,” she explained. “I came here to compete and to grow as an athlete. The rest will come if I stay true to that. For me, it’s simple: I want to play as much as possible, help the team, and enjoy football. What I love is that they [Como] take the game seriously, but also create space for players to be themselves.
“There’s so much potential here. Italy’s performance showed the quality and spirit in the game here, and now people are paying attention. I think the league is ready to take a big step forward. With more visibility, investment, and commitment to the players, Serie A Women can become a real force in Europe. Being part of that journey is something I’m really excited about.”
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Lehmann 'not happy' on bench for Switzerland
Lehmann also spoke about her experiences at Euro 2025 as Switzerland hosted the tournament and made it to the quarter-finals before being knocked out against Spain. The Como star says she enjoyed the tournament but is eager for more game time with the national team. She told 20 minutes: “We had a great time during the European Championship. It was a truly incredible experience. When you're a footballer, you always want to play. So I'd be lying if I said I was happy on the bench. Of course, I wasn't. But football is also about supporting your team. And during the tournament, we created a great bond. It was perfect.”
Real Madrid are facing fresh injury concerns ahead of El Clasico as Dean Huijsen’s fitness remains in doubt. The 20-year-old centre-back, who suffered a micro-tear in his left soleus muscle against Villarreal, is racing against time to recover before the high-stakes clash with Barcelona. With key defenders like Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold also sidelined, Madrid’s backline faces a major test in the coming weeks.
Growing concern around Huijsen's injury ahead of El Clasico
Madrid are hopeful yet cautious as Huijsen fights to return in time for El Clasico. Though the calendar shows 10 days to go, the club's optimism is mixed with anxiety. The Spaniard picked up a micro-tear in his left soleus muscle during the clash against Villarreal, where he completed the match despite discomfort. What was initially seen as a minor overload turned out to require a two-week recovery period. The defender left Spain’s national camp and began intensive rehab under Madrid’s medical team. He has since spent long hours at the training base, combining gym work with physiotherapy, while also taking short breaks in Malaga to stay mentally fresh, according to . The goal remains clear: to be fit in time for Barcelona.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportHuijsen in race against time
Huijsen’s injury was expected to sideline him for 12–15 days, meaning a return just before the showdown against Barcelona. However, his progress has been slower than previously hoped and this has already ruled out of the upcoming league clash against Getafe. The medical staff remain cautious, aware that soleus injuries are notoriously tricky and prone to relapse. Any miscalculation could set the defender back weeks further complicating Real’s already stretched defence.
Madrid’s plan B is clear with Raul Asencio being the leading alternative, currently ahead of David Alaba in the pecking order. Coach Xabi Alonso could also reshuffle, moving Ferland Mendy to full-back and shifting Alvaro Carreras into the centre, though that scenario seems unlikely. The ideal pairing remains Eder Militao and Huijsen, provided the youngster proves his full fitness in time.
Madrid’s defensive dilemma
Huijsen’s absence compounds Madrid’s wider injury troubles. Club captain Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold are both recovering from muscle injuries, while Militao is only just returning from a long ACL layoff. Carvajal, who suffered a thigh strain at the Metropolitano, is expected to return around the same time as Huijsen, while Trent continues light training but isn’t yet match-fit.
If both miss the Clasico, Federico Valverde is likely to fill in as a makeshift right-back, a role he has handled impressively earlier this season, providing both defensive stability and attacking width.
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GettyMadrid hopes to retain top spot in La Liga
With Barcelona just behind Los Blancos in the league and Madrid’s defensive depth being tested, Huijsen’s recovery has become a central storyline heading into the Clasico. The young defender has shown promise since breaking into the first team, earning praise for his composure and aerial strength. His potential absence could force tactical reshuffles, testing Madrid’s resilience. However, Madrid’s medical team are wary of rushing any player back, particularly with Champions League fixtures against Juventus and Liverpool looming.
O Palmeiras conquistou uma vitória importante ao bater o Vasco, por 1 a 0, no Allianz Parque. No entanto, diferentemente do que foi o último jogo pela Libertadores, o Verdão esteve bem longe de uma grande atuação. Acontece que o elenco conta com atletas acima da média, que fazem a diferença quando o coletivo não funciona. Foi o caso de Raphael Veiga, que marcou um golaço e mostrou o porquê do esforço do clube para segurar as principais peças.
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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Depois da goleada por 4 a 0 sobre o Deportivo Pereira, no meio de semana, o Alviverde subiu o sarrafo para seu próprio desempenho. O que Abel Ferreira e seus comandados não contavam era com o atraso no retorno da Colômbia para o o Brasil, que fez com que a equipe pudesse treinar apenas uma vez antes de receber o Cruz-Maltino no domingo (27). E o que se viu em campo foi um Palmeiras pouco inspirado em diversos sentidos.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
O ímpeto inicial foi até interessante, fazendo parecer que uma nova goleada viria. O problema é que as chances não foram concretizadas, e o Vasco conseguiu equilibrar as ações e até assustar a defesa palmeirense. Não à toa Paulinho marcou um golaço aproveitando uma falha de Weverton e uma falta de atenção absurda do sistema defensivo alviverde. A “sorte”, como o próprio Abel disse, é que o VAR anulou o gol, o que gerou reclamação dos cariocas.
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A verdade é que o jogo do Verdão não acontecia e a lesão de Dudu no fim do primeiro tempo deu um baque no time. Artur, que vem em uma sequência de gols desperdiçados, perdeu mais um de forma inacreditável, dentro da pequena área do Cruz-Maltino. Ali parecia mesmo que nada iria acontecer e o 0 a 0 estaria decretado.
+ Abel fala de proposta por Gómez e rasga elogios ao capitão do Palmeiras: ‘Nunca tive um profissional como ele’
Mas quem tem uma equipe com nomes extraclasse que consegue se sobrepor a um dia ruim do coletivo, sempre conseguem arranjar uma solução. Foi aí que Raphael Veiga, em uma cobrança de falta espetacular, marcou um golaço para abrir o placar e decretar a vitória. Outros lances foram criados para aumentar a vantagem, mas as tomadas de decisão erradas acabaram minando essa possibilidade.
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Fato é que se não fosse a genialidade de Veiga, provavelmente o Palmeiras sairia de campo com apenas um ponto e vendo o Botafogo disparando ainda mais. Quando o clube faz força e impede a saída de seus principais craques, mesmo com números absurdos como nas propostas para Gómez, é para jogos como o desse domingo (27), que foi decidido por alguém que faz a diferença.
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Parece até óbvio dizer que o Alviverde sentiria a falta de cada um desses 11 titulares que fazem dessa equipe o melhor coletivo do país, mas é importante destacar quando fica muito claro que cada peça mantida é de fundamental valia para seguir nessa fase vitoriosa que o clube passa. O triunfo sobre o Vasco é uma dessas ocasiões que escancaram a importância de segurar os craques.
Salman Khan, the Cricket Canada CEO, had been charged by Calgary Police over incidents that allegedly took place between 2014 and 2016
ESPNcricinfo staff05-May-2025The ICC has pressed Cricket Canada (CC) for further details on the theft and fraud allegations levelled against new board CEO Salman Khan. Khan had been charged by Calgary Police in March over incidents that allegedly occurred when he was president of the Calgary and District Cricket League (CDCL) between 2014 and 2016.Khan, who was appointed to the CC job in January, has denied these allegations vehemently, but the ICC now wishes to “consider the matter further”. The treasurer of the CDCL has also been charged for the same alleged offences.”The charges relate to the alleged misappropriation of funds by Mr Khan and an accomplice (the league’s treasurer) in an amount of around CAD $200,000 over the period 2014-2016,” the ICC letter, signed by William Glenwright, their general manager of development, says.The letter makes four specific requests for information:1. What process did Cricket Canada follow in hiring its new CEO?2. Was anyone in the board aware of the allegations against Khan during the recruitment process?3. If not, when did Cricket Canada become aware?4. What actions, if any, has Cricket Canada taken?While the ICC is only requesting information at this stage, several sections of the ICC’s code of ethics could potentially be in play here, including Section 2.2.3.3: A director must disclose to the ICC Board any matter that may reasonably be construed as impacting or potentially impacting upon decision-making at ICC Board level… so that there is due transparency and its effects are understood.In March, Khan had posted denials on Facebook, stating: “I see many fake and self-created posts circulating around, and I want to set the record straight. First of all, these are all fake. I have never been arrested, detained, or on any bail. These claims are completely false, and those spreading these rumors will have to answer for it.”They have nothing to prove against me,” he continued. “In 7 years they were not able to prove anything in the civil case, and certainly not in any criminal case. I have over 21 transcripts, with the complainant even admitting that everything was false.”I am not worried at all. I’m ready to fight just like I’ve been doing for the past 8 years.”
With their woeful start in mind, Glasgow Rangers and the 49ers have reportedly turned their focus towards the transfer window and welcoming an impressive goalscorer for Russell Martin in 2026.
Martin praises "proper performance" from Rangers
It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t enough to get the fans back onside, but it was a start for Rangers, who secured their first win of the season in the Scottish Premiership in last-gasp fashion over Livingston. The Gers found themselves level as stoppage time arrived, only for summer signing Max Aarons to become the unexpected hero in the 94th minute and end what has been a disastrous run for Martin.
The travelling fans still took aim at Martin when the full-time whistle sounded and it’s clear that there’s still work to be done to get them back in his favour, but that didn’t stop the manager from praising his side.
The Rangers boss told reporters: “You saw some proper performances from people today. Tav was incredible. He played three different positions in the game. Drove the team forward, scored, and his reaction to the penalty miss was brilliant.”
“I’m really proud of the players. We deserved to win. The first half was the best we played all season, I think. The first half we deserved to win, played brilliantly. Some amazing football. We should have scored more goals for sure.”
Up next is another important game and an opportunity to make it back-to-back wins in a tough trip to SK Sturm Graz. After losing to Genk in their opening Europa League game last time out, Martin’s side must take something from the Austrian side.
In the meantime, as victories finally begin to arrive, the 49ers are reportedly aiming to back their manager with further arrivals in 2026.
Rangers join race to sign Lidberg
As reported by Sports Boom, the 49ers and Rangers have now joined the race to sign Isac Lidberg from Darmstadt 98. The Swede has enjoyed an excellent start to the 2 Bundesliga campaign, scoring seven goals in eight games to sit top of the goalscoring charts.
Now, when 2026 arrives, he could have a decision to make amid interest from Rangers, Burnley, Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers. In a hectic race, it’s fair to say that he won’t be short on options when the time comes.
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Lidberg’s form is no purple patch, either. The 27-year-old scored 15 goals in all competitions last season and has since taken things up a level to attract impressive interest. As a result, there will be big questions about his future in January and there’s no denying that Rangers could do with his quality.
The Gers have looked blunt going forward ever since the departure of Hamza Igamane, who they have so far failed to replace. By adding Lidberg, they’d be adding a solution to Martin’s attacking problems. To do so, however, they may have to fend off Premier League interest from Burnley.
Owen Hargreaves has admitted he already 'loves' a player Manchester United signed over the summer. United invested heavily in their attack in the off-season to bring in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. The Premier League powerhouse also brought in a new goalkeeper as Senne Lammens arrived from Royal Antwerp. And Hargreaves has lavished praise upon a new attacking arrival.
Getty Images SportUnited extend winning run
United claimed a third successive Premier League win on Saturday evening as goals from Matheus Cunha, Casemiro and Bryan Mbeumo brace wrapped up a 4-2 win over Brighton. Danny Welbeck and Charalampos Kostoulas each netted late on to set up a nervy finish but United held out to claim a huge three points.
Wins over Sunderland and Liverpool has eased pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim and helped move United up towards the top of the table. The Portuguese boss has been linked with an early Old Trafford exit as his first year anniversary at the club nears.
However, three consecutive Premier League victories has gone some way to silencing Amorim's doubters. And Hargreaves has praised Cunha, whose opening strike midway through the first half against Brighton was his first in a United shirt.
Advertisement'I just love the way he talks and plays'
Speaking after United's win over Brighton on Saturday, Hargreaves told Premier League Productions via The Metro: "I don’t think the performances have been amazing but the results speak for themselves. If you think back to the first game of the season against Arsenal, that was a good performance but they somehow lost the game. The results are the most important thing.
"When you have players like Matheus Cunha who have a real personality… I just love the way he talks and plays. Cunha and Mbeumo along with Bruno Fernandes are guys that you can rely on and trust.
"Manchester United are scoring goals and look dangerous, I would say they’re conceding more than they would like, 14 is a lot after nine games. But I like the look of the team and the direction they’re going in. The goalkeeper [Senne Lammens] has made a difference as well."
Getty Images SportAmorim reacts to Brighton win
Amorim stated that he was pleased with United's win over Brighton, and added that Cunha would prove to be a 'massive' player for the club. The Brazilian cost £62.5m to sign from Wolves over the summer and has shown glimpses of his talent in the opening weeks of his time at Old Trafford.
On the win over Seagulls, Amorim said: "It is a good feeling. To listen to the crowd, the joy, it is important. We need to enjoy that today but then prepare for the next one. Everything can change really quickly, but if you have that feeling and still feel confident to work, we are going to be a better team."
And on Cunha, the United boss added: "He was struggling [previously]. He can hide that, but I understood that. It is not a surprise the way he responded at Anfield or played today with and without the ball, and that is going to be massive for us. He needs to score goals; he suffers when he doesn’t score, but he is a top player who decides games."
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Trip to Forest up next for United
Manchester United will look to make it four wins on the spin when they take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground next weekend. Forest won their first match under Sean Dyche last week as they beat FC Porto in the Europa League on home turf.
And United then travel to the capital to take on Tottenham before the November international break as they look to maintain their winning run. Frank Ilett is hoping that United can continue their fine form as he looks to finally have a first haircut in over a year.
Ilett pledged to not cut his hair until United won five games in a row last October and has gone over a year now without a trim. "It's been an absolutely crazy journey – I never expected my hair, or my following, to be as big as it has become," the United fan told the BBC last month.
Gary Neville has slammed Arsenal and Mikel Arteta’s tactics in the wake of the 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Sunday.
Gunners rescue late draw against Man City
Although the Gunners will be disappointed not to take all three points against Man City, they will be pleased they managed to rescue a late draw, with Gabriel Martinelli equalising in injury time.
However, Arteta’s side have been widely criticised for viewing draws against Premier League title rivals as acceptable results in the past, and they are now five points behind Liverpool, who continued their perfect start to the season in the Merseyside derby.
In fairness, the north Londoners have already had some tough fixtures, but Arteta will be wary of not allowing a sizeable gap to open up too early, given that his side did not manage to recover from a relatively slow start last season.
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Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast after the game, however, the former Manchester United defender appeared to point the finger at the manager for his tactical approach, which heavily focuses on dominating set-pieces. He claims all you need to deal with Arteta’s methods are tall players and a physically dominant goalkeeper who clears and claims crosses.
Neville said: “They’re a one-trick pony. Set-pieces are just such a large percentage of their chances and goals that you end up in a situation where you’ve just got to have big players in the box and a goalkeeper who comes and punches, and if you don’t you’re gonna get beat up on corners and set-pieces and free-kicks.
“Arsenal are not creating enough chances in these types of games. They’re scoring lots of goals from set-pieces, six out of their nine goals before this game have come from set-pieces, one of them was a penalty. Now that’s great that they’re good at set-pieces, but it’s not good enough.”
Neville right to call Arteta's tactics into question
In the post-match interview, Arteta appeared to suggest his side could have taken more from the match, saying: “At the very least [we deserved a point]. I’m so proud of my players, the way we played, the way we dominated almost every aspect of the game. Very disappointed not to win the game.”
However, it is difficult to agree, given that Viktor Gyokeres was largely anonymous, receiving very little service throughout the match.
Having recorded a total xG of 0.97, compared to 0.96 from City, a draw was probably a fair result, and as pointed out by Neville, Arsenal need to start creating more from open play.
After trailing for so long, Arteta will be happy his side managed to force their way back into the game, but the five-point gap that’s already opened up will be concerning, particularly considering the fixtures don’t get any easier, with Newcastle United away up next in the Premier League.
Leeds United have started the 2025/26 season better than people may have expected, given the hoodoo surrounding newly promoted sides in recent years.
Their first season back in the top flight, it was predicted that Leeds would go straight back down. ESPN’s Bill Connelly was one of those who predicted them to come 18th, despite explaining that they are “well-suited” to survive the drop.
There is still a lot of football to be played, with 31 games to go this season but Leeds find themselves on eight points, four clear of the drop. It has been a positive start to the campaign for Daniel Farke’s side.
One area they would surely want to improve is how clinical they are in front of goal.
Why Leeds are struggling in the final third
To win football matches, you need to be able to put the ball in the back of the net. That is something that Leeds were good at under Farke last season, bagging 95 times, more than any other Championship team.
It was always going to be tough to replicate in the top flight, but the West Yorkshire outfit have perhaps left a little to be desired in front of goal.
As per Understat, they have found the back of the net seven times this season, but have underachieved on their expected goals tally.
Farke’s side have notched up a total of 8.03 xG so far, and whilst it is not a huge difference, they will be hoping that doesn’t increase as the season goes on. Indeed, he will want more from his strikers, in particular Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Leeds’ summer signing has scored once for his new club. The 28-year-old bagged against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 3-1 win at Molineux, but has failed to bag in any of his other four appearances.
After their last game against Tottenham Hotspur, Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth said his “finishing was missing again.”
So, it might be the case that Farke decides to shake things up ahead of their next game against Burnley on Saturday.
Leeds' Calvert-Lewin alternative
Of course, former Everton number nine Calvert-Lewin was not the only centre-forward who moved to Elland Road this summer. They also added Lukas Nmecha to their squad on a free, with the two strikers joining existing forward Joel Piroe in the ranks.
However, Farke might choose to shuffle the pack around and start Noah Okafor up front. The “versatile” forward, as football scout Jacek Kulig called him, has played as a left-winger to great success this term, but is a more than capable striker.
Despite being just six games into his Leeds career, the Switzerland international has already bagged twice, at an average of a goal every 154 Premier League minutes.
Just like Calvert-Lewin, he netted at Molineux and also got Leeds’ goal in their 2-1 home loss to Spurs last time out.
Playing as a number nine would not be a strange concept to the former AC Milan star. Okafor has played that role a great deal in his career, with Transfermarkt showcasing that he’s featured as a centre-forward on 79 different occasions, scoring 26 goals and assisting 16.
It is interesting to compare Okafor and Calvert-Lewin’s key underlying numbers from this season. The Swiss star comes out on top in several metrics, including the average number of goals per shot on target.
The Leeds number 19 averages one per 90 minutes, with the former Everton striker just 0.14, showing far better efficiency in Okafor’s favour.
Okafor vs Calvert-Lewin
Stat (per 90)
Okafor
DCL
Goals
0.59
0.25
Goals per shot on target
1
0.14
Expected goals
0.35xG
0.35xG
Goals minus expected goals
0.24
-0.10
Goal-creating actions
0.3
0.25
Stats from FBref
There is a strong case to be made for Okafor starting at Leeds’ number nine during their next game. He’s got a good goal record and strong underlying numbers from the left wing this season, so Farke might well decide to test him out up front.
It would be a bold call, but one that could really pay dividends for the Whites as they look to become more efficient in front of goal.
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Liverpool are said to be interested in signing a “tough-tackling” defender, but the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid are also mentioned for the player who has been compared to Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool injury concern before Man Utd
The Reds’ international players will return to club duty this week, as they prepare for a huge Premier League clash at home to Man Utd on Sunday afternoon.
One player who is facing a race against time to be fit for the game is Ibrahima Konate, with the 26-year-old returning to Liverpool early from France duty, with his international side revealing his injury: “Injured in the right quadriceps during his last match with Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate has followed a treatment and protocol since his arrival this Monday but will not be able to take his place against Iceland.”
This is clearly a concern heading into a big game, even though Konate has struggled for top form so far this season, and the Reds’ centre-back options are starting to feel worryingly sparse.
New signing Giovanni Leoni is already out for the season with ACL damage, while Liverpool also cruelly missed out on signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi on deadline day, so they do feel slightly short at the heart of their defence.
Liverpool "like" £50m+ Bundesliga defender
According to journalist Mark Brus for Caught Offside, Liverpool are interested in signing £52m-rated RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba, with some other huge clubs also in the mix.
“Lukeba has a release clause worth €90m, which clubs see as too high, but it’s largely symbolic anyway – the real asking price is more like €60m. Liverpool like him, but you can add Chelsea, Man United, Newcastle and Real Madrid to that list.”
Liverpool need to focus on a new centre-back signing next summer, and frankly, an addition there could be needed in the January transfer window if their injury problems persist.
In Lukeba, the Reds would be signing a fantastic young player who is already a key man for Leipzig, making 79 appearances and also winning six caps for France.
At 22, he is playing with a level of maturity beyond his years, with Max Eberl heaping praise on his ability: “He is left footed and can play as a left-sided centre-back in both a back-three and a back-four. Castello’s main strengths are his tough-tackling nature, his pace, his positioning and how good he is on the ball.”
The versatility that Eberl points out is a big positive with Lukeba, giving Liverpool depth in various areas, and he should be looked at as a leading centre-back option. In fact, Football Transfers say he is similar to Reds icon Van Dijk, which is an eye-catching comparison.
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That said, Guehi still feels like the No.1 choice, having been so close to joining last month, and the hope is that they are still his preferred club, rather than the many others who have been linked with signing the England international.