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Kylian Mbappé, centre, warms up ahead of France’s World Cup qualification defeat by Sweden – a result that has brought calls for a shake-up of the national team. Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images
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Riyad Mahrez: a footballer so casual in his movements at times you expect to look down and notice he’s played the last 60 minutes in espadrilles. Illustration: Gary Neill via The Guardian Sport
Riyad Mahrez: A Creative, Mooching Trend-bucker English Football Should Cherish
London – Odd as it might sound given the strange, clamorous dealings of the last week, the sense of a very public meat-exchange taking place somewhere just out of sight, the Premier League transfer window doesn’t actually open until next month. Not that you’d...Caption:
Ederson celebrates after providing an assist for Benfica against Vitória de Guimarães. Photograph: Antonio Cotrim/EPA
Ederson Arrives at Manchester City with Reputation for Big Boot, Sharp Stopping
London – Ederson made sure he left Benfica for Manchester City with a bang. In the goalkeeper’s penultimate league match for the Portuguese champions, not only did he keep his 17th clean sheet of the season, he also got an assist. A goal-kick from the...Caption:
Clockwise from top left: David Luiz joined PSG for £50m, a record for a defender; John Stones was a £47.5m signing for Manchester City; Liverpool were ready to pay £60m for Virgil van Dijk; and Eliaquim Mangala did not prove worth £42m at City. Composite: Getty Images; AFP/Getty Images; AMA/Getty Images
How Defenders’ Transfer Fees Rocketed in Quest for Success
London – “I was in demand,” remembered Phil Babb. “I was on holiday and every other day I was reading the papers and I was going here, there and everywhere.” Back in 1994, the player who was once rejected by his local club Millwall appeared to have the world at...Caption:
A former team-mate barely remembers Zinedine Zidane saying a word, describing him as shy, which is one reason why the Real Madrid manager’s success is unexpected. Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images