Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey charged with five counts of rape

Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal and Atletico Madrid midfielder, has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Monday. The alleged offences involve three women and reportedly occurred between 2021 and 2022. Two of the rape charges relate to one woman, three to a second woman, and the sexual assault charge concerns a third woman. An investigation was launched in February 2022 following an initial report. Partey, 32, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 5. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy said: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.” Anyone with information has been urged to contact detectives at CIT@met.police.uk. Jaswant Narwal of the Crown Prosecution Service reminded the public: “Criminal proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. Please avoid any commentary or posts that could affect the case.” Partey, a Ghana international, is currently without a club after leaving Arsenal this summer following 167 appearances. He joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid in 2020.

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Joao Pedro

Brighton reject £50 million offer for star forward Joao Pedro

Brighton have reportedly turned down a £50 million offer from Newcastle. The offer is for forward Joao Pedro. According to talkSPORT, This is not the first have turned down several offers in excess of £50 million for the 23-year-old, including one from Newcastle. Eddie Howe is understood to be pushing his club to beat the likes of Chelsea to Pedro’s signature as he seeks to build upon their qualification for next season’s Champions League. Joao Pedro is open to leaving Brighton this summer in pursuit of a new challenge, but the South Coast club are holding out for a fee of £70 million. Newcastle will likely return to Brighton with a new offer in the near future with Pedro seen as their priority target this summer.

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Calvert Lewis

Calvert-Lewin confirms departure from Everton

Dominic Calvert-Lewin announced on Sunday that he will leave Everton. His departure is on a free transfer after failing to agree a new contract with the Toffees.Calvert-Lewin, 28, said he was seeking a “new challenge” after a nine-year spell on Merseyside. The former Sheffield United striker was once the deputy to Harry Kane as England’s number nine, scoring four times in 11 appearances.But his last inclusion in an England squad was as part of the team that reached the final of Euro 2020. He leaves as Everton’s third-highest goalscorer in the Premier League with 71 goals in 273 appearances in all competitions.However, his career has been blighted by a number of lengthy spells on the sidelines due to injury. “After nine remarkable years at this club, I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision – together with my family – to begin a new chapter in my career,” Calvert-Lewin said in a message posted on Instagram.“The choice to move on was not simply about me – it was a decision my family and I spent a long time considering together. We believe it is the right moment to seek a new challenge and continue growing, but that doesn’t lessen the bond I’ll always have with Everton.” Manchester United, Newcastle and Chelsea are among the clubs to have previously been linked with a move for Calvert-Lewin.

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Freddie Woodman

Liverpool Sign Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on Free Transfer

Liverpool have signed goalkeeper Freddie Woodman from Preston North End on a free transfer. The 28-year-old will join the Reds after his contract with Preston ends this month. Woodman had a solid season, keeping 12 clean sheets in 37 Championship games. He will start training with Liverpool during pre-season. Woodman is expected to be the club’s third-choice keeper, replacing Caoimhin Kelleher, who joined Brentford in a deal worth up to £18 million.

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Van Nistelrooy

Van Nistelrooy Leaves Leicester After Relegation

Ruud van Nistelrooy has left Leicester City by mutual agreement after the club was relegated from the Premier League. The 48-year-old took over in November 2024, but couldn’t stop Leicester from dropping back to the Championship after one season. Leicester said the decision was made together and that Van Nistelrooy’s contract has ended immediately. “Ruud has overseen a challenging period for the club,” the statement read. It praised his professionalism and his role in promoting academy players to the first team. Van Nistelrooy replaced Steve Cooper and earned four points from his first two games. But things quickly turned bad. Leicester lost 15 of their next 16 matches, including nine straight home games without scoring. “I would like to personally thank the Leicester City players, coaches, academy and all the staff I have worked with for their professionalism and dedication during my time at the club,” Van Nistelrooy said. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker waited weeks to hold talks with the club’s board after relegation was confirmed. Leicester went down with Ipswich and Southampton. All three clubs had been promoted together the season before. Leicester will now start life back in the Championship against Sheffield Wednesday on August 10. The club could also face a points deduction after being charged with breaking financial rules.

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Johnny Evans

Evans retires and takes up new position at Man Utd

Jonny Evans has been appointed head of loans and pathways at Manchester United after retiring from football. The 37-year-old made 241 appearances for United, came through their academy, and won three Premier League titles. He also won the Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup, and two League Cups with the club. Now, as announced on the club website, Evans will take charge of a new role at United. In this role, he will help prepare young talent to perform in the first team. Evans opened up on his retirement, saying it has been an honour to perform at the highest level for many years and expressing his excitement about taking on a new challenge with the Red Devils. “I am looking forward to working with the next generation of talented players to support them to reach their potential. Having had experience of loans myself, I know the crucial role that they can play within a player’s development. I am excited to help further develop the pathway to our first team and continue the legacy of young players thriving at Manchester United.”

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Barcelona in Talks With Man United Over Rashford Loan Move

Barcelona are planning to open talks with Manchester United over a move for Marcus Rashford. Their interest came following the forward’s recent comments about wanting to play for the Spanish giants. According to The Sun, Barça are eyeing a loan-to-buy deal, while United would prefer a permanent transfer worth around £40 million. Rashford is said to be keen on the switch, even if it means accepting a big pay cut from his current £370,000-a-week wages. Talks between both clubs are expected to begin this week.

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Jamie Gittens

Chelsea agree deal to sign Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens

The 20-year-old England U21 international will return to the Blues. The team where he once played as a youth before joining Manchester City’s academy. Gittens moved to Dortmund in 2022 and has since made 107 appearances, scoring 17 goals. This move comes after Chelsea declined the chance to make Jadon Sancho’s loan permanent and amid the provisional suspension of Mykhailo Mudryk following a failed drugs test. Gittens becomes Chelsea’s fourth signing of the summer, joining Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and Mamadou Sarr. He’ll also be joined later in the summer by Brazilian teenage star Estevao Willian. Estevao will arrive after his Club World Cup campaign with Palmeiras. Both Chelsea and Dortmund are currently competing in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

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Kompany: Bayern Munich Will Have “Almost No Preparation” for Bundesliga

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has admitted that his side will begin the 2025-26 Bundesliga season with minimal preparation, due to their involvement in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Bayern’s next Club World Cup match, Kompany said:“For the next season, we will have almost no preparation. ”The tournament, hosted in the United States, runs until July 13, leaving little time for rest or traditional pre-season training. Despite that, Kompany acknowledged that the extended group time has some benefits — especially for new signings like Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof. “We’re building team cohesion… It’s perhaps faster for the integration of new players,” he explained. Still, the Belgian coach admitted Bayern will be straying far from best practices when it comes to physical preparation:“If you look at the scientific research around pre-season prep, we are throwing the book away and just starting the new season with all the pressure to win. ”Kompany compared the environment to that of international tournaments, such as the World Cup or European Championships, noting that unlike national teams, club sides can work on advanced tactics, not just fundamentals.“It’s got its advantages… We’re working on details.” Bayern have already advanced to the next stage of the Club World Cup after thrashing Auckland City 10-0 and beating Boca Juniors 2-1. They face Benfica in Charlotte on Tuesday, looking to seal top spot in Group C. While the Club World Cup offers billion in total prize money, Kompany remains cautious about its cost to domestic league preparation.

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Sure Straight Wins Today: Top Leagues to Bet on This Week

Every new week in football brings a fresh chance to make money. The top question on sport lovers tongue is, “Where are the safest bets right now?” That’s where Matchplug comes in. In this article, Matchplug highlights the best leagues and matches where you have the highest chances of winning. In this article, we will walk you through the top leagues to focus on this week if you’re chasing sure straight wins. Let’s break it down. Major League Soccer (MLS) MLS has become one of the most reliable leagues for betting due to the regularity of goals and team form patterns. Home advantage plays a strong role in this league, and teams like LAFC, Inter Miami, and Columbus Crew often dominate on home turf. Matchplug Insight:Matchplug tracks MLS very closely, often offering correct score tips, goal-based bets, and home wins. The unpredictability of mid-table teams is balanced by the consistency of the top sides, making it easier to spot value. Top 5 Teams in MLS 1.Inter Miami Since the arrival of Lionel Messi, Inter Miami has become one of the most feared teams in MLS. They score plenty of goals and dominate most games, especially at home. With Messi, Suarez, and Busquets on the pitch, this team brings quality and calm to every match. 2. Columbus Crew Columbus is one of the most balanced teams in MLS. They have a structured midfield and forwards who take their chances. They are not just good at home, but also fight well on the road. 3. LAFC Los Angeles FC is another side full of attacking threat. They have experienced players who know how to finish games and often dominate possession. LAFC also tends to do well in home games. 4. FC Cincinnati Cincinnati has quietly become one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They are well-organized, tough to beat, and grind out results. While not always flashy, they are reliable in many betting markets. 5. Real Salt Lake This team has been very competitive, especially at home. They play with energy and always put up a fight. Their record in goal-based bets is also reliable, especially for both teams to score. Best Picks This Week: Brazil Serie A Brazilian teams take their home advantage seriously. Clubs like Palmeiras, Flamengo, and Atlético Mineiro rarely lose on their own ground. This makes it a great league to find solid home win tips. Matchplug Insight:Matchplug pays close attention to injuries and match fitness in Brazil Serie A. Since it’s a long season with many matches close together, teams rotate often. This is where careful research helps separate strong bets from risky ones. Top 5 Teams in Brazil Serie A 1. Palmeiras Palmeiras is one of the most consistent teams in Brazil. Their home form is strong, and they rarely lose at Allianz Parque. They have a solid defense and a midfield that controls possession. Palmeiras is known for grinding out results and is a safe option for straight wins at home. 2. Flamengo Flamengo is one of the most talented attacking teams in the league. With players like Pedro and Everton Cebolinha, they always pose a threat going forward. They are strong both home and away and usually get involved in high-scoring matches. 3. Botafogo Botafogo has improved a lot over the last year. They have developed a solid defensive record and are hard to beat, especially at home. Their style is organized and efficient. 4. Atlético Mineiro This team has both experience and youth. They know how to control games and have a good balance between defense and attack. They are always dangerous, especially when facing mid-table or lower teams. 5. Bragantino Red Bull Bragantino has been a surprise package. They play fast football and score in most matches. While they are not always reliable defensively, they often cover goal-based bets. Best Picks This Week: International Friendlies and Tournaments As the club season wraps up, national teams are preparing for major tournaments like the Euros and Copa America. While friendlies can be unpredictable, matches involving strong nations with full squads offer good betting chances. Matchplug Insight:Matchplug checks team news before every international game. They focus on sides that field their strongest eleven and take friendlies seriously. Top 5 International Teams to Watch in Friendlies 1. England England is in top shape heading into the Euros. With a full squad featuring Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden, they are expected to dominate most friendlies. They also take their preparation seriously. 2. Argentina The reigning world champions do not play like they are satisfied. Argentina still puts out strong lineups, and their recent friendlies have shown sharpness in both attack and defense. Messi remains the leader and continues to inspire wins. 3. Germany Germany is preparing for the Euros and has a point to prove. With young players like Musiala and experienced leaders like Kroos and Neuer, they are taking every match seriously. They usually dominate friendlies at home. 4. Portugal Portugal has one of the most complete squads in international football. Even without Ronaldo on the pitch, they have Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and others who can break down any defense. 5. France France brings star quality into every match. Kylian Mbappe leads the attack, while their midfield and defense are stacked with elite players. Even in friendlies, France usually plays with intensity. Best Picks This Week: Tips for Using These Leagues to Win More Conclusion Finding sure straight wins doesn’t have to be a struggle. The key is to focus on leagues that reward consistency. This week, MLS, Brazil Serie A, and international matches are some of the best leagues to place bets on. If you want to win more often, stay updated with Matchplug’s daily football predictions.

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