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      England U21 sensation Jamie Gittens tipped to be better than Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho as he shines at Dortmund

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      HARRY KANE may be the Englishman most fans focus on when German football’s biggest rivalry is rekindled on Saturday night.But as far as Borussia Dortmund supporters are concerned, Jamie Gittens deserves all the attention.Jamie Gittens is already close to world class, says Karl-Heinz RiedleCredit: RexRaal Madrid’s Jude Bellingham might ultimately be usurped by GittensCredit: GettyFormer Dortmund Champions League winner Karl-Heinz Riedle believes Gittens can be the best English star to play for the club yetCredit: GettyThe winger from Reading was 17 when he walked out on Manchester City to join Dortmund in 2020, following Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho’s Bundesliga footsteps.Now, the 20-year-old is a vital cog in new coach Nuri Sahin’s side, with four Champions League goals so far — including one against Real Madrid and Wednesday’s stunner at Dinamo Zagreb.Dortmund legend Karl-Heinz Riedle feels Gittens can shine in Der Klassiker against Bayern Munich.Ex-Liverpool striker Riedle, 59, said: “Jamie is still not 100 per cent what we expect from a world-class player  — but he has all the talent to become one of those.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“He can become the next Sancho, Erling Haaland or Bellingham.“He is very quick, very good in a one-against-one situation and with the ability to finish as well.“I see a young player who has the full package, plus he is someone who I see working on how  to make himself better.“And that comes from games — the more you play, the more you learn, the better your decision-making and  better you become.Most read in BundesligaChelsea loanee Jadon Sancho has struggled to match his Dortmund formCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“The most important thing is  you have to be quick, to not be afraid of going one- on-one against a defender. That’s what we want to see.“It was why Sancho and Haaland brought people to the stadium. Jude Bellingham says he feels like a ‘scapegoat’ as he discusses England woes”Fans wanted to see them do that and it’s there with Jamie as well.”Gittens — who dropped the “Bynoe” in  his double-barrelled surname  at the start of the season — has  played for every England  team from Under-15 to U21.That includes tasting 2022 European U19 Cham­pion­ship glory. Now he aims to make the final step to the senior ranks — and Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as new Three Lions boss could speed that up.Riedle suspects Gittens will not be the last English rookie to see the Ruhr-based club as a stepping stone.He  explained: “Dortmund is a family. The guys who come to us   know we have everything here to let them become the best players they can be.“They can get a chance to play at the top level but maybe with less pressure than in England at football clubs such as Manchester United and City.“We give them the time to grow into players and be something special.“Jamie is an incredible talent and can make the same impression — if not a bigger one – as Jude and Jadon made before him.”Striker Kane has hit 50 Bundesliga goals in 43 games — the fastest pace ever.Despite this and Munich’s unbeaten domestic start, the England skipper was criticised by ex-Bayern and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann for not scoring in the  “big” games.Riedle, though, thinks Hamann is talking rubbish.He said: “Didi criticised him even though he scored like crazy last year — and I’m not with him at all.“Harry’s just a fantastic finisher and fantastic football player.“No player can score every game or every chance. He has done very well for Munich and is incredible.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He just wants to play football. He loves the game. He is such a humble guy who likes to play and score and wants to win things.” KARL-HEINZ RIEDLE was speaking to mark the ten-year anniversary of Borussia Dortmund’s long-term investment in Singapore.Riedle was stunned by criticism of Bayern’s Harry KaneCredit: RexErling Haaland is one of the aces who Gittens could soon compare withCredit: Rex More

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      Liverpool away is perfect game for scared Man City – I think a part of Pep Guardiola will be enjoying this experience

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      YOU might think Liverpool away is the last fixture Pep Guardiola and Manchester City want right now.But you’d be wrong. This match — the only possible one in which few people would give City any chance of winning — is perfect.Liverpool away could be the surprise fixture City need right nowCredit: GettyPep Guardiola has been left scratching his head at recent performancesAfter five straight defeats, followed by the incredible capitulation from 3-0 up against Feyenoord in midweek, City would be seriously worried if they were facing Ipswich or Leicester next up.Their players are looking genuinely scared on the pitch right now and, after years of dominance, it is an amazing thing to witness.Yet even when they have been amassing six titles under Guardiola, they have never won at Anfield in front of a crowd.Those players will be thinking, “So why not now?”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWinning away at Liverpool is the one result which would then completely change the narrative around the team.I’m sure those players will not be holding back in the dressing room when they discuss what has been going on in recent weeks.The higher you go in football, the harsher the dressing room.Elite players get to where they are because they always challenge themselves and their team-mates.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt’s not a blame game — it’s just genuine honesty. That’s how you get out of a mess.Although there was genuine concern for Guardiola after he started beating himself up in his dugout during Tuesday’s 3-3 Champions League draw, I think there will be part of him laughing and learning and enjoying this experience.Guardiola left scratching his head as City blow 3-0 lead against FeyenoordThe City boss has never suffered a run like this and a run like this is when you find out who you can really count upon.Nobody talks about poor morale or a lack of unity when a team is winning consistently — as City have been for pretty much all of the last eight years. Of course City are missing Rodri. When he’s not there, City aren’t as good.But it’s nonsense to suggest that the absence of one player should have such an extreme effect when they have so many other world-class players.Some of the theories around City’s meltdown simply have to be wrong.Like the idea that the team is too old. They weren’t too old when they won a fourth title in a row, so how are they suddenly too old six months later?They simply had a poor window this summer and their recruitment hasn’t been as good for a year or two now.Ilkay Gundogan is a legend of the club but to bring him back, a year after he’d been so desperate to leave, felt like a retrograde step.What is true is that plenty of people in football will be loving what is happening to City.There will be managers and players thinking, “Welcome to our world”.They’ll be thinking, “Welcome to the chaos and the bulls***”. The chaos and the bulls*** you only experience when you lose a few games in a row and people start to lose their heads.Right now, even a team as great as City need to concentrate on the basics — running your heart out, winning duels, heading or kicking it clear.Because it was a lack of those fundamentals which allowed Feyenoord back into the game on Tuesday.For so long, when City went 1-0 up, opponents lost heart. Now they even fancy their chances at 3-0 down.READ MORE SUN STORIESLiverpool have an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League and a 100 per cent record in the Champions League, where they have just beaten the holders Real Madrid.They have never been such hot favourites to beat Guardiola’s City — and that is exactly why the visitors will be relishing this match. More

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      Premier League star became a viral sensation at 12 at Arsenal then was signed by Charlton after playing in a car park

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      OMARI HUTCHINSON was an internet sensation at the age of 12 — but only now is he on the stage he really craved.Hutchinson, 21, has been on a high since scoring his first Premier League goal as Ipswich drew 1-1 with Manchester United last week.More than 4million viewers saw Omari Hutchinson’s special skillsCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills ChannelFootball fans went head over heels for his exhibition stuffCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills ChannelHutchinson’s career took many twists on the way to facing Man UtdCredit: RexNow Nottingham Forest are in his sights as the Tractor Boys battle to prove they are good enough to mix it with game’s established stars.And that is a feeling Hutchinson knows only too well despite having his super skills praised by Pele when he was a schoolboy.Chelsea released Hutchinson twice and gave him just two first-team outings before Ipswich paid a club-record £22.5million fee for the youngster in the summer.Inbetween was a spell at Arsenal that made him famous — but not on the pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThen there were the unsuccessful trials at Tottenham and Brentford.Plus a couple of seasons at Charlton, who only signed the Londoner because they saw him playing in their car park.It has not been a conventional route to the top by any means for Hutchinson, even though his talent was always there to see.A collaboration with the F2 Freestylers when he was 12 saw more than four million viewers log on to watch his skills.Most read in FootballAdvice from Arsenal and Chelsea aces kept Hutchinson on the upCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills ChannelFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “It had its pros and cons.“I got quite popular at a young age but at the time I wasn’t really playing much football.Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting“I wasn’t really a starter at Arsenal at that time and you want to be playing every minute of every game at a young age.“I would play football with my dad after a game and do extras.”One constant, however, was the refusal to give up on his dream.Hutchinson added: “One hundred per cent. As a young player you need that self-confidence and self-belief that you are going to make it and be one of the best in the league — or the world. That’s what I have been doing.“I have been at two of the best clubs in the world and trained with the first team in both of them.“I have seen what it takes to get to that stage and a lot of senior players have spoken to me saying, ‘You’re a very talented player, make sure you focus on this and that and you will make it’.“They also told me not to get distracted and I have taken it on board. I have gone a different route and shown myself from there.”Hutchinson is far too young to remember Pele, the world’s greatest player in the 1960s, but the Brazil legend still had a part to play on his journey. The three-time World Cup winner — who died in December 2022 — witnessed Hutchinson’s skills on a visit to London and let the youngster know he was impressed.Hutchinson said: “It was at a Brentford tournament when I was with the Under-12s at Arsenal.“He was there, he came towards the end, and we did some freestyling skills.“All the teams gathered round in a circle and a player from each team had to show some skills — I got forced to go up!“He saw it and he liked it. When we took a picture of him he told me to come up and rest on his knee.I saw that the Lottery is easier to win than becoming a professional footballer in the Premier League.Omari Hutchinson“I was doing kick-ups-round-the-world and putting the ball on my neck.“When I was young my grandma always used to say, ‘You’re going to be like Pele when you’re older’. She gave me a lot of books and cards and stuff like that.”It was no surprise that Hutchinson joined Ipswich on their return to the top tier after 22 years away, although there were other offers.The attacking midfielder, who can play wide or No 10, had helped them to promotion when on loan from Chelsea last season.And Tractor Boys manager Kieran McKenna promised Hutchinson the chance of the regular football he craved.He said: “I spoke to Kieran in the summer and it was a no-brainer to come here.“I knew I was going to play in the Premier League, which is a rare occasion.“I saw that the Lottery is easier to win than becoming a professional footballer in the Premier League.”Hutchinson still has one big decision to make however — to choose England, where he is in the Under-21s, or go back to Jamaica, for whom he has played a couple of friendlies and qualifies through his dad.READ MORE SUN STORIESNo Town player has represented the Three Lions at senior level since Richard Wright in 2001 — and only 12 have in total.That might change soon but Hutchinson insisted: “I have very high ambition but I’m not focused on that right now.”Hutchinson has gone on to play for England U-21s and JamaicaCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills ChannelNine years on from this, he’s up to his young tricks again – but in the PremCredit: YOUTUBE/ F2Freestylers – Ultimate Soccer Skills Channel More

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      Brighton 1 Southampton 1: Fuming Martin has to be held back from Hurzeler after controversial VAR call denies him win

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      RUSSELL MARTIN was left seething after Southampton were denied only a second win of the season as VAR caused chaos once again. Saints were in dreamland when Cameron Archer looked as though he had slotted home a 67th-minute winner to finally provide the club with a glimmer of hope. Cameron Archer’s goal was ruled outCredit: GettyArcher at the back post was judged to be onside yet Adam Armstrong in the middle was offsideArmstrong threw a trailing leg at the ball as it went behind him and was deemed to be interferingRussell Martin’s temper flared and he had to be held back from Fabian HurzelerCredit: PATheir argument continued onto the pitchAnd the bosses eventually had to be separatedIt came after Flynn Downes had cancelled out Kaoru Mitoma’s opener for the high-flying Seagulls who had the prospect of soaring into the heady heights of second-place in the table with a draw or a win. But you can always rely on VAR to inflict more misery on a Southampton side who look all but down before the advent calendars have been opened. A lengthy check by VAR ref Jarred Gillett which involved lots of zooming in and out and lines resulted in the goal being chalked off for offside, leaving Martin and co gobsmacked. It was ruled out not because Archer was offside but because Adam Armstrong was offside and deemed to be interfering with play as the cross came in.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe cameras panned to Martin who was effing and blinding on the touchline with Saints rock bottom of the table. He continued his fury after the full-time whistle when he had angry words with Brighton gaffer Fabian Hurzeler. Injured keeper Aaron Ramsdale hit out at the decision on Twitter, writing: “You can not be serious.”After the game, Martin raged that he had sympathy for on-field officials but “struggled to accept” errors from those in Stockley Park.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHurzeler added: “I think it’s about respect. You should ask him [Martin] about it.”It’s worth remembering his Southampton strugglers would stay at the foot of the table no matter what happened at the Amex last night. It was a huge let off for Brighton who are now sitting pretty in second, bang on level with Manchester City on goal difference. Brighton’s model as a football club has always been revolutionary and refreshing in equal measure, but last night begs the question of whether they have got the minerals to become real little contenders?’Referees don’t understand football!’ Ex-Prem ref slams PGMOL for serious Chelsea & Liverpool errorsStats driven recruitment is the beating heart of their success while their young and ambitious manager, Fabian Hurzeler has produced an exceptional start to the season, but consistency will be key. With 23 points from their first 13 games, this remains Brighton’s best start to a top-flight season.And since the beginning of October, only leaders Liverpool have won more points.As expected, the hosts burst out the traps, with Georginio Rutter teeing up Mitoma, who would have lashed in the opener had it not been for Joe Lumley’s finger tips. Rutter was back for more with his twinkle toes twisting inside and out of three pink shirts before he flicked a shot just wide. It was no surprise that the French 22-year-old produced Brighton’s best chance as he cut inside and drilled a shot off the far post. Brighton were building and got their deserved opener on 28 minutes as Tariq Lamptey pulled away from Taylor Harwood-Bellis to tee up Mitoma who headed home. It was dreadful defending though as Saints allowed the ball to bounce around the penalty spot while the defenders shirked their duties once again. The cameras panned to a dejected Martin who was shaking his head as the goal replayed on his ipad. He should have played Candy Crush on his ipad instead of looking at his side’s abysmal defending. Meanwhile Mitoma, another hidden gem unearthed by Tony Bloom, is now one goal short of Shinji Okazaki’s 14-goal record as the top Japanese scorer in the top-flight. Chants of “You’re going down with the Palace” rang out from the boisterous North Stand, but it only riled up Martin and co. The Saints boss shouted “f***ing come on” just after a huge chance for Archer who latched onto an inch-perfect Yukinari Sugawara cross before shinning it over from eight-yards. Brighton looked as though they were bossing it again after the break as Lamptey and Welbeck linking up before Matt O’Reily fired in a cross, but Mitoma was unable to make the crucial touch. The hosts were stunned though when out of absolutely nothing Downes hammered the ball home on 58 minutes. The leveller was fired in on the edge of the box after the ball ricocheted out to the Saints midfielder after Armstrong and Ryan Manning both had shots blocked. READ MORE SUN STORIESSouthampton couldn’t believe it when Ryan Fraser’s cross found Archer six-yards out and he slotted into the bottom corner, sparking mayhem in the away end on 67 minutes before the VAR misery. Brighton hit back strongly with Rutter nearly making it 2-1 with an outrageous bicycle kick from Welbeck’s cross but they couldn’t find a second.Kaoru Mitoma opened the scoring for BrightonCredit: RexFlynn Downes equalised with a thumping finishCredit: Getty More

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      Emma Hayes ‘disappointed’ by criticism of Barbra Banda after Zambia star’s BBC Women’s Footballer award win

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      Emma Hayes hit out at “ridiculous” remarks aimed at Barbra Banda following her BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year triumph.The Orlando Pride and Zambia forward has been the target of hostile comments and abuse online following her award win. Banda’s BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award win follows her finishing as the NWSL’s second highest scorer this seasonCredit: APThe Zambia forward’s goals helped Orlando Pride with the NWSL Championship for the first timeCredit: GettyBanda, who captains her national side, helped Orlando win a National Women’s Soccer League title for the first time in their history this year. However the BBC’s decision to award her their Women’s Football of the Year has seen the forward face a torrent of abuse on social media. Criticism of the organisation awarding the prize to Banda follows the player being withdrawn from two Women’s Africa Cup of Nations contests amid claims she failed a gender eligibility test. This includes the tournament hosted in Morocco two years ago which was won by South Africa.Read More Football StoriesHowever her agent Anton Maksimov and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) say she did not take a test. They said her withdrawal was down to the Football Association of Association Zambia.Author JK Rowling and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies have been among the public figures who criticised Banda’s BBC award win.  However some of the women’s game most powerful organisations and individuals have come to the forward’s defence. Most read in FootballThis includes Hayes, two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe and the NWSL Players’ Association. Hayes said: “It is ridiculous that she has to endure questions like this, she has our support. “She’s someone who’s done a tremendous amount, not just for her club but for her country, and what a brilliant season she’s had. “We should be talking about that, the impact she’s had on the NWSL, and we saw it firsthand in the Olympics (when she played for Zambia).””Quite frankly, I’m disappointed when I hear a lot of these things being said.”Banda, who made her senior international debut in 2016, has made 63 appearances for her countryThis includes featuring in three games at last year’s Women’s World Cup after Fifa deemed her eligible to play. This season Banda scored 13 goals in 22 NWSL games helping Orlando win the divisions title.Banda captained the Zambia team that competed in last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New ZealandCredit: GettyHayes added: “I speak so highly of her because in the women’s game, we talk about all top players that come from more traditional (football) nations. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I think it’s great that we see such quality coming out of Africa and for her to make the impact that she has. “I know my assistant coach (Lisa Cole) coached her at Zambia, and talked about what an amazing person she is. She has our full support.” More

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      I won Gladiators and faced Gareth Southgate as a player – now I’m looking to cause FA Cup upset with minnows

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      HARBOROUGH TOWN’S contender is ready . . . Dave Staff, assistant boss of the seventh-tier club, is a former winner of the TV show Gladiators.Dave Staff pulled off a red win on Gladiators, now he’s hoping to sink ReadingHarborough assistant boss Staff is ‘proud’ of his 2009 Gladiators titlesStaff was in action when Nuneaton Borough famously took then-Prem side Middlesbrough to an FA Cup replay replay 18 years agoCredit: Getty Images – GettyStaff will now be looking to cause an upset in BerkshireCredit: HarboroughBut being part of his home-town club’s journey to a second-round tie at League One Reading feels bigger even than reaching the top of the Travelator first.Staff was a non-league player when he became the 2009 male champion — and then champion of champions — in the Sky One reboot of Gladiators.Staff, 45, said: “About 10,000 people applied for the series. I’m really proud of it.“My best event was probably Powerball. I could carry my own bodyweight well and move pretty quick. I also remember coming up against a Gladiator called Doom in a thing called Earthquake.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“You’re on a Perspex plate 50ft in the air or something. You have a wrestle and try to push each other off — and he broke my nose. But the video referee said I won.“I got £25,000 for winning the main series.“The missus spent most of it on a kitchen in a house that we ended up moving out of about six months later.”Gladiators is not Staff’s only brush with fame.Most read in FA CupEx-Gladiators winner Staff has an unusual claim to fameFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe was in the Nuneaton Borough side that faced Premier League Middlesbrough and their team of stars in the FA Cup third round in 2006.Gaizka Mendieta put Boro ahead with a wonderful free-kick. But Gareth Southgate’s handball led to a penalty — that Gez Murphy scored to earn a replay.Top 10 highest paid footballersStaff said: “There’s a picture of Mendieta curling the free-kick over my head and in.“Unfortunately, I came off injured after 18 minutes so I missed the replay.“After the 90 minutes in the game at Nuneaton, Mark Viduka said to one of our lads, ‘What happens now?’.“‘We’re going back to your place!’“‘OK, cheers, fella’. He didn’t even know!“We went out in Nuneaton that night. I hobbled around the pubs and watched Match of the Day — Lee Dixon called me ‘Davy’ Staff for some reason! “We got the papers in the morning after staying in a hotel and the lad I shared a room with, Matty Collins, was on the back pages. It was a great experience.”As a coach, Staff was part of Brackley Town’s FA Trophy triumph at Wembley in 2018.But nothing matches the feeling of success with the club from the Leicestershire town where he was born and bred.I’m walking around town with my dog and there is such a buzz. It’s the biggest game in the club’s history by far.Dave StaffStaff joined Harborough 18 months ago as assistant to boss Mitch Austin and last season they won promotion to the Southern League Premier Division Central — the highest level in the club’s history.In this campaign, Harborough beat Tonbridge Angels in their first-ever FA Cup first-round tie to earn the clash with Reading.Staff said: “I’ve always lived in the town.“I knew so many people behind the goal when we scored those goals at Tonbridge, I kinda wished I was there instead of the dugout.“I’m walking around town with my dog and there is such a buzz. It’s the biggest game in the club’s history by far.READ MORE SUN STORIES“As a local boy, it’s a bit of a dream and we’re all hoping it can go on as long as possible.”And if you have already defeated Doom, why not Reading?Gareth Southgate conceded a penalty when Staff played for NuneatonCredit: Getty More

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      Paul Pogba’s first game after ban CANCELLED at last-minute as new date is set for King’s Cup Dubai

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      PAUL POGBA’S return to football is off after his comeback match was cancelled just days before kick-off.The former Manchester United and Juventus star has not played since September last year due to a doping ban.Paul Pogba’s return to the pitch is offCredit: GettyPogba was initially hit with a four-year suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing substance DHEA in August 2023.But following an appeal, the 31-year-old’s ban was reduced to 18 months.He has since had his contract at Juve terminated and is looking for a new club, with his return set for March.To keep fit, Pogba was allowed to compete in the King’s Cup.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe event was set to see football royalty go head-to-head in a one-off game in Dubai tomorrow.But the match has been shockingly axed just four days before due to “unforeseen circumstances”.Fans that had tickets can apply for refunds with the tournament rescheduled to February.Supporters have been left devastated, with one saying: “You don’t explain why it was cancelled and what happened. Just a refund doesn’t make anything better?”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnother added: “This is not fair at all.”Pogba was set to run out for Hedge & Sachs Royals, who are captained by Chelsea and England legend John Terry.Paul Pogba was brought back to Man Utd to HUMILIATE Sir Alex Ferguson – I told him not to return, says Patrice EvraThe Frenchman, alongside Roberto Carlos from the opponents, were going to wear the “King’s Guard” shirts.The role limits the players to just 15 minute appearances per half and they would be exempt from offsides, as well as yellow and red cards.King’s Cup Dubai line-upKing’s XI (subject to change):Edgar Davids (C)Roberto CarlosBlaise MatuidiLoris KariusRobert HuthBernard MendyDanny SimpsonFranck RiberyYohan CabayeRyan BabelJay Jay OkochaEl Hadji DioufBobby ZamoraMichael OwenDavid VillaAl HussainiHedge & Sachs Royals XI (subject to change):John Terry (C)Paul PogbaMarouane FellainiPaul ScholesCiaran ClarkAchraf LazaarMarc AlbrightonDavid SilvaClarence SeedorfBlaise MatuidiKeiren WestwoodStephen IrelandTheo Walcott*Emmanuel Adebayor**May play More

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      Sarina Wiegman eager to consign USA to first defeat under Emma Hayes with team unbeaten in 11 games

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      SARINA WIEGMAN will not be letting friendship get in the way of her determination to guide England to victory over Emma Hayes’ USA. The duo go toe-to-toe as coaches for the first time tomorrow when the Lionesses face the United States at Wembley. Sarina Wiegman is aiming to guide the Lionesses to friendly wins against the USA and SwitzerlandCredit: GettyEngland’s clash with the United States women’s team will see Wiegman pitted against USA boss Emma HayesCredit: GettyUSA captain Lindsey Horan says her side enjoy “the pressure moments” when facing teams like EnglandCredit: GettyThe 5:20pm Saturday clash will be Hayes’ first homecoming as USA chief this year. She began her role in June, after ending her reign as Chelsea boss leading the Blues to a seventh WSL title. Tomorrow’s fixture follows Hayes, 48, steering her US stars to a gold medal win at the Paris Olympics in August. And with the team unbeaten in 11 games since Hayes took charge, Wiegman is ready to give her rival her first taste of international defeat. Read More Football Stories The Lioness chief, 55, said: “Emma and I used to collaborate, but now we’re opponents and I’m really looking forward to that.”With friends, you really want to beat them, maybe even more than if they’re not your friends. “We play at Wembley, there’s going to be around 85,000 people there, plus the USA won at the Olympics, so it’s really exciting.”The Lionesses’ clash with the United States will be the first time the teams have faced each other since England’s 2-1 victory two years ago in October. Most read in FootballSince then the Lionesses reached a World Cup final for the first time last summer, falling to a 1-0 loss to Spain. Results for both sides in the last international window have been in contrast. While Hayes’ players saw off Iceland and Argentina with 3-1 and 3-0 wins, Wiegman’s team suffered a 4-3 loss to Germany before defeating South Africa 2-1.And though the USA have been the victors in 12 of their 19 duels with England, full-back Lucy Bronze believes the rivalry between both sides is respectful. The Lioness, who is a Fifa 2024 women’s player of the year nominee, added: “As much as there is a rivalry, there is that level of respect.”You get that when you have a rivalry with two teams that get to the highest level. “As an English team we’ve always understood that the US have had to do so much to get to where they are, “That’s something we really admire in them and something that they’ve inspired us to do as an England team after winning the Euros. “We’re rivals, we’re a community but at the same time we still want to beat each other. “With England and America, it’s always that high level of rivalry but also respect.”With more than 83,000 fans expected at Wembley, Hayes was asked her thoughts on how the women’s game is currently faring here compared to across the pond. However the USA chief believes the sport in both locations should be celebrated equally. The USA chief said: “It’s fair to say that both countries are committed to women’s sport and developing the women’s game. Lucy Bronze is among the five Lionesses who have been shortlisted for this year’s Fifa women’s player of the year awardCredit: Getty”As always, we talk about the things we need to keep doing to improve it, but I think we need to celebrate how far we’ve come. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Having 80,000 paying fans to watch a great match-up is, again, not just a sign of progress, but shows that the Lionesses are sustaining a lot.”It’s about celebrating both countries and celebrating the work that’s being done, as opposed to picking it apart.” More