European Leagues

KANE OF GOALS! England Striker Eyeing 100 International Goals

Harry Kane is aiming for 100 international goals as he tries to become the 10th male England player to score 100 caps against Finland on Tuesday.

After winning his 99th cap in a routine 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, Kane will lead England out at Wembley as they look to make it two Nations League wins from two against the Finns.

The 31-year-old’s tally currently stands at 66 since netting on his debut as a substitute against Lithuania in 2015, while he has been the country’s all-time leading goalscorer since overtaking Wayne Rooney’s previous record of 53 in March last year.

Despite England reaching the final of Euro 2024 during the summer, the Bayern Munich striker was criticised for his overall play as he failed to find the kind of form that saw him score 44 times in his debut season with the Bundesliga side.

Asked whether he would be following up his landmark appearance by targeting a century of goals for his country, he said: “Yeah. What is it, 34 goals (to go)?

“One hundred caps have come round so quick, especially the last few years playing three major tournaments in such a short space of time. In those years I’ve done around 15, 16, 17 caps a year whereas a normal year would be 10.

“The goals were similar. I felt I was on 30 goals and then I went to 50 and then 60. It is definitely there and definitely possible. I feel like I am in a good place and these are good targets to try to reach.

“Some people may see them as unrealistic but I would rather go for something unrealistic and not quite make it rather than be comfortable just saying I will be happy with 70 or 80 goals.”

Kane averaged almost a goal a game for Bayern last season, while his England record is slightly above one goal in two.

He acknowledged that the strike-rate of the world’s top goal-scorers has risen significantly in recent years, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at their peak regularly scoring more goals in LaLiga than the number of matches they had played.

That trend has since been observed in the Premier League, with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scoring 36 goals in 35 games during his debut season in England.

“It (one in two) probably was good back then but nowadays the bar has shifted a little bit,” said Kane. “When you see even my numbers last year and Haaland, Ronaldo, Messi, the standard is getting higher than that.

“One in two is not a bad record, don’t get me wrong, but maybe we have all set the standards and expect more from ourselves.

“My England record is a bit better than that and I hope to maintain that for as many caps as I have.”

Kane, who is set to be awarded a gold cap on the Wembley pitch ahead of kick-off against Finland, will become the first player to reach 100 appearances since Rooney achieved the feat in November 2014.

“To consistently play at a high level is really difficult,” he said. “That’s why I have so much respect for Ronaldo, Messi and these players.

“To be able to do it for 15 years or 20 years is some mindset and some achievement. For now, 100 caps, that’s part of the reason I am really proud.

“As an England number nine you come up against some good competition, some of the best strikers in England trying to take your place.”

Bundesliga

FIFA Club World Cup: Dortmund Set For Ulsan Challenge

Dortmund emerged from a tricky Matchday 2 encounter against the record South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns with three important points that put the Bundesliga side within sight of a place in the knockouts.

Level on four points atop the section with their opening Group F opponents Fluminense, Niko Kovač’s men know that victory against South Korea’s Ulsan would take them through, but improvements will be sought ahead of BVB’s next encounter at the TQL Stadium.

“There’s still a lot to improve on, both for me personally and for the team,” midfielder Jobe Bellingham – who scored his first goal for Die Schwarzgeleben in the 4-3 win against the Sundowns – said.

Bellingham was one of three changes Kovač made to his starting line-up following the scoreless draw against Fluminense and while further tweaks may be made for the Ulsan game, none of the long-term injured trio of Emre Can, Salih Özcan and Nico Schlotterbeck will be available to the coach.

“It was important that we won against Mamelodi Sundowns and that we now put in a good performance against the South Koreans; we want to win this group,” forward Maximilian Beier added.

Ulsan’s chances of progression were snuffed out after they followed an opening-day loss against the Sundowns with a 4-2 reverse against Fluminense. Despite that disappointment, the Tigers’ coach Kim Pan-gon insisted his side will be looking to bow out on a high against Dortmund.

“We have no hope to go to the round of 16, but for our supporters, our fans, we have to fight until the end of the tournament,” the 56-year-old said.

The two-time Asian Champions League winners will draw some confidence from the fact that they led Fluminense by 2-1 at half-time thanks to goals from Lee Jinhyun and Um Wonsang.

However, with just one win from their last six games in all competitions, causing an upset against their opponents from the Bundesliga in Ohio appears a tall order for the five-time K League champions.

Dortmund won the 1997 Intercontinental Cup – the Club World Cup’s direct predecessor – by beating Brazil’s Cruzeiro.

Kovač also lifted the Intercontinental Cup, after starting the 2001 final for Bayern (1-0 vs. Boca Juniors).
Like his brother Jude before him, Jobe Bellingham scored on his first competitive start for Dortmund.
Ulsan are the only Korean team at the Club World Cup.

The K-League side are seeking their first-ever win at a FIFA tournament, having lost their previous six games at this level.

US international Gio Reyna and American youngsters Cole Campbell and Mathis Albert are part of Dortmund’s squad.

Probable teams

Dortmund: Kobel – Süle, Anton, Bensebaini – Ryerson, Nmecha, Groß, Svensson – Bellingham, Brandt (c) – Guirassy
Out: Can (adductor), Özcan (knee), Schlotterbeck (knee)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Niko Kovač

Ulsan: Jo – Trojak, Seo, Kim (c), Ludwigson – Lee, Jung, Bojanić, Ko – Um, Farias
Out: –
Doubtful: –
Coach: Kim Pan-gon

Bundesliga.com

European Leagues

Galatasaray Issue Osimhen Ultimatum – Report

Galatasaray have issued an ultimatum to Victor Osimhen, as questions surrounding the player’s future continue to drag on.

According to reports from Fanatik, via TMW, Galatasaray have already reached an agreement with Napoli concerning the fee for the player but a lack of response from Osimhen is beginning to wear away at the Turkish giants’ patience.

The Nigerian striker spent the 2024-25 season on loan with the Super Lig outfit, scoring 26 times in 30 league games and helping Okan Buruk’s side lift the domestic title; the Istanbul side finishing 11 points clear of fierce rivals Fenerbahce.

Galatasaray vice-president impatient with Osimhen
Speaking about the deal, Galatasaray vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu expressed his unhappiness: “He’s making us wait but time is running out. We’ve offered him figures higher than those proposed in Europe.”

The reports suggest that the Turkish club have informed Osimhen’s entourage that if they are still interested in a deal, they must come to the negotiating table after the summer holidays – where a decision may finally be made on the player’s future.

Other than Galatasaray, rumours in recent weeks have touted a possible move to Juventus or to various Saudi Pro League sides.

Football-italia.net

Premier League

City Squad Set for Trim, Says Guardiola

England’s Football Association would consider appointing an interim manager to try and coax Pep Guardiola to become the England boss if

Pep Guardiola has predicted that Manchester City will actively trim their squad down before the start of the Premier League season.

City took 24 outfield players and three goalkeepers to the Club World Cup in America and face Al Ain in the second group game looking to secure qualification in the early hours of Monday morning.

Ilkay Gundogan is wanted by Galatasaray, while the injured Mateo Kovacic has had suitors. Jack Grealish, Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker are not part of the travelling party but are to be moved on.

Guardiola claimed earlier in the year that he will need a larger squad in future after being rocked by a steady stream of injuries through the last campaign.

But after making eight signings since January, he is also mindful that City cannot keep everybody happy if the size of the group remains the same.

Guardiola has typically operated with around 20 outfield players during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

Dailymail.co.uk