Daily Express

Tottenham Hotspur are set to face with Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, as manager Thomas Frank aims to steer his team back to winning ways. Spurs squandered an opportunity to climb to second in the Premier League on Sunday, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

This marks their second loss in the league since Frank took over from Ange Postecoglou earlier this summer. Villa's Morgan Rogers and Emiliano Buendia cancelled out Rodrigo Bentancur's early goal, leading to an unexpected defeat for Spurs. Their fluctuating performances at home remains a significant concern, despite commendable away form this season. They have managed only three victories in 18 Premier League matches at home, although Wednesday's game offers a brief respite as they head to the Stade Louis-II for the Monaco tie.

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In recent Spurs news, Troy Deeney has shared his thoughts on why the team is struggling at home, while Micah Richards and Gary Lineker have been discussing one tweak Frank could make to regain winning momentum. Additionally, the Lewis family have made a new appointment to the board.

£1billion problem called out

Deeney has pointed out that Spurs' state-of-the-art stadium, which cost over £1billion to construct, might be one of the factors contributing to the team's lacklustre performance in north London. So far this season, Spurs have celebrated just one home victory, which was against Burnley on the opening weekend.

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Since then, they have suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth, were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves and, most recently, fell to a 2-1 loss against Villa, all on home soil. Deeney said: "Last year, obviously, they were concentrating on Europe, which was the excuse, but what happens is that it starts to bleed into this year.

"Now, you've got to try to stem the tide and try to make it a fortress. The problem is, it's such a nice ground that everyone enjoys going there, so when you have those moments to put the ball in the box and make it nervous, they've got to do that and they've got to kill teams."

When questioned about Spurs' recent home struggles, Frank told the club's official website: "I think it's about looking into the performances. I think we performed well against Burnley, I think we performed well again today. I think we had one very good first half against Wolves and then we had a bad game against Bournemouth."

Regarding the home fans' influence, the Dane continued: "I think the fans were good. I think they helped what they could and I think we, in moments, looked exciting and in moments we could have done a little bit better."

Frank told he's getting it wrong with Tel

Leicester legend Lineker and ex-Manchester City defender Richards have suggested that Frank is misusing Mathys Tel by deploying the Frenchman as a striker. The 20-year-old joined on a permanent transfer from Bayern Munich during the summer window. This came after a loan stint under Postecoglou last season.

Despite ending his wait for a Premier League strike for Spurs away at Leeds, Tel endured a difficult afternoon against Villa. Lineker and Richards believe they understand the reason, suggesting he feels more at home operating from wide positions.

Lineker said on the Stick to Football podcast: "Thought Tel struggled a little to make an impact, and a lot of the times because, obviously, I look at this side of football, when they played a really high line like Villa did today with not necessarily that much pressure on the ball.

"I've said before, I don't mind when players get offside, but he was going so early. He wasn't just offside – he was like five yards offside most of the time. He needs a little bit of work.

"I preferred him perhaps on the left-hand side when I'm seeing him play there. But he wasn't making the natural runs of a striker that understands how to beat an offside trap, which is not that difficult when a team plays such a high line with no pressure on the ball."

Tel has previously declared he operates "somewhere between a number nine and a left winger." Richards, meanwhile, agreed with Lineker.

"Exactly that. I echo your thoughts as well. I like him better off the left," he said. "But in terms of what Thomas Frank was trying to do, there's a clip or an image of him when they got the goal – he was so happy with the way they pressed.

"He wants pace, he wants mobility, and in terms of Tel, he's done alright in recent weeks, but I don't think he's a natural number nine. He doesn't look like it yet, but he's very young and can learn."

Tottenham confirm appointment

Spurs have announced Dan Lewindon's arrival as the club's new performance director. Sporting director Johan Lange released a statement reading: "We are delighted that Dan will be joining us as performance director.

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"He was the standout candidate and brings a wealth of experience across a wide range of team and individual sports, working in high-performance environments with elite athletes.

"Dan also has a strong academic background and his expertise will be hugely beneficial to us as we drive this area of the club with innovative thinking. We look forward to Dan starting."

Lewindon will reportedly oversee the medical, sports science, nutrition and psychology departments across all squads at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He had been employed with the City Football Group since 2022.

Previously he served as lead physio at Northampton Saints rugby club before advancing to senior physio. He has also been involved with the Lawn Tennis Association.

Tottenham threw away a first-half lead against Aston Villa, as the Champions League-hopefuls suffered their second home defeat of the season. It's the first time under the stewardship of Thomas Frank that Spurs have lost from a winning position, with the north Londoners struggling at times throughout the second half.

The match got off to the perfect start for Spurs, with the hosts taking the lead after just five minutes through Rodrigo Bentancur, who had been picked out in the box by a clever Joao Palhinha knockdown. An offside flag denied Tottenham a second moments later, but against the run of play, it was Villa who found the game's second goal. Having fielded criticisms about his club vs international form, Morgan Rogers put a long-overdue smile on the face of the Villa faithful with a thumping strike from range to level things up at 1-1.

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Despite the promise of the opening minutes, the game began to drift away from Spurs in the second half and by the time the Villa second arrived, there could be few complaints by the Europa League winners. A stand-offish backline allowed space for Lucas Digne, who picked out Emi Buendía in the penalty area, with the substitute doing the rest. Express Sport hand out player ratings following the Sunday afternoon clash.

Guglielmo Vicario - 6

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Didn't have much to do throughout the match and certainly wasn't to blame for the Rogers goal that cannoned into the top corner. Possibly unsighted for the second Villa goal, but again, couldn't do an awful lot about it.

Pedro Porro - 5

Known for his offensive output, but it just wasn't there on a day when Spurs needed it desperately. A bad day at the office for the ex-Sporting CP ace.

Kevin Danso - 6

Came in late after Christian Romero picked up an injury in the warm-up and held his own for most of the contest. There were moments of shakiness but overall it was a solid outing, especially given the circumstances surrounding his inclusion in the team.

Micky van de Ven - 6

Possibly could've closed down the Villa attacker sooner in the build-up to the winning goal, but was generally solid throughout the match.

Djed Spence - 5

All over the place for the Buendia goal, which wasn't helped by the lack of cover from the left winger just ahead of him. Even still, the English international looked a little jaded and had a difficult afternoon on the left-hand side of Spurs' defence.

Joao Palhinha - 7

Bossed the first half and was rightly rewarded with a clever header in the build-up to Spurs' opening goal. Saw much less of the ball in the second half, but the midfielder was just as impressive with his work going the opposite way.

Rodrigo Bentancur - 6

Took his goal spectacularly well and was among the best players on the pitch in the first half. Unlike his midfield partner, the Uruguayan ghosted at times in the second half and struggled to keep up with the pace of Villa's midfield, who managed the game much better.

Xavi Simons - 4

Bitterly disappointing performance from a player who should be delivering much more. Failed to influence the match and probably could've been taken off earlier than he was. It's still very early days for the Dutchman, but for the money Spurs spent, they'll be expecting much more in the future.

Mohammed Kudus - 8

Dazzled at times for the home side and continues to prove himself as one of the signings of the season. Put the cross in that eventually led to the Bentancur goal, and was a marginal offside away from getting his own name on the scoresheet.

Mathys Tel - 5

Far too easy to defend against and wasn't alive to the half-chances that popped up on occasion inside the penalty area. Ought to have thrown his body at a cross before the break, but the youngster was caught on his heels and could only watch as the ball flashed by. Hooked on the hour mark.

Wilson Odobert - 5

Plenty of trickery but not much to show for it. Caught ball watching at times too, with Villa right-back Matty Cash enjoying plenty of space on the right-hand side.

Substitutes:

Richarlison - 6

Brought on to inject some life into the Spurs attack, but was just another Tottenham attacker that didn't do much during his time on the pitch.

Lucas Bergvall - 6

Certainly did his best to liven things up after coming off the bench, with the teenager's energy a welcome addition.

Randal Kolo Muani - 5

Had one chance and fluffed his lines. Granted, it wasn't exactly a sitter, but a player of his quality ought to be making a connection with a dropping ball inside the penalty area. Instead, the Frenchman swung and miss - much to the frustration of the Spurs faithful.

Brennan Johnson - N/A

Pape Matar Sarr - N/A

Pedro Porro is relishing his time at Tottenham - so much so, he can't see himself departing N17 anytime soon. The attacking right-back's outstanding displays at club level have secured his place in Spain's starting XI ahead of next summer's World Cup. Porro, who has previously attracted interest from Real Madrid, has discovered his home at Spurs following last season's memorable Europa League success.

He said ahead of today's Premier League encounter with Aston Villa: "The truth is, I'm very happy and very settled at Tottenham." Thomas Frank has also proved instrumental in the defender's satisfaction. Following 11 fixtures across all competitions, Spurs have suffered just a single defeat.

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Porro insists Frank is "doing a magnificent job." The Spaniard added: "The start of the season has been very good. It's a shame that we lost the Super Cup final on penalties against PSG.

"After going 2-0 up, you have to win that title, but for me, they're one of the best clubs in the world. If you're not focused for the full 90 minutes, that's what can happen."

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The battle for positions at Tottenham has grown exceptionally intense, particularly at full-back where Djed Spence has fought his way into England contention.

Porro's philosophy is to claim every winger's "soul".

He thrives on the challenge of influencing matches both defensively and in attack, stating: "Nowadays, you have to be important in both roles.

"Several years ago I was very involved defensively, trying to be a little bit more involved and to see what I could do because then in attack, I have that self-confidence that's also required from a full-back.

"In defence, you have to be consistent, and in attack, you also have that support for your teammates when they need it."

Tottenham are ready to ‘rip up’ their self-imposed transfer rules around player wages, according to reports. It follows changes in the leadership structure of the club.

The exit of chairman Daniel Levy has been followed with the appointment of Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange who have both been named as sporting directors. The new structure is designed to strengthen leadership, collaboration and decision-making in all areas of the men’s and boy’s game.

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In a club statement, Spurs said: “Together, they will lead our men’s football strategy and drive an ambitious new chapter for the Club. This evolution forms part of the Club’s continued investment in world-class men’s and women’s football structures designed to deliver sustained on pitch success.

“Johan and Fabio’s combined expertise will ensure that every decision, from player pathways and performance development to scouting and recruitment, is aligned and supports one overarching goal – to build a winning, world-class men’s team that endures.”

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According to the Telegraph, there have been hints that the club could change their infamous strict wage bill policy. It is, however, said that the club are still focusing on how they spend their money and not how much the club spend out on transfers.

Spurs’ wage structure is historically conservative and lower than their rivals competing towards the top of the table. Levy’s exit from the club could, though, now signal a change.

It comes after Tottenham confirmed that the Lewis family has invested a further £100 million into the club. A source close to the Lewis family told football.london: "This is initial additional funding.

“As the club's management decides what's needed to deliver success, more money will be available. The Lewis family is committed to backing the club to be successful."

The summer transfer window has just gone, saw Thomas Frank spend £125 million on incomings. The Spurs boss gave a positive reaction to the cash injection.

"First and foremost, I think it's hugely positive that the Lewis family is clearly showing their interest in doing everything they can to improve the club and back the club as they want us to be as successful as possible,” he said. “I think that's a sign of it, that they are injecting cash into the club."

Tottenham Hotspur's previous coaching staff wee reportedly concerned about the performances of goalkeeper Antonin Kinksy in training. The 22-year-old has only made one appearance this season, in the Carabao Cup, as he sits behind Guglielmo Vicario in the pecking order.

Last season, under Ange Postecoglou, Kinksy was given an extended period in the starting eleven swiftly after joining the club in January after the Italian goalkeeper suffered a long-term ankle injury. His impressive performances, including his debut in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg victory over Liverpool, were notable.

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However, BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel has reported a decline in the youngster's displays, including during training sessions. As he is seven years younger than Vicario, Kinksy is seen as a future prospect for the north London club. Vicario, despite a mostly positive start under Thomas Frank, has faced criticism this season, with doubts raised about his ability to command his area.

The goalkeeper was blamed for the goal against Leeds United, even though Spurs managed to secure a victory and move into third place. This has sparked rumours of potential movement in the January transfer window for an alternative option in goal.

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Mokbel, in a Q&A on the BBC Sport website, has dismissed talk of a move for a new 'keeper in the upcoming January transfer window. However, while debunking reports of new goalkeepers joining at the start of the year, he revealed concerning sign regarding Kinsky's progress following a recent dip in the 22-year-old's performance levels.

"I don't believe a new goalkeeper will be a priority for Tottenham anytime soon," he stated. "With regards to Kinsky – he made a very promising start to life at Spurs when he arrived in January. He played regularly under then manager Ange Postecoglou because Vicario was a long-term injury absentee.

"But I've been told that his performances dropped off, even in training, once Vicario moved closer to fitness. That certainly raised an alarm for the previous coaching team." It certainly looks as though Frank has not seen that problem as of yet judging by his verdict when confirming Kinsky would start the Carabao Cup win over Doncaster Rovers.

"I’m very happy with him as a goalkeeper," he said. "I think he’s a very good goalkeeper, and I think he’s got very good potential. For any player that is not starting, they’re not happy. Some probably understand it a bit more, or outfielder sometimes. If you’re young, you try to get your way into it, but at a certain stage, you always want to play. The same with the goalkeeper. “

Wrexham have decisively ruled out the prospect of signing a free agent, despite previous links to ex-Tottenham star Dele Alli. Like all Championship teams, the Red Dragons had to submit a squad list to the EFL in September, which included players aged 21 or over.

Manager Phil Parkinson only utilised 24 of the 25 available slots, potentially leaving space for an unattached player. Wrexham, owned by Hollywood heavyweights Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, were subsequently linked with a move for former England international Dele after his contract with Serie A side Como was terminated. The 29-year-old only managed one appearance for the club, led by Cesc Fabregas, after joining them on an 18-month deal in January.

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Dele was looking to rejuvenate his career after battling injuries and mental health issues. His debut in March ended disastrously, however, when he was sent off just 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute during a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan.

Wrexham were tipped to offer a lifeline to a player once considered one of the Premier League's top talents. However, it has now been officially confirmed that the final squad place has been awarded to midfielder Ollie Rathbone.

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The Manchester United academy graduate was the club's player of the season last term as they secured promotion from League One and recently returned to training after being sidelined with an ankle injury. Parkinson has hinted that he could feature in Wrexham's away match against Stoke City on Saturday, following a boost in his fitness during the international break.

"He's had a great 10 days so he's had a nice block of training now," Parkinson told The Leader. "We had a game arranged and the team we were due to be playing pulled out a couple of days before, which was frustrating, but we were able to have an in-house game last Wednesday.

"Then we've had further 11-v-11s this week as well just to prepare everybody for what is an important period coming up when we start again at Stoke."

Currently, Wrexham sit 18th in the table going into the match after securing 10 points from their initial nine games in the second tier, while Stoke are fifth following a strong start for Mark Robins' squad. Rathbone has been a pivotal player for the Red Dragons since making the switch from Rotherham in August 2024, having risen through the United youth ranks alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford.

In other news, Dele remains clubless and was recently seen training in Bali as he searches for a new team. The midfielder previously set his sights on playing at next year's World Cup with England, but the likelihood of that happening now seems incredibly slim.

Wrexham have been given an additional lift ahead of their match against Stoke, with the return from injury of summer signing Liberato Cacace. The left wing-back was snapped up from Italian club Empoli in July in a deal believed to be worth an initial £2.16million, potentially rising to as much as £4m with add-ons.

The New Zealand international has only managed two league appearances so far due to hamstring problems, but is now fit for selection.

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the return of Fabio Paratici. The club have confirmed Paratici as their new co-sporting director, who will work alongside Johan Lange.

Paratici enjoyed a two-year spell at Tottenham before resigning in April 2023. His resignation came after he lost an appeal in Italy against his 30-month ban from the game.

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"We are delighted to announce the return of Fabio Paratici to the club as sporting director," a statement from Tottenham read. "Fabio will partner with Johan Lange, who was promoted to also become sporting director.

"This is part of a new structure for our men’s football operation, designed to strengthen leadership, collaboration and long-term decision-making across all areas of the men’s and boys’ game.

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"Together, they will lead our men’s football strategy and drive an ambitious new chapter for the club. This evolution forms part of the club’s continued investment in world-class men’s and women’s football structures designed to deliver sustained on-pitch success.

"Johan and Fabio’s combined expertise will ensure that every decision, from player pathways and performance development to scouting and recruitment, is aligned and supports one overarching goal – to build a winning, world-class men’s team that endures.

"This partnership reflects a progressive approach to modern football operations - uniting two proven leaders with complementary experience, and a commitment to collaboration and innovation."

Paratici said: "I’m delighted to be returning to a club that I love. I have been working with Johan, Vinai and Thomas as a consultant for a number of months and I now look forward to returning to London and joining the team full-time.

While Lange, who joined Tottenham in November 2023 following stints at Aston Villa and FC Copenhagen, said: "I firmly believe we are building something special here at Tottenham Hotspur, and I am looking forward to working with Fabio as part of our new men’s football structure.

"We have a talented group of staff and players here at the club and we can look forward with confidence and positivity."

Vinai Venkatesham, who was named as the club's new chief executive officer in April 2025, said: "This is an important evolution in how we operate. The remit of a sporting director today is vast, and by uniting two exceptional leaders in Johan and Fabio, we’re setting the foundations for sustained success.

"They are both outstanding football minds, with complementary expertise and strong track records. This structure reflects our ambition and our determination to compete at the very highest level to deliver for our supporters.

"Together, Fabio and Johan will lead with purpose - building not only a competitive men’s squad, but a connected football ecosystem where every detail contributes to our shared ambition: to make our club a benchmark for excellence in world football."

Tottenham Hotspur have forked out on a private charter flight to bring Cristian Romero from international duty with Argentina back to London, to avoid another club vs country debacle. On Sunday, Tottenham host Aston Villa in their first Premier League clash after the international break.

Last season, the north Londoners found themselves at odds with the World Cup winners and Romero. After Argentina were beaten by Colombia in a World Cup qualifier in September last year, Tottenham chose not to fly Romero back on a charter flight. When Spurs lost to Arsenal, the defender insinuated the lack of a charter flight gave the Gunners the advantage, as their rival Brazilian stars got back to north London earlier as a result of a charter flight. Despite Tottenham insisting it would not have made a difference, they have opted to pay for a charter flight for Romero, which will bring him back after Argentina's friendly with Puerto Rico in Miami.

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The Telegraph claim Spurs have dipped into their coffers to ensure Romero can get back with plenty of time before Sunday's clash against Villa. Usually, national teams are the ones responsible for scheduling flights, but English clubs often split the cost of a private charter when their journey back is especially long, as will be the case for Romero.

Last year, they chose not to pay for a charter flight, which resulted in Romero hitting out at their travel plans on social media. He reposted a social media post which said the Gunners had an advantage as their Brazilian stars Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were able to get back to the capital earlier than Romero.

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Tottenham disputed this comment, stating that Thursday is always a day off for the players, while Arsenal often train on that day. However, as they did last September, the club spent the extra money on a flight for their skipper.

Romero's international team-mate Emiliano Martinez will also be in goal for Aston Villa this Sunday. Tottenham paying for the flight will ensure there is no potential advantage for the Villans, who will have the shot-stopper between the sticks for them.

It also ensures Romero, who signed a new deal in the summer to become the club's highest earner, will be kept happy. At present, he has little to be upset about at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Under Thomas Frank, Spurs have started brilliantly with four wins, two draws and a loss in their opening seven Premier League matches. They are only two points behind first-placed Arsenal and one off reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.

Romero provided the defensive fortifications in Spurs' 3-0 away victory over West Ham United, which took place on the first weekend back after the last international break.

The club had forked out on a charter flight for that match also, with Romero and his international colleagues hosting Venezuela in the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires earlier that week.

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma was carried off the pitch with a distressing injury just moments into his first game of the season on Sunday night. The 29-year-old had missed the start of the campaign due to a knee injury but had managed to regain fitness in time to be called up by Mali for this international break, joining them for their second World Cup qualifying match of the fortnight against Madagascar.

Bissouma joined the action at the Stade Modibo Keita in the 66th minute in what would eventually result in a 4-1 victory for Mali. He intercepted a stray pass from a Madagascar corner, only to be tackled by an opposition player as he attempted to dribble away with the ball, leaving him writhing in pain on the pitch.

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The Tottenham midfielder was clearly in severe pain and looked distressed, clutching his left ankle and pounding the turf repeatedly with his other hand as the medical staff rushed over.

Bissouma pulled his shirt up over his head as his team-mates tried to comfort him. He was unable to leave the pitch unaided and needed a stretcher to carry him off.

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The playmaker's knee injury had dashed any hopes of a move away from N17 this summer. The former Brighton man's contract at the north London club is now nearing its final nine months and Spurs were considering letting him go.

A transfer to Turkey and other Premier League clubs had been suggested, but Bissouma received no opportunities.

He had been excluded from the UEFA Super Cup squad at the start of the season by his new head coach Thomas Frank due to persistent lateness and then from his Champions League squad for the league phase of the competition.

Last month, after the transfer window closed, the Spurs boss stated: "There are no hard feelings at all. Not before, not now, not at all. Train well and everyone has an opportunity.

"He has just started to run outside, so he is not part of the group but everything I've seen when I've said hello to him and every day with the players, he seems good."

Now, Bissouma appears to be dealing with another injury. If it is indeed an ankle problem as suggested by the footage, the Mali international has had a similar issue in the past.

He missed a significant part of his first season at the club due to a stress fracture in his left ankle which required surgery.

The Liverpool team may have been feeling a tad downcast as they headed into the October international break. After a forgettable week leading up to the latest window, the Reds suffered three consecutive losses against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea. Both domestic defeats were the result of last-minute winners, a tough blow for Arne Slot's team as the current Premier League champions relinquished their top spot in the table to Arsenal.

However, it appears that a change could be just what most of Slot's squad needed, with an impressive 15 of his senior players called up for international duty. They all seem to be in high spirits too, judging by the various photos and videos shared by their respective national teams, as the Liverpool contingent aims to recover from their club-level difficulties.

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Florian Wirtz is putting in extra hours training with Germany as he seeks to kickstart his career with the Reds, while Andy Robertson has shrugged off injury worries after sustaining a knock against Chelsea to participate in full training with Scotland.

The first day of fixtures took place on Wednesday, with Mohamed Salah having a day to remember. And with several of his Liverpool team-mates also set to play over the next few days,Express Sport takes a look at how Liverpool's internationals are getting on during the break...

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Frimpong tells 'sore loser' Spurs star to 'have respect'

Whilst Jeremie Frimpong may not have enjoyed the most promising beginning to his Liverpool career on the field, his influence away from it cannot be questioned. The Netherlands star is undoubtedly a vibrant personality, and he has lost no time in bonding with his fresh teammates.

Unsurprisingly, he remains a beloved figure within the Dutch squad as well. And he couldn't help but deliver a playful jibe at Tottenham Hotspur's Xavi Simons' expense during the Netherlands' recent training session.

In footage shared on social media by the Dutch national team, Frimpong can be observed participating in a keepy-uppy rondo alongside several team-mates, including Simons and fellow Liverpool ace Cody Gakpo.

Frimpong needed to stay sharp to maintain possession following a volleyed delivery from Simons, colliding with the filming cameraman in the process, with the rondo subsequently ending when possession eventually returned to the Spurs midfielder.

Simons complained before the rondo resumed, but after failing once more, the exasperated midfielder took the ball and launched it skywards.

"See, this is what losers do, bro!" Frimpong then quipped to the cameras. "Sore loser, bro. Why did he kick the ball away?" Addressing Simons directly, he then declared: "Hey, have respect, have respect bro!"

Both Frimpong and Simons will be candidates to feature on the right flank for the Netherlands when they face Malta in their upcoming World Cup qualifier on Thursday evening, before welcoming Finland on Sunday.

Ekitike creates a stir to impress two-time World Cup winner

Hugo Ekitike has made a brilliant start to his Liverpool journey, netting five times in his opening 10 appearances, and will be eager to carry such momentum into the international period with France.

The forward earned his maiden cap and second appearance for his nation - both coming off the bench - during the previous break, but might be set for a first start this time round.

The 23-year-old has been given the number nine jersey, and with Kylian Mbappe facing fitness concerns, plus several of France's regular attacking choices missing the squad due to their own injuries, Ekitike stands as at least a candidate for a more significant role on this occasion.

He has certainly boosted his chances during training sessions too, as he continues to catch the eye of boss Didier Deschamps - with the Frenchman amongst just three individuals to have claimed the World Cup as both player and coach.

The France national team shared footage of a finishing drill on their social media platforms, with Ekitike spotted finding the net with efforts from both his right and left foot.

And his clinical display drew admiration from Deschamps, as the two-time World Cup champion could be heard declaring: "Oh yes, that's what happens when you're two-footed!"

France welcome Azerbaijan in their next World Cup qualifier on Friday before making the trip to Iceland on Monday.

Konate moves closer to fitness comeback Despite suffering a quad injury during Liverpool's loss to Chelsea, Ibrahima Konate remains with the French squad, suggesting the issue is minor.

The centre-back has been spotted training, although he has also been seen working individually alongside Mbappe as France cautiously manage the pair.

L'Equipe reports that both players trained "without any apparent discomfort at the start of the session" during France's latest Wednesday session, before proceeding with their individual training.

While it's uncertain whether Konate will be fit to play against Azerbaijan on Friday, Liverpool can take comfort in the fact that his injury sustained at Stamford Bridge was not severe.

Salah breaks records and ends social media 'silence'

During Liverpool's Premier League title charge last season, a post-match selfie from Mohamed Salah was a common sight. Fans certainly enjoyed these small glimpses into the celebrations of the soon-to-be champions after each victory, with Salah often pictured alongside his fellow goal scorers.

However, this trend hasn't continued into the current season, with Salah's performances not quite reaching the lofty heights of last year. As a result, his performances have come under scrutiny.

Liverpool's star forward has been quiet since their 3-2 triumph over Atletico Madrid three weeks ago. With the Reds suffering three consecutive losses, his last social media post was following Slot's team's Merseyside derby victory against Everton.

However, that 'silence' was broken when Salah made history, helping Egypt secure their spot in the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday evening.

The striker netted twice in a 3-0 win against Djibouti, first with a clever finish in a one-on-one situation in the first half, and then by lobbing the goalkeeper with a first-time volley late in the second half after being played in behind the defence.

These goals propelled Salah to become Africa's all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualification, with his tally now at 20, moving him two ahead of Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and Islam Slimani.

The 33-year-old is now poised to participate in his second World Cup, having also scored the goal that secured Egypt's place in the 2018 finals in Russia.

Despite Sergio Ramos hindering his performance in that year's tournament, Salah will be aiming to overcome those past setbacks as Egypt gear up for what will be only their fourth-ever appearance at the World Cup.

Understandably, the Pharaohs were ecstatic after the final whistle. Salah even ended his social media 'silence', sharing a picture of the squad celebrating in the dressing room, accompanied by a heart emoji.

Bradley vs Wirtz round II

Conor Bradley is set to face off against his Liverpool colleague Florian Wirtz in Northern Ireland's second match of the October international break, when they welcome Germany on Monday.

In the previous encounter between the two nations, Wirtz emerged victorious, netting a spectacular free-kick as Germany claimed a 3-1 victory.

Before their clash with Germany, Northern Ireland will first play host to Slovakia on Friday. However, after witnessing their upcoming opponents defeat the Germans in World Cup qualification, the Liverpool player isn't taking anything lightly.

"Windsor Park will probably be at its best over the two games so we have to manage the expectations of that," he stated ahead of the double-header. "I've a lot of faith in the team. We have a really good group of players.

"We feel more prepared than we did for the last Euros campaign. We've a bit more experience now and hopefully that will help us.

"I was surprised they (Slovakia) beat Germany, I think everyone was. Germany are a top team and not many sides have beaten them in the last few years.

"Slovakia are a very good team with good players, but we have some good players too, so we're looking forward to it."