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Arsenal’s summer transfer window once again blended big-money investment with their long-standing faith in youth.

After finishing second in the Premier League last season, and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, the club doubled down on its squad rebuild.

Major arrivals included Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Nørgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Departures such as Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Reiss Nelson cleared space in the squad, while Arsenal also leaned heavily on their Hale End academy graduates.

Ethan Nwaneri, now 18, continues to develop after becoming the Premier League’s youngest-ever debutant in 2022.

Myles Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakout season, and Max Dowman, still only 15, made his senior bow against Leeds.

That commitment to the academy has become a central pillar of Arsenal’s squad-building philosophy under Mikel Arteta.

Yet while several young prospects have been integrated, others have slipped away.

The balance between spending heavily and nurturing talent is once again at the heart of Arsenal’s defensive planning.

Who is Piero Hincapié, and Why Did Arsenal Sign Him?

When Arsenal announced the arrival of Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen on loan with a £45m option to buy, it was framed as a major upgrade on the left side of their defence.

At 23, the Ecuadorian international already brings European pedigree, with 32 Bundesliga appearances last season, contributing two goals and two assists.

Hincapié has been on Arsenal’s radar for years, valued for his ability to operate at both left centre-back and left-back.

With Gabriel undergoing hamstring surgery at the end of last season and Riccardo Calafiori struggling with fitness, versatility is essential.

Sporting Director Andrea Berta emphasised Hincapié’s tactical flexibility, and Arteta believes he is not simply cover but a genuine competitor for a starting role. His statistical profile backs up the excitement.

Matches Played

32

Progressive Carries

52

Progressive Passes

152

Tackles

52

Blocks

40

Aerials Won

65

Compared to positional peers, Hincapié ranked in the 96th percentile for progressive carries (1.69 per 90), underlining his comfort driving forward with the ball.

He also sat in the 86th percentile for progressive passes (4.94 per 90) and an eye-catching 94th percentile for key passes (0.54 per 90) – numbers that show how he can help Arsenal’s build-up from deep.

Defensively, he impressed in the 89th percentile for tackles won (1.29 per 90) and the 86th percentile for passes blocked (0.72 per 90).

This blend of defensive solidity and forward-thinking distribution makes him a natural fit for Arteta’s system, where centre-backs are expected to initiate attacks as much as they are to shut them down.

His arrival represents a continuation of Arsenal’s recent strategy: recruit players with multi-positional value while retaining the ability to progress possession.

Ayden Heaven could have been Hincapie 2.0

As Arsenal commit to potentially spending £45m next summer to make Hincapié’s move permanent, questions linger over whether they let a homegrown option slip through their fingers.

Ayden Heaven, once considered one of the Hale End academy’s brightest defensive prospects, departed for Manchester United in February for a fee of just £1m.

His departure came after limited opportunities at the Emirates despite being highly rated within the club. Analyst Ben Mattinson once described Heaven as “highly unique,” and he has quickly shown why.

Drafted into United’s first-team picture earlier than expected after Lisandro Martínez’s season-ending injury, the 18-year-old has already made eight appearances for the Red Devils.

He has looked composed in possession, comfortable carrying the ball out from defence, and tactically assured despite his age.

United moved quickly to secure him on a long-term deal running until 2029, amid reported interest from Barcelona, Frankfurt and Marseille.

Heaven’s profile, a left-footed defender who is confident on the ball, is precisely the type of player Arsenal are now looking to integrate through Hincapié.

The irony is hard to miss.

Where Hincapié ranks among Europe’s best for progressive actions, Heaven has showcased similar traits in his early United outings.

His poise on the ball and ability to step into midfield mirrors the qualities Arteta demands from his defenders.

For a club that has prided itself on giving opportunities to youth, losing Heaven for such a modest fee may come to be seen as a misstep.

The comparison is not to suggest Hincapié is the wrong signing – his experience and proven metrics make him a high-level addition.

But for a side that has successfully nurtured Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, the case of Heaven highlights the fine margins of squad planning.

Arsenal could soon pay £45m for a defender to fill the very role that a Hale End graduate, now at a Premier League rival, may have slotted into seamlessly.

Sold by Wenger: Arsenal had their own Rodrygo in £312k-p/w "future legend"

The incredibly successful international would have been a superstar at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 5, 2025

They picked up 4 for 35 from their combined eight overs to set up the win

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Apr-20252:13

Why was Kuldeep difficult to attack at Chinnaswamy?

Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Axar Patel had high praise for his wristspinners Kuldeep Yadav and Vipraj Nigam after a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2025.On a sticky M Chinnaswamy Stadium surface, Kuldeep picked up 2 for 17 from four overs with his left-arm wristspin and Nigam 2 for 18 with his legspin as DC kept RCB to 163 for 7. One of Nigam’s overs was in the powerplay, after RCB had raced to 62 for 1 in four overs, and he conceded only two runs in that.”Kuldeep has been doing it for many years,” Axar said at the post-match presentation, “but it’s not easy to be consistent – the IPL is a big stage, and has its own pressure.Related

Behind-the-wicket lessons told Rahul 'what pockets to target' on tacky Chinnaswamy pitch

The horror! You have to graft for runs at the Chinnaswamy now

“Talking about Vipraj, in the first two games, he was under a bit of pressure. But after that the way he bowled in the last game [he got 2 for 27 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK)] and even tonight, when I asked him for the 18th over, he was confident and said he would bowl. He is improving day by day, and if someone gives you that confidence, nothing better than that for a captain.”Axar also talked about the “tactical use” of spin in the powerplay. He himself bowled the second over, though that went for 16.”Obviously, we talk about match-ups and look at what is happening from the wicket,” he said. “Their openers prefer facing fast bowlers, so I was thinking I should not bowl fast bowlers much. When I started bowling, the ball was sticking in the pitch, and there was some bounce too. I realised it was difficult to score off spinners.”As the match progressed, the ball started turning more for wristspinners. But I think I went a bit overboard with tactics for the 19th over [where Axar went for 17 runs] ! But since we won, it’s all good.”

“As a batsman, when your position changes, it’s not that easy. One day you are opening the innings, playing a new ball; then [another day] you have to come in the middle and do this. But for me, it is good to have such a player in the team. After I got out by playing a bad shot that was not needed at that time, he played a mature innings and took us home with Stubbs”Axar Patel on KL Rahul’s innings

It wasn’t an easy chase, though. DC were 67 for 4 after 11 overs, and the asking rate had climbed to 10.77. But KL Rahul, batting at No. 4 with Faf du Plessis back in the side and opening, played an innings of 93 not out off 53 balls, and took the side home with 2.1 overs to spare.”It becomes very easy for me when there is such a player,” Axar said of Rahul. “I have also been in that situation. I know how it feels when you are used as a floater in a pressure situation.”As a batsman, when your position changes, it’s not that easy. One day you are opening the innings, playing a new ball; then [another day] you have to come in the middle and do this. But for me, it is good to have such a player in the team. After I got out by playing a bad shot that was not needed at that time, he played a mature innings and took us home with [Trsitan] Stubbs. I think he is carrying the form of from the Champions Trophy.”

The Russell Martin reign at Rangers has certainly not got off to the brightest start, although if there is to be a crumb of comfort at Ibrox, it’s that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Indeed, for all the calamity of the past month or so, it’s worth remembering that Ange Postecoglou also endured his own limp start elsewhere in Glasgow, failing to win any of his first three competitive games in charge at Celtic.

An attack-minded coach – in a similar mould to Martin – the Aussie went on to turn the tide and steer the Hoops to five domestic honours across his two seasons in charge, having successfully shaken off that iffy beginning.

For the Gers, the ex-Southampton boss does face an uphill task, although there is an exciting array of talents at his disposal, with summer signing Thelo Aasgaard notably netting four times off the bench for Norway earlier this week.

Djeidi Gassama, meanwhile, has already hit the ground running with four goals and one assist from just ten appearances for the Light Blues, with intrigue mounting over just how £8m man Youssef Chermiti will settle in to life in Scottish football.

While the transfer fee would suggest otherwise, the Portuguese youngster is a raw, inexperienced talent who is yet to realise his potential – perhaps he can look to Hamza Igamane’s Rangers spell as reason for encouragement.

Hamza Igamane's start to life after Rangers

There is no justifying the actions of Igamane as his relatively brief Rangers stint came to a close, with the 22-year-old said to have refused to come off the bench during the draw with St Mirren, in fear of a potential injury hampering his impending move to Lille.

That £10.4m sale was subsequently agreed, with those at Ibrox no doubt glad to see the back of a player who showcased such blatant self-interest and disregard for his manager.

That being said, of course, it’s hard to deny the forward’s obvious talent, having already settled into life in France with a delightful double on debut in the 7-1 thrashing of Lorient prior to the international break.

The first of those two efforts saw the Moroccan wizard fire home on the rebound following a trademark jinking run in the build-up, with those back in Glasgow having witnessed such quality first hand last season.

In all, the £1.7m addition – who was a relative unknown at the time – contributed 16 goals in 49 games in total prior to his toxic departure, as per Transfermarkt, having since followed up his debut heroics at Lille with a further two goals for his country over the past week.

With five goals and assists to his name across his last 155 minutes of action for club and country, the youngster is undoubtedly thriving after sealing his desired Ibrox exit.

For those at Rangers, however, he now belongs to the past, with Martin now able to wield a potentially even bigger talent this season.

Rangers could have an even bigger talent than Igamane

As already stated, the early success story from an extensive summer of recruitment so far has been Gassama, with the ex-Sheffield Wednesday winger netting all four of his goals thus far in just six Champions League qualification games.

The 22-year-old – signed for just £2.2m – could be a star of the present and future at Ibrox, although for 2025/26, keep an eye on young Mikey Moore to be the man to ultimately steal the limelight.

Still only 18, the Tottenham Hotspur loanee could eclipse Igamane and co as arguably the biggest prospect to have turned out for the Light Blues in recent times, having been hailed as “one of England’s best players of his age group” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Also described as a “superstar” by Mattinson, the promising Englishman has already made his presence felt back in north London, registering one goal and two assists from just 21 senior games for Spurs to date.

Igamane caught the eye in the Europa League last term, with four goals and one assist from just ten appearances, although at the age of just 17, Moore was making his own impression for the Premier League outfit in Europe.

Games

5

Goals

1

Assists

1

Big chances created

1

Key passes*

0.8

Successful dribbles*

0.8

Pass accuracy*

83%

Possession lost*

0.4

On just his second start of 2024/25 against AZ Alkmaar back in October, the teenage sensation was notably compared to Brazil great Neymar by teammate James Maddison, having been lauded for his “fearless” display down the left flank.

That performance led to notable plaudits from the aforementioned Postecoglou, with the Aussie stating that he had been “willing” his side to keep giving the ball to the academy graduate – high praise indeed:

For such a talent to now be on the books at Rangers, albeit temporarily, is undoubtedly an exciting prospect, with Moore already chalking up one assist from his first four games under Martin’s watch.

Igamane, for all his flaws, looks destined to be a star in the years to come. At four years his junior and already earning rave reviews, however, it is Moore who may well have the bigger ceiling.

Rangers must regret losing the "Mbappe of Scottish football" for nothing

Rangers had a star who was described as the Kylian Mbappe of Scottish football, then lost him for nothing.

ByDan Emery Sep 11, 2025

Pooran doesn’t “plan to hit sixes” but only looks to “time the ball” he says after slamming a 26-ball 70 to blow away SRH

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Mar-2025Nicholas Pooran is a six-hitting machine. He has already hit 13 sixes in two outings in IPL 2025. Six of those came in Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). And yet, he says he does not “plan to hit sixes” but only tries to “time the ball”.”I just try my best to get in good positions and if it’s there, just time the ball nicely,” Pooran said after his 26-ball 70. “In the last nine years, I have been working on my craft. Obviously, I have been getting the opportunity to bat higher up in the powerplay as well. It is really important to cash in when the wicket is nice and obviously when the match-up is there you try your best to execute your skills.”Pooran walked out to bat on the tenth ball of LSG’s 191-run chase in Hyderabad. It did not take long for him to get going, hitting his second ball for a four and taking two sixes off Simarjeet Singh in the third over. By the time the powerplay ended, Pooran was on 44 off 16 with four fours and an equal number of sixes. He completed his half-century in just 18 balls, his third-fastest in the IPL.Related

'Lord' Thakur and the Prince clip SRH's wings in Hyderabad

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“I’ve never worked on my bat speed, I’m just blessed with incredible talent,” he said. “I am really happy that I have put in the work over the years, and I am getting the reward on the cricket field and winning games for my team as well.”At LSG, it came down to having one of Pooran and Rishabh Pant batting in the top order. And the team decided that Pooran should be given that freedom to bat at No. 3 with captain Pant moving down into the middle order.”Mostly the thought was to give freedom to him,” Pant said after his first win as LSG captain. “We know what damage he can do down the order. I like that freedom too, but you have got to give someone that charge that you have to go and express yourself. The way he has been batting is phenomenal for us.”Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh added 116 for the second wicket•AFP/Getty ImagesPooran added 116 for the second with Mitchell Marsh to set the platform for LSG. It was Marsh’s second half-century in two games in a competition he has been cleared to play as a batter only. In the first match, he was subbed out, and in the second, subbed in.”It’s a really long tournament and it’s nice to see Marsh at the top of the order,” Pooran said. “He’s shown his class especially against the seamers there. We are playing cricketing shots and not losing wickets. Our left-right combination is really important. In important parts of the game, we drop our intensity a bit, knock it around to ensure that we continue to build partnerships and also take our match-ups down.”Marsh paid the compliment back at the press conference: “Fascinating, that’s probably the word I have for it. Obviously, I’ve played against Nicky [Pooran] for a long time and you’re often on the other end of that. So, to be on his team, I feel like I really connect with him as a bloke and someone who I’m going to hopefully bat with a lot. He’s a fantastic player.”Pooran was unstoppable tonight.”

Declan Rice has revealed he was inundated with messages from some icons of the game after his free-kick heroics for Arsenal against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season. The midfielder scored two outrageous goals from set-pieces in the quarter-final first leg at Emirates Stadium, inspiring a famous 3-0 victory that set up a comfortable 5-1 aggregate win for the Gunners.

Rice gets recognition from the best

Speaking to , Rice has revealed that he received a DM from legendary dead-ball specialist David Beckham, among others, following his impressive exploits against Los Blancos back in April, when he found the net from range twice within 12 second-half minutes. The 26-year-old spoke about the unexpected attention on his set-piece abilities, and also discussed how the growing England contingent at Arsenal has helped new signings settle into the squad.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportUnlikely free-kick specialist

Rice has unexpectedly emerged as something of a set-piece specialist, having been elected to take both corners and free kicks for the north Londoners. His ability there has even drawn comparisons to Beckham, the former England and Manchester United star renowned for his adeptness from a dead ball. The presence of Rice, alongside other England internationals like Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ben White, and new signings Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, strengthens the English core within the Arsenal squad, fostering a sense of camaraderie and aiding integration of the fresh faces.

DMs from Beckham, Gerrard & Lampard

Discussing the messages he received after the Real Madrid game, Rice said: "Who messaged me? I don't want to get this wrong. I think [David] Beckham messaged me. But I had that many messages that I should know that. But yeah, like old England legends, all of them, like Frank Lampard, [Steven] Gerrard, so many people."

When asked about being compared to Beckham, Rice responded: "Yeah, it's crazy because I I didn't come here to be a set-piece taker, but it was something the manager seen in me and the set-piece coach seen in me. I don't know, I felt like they had more belief in it, like more belief in me than I had in myself in taking them. And then the more I started to take them and like get more confident with it, I've realised that I could do what they want. And yeah, I've been really consistent with my deliveries."

On the England bond within the Arsenal squad, Rice added: "I think us four lining up together [for England] was it was incredible to be honest with you. I can't remember the last time probably four Arsenal players lined up in an England shirt together."

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Getty Images SportKey man for club and country

Rice will continue to be a pivotal figure for Arsenal as they aim to mount a serious title challenge this season and compete in the Champions League. His performances, leadership qualities, and growing influence within the group will be crucial to his side's success. The midfielder will also be hoping to maintain his place as a key member of the England squad as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. With the Gunners back in Champions League action against Olympiacos on Wednesday, Rice will hope to demonstrate his ability from set-pieces once again.

Teenaged wicketkeeper-batter available for first seven games of 50-over tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Apr-2025Surrey have signed Ireland wicketkeeper-batter Amy Hunter for seven games in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Hunter, 19, has played 36 ODIs and 43 T20Is for her country and was recently in action at the ICC World Cup Qualifier. In 2021, she became the youngest player to score an international century when she made 121 not out against Zimbabwe in Harare on her 16th birthday.”We’re looking forward to welcoming Amy into our environment,” Emma Calvert, Surrey director of women’s cricket, said. “She is a talented young cricketer who has been in impressive form for the Irish national team.”Amy adds depth to our squad in the wicketkeeping department, and I’m confident she will be a great signing for the team in the opening block of the season.”Hunter tallied 201 runs at 40.20 during the World Cup Qualifier, finishing as her team’s second-highest scorer – although it wasn’t enough for Ireland to secure a spot at the tournament in India later this year.Hunter said: “I can’t wait to join up with the Surrey squad and get a taste of English domestic cricket. It’s an exciting opportunity for me to share a dressing room with an incredibly experienced group that plays an expansive brand of cricket. I am hoping to contribute to the club’s success early in the season.”Surrey have signed Australia’s Grace Harris as their overseas player for the Vitality Blast.

Alexia Putellas is back to her best for Barcelona Femini after getting rid of her injury woes in the past few years. In the final few days of the transfer window, reports from Spain mentioned that Paris Saint-Germain were ready to make a record-breaking offer for the two-time Ballon d'Or winner. The Spaniard, however, stayed put and has now shed light on PSG's interest as well as her future at Barca.

Putellas back to her best

After spending the majority of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Putellas was back to her sizzling best in the 2024-25 season. An incredible individual campaign saw her notch 27 goals and 21 assists for club and country, even though she tasted heartbreak in the Champions League final with Barca and Euro final with Spain. Having won back-to-back Ballons d'Or Feminin in 2021 and 2022, she finished fourth in this year's ranking, with her midfield partner Aitana Bonmati bagging the award for the third-time in a row. 

AdvertisementAFPPSG made record-breaking approach for Putellas over the summer

With Putellas' contract expiring in June 2026, PSG Feminines made a late approach for Putellas in September, just days before the deadline for women's transfer window in Europe. Per reports, they were ready to trigger the €1.1 million release clause in Putellas' contract. It would have been only the sixth instance of a transfer in football exceeding the million-euro figure. However, the 31-year-old, after conversations with both PSG and Barca's hierarchy, made it clear that her future lied in Catalunya.

Spain and Barcelona star sheds light on PSG's interest

Speaking in an interview with , Putellas said: "What happened with that offer is that it was publicised in the media, but it wasn't the first one. The process was short and easy. When it arrived, as with the other offers, I spoke to the club: ‘What's going on? What do you want? Are you counting on me or not?’ And that was the end of the discussion: the present is the shirt I wear."

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Getty Images SportWill Putellas stay at Barca beyond 2026?

Although her contract expires at the end of this season, there's an option to renew for another year. However, Putellas neither confirmed nor declined whether her long-term future lies at Barca. 

"My relationship with the club has always been one of trust and naturalness," she said. "Everyone knows what it means to me to play here: it's not a typical 'work for pay' relationship. It goes much further than that. I've spent almost half my life at Barca, I've played 95% of my career here. This will continue as long as, on the one hand, I continue to feel that motivation, energy and daily demand to perform at my best and meet my goals, and, on the other hand, the club feels the same way."

Arsenal secured a phenomenal last-gasp point against Manchester City at the Emirates this afternoon, highlighting the title credentials the Gunners possess.

Mikel Arteta’s side looked set to fall to defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side, but the 93rd-minute strike from Gabriel Martinelli secured a vital point in their hunt for Premier League title glory.

Such a result maintained the club’s unbeaten record in the 2025/26 campaign, but has seen them fall a couple of points behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

However, given the circumstances around the late equaliser, the result will certainly feel like it’s a point gained rather than two dropped – especially after it kept their unbeaten start intact.

Such a result will undoubtedly highlight to Arteta the changes he needs to make going forward, with one player deserving of a recall to the starting eleven in the near future.

Gabriel Martinelli’s heroics against Manchester City

Over the last couple of months, Martinelli has come into huge question for his lack of impact at Arsenal – subsequently leading to the huge investment over the summer.

However, the Brazilian has proved some of his doubters wrong over recent days, producing some impressive displays even before his cameo against Guardiola’s side.

He scored off the bench against Atlético Bilbao on Tuesday night, before doing the same again this afternoon – staking his claim for a regular first-team starting role again.

The 24-year-old only managed five touches of the ball after being brought on for the remaining 10 minutes, but it was his first time finish which was the decisive one.

Martinelli subsequently completed 100% of the passes he attempted and placed 100% of his shots on target, further highlighting the impressive cameo he produced off the bench.

Despite the showing of the Brazilian, one other player failed to deliver at the Emirates, with Arteta needing to take action and drop him from the side in their next outing.

The Arsenal player who needs to be dropped after City

The draw may give reasons to be positive for the weeks ahead, but it can’t gloss over the issues that arose in the early stages – most notably in the first half of the contest.

Arsenal were on the back foot, subsequently going a goal down after Erling Haaland’s strike, but were unable to break down the Citizens, given their low defensive line.

Arteta made a mistake in not starting an attacking midfielder, leaving Eberechi Eze on the substitutes bench and deciding to operate with Mikel Merino alongside Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice.

He also started with Noni Madueke off the right-hand side once again, but it was an afternoon to forget for the Englishman, as he failed to have the desired impact.

The 23-year-old has been filling the void after Bukayo Saka’s injury, but he was replaced by the aforementioned star at the break upon his return to first-team action.

However, his withdrawal from the contest was certainly warranted, with his underlying figures highlighting how dismal his showing was in North London today.

Madueke only managed 32 touches of the ball, missing a big chance in the process, and often being wasteful with the chances that were presented his way in the final third.

Minutes played

45

Touches

32

Dribbles completed

0/2

Duels lost

100%

Crosses completed

0/5

Pass accuracy

62%

Big chances missed

1

Dribbled past

2

He also failed to complete any of the dribbles he attempted, whilst also losing 100% of the duels he entered – often being dominated by young full-back Nico O’Reilly.

The winger also registered five crosses, but not one of them found a player in red, subsequently achieving a 0% success rate – further showcasing his lack of positive impact.

As a result of his showing, Madueke was handed a measly 6/10 match rating by GOAL’s Sean Walsh – topping off what was a dismal afternoon for the £50m addition.

After such a showing, Arteta needs to drop the attacker from his starting eleven, with Saka needing to come back into the fold after his return from injury.

However, the biggest talking point will be Martinelli after his late goal, with the Brazilian undoubtedly saving the day in what was a pretty lacklustre showing at the Emirates.

Move over Zubimendi: Arsenal have their new Fabregas in £26m "monster"

The incredible superstar in the making looks like one of Arsenal’s best signings in a long time.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 20, 2025

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has guided the German giants back to the summit of domestic football since taking charge in 2024. The Belgian tactician has combined astute tactical adjustments with excellent man management to spark a remarkable turnaround in the club’s fortunes. His methods have brought out the best in several players, most notably England striker Harry Kane, who has thrived under Kompany’s leadership.

Bayern going strong with 100 per cent record

Bayern are the only club among Europe’s top five leagues to maintain a 100 per cent record, winning all nine of their matches so far across the Champions League, Bundesliga and DFL-Supercup. Despite missing out on summer transfer targets such as Nico Williams and Nick Woltemade, and parting ways with key players like Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane, Bayern have looked unstoppable under Kompany. German outlet has revealed the methods and ideas behind Kompany’s impressive start at the helm.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRevealed: Bayern coach's tactical principles and expectations

Building out from the back, Kompany places strong emphasis on angles and support, encouraging full-backs, centre-backs and midfielders to find space in different areas of the pitch. This positioning allows them to offer passing options to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer when playing out from the back while avoiding being caught in the shadow of opposition players. Full-backs are urged to move into open spaces to receive chipped passes over the heads of opponents, while striker Kane is encouraged to position himself intelligently to receive long goal kicks from Neuer.

Another key aspect of Kompany’s approach is switches of play, where players are instructed to shift the ball from one flank to the other in the opposition half after drawing defenders toward one side. This tactic aims to catch opponents off guard and create open spaces for Bayern’s forwards to exploit. Kompany also grants his attackers, particularly Kane, the freedom to make runs into open areas and take advantage of deep-defending teams to maximise scoring opportunities.

Off the ball, Kompany demands constant perseverance and intensity. He encourages his team to defend as a single, compact unit high up the pitch and to press their opponents collectively. He often uses Kane’s goal against Dinamo Zagreb last season, where the striker pressed high, won the ball back, and scored, as a perfect example of his philosophy on persistence and work rate.

Above all, Kompany insists on complete synergy among his players, believing that only through collective understanding and cohesion can his system function to its fullest potential.

Kompany's man management skills

Kompany’s man management has played a crucial role in lifting the team’s morale. The Belgian coach is known for giving his players a longer rope, which has helped him earn their trust and confidence. Despite Serge Gnabry’s poor showing at the Club World Cup, Kompany continued to back him until the winger regained his form. The coach also shows a fine balance between discipline and leniency, choosing the right moments to apply each. For instance, he opted for leniency when players were seen enjoying themselves during Oktoberfest, a decision that further strengthened the bond between him and his squad.

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Biggest beneficiaries of Kompany's method: Kane and Laimer

With Bayern consistently producing strong results, it is clear that the players have fully embraced Kompany’s principles. One of the biggest beneficiaries has been Kane, who has thrived under the Belgian’s guidance. The England striker has scored 103 goals and provided 29 assists in 106 appearances, also securing the first major title of his career as Bayern lifted the 2024–25 Bundesliga trophy.

The report adds that Kompany's insistence on discipline, punctuality and teamwork has resulted in a sudden improvement in Kane's defensive work and desire to win duels.

Another standout performer under Kompany has been midfielder Konrad Laimer, who has grown into a key figure in the side. His form has drawn widespread praise, including from Austrian captain David Alaba, who recently described him as a world class player.

Glasgow Rangers are currently on the lookout for a new head coach at Ibrox after they decided to part ways with Russell Martin on Sunday night.

The Rangers board finally made the decision to sack the former Scotland international after a 1-1 draw in the Scottish Premiership, which left the Gers in eighth place in the division.

Martin only won five of his 17 competitive games in charge of Rangers, including one win in the Premiership, and he cannot have many, if any, complaints with this decision.

Now that Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell have made this call, the Ibrox chiefs must come together to make a successful appointment that will get the supporters back onside.

Title-winning boss is interested in Rangers job

Rangers are a massive club that represents a significant opportunity for numerous managers, due to their history and fan base, which means that there will be plenty of candidates vying for the job.

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This is evidenced by journalist Ben Jacobs reporting that Dutch head coach Mark van Bommel is “interested” in replacing Martin in the dugout at Ibrox.

The Dutchman, who favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, has been out of work since he moved on from Belgian side Royal Antwerp at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, which means that the club would not have to pay out any compensation to bring him in.

Jacobs adds that van Bommel was one of the managers who was approached by the club before Martin got the job this summer. This means that he is on their radar and could be an option once again.

If the Light Blues do opt to go back in for the former Royal Antwerp head coach, he could be a repeat of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, which may not be a bad thing.

Why Mark van Bommel could be Giovanni van Bronckhorst 2.0 for Rangers

Since Steven Gerrard left Ibrox to join Aston Villa in 2021, van Bronckhorst has been the most successful Rangers manager. He won the SFA Cup and reached the final of the Europa League.

Barry Ferguson, Michael Beale, and Russell Martin failed to win any trophies. Philippe Clement won the League Cup but did not have the success in Europe that the Dutchman did.

Prior to replacing Gerrard at Ibrox, van Bronckhorst had won the Eredivisie title and two League Cups during his time with Feyenoord in the Netherlands, and he used that winning mentality to win a trophy and come within a couple of penalties away from winning a European trophy.

Eredivisie title (16/17)

Belgian Pro League title (22/23)

Dutch League Cup (17/18)

Belgian Super Cup (23/24)

Dutch League Cup (15/16)

Belgian League Cup (22/23)

Dutch Super Cup (18/19)

Dutch Super Cup (17/18)

As you can see in the table above, van Bommel’s managerial success is not drastically different to van Bronckhorst’s before his move to Rangers in 2021.

The former Royal Antwerp head coach has won a league title in his career, in the 2022/23 campaign, and won two other trophies with the club before his exit in the summer of 2024.

This means that the Light Blues would be bringing in a manager who knows how to win trophies, a league title specifically, and could instill a winning mentality into the current team, that had been managed by a head coach in Martin who has never won a league title in his managerial career.

Rangers should be winning trophies, including titles, and they may need to appoint a proven winner to do that, which is why van Bommel could be an interesting option to turn to.

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