The fall-out from Manchester City’s shock defeat to Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup has continued with question marks over what this might mean for their Premier League prospects next season.
Meanwhile, attention will turn to the Euro 2025 as it kicks off in Switzerland, although neither England nor Wales will be in action before Saturday.
‘I don’t know’ if City are contenders – Pep
Pep Guardiola admitted he did not know if Manchester City can be contenders next year after their Club World Cup exit
Pep Guardiola admitted he did not know if Manchester City can be contenders next year after their Club World Cup exit(Adam Davy/PA)
Pep Guardiola claimed it was “too early to say” if Manchester City can be back in title contention next season after he watched them crash out of the Club World Cup with a shock defeat to Al-Hilal in the last 16.
City dominated in the group stages but it all fell apart with some familiar defensive failings in the 4-3 extra-time defeat that sent them home.
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“I don’t know,” said City manager Guardiola afterwards when asked if his team had convinced him they could challenge next term.
“It’s too early to say but I saw many, many good things that I didn’t see in the past, especially from where we were.”
New boys reinforce for survival fight
Welcome to Sunderland AFC, Habib Diarra! ❤️🇸🇳
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) July 1, 2025
Promoted sides Sunderland and Leeds have been busy in the transfer market as they try to construct squads capable of surviving in the Premier League.
Sunderland have paid a club record fee, reportedly £30million, to bring in 21-year-old Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra – who scored against England last month – from Strasbourg.
Leeds, meanwhile, have made their second signing from Wolfsburg in the space of a fortnight, with defender Sebastiaan Bornauw following Lukas Nmecha in making the switch. Bornauw is Leeds’ third signing of the summer, with Jaka Bijol the other new face.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from London rivals Chelsea, seven years after the Blues paid £71m to bring him in from Athletic Bilbao.
Holland feared for Euros hopes after injury
Ceri Holland has recovered from injury to take her place in the Wales squad
Ceri Holland has recovered from injury to take her place in the Wales squad(Nick Potts/PA)
On the eve of Euro 2025, Wales vice-captain Ceri Holland has revealed how she thought her tournament hopes had ended when she was carried off on a stretcher during their Nations League clash against Denmark in April.
The Liverpool winger, 27, was in tears after suffering the injury that saw her leave the stadium in a protective boot but has recovered in time to be part of the squad that has travelled to Switzerland.
“I was very, very lucky. I probably felt the worst,” said Holland. “With the Euros around the corner that’s what was on everyone’s minds. Those next 24 hours after the injury were tough, mentally they were very tough.”
Holland has scored seven goals in 43 appearances from her wide berth and her Wales development at international level has been replicated on the club stage in the Women’s Super League.
Alexander-Arnold makes Real impact
💭 Still thinking about that @TrentAA assist… 💭 pic.twitter.com/JjBNSqmG8H
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 1, 2025
Trent Alexander-Arnold registered his first assist for Real Madrid as he set up Gonzalo Garcia’s decisive goal in their 1-0 Club World Cup win over Juventus.
Garcia headed home his third goal of the tournament after 54 minutes to send Madrid into the quarter-finals.
Kylian Mbappe was kept in reserve for Real, despite the France forward having recovered from illness to take his place in the matchday squad for the first time at the Club World Cup, but came off the bench in the final 15 minutes.
What’s on tomorrow?
Euro 2025 gets under way in Switzerland with the opening Group A fixtures. First up Iceland play Finland before the hosts take on Norway in the second game.
National League side Morecambe appear set to enter administration on Wednesday after talks to end an impasse over a takeover deal failed to find a resolution.