Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches from the sideline during the NFL International Series matchup on Sep. 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, monitoring player performance and roster depth as Minnesota competes abroad while balancing executive evaluation duties in a rare overseas regular-season setting. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday, January 30th, three and a half weeks after the regular season ended and about five days after Sam Darnold’s Seattle Seahawks won the NFC Championship.
Most believe Adofo-Mensah lost his job due to continuous poor drafting habits and the decision to let Darnold slip away, who won a Super Bowl two weeks ago. Fans will miss one thing about Adofo-Mensah, though — and that may not even realize it yet. The man loved to trade, and the Vikings’ trading frequency figures to plummet.
If Minnesota feels quieter this spring, it may be intentional from the top of the front office.
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Life goes on, but the offseason probably won’t be as busy with Adofo-Mensah unemployed.
Minnesota’s Trade Volume May Be Headed Down
The fascination with “trading just to trade” is likely kaput.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addresses reporters while outlining offseason priorities and roster-building philosophy during media availability at the league’s annual scouting event. On Feb 25, 2025, Adofo-Mensah spoke at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center, offering insight into Minnesota’s evaluation process ahead of free agency and the upcoming draft period. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Kwesi Loved to Trade; Kwesi No Longer Works for the Vikings
While his trades often didn’t work out swimmingly — Adofo-Mensah offloaded Harrison Phillips and Mehki Blackmon last summer for peanuts while grabbing elderly Adam Thielen in a deal centered around a 4th-Round pick — Adofo-Mensah was always busy. Working the phones became part of his on-screen persona, and there was never a dull moment for fans.
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He also wasn’t afraid to shoot for the stars, trading for players early in his tenure who possessed high-round draft capital upside in Jalen Reagor and Ross Blacklock.
If you enjoyed the allure of Adofo-Mensah habitually seeking trades, you’re going to experience a downturn. Unless Kevin O’Connell, Brian Flores, and Rob Brzezinski share the same trade ardor, Minnesota’s operation risks becoming “boring” regarding trades.
That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but you should expect a sharp decline in trades. The sheer volume.
The ‘Value’ Philosophy
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Before last year’s draft, Adofo-Mensah spoke at length about his philosophy.
“A lot of times, it’s impact and that impact can be one great player or multiple good players, also realizing that it’s uncertain and you don’t know necessarily for sure that the one player is going to be good and all those different dynamics so, that’s really the conversation you have,” he told reporters in April 2025.
“Right now, at this point in the draft, we try and make sure our board is correct in terms of how we view things. You’ve got to prepare yourself. You’re picking 24th you better be able to call 24 and have 24 names that you’re willing to stand up and clap and feel great about. So that’s the first and foremost in the foundation of how we build this thing. The trades and all those things, scenarios, they come.”
Adofo-Mensah basically wanted to accrue the top talent at the most reasonable cost — in his estimation.
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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stands beside general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah during a relaxed offseason moment while the pair discusses roster plans and organizational direction. In spring 2025, O’Connell appeared with a mustache in a playful nod toward Adofo-Mensah, reflecting the occasional humor shared between leadership figures during extended planning sessions. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
He added, “Moving over to the charts and different evaluations, it’s a difficult exercise. It’s something that I’ve been fascinated by. I built the chart myself, I’ve seen other different charts, and they all take different assumptions or quite frankly, this is a hard exercise.”
“How do you value a great player in a great position? You could assign a number to it, right? When you assign that number to it, does that incorporate the scarcity of that type of player? If you don’t get that player in the draft, you can’t typically get that player in for agency so, how do you put a number on that aspect of it? It’s in different people or different ways of doing that.”
It’s unclear who Minnesota might hire as the next full-time general manager, but that person may have a “shoot from the hip” style compared to Adofo-Mensah.
The Draft Always Busy
Adofo-Mensah moved all over the board on draft weekend. Sometimes, it actually felt strange when he didn’t trade out of his organic spot, wheeling and dealing to bank more picks and throws at the dartboard.
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Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, there was a point on the calendar when the Vikings held zero of their original picks; all had been traded in one way or another.
Much like trading in the spring or summer, the draft might feel mundane per movement around the board.
A Return to Normalcy
Adofo-Mensah’s predecessor, Rick Spielman, also traded quite fiendishly, establishing a reputation late in his tenure for stockpiling late-round draft picks — that usually amounted to nothing. Indeed, Minnesota has employed back-to-back general managers who enjoy the art of the deal.
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Former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman appears on a broadcast set while discussing league developments and roster strategy during combine week coverage. On Feb 28, 2024, Spielman joined CBS Sports programming at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, sharing perspective drawn from his long tenure running Minnesota’s front office and evaluating prospects during the annual scouting showcase. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The next guy, whether it’s Brzezinski on a full-time contract or a general manager to be named later, will probably be “normal.” Vikings fans have grown accustomed to a flurry of trades in the offseason, spanning March to early November.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has responded to his star player Lamine Yamal’s frustration at being substituted off in the victory over Levante. The Blaugrana returned to the summit of the LaLiga standings with a 3-0 win against Levante on Sunday, February 22.
Yamal seemed visibly frustrated when he was taken off for Roony Bardghji in the 88th minute. The Catalan giants already established a 3-0 lead at the point and looked pretty much certain to take all three points.
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However, Yamal looked irritated with the substitution and shook his head as he took his seat. Following the game, Hansi Flick was asked to comment on the youngster’s reaction and the German downplayed the incident.
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Flick insisted that he was happy to see Yamal’s mentality of always looking to score and assist. He also reminded that the Spaniard is only 18 years of age and his legs needs to be protected. The Barcelona manager said, as quoted by The National:
“I love that he is disappointed. It shows his mentality. He always wants to score, to assist, to help the team. That is good. That is what we want from our players.”
He added:
“He is 18 years old. We have to take care of him. He plays a lot of minutes and today the game was under control. It was the right moment to give him some rest.”
Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez scored for the Blaugrana as they leapfrogged ahead of Real Madrid at the top of the table. Los Blancos suffered a 2-1 loss against Osasuna and are now one point behind their arch rivals.
Yamal has been excellent for Barcelona this season scoring 15 goals and producing 14 assists in 33 appearances across competitions. He provided the assist for Barca’s third goal against Levante, scored by Fermin Lopez.
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Manchester United eyeing a €40m bid for Barcelona defender in the summer: Reports
Manchester United have reportedly emerged as big admirers of Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde. As claimed by Mundo Deportivo, Barca view Balde as an important player but not untouchable.
The Catalan giants would reportedly sell Balde if they receive the right offer and Manchester United have already registered their interest. The Red Devils are looking for a long-term successor to Luke Shaw who has entered the final 18 months of his deal.
The Premier League giants are reportedly ready to offer Barcelona €40 million for Balde’s services in the summer. Aged only 22, Balde is mostly known for his attacking forays, having scored thrice and provided 21 assists in 158 games for Barca till date.
The summer transfer window will see Barcelona make a decision on whether to sign Marcus Rashford permanently, following his loan from Manchester United
Barcelona beat Levante 3-0 on Sunday, but Marcus Rashford didn’t get a kick. The on-loan Manchester United star missed the previous games against Atletico Madrid and Girona through injury and wasn’t risked from the bench as Hansi Flick led his team to a comfortable victory.
Even so, there are areas where a fit and firing Rashford might have made it an even more handsome victory. The goals were scored by Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez, with neither Raphinha nor Robert Lewandowski, who was withdrawn midway through the second half, providing a goal or an assist.
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While Barcelona are yet to officially exercise their option to sign Rashford on a permanent basis, the clues are beginning to appear. Not only has Flick spoken highly of the England international, but Rashford has also reportedly banked £8.5million by cashing out dividends from his businesses – behaviour that could indicate he’s preparing to leave the UK.
Even on a day when Rashford wasn’t needed on the pitch, the case for a permanent swoop was being made. Here’s what the Spanish media said after Barca’s win.
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Mundo Deportivo
The stars of the show were defenders and midfielders, with winter arrival Joao Cancelo impressing alongside midfield scorers Bernal and De Jong. However, Mundo Deportivo recognised the absence of goals from an often-prolific attack.
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“Barca didn’t need to shift into high gear, and their forwards failed to find the net,” they wrote. “Lamine [Yamal] was well marked by Manu Sanchez (as he was when he played for Alaves), but he showed flashes of brilliance, as did Raphinha, [Dani] Olmo, and Lewy (Lewandowski). However, the forwards need goals to thrive.”
In the coming weeks, Barcelona may need to make full use of their attacking options. That means the likes of Rashford and Ferran Torres will likely have responsibilities – sometimes even from the start – as the fixtures come thick and fast.
Sport
Barca’s strength in depth was also Sport’s focus. The publication believes that’s where the title should be won and lost, even if it was others, rather than Rashford himself, who demonstrated that quality on Sunday.
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“Flick’s team, who have a plan, play more and better, have a more balanced squad, don’t depend exclusively on two or three players, and are the current champions,” their report read. “In short, the Blaugrana, under any circumstances, would be the clear favourite to repeat as champions.”
The same publication pointed to what it sees as controversial refereeing decisions going the way of rivals Real Madrid but has confidence this can make Flick’s side stronger. “This reality, the one Barça has had to live with throughout its existence, has also forged its character and, of course, its style of play,” they continued.
“That’s why when they win, they win big, and that’s why the Champions League title has always been accompanied by the league title. It’s unfair, but that’s how it is. And yet, there are matchdays, like this weekend’s, when everything, well organized, falls into place.”
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Marca
Yes, it was a win for Barcelona and a handsome one at that, but Marca recognised the continued lack of goals from those paid to deliver at the sharp end. Interestingly, it was the third consecutive match in which no Barcelona forward scored: they failed to find the net against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey, and [Pau] Cubarsí scored the only goal against Girona,” their report read.
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That’s not to say there weren’t chances. On another day, one of the front three could easily have made it onto the scoresheet, were it not for some profligate finishing and sharp saves from Levante keeper Mat Ryan.
Still, some might be tempted to point to the fact that one constant from those matches is the absence of Rashford from the pitch. It will be interesting to see how he is used against Villarreal on Saturday.
AS
Cancelo was the star of the show for AS as well. However, the form of the defender – in his second spell at Camp Nou – also emphasised some below-par performances elsewhere.
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“Cancelo’s cross gave the home side the lead after just four minutes, thanks to Bernal, who was thus solidifying his place in the starting lineup,” their report read. “Cancelo also provided the assist for De Jong’s second goal in the 32nd minute.
“In between, the Portuguese full-back repeatedly delivered dangerous crosses into the box, but it seemed Lewandowski, once again, wasn’t having his best day. Then Ferran, as usual, failed to improve on the Polish striker.”
Barcelona may well look to spend big on a new striker this summer if they decide against renewing Lewandowski’s contract. However, Rashford himself may have a chance to audition in a central role in the coming weeks.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Midway through the second quarter on Sunday afternoon in Columbia, Raven Johnson sprung a trap. Matched up against Cotie McMahon in the corner, Johnson watched and waited while Ole Miss ran a pick-and-roll up top. Then, just as Kaitlin Peterson picked up her dribble and turned to throw the ball out to McMahon, Johson jumped into the passing lane for a steal and took the ball coast-to-coast for a layup.
Johnson’s bucket put South Carolina ahead by 11, and the Gamecocks led by double digits the rest of the way en route to a dominant 85-48 win that secured the SEC regular season title for the fifth season in a row. Though Johnson only finished with six points in the victory — tied for the fifth-highest total for the Gamecocks — she showed why she deserves to be a first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Johnson’s WNBA stock has fluctuated throughout her time in college. She helped the Gamecocks win the national championship as a redshirt junior in 2024, and drew rave reviews for her defense against Caitlin Clark in the title game. However, she was unable to build on that momentum last season, and after a disappointing campaign on a personal level, she decided to use her extra year of eligibility to return to school rather than turn pro.
That proved to be a wise decision. Johnson has bounced back with the best season of her career: 9.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.7 steals on 48.7/35.2/84.1 shooting splits. Those aren’t gaudy numbers, and Johnson can still be inconsistent as a scorer, as we saw Sunday, but it’s everything else that’s going to make her a first-round pick.
“I think that Raven Johnson does not get the credit that she should. I think she is the best point guard in the country,” Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin said Sunday after Johnson’s excellent two-way performance, which included seven assists, three steals and just one turnover.
Shutting down McMahon
Johnson is best known for her defense, so let’s start on that side of the ball.
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She spent most of Sunday shadowing McMahon, Ole Miss’s leading scorer and another potential first-round pick in this year’s WNBA draft. McMahon entered the game averaging 20.7 points, and was coming off 39- and 25-point performances. Her hot streak came to an abrupt end
Johnson helped hold McMahon to a season-low two points on 0 of 9 from the field. This was just the second time in McMahon’s career that she’s played at least 10 minutes and failed to make a shot, and her two points were tied for the third-fewest in her career.
Johnson is only 5-foot-9, but she has a 6-foot-2 wingspan, which is a real benefit against bigger players like the 6-foot McMahon. Throughout the game, Johnson got right into McMahon’s space and prevented her from getting anything going off the dribble.
Here, early in the third quarter, Johnson picks McMahon up fullcourt and forces her to give up the ball early. Because McMahon is only just inside the halfcourt line, her pass to the wing is longer than usual, which gives Ta’Niya Latson time to pick it off. Johnson doesn’t get any credit for this turnover in the box score, but she caused it.
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A few possessions later, McMahon doesn’t even try to bring the ball up the floor and throws it ahead instead. She gets it back near the top of the key, but Johnson’s pressure immediately forces her backwards, and then Johnson pokes the ball away for what should have been another turnover.
“I thought our players did a great job, Raven especially,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said of her team’s job defending McMahon. “The first line of that defense was so hard, that took her vision down, that occupied her dribble. Raven’s the very best at it.”
Johnson’s ability to mirror McMahon’s movements and weave around screens also made it difficult for Ole Miss to get McMahon going off the ball. Here, in the second quarter, Johnson fights through traffic to get a deflection on a baseline out of bounds play and forces Ole Miss to take the ball out again in the deep corner.
There is no better point of attack defender in this class than Johnson, and as the WNBA leans more into spacing and 3-point shooting over the coming years, that is going to become an even more valuable skill.
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“Unafraid of a challenge, is willing — she knows. Like, she knew she was gonna have to guard Cotie, she knew she was gonna have to guard Mikayla Blakes. She knows she’s gonna have to guard our opponents’ best perimeter [players], and sometimes small, power forwards,” Staley said of Johnson’s defensive impact. “We’re unafraid to switch if need be because we know Raven’s gonna give it her best shot at defending and making it difficult for people. I see it. I don’t think she gets credit enough for what she’s been doing over her career… She doesn’t have the numbers and the steals and the blocks that we look at… If you really look at what makes our team go defensively, it starts and ends with Raven.”
An improved playmaker
Johnson’s perimeter defense has never been a secret, but there have been questions about her offense. Though she is shooting a career-high 35.2% from 3-point range (on just 2.4 attempts per game), she still offers little as a scorer. Johnson has made real strides as a playmaker, though, and now looks much more like a viable point guard at the next level.
She finished with seven assists against Ole Miss and easily could have been in double figures in that category if her teammates had helped her out.
Johnson excels in transition, as we saw time and again Sunday. The weight of her passes were excellent and allowed her bigs to catch the ball in stride to either go up and finish or get fouled. This one in the third quarter to Alicia Tournebize stood out.
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She also showed that she could make high-level passes in the halfcourt, such as this backdoor feed to Tessa Johnson (which should have been converted) and this pocket pass to Madina Okot.
Additionally, Johnson only had one turnover on Sunday. She’s averaging 1.6 this season and for her career has just 196 turnovers in 3,485 minutes over 143 games. One of the most impressive stats about Johnson’s ability to take care of the ball is that she has 42 games without a turnover, and she played 20-plus minutes in 26 of those contests.
Would WNBA teams like to see more from Johnson offensively? Sure. In particular, can she become even more consistent from behind the arc to command attention when she doesn’t have the ball? But in an expanding league that’s already lacking point guard depth, Johnson’s ability to run an offense without making mistakes — combined with her elite defense — is going to be attractive to teams.
“Raven Johnson is a winner,” Staley said after South Carolina defeated LSU earlier this month. “Like, look it up in the dictionary, look it up on your iPhones, Raven Johnson is a winner. She makes plays. Winning plays… She’s probably the one that I’ll miss the most out of all the players that I’ve coached.”
Ryan Garcia beat Mario Barrios handily in Las Vegas to become WBC Welterweight World champion. Devin Haney – perhaps Garcia’s biggest rival, certainly his most bitter – was watching closely.
Haney’s reaction stems from Garcia testing positive for Ostarine after their fight. Despite claiming innocence, what was initially an upset points win for Garcia was overturned to a no contest and he served a one-year doping ban.
A rematch between the pair now becomes a unification and thus more intriguing. Though the loss was scrubbed from Haney’s record, he was floored three times during the fight and will be keen to put up a better account of himself if they face off at welterweight – a more comfortable division for both, as evidence by Haney’s impressive win over Brian Norman Jr in November of last year to become the WBO champion.
Garcia, however, has another target higher on his list. Post-fight, he called out Shakur Stevenson, and the recently crowned four-weight world champion has made no secret he is keen on accepting. Stevenson then laid out two conditions: a 144lbs catchweight and Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency testing.
Four professional soccer matches in Mexico were postponed Sunday after violence flared near Guadalajara — one of the country’s host cities for the 2026 World Cup — in the wake of a military operation that left cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho,” dead.
Liga MX officials removed two top-flight fixtures from the schedule — Querétaro’s matchup against Juárez FC in the men’s league and the women’s showdown between Chivas and América — and also called off two second-division contests amid security concerns.
The disruption followed operations earlier in the day in Tapalpa, Jalisco, roughly two hours southwest of Guadalajara. Mexican authorities said Oseguera, a former police officer who rose to lead the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), was killed during the operation.
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In the aftermath, vehicles were set ablaze and highways were blocked across nearly a dozen Mexican states, according to officials.
Vehicles drive past a burning bus used as a roadblock by organized crime following a federal operation in which Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera, commonly known as “El Mencho,” was killed.(Gabriel Trujillo/Reuters)
Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is slated to stage four matches during the 2026 World Cup, including two involving South Korea. Mexico, Spain, Uruguay and Colombia are also scheduled to play at the venue.
Mexico’s national team remains set to host Iceland in a friendly Wednesday at Corregidora Stadium in Querétaro. As of Sunday, the Mexican soccer federation had not announced any changes to that match.
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Not all sporting events were affected. Organizers of the Mexican Open in Acapulco said the ATP tournament would begin Monday at the GNP Arena as planned.
“The tournament’s operation continues as normal,” organizers of the tournament said in a statement.
Oseguera had carried a $15 million U.S. bounty and rose to prominence following the arrest of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former head of the Sinaloa Cartel. Over the past decade and a half, CJNG expanded from a regional criminal group into a global trafficking network operating across much of Mexico from its stronghold in Jalisco.
A burned vehicle used as a barricade by organized crime members, following a series of arrests by federal forces, lies in Guadalajara, Mexico.(Michelle Freyria/Reuters)
“I’ve just been informed that Mexican security forces have killed ‘El Mencho,’ one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins,” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X. “This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world. The good guys are stronger than the bad guys.”
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The Mexican Defense Department said the operation was conducted as part of bilateral coordination and cooperation with the U.S., and that U.S. authorities provided complementary intelligence that contributed to El Mencho’s killing.
After El Mencho’s death, cartel members burned cars and blocked roads in nearly a dozen Mexican states.
The Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación is considered the most powerful cartel in Mexico with an estimated 19,000 members and operations across 21 of the country’s 32 states.
Farrell was also pleased with how his more seasoned Test players stepped up after questions over their form as they supplemented headline-stealing displays from Stuart McCloskey and Rob Baloucoune.
“Caelan [Doris] was back to his best, Joe McCarthy was outstanding,” observed Farrell, who also praised player of the match Jamison Gibson-Park.
“Josh [van der Flier] was immense in that first half, wasn’t he? You know, with his line running and stuff like that.
“They know they’ve a responsibility. We said before the game, big-game players turn up and make big-team performances happen.
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“They set great examples, but for the lads that I just mentioned, for Rob Baloucoune to come here and do that, you know you’re on for a good day when he’s got a poach, a turnover ball…just his belief to take people on, and for Stu to dominate at this type of level, it was a joy to see.”
With McCloskey and Baloucoune establishing themselves in the Test arena, experienced players recapturing their form and the likes of Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan and Andrew Porter still to return from injury, Farrell’s squad suddenly seems in good shape 18 months out from the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
“That’s the point. That’s the best part of it,” he said.
“We know that and we have to take a bit of stick along the way. I suppose a win like this gets people a little bit back on board.
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“As long as we know where we’re going.”
Ireland host winless Wales on 6 March (20:10 GMT) before finishing the campaign against fellow Triple Crown chasers Scotland in Dublin on 14 March (14:10).
Feb 14, 2026; Indio, California, USA; New York City FC forward Hannes Wolf (17) at Empire Polo Club. Mandatory Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images
Nicolas Fernandez scored on a penalty kick in the 66th minute as New York City rallied for a physical 1-1 draw with the host Los Angeles Galaxy in the season opener for both teams on Sunday night.
Playing a 12th straight season opener on the road, NYCFC (0-0-1, 1 point) avoided getting blanked for the fourth time in five season openers by overcoming an early defensive breakdown that led to an early goal.
Fernandez scored in a contest that saw the teams combine for 31 fouls and five yellow cards. He also nearly struck again in the second minute of stoppage time but hooked a shot from the middle of the box to the left.
The most pivotal yellow card was handed out in the 64th when Emiro Garces was sent off following a foul on Fernandez. Garces’ second yellow card resulted in the Galaxy (0-0-1, 1 point) playing with 10 men the rest of the contest.
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Fernandez capitalized on the miscue by ripping a shot that caromed off goalie Novak Micovic’s right hand and to the right side of the net for his fourth career MLS goal.
Fernandez equalized after NYCFC had the better chances for most of the contest but could not get a shot on target after Joao Klauss scored two minutes into his LA debut.
The Galaxy quickly moved towards the New York net and moved the ball around. Paintsill sent the ball to Marco Reus near the end line.
Reus drew New York defender Kai Trewin to him but quickly passed the ball to Klauss in the center of the box. Left open by two defenders, Klauss lifted a left-footed shot from the middle of the box to the lower right side of the net before Freese could react.
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New York goalie Matt Freese stopped six shots, including a diving stop on Gabriel Pec late in the first half. He also denied Joseph Paintsil’s header try in the 90th.
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze celebrates scoring his side’s third goal. (AP Photo)
Eberechi Eze starred with a brilliant brace to power Arsenal to a crucial 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur and restore their five-point lead at the top, while Alexis Mac Allister’s dramatic 97th-minute goal earned Liverpool a priceless 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest in Sunday’s Premier League action.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Under pressure after consecutive draws allowed Manchester City to close the gap, Arsenal responded in emphatic fashion in the north London derby. Eze, handed a rare start, repaid the faith of manager Mikel Arteta by opening the scoring in the 31st minute with a close-range finish. Tottenham responded quickly through Randal Kolo Muani, but Arsenal seized control after the break.Viktor Gyokeres restored the lead early in the second half before Eze struck again, calmly finishing after Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario denied Bukayo Saka. Gyokeres added another in stoppage time to seal a statement win that strengthened Arsenal’s push for a first league title in 22 years. Tottenham, meanwhile, remain dangerously close to the relegation zone, with interim boss Igor Tudor admitting, “It was a lesson.”Liverpool left it even later but secured a potentially decisive win in their chase for European qualification. Forest, under their fourth manager of the season, looked set to earn a valuable point until Mac Allister struck deep into stoppage time, converting after Virgil van Dijk’s header was saved. The win lifted Liverpool level on points with Chelsea and Manchester United, keeping their Champions League hopes alive despite an unconvincing display.Elsewhere, Fulham climbed into the top half after Raul Jimenez’s double inspired a 3-1 win at Sunderland, while Crystal Palace eased mounting pressure with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to Evann Guessand’s late winner.
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva could leave the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires this summer.
Pep Guardiola is never short of praise for his Manchester City players. Win, lose or draw, Guardiola is the biggest cheerleader for this squad. However, there is one star who arguably receives more praise than most.
Captain Bernardo Silva moved to City in 2017 and quickly became a fan favourite. Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva may have stolen the midfield headlines but Bernardo’s quality has never been lost on Guardiola. “At the end we were guided by our incredible player, one of the best ever to play or train – our captain Bernardo,” the City head coach said after the Liverpool win.
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“We follow him, I follow him too. He puts the team in front of himself. He does things through his own example. Everybody follows him, me the first. He scored the first one from the Erling [Haaland] assist, and made the assist for Matheus [Nunes] for the penalty.”
Guardiola would love nothing more than for Bernardo to sign a new contract at City. The captain has never been afraid to discuss his future and has looked set to depart on a number of occasions.
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Bernardo has been ever-present this season and his versatility is a precious quality for any team. “[It is] so important,” Guardiola replied in 2023 when asked about versatile players. “That helps us to have a bigger and a longer squad.
“We have players like Bernardo and Phil [Foden] who can play in three or four different positions if we need it.”
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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.
Antoine Semenyo was the in-demand forward ahead of this season’s January transfer window and you can see why. The Ghana international can play on the left, right or down the middle if needed.
City won that transfer battle and there are plenty more versatile players in their squad.
Nico O’Reilly graduated from the academy last season. He made nine appearances in the second half of the Premier League season, announcing himself at this level. But this season he has really started to flourish.
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After new signing Rayan Ait-Nouri picked up an injury, O’Reilly took his chance. Despite splashing more than £36m on Ait-Nouri, Guardiola stuck with the youngster.
When Ait-Nouri rediscovered his form, O’Reilly was moved into midfield – arguably the strongest area in the City squad. Has that fazed him? Absolutely not.
O’Reilly took his brace superbly against Newcastle and he is guaranteed to start at Leeds next weekend. What’s even more impressive is that he only turns 21 next month.
It is also worth remembering he has played just three senior matches in the midfield role, although he did progress through the age groups as a midfielder.
His versatility means he is as impressive at left-back as he is in midfield. Guardiola began his post-Newcastle press conference by praising former City star James Milner after he surpassed the record for the most Premier League appearances of all time. 203 of those matches came for the Blues and while it is far too early to say whether O’Reilly will enjoy similar longevity, his recent form makes the prospect of replacing Bernardo seem a little less daunting than it once did.
O’Reilly will only get better the more matches he plays. Guardiola knows he has a real player on his hands.
