Football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares165 Views

      in Soccer

      England’s last squad before Thomas Tuchel starts announced with Jack Grealish IN and three uncapped players

      by

      A TRIO of uncapped players are in Lee Carsley’s final England squad before Thomas Tuchel takes over.The Three Lions face Greece away next Thursday before the Republic of Ireland travel to Wembley on Sunday 17 November in the Nations League.Lee Carsley takes charge of his final two games as England boss next weekCredit: GettySouthampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis has earned his first senior call-upCredit: ReutersNewcastle star Lewis Hall has been named in the England squad for the first timeCredit: GettyLiverpool ace Curtis Jones has another chance to win his first capCredit: GettyEngland are in the midst of an injury crisis, with John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo unavailable. Declan Rice, Cole Palmer and Jack Grealish have all recently missed club games due to injury but are in the side.Three uncapped players have been called-up in Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Lewis Hall and Curtis Jones.Southampton defender Harwood-Bellis, 22, worked with Carsley at Under-21 level and has featured in all ten of the Saints’ Premier League matches this season. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe manager also knows Newcastle star Hall, 20, who comes in amid a shortage of left-backs.Liverpool midfielder Jones, 23, is another with previous ties to Carsley.He was called-up to the last squad but withdrew due to personal reasons.On Harwood-Bellis and Hall joining the team, Carsley said: “They are both players who have played a lot of minutes this season and players I both know really well.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Taylor is a player I know, an outstanding Under-21s captain. “Lewis is high quality. We have lots of competition at right-back but not the same challenges at left-back.”Lee Carsley announces November England squad selection England will be out for revenge against the Greeks after suffering a 2-1 defeat to them last month.Greece have won all four of their Nations League matches this season and are top on 12 points.England have nine points and this means Carsley’s side must win by two or more goals in Athens to boost their chances of topping Group B2 to avoid a play-off.If teams finish level on points then head-to-head is the first criteria Uefa use to decide who is ahead.The games against Greece and Ireland will be Carsley’s final two matches in charge before Tuchel starts his job on January 1.Tuchel has had no say on this squad selection but will be watching both games with an eagle-eye. Ahead of stepping aside, Carsley said: “I have really enjoyed it. It has been a massive honour to be given this opportunity. READ MORE SUN STORIES”My focus was always on the games. People know how tough the job is without worrying about outside influences.”On welcoming Tuchel, he added: “I have only messaged him on text and congratulated him.”Jack Grealish is in the squad despite missing recent Man City gamesCredit: EPAANDY DILLON: Thomas Tuchel has all the ingredients to become a classic England manager – tactical nous, drive and a tangled love lifeBy Andy DillonTHOMAS TUCHEL possesses all the ingredients to become a classic England manager.Tactical nous, drive, energy, experience – a tangled love life.English football should welcome back the most explosive, dynamic, charismatic and impossibly tall and gangly coach to have lit up the Premier League.Chelsea’s colourful former boss has been leading a settled life in Munich of late.Far enough away from ex-wife Sissi but close enough to see his two daughters.Walking his dog in the streets in the east of Germany’s most fashionable city, residing in the posh Bogenhausen area. Living relatively quietly with his Brazilian girlfriend.Tuchel is a vastly different personality to the man who led England quietly but assuredly to the brink of World Cups and European Championships.An excitable nature can make him hard to handle for those seeking calm and who like to impose their way on a manager they view very much as an underling.Read more on why Tuchel REALLY IS the best man for the England job More

    • 200 Shares123 Views

      in Soccer

      Football commentator slammed for ‘sexism’ after saying England Lionesses star had ‘face like a slapped bum’

      by

      A FOOTBALL commentator has been slammed for “sexism” after saying that Ella Toone had a “face like a slapped bum”.The unnamed male was covering Manchester United’s WSL clash against Arsenal on Sunday.A male commentator has been slammed for ‘sexism’ after a comment about Ella TooneToone is a fan favourite after netting in England’s Euro win over GermanyCredit: GettyLioness star Toone, 25, lined up for the Red Devils as they lost the crunch game 1-0.She was taken off on 61 minutes and the camera picked her up in the 74th minute watching the match from the bench.Toone, who scored in England’s Euro 2022 final win against Germany, was sat with her arms folded across her body.The commentator, who was working for an alternative world feed rather than the BBC’s dedictated coverage, then said: “Ella Toone, still got a face like a smacked bum.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe unnamed male is now believed to be under investigation by the Women’s Super League.His words came two months after Toone’s father Nick passed away.And fans were left outraged by the commentator’s quip.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOne said: “Hearing the commentator say ‘Ella Toone has a face like a smacked bum’ when she got taken off today, all while showing her on the verge of tears has absolutely enraged me.Most read in Football“She’s 25 f*****g years-old and has just lost her Dad. Cut the girl some slack she f*****g trying…”Uefa chief slammed for warning England Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman her trophy is ‘heavy’-Toone’s father Nick passed away in SeptemberAnother declared: “You could just not comment on anything except the football… Rather than pick on someone who just lost her Dad.”One noted: “Omg I just saw the clip of the commentator saying ‘Ella Toone, still got the face like a smacked bum’ wtaf man. “The whole commentary was unbearable but that is just out of order.”Another added: “No empathy, absolutely unnecessary and typical rubbish from some of the misogynistic male commentators towards women footballers.“She has just lost her father so I guess we all would be looking and feeling the same when at work. And I am not a Man Utd fan.”The WPLL have spoken to the commentator and production company regarding the matter and they have both apologised. More

    • 250 Shares131 Views

      in Soccer

      EFL club face being forced to LEAVE iconic ex-Premier League stadium and have been ‘offered’ two sites for £100m ground

      by

      CHARLTON ATHLETIC have been offered two potential sites for a new stadium – as they face the prospect of being turfed out of The Valley. The League One side has called the iconic stadium home for over 100 years. Charlton’s future at The Valley could be under threatCredit: RexThe club have been offered two potential sites to build a new ground should they have to moveCredit: RexBelgian businessman Roland Duchatelet, the club’s controversial former owner, currently owns The Valley. Charlton signed a 15-year stadium lease with Duchatelet when he still had control of the club. He sold the Addicks to East Street Investments in 2020.Last year the club changed hands again, with Global Football Partners now in charge.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe current ownership group are looking to renegotiate the terms of the lease, which has 11 years remaining. According to City AM, the club have held “positive talks” with Duchatelet, with an eventual view to buying the ground outright.But should any deal not materialise, Charlton could be forced to move out of The Valley within the next decade. The club has been offered two potential sites for a new stadium on the Thames by property developers. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe City AM report claims a new stadium is “projected to cost at least £100m”.A Charlton spokesperson said: “The Valley is the home of Charlton Athletic and the club have no plans to leave the stadium. ‘We had a can of beans between 20’ Charlton’s Matt Godden on struggles at old club – What the EFL?!”We have a medium-term lease on the stadium and our only interest is securing the club’s long-term tenure at The Valley.”Charlton currently sit 12th in League One with 19 points from their opening 13 games.Former Charlton chairman Roland Duchatelet currently owns the groundCredit: AFP – GettyBoss Nathan Jones is looking to get the Addicks back into the second tier for the first time since 2020. Charlton enjoyed a seven-season spell in the Premier League between 2000 and 2008. They have since bounced between the Championship and League One, with ownership issues dominating the club’s past few years. More

    • 213 Shares123 Views

      in Soccer

      Supercomputer predicts Champions League with two English sides meeting in final and another falling to familiar foe

      by

      A SUPERCOMPUTER has predicted the rest of this year’s Champions League and it reckons we will have an all English final.In the tournament’s new format, there are eight games in the league phase before the knockout rounds.Pep Guardiola congratulates hat-trick hero Viktor Gyokeres after Sporting Lisbon thrashed Man City 4-1Credit: GettyReal Madrid star Jude Bellingham celebrates after winning the Champions League at WembleyCredit: AFPThe top eight go through to the last-16 as seeds, while teams placed 9th to 24th meet in a play-off to become their opponents.We are halfway through the Champions League’s expanded group stage and plenty of shock results mean that CSDB.gg’s supercomputer is predicting several surprise finishes.The number cruncher thinks Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will all be involved in the play-off round alongside Aston Villa and Celtic.Sporting’s demolition of City and Inter Milan’s hard-fought victory over the Gunners this week sees both of them come in the top eight.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLiverpool will end the league phase top and undefeated thanks to seven wins and a draw.Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain are the biggest casualty of the new league phase and are predicted to finish 27th.In the play-off round, teams that come between 9th and 16th are seeded and have the second leg at home.The rules see Arsenal face Villa and Mikel Arteta’s side are expected to come through 4-2 on aggregate.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIn the last-16, the AI claims Liverpool will beat Barcelona, the Gunners will knock out Bayern Munich and City will batter Monaco.Real Madrid have played Pep Guardiola’s men in each of the last three Champions League campaigns and the supercomputer says they are going to meet again in this season’s quarter-finals.Man Utd fans cry ‘please, not you as well’ as Ruben Amorim copies Ten Hag’s worrying comments after Sporting beat City The Spaniards got the better of them last time and the same will happen again – with a shock 5-1 aggregate victory predicted.Meanwhile, Arsenal will beat Atalanta and Liverpool will end Sporting’s dream run.The semi-finals see Liverpool knock out champions Real Madrid in a thriller and Arsenal to get revenge on Inter Milan.This means the simulation is going for the first all-English final since Chelsea beat Man City in 2021.And in the final, the supercomputer says Liverpool will llift the trophy after a 1-0 nervy win over Arsenal.It would be the seventh time the club has tasted Champions League glory and complete a stunning first season for manager Arne Slot.Supercomputer predicts Champions League knockout stages Scores on aggregate:Play-offAtletico 3-2 GironaBarcelona 6-1 BrestJuventus 2-1 FeyenoordAC Milan 2-2 Benfica (Benfica win on pens)Man City 4-1 StuttgartLille 4-3 CelticPSV 1-6 Real MadridArsenal 4-2 Aston VillaLast-16Liverpool 2-1 BarcelonaDortmund 3-4 Real MadridInter 3-2 BenficaAtalanta 2-0 AtleticoSporting 3-1 LilleBayern 3-5 ArsenalMonaco 1-6 Man CityQuarter-finalReal Madrid 5-1 Man CityLiverpool 4-3 SportingInter 4-3 JuventusAtalanta 0-4 ArsenalSemi-finalReal Madrid 2-4 LiverpoolInter 3-4 ArsenalFinalLiverpool 1-0 Arsenal More

    • 200 Shares123 Views

      in Soccer

      Germany forced to abruptly remove player from Nations League squad list after realising he was LATVIAN

      by

      GERMANY were forced to fix their Nations League squad list after accidentally including a player from LATVIA.Helmond Sport loanee Dario Sits was bizarrely named in Julian Nagelsmann’s squad for the upcoming international break.Latvia international Dario Sits was mistakenly named in Germany’s latest Nations League squadBut the 20-year-old is not German – he’s actually from a land nearly 721 miles away.Sits’ name was quickly removed after Germany realised their strange faux pas.The federation blamed a technical error in the database.Sits made his debut for Latvia last month and the closest he’s come to the German national team was when he played against their U21s in 2022.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe young forward stars in the Dutch second division, where he’s on loan from Serie A side Parma.Meanwhile, the actual Germany squad contains a few other surprises.Manchester City backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega could win his first cap with Barcelona’s Marc-Andr ter Stegen out for the season.Ter Stegen, 32, was forced to undergo knee surgery on his patellar tendon in September.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArsenal forward Kai Havertz and Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala return after missing Germany’s last games with injuries.But Havertz was forced off with a bloodied face in the dying embers of Arsenal’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.The Gunners’ star was involved in a horrid head collision with an Inter Milan player, leaving him with blood pouring down his face.Germany host Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 16 before travelling to Hungary three days later.And Sits’ Latvia face League C Group Four leaders North Macedonia and Armenia.Havertz left the pitch at San Siro covered in bloodCredit: RexWho are these famous footballers? More

    • 250 Shares148 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Who does such a thing?’ – Lloris slams Levy for message he had engraved on Spurs stars’ Champions League watches

      by

      HUGO LLORIS has taken a swipe at Daniel Levy for his decision to hand out posh watches with the word ‘finalist’ engraved to Spurs players ahead of the 2019 Champions League final.Frenchman Lloris, who made 447 appearances for the North Londoners, captained Spurs as they lost to Liverpool to finish runners-up in Europe’s elite club competition that year.Hugo Lloris has hit out Daniel Levy for watches he handed out to the Spurs playersCredit: ReutersBusinessman Levy has been Spurs chairman for 23 yearsCredit: AlamyBut four days before the showpiece Spurs chairman Levy decided to mark the occasion by giving each squad-member a luxury aviator wristwatch, with the support of a sponsor.It was a well-meaning gesture but it was the message etched on the pricey gift that Lloris found tin-earned at the time and still does to this day.Writing in his autobiography being serialised in The Guardian, World Cup winner Lloris said: “At first, we were excited to see the elegant boxes.“Then we opened them and discovered that he’d had the back of each timepiece engraved with the player’s name and ‘Champions League Finalist 2019’.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“‘Finalist.’ Who does such a thing at a moment like this?“I still haven’t got over it, and I’m not alone. If we’d won, he wouldn’t have asked for the watches back to have ‘winner’ engraved instead.“I have considerable respect and esteem for the man and all he has done for the club as chairman – I got to know him – but there are things he is simply not sensitive to.“As magnificent as the watch is, I have never worn it.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“I would have preferred there to be nothing on it. With an engraving like that, Levy couldn’t have been surprised if we had been 1-0 down after a couple of minutes: so it was written.”Spurs did indeed go down 1-0 inside two minutes thanks to a controversial penalty dispatched by Mo Salah, before Divock Origi doubled the lead late on.Tottenham snubbed Ollie Watkins transfer as Jose Mourinho refused to pay price tag and signed flop striker instead The spot-kick, awarded when the ball hit Moussa Sissoko’s body and rebounded onto his hand, still narks Lloris.That is because 24 hours after the final the rules were changed, meaning it would not have been given the following day.While Lloris, who ended up winning nothing during his 12 years with Spurs, left that final disappointment questioning how much the club really wanted to be the best.The 37-year-old, now with LAFC in the MLS, added: “At the post-match reception at the hotel, I had the impression that some people from the club and certain players were not sufficiently despondent at having lost.“When I returned to my room on the night of the final, I think I had the same feeling as Mauricio (Pochettino, the manager at the time) and Harry (Kane): does the club really want to win?“Real Madrid would never have celebrated a lost final, and we shouldn’t have either.”Amazon documentaryLloris also hit out at the subsequent decision “made without the consent either of the squad or the manager” to allow the Amazon cameras in to film their All or Nothing documentary.The goalkeeper said the players had to be “careful all the time” with what they said and how they acted, adding that the show which earned the club £10million was a “constraint” in its filming and “had consequences”.Pochettino’s successor Jose Mourinho ended up being the star of that documentary.But it was the mind of a manager that came after the Special One who Lloris also gave a fascinating insight into – that of Antonio Conte.The firebrand Italian was as “extreme and eruptive” behind closed doors as he appeared to be on the touchline, according to Lloris.A man who struggled to contain his frustration when results started turning for him at Tottenham, whose strong personality meant wingers scared of him “preferred to play on the side of the pitch opposite the dugout”.Conte took Spurs to the Champions League but it all unravelled for him two seasons ago when he left the club in March 2023 having metaphorically torched the club and players in an unforgettable post-match press conference at Southampton.One particular defeat, in which Lloris did not even play, against Slovenian minnows Mura in the Uefa Conference League had Conte raging.Lloris explained: “Even though I wasn’t playing, I was still entitled to his screams and reproaches, just like everyone else.READ MORE SUN STORIES“After the defeat in Maribor, he had screamed: ‘Mura, Mura, who’s Mura?! We lost to Mura!’ I can still hear him.“If a player needed a little love, he’d better not knock at Conte’s door. For Conte, trust is earned in training. He has no filter; he’s sincere, honest.” More

    • 238 Shares115 Views

      in Soccer

      It is unacceptable for Arsenal players to look tired… their arms don’t ache from lifting trophies, slams former star

      by

      WILLIAM GALLAS has called out Arsenal’s “tired” stars – and demanded they raise their energy levels for a title push. The former Gunners defender won two Premier League titles during his time with Chelsea. Arsenal’s recent blip has seen them fall away in the Premier League title raceCredit: ReutersMartin Odegaard returned against Inter but the Gunners could not avoid defeatCredit: GettyEx-Arsenal star William Gallas has demanded more from the current cropCredit: PA:Empics SportMikel Arteta’s side have faltered in recent matches after a promising start to the campaign. Arsenal have lost two of their last three top-flight games, dropping off the pace in the title race.They go into this weekend’s fixtures seven points behind league leaders Liverpool.Arteta recently complained his team looked “tired” during a Champions League game with Shakhtar Donetsk. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut Gallas – who played for the Gunners between 2006 and 2010 – doesn’t buy the excuse. Gallas told Prime Casino: “Arsenal has won absolutely nothing! Nothing. Why are they tired? “Their arms don’t ache from lifting trophies. Explain to me why they are tired. “Liverpool, they don’t look tired, they look like they’re ready to fight for the title.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArsenal led twice in a recent 2-2 draw with the league leaders, conceding a late Mo Salah equaliser after dropping deeper into their own half.And Gallas believes the team’s only chance of winning a first title since 2003 is to go on the front foot.Mikel Arteta fumes over penalty decisions as Arsenal lose to Inter Milan He continued: “What Arsenal produced last season, and why everybody was happy, was that they had that confidence, they were not scared of anyone. “I think they have to become fearless again this season to reproduce their best football.”You can’t blame the lack of rhythm and control on the absence of Odegaard. Arsenal player ratings v Inter MilanTOOTHLESS Arsenal were beaten by a superb Italian job in Milan as they lost 1-0 thanks to a controversial penalty.Here’s how the Gunners stars were rated by SunSport’s Tony Robertson.David Raya – 6Unfortunate with the penalty on an otherwise quiet night. Passing was below par with on three out of nine long passes finding their mark.Ben White – 7Dependable as ever at right back. Can’t be blamed for the defeat from a defensive standpoint.William Saliba – 7Marshalled defence well and produced some strong passes.  Three clearances and six duels won said everything about his performance.Gabriel Magalhaes – 7Had a slightly better time in duels than Saliba but was worse on the ball.Jurrien Timber – 7 Had a good rapport with Martinelli down the left flank. Dependable but undone by the controversial penalty call.Mikel Merino – 5 Difficult to see what he brings to the midfield at the moment. Clearly Arteta likes his height and strength, but not on the same wavelength as team-mates tonight. Unlucky to give away the penalty.Thomas Partey – 6Should have been given more licence to roam forward in the second half. But didn’t look like he had the legs to do that job.Bukayo Saka – 6Captain for the night with Odegaard only fit for the bench. Saka was always a threat, but all too often or not chose the wrong option to go inside or out.Gabriel Martinelli – 7Flashes of brilliance and a thorn throughout the clash. Created four chances but team-mates were unable to help him out.Kai Havertz – 6  Couple of flashes of brilliance, including a beautiful curled effort at goal that forced Sommer to punch clear, but needed to be a stronger force up top. Went off with a bloody head in injury time.Leandro Trossard – 6 Buzzed around and had threatening moments. But just didn’t get the ball enough in dangerous positions.”You can’t call yourself a contender for the Premier League title if you can’t play your football when one player is missing.””Arsenal have an amazing opportunity to win the title this season. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Manchester City are not the same team as previous Pep teams from the last few season. Arsenal need to take advantage of that. “Don’t squander the opportunity that you’ve worked so tirelessly over the last two years for.” More

    • 263 Shares82 Views

      in Soccer

      Viktor Gyokeres set to spark massive summer transfer battle with Man Utd to be joined by Chelsea and Arsenal in race

      by

      CHELSEA and Arsenal are set to join Manchester United in the battle to sign Europe’s most in-demand player Viktor Gyokeres.The Sporting Lisbon sensation is now widely expected to leave the Portuguese giants at the end of the season.Viktor Gyokeres is being eyed by Chelsea, Arsenal and Man UtdThe No9 has been linked with a move to follow new United boss Ruben AmorimHe could follow his current boss Ruben Amorim to Old Trafford – with United chiefs willing to pay the £63m it would take to sign him.But Sun Online has learned the Swedish superstar’s advisors are pushing for a move to a club in the Champions League.And that’s put Arsenal and Chelsea, who are bidding to qualify for Europe’s top competition next season, on red-alert. The Gunners might have a head start though.READ MORE ON MAN UTDMikel Areta’s side have been scouting Gyokeres over the past 12 months in their search for more firepower up top.But Chelsea are also on the lookout for a prolific number nine and the young Swede would fit the bill.Both clubs are also in a far better position to be able to offer the player the Champions League football he so dearly craves, with United languishing in 13th in the Prem.Sporting reportedly have a gentleman’s agreement with Gyokeres to let him go for less than his release clause which is set at around £84m.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe 26-year-old’s current contract expires in 2028.He has has gone from Championship striker to one of the world’s best in a whirlwind year.Man Utd fans cry ‘please, not you as well’ as Ruben Amorim copies Ten Hag’s worrying comments after Sporting beat City The Swedish forward enhanced his reputation with a hat-trick in a shock 4-1 win over Manchester City on Tuesday night.Sporting would look for around £67m but could accept as little as £63m.And that is likely to interest a host of Prem giants.Amorim ruled out taking him with him to United in January – but said he does expect the forward to look for a new challenge in the summer.He said: “I’ve just made peace with the Sporting fans so I’m not even going to make a joke about it.”Gyokeres is a Sporting player and it’s is a great club, he did a lot for the club. He just has to stay and finish the season at the club.”His 66 goals in 67 appearances has already drawn interest from Saudi Arabia.With Gyokeres likely to stay in Portugal for the rest of the season, United are also being tipped to go for another Sporting star.READ MORE SUN STORIESReports say they are tracking 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda, who has impressed this season.Amorim is preparing to leave Sporting for Old Trafford next week and could bring a couple of players along with him.The striker could swap sunny Portugal for rainy Manchester More