Vesper

Bayern Munich https://thedailybriefing.io/i/167881498/bayern-munich Bayern Munich have held talks with the agent of Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku as they once again look at signing the Frenchman. (Christian Falk) Bayern also have an interest in another Chelsea player in the form of young defender Renato Veiga. (Christian Falk)

Arsenal https://thedailybriefing.io/i/167881498/arsenal Eberechi Eze to Arsenal is edging closer as the Gunners and Crystal Palace are moving towards an agreement over the structure of the £45m+ package. (Mark Brus, CaughtOffside) Arsenal have completed the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford. A fee has been agreed, while the player’s personal terms and medical have been done and it should be announced this week. (David Ornstein) Former Manchester United and PSG defender Gabriel Heinze has been officially confirmed as a new member of Mikel Arteta’s coaching staff. (Arsenal.com) Valencia are unhappy with Arsenal as it looks like a deal to sign Cristhian Mosquera has now completely stalled. (Mirror)

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Big break for us IF PSG beat Real Willian Pacho got a 2 match ban for his red card and will miss the final as well. Same for Lucas Hernandez. Lucas Beraldo will start next to Marquinhos, but after that, the only CB they have left is the still not remotely fully fit Presnel Kimpembe (still not fully recover from that horrid complete achilles rupture 2 and half years ago, he is likely never going to recover to a remotely acceptable degree, and he turns 30yo next month) Milan Škriniar supposedly leaves this week (maybe today) to sign a perm deal with Fenerbahçe and he has not played for PSG in ages, as he was loaned to Fenerbahçe in January Plus, they now have zero true backup at fullback (both RB and LB), as Hernandez is banned and Nordi Mukiele has been seriously injured for some time (since April 24th), so they would have to toss in a MFer or winger to cover there (unless the damaged Kimbempe somehow could do it)

🤮 President Trump says he’ll attend Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6481998/2025/07/08/club-world-cup-final-president-trump-infantino/ United States President Donald Trump will be at the Club World Cup final on Sunday. Speaking with reporters at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Trump confirmed his plans to attend the 3 p.m. final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The match will pit Chelsea, 2-0 winners over Fluminense on Tuesday, against either Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain. “I’ll be going the game,” he told reporters at the White House, after his nearly two-hour meeting. The confirmation comes a day after FIFA revealed that the organization opened a New York office at Trump Tower ahead of the men’s World Cup next summer. Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino have forged a closed relationship that has become more visible following’s Trump re-election. Infantino was there for Trump’s victory rally in Washington, D.C., and also at his inauguration. He has described the two as having a “great friendship.” Trump was president when FIFA awarded the 2026 World Cup to the United States, Mexico and Canada back in 2018. He resumed power in time to be at the helm of the co-host nation next year. Infantino was at an event at Trump Tower on Monday to launch a five-day exhibition of the Club World Cup trophy when he announced that FIFA would be moving in. “We have to be in New York – not just for the FIFA Club World Cup this year and the FIFA World Cup next year – we have to be in New York as well when it comes to where our offices are based,” Infantino said at the event, as Trump’s son, Eric, stood beside him. He made sure to thank President Trump, “who is a big fan of soccer.” Infantino has praised Trump as a staunch supporter of FIFA and its many events taking place in the United States. Last week, Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill included a $625 million line item for security funding for next summer’s World Cup. The FIFA head has spent the last year visiting the White House and the president’s Florida base Mar-a-Lago on numerous occasions. He accompanied Trump on a recent tour of the Gulf, a trip Infantino prioritized over FIFA’s annual congress in Paraguay in May. The decision drew sharp criticism from European football chiefs, who staged a dramatic walkout. So, it’s not surprising that Trump would be present at the Club World Cup final, given his close ties to Infantino. Last month, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told reporters that he also invited Trump to the tournament’s championship match. “(I) invited him to the Club World Cup final,” Murphy said during a brief press availability at Liberty State Park, exactly one year before the start of the 2026 World Cup. He joked, “I’m not sure he could come.” Turns out, Trump would. Before Trump’s press availability ended on Tuesday, a reporter asked if he’d be bringing the trophy to the game on Sunday. The president quipped: “Yeah, I’m going to deliver it. I have it in my office.” He then smiled. While it seems fair to assume that Trump was referring to the Club World Cup trophy on display at Trump Tower, he could have been making a joking reference to the replica World Cup trophy he’s displayed previously in the White House. (Top photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

FIFA opens New York office in U.S. president’s Trump Tower https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6479639/2025/07/08/fifa-trump-tower-new-york-club-world-cup/ FIFA’s close relationship with Donald Trump is about to become even closer as the U.S. president is set to become its landlord, with world football’s governing body opening a New York office in Trump Tower. FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has spent the last year forging ever stronger links with Trump, visiting the White House and the president’s Florida base Mar-a-Lago on numerous occasions, as well as accompanying him on a recent tour of the Gulf, a trip Infantino prioritised over FIFA’s annual congress in Paraguay in May. That decision drew sharp criticism from European football chiefs. Infantino, however, believes he must have a good relationship with the leader of the nation that is hosting the current Club World Cup and most of next year’s men’s World Cup, as well as being football’s largest growth market. And the 55-year-old Swiss football administrator would point to the inclusion of $625million of security funding for the World Cup in Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill as proof that his approach is working. Infantino was at an event at Trump Tower on Monday to launch a five-day exhibition of the Club World Cup trophy when he announced that FIFA would be moving in. https://www.instagram.com/p/DL1TtxoI-Jo/ With Trump’s son Eric stood beside him, Infantino said: “FIFA (is) a global organisation (and) to be global, you have to be local, you have to be everywhere. “We have to be in New York – not just for the FIFA Club World Cup this year and the FIFA World Cup next year – we have to be in New York as well when it comes to where our offices are based. “So, today, we are opening an office of New York here in Trump Tower. Thank you, Eric, thank you to everyone. Thanks, of course, to President Trump as well, who is a big fan of soccer.” While some will greet this news with a shrug and point out that Trump Tower is as good a site as any for a base in the city which is hosting your organisation’s most important events, others will be less impressed. Infantino’s critics, of which there are many, will note that FIFA has only just opened a huge office in Miami, where it has moved most of its legal department, and also has a significant presence in Toronto, where there is an office of staff working on next summer’s tournament. In fact, having only needed one base in Zurich for most of its 121-year history, Infantino has been opening offices around the globe for a decade, including an expensive operation in Paris that he has already started to wind down. What You Should Read Next Who is the real Gianni Infantino, FIFA president and ‘the king of soccer’? Before the Club World Cup, The Athletic has spoken to dozens of people to gain a clearer picture of the most powerful man in football There are also unhappy institutional memories of Trump Tower itself, as it was the home of the late Chuck Blazer, the U.S. football administrator whose testimony as a government informant brought down Infantino’s predecessor Sepp Blatter a decade ago and almost destroyed FIFA. Blazer, in fact, had two apartments in the 58-story skyscraper, one for him, one for his cats. And he was not the only disgraced member of the old regime to reside there, as Brazilian football chief Jose Maria Marin was kept there under house arrest for his part in the FIFA corruption scandal. And then there is the wider and thornier issue of the increasingly blurred lines between Trump the president and Trump the businessman, as many will point to this as yet another example of the president’s family using his political position for their own commercial benefit. Even if the Trumps are giving FIFA the space for a reduced rate or even for no charge at all, having FIFA as a tenant is a marketing coup. (Photo: Ira L. Black – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

What Spurs can expect from Kota Takai: ‘Emerging talent’ who proved himself against Ronaldo https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6450552/2025/06/26/kota-takai-spurs-what-to-expect/ Most Premier League fans won’t have heard of Kota Takai until this transfer window. But the 20-year-old, who is set to join Tottenham Hotspur from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale for a J1 League record £5million ($6.8m, 1billion Japanese yen), has quickly developed into a star in his home country. Having missed the opening weeks of the 2023 season representing Japan at the Under-20 Asian Cup, upon his return Takai broke into Kawasaki’s first team aged just 18 and immediately established himself as a starter in central defence. He made 13 starts for Kawasaki in 2023, before being dropped to the bench towards the end of the season. Although Kawasaki have been one of Japan’s most successful teams over the past decade, winning the J1 League four times between 2017 and 2021, the 2023 team was not vintage. They finished eighth in the then 18-team league, but Takai’s talent often shone through, earning him a place in Japan’s Under-20 World Cup squad that summer. Since then, his career has taken off. He was part of the Japan team that won the Under-23 Asian Cup in 2024, playing every minute, apart from the second group game where he was rested. He then got his first cap for the senior national team in a 7-0 win over China later that year. Though 2024 was another middling season for Kawasaki, finishing eighth for the second season running, Takai earned a call-up for the Paris Olympics to represent Japan, who were beaten 3-0 by Spain in the quarter-finals. For his performances across 2024, he won the J1 League’s Best Young Player award. Now he’s a household name in Japanese football, with four caps for the national team. He also played for Kawasaki in the Asian Champions League final. They lost 2-0 in the showpiece game against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, but beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr en route to the final (pictured top). “I would put him at the top of the young, emerging talents in Japan,” says Dan Orlowitz, a Japanese football journalist. “There was no question that he was going to Europe. He is definitely on track to become a star, relatively speaking, for the national team.” Takai playing for Japan in June 2025 (Paul Miller/AFP/Getty Images) Takai, who has been taking English lessons and models himself after Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, was reportedly attracting interest from around Europe before he agreed terms with Tottenham. While the jump from J1 League (ranked 14th in the world by Opta Analyst) to Premier League (first) is significant, he has the attributes of a modern centre-back. First, he’s comfortable in possession, a prerequisite for any emerging centre-back playing for a Premier League and Champions League side. “In terms of building up and contributing to the attack, he’s a reliable short passer,” says Orlowitz. “He’s not really going to contribute when you’re in the final third, but he’ll be able to move the ball forward.” Kawasaki build from the back, and Takai or centre-back partner Yuichi Maruyama frequently finish games with the highest number of touches. Takai also has the ability to play line-breaking passes when given time and space. Still, it’s an area of his game not entirely refined yet. In Kawasaki’s defeat by Vissel Kobe this month, Takai attempted 69 passes, completing just 56 (81 per cent). In their 1-0 win against Yokohama FC the week earlier, it declined to 20 from 27 (74 per cent). In their 2-1 away win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima on May 31, he completed 45 of his 49 passes (92 per cent). Fluctuation in this area is understandable given his age, but his tendency to rush passes when under intense pressure was displayed against higher-quality opposition in the latter stages of the AFC Champions League. Here, Al Ahli’s Ezgjan Alioski is chasing down Takai, who is receiving a pass from midfield. Alioski quickly closes the distance, prompting Takai to take the ball wide, isolating him against his opponent. Under pressure, Takai attempts a tricky pass over Al Ahli winger Galeno and into the path of team-mate Asahi Sasaki, but mishits the pass and puts it out of play. However, in the semi-final, he showed he can be composed and skilful in these situations. In this grab, Al Nassr attacker Jhon Duran tries to sneak up on Takai on his blind side to win the ball. Takai casually feints backwards — deceiving Duran, who then changes the direction of his run — before bringing the ball forwards and away from the Colombia international’s pressure. He follows it up with a stylish chipped pass through the Al Nassr midfield block, setting his team away on an attack. Takai has a high ceiling as a distributor, provided he improves under pressure and continues developing his touch and feel for medium to long-distance passes. An area that we may not be able to assess properly before he plays in England is his ability to adapt from a physical perspective, but there are encouraging indicators that he has the qualities to adjust. “One of the biggest challenges for him is adjusting to the physicality and speed of the Premier League,” says Orlowitz. “On any given Saturday, he can deliver a monster performance, but in the Premier League, he has to be able to do that week in and week out. It’s going to be an adjustment, but he’s got the physique.” Takai stands at 6ft 3in (190cm), and he’s not afraid to put his body in the way to dispossess opponents. In this grab, he wins the ball after a shoulder-to-shoulder battle with Duran, whose physicality caused problems for Premier League defenders while at Aston Villa, before bringing the ball out of defence into midfield. He’s also improving as an aerial presence and has found the net twice with headers from set pieces this season. However, his primary strength as a defender is his anticipation and timing, particularly in recovery situations. He does not have the electric pace of Micky van de Ven, but he can close distances quickly for a player of his size and win the ball cleanly with impressive slide tackles. Here is one example of this in action. Here’s another instance: He can also read the game and step ahead of attackers, using his strength and power to win the ball, as shown in this grab: Again, after dispossessing his opponent, he shows the vision and composure to move the ball on quickly to a team-mate, relieving opposition pressure. Here, he calmly wins possession from Ronaldo, who had tried to break past Takai with a stepover move. Having kept Ronaldo and Sadio Mane relatively quiet in the Asian Champions League semi-final, Tottenham have a barometer of Takai’s quality. It should provide some confidence that he can find his way in the Premier League, where his physical and technical attributes will be tested. Emerging ahead of Cristian Romero and Van de Ven will not be easy, not to mention the group of international centre-backs waiting behind them in Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin, Ben Davies and Luka Vuskovic, who made his Croatia debut earlier this month and can now play in England after turning 18 in February. Still, Takai is a special talent, and Thomas Frank may be the perfect coach to maximise his abilities. What You Should Read Next Tottenham Hotspur and another summer of change at the top. Is there more to come? We are not even in July yet and it has already been a summer of profound change at Tottenham Hotspur - and Paratici could still be next in (Top photo: Takai and Cristiano Ronaldo by Yasser Bakhsh via Getty Images)

not always Ângelo Gabriel Alexandre Pato Nathan Kennedy Filipe Luis Wallace Oliveira Lucas Piazón Mineiro Alcides Emerson Thome (1999-2000)

but Igor Jesus scored the goal that won the game against the weaker XI, and the tenor and tone from their (Botafogo's) ultra cohesive defensive team play was already set by the time the big guns came on plus, Dembélé will play in the final if they beat Real, barring some freak injury same for Marquinhos

Wifey (who is into social media FAR more than I am) said that Barca, Pool, and even Arse (who have never won any major top international trophy) fans are all chatting shit that all 3 of those teams, plus Real, PSG, Bayern, and Citeh (lol they had their chance and lost to the headchoppers) would ALL kick the shit out of us in any one game final. Same for (and THIS is a REAL JOKE) Manure fans saying that! (thsoe gits could not even beat SPUDS in their final, ffs) ALL are saying that if we somehow win it all then it is the most illegitimate major trophy win ever. FUCK THOSE CUNTS

Enriquie switched out 6 starters that game they did not start Marquinhos (was rested all game) Nuno Mendes João Neves Fabián Ruiz Barcola Dembélé (was not on the bench either)

absolutely Real has real weakeness to exploit PSG have none of note they are 2 or 3 deep with real quallity at every postion and also have a an Actual pretty deadly CF if they need to go that route (which I doubt they do) they have the best LB and best RB on the planet and that MF is just insanely stacked great CBs, great GK, and deadly as fuck front 3 scary AF young side but of course, NEVER count out Real Madrid in big games and finals they are the best team, by far, historically in football history and have WC talents at many (not all) postions

bring on the winner!

Callum Wilson told Maresca he was, before the game, going to offer his services, but now with Pedro he sees no place for him, lolol

did not realise how bigger Obi Mikel is than Bale

we absolutely pocketed Jhon Arias, BY FAR their best player, all game

That is so fucked up if true, grrrrrrr

do not see why FIFA would change things from the once-every-4-years national teams World Cup, where the champions auto-qualify for the next one it would be absolute bollocks if they took that away

LOVE seeing Cole go crazy when Nico did not pass him the ball

we played the best (or 2nd best) team on the planet in 2012, ON THEIR HOME PITCH, and won the CL final we played the best team on the planet in 2021 and won the CL final so anything can happen

and wearing that FWCC gold badge for FOUR years and automatically in the 2029 FWCC

now its over 4 extra minutes was crazy on top of the 6

wtf 6 minutesd added it now 10 played

and Caicedo off now ffs