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Louie Barry, who made headlines when joining Barcelona at the age of 16, has been reflecting on his experience alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

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• Youngster joined Barca at the age of 16
• Had the chance to work with legendary stars
• Enjoying loan spells away from Villa Park

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Having caught the eye in West Brom’s academy system, Barry’s potential was snapped up by La Liga giants Barca in 2019. He would retrace steps to England a matter of months later, as Aston Villa returned him to his West Midlands roots in January 2020, but memories of his spell in Catalunya will last a lifetime.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Barry figured for Barcelona’s U19 side, scoring on his debut, and got to rub shoulders with a couple of iconic forwards when being asked to join a first-team training session. Barry has told : “Messi and Suarez were there, yeah. I trained once with them, but it was a very low standard – it was a set-piece kind of thing. I got called up from the B team. But ‘I’ve trained with Messi’, I can say that.”

• WHAT BARRY SAID

  Barry was focused on unlocking his own potential at that time, but admits that he could not pass up the opportunity to grab the odd selfie with legendary club colleagues. He added: “I have got a few photos with them – Suarez, Messi, on my phone. It was just like ‘can I have a photo?’ and they say ‘yeah’. Obviously you have to stay professional when you’re in a work mode, but when they are away from it and I’m there looking, they were really good. A lot of the lads asked for photos and they were great with it.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Villa have handed Barry one competitive appearance to date, with the youngster scoring in an FA Cup clash with Liverpool in January 2021 that saw the Villans lose 10 players to positive Covid-19 tests. Now 21 years of age, the promising forward is currently enjoying a second loan spell at Stockport – having helped them to pip Wrexham to the League Two title last season.

Everton’s financial situation seems to be getting bleaker and bleaker as each week passes by, with no solution currently on the table ahead of the summer transfer window.

The proposed takeover by 777 appears to be all but over after they failed to complete the takeover after receiving exclusivity until the end of May, with the Toffees needing to explore other options if they are to be under any form of new ownership.

The investment is desperately needed if the club are to avoid any other PSR punishment in the 2024/25 season, with outgoings expected this summer to prevent any further points deductions in the near future.

Jarrad Branthwaite is likely the main man to depart Goodison Park, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin could also leave Merseyside, with the 27-year-old strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United during the off-season.

However, the Everton faithful shouldn’t worry, with Sean Dyche said to be targeting a move for another Premier League forward during the upcoming transfer window.

Everton interested in signing £20m talent this summer

According to journalist Ben Jacobs via GiveMeSport, Everton are one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing Chelsea striker Armando Broja.

The 22-year-old also has admirers from Wolves and Crystal Palace as well as Monaco and Stuttgart, with Dyche’s side facing competition for his signature this summer.

The Albanian forward made 21 appearances in the Premier League for Chelsea and Fulham, scoring just once in the 2-0 win for the Blues against the side he spent the second half of the season on loan at.

Broja could be available to leave Stamford Bridge for around £20m this summer, with the youngster having the potential for a fresh start after suffering an ACL injury in 2022 that has set him back drastically in his development.

He could prove to be an excellent signing for Dyche’s side, proving to be an upgrade on one player and following in the footsteps of another who enjoyed a successful stint at Goodison.

Why Broja could be an upgrade on Calvert-Lewin

The Chelsea striker could follow in the footsteps of Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku who arrived on Merseyside from the same club for a similar fee of £28m back in 2014.

The prolific Belgian managed to bag himself 87 goals in his 166 appearances for the club, before leaving for a record £90m – with the striker failing to make any impact at Old Trafford, prior to leaving the Red Devils for another huge fee in the region of £73m.

Broja, who “can do a lot of things Lukaku can do” according to journalist Gab Marcotti, needs a fresh start in his career to put himself back on the map after a tricky last couple of years at Stamford Bridge – starting just 14 league games across the last two seasons.

However, despite his lack of impact and drop in form of late, he would still certainly be an upgrade and an adequate replacement for Calvert-Lewin should he leave Goodison during the summer.

Whilst it’s clear that he’s no way near the current Toffees striker in terms of aerial wins, his all-round game is heads and tails above, dominating in terms of his passing stats.

The youngster has averaged an 84% pass completion rate in the Premier League this season, with Calvert-Lewin only able to register 56%, with Broja’s potential move to Goodison massively helping Dyche’s side retain possession.

He’s also better with his feet in terms of take-on success, averaging nearly 10% more than the English forward in 2023/24.

Whilst he’s also managed fewer goals than Calvert-Lewin – who ended the season with seven league goals – the Chelsea man averages a better goal-per-shot-on-target rate, making him a more clinical option than the current Toffees striker.

Whilst Broja may be an expensive option given the club’s financial situation, he could prove to be a great option to follow in the footsteps of Lukaku. With Calvert-Lewin scoring just 14 league goals across the last three seasons and now being linked with a move away, the Albanian could represent a worthy replacement.

Everton could land Maguire 2.0 in "top-class" Branthwaite replacement

He’s enjoyed an excellent campaign during 2023/24.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 5, 2024

Jonas Eidevall's England stars offered little as the Gunners lost ground on early pacesetters Manchester City

Arsenal's remarkable run of 14 straight wins at home to Everton came to an end as they were held to a goalless draw by the dogged visitors on Sunday.

In front of just over 25,000 fans, Arsenal nearly took the lead in the ninth minute when Emily Fox's cross-cum-shot bounced off Everton's crossbar and away to safety. Frida Maanum then drew a fingertip save from Courtney Brosnan, but Everton were not just making up the numbers, as Gunners stopper Daphne van Domselaar tipped Veatriki Sarri's long-range effort onto the woodwork shortly before the break.

The north London outfit looked a bit more lively in the final third of the game, as substitute Caitlin Foord rattled an effort off the crossbar. But in the end, an impressive rear-guard effort from the visitors secured them their first point of the season as Arsenal slipped to sixth in the table – behind the top two of Manchester City and Chelsea.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Daphne van Domselaar (6/10):

  Looked a bit shaky in between the sticks on occasion but did enough to keep out Sarri's 25-yard effort.

  Emily Fox (7/10):

  Nearly scored her first goal for the club, only for the woodwork to deny the hosts an early lead. Missed a big headed chance just before the interval, and although she didn't score, she was a good attacking option for the hosts.

  Lotte Wubben-Moy (7/10):

  Never really looked troubled in defence and was composed on the ball. Was taken off for the returning Wiliamson.

  Laia Codina (7/10):

  Pinged a few nice long-range passes out from the back and had the beating of Everton's attack.

  Katie McCabe (7/10):

  Was in the right place at the right time to clear an Everton effort from a corner off the line and was a willing runner in attack, too.

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• Midfield

  Kyra Cooney-Cross (7/10):

  Linked up well with Maanum as both showed quick feet in the final third. Was lively throughout the contest.

  Kim Little (5/10):

  Was brought in for Lia Walti, who started in Arsenal's win at Leicester City last weekend, but struggled to make much of an impact against the Toffees.

  Frida Maanum (7/10):

  Her mazy run and shot was well saved by keeper Brosnan in the first half. Looked one of the more likely players to break the deadlock.

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  Attack

  Beth Mead (6/10):

  Had a quiet game by her standards as the England international was starved of the ball. However, she didn't do a great deal when she had it, bar the odd driving run.

  Alessia Russo (5/10):

  Seemed a little off the pace at times, her touch wasn't as good as it needed to be, and she seemed on a different wavelength to some of her team-mates.

  Mariona Caldentey (6/10):

  The former Barcelona star showed glimpses of her quality with some neat interplay early on, but didn't get any clear cut chances.

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  Subs & Manager

  Caitlin Foord (7/10):

  Showed good energy and attacking determination when introduced and was unlucky to be denied by the frame of the goal.

  Stina Blackstenius (6/10):

  Her hold up play was not as good as Arsenal would have hoped.

  Leah Williamson (7/10):

  Her drilled balls into the final third gave Everton a different look, one that they weren't entirely comfortable with.

  Stephanie Catley (N/A):

  Had a quiet cameo.

  Lia Walti (N/A):

  Didn't have enough time to make an impression on the game.

  Jonas Eidevall (5/10):

  After a fairly underwhelming win at Leicester last time out, his Arsenal side were somewhat flat again for the visit of the Toffees. There wasn't a great deal of creativity from his players, and although his second-half substitutes lifted the hosts, it was a fairly uninspiring performance.

The 2024/25 season holds real promise for Chelsea following a brilliant end to last season which saw the Blues secure European Football despite losing 11 of their 38 Premier League matches.

Mauricio Pochettino led the Blues to five consecutive wins during the closing weeks of the campaign to secure a sixth-placed finish, but it wasn’t enough for the Argentinian to keep his job.

The club parted ways with the former PSG boss, appointing Enzo Maresca as the club’s new manager, looking to build on Pochettino’s work with all the Blues’ new additions.

The Italian has huge expectations on his shoulders to transform the club and take them back to a title race, aiming to claim their first Premier League title since the 2016/17 campaign.

However, the new manager will have a lot of big decisions to make on the future of numerous first-team members, but he simply can’t afford to let go of one talent who excelled away from Stamford Bridge last season.

The latest on Ian Maatsen's future at Chelsea

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen is attracting interest from Aston Villa and Manchester City after his impressive loan stint at Borussia Dortmund last term.

The 22-year-old, who featured in the Champions League final, impressed during his temporary stint in the Bundesliga, scoring two goals and providing two assists in his 16 appearances for the German side.

The report from Bailey also states that the Dutchman has a £35m release clause in his contract, with Chelsea potentially looking to make a hefty profit on the full-back to boost their FFP status.

However, whilst it may seem a good deal to receive a hefty sum for a player with just 15 appearances for Chelsea’s first-team, Maresca can’t afford to let go of Maatsen, with the talent potentially following in the footsteps of one player who’s excelled since leaving the club.

Another Havertz situation for Chelsea

Last summer, the Blues agreed to sell midfielder Kai Havertz to rivals Arsenal for a reported £60m in an effort to boost their financial situation after a huge influx of incomings at Stamford Bridge.

However, since his departure, the former Bayer Leverkusen talent has excelled under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, leaving Chelsea with a scenario of what could have been for the German had he remained with the Blues.

He’s excelled in a false nine role during the 2023/24 campaign at the Emirates, scoring 13 times in the Premier League, whilst also providing seven assists as Arsenal came within touching distance of winning the title.

A year on from the deal, the club are presented with another precarious situation with Maatsen, especially considering the interest from another top English club in champions Manchester City.

Maresca already has Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella in the left-back area, but given his temporary stint at Dortmund, Maatsen has showcased his talents on the biggest of stages, also having the potential to improve down the line.

The "exceptional" youngster, as dubbed by former Coventry City teammate Simon Moore, will want consistent first-team minutes to be able to reach his full potential, with Maresca needing to make a bold call in keeping the Dutchman, making him his first-choice on the left-hand side.

The club have become too synonymous with offloading young talents too soon, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah both going on to thrive in the Premier League.

Maatsen is potentially next on the list should the club decide to part ways with him this summer, but, Maresca can buck the trend this window, handing the youngster the opportunity to thrive at Stamford Bridge and cementing himself as a key player under the new management team.

Chelsea could sell "irreplaceable" star in repeat of City's Palmer mistake

He has been a key player for the Blues this season

By
Joe Nuttall

Jun 11, 2024

Wrexham got off to a flying start in their League One clash against Rotherham on Saturday with a goal by Paul Mullin after just 16 seconds.

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• Wrexham taking on Rotherham in League One
• Visitors bag early opener
• Mullin nets in first minute

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Phil Parkinson's side returned to League One action on Saturday away at Rotherham and made the perfect start to the game. The hosts took the lead after just 16 seconds when striker Paul Mullin fired home a cross from Ryan Barnett to put his side 1-0 up in the first minute of the match.

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  High-flying Wrexham headed into the match after a week off as their clash against Lincoln City last time out was postponed due to international call-ups in the Imps’ ranks. The break appears to have benefited Wrexham as Parkinson's side came flying out of the traps at the New York Stadium, as they aim to continue their strong start to the season and push for promotion into the Championship.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mullin's goal is unsurprisingly Wrexham's fastest of the season so far and a record that will certainly take some beating.

David Beckham has explained why he “likes” Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Manchester United, labelling the INEOS chief one of the best and biggest businessmen.

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• Glazers sold 25 per cent stake
• Changes being implemented
• Ambitious plans for the future

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The unpopular Glazer family ownership group at Old Trafford agreed to sell a 25 per cent stake to Ratcliffe – who is Britain’s richest man – in February 2024. He wasted little time when it comes to implementing change, particularly behind the scenes, while ambitious plans for the future – including a new stadium – have been drawn up.

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  Not every Ratcliffe decision has proved popular, with it revealed that legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson is being removed from an ambassadorial role, and questions are being asked of why under-fire head coach Erik ten Hag remains at the helm.

• WHAT BECKHAM SAID

  United icon Beckham is, however, convinced that the Premier League giants have the right man calling the shots. The ex-England captain, who is now co-owner at MLS side Inter Miami, said on the podcast: “I think that it definitely needed change. I think, speaking as a United fan, I think many people said the club needed change and it needed a fresh perspective on how this club needs to be run and the decisions that are made.

  “I really like Jim, I've met him a few times over the years with a few mutual friends. I think that he's a fan and obviously he's a great businessman as well, one of the best and one of the biggest. But I think more importantly the fans see that he cares and I think that that's a big part of it.

  “I think the fans had lost faith with the leadership over the years and obviously he really cares about, you know, what he wants to do and what he wants to create. So hopefully things will change, but these things take time. I think we've been quite patient as United fans over the years, but we want those good old days back. We want those days back, and the sooner the better.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  United are still searching for consistency in the present, having failed to win the Premier League title since Ferguson retired in 2013. Ten Hag is under pressure to deliver, with Ratcliffe and his team of directors needing to get big decisions right heading forward.

Sunderland will be apprehensive heading into the nitty gritty of the transfer window that awaits them, knowing a number of their top talents could be poached, as a consequence of such a dreadful Championship season that has just passed.

The Stadium of Light wasn't exactly the most upbeat environment for a player to thrive in last campaign, with a number of managerial switches not exactly helping the Black Cats whatsoever in trying to leap into the top half of the table, but the likes of Jobe Bellingham, Jack Clarke and even 16-year-old Chris Rigg managed to lift the sour mood with top displays when needed.

Even as his brother lifts the Champions League with Real Madrid, and a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad looks set in stone for the world-class talent, Sunderland's very own Bellingham is making strides of his own, with the likes of Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur battling it out for his signature now, despite only being situated in Wearside for one season.

The underwhelming Black Cats might be powerless to the situation unfolding in-front of their eyes, especially if significant wads of cash are thrown about for the teenage sensation soon.

The latest on Bellingham's future

TEAMTalk revealed recently that interest was coming in the form of Ange Postecoglou's Spurs and that contact had even been made, who have been noted as wanting a new midfielder for some time, with Bellingham potentially ticking all the correct boxes for them.

The report also further confirms Crystal Palace's interest, alongside throwing another London-based club from the top-flight into the mix in the form of Brentford, with journalist Ed Aarons further speculating that a fee in the region of £20m+ would be enough for Sunderland to part ways.

After tearing the Championship apart last season in patches by scoring seven goals, with inconsistent displays commonplace for a player still learning the ropes as 18 years of age, Sunderland will just be thankful that they would be able to make some hefty profit on the teenager if sold on in the off-season, having paid what looks now like a measly £3m to land him last year.

Sunderland will know that their in-demand youngster leaving won't be the be-all and end-all of their chances to have a positive season when a ball is kicked to start the 2024-25 campaign, however, worrying more so about losing another focal point in Clarke, after Bellingham starred but also faded into the background at points as his side slumped to a 16th overall placed finish.

Bellingham's numbers this season

Bellingham will also know that he was afforded the best possible platform to make errors and not be completely chucked to one side at the Stadium of Light, with the club's reputation for nurturing youngsters a selling point as to why he jumped ship from Birmingham to join his current employers in 2023.

Only missing one league game all season long, Bellingham's seven goals was a promising return for a starlet only playing his second proper full campaign in men's football, with a slightly lacklustre one assist mustered up showing there's room for improvement.

Struggling as well when isolated up top last season when picked as a lone centre-forward, seen in his poor passes completed number above, Bellingham bowed out of the campaign with no goals managed from his last seven second-tier clashes too.

Who could replace Bellingham

The gigantic leap up to the Premier League might come too soon for the 18-year-old, therefore, but if he is to move away this approaching transfer window, Sunderland will have plenty of replacements in mind, with current FC Basel man Liam Millar reportedly on their radar yet again after previously being on their agenda during his Liverpool youth days.

The Canadian attacking midfielder, who can be utilised as a second striker, a striker or down the wings much like Bellingham can be deployed, bettered his Sunderland counterpart's numbers in the Championship on loan at Preston North End, despite all the fanfare surrounding his name, with 10 goal contributions amassed for the Lilywhites in all competitions.

Ryan Lowe's men will want to keep him around permanently at Deepdale, but with Sunderland in need of a new tricky attacking midfielder if Bellingham ups and leave, the Stadium of Light could be a perfect next destination for Millar with his Basel contract running out next year and interest heating back up in his services.

Liam Millar's numbers this season for Preston

Not only could Millar fill the void left behind by Bellingham's exit, but he could also be a new star in attack the Black Cats need even more if the squad is depleted further by 15-goal star Clarke also leaving.

Millar blows Bellingham's FBRef numbers out of the water, when comparing the two, with the Canadian midfielder managing more shots totalled on average over the last year per 90 minutes at 2.12, more progressive passes received at 7.49 and much more to show to the Wearside outfit that losing their much-talked about starlet wouldn't be the end of the world, particularly if he can be replaced by someone as electric as Millar.

Millar would come in just below Clarke, and above Bellingham by two, if it was just based on Championship numbers during the regular season alone in Sunderland's top five scorers and assist-makers, and so getting in the 24-year-old – who was worth just £1.3m when Basel purchased him off Liverpool in 2021 – could be a smart and shrewd buy, having proven himself to be a nuisance in the second-tier with Preston.

This signing could also give Sunderland the upper hand over potential promotion rivals if the Black Cats are striving to be towards the spots at the top of the division, knowing that Millar absolutely terrorised Archie Gray when Preston played Leeds on Boxing Day in 2023, with the young defender dribbled past three times, as the Canadian attacker continually slalomed forward.

Sunderland will feel like they'll never truly see Bellingham at his best if he does move on, having only really been the club to set him on his way to stardom rather than actualising it.

But, bringing in Millar – who was once described as possessing the "X-Factor" by ex-Canada manager John Herdman – would be more than a satisfactory replacement if everything comes together smoothly.

Sunderland could sign £0 Clarke replacement who scored in the playoffs

Sunderland could sign this absolute bargain to replace Jack Clarke.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 3, 2024

Brett Goldstein continues to play cards close to his chest when it comes to Ted Lasso Season 4, but admits that fans should “always dare to dream”

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• Third series ended in May 2023
• Speculation raging regarding return
• Rumours excite cast members

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Goldstein, who plays the popular Roy Kent character in the award-winning Apple TV+ show, is reportedly among those said to have seen contract options taken up by Warner Bros. The CEO of that company, Channing Dungey, has delivered regular updates on AFC Richmond returning to streaming services around the world.

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  THE GOSSIP

  Leading members of the cast have aired their excitement at the rumours, with it suggested that pre-production could begin early in 2025, with Sudeikis – who fills the role of Lasso and is one of the show’s writers – reportedly on board.

• WHAT BRETT GOLDSTEIN SAID

  There has been no official word on when Lasso could pick up a story that came to a close in May 2023 as the colourful American coach headed back to the United States from an eventful spell in England, but Goldstein is ruling nothing out. He has told : “I've heard these rumours. You got any info? Always dare to dream. I will never stop anyone from dreaming.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR TED LASSO?

  Goldstein has previously claimed that there is “no plan in action” when it comes to a fourth series of Ted Lasso, while speculating on the franchise delivering a movie at some stage, but has never hidden his passion for the show as exciting filming doors are left ajar.

England came into the European Championships in Germany this summer full of hope.

They were and likely still are among the favourites, full of ambition as they bid to end nearly 60 years of hurt. Yes, it really has been that long since Bobby Moore raised the famous Jules Rimet trophy at the old Wembley Stadium.

Under Gareth Southgate, England have got closer to ending their trophy drought. The former defender has taken them to the World Cup semi-finals and the final of the Euros. Alas, they have always come unstuck.

The familiar point among those two defeats? England took the lead early on and surrendered their advantage.

In Russia 2018, Kieran Trippier crashed home a delightful free-kick in the opening half. Within minutes of the final of Euro 2020 kicking off, Luke Shaw arrived at the back post to fire home.

The Three Lions lost both games. Therefore, the performances of Southgate’s team at Euro 2024 should come as no surprise.

They may well have won their opening game against Serbia but it wasn’t half done with some suffering.

Jude Bellingham scored a bullet header after 13 minutes but they barely fashioned a chance after that. Versus Denmark, a game they would draw 1-1, it was Harry Kane who found the net in the opening quarter.

After that moment, just as they did against Serbia, against Croatia in 2018, against Italy in 2021, they failed to press with enough adequacy, they failed to find their teammates with passes and frustratingly dropped deeper and deeper. To put it simply, you’re not going to win a major tournament doing that. The proof is already there.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out why this is so painful for England supporters. Look at the quality of player the manager has at his disposal.

You’ve got Champions League winner Jude Bellingham, you have Premier League winner and Player of the Season Phil Foden in there. You’ve got a £105m midfielder in Declan Rice and you’ve also got that man Kane, the scorer of 44 goals for Bayern Munich in his debut season in Germany.

So, how do you solve the problem?

How Southgate could solve the Kane conundrum

After finding the net against Denmark on Thursday evening, the England skipper took his tally of goals for his country to 64. A fabulous achievement, right? Of course it is, no player in England’s history has scored as many as he when donning the national team’s colours.

So, is all of the criticism surrounding our main man necessary? Firstly, let’s let Gary Lineker summarise things nicely.

Speaking in the aftermath of a performance against the Danes, the BBC presenter said: “In all honesty, I think Harry Kane needs to do a lot better. I think his movement was minimal, he didn’t look to go behind and he doesn’t often, but even when he comes short, he’s just drifting short very lethargically, he’s plodding short and that’s not going to help.”

True enough, but the key point is that Southgate isn’t doing enough to help him. The tactics aren’t built around him and as a result, the team are suffering.

For those familiar with Premier League football, you will know that Kane isn’t just a goal scorer. He’s been a hell of a good player when it comes to finding the net but his qualities aren’t limited to just bashing the ball past a helpless goalkeeper.

Throughout his final few years at Tottenham, he’d drop deeper as he learnt to become a creative figurehead as well. The very fact that he won the Playmaker award in 2020/21 for registering the most assists in the division says it all.

At Bayern, although he’s scored a bucketload of goals that trend has continued. Indeed. during his first year in Munich the 30-year-old registered 12 assists. For context, among forwards in Germany's top flight this term, he ranked inside the top 14% for assists per 90. That's what Kane does, so why is there a fuss about him dropping deep for England?

Well, the problem stems from the other players at their disposal. Kane wants to play in the pockets, Bellingham wants to operate in that area, as does Foden. So, someone has to be sacrificed.

The Madrid star isn't going to be sacrificed but judging by how the Man City man has played in the opening two games, he could be.

Let's take a look at one of Kane's displays this season. The setting is the Emirates Stadium, of course it is, as Bayern draw 2-2 with Arsenal in the Champions League.

The former Tottenham sensation did score that night, albeit from the penalty spot, but he put on a passing clinic by dropping deep.

Surrounded by two of the most willing runners in the game, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane, they were an immense threat on the counterattack. In truth, Arsenal's defence looked more troubled that night than they did all season.

Kane was a menace, playing constant balls in behind for his two German teammates who were relentless with their running. That evening Kane played four progressive passes.

Why is that important? Well, because it's what Kane is good at and he's not had an opportunity to bring that into play at this year's Euros.

Let's look at things a little more closely, shall we?

As you can see, the difference in England's opening two matches this summer is considerable. Their main centre-forward is not being used to his strengths. Considering he is the captain, their key man, this is extraordinary.

So, what should the boss do? Well, if that game against the Gunners proved anything, it's that the striker thrives when he has runners in behind to play these progressive passes.

Why Foden must be sacrificed by England

Bukayo Saka has been one of very few players that has shown he's willing to do this so the problem lies more so on the left. Foden, however good he was for City last term, should be sacrificed.

Without a natural left-back too, it's meant that England are essentially only using 70% of the pitch. There is no one on the left-hand side for Kane to play into.

As such it may well be a wise idea to play Anthony Gordon in that role. An electric and direct threat for Newcastle last season, he has the energy and the want to stretch the play and hug the touchline.

To substantiate that point, in 2023/24, the Toon winger was incredibly willing to get at his man, making 4.30 progressive carries per 90. He will get you up the field and quickly. Foden, on the other hand, only managed 2.93 progressive carries.

So, there we have it. It's worth a go surely? Having Gordon and Saka down the sides makes the central areas less crowded, meaning that Kane can drop deep. Knowing that he has two widemen running in behind, he can finally use that immaculate passing range to cause more havoc for the opposition's defence.

Come on Gareth, it makes perfect sense.

England 1-1 Denmark: Player ratings as Southgate's men labour to a draw

England were lacklustre as they picked up a point against Denmark.

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By
Matt Dawson

Jun 20, 2024

While they started imperiously, Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League campaign came to a disappointing and anti-climactic conclusion in the end last season.

Ange Postecoglou still deserves plenty of credit for getting his injury-stricken side into the Europa League, but there was a genuine chance to qualify for the Champions League there for the taking.

The player who perhaps epitomised this dropoff in form better than anyone else was James Maddison, who racked up eight goal involvements in his first ten full games, but after returning from an injury, he could only muster five in 17 appearances.

However, he could have an easier time of it next season as, based on recent reports, one of the latest players touted for a move to Spurs could be the perfect midfield partner for the Englishman.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Tottenham are keen on signing AS Monaco star Youssouf Fofana this summer and have now registered their interest with the French side.

The good news for the North Londoners is that, with his £10k-per-week contract coming to an end next summer, he's said to be available for as little as £25m this year.

The bad news for the Lilywhites is that the report claims AC Milan are just ahead of them in the race for the Frenchman's signature at the moment.

This could seriously complicate matters for Daniel Levy and Co, but considering his form in recent seasons, the incredibly reasonable price and the possibility of a partnership with Maddison, this is a transfer they cannot miss out on.

Why Fofana would be a great teammate for Maddison

Now, the reason Fofana could be Maddison's ideal midfield partner is quite simple: he could lighten the load.

The Frenchman is a versatile player who regularly starts in central and defensive midfield for Monaco, so he could help shore up play behind the Englishman or take a more involved approach going forward.

He has proven himself to be particularly apt at the latter, racking up an impressive four goals and four assists in 35 appearances last season, equating to a goal involvement every 4.37 games, which is genuinely impressive for someone who started 20 matches at the base of midfield.

Moreover, according to his FBref scout report, which compares players in similar positions across Europe's top five leagues, the "magnificent" ace, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, sits in the top 5% of midfielders for progressive passes, the top 9% for non-penalty expected goals, the top 11% for successful take-ons, the top 14% for total shots, and the top 18% for non-penalty expected goals and assists, all per 90.

That might not sound overly impressive, and if he were an attacking midfielder, you'd probably be correct, but considering how often he starts at the base of midfield, those are some eye-catching numbers.

Lastly, with 20 senior caps for France under his belt and experience from the last World Cup and the current Euros, the 25-year-old "monster", as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, should add some more top-level experience to a Spurs side that saw some of its leaders, Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris, leave last year.

Ultimately, Fofana looks like a quality central and defensive midfielder, and for the reported price, Spurs must do all they can to sign him.

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