A lot of Pakistan’s success is built on a bowling line-up that has more to offer than an Amazon sale. Shaheen Afridi brings the swing. Haris Rauf brings the pace. Hasan Ali brings the hustle. Imad Wasim brings the control. And Shadab Khan brings the magic. New Zealand went up against all of that and came away battered and bruised, their total of 134 never quite enough.Pressure tells Pakistan were in control of the game ever since they won the toss and chose to bowl. Eleven of the 20 overs they bowled went for six runs or fewer.New Zealand tried their best to disrupt a bowling line-up in prime form. They made Daryl Mitchell open the batting for the first time in his professional career. It didn’t work. They punted on James Neesham at No. 4. It didn’t work.The pressure that kept piling on them even had an effect on their captain. Kane Williamson, after nudging a back of a length ball into the off side, set off for a single that he normally never would have. But here, with all run-making avenues blocked, he took a few too many paces down the pitch and was sent packing by a Hasan Ali direct hit.New Zealand were in the middle of a decent sequence at the time, smashing four fours and a six in nine balls. Since that wicket, in the 13th over, there were only three further boundaries.
Watch highlights on ESPN+
If you are in the USA, watch the Pakistan vs New Zealand highlights on ESPN+ here in English, and here in Hindi
Pace is pace yaar Rauf began the game with a 149 kph yorker that literally took Martin Guptill out of the game. He survived that ball but wouldn’t field in the second innings. High pace is a point of difference in T20 cricket. It’s the reason Pakistan invested in a bowler who only turned professional a mere three years ago.And while Rauf can set the speed gun on fire, here three of his four wickets came through slower deliveries. It was a sign of his evolution and an understanding of the conditions in Sharjah. One of his balls – at 149 kph – was lashed for four by Mitchell Santner in the 20th over. So, he pulled his pace back. The batter was through with his shot early. The stumps were in all kinds of disarray. And Sharjah kept screaming “Haaaaris! Haaaaris! Haaaaaris!”The end A traditional strength of New Zealand’s – fielding – and one of a more recent vintage – Ish Sodhi’s legspin – allowed this game the veneer of a contest. Pakistan went into the last five overs needing 44 to win. And in conditions that were slow and low that tends to be a tough ask unless someone goes berserk.So Asif Ali wound up those big strong arms of his and launched the second and third balls of the 17th over clean out of the park. He came into the World Cup on the back of a woeful CPL. But here he was dismantling one of New Zealand’s best fast bowlers in Tim Southee to usher his team to a flawless victory.Pakistan have played 13 T20Is in the UAE since 2016. They have now won every single one of them. If they keep this up, there’s going to be a nice, shiny trophy just waiting for them.
One Newcastle man will not be a part of Eddie Howe’s squad to take on Wolves this weekend after it emerged he had turned down the chance to leave the club in the summer, and now risks being frozen out entirely.
Difficult summer for Newcastle amid financial fair play concerns
It was not the transfer window that any at St James’ Park would have envisioned amid major concerns of breaching the Premier League’s financial fair play regulations and a failure to lure top talent to Tyneside.
The June 30th deadline to comply with FFP saw the Magpies forced into the sales of young duo Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson, fetching £65m for the pair, as Minteh joined Brighton for £30m and Anderson completed a £35m move to Nottingham Forest.
Elliot Anderson for Newcastle
It ended speculation that the club could be forced into selling one of their established first team stars amid links between Anthony Gordon and Liverpool, as well as Alexander Isak and Arsenal. Speaking over the summer, midfielder Sean Longstaff admitted it felt as though everyone was up for sale as the Magpies rushed to raise funds.
“We’re not stupid, we’d seen all the stuff with financial fair play (FFP) and who was on the table and who wasn’t on the table. At that point, the way it seemed, everyone had their price and unfortunately for Elliot and for us, he was the one who had to go”, he told the Athletic.
Newcastle’s summer signings
Player
Fee
Odysseas Vlachodimos
€23.6m
William Osula
€11.6m
Lewis Hall
€33m
John Ruddy
Free
Lloyd Kelly
Free
But despite complying, it remained a very quiet summer for Newcastle, with Lloyd Kelly arriving on a free transfer and William Osula joining from Sheffield United, while goalkeeping duo John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos also arrived and they officially made Lewis Hall’s loan move from Chelsea permanent.
Newcastle man to be frozen out
Now, in a peculiar if predictable turn of events, The Athletic report that summer signing Odysseas Vlachodimos is set to be frozen out of the squad just months after becoming the most expensive goalkeeper in the club’s history.
The Greek shot-stopper technically arrived from Nottingham Forest for £20m as part of the deal to send Anderson to the City Ground, but his arrival was only ever a necessity to balance the books at both clubs, despite ostensibly being a separate deal from Anderson’s.
Newcastle keen on "talented" prospect whose brother just cost Spurs £30m
He could join his brother in the top flight…
By
Tom Cunningham
Sep 12, 2024
However, he has not been a part of any of the club’s matchday squads so far this season, and The Athletic claim that he “will not be selected for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday”. Indeed, they add that he “has already been told he can leave St James’ Park, an opportunity he declined”.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that “the prospects of Vlachodimos playing for Newcastle any time soon are said to be almost non-existent”, which will leave him taking home £50,000 a week for the remainder of his stay on Tyneside without ever being involved in competitive action. Given the nature of the deal, it is a sad but entirely unsurprising turn of events for Greece’s no.1.
Much has been made of Manchester United’s new boardroom setup under the INEOS regime, but it’s fair to say that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co have merely kicked the can down the road with regard to Erik ten Hag’s position.
Leading up to May’s FA Cup final, the Dutchman was a dead man walking, but having overseen a shock Wembley triumph, the powers that be decided – eventually – to back their man. (Well, they extended his contract by a year, at least.)
Whether they were swayed by fan sentiment or the euphoria of the cup win, the new hierarchy opted for a U-turn on their Ten Hag stance, seemingly overlooking a season of turmoil that had left the club languishing in eighth in the Premier League table.
A ruthless outfit would’ve sacked the 54-year-old regardless of whether or not he had bettered Pep Guardiola’s side, with INEOS now left in a scenario where a change in the dugout may have to be made mid-season – costing the club a reported £17.5m if they are to part ways with the former Ajax boss.
For many among the United faithful, the hope was that Ten Hag could finally be the man to shake off the spectre of Sir Alex Ferguson, and while two trophies have been acquired, the current campaign is already gearing up for disaster.
Back-to-back 3-0 league defeats at Old Trafford to rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur has brought with it a palpable sense of Deja Vu, echoing the last days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and David Moyes – the pair both having been humbled at home to the Anfield side and Manchester City before facing the axe.
Ten Hag now heads into a pivotal week with away trips to Porto and Aston Villa to seemingly save his job, although with the October international break to follow, a new face could well be taking charge later this month…
Man Utd's manager search
Fresh from leading England to the European Championship final, Gareth Southgate – who worked under Dan Ashworth at the FA for a time – has long been touted as Ten Hag’s successor, with reports recently indicating that the ex-Three Lions boss is willing to wait to replace the Dutchman at the Theatre of Dreams.
According to the Daily Star, however, Southgate isn’t the only candidate that the Red Devils are believed to be considering, with Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi deemed to be a ‘serious contender’ for the role.
The report suggests that while Ratcliffe is ‘reluctant’ to sack Ten Hag just a matter of months after extending his contract, there is a feeling that a change may need to be made, with Inzaghi among those to have ‘impressed’ the club’s new hierarchy.
Manchester United manager target Simone Inzaghi ahead of a Champions League game.
As per the piece, the 48-year-old – who led Inter to the Champions League final in 2023 – only signed a new deal earlier this year, with it yet to be seen whether he would be willing to take on the poisoned chalice that is being United’s main man in the dugout.
Why Inzaghi would be a good appointment
While United have toiled under Ten Hag’s watch, Inzaghi has been instrumental in steering Inter back to the top of the European and domestic scene, having seen his side only narrowly beaten in Europe’s showpiece last year.
Had it not been for Rodri’s late strike – and a handful of Romelu Lukaku missed chances – the Nerazzurri could well have curtailed Man City’s treble charge, showcasing just why the United target has been lauded as a “genius” by Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry.
While the in-demand coach did miss out on that occasion, he is certainly no ‘nearly man’ when it comes to winning silverware, having claimed five Italian Super Cups and three Coppa Italia’s, as well as last season’s Serie A title.
In 165 games in charge of the Milan giants, the former Italy international has achieved a stellar points per game average of 2.13, with Ten Hag, meanwhile averaging just 1.87 from his 123 games in charge of United. An upgrade, indeed.
Simone Inzaghi
What also sets Inzaghi apart from the man he could potentially replace is his clear identity, with Ten Hag – who Rene Meulensteen claimed has “no playing style” – seemingly the opposite.
The Inter boss notably utilises his preferred 3-5-2 formation at San Siro, with that tactical set-up potentially set to help revive a certain Bruno Fernandes if deployed at Old Trafford.
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How Inzaghi could revive Bruno Fernandes
At his current side, Inzaghi has worked wonders by overseeing the transformation of Turkish playmaker, Hakan Calhanoglu, with the former AC Milan star having been successfully converted from a number ten into a deep-lying midfield asset.
Hailed as arguably “the best midfielder in the world” by national team boss Vincenzo Montella, the one-time Bayer Leverkusen star – who, like Fernandes, is now 30 – was instrumental in his side’s title success last season, scoring 13 goals and providing three assists in Serie A, while also enjoying a 92% pass accuracy and registering 2.9 tackles per game, as per Sofascore.
In his final season at Milan in 2020/21, by contrast, the experienced asset registered just 13 goals and assists, while recording an 87% pass accuracy and winning just 1.3 tackles and interceptions per game, indicating the improvements that have been made under Inzaghi’s watch.
The hope would be that similar could occur if the Italian is to take charge of Fernandes this season, with the Portuguese maestro having started the new campaign in miserable fashion, chalking up just one goal involvement in the league, while also – harshly it must be said – seeing red against Spurs last time out.
The United skipper was particularly underpar in the draw away at Crystal Palace after losing the ball on 34 occasions, with Ten Hag seemingly not getting the best out of his talisman at present.
While the creative genius has dazzled in a number ten role for the Red Devils to date – chalking up 149 goals and assists in all competitions – he has previously outlined his desire to drop into a deeper number six berth in the latter stages of his career, thus ensuring he could mirror Calhanoglu’s revival in the near future.
Metric (*per game)
23/24
24/25
Games (starts)
35 (35)
6 (6)
Goals
10
0
Assists
8
1
‘Big chances’ created
21
2
Key passes*
3.3
1.0
Pass accuracy*
79%
80%
Tackles*
1.9
2.5
Interceptions*
0.8
0.5
Dribbled past*
1.7
1.2
Total duels won*
43%
52%
Possession lost*
19.9x
16.8x
Fernandes points to the 2-0 win against Everton back in April 2023 as one of the finest of his career, a game that, interestingly, saw him deployed as a number six, rather than off the striker:
“In fact, against Everton, I played no.6 and I still think it was one of the most complete games I’ve played, at all levels. In terms of passing, game organisation, defence, tactics. I have a little thought in my head that I’m going to end my career further back, because everyone who started there and went to no.10 ended up retreating on the field at the end.”
Perhaps a change in manager could be just what is needed for the £300k-per-week star to get back to his best or even to reach a new level, with Inzaghi – and his 3-5-2 set-up – potentially the perfect solution for this struggling United side and its skipper.
Man Utd have already sold ideal Bruno Fernandes replacement for just £200k
Bruno Fernandes hasn’t been at the races over the last week.
After West Ham United struggled once again in a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of London rivals Chelsea, one reporter has now shared what he’s hearing from the dressing room on new manager Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui's disappointing West Ham start
During his time at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the argument could have been made that Lopetegui simply was not backed enough, eventually leading to an inevitable exit. This time around in the Premier League at West Ham, however, he has been handed the keys to the kingdom with a plethora of talented fresh faces arriving in the summer transfer window.
As well as Guido: Lopetegui must swiftly axe "overrated" 4/10 West Ham man
The Hammers’ poor start to the season continues…
ByAngus Sinclair Sep 21, 2024
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean Clair-Todibo, Niclas Fullkrug, Crysencio Summerville, Max Kilman and others all arrived in the summer to hand West Ham what should have been a major boost in their chase for European football. Yet, five games in and the Hammers have picked up just one victory in the Premier League under new manager Lopetegui, which came at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.
Max Kilman
Their latest moment to forget came against rivals Chelsea, who swept West Ham aside in routine fashion at the London Stadium, earning criticism from The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg in the process, and further disappointing the home fans.
Despite such a poor start though, Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke has shared that West Ham are still backing Lopetegui to succeed amid the belief that results will improve when his new side adapt to the extensive changes that took place in the summer.
Based on what O’Rourke has heard from the dressing room, Lopetegui’s job is safe for now, but there’s no doubt that results must improve.
West Ham must turn form around
The main criticism of David Moyes during his time at West Ham was the style of football that he implemented. Amid all of the European qualifications and the historic Europa Conference League victory, the Scot was still subject to increasing groans from the London Stadium and building doubts over whether he was the right man for the job.
Moyes’ exit gave the Hammers the chance to start fresh and throw the script to one side with the appointment of a brave, new manager. But months into his tenure and Lopetegui’s style hasn’t exactly injected the excitement that West Ham fans believed they were missing under Moyes; his appointment doesn’t seem fresh, nor that it seem brave.
The Spaniard struggled at Wolves and there’s no evidence thus far to suggest that things will be any different at West Ham. Alas, it is, of course, early days and the fact that the London club made so many changes in the summer should be taken into account.
With a trip to Anfield up next against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, things don’t get any easier for West Ham, who must turn their current form around under new manager Lopetegui.
يرى كريستيانو رونالدو، نجم فريق النصر السعودي، كونه اللاعب الأفضل على الإطلاق في تاريخ لعبة كرة القدم، وذلك خلال حواره الذي أجراه مع الصحفي الشهير إيدو أجيري.
ويواصل كريستيانو رونالدو تألقه في ملاعب كرة القدم، حيث لا يزال يقدم إبداعاته، سواء على صعيد الأداء أو تسجيل الأهداف مع النصر السعودي في الوقت الحالي.
وخاض رونالدو، أمس، مباراة مع النصر ضد الوصل في دوري أبطال آسيا، حيث سجل هدفين خلال الفوز برباعية.
وقال رونالدو: “إمكانية وصولي إلى الهدف رقم 1000؟ الناس يركزون بشكل كبير على هذا الأمر، أعلم أن هذا خطئي، لكن الناس لا يقدرون مستواي الحالي، لا أحب هذا”.
وأضاف في تصريحاته التي نشرتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “يجب أن تحدث الأمور بشكل طبيعي، أنا الأفضل في التاريخ، الأرقام موجودة”.
واستكمل: “أنا أعظم هداف في التاريخ، ولأنني لست أعسرًا، فأنا ضمن أفضل 10 في التاريخ من حيث تسجيل الأهداف بالقدم اليسرى، هذه مجرد أرقام، فأنا اللاعب الأكثر اكتمالاً على الإطلاق، ألعب جيدًا بقدمي اليسرى ورأسي، أسدد الركلات الحرة بشكل جيد، أنا سريع، أنا قوي، أقفز كثيرًا لم أر أحدًا أفضل مني”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. رونالدو: الدوري الأمريكي أسوأ من السعودي.. وأستطيع الاعتزال في أي وقت
وواصل: “تقبل الانتقادات؟ الناس الذين لا يعرفونني، يغارون مني، علي أن أعيش مع من يحبونني، أما الآخرون فلا، الغضب من الخسارة أصبح أقل الآن، ولكن على أرض الملعب لا أقبل الخسارة، إنها تبقى هناك”.
وأوضح: “لا أستطيع العودة إلى المنزل والغضب من عائلتي، قبل ذلك كان الأمر مختلفًا، في ريال مدريد إذا أهدرت ركلة جزاء، كنت أغلق على نفسي غرفتي ولا أتناول العشاء وأتحدث إلى نفسي”.
وواصل انتقاده للكرة الذهبية، قائلًا: “لا توجد مصداقية، فينيسيوس يجب أن يكون الفائز بالكرة الذهبية، لقد شعرت بذلك عدة مرات وشعرت بالغضب، ومع مرور الوقت فهمت ذلك، هذه معارك لا يمكنك الفوز بها”.
وعن السبب وراء رحيله المفاجئ عن ريال مدريد في 2018، قال: “لقد انتهى وقتي، كنت أريد دافعًا مختلفًا، لم يرهقني رحيلي، لقد قبل الرئيس رحيلي، على الرغم من أنه لم يعاملني جيدًا أثناء المفاوضات (تجديد عقده)، كان يريد مني العودة، لكنني لم أعد قادرًا على ذلك (يقصد توصله إلى اتفاق مع يوفنتوس في ذلك الوقت)”.
وشدد: “أنا أقدر وأحترم فلورنتينو بيريز، وأتحدث معه أحيانًا، لا أستبعد العودة يومًا ما عندما تنتهي مسيرتي المهنية والقيام بشيء رائع”.
وتابع: “ستظل مدريد في قلبي، نشأ أطفالي هناك، لدي أصدقائي ولعبت هناك، هي المكان الذي كنت أسعد فيه، ابني ماتيو من كبار مشجعي ريال مدريد، يزعجني عندما يقول أن مبابي أفضل مني”.
وعن الكلاسيكو ضد برشلونة، قال: “كنت أحب اللعب وتسجيل الأهداف في كامب نوب، كان الملعب مكانًا أشعر فيه بالإثارة، وكانوا يطلقون صافرات الاستهجان في وجهي، وكانت هناك هالة مختلفة”.
واعترف: “لم أهتم بالإهانات، كنت أفكر فقط في تسجيل الأهداف لإسكات هؤلاء الناس، أحب تسجيل الأهداف في كامب نو أكثر من برنابيو”.
واسترسل: “لقد عشنا فترة مليئة بالتوترات، لقد كانت منافسة تاريخية، مدريد – برشلونة، كريستيانو – ميسي، راموس – بيكيه، لقد كانت مباراة الكلاسيكو رائعة للغاية، كانت علاقتي جيدة للغاية مع ميسي، حيث قمت بالترجمة له في بعض المناسبات قبل بدء الحفل، لقد كان يعاملني دائماً بشكل جيد، أتمنى أن نتمكن من رؤية أرقامنا مرة أخرى (يقصد تكرارها من جانب لاعبين آخرين)، لكنني أرى أن الأمر صعب للغاية”.
وأفاد: “كان بإمكاني اللعب لـ برشلونة، كنت مع شخص من النادي وأراد التعاقد معي، لكن هذا لم يحدث، أرادوا التعاقد معي وضمي في العام التالي، تعاقد معي مانشستر في ذلك الوقت”.
وعن رؤيته للمدرب المثالي، قال: “لا بد أن يكون لاعبًا من قبل، إذا لم يكن موجودًا في غرفة تبديل الملابس، فسيكون الأمر صعبًا للغاية، بل مستحيلًا، إذا نظرت إلى التاريخ، ستجد إنه من بين أفضل 50 لاعبًا، كان 48 منهم لاعبين، ليس لدي مدرب مفضل، لقد تعلمت من الجميع، لقد كان لدي مدربين سيئين للغاية، ليس لديهم أدنى فكرة عن كرة القدم”.
كما أشاد بلاعب ريال مدريد، جود بيلينجهام، قائلًا: “أنا أحبه كثيرًا، هو يذكرني بـ زيدان، بيلينجهام صغير جدًا وأمامه مستقبل كامل، وسوف يقدم الكثير لـ ريال مدريد”.
وفيما يخص لذة تسجيل الأهداف، قال: “إنه أفضل شعور في العالم، أحبه، ولا زلت أشعر بهذا الشعور بالنشوة عند التسجيل، لا أفكر في أن أصبح مدربًا، فأنا أرى الأمر مستحيلًا تقريبًا، ولا أحبه، امتلاك نادٍ أمر منطقي أكثر، ولا أستبعده”.
West Ham have only managed one win in their opening four pre-season fixtures, as they attempt to apply Julen Lopetegui's new possession-based style of football in time for the Premier League campaign kick-off.
The Hammers have conceded eight goals in those four fixtures, conceding three goals to both Wolves and Crystal Palace. However, they could be set for more defensive reinforcements, even after the signing of Max Kilman.
Former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui
Both right and left full-backs have been linked with moves to West Ham, the most prominent being Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United, but those talks seem to have gone stale currently.
West Ham's hunt for a new full-back
According to reports from UOL, via Sport Witness, West Ham are interested in Monaco left-back, Caio Henrique, with the player having been subject to enquiries in recent weeks.
The report also states Nottingham Forest hold an interest in the 27-year-old full-back, but both the Hammers and Forest are yet to make any offers, with both "simply monitoring" the situation of the Brazilian.
Henrique made nine appearances for Monaco last campaign, coming off the back of a cruciate ligament tear which kept him out for 212 days, still managing five assists in 625 minutes for the French outfit.
Henrique and Summerville linkup
One of West Ham's most exciting signings this summer is former Leeds winger and Championship POTY, Crysencio Summerville. Joining off the back of a stellar campaign, where the 22-year-old made 49 appearances in all competitions, scoring 21 goals, providing ten assists, and totalling 3,892 minutes.
Of course, to get the best out of Summerville, the supporting cast will have to be up to scratch, and the current partner on his left flank would be Emerson, who is coming off the back of his best season at the club, scoring one goal, providing two assists, and contributing to eight clean sheets in his 47 appearances.
Henrique vs Emerson comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)
Henrique
Emerson
Assists
0.72
0.05
Progressive Carries
2.32
1.69
Progressive Passes
4.78
3.58
Passes Attempted
67.2
50.0
Shot-Creating Actions
3.62
2.12
Tackles
1.88
3.04
Interceptions
0.87
1.19
Blocks
1.16
1.35
Stats taken from FBref
In comparison to Emerson, Henrique provides that extra quality going forwards, ranking in the top 1% for assists from left full-back in the top five European leagues, with 0.72 per 90.
The 27-year-old also offers that extra progressive passing, which would allow Summerville to get on the ball more often in advanced areas.
Emerson does bring better defensive numbers to the table though, averaging 3.04 tackles per 90, 1.19 interceptions per 90, and 1.35 blocks per 90, all ranking better than Henrique's metrics. Having said that, owning both these offensive defenders would allow for great rotation, and options for Lopetegui based on opposition quality.
Emerson West Ham
Henrique's arrival would be perfect for Summerville, and could create one of the most devastating and attacking left-hand sides in the league.
Summerville's 6.02 shot-creating actions per 90, mixed with the 3.62 shot-creating actions per 90 of Henrique, could provide the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, and new signing Niclas Füllkrug with a whole host of chances.
West Ham hit gold on star worth more than Fullkrug & Summerville combined
He’s been quite the sensation over the past several years…
علق أحمد حسن، نجم منتخب مصر السابق، على قرعة بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025، التي أجريت اليوم الإثنين.
ووقع منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثانية رفقة منتخبات جنوب إفريقيا وأنجولا وزيمبابوي.
طالع.. رسميًا | تحديد منافس مصر في مباراته الأولى بـ كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 وقال أحمد حسن في لقاء مع قناة “بي إن سبورتس”: “أتمنى التوفيق لمنتخب مصر نحن في مجموعة تضم فريقين من الفرق المميزة، سواء جنوب إفريقيا أو أنجولا، لكن في النهاية نحن منتخب مصر، أكبر منتخب حقق ألقاب كأس أمم إفريقيا من يريد تحقيق البطولة يجب أن يفوز على أي فريق”.
وأضاف: “سنحترم كل المنتخبات، وكل المنتخبات ستحترم منتخب مصر نحن نضم عددًا كبيرًا من اللاعبين المميزين، ولدينا مدير فني كبير”.
واختتم حديثه قائلًا: “يجب أن نلعب من أجل تصدر المجموعة لتجنب الصدام المبكر مع المنتخبات الكبيرة”.
The Three Lions are on course to return to the top tier of European football after a resounding win – but it was an uncomfortable night for Harry Kane
Gary Neville claimed last summer that England have been unable to control games in midfield for the last 20-30 years, but Curtis Jones has offered them hope of a brighter future in which the Three Lions can dominate the ball, and thus dominate international football. Jones was nowhere to be seen at Euro 2024, when Neville made his scathing assessment of the team's sluggish performances, but he was everywhere as England secured an emphatic 3-0 win over Greece.
The 23-year-old had never played a minute of senior football for his country before Thursday, but he looked like a seasoned veteran of international football in Athens, running the show from the back of the midfield. The Liverpool star showed he could rival Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo for a place in the team with a performance that managed to portray both his maturity and his arrogance, particularly his ridiculously cool backheel strike which rounded off a satisfying evening for the Three Lions.
This was a night when Lee Carsley redeemed himself for his tactical horror show against Greece just one month before, the interim boss doing his permanent successor Thomas Tuchel a favour in the process. But he also left captain Harry Kane in an awkward position by benching England's all-time top scorer. And most worryingly for Kane, the decision proved to be a masterstroke.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from the Olympic Stadium…
AFPWINNER: Curtis Jones
Could life be any better for Curtis Jones than it is right now? He recently became a father, he is playing a key role in a Liverpool side who have made a record-breaking start to the season and now he is not just a full England international, but an England goal-scorer. And what a fine goal it was.
Jones has lacked fortune with England before, missing games he would have played in due to injury and being left out of the squad for Euro 2024. But everything fell into place for him to make his long-awaited debut this week. With Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo both missing these internationals, Jones was the obvious choice for holding midfield and he was outstanding. The 23-year-old sat just in front of the defence and worked up a wonderful understanding with Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa, exchanging passes with the two centre-backs so he could dictate the tempo.
He grew in confidence as the game went on and pushed further forward, and if any proof was needed of how good he is feeling, it lay in the chutzpah of his delicious backheel, which rounded off a perfect evening for him and his country. Rice and Mainoo have been warned.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Harry Kane
Kane took a firm line the day before the game by calling out his many team-mates who had dropped out of the squad in recent days. And it sounds like Carsley didn't appreciate it, as he took the surprising move to bench the captain for Watkins. Kane could then only watch on as his main rival for the No.9 spot scored within seven minutes.
Watkins' movement throughout the game was impressive, although his control was less so and he bungled a dream pass from Rico Lewis which should have set him free towards goal just before half-time.
Kane had plenty of time to demonstrate that he should have started when he replaced Watkins in the 66th minute, but he could not put up a convincing argument. He had one attempt from outside the box, which was comfortably trapped by Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. He also struggled to find his fellow attackers and it was telling that both of England's goals in the second half came from breakaway moves in which he was not involved.
Getty Images SportWINNER: Lee Carsley
England's previous fixture with Greece seemed to serve as proof that Carsley was not up to becoming permanent manager. He had made several baffling selection calls at Wembley, fielding Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as centre-forwards with just one defensive-minded midfielder. They all back-fired as England sunk to an embarrassing 2-1 loss. Carsley made more eye-catching decisions here, though, and they made far more sense even before they paid off.
Carsley's biggest call was to start Watkins over Kane, something that many pundits and fans were urging Gareth Southgate to do during Euro 2024. Southgate was fiercely loyal to Kane, who he first worked with when he was Under-21s coach. Given how Kane performed in Germany, you could say he was too loyal. But Carsley will be leaving the senior men's team within a week and he went with his head rather than his heart. The team were better off for it, as Watkins looked far more mobile than Kane and his unpredictable movement helped stretch the Greek defence.
The coach's use of Jones and Noni Madueke also paid off handsomely, making for a fluid England attack. He used his substitutions well too, as he ensured Kyle Walker was less exposed when he put him to centre-back and restored Rico Lewis to his natural right side.
The scoreline means that England are now well-placed to win the group and return to the top tier of the Nations League. If they can get the job done against Ireland on Sunday, then Carsley can return to his previous role with the U21s with his head held high.
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Getty Images SportWINNER: Thomas Tuchel
The next England boss has been the subject of plenty of criticism for not taking charge of the team for the final Nations League games, and his decision not to show up in any capacity either in Athens or at Wembley on Sunday against Ireland has also not gone down well with the national media. The German had claimed that he wanted to begin work with the "singular focus" of the 2026 World Cup and did not want be distracted by the Nations League, but he would have had to take charge of a two-legged Nations League promotion play-off had England failed to win here.
The victory means that England look set to avoid that fate and, as long as they take care of Ireland, Tuchel's first two matches in charge next March will be in the World Cup qualifiers. But that's not the only reason why he will be pleased. When he watches the game back, he will be reminded of the strength England have in depth and feel even more confident about his chances of success.
And should he choose to prolong his stay as England manager beyond 2026, he can likely look forward to facing top-level opposition in the next edition of the Nations League.
Leeds United's failure to earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt left them vulnerable to clubs coming in to poach their top talent.
The Whites have already cashed in on teenage sensation Archie Gray, who completed a transfer to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
Central midfielder Glen Kamara has also moved on from Elland Road, after one year in West Yorkshire, to sign for Ligue 1 outfit Rennes on a permanent deal.
Academy graduate Charlie Cresswell completed a permanent move away from the club earlier in the summer to join Toulouse and Leeds are now reportedly keen on a defender who could brilliantly replace him.
Leeds pursuing deal for versatile ace
According to Football Insider, Leeds are pursuing a deal to sign PEC Zwolle enforcer Anselmo MacNulty before the end of the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Whites have already made initial contact with the Dutch club to see what it would take to secure his services ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
It states that the club are in the market to add another left-back to their squad and that MacNulty, who was hailed as "physically strong" by former Zwolle director Marcel Boudesteyn, has emerged as an option for them.
Football Insider does not, though, reveal whether or not Zwolle are prepared to sell the Ireland U21 international or how much they would want for him.
Leeds must now press ahead to get a deal done for the Irish defender as he could brilliantly replace Cresswell by providing versatile cover across the backline.
Why MacNulty would brilliantly replace Cresswell
Firstly, MacNulty has played the majority of his career matches as a central defender and this means that he can easily slot in to the left-sided centre-back role.
Cresswell was only used as a back-up in that position last season, with five Championship appearances, and was kept in case of emergencies at the back, which is how the Irishman could be utilised at the heart of the defence.
Where the Zwolle star could come in and offer more than the England U21 international, however, is his ability to play on the flank as a left-back, which means that he could provide vital cover in multiple positions.
Appearances
31
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.6
Ball recoveries per game
3.6
Error led to goal/shot
0
Ground duel success rate
55%
Aerial duel success rate
63%
As you can see in the table above, MacNulty enjoyed a fantastic season as a defensive presence at the back in the Eredivisie with his ability to make multiple interventions per game to win possession back for his side.
He won the majority of his physical duels, on the deck and in the air, and did not make any direct errors that led to a shot or a goal for the opposition, which speaks to his reliability as an out-and-out defender.
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Therefore, MacNulty could be a sublime option for Daniel Farke to bring in as a versatile defensive option to make up for the cover that was lost when Cresswell was sold to Toulouse.
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho has claimed he hasn't been getting "honest treatment" from UEFA since the 2023 Europa League final.
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Mourinho points finger at UEFANot happy with treatment since 2023Brought in Messi comparisonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After leading AS Roma to a Europa Conference League triumph in the competition's inaugural edition, Mourinho helped the Italian club reach the final of the Europa League in 2023, however, the Giallorossi failed to win back-to-back European titles as they went down against Sevilla. During the final, the Portuguese coach got involved in a controversial spat with referee Anthony Taylor as he was accused of verbally abusing the match official and was later handed a four-match ban.
AdvertisementWHAT JOSE MOURINHO SAID
The 61-year-old opened up about his recent experiences with UEFA as he told Sky Sports: "The feeling is, I am in trouble in Europe. I lost a final in a way that I still don't accept, and since then I feel it.
"I don't want to have special treatment, I want to have honest treatment. Just that. So if I do something wrong punish and pay, but if I do nothing wrong leave me in peace, but it's getting difficult. Since that Budapest final it's getting difficult."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
To further solidify his claim, Mourinho brought in a Lionel Messi analogy as he added: "I deserve to be [treated] like everybody else. On the pitch, it doesn't matter if you are Lionel Messi or playing your first match. The rules are the same for Messi and the young kid. And for coaches, it's the same thing. It doesn't matter if you are Carlo Ancelotti or a young coach just starting. Ancelotti has to behave the same way as the young kid has to behave. That's what I want for myself, and that's what I am not getting."
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR JOSE MOURINHO?
Mourinho's Fenerbahce, who are currently third in the Turkish Super Lig, will be next seen in action on Sunday as they take on Trabzonspor in an important away fixture in the league.