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United States international Antonee Robinson has liked a tweet from a supposed Fulham fan that claims he “can’t defend, can’t attack”.

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• Full-back scored an own goal against Villans
• Supporters not happy with performance
• Defender heading off on international duty

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 26-year-old full-back endured a Premier League outing to forget on Sunday as he scored an own goal to break the deadlock in the Cottagers’ 3-1 defeat at Aston Villa. Robinson put through his own net in the 27th minute and was unable to help Fulham back into the game from that point.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He will now be heading off with the USMNT for their two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final clash with Trinidad & Tobago, having been named in Gregg Berhalter’s latest squad. Robinson will be making that journey with criticism ringing in his ears.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Robinson does not appear to be taking said criticism to heart, though, as he has made a point of interacting with his detractors. The buccaneering left-back decided to like a post on social media from a Fulham supporter that has questioned what he brings to Marco Silva’s side and has suggested that a suitable song for him could be: "Can't defend, can't attack, Antonee Robinson our full-back."

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• WHAT NEXT?

  Robinson joined Fulham in 2020 and has taken in 120 appearances for the club – helping to establish them back in the Premier League following promotion in 2022. He signed a new contract at Craven Cottage back in July and has earned 37 caps for the United States – forming part of Nations League-winning squads in 2020 and 2023.

Nottingham Forest are interested in a deal to bring Flynn Downes to The City Ground this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim that Forest have joined a host of Championship sides in the race to sign the Ipswich Town central midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Paul Cook believed to have told the 22-year-old he is free to leave Portman Road ahead of next season.

The report continues by stating that the former England U20 international handed in a transfer request 12 months ago after the Tractor Boys turned down a number of bids from Crystal Palace for his services, and it now appears he has been granted his wish of an exit from the League One side.

It is then claimed that Forest have contacted Ipswich in order to register their interest in a move for the midfielder this summer, suggesting that a bid could be made by Chris Hughton’s side in the not too distant future.

Fans surely buzzing

Considering the sheer amount of potential Downes appears to possess, the fact that Nottingham Forest have confirmed their interest in the 22-year-old is something that should leave fans of the club buzzing.

Indeed, over his 24 League One appearances for Paul Cook’s side last season, the £810k-rated defensively minded midfielder made an average of 1.4 interceptions, 2.4 tackles and won 5.6 duels per game.

These returns saw the man Matt Holland dubbed an “outstanding” player earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.98, ranking him as Town’s joint-seventh best performer in the third tier of English football – tied with Andre Dozzell, who recently secured a move to Forest’s Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers.

As such, it would indeed appear that a move for Downes would be a fantastic deal to get over the line for Forest this summer, not only as Hughton could use a few more options in the middle of the park ahead of next season, but also as the £2.3k-per-week man appears to possess the talent to potentially go on and develop into something of a star at The City Ground.

In other news: Forest enter into negotiations over £4.05m-rated goal machine, Hughton surely buzzing

The England midfielder is the early frontrunner for the 2024 prize, suggesting football's presumed new duopoly won't go as many predicted

There was an air of sadness around Lionel Messi’s Ballon d’Or acceptance speech on Monday. Clasping the trophy for the eighth time in his storied career, the Argentine spoke about his achievements of past 12 months, including his World Cup glory, before ending his time on stage with a tribute to Diego Maradona on what would have been his 63rd birthday.

Messi also admitted that the day of his retirement is moving closer. There was talk about just how long his body could survive, and if this Golden Ball, No.8, was his last. Messi all-but conceded that fact, turning to the other finalists that sat before him in the front row — Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe — and insisted that they were his presumptive successors to the trophy.

But Messi left someone out. For all of their quality, goals, trophies, and personal brands, Mbappe and Haaland can no longer lay claim to being the unquestioned duopoly at the very top of the game that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were before them.

Now, a third contender has entered the fray: Jude Bellingham. Right now, the Real Madrid midfielder is more likely to claim next year’s Ballon d'Or than anyone else — and signs are that would be the first of many.

• The Mbappe-Haaland battle

  It is perhaps a product of the last 15 years that the footballing world has turned its gaze towards Haaland and Mbappe. The two are remarkable footballers in their own right, the only two goalscorers in the world who can claim to come reasonably close to the numbers put up by Messi and Ronaldo over the last two decades. Mbappe is PSG's all-time top goalscorer, while Haaland broke the Premier League goal record last season, and is on pace to smash a number of significant milestones in the Champions League.

  As with Messi of Ronaldo, there is also enough of a style clash to make this battle an interesting one.

  One one side is Mbappe, the glitzy Parisian superstar who is a blur of stepovers, cuts and curled finishes. He scores the same goal a lot, but you can't really stop it. He lifted his team to a Ligue 1 title with a scintillating run towards the end of last season. He scored a hat-trick in his second World Cup final at the age of 23, and was back in team training 72 hours later.

  And on the other is Haaland, the robot. Bigger, stronger and faster than everyone else, the Norwegian is the perfect blend of athleticism and intelligence. Never has a footballer so big managed to find spaces so small. He made 52 goals look easy. He won a historic treble for Manchester City, and made a mockery of various English records.

  Throw in the contrasting personalities — the understated cockiness of Mbappe and the plain-spoken, almost sinister, tone of Haaland's every word — and there's a captivating duel at play. The fact that the Ballon d'Or voters too often gravitate to goalscoring stats above else, and it all becomes more compelling.

  For the next 10 years, both Haaland and Mbappe will score a lot of goals, and win a lot of trophies, both team and individual. That's enough for journalists and social media alike to construct a narrative. Game on!

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  Bellingham's bolt from the blue

  Bellingham, through two months of the season, has made a genuine case for changing that conversation. Previously, there was reason to believe that he could one day be in the running for the award, but with Haaland and Mbappe scoring at a frightening rate — and a handful of players of a similar age also impressing around Europe — that day seemed to be far away.

  Things have, of course, shifted dramatically. Whatever timeline Bellingham was on has been accelerated rapidly. His numbers for Madrid so far this season are better than both of his main rivals for the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The England midfielder has scored 14 and assisted six for club and country so far this term — totalling more goal contributions overall than both Mbappe and Haaland.

  His big-game performances only further his credentials. From his double in his first Clasico to seal a comeback win, to the last-minute winner to beat Union Berlin in the Champions League, to the slaloming run and finish in Naples that drew admittedly hasty Maradona comparisons, this is a player who not only produces on a regular basis, but does so in clutch situations — a crucial blend that separates the very good from the world-class elite.

  This has all come in an important context, too. Bellingham's Madrid side were tipped by some to be markedly worse than they have been in recent seasons. The loss of Karim Benzema, and the absence of an immediate replacement to serve in his role, was supposed to hamper Madrid's goalscoring ability and limit their potential as a team.

  But off the back of Bellingham's form, Carlo Ancelotti's side are top of La Liga and have won three out of three in the Champions League. Bellingham has not only filled the Benzema void, but also improved on the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner's output from last season.

  Although Madrid had three more points at this stage of last season, their goal differential is better. Benzema, at the same point, had just seven goals and one assist to his name. Bellingham has almost doubled that goal tally, despite playing as a No.10 in Ancelotti's new diamond midfield.

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  What else does Bellingham need to do?

  Of course, the question now is whether Bellingham can keep this form going. He was backed by Ancelotti to score 20 goals this season after the weekend's Clasico, but in reality, he will likely hit that mark before Christmas. A first 30-goal season is, therefore, not out of the question.

  That said, there is a sense that he will slow down at some point, even if it is becoming clearer by the game that Madrid's change of system was so as to build a structure around Bellingham where he could thrive. As long as nothing major changes, who's to say he couldn't reach 40 goals this term?

  Perhaps this all comes down to his ruthless efficiency. Bellingham's 13 Madrid goals have come from just 19 attempts on goal. He is not someone who shoots for fun, or forces himself into forward areas. Every shot on goal is calculated. If there is criticism that most of Bellingham's goals have been from close-range, it is only because he gets into those areas in the first place. Stunning equaliser in El Clasico and show-stopper in Naples aside, Bellingham is scoring from where he is supposed to score. There is, after all, an art to being a tap-in merchant.

  But what is the magic number, or ideal formula, that keeps him in the race? Mbappe and Haaland could both score 40 in their sleep, all while leading their teams to silverware. Mbappe's PSG will almost certainly win Ligue 1, while France are the current favourites for Euro 2024. Haaland's Man City should also be considered favourites for the Premier League, and will have their eyes on a Champions League repeat.

  Bellingham's Madrid, meanwhile, will find it far more difficult to win La Liga, with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid shaping up as early-season rivals. They aren't necessarily Champions League favourites, either. It feels like winning La Liga while finishing as the league's top scorer before leading England on a deep run at the Euros is the bare minimum required for Bellingham to maintain his current Ballon d'Or lead. It's a long season, but right now that doesn't feel unachievable.

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  Midfielders and the Ballon d'Or

  This is all made more difficult by the bias directed away from non-forwards in the Ballon d'Or voting. Although Messi and Ronaldo's claims to the trophy have been legitimate for the last 15 years, the lack of midfielders and defenders also in the mix has been glaring.

  Luka Modric, of course, won the award in 2018 — albeit controversially. But aside from Virgil van Dijk coming close in 2019, it has been an award almost exclusively for the most attacking of players in recent years.

  Andres Iniesta and Xavi both made the podium at various points in the early 2010s, but never received more than 17 percent of the vote. Even Kaka, in his 2007-winning campaign, claimed the honour while functioning as a second striker for AC Milan. Modric was the first player since Zinedine Zidane, in 1998, to win as a more typical central midfielder.

  Bellingham, of course, is not a normal player. And for this Madrid side, he doesn't play in the same mould as Xavi, Iniesta, Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard, who were all respectable performers in the eyes of voters at various points in their impressive careers. But he will still face an uphill battle by the very nature of his position.

  It is, historically, not an award for English players, either. Michael Owen claimed the Ballon d'Or in 2001, while before that Kevin Keegan, wearing the colours of Hamburg in 1971, was the previous Englishman to win it. Bellingham triumphing, then, would be no small feat.

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit and BBC Radio Leeds regular Noel Whelan has been left in awe of Tottenham Hotspur after their approach to sign Miralem Pjanic on loan from Barcelona.

The Lowdown: Spurs make Pjanic approach…

As per Spanish publication Sport, Tottenham’s managing director Fabio Paratici asked the La Liga giants about loaning Pjanic in a recent transfer approach.

The Bosnia international is being linked with a move away from the Camp Nou this summer after featuring only sporadically last season in La Liga. Pjanic was handed just six starts by Catalans boss Ronald Koeman, with Tottenham now making an approach to take him to north London.

The Latest: Whelan in awe of Pjanic call…

Speaking to Football Insider, BBC pundit Whelan has praised Tottenham and Pjanic after this development, calling the midfield maestro a signing fans want to see.

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He also hailed the former Juventus star as an ‘amazing player’, saying: “Fans will want to see players like that coming to Tottenham.

“Despite them not being in the Champions League, they’ve got to find quality somewhere.

“Players that are going to accept not playing in those sort of competitions. Someone who is looking to the future to put themselves back in contention to play there.

“It’s vital as a manager that you don’t just go out there looking for 21-year-olds. There’s been a lot of criticism of how they’ve dealt with picking the manager.

“He’s a Bosnia international. He’s been at Barcelona, he’s an amazing player, he’s competitive. That’s what’s Tottenham need to be again. They need to find that nice balance.”

The Verdict: Avoid…

Over the league games in which he did feature, Pjanic averaged an excellent 91.4% passing accuracy in the middle of the park, highlighting his quality as a ball-distributor. However, his wage demands – reported to be around £210,000 per week – far exceed anything he can bring to the table for Tottenham.

It seems unlikely that chairman Daniel Levy would be willing to pay this hefty salary as Barcelona seek to trim their enormous wage bill. With Gareth Bale going back to Real Madrid, Pjanic’s current paycheque would make him the highest-paid player at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Bosnian would come as a man with proven quality, but this move could be too detrimental financially to Spurs, especially with Pjanic now 31 years old.

In other news: ‘Understand’…Alasdair Gold backs big news coming out of Tottenham, find out more here.

Mauricio Pochettino has conceded that Chelsea's owners are disappointed with the team's start to the season, but urged them to "support the plan".

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• Chelsea beaten at home by Aston Villa
• Have won just one league game this season
• Pochettino admits owners are disappointed

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Pochettino's start as Chelsea coach is off to a rough start, as his side have won just one of their first six matches in the Premier League. Sunday's 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa was their third straight league game without a win or a Chelsea goal, and there are reports that Pochettino is under pressure already.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chelsea, who finished 12th in the Premier League last season, are in 14th place after six matches and 13 points adrift of leaders Manchester City. Their struggles come despite another lavish spending spree in the summer transfer window that saw the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo, Axel Disasi, Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku come to Stamford Bridge.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Pochettino admits that the club's higher ups may be unhappy about what they are seeing on the field, but the coach feels they must be patient, telling reporters: "Of course they are disappointed but at the same time they need to support the plan."

  Asked about the club's lack of goals, he added: "We have the squad we have, we need try to build the confidence and give them all of the support they need because they need to perform on the pitch. The performance is good, not excellent but we are missing goals. I start tomorrow again to prepare the game for Wednesday and hope we can score Wednesday."

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Chelsea are in Carabao Cup action on Wednesday when they take on Brighton, who are third in the Premier League after beating Bournemouth 3-1 on Sunday.

Erling Haaland’s latest goal for Manchester City was celebrated with a former world champion boxer that invaded the pitch at Sheffield United.

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• Norwegian on target once again
• All smiles at Bramall Lane
• Joined on field by famous fan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The prolific Norwegian was on target once again at Bramall Lane, with last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner shrugging off a missed penalty to make another important contribution for the reigning champions at Bramall Lane.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Haaland was all smiles when hitting the net, but appeared to be unaware of who was clinging to his back. The man in question was Terry Flanagan, a retired British fighter that held the WBO lightweight title between 2015 and 2017.

• AND WHAT'S MORE

  Flanagan never hid his love for City during a productive boxing career that saw him suffer just two defeats through 38 fights – with 14 knockouts recorded along the way. He leapt onto Haaland after seeing the 23-year-old find the target, while also planting a kiss on his neck.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Flanagan was escorted off the field by security staff, which may result in an attendance ban for him, while City went on to grind out a 2-1 win over newly-promoted Sheffield United that has allowed them to preserve the Premier League’s only 100 per cent record in 2023-24.

Joao Felix continues to be linked with Barcelona and Manchester United, with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone responding to the transfer talk.

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• Forward spent time on loan at Chelsea
• No permanent deal sought
• Remains under contract until 2027

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Portugal international forward spent the second-half of last season on loan at Premier League side Chelsea, where he netted four goals through 20 appearances. No permanent deal was sought by the Blues, with Felix having been named on the bench by Atleti for their 2023-24 La Liga season opener against Granada.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Felix is now nursing a slight knock, which is ruling him out of action, but rumours of interest from Barca and United refuse to go away as another recruitment deadline approaches. Atletico have a big decision to make on the 23-year-old, as he remains a saleable asset, but Simeone is giving little away when it comes to future plans.

• WHAT THEY SAID

  Simeone has said when asked about the speculation that is raging at Wanda Metropolitano: “Joao Felix? I always say the best question is to ask him. I see that he's not being interviewed and doesn't have the opportunity. They're always asking us. He's in the squad, and we've been training with him since the pre-season began. He didn't take part in the friendlies due to an injury that kept him out of the first two, and he didn't enter the other two because we understood he needed a week of training. Later, he had a good week and was called up for the first match. Now he has some discomfort, so he won't be in Seville. That's what I can comment on, concerning what matters to me, which is the group and our work.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Felix joined Atletico for €126 million (£108m/$137m) in 2019 and has scored 34 goals while registering 18 assists through 131 appearances for the Rojiblancos. He remains tied to a contract in the Spanish capital through to 2027, meaning that there is no pressure to part with him amid links to leading sides from across Europe.

The Magpies are well placed to keep progressing and make a strong push for silverware after some more shrewd recruitment

Newcastle were one of the biggest success stories of the 2022-23 campaign, which saw them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years and reach the Carabao Cup final. Eddie Howe was trusted to lead an ambitious project at St. James Park by the club's Saudi-backed owners, and so far, he has proven to be exactly the right man for the job.

The question is: just how far can Howe take Newcastle? Time will tell, but it's safe to say that they're in a great position after another summer of smart business in the transfer market.

A strong start will be crucial to their chances of success in 2023-24, and the Premier League fixture list has thrown up a real baptism of fire. Newcastle will face Unai Emery's Aston Villa, reigning champions Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton in their first four games – which they should see as an opportunity to lay down a marker.

If the Magpies' points total is in double figures by the end of that testing run, what's to stop them from emerging as dark horses for the title? Juggling Premier League and Champions League commitments will be a new challenge for Howe's side, but they have the depth to make a real impact in both competitions.

Newcastle's strongest starting XI is a match for any team on the continent, and if they can avoid any serious injuries, there is a very real possibility that their agonising 54-year wait for a major trophy will end in 2024…

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  GK: Nick Pope

  Nick Pope enjoyed an outstanding debut season at Newcastle, who snapped him up for just £10 million from Burnley last summer. The Magpies finished the campaign with the second-best defensive record in the Premier League thanks to Pope's commanding displays between the sticks, and at 31, he still has plenty of years at the top level ahead of him.

  Gareth Southgate continues to favour Jordan Pickford ahead of Pope at international level, but for our money, the Newcastle man is currently the best English goalkeeper in the business.

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  RB: Kieran Trippier

  Right-backs don't come more reliable than Kieran Trippier in the modern game, and the 32-year-old seems to be ageing like a fine wine. The Magpies' de facto captain was one of the standout performers in Howe's dynamic, attack-minded side last season, weighing in with seven Premier League assists.

  Trippier is a superb all-round full-back and he remains a master from dead ball-situations – as evidenced by his spectacular free-kick in Newcastle's famous 3-3 draw against Manchester City in August last year – while he should get some rest this season with new signing Tino Livramento drafted in from Southampton to provide high-quality back-up.

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  CB: Fabian Schar

  Fabian Schar's future at Newcastle was very much up in the air prior to Howe's appointment in November 2021, but he has worked hard to turn his career around and was a mainstay in the English manager's line up last term.

  Surprisingly nimble for a big man, Schar excels when bringing the ball out of defence and has a fierce competitive edge that makes him a useful asset at both ends of the pitch.

  The Switzerland international has firmly established himself as one of Newcastle's most important players, and if he can keep up the same level of performance after entering the final year of his contract, he will surely earn an extended stay on Tyneside.

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  CB: Sven Botman

  Newcastle spent £35 million ($45m) to beat AC Milan to the signing of Sven Botman in the summer of 2022, and it has proven to be bargain price. The former Lille centre-half made the transition from Ligue 1 to the Premier League seamlessly, forming a rock-solid partnership with Schar in the process.

  Botman boasts a natural composure on the ball and he's dominant in the air, with few attackers ever managing to get the better of the 23-year-old in one-on-one situations. The scary thing is, Botman still has a lot more potential to unlock, and Howe is the perfect manager to bring it out of him.

Danny Mills believes Glasgow Rangers are not the best loan destination for former Ibrox starlet Billy Gilmour.

The Lowdown: Gilmour could make loan switch

Gilmour, who is a product of Rangers’ youth academy, made the move to Chelsea as a 15-year-old from Ibrox in 2017.

Now 19, he made 11 appearances for Champions League winners Chelsea last term (Transfermarkt), but he is set to go out on loan for the next campaign to gain much-needed playing experience (The Daily Mail).

Football Insider sources say the Gers will be interested in the teenager.

The Latest: Better off at Brentford

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills has suggested Gilmour would be better off with Brentford rather than with the Gers. He said:

“I think there’ll be a lot of clubs queueing up for his signature.

“He’s a very talented boy. Brentford might be looking at him, he could come in and do a very good job and is a very good player. He wouldn’t have to move either, he could stay where he is. I think that helps a young player, a bit of stability.

“He’ll have several options to where he could go. He has to make the right decision for him. Be picky, be choosy and say ‘Right Ok, I’m going to go here for the good of me and for the development of my career.’

“I think he’ll have several options because he’s a very talented player.

“If he’s going to go to a Premier League club and play regularly then it’s definitely a better option than Rangers.

“He’ll learn a lot more there than by going to the Scottish league.”

The Verdict: Premier League stay

It would be fantastic for Steven Gerrard to be able to add £9m-valued Gilmour (Transfermarkt) to his squad for the 2021/22 campaign. The Blues midfielder is clearly talented, and was even called “world-class” by Roy Keane in 2019 (via talkSPORT). At Ibrox, he could easily become a fan favourite due to his roots at the club.

Unfortunately, the Premiership lacks the quality of the Premier League. Gilmour could do with playing regularly against top-quality players to hone his talents, something which just isn’t on offer in Scotland week in week out.

Brentford would probably make more sense for Thomas Tuchel and co, in what could be a blow for Gerrard and the Gers.

In other news, Rangers fans laud this man’s performance at Euro 2020.

The French champions are exploring hiring the Roma boss to replace Christophe Galtier, a move that would have massive implications at Parc des Princes

Picture it: It's December 2023. Paris Saint-Germain are 10 points clear at the top of Ligue 1. They have topped their Champions League group, beating Manchester United twice en route to an undefeated European slate. Eleven individuals have now become a well-oiled machine, with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe running for all 90 minutes. No player takes any unsanctioned flights or eats fast food late at night. And the manager, Jose Mourinho, has the Parisians playing the counter-attacking football of dreams.

This is what PSG's world could look like if everything goes to plan over the next six months. The Parisians have been heavily linked with bringing in the mercurial Portuguese manager for some weeks now, with current boss Christophe Galtier looking increasingly likely to be fired at the end of the season.

PSG hope that Mourinho's no-nonsense attitude and scathing ripostes of the media will earn the respect of their fans. They will surely bank on 'The Special One's' status to bring the egos that currently run rampant in Paris into check. Ultimately, the narcissist-in-chief could be the man to pull the strands of a messy team together.

Except, it probably won't work like that. Mourinho might be a short-term solution in Paris, his notoriously stern managerial style bringing temporary peace to a chaotic club. But over a long period, this will undoubtedly go badly wrong, with Mourinho serving as the antithesis to the change that PSG need.

If it happens, the whole thing promises to be totally unmissable.

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  The logic behind it

  In a way, hiring Mourinho makes some sense. PSG have never had a complete manager, one to quell all of the club's many issues. Instead, they have relied on overcorrection with each new hire.

  Thomas Tuchel was a masterful tactician, but was too controlling of those in the dressing room and could not handle PSG's erratic superstars. The board responded by bringing in the good vibes and modern style of Mauricio Pochettino, but he was simply too free-spirited and idealistic for a club that required more rigidity.

  The next solution was Galtier. He was French, slightly scary looking, and knowledgeable about Ligue 1. His smart 3-4-3 system looked to be the right fit to get the best out of the Parisians' front three. He also denied PSG the title in 2021 while in charge of Lille. The club, in effect, hired the man who had beat them.

  However, it hasn't worked out. The tactics have gone stale, and Galtier has started fiddling with his formations. Although they will win Ligue 1, European success is nowhere to be found. Off the pitch, he has let Neymar and, most recently, Lionel Messi, get away with antics in droves. And perhaps most importantly, the fiercely loyal ultras have fallen out of love with the manager. That he is from the wrong part of France hasn't helped, either.

  So, Mourinho appears to be the next step. This is very much in line with the same old model, despite the fact that PSG insist that they are trying to change.

  Mourinho can rile up a fanbase. He has handled superstars with some success in the past. He will have the Parisians playing in a recognised style, and will demand the absolute respect of a dressing room that seems to have little of it for their current manager. He is also an expert in cup competitions, and has won the Champions League twice. So far, so rational.

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  A manager who demands control

  But management doesn't work like that. In reality, PSG is the last place Mourinho should be. It's a dysfunctional institution, and throwing the Portuguese into that powder keg is akin to setting the timer on a ticking bomb.

  It all starts with the mandate of a Mourinho managerial appointment: power. He has made a career off functioning as a dictatorial figure. He demands control from top to bottom, both internally with his squad, and externally with the media. Mourinho is a totalitarian leader, and he needs to be made to feel as such in order to be a success.

  And there's evidence for that set up working. It brought domestic success to Chelsea (twice), a Champions League to Inter, and helped Real Madrid piece together one of the best seasons in La Liga history. It brought a promising, if admittedly short, period of success for Tottenham, and has delivered a European trophy for Roma, with perhaps another to come this season.

  But in the past, when that control has started to fall apart, so too has Mourinho. In 2007, his relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reached a breaking point — forcing the manager out of the door. In 2013, Madrid's dressing room was left in tatters by a Mourinho who criticised his own players, refereeing and the media. He left at the end of the season, one he later called the worst of his career.

  The same has since happened at Manchester United and Tottenham, with the manager feeling undercut by either the board above him or the players he coaches.

  And this is a terrible sign for PSG. Galtier has been engulfed by an open power struggle with football advisor Luis Campos, who has made a point of repeatedly undermining the manager both in the press and in the dressing room. Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi isn't exactly known for his laissez-faire approach, either.

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  'I have a universal dimension'

  There is an obviously curated segment of Tottenham's 2019 All or Nothing' series where Mourinho meets with Harry Kane. During the one-minute exchange, Mourinho speaks on his so-called "universal dimension" and promises his immense influence can help Kane reach a new level of superstardom. Kane, captivated by the promise, agrees. It was Mourinho asserting his ego, stating that his own personal brand outweighs that of the England captain. And, as it turned out, Mourinho was right.

  Kane would go on to have arguably the best 18 months of his career at that point, upping his goal and assist totals after a forgettable 2018-19 campaign.

  Mourinho did the same with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Madrid forward scored 60 goals in 2011 under the Portuguese's guidance, before winning the Ballon d'Or two years later. Didier Drogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Karim Benzema have all benefited from his methods, too. There is reason to suggest, then, that Mourinho could handle the massive names in the PSG dressing room.

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  When it all goes wrong

  But a series of high-profile arguments with the kind of big-brand, social media obsessed players that PSG's dressing room is full of should offer reason for caution.

  The best example is, perhaps, Paul Pogba. The France international repeatedly butted heads with the manager, with a series of incidents seeing Mourinho antagonise United's record signing. Mourinho publically criticised Pogba for his work rate in 2018, and insinuated that the player didn't focus enough on football. He also lambasted him for flying to Miami for treatment and suggested that one of Pogba's Instagram posts poked fun at his team-mates. It culminated with Mourinho stripping Pogba of the vice-captaincy, and arguing with him in training in a now-infamous video.

  And Mourinho hasn't really coached a player of that notoriety since then. Kane and Son Heung-min are big names, but not social media stars. Mbappe and Neymar, though, are the very definition of the kind of personal brand that he relentlessly clashed with.

  In the past, before social media profiles of individuals outweighed the clubs they represent, the manager has been able to out-ego the biggest personalities he has coached. This time, it looks like a losing battle — one Mourinho will likely not concede.