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Manchester City are ready to cut their losses on another player this summer, it has emerged, after a less than impressive campaign at the Etihad.

Revamp at the Etihad

Despite winning a fourth consecutive Premier League title, Pep Guardiola's side appear disorganised heading into the summer. Speculation continues to link both Kevin de Bruyne and Ederson to Saudi Arabia, while Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland have both also been linked with moves away, though the pair appear to have quashed those for the time being.

There is also the annual circus surrounding Bernardo Silva, who has a £50m release clause written into his contract and in Barcelona a perennial admirer.

But one of the club's biggest problems will be getting anything close to the £45m they shelled out for Kalvin Phillips back, after a disastrous loan spell with West Ham has seen interest in the midfielder likely wane and his value certainly drop. And he may not be the only one they struggle to shift.

Fellow midfielder set to follow Phillips

Now, it has emerged that midfielder Matheus Nunes could join him after an underwhelming debut season for the Cityzens. Guardiola was full of praise for Nunes during his time at Sporting CP, dubbing him "one of the best in the world" despite Nunes being on the wrong end of a 5-0 thrashing from City back in 2022.

"Matheus Nunes is one of the best players in the world today. Despite the difficulties and some mistakes, I have to be very satisfied because we took a big step towards the next round. Nunes is one of the best at the moment."

"Increasingly real" chance £63m star moves this summer as Man City lurk

He could be just what Manchester City need.

By
Ben Browning

Jun 12, 2024

However, the Spanish coach has since backtracked on those comments, revealing last season: "Maybe I overexaggerated a little bit. He's not. He is a really good player but sometimes, maybe I said this comment after 1-5, it was 5-0? But he's an exceptional player."

His decision to use Nunes so sparingly speaks volumes of this reassessment, with the Portuguese midfielder managing just seven Premier League starts for the Cityzens, with a further ten appearances from the substitutes bench.

His 654 Premier League minutes are just four times as many as he managed this season for Wolves, despite only being eligible to play two games for the Old Gold.

Now, TEAMTalk claim that Guardiola has "lost all faith" in Nunes, and "would like to see him moved on" this summer, which has led to him being put up for sale after proving "far too limited" for Pep Guardiola's system.

Having been signed for £53m and penning a five-year deal worth £130,000 a week, shifting Nunes would likely come at a massive loss, with few clubs willing to pay that sort of fee for the 25-year-old.

But, with midfield additions firmly on Manchester City's radar this summer amid links to Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, he may find his opportunities even more limited next season should no exit agreement be found.

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund says his body "feels good again" after missing the start of the season with a hamstring injury.

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• Hojlund injured in pre-season
• Says he now "feels good again"
• Admits to "fluctuating" weight

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 21-year-old missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury but now he is back fit for the Red Devils. The Denmark international is content to be eased back into first-team action as he says there is "no point" rushing things and risking another injury. The former Atalanta star also spoke about he is now carrying a bit less weight after hitting the gym.

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  WHAT RASMUS HOJLUND SAID

  He told reporters: "There is no point in rushing things and risking another injury. My body feels good again. I might be ready to play 90 minutes, but if I also use my brain a little bit, I don’t think 90 minutes on Saturday against Spain is a good idea.

  "I've lost a little weight, but it doesn’t matter. I know there are some benefits to being a little lighter and some benefits to being a little heavier. I’m not focused on the scales. I’ve gotten used to the fact that my weight fluctuates a little bit."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Hojlund has a big responsibility for United this season – to provide the goals in attack they need to challenge for trophies again. However, the Red Devils have had a poor start to the season and sit 14th in the Premier League. The Dane will hope he can hit form, stay fit, and deliver on the pitch.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The forward could start for Denmark in their Nations League clash away at Spain on Saturday and then again against Switzerland on Tuesday. He will then return to Erik ten Hag's team next week.

When Aston Villa sold Jack Grealish to Manchester City in a record £100m package back in August 2021, Villans feared that their enjoyable purple patch would pale back into obscurity, like an etiolated plant failing to find sunlight.

But that was not the case. The England star might have won hordes of trophies and been praised for his "incredible contribution" by manager Pep Guardiola, but Villa Park has also gone from strength to strength and now waits for the 2024/25 campaign and the advent of Champions League football.

It's a product of Unai Emery's masterclass. The Spanish tactician's shrewd player management and sharp on-pitch assembling has seen Villa clinch fourth place in the Premier League. Some might call it a miracle but the reality is that Emery's worth his salt and carefully crafted a formidable outfit.

Grealish's one-time sale might linger with poignancy in some cloistered area of a Lions supporter's mind but the feats of the present have dispelled any malaise and charted a course to heights unseen in generations. Now, Emery wants to bolster his pack and ensure that further success is on the cards.

Aston Villa eyeing Premier League star

According to reporter Ben Jacobs – speaking to GiveMeSport – this week, Villa have expressed interest in signing Emile Smith Rowe this summer, with the Arsenal star afflicted by injuries over the past two years and falling down Mikel Arteta's pecking order.

Villa offered £30m for Smith Rowe back in 2021, after Grealish's sale, but given that the 23-year-old has completed just four starts across the past two seasons, it might be time for him to revive his career away from the Emirates.

Last year, Arsenal were adamant that Smith Rowe would cost £60m to transfer away from the club – using Manchester United's £55m move for Mason Mount as a yardstick – but whether any suitor would part with such a lofty outlay is now questionable.

Emile Smith Rowe's season in numbers

During the 2022/23 campaign, Smith Rowe underwent groin surgery after just two months, which ravaged his season and left him scraping for substitute appearances, featuring 15 times in all competitions and placing two assists but failing to register a single start.

The three-cap England international, let's not forget, was previously touted as one of the finest youngsters in the Premier League, with pundit Jamie Carragher even proclaiming him to be the "best player in the Premier League running with the ball" in the early days of the 2021/22 term, continuing to name him a "special talent".

But his personal woes were carried into the recently-concluded campaign, with his lacklustre match action inversely proportional to the superabundance of quality that could be reignited at Aston Villa, under Emery's guidance.

He enjoyed slightly more promise throughout, starting four times in all competitions but still spending far too much time on the fringe, also sidelined with a knee injury during the later months of 2023.

But his meagre opportunity on the pitch showcased a skill set that would be perfect for a team like Villa, where he could find a promising place in the squad.

Why Smith Rowe would be perfect at Aston Villa

Smith Rowe, to further the argument, scored three goals from nine appearances under Emery at Arsenal while in the early stage of his career, and now the 52-year-old – who lauded Smith Rowe's "quality" as a teenager – has a vested interest in restoring the bond, in bringing him to a new home with pledges of prominence and prosperity.

Optical assessment reveals that recent issues do not nullify a wonderful ability with a football that simply needs some new life, some confidence and belief that, yes, he can thrive at the highest level.

Let's not forget, the £40k-per-week talent has proven himself across the duration of a Premier League campaign, scoring ten goals and adding two assists during 2021/22 (Sofascore), his last taste of sustained success, despite earning only 21 starts, also completing 87% of his passes and 60% of his dribbles.

Affectionately nicknamed 'the Croydon De Bruyne' by those close to him, Smith Rowe certainly offers qualities that could make him one of the Premier League's leading playmakers in the future, with real stylistic similarities to Manchester City's creative talisman.

Kevin De Bruyne is 33 this month but remains one of the most influential and immense players in Europe, scoring six goals and supplying a staggering 18 assists from 26 matches in all competitions, hailed as an "all-time great" by Carragher.

The Sky Sports pundit clearly knows a top-class player when he sees one and given that he has sung Smith Rowe's praises, whose ball-playing expertise and silkiness when shifting through the gears bears the hallmark of a high-level star, there's a real chance that, at Villa, he could kickstart his career triumphantly.

Arsenal have risen to an elite position on the European stage. A by-product of this is the talented peripheral players that get left behind, ousted for the greater good of the machine. Smith Rowe's issues over the past few years leave him in an almost untenable position, with Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira and Leandro Trossard all capable of performing in his favoured central or left-tilted attacking midfield roles.

He's also out of contract in 2026, and so if Arsenal wish to receive bang for their buck it might be wise to cash in swiftly for maximum value: he's not going to renew, lest he spend a career performing below his potential.

Villa can bring him back to the fore; Emery can make him a major player in a squad that now perches among Europe's elite.

Smith Rowe, for his part, has so much talent and would be a real creative asset to one of the Premier League's most exciting projects.

Aston Villa set to prioritise signing £2k-p/w gem Emery is a massive fan of

The planning for present and future is underway at Villa Park.

By
Ben Browning

May 31, 2024

With relegation to League One spurring a major rebuild at Birmingham City this summer, it appears that the Midlands outfit have landed on who they want to fill the dugout at St Andrews.

Blues' search for new boss continues

Following Tony Mowbray's decision to step down from the head coache's role at Birmingham due to health issues, those at the top of the club have been working tirelessly to find a successor for the 60-year-old.

One name that could take the reins at Birmingham is Alex Neil. The 42-year-old has bags of experience in the EFL with his most recent spell coming with Stoke City in 2023. Another man rumoured with a move to the Midlands is Liam Rosenior. The 39-year-old was most recently at Hull City, where he was surprisingly sacked after leading the Tigers to a seventh-placed finish last season.

More left-field suggestions have seen the Blues linked with Carlos Coberan. Whilst he would be an excellent appointment, the Spaniard is unlikely to be tempted away from the project he is building at West Bromwich Albion, no less for a club currently occupying England's third tier.

Another more unlikely suggestion is a move for Steve Bruce. The former Newcastle and Hull coach has been linked with a move to Birmingham, however it is uncertain whether the 63-year-old is ready for a return to management.

With the search for Mowbray's successor ongoing, it appears that the Blues have finally landed on who they view as their number one target.

Ex-Premier League boss holds talks with Birmingham

As first reported by Football Insider's Wayne Veysey, Birmingham are interested in making Frank Lampard their new manager. Sources have told the outlet that the former Chelsea boss has impressed the hierarchy at St Andrews, placing him high on Birmingham's shortlist to succeed Mowbray at the club.

Whilst Lampard has reportedly had an interview with the Midlands outfit, the 45-year-old has also spoken to Burnley following Vincent Kompany's departure for Bayern Munich last week.

Lampard has suffered something of a mixed bag during his management career so far. Despite his CV boasting spells with Chelsea, Everton and Derby County, the former England star has struggled to establish himself at any one club, averaging less than a year in each job.

Whilst a side that has recently dropped down from the Premier League may prove more glamorous on paper, Lampard may view Birmingham as an attractive prospect thanks to the opportunity he will have to settle in and build a team.

He is a coach who has shown flashes of quality but rarely been given enough time to implement his style of play on a team. A season in League One may be just what the 45-year-old needs to get his career back on track and help Birmingham return to the Championship at the first time of asking.

Ian Wright and Roy Keane have revealed their disbelief at Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract situation amid links with Real Madrid.

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• England international wanted by Spanish giants
• Contract expires in the summer
• Free to talk to foreign clubs from January

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Alexander-Arnold's contract is set to expire at the end of the season and he has been continually linked with a blockbuster move to Real Madrid. The right-back can speak to foreign clubs from January, and will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement should he so wish.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Alexander-Arnold has long been a fixture in Liverpool's starting XI and has won every trophy there is to win. He has also racked up over 300 appearances for the club, and Wright and Keane have expressed their shock that Liverpool have put themselves into such a thorny position over his future.

• WHAT IAN WRIGHT AND ROY KEANE SAID

  Wright told ITV: "You can't see anything happening in January, for sure, especially the way Liverpool have started the season, but for me, what he's done for Liverpool up to this point… It's different when people talk about Steve McManaman and Michael Owen, yeah, they won League Cups and European Cups and the FA Cup but he's won the lot. He's won the Premier League, the Champions League, the World Club Cup, the FA Cup, the League Cup, he's won everything and he's done it at his hometown club. Liverpool and FSG have got themselves into a position where he's in his last year. It's crazy."

  Keane added: "He's in control of all of that. You'd like to think Liverpool are trying to get him on a contract. If not, then he'll certainly be leaving Liverpool, going abroad, and if Real Madrid's an option, that's a good option to have."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Alexander-Arnold's future is likely to remain under the microscope until a resolution is found. As it stands, there is no telling if he will spend pre-season before the 2025/26 season in Liverpool or Madrid.

Chelsea’s erratic reputation has only strengthened this week, following the exit of Mauricio Pochettino.

The Blues have gone through five managers since 2022, with the Argentine having by far the best win percentage at 51%.

European football was also secured after a rocky first half of the season, and it seemed that the former Tottenham Hotspur boss was finally discovering his best side and setup.

This makes the decision to mutually part ways even more confusing, but nonetheless, let’s take a look at who’s potentially being lined up as a replacement.

Chelsea want to replace Pochettino as soon as possible

According to reports, Chelsea are desperate to bring in a replacement for Pochettino quickly, rather than allowing their search for a new boss to enter the summer months.

talkSPORT revealed that the Blues have a few candidates on the list, including Roberto De Zerbi, who announced that he'd be leaving Brighton & Hove Albion last week.

Another name mentioned is Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, who’s been tremendous for the Magpies since his arrival.

While both managers would be great options for the role, it’s Howe who could prove to be more suited, and some could argue he’s even better than the Italian.

Howe vs De Zerbi 23/24 Premier League stats

Last season, Howe and De Zerbi both exceeded all expectations at their clubs, securing Champions League football and the Europa League, respectively.

Although this was a massive moment in the history of both clubs, especially the Seagulls, it did have a negative impact on their domestic performances.

Both the Magpies and Brighton finished in a lower position than they did last campaign, with the increased fixture list causing plenty of injury issues.

Despite that, the former Bournemouth coach did secure Newcastle a spot in Europe next season, unlike De Zerbi’s side, who struggled to cope with the added stress.

As you can see by the table above, the Magpies had a much better season than the Seagulls, from pretty much every perspective.

Even though the former Sassuolo boss’ style of play is extremely entertaining, football is a results-based game, and the statistics above really do speak for themselves.

Furthermore, De Zerbi’s complex approach – which has seen him tipped to succeed Pep Guardiola at Man City – may take the squad a much longer time to adapt to, and as we know, Chelsea don’t tend to give their managers time to fully install their philosophy and style of play.

On the other hand, Howe plays a very structured 4-3-3 where each player can focus on their individual role, which has clearly worked better this campaign.

Howe seems to be able to get the best out of every individual in his team, as shown by his role in Bournemouth’s success, taking them from League Two to the Premier League, which is why Pochettino labelled him “one of the best coaches in England.”

He’s also continued to work with the most elite players in the league, and he’s able to ensure that big-money signings perform, such as Alexander Isak and Antony Gordon, who have 21 and 11 goals each in the league this season.

Overall, Howe could be an underrated option for the Chelsea job, but as long as he is shown support and backing, he'll have a great chance of success, perhaps more so than De Zerbi.

Chelsea in talks with Poch replacement who could make Mudryk unstoppable

The manager target is also of interest to Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

By
Tom Lever

May 22, 2024

Manchester City have reportedly set sights on a rising Serie A star as a potential cover for Rodri who has suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

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• Rodri sidelined for the entire season
• Man City ramping up efforts to find a replacement
• Samuele Ricci of Torino on their shortlist

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday that the Spanish midfielder’s season was cut short after he went down unexpectedly in the first half, clutching his right knee after a non-contact incident. He has already undergone a successful knee surgery on Friday morning and now stares at a long road to recovery, which would see him sidelined for over eight months. This injury has forced City to consider their options for replacing Rodri, as they are fighting for silverware on multiple fronts.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to reports from , City are closely monitoring Torino’s rising star, Samuele Ricci, as a potential replacement. The Turin-based side are atop the Serie A standings and credit must be given to the 23-year-old Italian for being a standout performer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ricci's versatility including his ability to dictate the tempo of the game, break up opposition attacks, and distribute the ball effectively has made him one of the most promising young talents in Italy. He is valued at around £30 million ($40m) and City might be willing to shell out the fee as he can provide immediate cover and has the potential to emerge as a long-term solution in midfield.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Torino are enjoying a successful campaign and may be unwilling to part with one of their key players, especially if they continue to challenge for a Champions League spot. Ricci will be back in action when they take on Lazio on Sunday, whereas, Guardiola will lead his troops against Newcastle United at St.James' Park on Saturday.

Luis Suarez is being backed to extend his ‘Last Dance’ alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami

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• Striker has been nursing knee problems
• Fitness issues are not holding him back
• Expected to prolong career in Florida

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The experienced Uruguayan striker, who is now 37 years of age, stated that retirement could be an option for him when mulling over his options at Brazilian outfit Gremio. In the end, long-standing knee problems were put to one side as the enigmatic frontman reunited with former Barcelona team-mate Messi in Florida.

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  Suarez only signed a one-year contract with the ambitious MLS outfit, but there has been talk of him agreeing fresh terms after netting 17 league goals this season – and 21 in total – to put himself in another Golden Boot race. Close friend Messi has at least 12 months left to run on his deal in Miami.

• WHAT POYET SAID

  Quizzed on whether Suarez, who has retired from international duty, could prolong his career in the United States, fellow countryman Gus Poyet – speaking in association with – told GOAL: “With Luis, we know how much he enjoys his football, how much he needs his family, how much he needs to be surrounded by people he wants to be with. I remember when he was living in Brazil and people were talking about different reasons and blah, blah, blah. I didn’t talk to him, but I knew the reason was ‘Ok, I’m going to be with Lionel Messi again, the families are going to be together and we’re going to be playing together’. Simple. The rest – the knee, too many games, rubbish.

  “If both are enjoying it there and can stay for a few years, he will. At the moment he is playing as well. It’s not like the kind of situation where you have too much pain or you are hurting yourself and forcing your body. At the moment he is doing it naturally, so why not? It’s nice because they are taking American soccer to a different level. It’s everywhere the news, constantly, it doesn’t matter what happens. Before we didn’t get any. It’s going back to the times of David Beckham, when he went there.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Suarez spent six years alongside Messi at Barcelona, winning La Liga titles and the Champions League. Even a player of his stature appreciates that opportunities to work with an all-time great should not be passed up or cut short. Poyet added on the appeal of working with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi: “For any player it would be amazing, it would be a privilege, but when you are so close as a friend – wow. Sometimes we say in other parts of life, when you move to a city you have a best friend there, or when you go to study at uni and you go with your best friend. That kind of situation makes it easy for you. Playing football with your best friend, and the best in the world, what else could you want? I could see him playing a few more years.”

Chelsea travel away from Stamford Bridge as they prepare to take on relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this evening.

The Blues have three matches left to play in the Premier League, starting with this clash against Nuno Espirito Santo's side, as they aim to secure a place in a European competition for next season.

Mauricio Pochettino's men come into this match off the back of an emphatic 5-0 win over London rivals West Ham United last time out in the top-flight, which suggests that they should be full of confidence on their travels to Nottingham.

Despite the convincing scoreline, the Argentine boss could drop Mykhailo Mudryk after an underwhelming performance on the left flank, which led to GOAL reporter Mark Doyle awarding him a match rating of 5/10 and describing the winger as the 'weak link' in the team.

Pochettino must finally unleash Christopher Nkunku from the start in his place and pair him with Cole Palmer, who he could thrive alongside in the final third.

Cole Palmer's creative wizardry

The left-footed star has been a creative wizard in the Premier League this season and has the passing and crossing quality to create high-quality chances for the France international to find the back of the net.

He currently ranks within the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the division for assists per 90 (0.34), the top 7% for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.36), and the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90 (5.44).

As you can see in the table above, Palmer has provided a fantastic creative threat at the top end of the pitch for the Blues with 14 'big chances' created in 31 matches.

Why Christopher Nkunku should start

The French dynamo made his return from injury off the bench against West Ham last time out and should be unleashed from the start over Mudryk, as his form for RB Leipzig last term suggests that the potential is there for him to be a big player for Chelsea.

He has missed a staggering 39 games through hip, hamstring, and knee injuries for the club this season, which has severely hampered his start to life at Stamford Bridge.

Last season, Nkunku showcased his lethal nature in front of goal with an eye-catching 16 goals in 20 Bundesliga starts for Leipzig, from an xG of 14.59.

The versatile attacker also scored three goals from 1.62 xG across six starts in the Champions League for the German side, which shows that he was lethal domestically and in Europe as the 5 foot 10 marksman outperformed his xG in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.

Nkunku racked up 70 goals and 56 assists in 172 matches for Leipzig during his time in Germany but has only managed two goals in 11 games for the Blues so far, due to his disrupted campaign.

The French star, whose awareness of space was hailed as "exceptional" by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has not had many opportunities to impress in England and must finally be unleashed for the first time since the 4-2 loss to Wolves in February.

Palmer's outstanding creativity could provide him with the chances he needs to thrive against Forest today, due to his xAG and shot-creating actions per 90, and that is why Pochettino should start them alongside each other in attack.

England's Jack Grealish played down the drama between himself and Ireland fans after he was booed during the Nations League clash between the teams.

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• Grealish represented Ireland at youth level
• Was booed by fans as he scored for England
• Winger said there is 'no bad blood'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Grealish and his Three Lions co-star Declan Rice were targeted by the home team's fans throughout the match at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Both players represented Ireland at youth level, with Rice making three senior appearances, but ultimately switched to play for England instead.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Amid the boos, Rice went on to score the opening goal just 11 minutes into the clash before Grealish added a second 15 minutes later as England went on to record a 2-0 win in their first game under interim manager Lee Carsley.

• WHAT GREALISH SAID

  Grealish attempted to downplay the animosity with Ireland fans, telling after the game: "It was what me and Declan expected. We have nothing bad to say, we both enjoyed our time [playing for Ireland] – I certainly did and I have a lot of Irish in my family, so there's no bad blood whatsoever from my side."

  After missing out on a place in England's Euro 2024 squad, Grealish was delighted to have returned to international duty with a goal, adding: "Going to the fans at the end and hearing them sing my name, listen there's no better feeling than playing for England, everyone will say the same thing, especially in games like this when you know the whole nation is going to be watching.

  "Over the summer, it was one of the worst summers of my life because you can't not see everything that is happening in front of you. It was difficult but it's given me something to bounce back."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

  The Manchester City star will hope to impress once again when they meet Finland in their next game on September 10.