Damian Mannion

Oct 28, 2024 | talksport.com | Damian Mannion

Rodri capped a fine season by winning football's ultimate individual prize. At a glitzy award do in Paris, in front of his peers - some of them at least - the Manchester City and Spain midfielder won the Ballon d'Or.Many had expected Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr to win, but he and his Real Madrid teammates opted to stay away from the do. The award is for the previous season, not the previous year, and should go to the best player during that specific period, not the best player in the world.

Aug 15, 2024 | talksport.com | Damian Mannion

Michael Laudrup, one of the finest players of his generation, could have played in one of Liverpool's greatest sides. In 1983, the Brondby star wanted to join them, he was a Liverpool fan, but ultimately the transfer didn't materialise over a disagreement and England's loss was Italy's gain. "We agreed a three-year contract and went away thinking it was all done," Laudrup explained to liverpoolfc.com in 2011.

Aug 15, 2024 | talksport.com | Damian Mannion

Transfers being hijacked is a story Tottenham bosses know all too well. They thought they had landed Emmanuel Petit then Arsenal pulled their pants down, while they helped Willian essentially complete his Chelsea medical. But they've also managed to sting their rivals before like in 1988 when they gazumped Man United to land Young Player of the Year Paul Gascoigne. The Newcastle star thought he was heading a few hours down the road to Manchester.

Aug 1, 2024 | talksport.com | Damian Mannion

How's your luck? Tottenham believed they were about to sign midfielder Emmanuel Petit in 1997, but Arsenal had other plans. This was a period of great success for the Gunners - Dennis Bergkamp and David Platt were added to the squad that summer, while manager Arsene Wenger was appointed manager in 1996. So when it was put to France international Petit: Do you want to fight relegation or challenge for Premier League titles, it was a no-brainer.

Apr 7, 2024 | talksport.com | Damian Mannion

“So what’s your golf background?” I’m being asked by Jack, one of the pros about to give me a lesson and wondering whether to lie to him. I’m at The Grove hotel in Hertfordshire and getting excited at the prospect of walking in the footsteps of Tiger Woods. However, perhaps sensing the extent of my ability probably stretches to a few nights at crazy golf and occasional trips to Top Golf, he walks me over to the range. And he’d be right - not forgetting ‘pub golf’ in my younger years.