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The Cityzens were left dumbstruck as they fell to a logic-defying 4-0 defeat at home to Spurs, their first loss at the Etihad Stadium in two years

Manchester City began the evening in party mood, celebrating Rodri's Ballon d'Or win and Pep Guardiola's new contract. But the atmosphere soon began to resemble that of a funeral as Tottenham ripped their hosts apart, inflicting a fifth consecutive defeat on the champions.

James Maddison scored twice in the first half with the help of some criminal defending from Josko Gvardiol and City never recovered. Erling Haaland was at his wasteful worst, while Ilkay Gundogan could not handle the intensity of the game, with Dejan Kulusevski running the show.

Pedro Porro smashed in a third goal and in the last minute, substitute Brennan Johnson added a fourth, making it City's heaviest home defeat under Guardiola.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Ederson (6/10):

  Made a fine tip over from Son Heung-min and thwarted Dominic Solanke. But there was little he could do in the face of such bad defending.

  Kyle Walker (4/10):

  Too slow to get back for the second goal and lacked authority throughout the game.

  John Stones (4/10):

  Lost track of Maddison for the first goal and then left dazzled by Son's dribble and pass for the second. Taken off at half-time.

  Manuel Akanji (5/10):

  Made some wise interventions in the first half to prevent the scoreline getting even worse.

  Josko Gvardiol (3/10):

  Let Kulusevski get away before the first goal then gifted Spurs the second by surrendering the ball. Tried to make amends in attack but it was just not his day.

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  Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (5/10):

  Part of the general problem in midfield of a lack of power but showed some belief in the second half.

  Ilkay Gundogan (4/10):

  Slow and ineffective. Couldn't give the team any control in midfield.

  Rico Lewis (4/10):

  Couldn't handle the electric Kulusevski. Booked for showing his frustration with an aggressive foul on Maddison.

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  Attack

  Savinho (3/10):

  Made one exciting run to tee up Haaland in the opening minutes but that was it. His final ball was poor and at times looked like he was not giving his all.

  Erling Haaland (3/10):

  Was too slow when receiving a pass from Savinho, seeing his shot blocked by Ben Davies. That set the tone for a woeful evening in front of goal, taking seven shots but only finding the target twice.

  Phil Foden (4/10):

  Looked sharp at the start but then faded and couldn't get a grip on the game.

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  Subs & Manager

  Nathan Ake (5/10):

  Easily beaten by Solanke for the third goal.

  Kevin De Bruyne (7/10):

  Gave the team a bit of a spark, setting up a couple of chances.

  Jack Grealish (6/10):

  Added some energy and effort.

  Pep Guardiola (4/10):

  Might be regretting signing that new contract as he has a huge rebuild on his hands. Can point to injuries but his team just do not look like their usual selves.

Galatasaray captain Fernando Muslera slammed Jose Mourinho for his rant against Turkish football and urged him to leave the Super Lig.

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• Galatasaray captain slams Mourinho
• Portuguese coach ranted against Turkish football
• Linked with a move to Newcastle and Everton

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mourinho, who moved to Turkey and took the Fenerbahce managerial role this summer, is reportedly already contemplating leaving the Super Lig. Earlier this month, the outspoken Portuguese coach slammed Turkish football and launched a now-infamous 'smells bad' rant for which he was handed a hefty fine and a ban.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The former Manchester United, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager's comment has ticked off Uruguay international and Galatasaray captain Fernando Muslera, who has advised Mourinho to leave the country if he dislikes their football. Mourinho has been linked with a move back to the Premier League with Newcastle United and Everton reportedly interested in securing his services. The 61-year-old has leaned into the speculation, suggesting he'd be open to managing a team in the bottom half of the English top-flight.

• WHAT FERNANDO MUSLERA SAID

  Speaking to , the 38-year-old goalkeeper said: "The insults towards Turkish football and the fact that he is attacking some referees are things that bother me. This is the first time in 14 years that I feel obliged to make such a speech. I won 17 trophies in 14 years. If we consider my contribution, my constant aim is to advance Turkish football.

  "If Mourinho, who came here four months ago, criticises Turkish football and doesn't like it, he can leave. Although nobody says anything, I think now someone can say something to him. We need to pay a little more attention to those who move Turkish football forward."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JOSE MOURINHO?

  For now, the veteran coach stays in Turkey and his team will be next seen in action this Friday as Fenerbahce are set to face Zenit St Petersburg in a friendly match during the international break. They return to competitive football on November 23 with a Super Lig clash against Kayserispor.

Sean Dyche has done an excellent job in charge of Everton since his appointment back in 2022, especially considering all the off-the-field issues surrounding the club.

From failed takeovers to points deductions, the Toffees have been through it all, causing numerous moments of doubts surrounding the club’s ever-present Premier League status.

The Everton boss led them to survival last season by a staggering 14 points, despite being hit with a combined eight-point deduction for breaching the league’s PSR rules.

He relied on key players to help his side survive the scare, with the likes of James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana all playing key roles in their end-of-season form that saw his side win five of the remaining eight matches.

However, he’s not content with another relegation battle in 2024/25, targeting multiple talents to help propel the Toffees to a mid-table finish and look to build on their terrific performances towards the back end of the previous campaign.

Everton preparing £30m bid for sensational talent

According to French outlet Ferveur Lyonnaise, Everton are preparing a bid to sign Lyon’s Irish centre-back Jake O’Brien this summer.

However, the Toffees aren’t the only side interested in the 23-year-old, with fellow Premier League sides Nottingham Forest and West Ham United both in the race for his signature, one that could cost around £30m.

He’s enjoyed a tremendous breakout season in Ligue 1, featuring 27 games, scoring four times and assisting twice – a fantastic record for a centre-back in his first full season of senior football in France.

However, O’Brien isn’t the only youngster linked with a move to Goodison Park this summer, with Dyche’s side also keen on a move for Hull City forward Jaden Philogene.

The 22-year-old has been subject to a £16m bid from the Toffees, but journalist David Ornstein has confirmed that he’s set for a move to newly promoted Ipswich Town instead, after an £18m deal was agreed for his services.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances around a deal for Philogene, the club are in a solid place to land centre-back O’Brien this summer, potentially joining as a replacement for an outgoing Toffees star.

Why O’Brien could be the man to replace Branthwaite

In recent days, Manchester United have offered a fresh deal for defender Branthwaite, but the bid was immediately rejected, with Dyche’s side still holding out for at least £65m to part ways with the youngster.

It’s previously been reported that the defender has already agreed personal terms with Erik ten Hag’s side, with Branthwaite the Red Devils’ number target to partner Lisandro Martinez at Old Trafford.

However, Everton fans shouldn’t worry, with O’Brien producing some excellent stats that could see him become the perfect player to fill the boots of the 22-year-old next season.

The “unbelievable” defender as dubbed by Irish Football host Paul Nealon, managed to contribute with double the number of goals and assists from the back, despite featuring in eight fewer matches in 2023/24.

O’Brien has been much better with the ball at his feet, managing to achieve an 80% better pass accuracy over the last 12 months, also completing over seven times more progressive carries – allowing Dyche’s side to play a more expansive system next season. Furthermore, with the Lyon star standing at 6 foot 6 to Branthwaite's 6 foot 5, they'd also be gaining a player of a similar profile.

Branthwaite would undoubtedly be a huge loss for the Toffees in 2024/25 and beyond, but their improved recruitment could see them sign a like-for-like replacement who also has the potential to improve further in his career.

He’s yet to play in the Premier League, but his stint in Ligue 1 has shown he’s capable of making his mark in the biggest league in world football.

He rejected Barca: Everton want "special" signing who's better than Gnonto

The club are continuously looking to bolster their forward line.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 9, 2024

Bayern Munich have reportedly drawn up a four-man list of strikers as they look to bring in another big-money No.9 to challenge Harry Kane.

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• England star shining in Germany
• Competition being lined up
• Gyokeres & Marmoush on list

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Bundesliga giants invested around €100 million (£83m/$108m) in England captain Kane when prising him away from Premier League side Tottenham in the summer of 2023. He claimed the European Golden Shoe during his debut season in Germany after plundering 44 goals across all competitions.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kane has added a further 17 to his impressive tally this term, through just 15 games, but has been unable to break his trophy duck with Bayern and has faced questions of his contribution in the biggest games – when end product matters most.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  With that in mind, and with Kane now 31 years of age, Bayern are said to be identifying potential competition and long-term cover. A trio of rivals currently plying their trade in Germany are, according to , registering on recruitment radars at the Allianz Arena.

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• TELL ME MORE

  Omar Marmoush has become a prolific presence for Eintracht Frankfurt, while 21-year-old Slovenia international Benjamin Sesko has shown at RB Leipzig why he is considered to be such a hot prospect – with club colleague Lois Openda also catching the eye.

Glasgow Rangers head of recruitment Nils Koppen has been hard at work during the summer transfer window so far to land new signings for the squad.

Oscar Cortes, Jefte, Clinton Nsiala, Liam Kelly, and Connor Barron have all put pen to paper on deals with the Scottish giants, whilst Hamza Igamane is reportedly set to join them.

The Light Blues have also been linked with interest in the likes of Motherwell centre-forward Theo Bair, free agent attacking midfielder Callum O'Hare, and Norwich midfielder Kenny McLean.

Another player the Gers have been linked with is an attacking left-back who could be a dream partner for Rabbi Matondo down the left flank next season.

Rangers' interest in free agent whiz

HITC recently reported that Rangers are one of the teams eyeing up a possible swoop to sign Ryan Sessegnon on a bargain free transfer this summer.

The report revealed that the former England U21 international, who was once hailed as "fantastic" by ex-boss Jose Mourinho, is available on a free after Tottenham Hotspur decided not to extend his deal with the Premier League side.

Philippe Clement and Koppen are said to have 'checked in' to enquire about his potential availability, amid interest from a host of other clubs.

West Ham United, Fulham, Atalanta, Monzo, Leeds, and Real Betis, among others, are also said to be keeping a close eye on his situation as they weigh up a swoop for his services.

This shows that there is serious competition to land Sessegnon's signature ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and it remains to be seen whether or not Rangers have a realistic chance of tempting him to make the move to Ibrox.

If the Scottish giants can convince him to link-up with Clement's squad this year, though, then they could land a dream partner for Matondo on the wing.

Why Ryan Sessegnon would be a dream for Rabbi Matondo

The Wales international showed glimpses of his mercurial quality during the 2023/24 campaign as he scored five goals in seven league starts for the Light Blues.

Those five strikes came from an xG of just 2.93 and this speaks to the quality of his goals, with his trademark finish being a curling shot from distance after cutting in on his favoured foot.

As you can see in the clip above, Matondo loves to come in from the left flank to bend a shot into the far top corner and Sessegnon's presence could provide him with more chances to use that.

The English full-back, as you can see in the table above, ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of attacking metrics in the 2022/23 Premier League season.

Sessegnon had also produced 25 goals and 19 assists in 120 appearances in all competitions for Fulham earlier in his career, prior to his move to Spurs.

The free agent, who is a risk after missing 40 matches through injury last term, is a left-back who can burst forward to provide a strong attacking threat with his ability to score and create goals.

Rangers could repeat their Boyd masterclass in deal for SPFL star

Philippe Clement is eyeing up a move for a striker who starred in Scotland last term

By
Ross Kilvington

Jun 29, 2024

This could make opposition defenders put more thought into marking him and following his runs, which could then open up more space for Matondo to then take advantage of the defender focusing on Sessegnon and cut inside to fire in more shots from his favoured position.

Therefore, the full-back would be a bargain free signing due to his potential, at the age of just 24, and his proven attacking quality at Premier League level, which could help the Welshman to thrive.

Virgil van Dijk has explained how he collided with Ibrahima Konate as the Liverpool defender was taken off with an injury against Brighton.

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• Van Dijk collided with Konate in first half
• Injury less serious than first feared
• Dutchman expects him to be okay

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Late in the first half of Liverpool's comeback victory over Brighton, Van Dijk collided with Konate while both were attempting to play the ball, and the Frenchman came off worse. He was seen using his shirt as a sling for his arm as he plodded off at half-time and was replaced by Joe Gomez.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  At the time of injury, Liverpool were trailing to Brighton, courtesy of an early Ferdi Kadioglu strike, and were looking to hit back before the break after what was a sluggish first half showing. A late corner provided a potential goal scoring opportunity, and both Van Dijk and Konate went forward to provide aerial threats.

  Both men attempted to head the ball, and Van Dijk, with his eyes closed, pre-emptively nodded goal-wards. However, instead of connecting with the ball, he made heavy contact with Konate's upper arm, leaving the French defender in clear discomfort as the whistle was blown for half-time.

• WHAT VAN DIJK SAID

  Speaking to , Van Dijk explained the situation: "There were so many bodies around the ball and I think I headed him on the arm. Hopefully it is not too bad, we'll just have to wait and see. You can be quite ok as a player with an arm injury so hopefully he will be fine."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR VAN DIJK, KONATE AND LIVERPOOL?

  With reports after the match stating the injury is less severe than it first appeared, it seems Konate will likely return a key run of Liverpool fixtures before the November international break. The Reds face former player Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen side in the Champions League on Tuesday, before hosting Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, fixtures that Arne Slot would like Konate to be available for.

With Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos possibly looking to bolster the playing squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, Manchester United are in for a busy few months.

Plenty of positions need recruitment, but one that proved to be an issue last season was at centre back, hence the interest in English titan Jarrad Branthwaite.

However, it seems that the Red Devils will not repeat their previous mistakes this time around, as they’re now willing to pull out of any deal unless Everton make their asking price more realistic.

This could be a blessing in disguise, particularly if United instead opt to sign one target who’d be a big upgrade on Branthwaite.

Man Utd’s search for a new centre-back

According to reports in Spain via TEAMtalk, Man United are interested in signing Jules Kounde.

It’s said that a bid in the region of £34m is currently being prepared, but Barcelona will reject the offer.

In order to secure his services, that fee will have to increase up to at least £50m, which would still make him a cheaper option than Branthwaite.

The report mentions that Kounde will be one of the players who are ‘sacrificed’ to raise funds, which will give United an advantage in the negotiations as they know that the Spanish giants need to cash in at some point.

Kounde would be an upgrade on Branthwaite

Prior to joining Barca in 2022, Kounde had already established himself as an experienced centre-back in Spain, but his time at the Spanish giants has seen his game go to another level.

During his debut season at the club, the French defender featured rather heavily, starting 28 league games as he helped his side lift the La Liga trophy.

Last season, his involvement increased, making 35 appearances in the league and playing a huge role in keeping 15 clean sheets.

However, he proved to be an incredibly valuable asset due to his ability to thrive at right-back, which gave Xavi plenty of tactical flexibility, as he can stay wide on the right or drop into a central area to create a situational back three.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that Kounde would be an upgrade on Branthwaite if Man Utd did decide to drop their interest in the Toffees defender.

Firstly, the former Sevilla ace is extremely technical, boasting the ability to play out from the back with ease, even under pressure, while his quality on the ball would help United assert more control and dominance.

All of Kounde’s possession stats are far superior to Branthwaite’s, as not only does he retain the ball well, but he can also progress play brilliantly, which will help Erik ten Hag’s team perform better against teams that sit deep.

On the other hand, despite the France international’s defensive stats not being quite as impressive as the 21-year-old’s, the number 23 is an extremely dominant defender, mainly due to his athleticism, speed, and proactive approach.

This is what makes him a “sensation,” as dubbed by football scout Antonio Mango, as unlike Branthwaite, he doesn’t always need to engage in duels to get the better of his opponent.

On top of his ball-playing ability, which makes him an upgrade, Kounde’s ability to serve as a versatile defender and play as a full-back is extremely priceless, particularly given the number of injuries United suffered last campaign.

Overall, Kounde would be a fantastic signing for Man United this summer, and given he would be cheaper and potentially better than Branthwaite, the deal is a no-brainer.

What Man Utd's dream XI could look like after £230m spending spree

Marcus Rashford doesn’t make the best eleven.

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By
Tom Lever

Jun 7, 2024

Manchester United have been handed a positive boost in their chase of Ruud van Nistelrooy this summer as Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to secure his backroom staff target ahead of the new Premier League season.

Ten Hag set to be offered new Man Utd deal

An FA Cup win followed by two weeks of Manchester United interviewing multiple other candidates for the role eventually culminated in the Red Devils deciding to keep the faith with Erik ten Hag heading into the 2024/25 season.

The Dutchman oversaw one of the worst seasons in Manchester United's Premier League history, finishing eighth and conceding as many goals as 16th-placed Brentford, while his side faced the second most shots per game of any side in Europe's top five leagues, behind only Sheffield United and behind relegated Luton Town.

However, there were mitigating circumstances, most significantly a lengthy injury list which led to defenders being played out of position and Casemiro ending the season at centre-back, making up the 14th different Red Devils centre-back pairing of the season.

According to Opta, the Dutchman was only able to call upon his first-choice pairing of Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane for 11% of his side's Premier League games, while his most used pairing of Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane started just six games together.

Perhaps with this in mind, the Dutchman was granted a stay of execution and is set to be offered a new deal, with ESPN reporting that the Red Devils are hoping that they can reach an agreement over a new contract "before their pre-season tour of the US", which begins on July 27th when they face Arsenal.

Though it is claimed negotiations are "complicated", it is added that talks have "progressed well" and a deal is now thought to be close. There could also be another new face in the dugout by then too, if all goes to plan.

Romano provides positive Van Nistelrooy to Man Utd update

That comes as transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Van Nistelrooy is "tempted by Man United" as they look to make him a part of the club's coaching staff.

The ex-Manchester United striker was understood to be the subject of interest from Championship side Burnley, who were looking at the Dutchman to potentially replace Vincent Kompany in the Turf Moor hot seat.

Man Utd willing to bid for £50m+ winger alongside Zirkzee

The Red Devils have been linked with a mega-money move.

By
Ben Browning

Jun 25, 2024

However, any hope of that seems to have gone up in smoke, with Romano explaining that a move to Old Trafford is "advancing fast", which could see him turn down the change to manage his own side and instead join compatriot Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 times in 219 appearances for the Red Devils, and United fans will be hoping that his arrival will allow them to get the most out of young talent Rasmus Hojlund, who blew hot and cold last season.

Kylian Mbappe just stopped short of matching Cristiano Ronaldo's despicable offside record at Real Madrid after a nightmarish El Clasico performance.

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• Mbappe struggled against Barcelona in Clasico
• Was caught offside eight times by Barca's high-line
• Came close to matching Ronaldo's 2013-14 offside metrics

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In a one-sided El Clasico showdown at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, Barcelona overwhelmed Real Madrid with a stunning 4-0 victory, leaving the European champions searching for answers. Robert Lewandowski led the charge with two goals, and Lamine Yamal and Raphinha contributed to complete the rout. For Mbappe, it was a horrific introduction to the historic fixture as he struggled to make an impact.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite his undeniable skill and goal-scoring prowess, the French forward was repeatedly caught offside, underscoring his difficult night against Barcelona’s organised defence. Mbappe had two goals disallowed for offside, and in total, he was flagged offside a staggering eight times, unable to find the rhythm to break through Barcelona’s meticulously executed defensive line.

  This performance brought Mbappe dangerously close to a record associated with one of Madrid’s all-time greats, Ronaldo. During the 2013-14 season, the Portuguese was caught offside 22 times in his first 10 La Liga games, a statistic that Mbappe now approaches with his tally of 17 offsides in the current season, the highest of any player in Europe’s top leagues – surpassing players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton and Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, both with 16 offsides each.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The record for the most offsides in a single game is a three-way tie at 10 offsides, held by Kevin Phillips (for Southampton against Wolves in 2004), Steven Savidan (for Valenciennes versus Sochaux in 2006), and Sergio Pellissier (for Chievo against Roma in 2010). Although Mbappe came close with his eight offside calls against Barcelona, the 2018 World Cup winner fell just short of this dubious benchmark.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

  In his 14 appearances across all competitions for Madrid this season, Mbappe has notched eight goals and provided two assists. He will look to make amends to his form when he travels to Mestalla over the weekend. However, concerns are mounting that the fixture might be postponed due to heavy flooding in the Valencia area. If the game proceeds, it presents a chance for Mbappé and Real Madrid to reset their campaign and return to winning form before hosting AC Milan in a Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on November 5.

Norway boss Stole Solbakken has revealed that he plans to call up Martin Odegaard in November despite the Arsenal captain's injury absence.

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• Odegaard out injured since September
• Solbakken reveals recovery on track
• Hoping to call up Odegaard in November

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Due to an ankle injury he sustained while playing for Norway in September, Odegaard has been sidelined for over six weeks. The Arsenal captain has reportedly begun the last stage of his recovery but has been unavailable for Mikel Arteta's side as their injury struggles continue.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Odegaard was unavailable for Norway as well earlier this month when they took on Slovenia and Austria. Solbakken's men won their clash at home against Slovenia 3-0 but fell to a disappointing 5-1 loss to Austria, and they now sit atop their Nations League group stage level with the aforementioned sides. Solbakken has now revealed that he plans to call up Odegaard for the last two group-stage clashes in November as Norway look to qualify for the knockout stages.

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  WHAT SOLBAKKEN SAID

  Speaking to VG, Solbakken said: "Odegaard's recovery? Everything indicates that things are going according to plan.

  “So it's about the last steps when you have to train with opponents and in team training. It depends on how he responds to that, but we have a legitimate hope that he is ready.”

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• WHAT NEXT FOR NORWAY?

  Solbakken's men will be in action up next when they take on Slovenia and Kazakhstan on November 14 and November 17, respectively. Norway will be hopeful that Odegaard will be fit enough to affect those games as they look to secure promotion to League A as Group B3 winners.