Napoli want to sign Alejandro Garnacho after missing out on the Argentine in January, Arsenal join Bayern Munich in the pursuit of Kaoru Mitoma, plus more.
The rise of the Samurai Blue has gone hand-in-hand with increased integration of ‘haafu’ into society, although things are still not perfect Through Japan’s previous seven World Cup appearances, the progress of its men’s national team has reflected the country’s ascent within the global soccer community, a result of three decades of professionalism and grassroots development producing a steady stream of Europe-ready players. On Thursday, that streak of consecutive appearances in men’s soccer’s showpiece event was officially extended to eight, as Japan’s 2-0 win over Bahrain made them the first non-host country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. Continue reading...
Brighton made it three wins in a row as they cruised to a 4-0 victory at rock-bottom Southampton to climb to eighth place in the Premier League and keep their European ambitions on track. Goals from the excellent João Pedro, Georginio Rutter, Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood were more than enough to condemn the Saints to a 21st defeat of the season and leave them on just nine points, two fewer than Derby’s record low total from the 2007-08 season. Continue reading...
Takehiro Tomiyasu is the latest Arsenal player to be ruled out of the rest of the season after the defender has knee surgery.
Manchester United are considering a move for Liam Delap, Liverpool are set to offer Newcastle Darwin Nunez plus cash in an attempt to land Alexander Isak, and Brighton might reluctantly sell Japan forward Kaoru Mitoma.
Enzo Maresca must be sick of the sight of Kaoru Mitoma. A week after he sent them tumbling out of the FA Cup, a breathtaking piece of control from the Japan winger to score the opening goal set up another memorable victory for Brighton and piled more pressure on the Chelsea manager. Three defeats in their last four matches and with Cole Palmer enduring a frustrating night as he laboured as a false 9, at times Maresca seemed lost on the touchline as he watched his side struggle to find a way back into the game after Yankuba Minteh had made it 2-0 before half-time. His second of the night killed off any hopes of a comeback and it could have turned into a Valentine’s Day massacre had Mitoma, João Pedro or Joël Veltman taken their chances late on. Continue reading...
Kaoru Mitoma scores a controversial winner as Brighton beat Chelsea to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Al-Nassr end their attempts to sign Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma after the Seagulls make it clear they have no intention of selling the Japan forward.
Tottenham agree £50m deal with Bayern Munich for Mathys Tel, Al-Nassr plot £90m offer for Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma, Ollie Watkins open to joining Arsenal, plus more.
Brighton reject a significant offer from Saudi Pro-League club Al-Nassr for Japan winger Kaoru Mitoma.
A first league win in nine for Brighton and the latest hard truth for Ipswich. The home side had been under little serious threat until Kaoru Mitoma, profiting from loose defending, scored just before the hour but were never in the game after that. They were smothered by visitors who chose to do anything but sit back on their lead, Georginio Rutter doubling the advantage and ensuring a swift return to the relegation zone for Kieran McKenna’s team. Brighton cruised home and, with players newly fit, will hope to have drawn breath for a march up the table. The pre-match levels of respect between McKenna and Fabian Hürzeler had been considerable: two of the best young managers around oversee teams to be proud of, and there was another clear point in common. Both sides might wonder how their seasons would look if draws more regularly became victories; Brighton had tied six of their winless run while Ipswich, freshly out of the bottom three on goal difference, could point to the recent dropping of two points late on at Fulham. Continue reading...
Brighton endured a nervy finale but João Pedro’s fourth goal of the season helped them to a fine 2-1 win at Bournemouth to continue Fabian Hürzeler’s flying start to life in the Premier League. João Pedro struck after four minutes and Kaoru Mitoma repeated the trick at the start of the second half to put the Seagulls in control. Continue reading...
Takumi Minamino scores twice as Monaco continue their bright start to this season's Champions League league phase with a big victory over winless Red Star Belgrade.
Match at the Amex kicks off at 2pm (BST)Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekendShare your thoughts with John on X or via email Joao Pedro is in the Brighton squad but on the bench, and Callum Hudson-Odoi starts for Nottingham Forest after scoring the winner at Liverpool. Anthony Elanga is in the forward line, too. Simon Adingra replaces Yankuba Minteh on the wing, in tandem with Kaoru Mitoma. Jack Hinshelwood moves from left-back into midfield – such a talent – as the mighty Pervis Estupinan makes a long-awaited return. Brighton: Verbruggen, Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Rutter, Adingra, Mitoma, Welbeck. Subs: Steele, Julio, Webster, Kadioglu, Wieffer, Minteh, Enciso, Pedro, Ferguson. Continue reading...
