Mauricio Pochettino has made plain that a return to England’s top flight remains central to his long-term goals even as he prepares the U.S. men’s national team for World Cup duty. In an interview with BBC Sport released the day after the World Cup draw he said plainly: “The Premier League is the best in the world.”

Pochettino outlined a clear appetite to return to the competition he described as “the most competitive league.” “Of course I miss it. I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day. It is the most competitive league, and of course I would love to come back again.”

On the field with the USMNT, Pochettino’s side were listed as co-hosts and placed in a group described in the draft as relatively kind. He has already overseen victories against their two confirmed opponents, Australia and Paraguay, and the team will next face the playoff winner from UEFA’s pathway C, which could be any of Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo.

The draft also summarises Pochettino’s recent club record. It lists Southampton finishes of 14th in 2012–13 and 8th in 2013–14. His Tottenham seasons are given as 2014–15 5th, 2015–16 3rd, 2016–17 2nd, 2017–18 3rd, 2018–19 4th and 2019–20 14th. The 2023–24 season at Chelsea is listed as 6th.

Pochettino remains explicit about unfinished business from his time in England. The draft recalls his tenure at Tottenham, noting he “never finished lower than fifth with Spurs and took the north London outfit to second place in 2016–17.” Tottenham also reached the 2019 Champions League final under his watch, losing 2–0 to Liverpool. When asked for one remaining ambition he replied without hesitation: “To win the Premier League and the Champions League.” He added: “We were so close in Tottenham,” and “I want to achieve this. I am still young, I have the energy, experience and motivation to try in the future.”

The Premier League shortlists for November have been published, highlighting individual runs that shaped the month.

Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes closed November with three goals, two of which arrived in the win over Manchester City. Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivered a memorable strike against Manchester United, also scoring against Newcastle and providing an assist against Fulham. Manchester City winger Jérémy Doku produced one of the season’s most eye-catching individual displays as he demolished Liverpool and helped Pep Guardiola’s side remain competitive in the title race.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes finished November with four assists, creating goals against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace. Morgan Gibbs-White enjoyed a three-game scoring streak for Nottingham Forest, firing home against Man Utd, Leeds United and in the away victory at Liverpool.

Chelsea defender Reece James featured in all four of the Blues’ Premier League matches in November. His assist in the 1–1 draw with Arsenal capped off a truly stunning individual showing in a month which yielded a total of three clean sheets. Arsenal’s Declan Rice added attacking impetus with a goal against Burnley and an assist in the north London derby win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Brentford striker Igor Thiago continued his hot form, adding five goals across November with strikes against Newcastle, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley among them.

Managers with strong cases included Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s unbeaten month, which produced wins over Burnley and Tottenham as well as draws with Sunderland and Chelsea. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa won three of four and emerged as outside contenders in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s Man City scored a league-high 10 goals in November, including the victory over Liverpool. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton & Hove Albion conceded once in four games, producing wins over Leeds, Brentford and Nottingham Forest. Chelsea went unbeaten under Enzo Maresca with three wins and a draw. Marco Silva’s Fulham recorded three wins over Wolves, Sunderland and Tottenham.

Recent monthly winners: Jack Grealish (Everton, August), Erling Haaland (Man City, September), Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd, October). Recent manager winners: Arne Slot (Liverpool, August), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace, September), Ruben Amorim (Man Utd, October).

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank publicly praised Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha following the Portugal international’s Champions League hat-trick at the Parc des Princes. Vitinha’s first equaliser came from 25 yards and found Guglielmo Vicario’s top corner, while his second was noted for its technical quality and dribbling.

Frank, speaking after his side’s defeat in France, made clear his frustration at surrendering leads during the contest. He referenced Spurs having been 1–0 up and then 2–1 up before the home side turned the game.

Frank said: “There is a frustration when you go 1–0 up and 2–1 up against PSG away from home. The performance was to really get something out of the game—a point or three points. That was the performance.

“You hope Vitinha doesn’t put the ball in the top corner. That was very tricky. Then the two goals, their third and fourth, you can’t concede them if you want to win here.

“By the way, Vitinha, best midfielder in the world, he’ll be the next Ballon d’Or winner, for me.”

Vitinha celebrated a personal milestone after the match and reflected on his unexpected scoring haul. He said that he had never before scored twice in a single game, and that the hat-trick was the first time he had achieved so much in one match.

Vitinha said: “It’s the first time. Even two, it’s the first time. I had never scored two in the same game,” he joked.

He added: “It was incredible, I think it’s a bit of a mental thing. If you don’t think about scoring a lot of goals, you probably won’t. You have to believe, you have to push, too. Of course, always for the good of the team and never against the team, but you have to believe, show up, feel that the ball will come to you.

“The truth is that I had luck combined with the goals and I’m overjoyed. I never, never thought I’d score three goals in a game. Very happy to have scored, but mainly for the victory.”

The win moved Paris Saint-Germain second in the Champions League standings with three games remaining.