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Why Man City value squad happiness over depth
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola doesn't want a big squad; he wants a happy squad. But letting players decide their own futures comes with risk.


TOP HEADLINES

SOCCER TRANSFERS
Which legend would clubs bring back now if they could?
Clubs around Europe are deciding which players they want to bring in, but who would they pick if they could bring back a former player?

WOMEN'S SUMMER SOCCER PREVIEW
A blockbuster summer of women's soccer: What to watch, when and how
Major tournaments are kicking off around the world; here's the lowdown on schedules, key players and more ahead of a big summer for women's soccer.

FOOTBALL
AUSTRALIA
Thompson: A-League Socceroos should seek loan moves before World Cup
Former Socceroo Archie Thompson says A-League Men players on the fringes of Australia's team should seek a loan move ahead of the World Cup.

INSIDER NOTEBOOK
Man United power struggle: Ten Hag's role in Rangnick's exit
Erik ten Hag played a key role in Ralf Rangnick's sudden exit from Manchester United -- ESPN's Insider Notebook has the latest.

TRANSFERS
LIVE Transfer Talk: Juve's De Ligt among six Chelsea targets
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel "has been promised as many as six summer signings," including Juve's Matthijs de Ligt. Transfer Talk has the latest.
Ogden: Phillips deal shows Man City are winning the transfer window

ATHLETIC CLUB
Football
Return of Bielsa or Valverde to decide Athletic Club presidential election
Ernesto Valverde or Marcelo Bielsa will become Athletic Club's new head coach. Either way, supporters have a man they love coming back.

LIONEL MESSI TURNS 35
Celebrating Messi at 35: Records, milestones and goal scoring
We're celebrating Lionel Messi's 35th birthday by taking a look back at certain aspects of his incredible career to date.

SUMMER TRANFERS
How can clubs replicate the transfer successes of Robertson, Salah, Pedri?
Liverpool are experts in finding value in the transfer market with deals for Andy Robertson and Mo Salah, while Pedri and Christopher Nkunku show other clubs can do it too. But how can clubs replicate their success now? And who should they sign?
Top Headlines
- Bale confirms shock move to LAFC on free
- Sources: Arsenal, City agree Gabriel Jesus deal
- Mbappe: Champions League is PSG's objective
- Man Utd fans' fury as Glazer dividends are paid
- England thump Dutch 5-1 in Euros warm-up
- Ex-Barca boss Valverde set for return with Bilbao
- Wayne Rooney steps down as Derby manager
- PSG pres acquitted for 2nd time in FIFA retrial
espn Must-Watch Video
Laurens: Mbappe transfer saga the most incredible of all time
ESPN The Far Post Podcast
Join Angela Christian-Wilkes, Anna Harrington, Samantha Lewis and Marissa Lordanic as they dissect another big week in women's football.
Julie Glassberg for ESPN The story of Jean-Pierre and Bernardette Adams
When complications from routine knee surgery left PSG and France defender Jean-Pierre Adams in a coma in 1982, his wife Bernadette refused to let go.
PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images Barcelona's next golden generation
Amid a financial crisis, Barcelona's young players have rescued the team on several occasions times this season. But who are they?
Illustration by ESPN FC 100: Messi, Lewandowski top, Prem power
ESPN's annual ranking was selected by 77 global experts and is broken down into Top 10s for every position on the pitch as well one for the managers.
Courtesy of Barcelona residency academy The battle to sign young American players
Americans are making an impression on the global game, and Europe's biggest clubs are now rivaling MLS for the country's most gifted young players.
Illustration by ESPN Battle of the Leagues: The final!
Who will be crowned champions of ESPN's Battle of the Leagues, presented by EA Sports FIFA 22? Will Ligue 1 or the Premier League reign supreme?
Peter Powell Powell/EPA The fight for the soul of Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo is back and the club is one of the biggest in the world. But what does that mean to local fans, pushed out by the global game?
Brent Humphreys for ESPN Ricardo Pepi has unstoppable dreams
After a superb start for the USMNT, Ricardo Pepi is ready to take on the world. Wherever he goes, he will carry his borderland hometown with him.
Illustrations by Freak City Which LaLiga team should you root for?
Spain's top flight has arrived on ESPN+ and, if you do not have a favorite team from LaLiga, here is a handy guide to all 20 to help you decide.
Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images How Man Utd got Cristiano Ronaldo to return
In the span of 48 hours, Cristiano Ronaldo left Juventus and, after seemingly agreeing a move to Man City, went back to Man United instead.
Tim Clayton/Corbis/Getty Images How Diego Simeone became King of LaLiga
Simeone embodies everything that is cool about Atletico Madrid: Gritty, intense and a LaLiga champion, he tells ESPN what makes him tick.
Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images How Messi came to leave Barcelona for PSG
As August began, everyone thought Lionel Messi would remain a Barcelona player. Before the month reached its halfway mark, he was unveiled by PSG.
Alexander Wells Messi at Barcelona: The ultimate history
The unthinkable happened: Lionel Messi left Barcelona. But as this interactive timeline shows, he will be known as the club's greatest-ever player.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images Denmark sends emotional message to Eriksen
Following the national team star's shocking cardiac arrest, Denmark rallied in support of Christian Eriksen with a tribute-filled Copenhagen mural.
JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images Mara Gomez: 'Football saved my life'
In 2020, Gomez became the first transgender woman to play professionally in Argentina. She talks to ESPN about her remarkable journey.
ESPN Illustration The 39 best male players age 21 or under
Welcome to the next generation! Players from 15 countries and six leagues are named by Tor-Kristian Karlsen, a former scout and sporting director.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Stories from the pandemic season
The 2020-21 Premier League campaign was unlike any other. ESPN talked to people around the game about their experiences and lessons learned.
ESPN Illustration The 21 best female players age 21 or under
Welcome to the next generation of women's stars. With Catarina Macario leading the way, our list is dominated by players from the U.S. and England.
Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images Joe Bryan on anxiety, fear and wanting to help
The defender tackled his anxiety and mental health head-on at Fulham. Now he wants to help others do the same and normalise the conversation.
ESPN ESPN FC Women's Rank: The 50 best players
An American World Cup winner is No. 1, followed by an Australian star forward, in an ESPN FC and espnW celebration of the sport's elite.
Marcelo Boeri/El Grafico/Getty Images How Barcelona signed Messi, 13, with a napkin
On Dec. 14, 2000, Barcelona agreed a deal that would take Lionel Messi to Spain and change the course of soccer history. Here's how they did it.
ESPN Why Haaland can become the world's best
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is writing history with every game he plays, and he is only 20 years old. But the Norwegian wants a lot more.
Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images Trinity Rodman set to make her name in soccer
"Moving forward, it's going to be nice to distinguish that yes, [Dennis] was a successful NBA player, but I am going to be a successful NWSL player."
ESPN Illustration Who is your country's greatest male player?
Messi or Maradona? Is Pele Brazil's No. 1? Dempsey or Donovan in the U.S.? What about England? We try to settle the debates.
AP Photo/Carlo Fumagalli Maradona, though flawed, was one of the best
Diego Maradona is gone, but as Lionel Messi put it, "he'll be with us for eternity." As well as his legacy, the scope of his talent and humanity will endure.
ESPN Illustration They wore that? All-time worst kits, ranked
Man United's invisible grey, Liverpool's 'Crystanbul' attire, Barcelona's Tequila Sunrise; there have been some shockers. But only one had tassels...
Getty Football can drive the social justice message
My message is simple, writes Shaka Hislop: Whether you speak out or stay silent, show up and be a part of the movement.
ESPN Illustration The worst Premier League transfers of all-time
Look away now, Fernando Torres, Mario Balotelli and Bebe; Bill Barnwell is back to reveal the worst moves in Premier League history.
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Upcoming fixtures
What's ahead in the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS and more.
Getty Latest scores
Updates, results from Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS and more.
Alberto Saiz/AP Photo League tables
Updated standings from the Premier League, Champions League, LaLiga, MLS and more.