Retime

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Ultimate combined XI from Wenger’s Arsenal Invincibles and Man Utd’s 2008 Champions League-winning heroes

      by

      ARSENAL welcome Manchester United to the Emirates this weekend with both in the race for the Premier League title.The Gunners are sat top of the Premier League after 18 games, picking up 47 points.
      Arsenal’s Invincibles achieved legendary status back in 2004Credit: Getty
      Manchester United’s 2008 Champions League-winning squad was stacked with qualityCredit: PA
      Here’s the best combined XI that we have chosen
      Both Manchester clubs are trailing by eight points, but United can close the gap to five with a win on Sunday.
      During the heyday of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, the two teams would be regularly battling it out for the Prem title.
      In fact, for nine consecutive years from 1996 the trophy belonged exclusively to the both of them.
      Arsenal won it for the first time under Wenger in 1998 and lifted it another two times under the Frenchman.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      But undoubtedly their greatest – and last – title-winning campaign occurred in 2004.
      With Thierry Henry leading their star-studded side, the Gunners incredibly went the whole campaign unbeaten, leading to them being dubbed ‘The Invincibles’ by fans and pundits.
      However, one thing they failed to do under Wenger was conquer Europe.
      They did manage to reach the 2006 Champions League final, but they suffered defeat to Barcelona.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But Fergie did manage to win it twice during his long-stay at Old Trafford, the first occurring in the 1999 treble season.
      He followed that up with success over Chelsea in the 2008 final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
      Both Arsenal’s Invincibles and United’s Champions League winning squad from ‘08 were stacked with quality.
      But ahead of the latest Arsenal vs Man Utd clash at the Emirates, we decided to try and pick an XI out of both sets of players from those eras.
      Jens Lehmann was in goal for Arsenal, but we’ve opted for United’s Dutchman Edwin van der Sar.
      Ashley Cole gets the nod over Patrice Evra at left-back, while his former Gunners team-mate Lauren is in on the right.
      An all-English centre-back pairing of Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand would take some stopping, especially with ex-Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira protecting them in midfield.
      With United legend Paul Scholes alongside him, there would also be plenty of ammunition for the vast array of attacking talents.
      Robert Pires was almost unstoppable for the Gunners back then, and he is almost impossible to leave out – despite the greatness of Ryan Giggs.
      You also have to find a way to fit in Cristiano Ronaldo, and as he was playing winger back then rather than forward, we’ve squeezed him in on the right.
      Then it comes to picking the forwards and we feel almost guilty for leaving out Arsenal’s fantastic Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp.
      Read More on The Sun
      The same can be said of United’s 2008 hero Carlos Tevez – but Wayne Rooney just edges it to line-up with Henry up front.
      And whether you agree or not, we reckon even the second-string that we have assembled below would still be big favourites to win the league if they were together in their pomp. 
      This second string would still mount a serious title challenge More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Man Utd star Chris Eagles compares his journey to David Beckham’s and was one of Sir Alex Ferguson favourites

      by

      CHRIS EAGLES has likened his time as a Manchester United prodigy to that of David Beckham.Signed from Watford in 2000, the midfielder would earn several comparisons to the England legend as he emerged at Old Trafford.
      Chris Eagles has opened up on his time at Manchester United as a teenagerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      David Beckham also moved to the United academy from his home in the southCredit: PA:Press Association
      Like Beckham, Eagles was plucked from well outside United’s catchment area and the Hertfordshire-born player recalled how he made the move.
      The 37-year-old told Ladbrokes: “I went up there for a game and just fell in love with the club.
      “I moved into digs at 14 and at first I was obviously excited because it was like a holiday to me. I loved Manchester, I love northerners.
      “School was difficult because I was a southerner, but training-wise we used to train on Tuesdays and Thursdays and play on Saturdays.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “My youth team was frightening; we didn’t lose. In the old days we had myself, Phil Bardsley, Luke Steele, Kieran Richardson, Tom Heaton, Paul McShane, Gerard Pique, Giuseppe Rossi.
      “School helped me a lot; I got much better results because I was away from home and my friends which meant I just concentrated on getting good results.
      “Man United made sure we worked hard and got good grades. The only time I’d have off to come home was in school holidays, but it would never be for a long time.
      “In digs I started off living with a family on my own – I still see them now actually, four times a week, they look after my kids!
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS
      “Then I was with Fraizer Campbell who stayed for long weekends because he was only from Huddersfield. But I was there more or less on my own.
      “Sir Alex Ferguson had a lot of involvement with me as a kid because he knew I’d moved away from home.
      “I wasn’t too dissimilar to David Beckham in that respect; we’d both moved from London to Manchester as youngsters.”
      Red Devils icon Ferguson gave Eagles his debut in 2003 but he failed to make the cut and left for Burnley after several loan spells.
      But the former prodigy knew that Fergie, 81, held him in high regard as one of his top young stars despite a telling-off for underage driving.
      He continued: “Sir Alex had his certain players like me, Darren Fletcher and Kieran Richardson who he had soft spots for. If I was ever trouble he’d tell me off, though.
      “I drove a car somewhere when I was 15 and Sir Alex found out about it and called me in his office. I was petrified.
      “It’s the worst experience ever because you don’t know what he’s going to do. I can remember standing outside of his office, sweating, going red.
      Read More on The Sun
      “He used to have a folder where he used to keep his notes. It was a hard-back. Every time he walked past me he used to just slap me on the head with it – all in good humour obviously.
      “He was just a great manager, a great guy, and that’s how he got his respect.”
      Eagles spoke highly of Sir Alex Ferguson’s effort with the young playersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Man Utd legend Gary Neville’s former £3million mansion with tennis court, golf course, and David Beckham Suite

      by

      GARY Neville’s amazing former mansion – where David Beckham also lived for a year – is up for sale.The Manchester United legend inhabited the four-bedroom pad during his illustrious playing days at Old Trafford.
      Gary Neville’s former Bolton mansion has been put up for saleCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      The Manchester United legend lived in the property during his playing daysCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      The swanky property has an infinity pool that fits eightCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      David Beckham had his own suite when he lived here for a yearCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      The swanky property has an infinity pool, tennis court and even its own mini five-hole golf course in the grounds.
      The luxurious 35-acre hot-spot has previously been valued at around £3million but Estate agent PLM Sales has asked for a price on application.
      United legend Neville converted a barn into the plush mansion back in 1999 – the same year the Red Devils won the treble.
      Part of the house is known as the Beckham Suite, as former team-mate David, 45, lived there for a year when his wife Victoria, 46, was away.
      Neville has since revealed that while Becks was staying with him, the former England captain would do all the cooking.
      He told the Guardian in 2014: “He’d make food for me all the time.
      “Stir-fries with noodles and vegetables and pasta dishes with sauces – a lot of pasta.”
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
      Neville’s former mansion has its own tennis court in the groundsCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      The master bedroom has its own special steam roomCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      Neville moved out of the house in Bolton back in 2003, but still owns land nearby where he infamously tried to build his Teletubby style eco house.
      Yet prospective buyers are still reminded of the famous former owner as two wooden carved lions on the stairway bearing the United and England crests remain.
      The 9,900 square foot mansion has an integrated sound and music system, and residents can talk to anyone in a different room via an intercom.
      It also boasts a fully decked out entertainment room, which includes a £60,000 bar, disco strobe lighting and a 6ft projector screen.
      The swanky infinity pool fits up to eight and all of the windows are bulletproof with a remotely-monitored CCTV system.
      Most read in Football
      The bedrooms all have walk-in wardrobes and en-suites, while the master has its own special steam room.
      And the plush gardens have their very own golf course and tennis court.
      SunSport revealed last year that Neville was offering his hotel penthouse for rent – at a staggering £25,000 per month.
      There are two wooden carved lions on the stairway bearing the United and England crestsCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      The 35-acre mansion has previously been valued at around £3millionCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      Neville revealed Beckham used to do all the cooking when they lived togetherCredit: PLM Sales/TNG
      Man Utd legend Gary Neville trolls Liverpool after rival Reds’ title charge takes another dent with Brighton defeat More

    • 250 Shares169 Views

      in Boxing

      Aiden ‘LikkleMan’ Henry is 3ft PPV star who spent time in prison before training with Conor Benn and Anthony Yarde

      by

      AT just 3ft tall Aiden ‘LikkleMan’ Henry is the most unlikely pay-per-view boxing star imaginable but his story is every inch as impressive as the fight game’s giant heroes.Born with dwarfism in Coventry 28 years ago, Henry suffered such heartbreaking rejection from the people who should have loved and protected him most.
      Aiden ‘LikkleMan’ Henry was born with dwarfism  in Coventry 28 years agoCredit: Instagram / @likklemangram
      It was only in local gangs that he was able to find any protection from the bullies who wanted to take liberties with him.
      A life of crime and prison sentence for burglary followed but while caged he posted a string of madcap videos that earned support from champion boxers and music stars.
      Since his release in March 2019, Henry has turned his life around, apologised for his crimes and trained with stars like Conor Benn and Anthony Yarde.
      And his huge social media following – which includes almost 560,000 plus Instagram fans – shows he’s more popular than ever.
      The fact he gatecrashed BDave’s weigh-in for his upcoming Misfits Boxing night on Saturday – shoving the influencer before tackling him down to the ground with a double-leg takedown would have endeared him to the public even more.
      Henry told SunSport back in 2020: “I was born fighting, when you are born half the size of a normal man you have to fight twice as hard to get anywhere in life.
      “I was born into a life of gangs, drugs and crime, like a lot of people are in certain areas. But on top of that I am this size.
      “I didn’t go to school, I can’t read or write, I didn’t have parents.
      LikkleMan found fame after celebrities started liking his pics and vidsCredit: Instagram / @likklemangram
      The 28-year-old has became a social media sensation thanks fun photos and videosCredit: Instagram / @likklemangram
      MOST READ IN BOXING
      Since leaving prison in March 2019, Henry has dedicated himself to boxing, including a session at the Adam Booth gymCredit: Instagram / @likklemangram
      British welterweight ace Conor Benn also welcomed Henry into the Matchroom gymCredit: Instagram / @likklemangram
      “I have matured a lot now but my brain is definitely wired differently to everyone else.
      “I’ve had 25 bad years behind me, I have had to apologise for a lot of things I am sorry for, but now I have this chance to turn my life around and I am going to take it.”
      Henry comes close to getting deep on his early struggles but pulls himself back, his hard-man outlook ingrained long before he ever picked up a pair of gloves.
      The reformed bad-boy will not offer up sob stories but he is proud he has made his area proud and wants to use his platform to apologise to anyone he wronged.
      He said: “Anyone who knows my story will hopefully respect me more now because they will know what I went through.
      “I was a little f***er, I have to admit I was a little b******. And I am sorry to all the people I hurt in the past but I had to do certain things to feed myself and survive.
      “I committed burglaries because I had no other way to live, I couldn’t do just one £1m robbery because it would be too easy to spot the 3ft black man in the police line-up.
      “But that is my past, I am thankful for how it made me but that’s behind me and this golden ticket is helping me change my life.”
      Henry has been welcomed into gyms all over the country and put the work inCredit: Instagram / @likklemangram
      Henry knows it is not about the size of the dig in the fight, it is about the size of the fight in the dog.Credit: Instagram / @likklemangram
      LikkleMan insists he is not a circus act being exploited, his social media power means he is in control of his second career and he has big dreams once crowds are allowed in events.
      Coventry City fans have to travel to Birmingham to watch their football team but Henry reckons his particular charms could give them a great showdown closer to home.
      He said: “I could sell out the Ricoh Arena, definitely.
      “Because I am small but confident with it, people have never seen that combination and are intrigued.
      “Girls are fascinated about whether things are in proportion, it’s just my everyday life.
      “From a very young age I have been aggressive because of how I have been treated.
      “Now I can hopefully make that work for me and better my life, because that is all I have wanted the chance to do.” More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Marcus Rashford’s dream 6-a-side team includes only Man Utd legends, but he doesn’t put himself in it

      by

      MARCUS RASHFORD left himself out when he named his all-time Manchester United six-a-side team.But the England striker showed just how great Cristiano Ronaldo was in his first Old Trafford spell by including Al Nassr’s new mega-money signing.
      In-form Marcus Rashford refused to put himself in the all-time dream team
      Rashford, 24, was asked to pick his dream side in a Q&A session on Instagram Live.
      He said: “Right, I’m going to go with most players from the teams that I watched when I was growing up.
      “I’d probably have [David] De Gea, but it was a close one between him and [Edwin] Van der Sar.
      “When I was a kid Van der Sar was one of the best keepers and obviously playing with David has been great, so I’d have to put David in there.”
      Focusing on the outfield players, Rashford said: “At the back I’d have Rio Ferdinand.
      “I’m all out attack there. I’d have [Paul] Scholesy in front of Rio, [Ryan] Giggs on the right, [Cristiano] Ronaldo on the left and [Wayne] Rooney up front.
      “I’m not putting myself in. Not yet.”
      Rashford has scored 93 goals in 303 games for Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association
      David de Gea
      The Spanish goalkeeper has played with Rashford since 2016, but it was a close call between him and Edwin Van der Sar.
      De Gea is United’s longest-serving player and is in talks over extending his contract under Erik ten Hag.
      Before being replaced by De Gea, Van der Sar managed to keep 135 sheets in just 266 appearances – but arguably had a much better defence in front of him.
      Rio Ferdinand
      Without hesitation, the long-serving centre-back was the first name that Rashford picked to be in his dream team.
      Ferdinand achieved legendary status at Old Trafford after making 455 appearances and winning multiple trophies over 12 years.
      Paul Scholes
      Scholes was the next player mentioned – even though he has previously questioned whether Rashford is good enough for the Red Devils.
      He scored 155 goals in 718 appearances for United, won 11 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and two Champions League trophies.
      Ryan Giggs
      Rashford credited Giggs and Rooney as the two players that he had learnt the most from throughout his career.
      He said: “Rooney. Or maybe Giggs when I first came in and he was coaching under [Louis] van Gaal. He [Giggs] helped me a lot with what he used to say to me.”
      Giggs made a whopping 963 appearances for United and scored 168 goals over his 24-year spell.
      Cristiano Ronaldo
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claimed in December 2019 that Rashford can follow in the footsteps of the Portuguese legend. 
      Ronaldo scored an incredible 118 goals in 292 appearances for the club before he left for Real Madrid in 2009.
      And although his troubled second spell ended with his contract being terminated last November, the 37-year-old’s legacy was long ago assured.
      Wayne Rooney
      Last but not least, Rashford picked United’s all-time leading scorer Rooney to lead the line for his dream 6-a-side team.
      Speaking about the ex-England star and current DC United boss, he said: “Him and Ronaldo were my two favourite players growing up, so to get an opportunity to play with him was an unbelievable experience.”
      LATEST MAN UTD NEWS
      Rashford named Rooney, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona when he was asked to name his top three players of all time.
      The striker also had another wish come true when Jadon Sancho arrived at Old Trafford back in 2021, having been desperate to play alongside the former Borussia Dortmund winger. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Football’s worst debuts after Joao Felix’s Chelsea nightmare, from Ibrahimovic’s AC flop to Rio Ferdinand’s Leeds horror

      by

      IT’S not all bad news Joao Felix.The Atletico Madrid loanee endured a miserable Chelsea debut as his side crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Fulham.
      Joao Felix lunges in on Kenny TeteCredit: AP
      The loanee was shown a red card on his debutCredit: Getty
      The 23-year-old gave his new team-mates an uphill task by earning a red card for a shocking lunge on Kenny Tete just before the hour mark.
      But Felix can take comfort in the fact that he’s not the first footballer to endure a horror show on their first appearance for their new club.
      RIO FERDINAND
      When you become Britain’s most expensive player, of course you will face scrutiny in your next game.
      And that’s the cruel fate that awaited Ferdinand when he signed for Leeds in an £18million deal from West Ham.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      His first outing turned out to be a disaster as his new team were soundly beaten 3-1 at Leicester in 2000.
      Alongside Lucas Radebe, Ferdinand was lost at sea as the Foxes crushed an expensively assembled Leeds side.
      Rio Ferdinand suffered a horror show on his Leeds debutCredit: PA:Press Association
      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
      A rare blip here for Ibra.
      And it goes without saying that he was absolutely brilliant in his first season at AC Milan in 2010 – scoring 21 times in all competitions.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      But you wouldn’t have said he would be a hit after he missed a penalty against lowly Cesena in a 2-0 loss.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic had the chance to open his AC Milan account from the penalty spot against CesenaCredit: AFP – Getty
      Ibrahimovic’s miss capped off a miserable debut for the SwedeCredit: AFP – Getty
      TEDDY SHERINGHAM
      As fate would have it, the fixture list paired Spurs and Manchester United on the opening day of the season in 1997.
      It meant the Red Devils’ new signing Teddy Sheringham would return to White Hart Lane, where he enjoyed so much success, for his United debut.
      With an hour on the clock, he was gifted the opportunity to open his Manchester United account from the penalty spot.
      However, his effort struck the foot of the post before cannoning back to Teddy who stuck out a foot – only to see the ball bounce off it to safety.
      As fate would have it, Teddy Sheringham’s debut for Man Utd came against old club SpursCredit: Rex Features
      ALI DIA
      And the award for worst footballer ever goes to…
      Famously, Ali Dia conned his way into football folklore when he convinced then-Southampton boss Graeme Souness he would be the answer to the Saints’ goalscoring problems in 1996.
      The self-proclaimed cousin of George Weah entered the fray in a game against Leeds in the 32nd minute – coming on for an injured Matt Le Tissier – only to be subbed off with five minutes left.
      Le Tissier later said: “He ran around the pitch like Bambi on ice; it was very embarrassing to watch.”
      Ali Dia ran around like ‘Bambi on ice’ according to Southampton striker Matt Le Tissier on his Saints debutCredit: Solent News
      JONATHAN WOODGATE
      Real Madrid fans were forced to wait a year for Woodgate to make his debut in LaLiga, following a £13million move from Newcastle in 2004.
      And it all went wrong for the centre half against Athletic Bilbao, first scoring a comical own goal.
      Then, shortly after the hour mark, he received his marching orders for a second yellow card.
      On his Real Madrid debut Jonathan Woodgate first scored an own goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Woodgate was then given a second yellow card and sent offCredit: Getty
      CHRIS IWELUMO
      The journeyman striker was called up to the Scotland squad for a crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway in 2010.
      And with time running out for the Tartan Army to find a winner, Iwelumo was introduced to try and grab a vital goal.
      Instead, he missed an open goal from three-yards at Hampden Park. How did he miss this?
      Even Chris Iwelumo couldn’t believe his missed sitter on his Scotland debutCredit: PA:Press Association
      [embedded content]
      JOE HART
      The downfall of the former England shotstopper could probably be chronicled from here.
      After being discarded by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Hart was shipped out on loan to Torino.
      With his confidence shattered by his ordeal at City, he was shaky for his new club on his first match.
      Hart was at fault for Atalanta’s opening goal in a 2-1 defeat – punching a cross to the feet of an opposing attaker who scored.
      Joe Hart had a debut to forget with TorinoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      CURTIS DAVIES
      Former Aston Villa defender Curtis Davies had a mare on his first start for the Villans in a League Cup tie against Leicester that ended in a 1-0 defeat.
      And he was completely honest about it, too – likening his performance to that of a “pub team player”.
      “I was just awful,” he confessed.
      “I didn’t contribute anything. I’ve been bigging myself up, saying I’m ready and obviously I’m not. I’m not good enough to get in the team yet.
      “I’m honest with myself in every performance and that was rubbish – I looked like a pub team player.”
      Curtis Davies likened his debut performance for Aston Villa to that of a pub playerCredit: Rex Features
      HENRIK LARSSON
      Former Manchester United striker Larsson can be excused – especially after he became such a Celtic legend.
      But on his debut against Hibernian at Easter Road a slack pass to Chic Charnly saw the Hoops’ rivals claim a famous win.

      It didn’t get better on his European debut either – scoring an own goal against Austrian side Tirol Innsbruck.
      Luckily enough, Larsson would score 242 up the other end during his Celtic career to earn iconic status.
      Despite a terrible start to life at Celtic, Henrik Larsson would become a club legendCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham’s stars salaries revealed with Harry Kane earning DOUBLE World Cup winner Hugo Lloris’ £100k-a-week salary

      by

      HARRY KANE is Tottenham’s top earner on £200,00 a week.The Spurs star and England captain is on a lucrative deal in London until 2024.
      Spurs star Harry Kane earns twice as much as captain Hugo LlorisCredit: Reuters
      Tottenham’s wages for the 2022-23 season with Harry Kane the club’s top earner
      And incredibly, Kane earns TWICE as much as Tottenham skipper Hugo Lloris.
      The French World Cup winner has been at Spurs since 2012.
      But he pockets just £100,000 each week, with eight team-mates earning more dosh.
      The second-top earner after Kane is Son Heung-Min, whose crucial goals earn him a £192,000 weekly salary.
      read more tottenham news
      New signing Ivan Perisic is third on £178,269, with Cristian Romero on £165,000.
      There are more fresh faces high on the list too.
      Richarlison (£133,779), Clement Lenglet (£121,154) and Dejan Kulusevski (£110,000) are all above Lloris.
      And the final player to earn more than the skipper is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who pockets £101,923 per week.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Rounding off the top 10 is, surprisingly, Bryan Gil.
      The 21-year-old has made just 12 league appearances for Spurs since his move from Valencia in 2021.
      This season, he has appeared nine times in all competitions.
      But Gil still picks up £83,000 each week – more than Eric Dier, Yves Bissouma and Lucas Moura.
      Fraser Forster does well for a No2, earning £66,890.
      Meanwhile Ben Davies, a regular in Conte’s XI, is fairly low down the list on £60,000.
      The rest of the list is comprised of players aged 23 or younger.
      Japhet Tanganga, Djed Spence and Oliver Skipp all earn reasonable salaries for promising youngsters.

      Read More on The Sun
      The lowest earner at Spurs is third-choice goalie Brandon Austin, who pockets just £1,538 each week.
      His annual salary is only £80,000 – less than the weekly takings of Spurs’ top 10 earners. More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Where Tottenham’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ are who were signed with Gareth Bale money in 2013, from Soldado to Paulinho?

      by

      IN 2013, Spurs were forced to blow up their squad following the world-record sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.The Welshman had scored 26 goals in the previous campaign, sweeping the Premier League’s various individual awards ahead of the likes of Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard.
      Spurs recruited the ‘Magnificent Seven’ in the summer of 2013
      Gareth Bale was unveiled at Real Madrid in September 2013Credit: AFP
      But there was a problem – Tottenham missed out on Champions League qualification by a point.
      Daniel Levy was bullish that he could keep his star asset, but Real Madrid turned on their charm offensive and it soon became just a matter of when, not if.
      So Spurs got busy, signing seven new players for more than £100million – as the line went, they’d ‘sold Elvis, and signed The Beatles’.
      But while Bale was off winning Champions League titles with Madrid, Spurs’ new signings were producing contrasting performances.
      read more tottenham news
      So let’s take a look at what became of the ‘Magnificent Seven’.
      ROBERTO SOLDADO – £26m
      Spurs thought that they had secured a prolific goalscorer in SoldadoCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Soldado, 37, joined Levante from LaLiga rivals GranadaCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
      Spaniard Soldado was probably the most exciting of the acquisitions, when he arrived from Valencia for £26m, fresh from wowing at the Confederations Cup and banging in 24 goals in LaLiga.
      Despite no lack of trying, his time at White Hart Lane was a disaster, however, as he only managed seven goals in 52 Premier League appearances – with five of them coming from the penalty spot.
      Levy did manage to squeeze £10m out of Villarreal for his services in 2015, and he has since played for Fenerbahce and Granada.
      Most read in Football
      Now 37, he plays for Spanish second division side Levante – where he has 10 goals in 35 games across two seasons.
      PAULINHO – £17m
      The Brazilian struggled to make an impact at SpursCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Paulinho played for Saudi side Al-Ahli after reinventing himself in ChinaCredit: AFP or licensors

      Another that arrived off the back of a stellar Confederations Cup, Spurs fans thought they were getting ‘the Brazilian Frank Lampard’ when Paulinho arrived in N17.
      Initial performances were steady, with a late back-heeled winner at Cardiff prompting pandemonium among the travelling supporters.
      Things went downhill very quickly, however, with Paulinho being red carded in Andre Villas-Boas’ final game in charge, before becoming a nervous wreck barely capable of completing a five-yard pass by the end.
      He was offered a career lifeline by Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou Evergrande, where he became a big star – via a very strange, if not totally unsuccessful year at Barcelona.
      Paulinho, 34, linked up with Saudi side Al-Ahli but signed a deal with Corinthians in 2022.
      VLAD CHIRICHES – £8m
      The Romanian struggled to cut down on his mistakes at TottenhamCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Sun
      A considerably scarier-looking Chiriches playing for Sassuolo in Serie ACredit: Reuters
      Fans were excited at Chiriches’ arrival, as they thought they’d unearthed a hidden gem from Steaua Bucharest, with a penchant for playing the ball out from the back.
      And while he was very laid back, it often proved to be to the team’s detriment, as his casual style tended to gift opponents easy goals, while leaving fans’ hearts in their mouths.
      Like Soldado and Paulinho, Chiriches lasted two seasons at the Lane, before being shipped off to Napoli.
      The Romanian managed just 48 appearances across four seasons at San Paulo, before joining Sassuolo on loan two years ago – before making it permanent for just shy of £10m.
      Last summer, he was snapped up by Cremonese – and at 33 still plays in Serie A.
      NACER CHADLI – £7m
      Chadli became a useful player in his three years at SpursCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      One of the more successful acquisitions of that summer, Chadli became a popular figure at Spurs despite an underwhelming start.
      The Belgian joined from FC Twente, having scored against Tottenham home and away in the 2010-11 Champions League campaign.
      But it was not until his second season that he really began to shine, scoring 13 goals as Mauricio Pochettino began to transform the club’s fortunes.
      He left for West Brom in 2017, eventually joining Istanbul Basaksehir in 2020, via stints at Monaco and Anderlecht.
      This season, the Turkish team have loaned the now 33-year-old to Belgium side KVC Westerlo.
      ETIENNE CAPOUE – £9m
      Etienne Capoue struggled to make a big impact at SpursCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Capoue helped Villarreal beat Manchester United in the Europa League finalCredit: Getty – Pool
      Neither wildly awful nor outstandingly memorable, Capoue is possibly the most forgettable player of the seven.
      With Sandro having regressed due to knee injuries, Capoue initially seemed to be the perfect foil for Mousa Dembele in his place.
      But the Frenchman fell out of favour despite steady performances, although was hung out to dry following a few awful displays as a makeshift centre-back.
      He lasted one season beyond Pochettino’s arrival in 2014, before joining Watford.
      Capoue made 11 outings in the Championship in the first half of the 2020-21 season, before signing for Villarreal in the January transfer window.
      And his impact was immediate as he helped the Spanish side beat Manchester United in the Europa League final – the club’s first major trophy in their history.
      While he was also crucial in their Champions League run last season to the semi-final.
      CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – £11m
      Eriksen was a talismanic figure at Tottenham for more than six seasonsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Eriksen is now starring for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Without doubt the most successful acquisition of that summer, Christian Eriksen was an outstanding, indispensable member of the squad for six years, before eventually departing for Inter Milan in January 2020.
      A bargain at £11m, the Dane papered over cracks during Tim Sherwood’s tenure, pulling out a brilliant goal or moment of genius time and time again to dig the team out of trouble.
      He then became vital to Pochettino’s side, so much so that they struggled to adapt whenever he was absent.
      Eriksen admitted his desire to ‘try something new’ after losing the 2019 Champions League final and joined Inter six months later.
      The playmaker helped Inter win the Serie A title last season, but his playing career hung in the balance after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
      However, he returned to the Premier League last season on a short term deal with Brentford.
      His excellent performances earned Eriksen a move to Man Utd, where he has enjoyed a stellar season.
      ERIK LAMELA – £30m
      Lamela joined Spurs just two days before Bale’s move to Madrid was confirmedCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Erik Lamela became the last of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ to depart North London for Spain.
      Argentine Lamela, 30, actually had a bizarre start at Spurs, starting just three league matches in his first season before disappearing back to his homeland following a back injury early on in Tim Sherwood’s tenure.
      He returned following his compatriot Pochettino’s arrival, wrestling for a starting berth before sustaining a troublesome hip injury in October 2016 that would keep him out for 13 months.

      Lamela again recovered and returned to action – chipping in with 255 appearances before joining Sevilla in a swap deal with Bryan Gil heading in the opposite direction.
      His most memorable moment will be his ‘rabona’ strike in the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal, with his strike winning the Premier League Goal of the Season award. More