Sunday Rumour Mill: Richarlison’s Fury and Arsenal’s Lucky Escape
The Sunday papers are packed with grievance, relief and a little bit of history across football and beyond.
Richarlison turns fire on Spurs
At Tottenham, Richarlison has not taken the collapse of his proposed move to Vasco da Gama quietly. According to the Sunday Mirror, the Brazilian forward has aimed criticism at Spurs after the deal fell apart, with frustration boiling over as he remains in North London rather than returning to his boyhood club.
Petit: Arsenal dodged a Vinicius Jr bullet
Arsenal’s past and present collide in a different way. Emmanuel Petit, a Premier League and title winner with the Gunners, has claimed his old club actually enjoyed a “lucky escape” by missing out on Vinicius Jr this summer, as reported by the Sunday Mirror. In a market obsessed with star names, Petit’s view cuts against the grain.
Maresca on City’s “crazy” spending climate
Over at Manchester City, Enzo Maresca has defended the champions’ heavy outlay. The Sunday Express quotes the City boss insisting the club had “no choice” but to spend big in what he branded a “crazy” transfer market, with fees and wages spiralling as rivals scramble to keep pace.
Sesko thriving under Carrick’s “vibes”
Benjamin Sesko, meanwhile, sounds like a man enjoying his football again. The Sunday Mirror reports the Manchester United striker is “loving life” at Old Trafford and feeling the positive “vibes” under Michael Carrick, as the new manager tries to reshape the mood and identity of the club.
Alonso blasts “soft” Chelsea
At Chelsea, Xabi Alonso’s patience snapped. As per the Sunday Telegraph, the head coach accused his players of being “soft” after they failed to keep a clean sheet for the 20th Premier League game in a row. Twenty games. Same defensive story. Alonso’s message could hardly be clearer.
EFL: Martin feels the heat at Leicester
In the EFL, Russell Martin has opened up on the strain of Leicester City’s stuttering start in League One. The Mail on Sunday reports the Foxes manager believes some of the criticism directed at him has “become really personal” as pressure builds on and off the pitch in the East Midlands.
World Football: Torres’ punch power and Depay in trouble
Fernando Torres has always looked like he could walk into a boxing gym. Now there is video evidence to back it up. The Sun on Sunday reveals footage of the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker smashing a punch machine’s record at the new Madring circuit in Madrid, where he appeared as a VIP guest over the weekend.
Elsewhere, Memphis Depay faces a very different kind of spotlight. The Daily Express reports the former Manchester United forward, now at Corinthians, could be hit with a significant ban after allegations he directed an “offensive” gesture towards opposition supporters.
Scottish Football: Rangers under scrutiny
Up in Scotland, Rangers are braced for change and more criticism.
The Scottish Sun on Sunday says former title winner Lee McCulloch is in the frame to become the club’s new technical director, filling the role vacated by Dan Purdy.
On the pitch, business is proving just as tricky. John Souttar’s proposed move to Aris Thessaloniki has hit a late stumbling block, according to the same outlet, leaving the defender’s future in limbo.
And the most stinging verdict of all? Emmanuel Petit again. The World Cup winner has told the Scottish Sun on Sunday that Rangers have already lost the league and now face a fight just to hold off Hearts for second place. A brutal assessment, this early in the campaign.
Horse Racing: Osborne makes Classic history
Away from football, a landmark moment on the turf. Saffie Osborne has written her name into the record books, becoming the first woman to ride the winner of a British Classic. As reported by the Independent, she steered Highwayman to victory in the Betfred St Leger, leading home a Joseph O’Brien one-two and shattering one of the sport’s remaining glass ceilings.
On a weekend of anger, accusation and pressure, Osborne’s ride offered something different: a clean, historic breakthrough that will sit on the racing calendar for years to come.
