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      in Soccer

      Harry Redknapp: I tipped Man Utd to win the title… but NONE of their players would get in the Man City team

      by

      THERE are fewer than five miles between the two Manchester clubs — but in terms of quality, they are 100 miles apart right now.And if that wasn’t worrying enough for United, the way they are going it is a gap I can see getting even wider.
      Manchester United were the dominant force in Manchester for several decadesCredit: PA
      But the balance of power has well and truly shifted in City’s favourCredit: REX
      The Red Devils have had to painfully watch on as their neighbours have dominated all competitionsCredit: GETTY
      I know I tipped them to give the title a real go this season but you can forget it.
      They will be lucky to finish within shouting distance of the top four . . . and even that is a hell of a long shot.
      So when City go to Old Trafford this afternoon, there is only one result I can see, for sure.
      An away win — and a comfortable one as well. Whether Pep Guardiola’s City team are as good as last year or not, they are a heck of a lot better than United, who I don’t think have progressed at all.
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      In fact, I would go so far as to say they are no further forward than when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was manager . . . and how many millions have they spent since then?
      United were starting to become bang average when Ole was in charge and, for me, nothing has changed.
      If City had the pick of anyone in a red shirt, how many would they take?
      Maybe Marcus Rashford in top form — which he has not been this season.
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      Marcus Rashford, on his day, is the only United star capable of getting into City’s teamCredit: ALAMY
      Beyond that? No one. Bruno Fernandes might get on the bench, but he certainly wouldn’t make the starting XI, and the rest wouldn’t even get close.
      I look at United and think, “What’s the plan?” They are a very, very pale shadow of some of the teams they have had over the years . . . and they were always exciting.
      I still have a scrapbook from ten years old, full of stuff about Duncan Edwards and Bobby Charlton, Eddie Colman and Roger Byrne, all the Busby Babes.
      They had great teams under Fergie as well. Ryan Giggs and David Beckham flying at you, Andy Cole or Eric Cantona scoring for fun.
      Even when they weren’t mopping up trophies, they would still be great to watch.
      And they always had a couple of players you would have loved in your side, like a Bryan Robson or Norman Whiteside.
      I took teams to Old Trafford for 20 years and, if you went one down after ten minutes, you knew it was going to be a long day.But look at them now and they are just very, very ordinary.
      They are not producing players like they used to and you have to say the recruitment has been poor.
      This is very much Erik ten Hag’s side, not one full of players he inherited. But I struggle to see any star quality — and that’s something United have never lacked.
      A manager of any side in the Premier League now — and I mean ANY — would fancy his chances of getting something from United.
      You know your players will always be up for it, because of the club they are up against, but in truth they would be taking on an average team.
      They are 100 miles apart right nowHarry Redknapp on Manchester City and Manchester United
      I know they are at home this afternoon but, for me, United’s best chance is to treat it as though they are underdogs in a cup tie.
      They are not on the same level as City, so the only way is to work their socks off and hang in through sheer endeavour.
      Like when I was managing Bournemouth against them in the cup.
      It is at Old Trafford, so if they do that, then the crowd will lift them and United could feed off it.
      Ten Hag has to fire them up to run, chase, work hard for the whole 90 minutes and hope the fans carry them along.
      But just to say that about a United side at home is unreal.
      In terms of a contest . . . well it really isn’t one. There is no comparison between them.
      I keep hearing that Erling Haaland isn’t at the same level as last year — but he still has nine in nine in the Premier League. Imagine when he finds a bit of form!
      Then there is Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, the new lad Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez . . . top quality everywhere you look.
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      For me, Rashford is the only United player who can compare and he will be up against Kyle Walker, so will be chasing both ways.
      I would love to see a close game with loads of goals but in reality, there’s only one side I can see scoring them — and they won’t be wearing red.
      Manchester City are favourites to run riot in the Manchester DerbyCredit: GETTY More

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      in Motorsport

      This weekend’s US Grand Prix will reveal whether Lewis Hamilton can challenge Verstappen for next year’s F1 title

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      THE United States Grand Prix will give us our best chance yet to see if Lewis Hamilton could catch Max Verstappen next season.Verstappen wrapped up the title last time out in Qatar with his 14th win in this season’s 17 grands prix in a crushing display of domination.
      Lewis Hamilton will trial a host of new parts at the United States Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      Mercedes have been playing catch up to the Dutchman’s Red Bull team since Hamilton lost his grip on the title in 2021.
      A combination of poor car design and questionable leadership meant the team followed the wrong design philosophy, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff deciding to start from scratch.
      Wolff also recalled James Allison in the role of technical director, who was charged with plotting the team’s route back to the top of the podium.
      Allison has had to make-do-and-mend with the previous incarnation designed by chief technical officer Mike Elliott in order to hit the ground running in 2024.
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      However at this weekend’s race, Mercedes are expected to bring a host of new parts to trial in preparation for next season.
      The Silver Arrows are desperate to snatch second-place in the constructors’ championship from Ferrari to signal some minor progress —   and currently lead the Maranello-based team by 28 points.
      If the parts which come to the table in Austin, Texas on Sunday is a new floor — arguably the most crucial aspect to this generation of F1 car — that works, then it could provide a timely boost.
      Hamilton had praised the work the team have done behind the scenes and this weekend will offer us the chance to get to see it for ourselves — but more crucially, whether it works.
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      Max Verstappen won again in Qatar having already been crowned F1 World ChampionsCredit: AFP
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      LANCE STROLL was given a written warning by the FIA after his Qatar GP strop.
      The Aston Martin driver threw his steering wheel and shoved his trainer following an early exit in qualifying.
      The 24-year-old has been “reminded of his responsibilities”.
      GO FERR IT
      BRIT driver Oliver Bearman completed his first test for Ferrari.
      The Chelmsford ace, 18, drove 400km around their Fiorano test track.
      He will also drive the Ferrari-powered Haas VF-23 in the first free practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix. More

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      in Soccer

      I played for Chelsea legend who was just like Pochettino – he challenged us at free-kicks and went 18 MONTHS unbeaten

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      MYKHAILO MUDRYK looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders at Chelsea.So it was nice to hear that his boss Mauricio Pochettino has spotted this and is working on changing that, by challenging him to a friendly game of crossbar challenge in training.
      Mykhailo Mudryk is struggling to hit form on the pitchCredit: Alamy
      Mauricio Pochettino has resorted to a crossbar challenge against the UkrainianCredit: Getty
      What Poch is trying to do is loosen a player up who right now is so tense and rigid in everything he does on and off the pitch.
      He clearly feels Mudryk is trying too hard, putting too much pressure on himself and is being too serious with his own game and his own failings or mistakes.
      He wants to succeed so bad that he probably wants it too much. The tension builds and he isn’t free, mentally or physically, and that is showing in lacklustre performances.
      I have no doubt Poch will have seen things in training, like his pace, his close control, his finishing, and think: ‘Why isn’t he doing this in games?’
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      So, he is trying to be a bit more personable.
      If he is beating him, that’s fine. Mudryk is losing to a legend, not some random guy off the street. It can only do him good.
      I remember Gianfranco Zola, during the 18 months he was in charge at Watford, challenged us to beat him at scoring free-kicks.
      You would get five chances to see who could score the most from 25 yards over a set of mannequins acting as a wall.
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      The winner would get £50. During those 18 months, he went unbeaten. I never saw anyone even come close.
      He would score at least three out of five.
      He would take two steps and slap it up and over the wall, a bit like a backhand in table tennis.
      So that may be Poch’s thinking. He is trying to build a relationship with the guy, build some camaraderie. Get him to enjoy competing, even if he beats him most of the time.
      During his playing career, Poch probably did that at the end of every training session, smack a ball onto the bar, so he knows his range.
      Above all else, Poch is a great man-manager. He gets the best out of the players he has, and this could be the start of yet another example of that.
      Nicolas Jackson needs some of that man-management gold dust as well.
      There is so much ego around a player joining a new club, particularly if there is a ‘curse’ to be broken. You want to be the one who breaks it.
      Nicolas Jackson needs to start impressing Poch soonTroy Deeney
      Jackson would have turned up at Chelsea with incredible confidence.
      His agent would have turned to him at some point and said: ‘You do know the last few strikers here have struggled? Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata, Andriy Shevchenko’.
      Jackson would have replied: ‘Yeah but they’re not me’. Yet it has been a few months and he hasn’t pulled up any trees.
      It has got to be difficult for him, and Mudryk, especially because this squad — one of high energy and high talent — is struggling, and the club is a bit of a mess.
      Jackson is a bit wild with his finishing, but other than that, he looks like he has a real appetite to score goals. Though he needs to start impressing Poch soon.
      Just consider the names of the strikers he has managed recently: Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Lionel Messi. All world-class individuals and finishers.
      Troy Deeney worked with Gianfranco Zola at WatfordCredit: Alamy
      Zola took on the Hornets players at free-kicks in trainingCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      So, whoever leads the line for Chelsea, they have to raise their standards.
      Pochettino is used to working with elites.
      What won’t help Jackson’s cause is getting booked for protesting at referees, which has resulted in him serving a suspension for the game at Fulham on Monday.
      I can sympathise.
      I have played six games for Forest Green in League Two and I got warned on Monday that I am one booking away from a suspension.
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      For what? I haven’t even made a tackle, but it is for arguing with referees and one for rolling the ball away five yards.
      Someone needs to have a word with Jackson. Stop arguing, and focus on getting the goals his side desperately needs.
      Poch is sticking with his No10Credit: Getty
      It has not quite clicked for Nicolas Jackson yetCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      in Soccer

      Troy Deeney: Nobody has ever called Jadon Sancho a bad trainer… is Erik ten Hag’s man-management style the real problem?

      by

      I HAVE never heard anyone from Watford, Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund say Jadon Sancho was a bad trainer.So I appreciate why he came out and said what he did on social media in response to Erik ten Hag.
      Jadon Sancho has fallen out with boss Erik ten HagCredit: Getty
      The winger has been banished from the Man United squadCredit: Getty
      As a manager now, you have to be extremely careful with what you say about players.
      Sancho has just under ten million followers on Instagram.
      All it takes is one message and he can reach every commercial outlet and millions of fans around the globe, and now it is a big thing.
      And they will be supporting Sancho’s side of the argument.
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      So, Ten Hag is now going to feel some heat.
      Is it his style of man-management that has caused this?
      The easy thing is to blame the player, so I can see why Sancho has responded.
      Can you imagine the number of messages he is getting on social media on every single post, questioning his commitment or desire because of what Ten Hag said.
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      In my mind, if someone questions that, they may as well be spitting on you.
      At some point, as a player, you think: Hold on, this cannot be my fault, and you end up saying something.
      In hindsight, would he take that message back? Probably. He just needs to ride it out now. What I will say is that Sancho probably needs to develop some thicker skin.
      If someone goes and questions your desire, go and prove him otherwise but he needs to know the specifics.
      Does he need to run more? Does he need to gym more? Does he need to listen more in meetings? More

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      in Soccer

      Paul Pogba is a huge talent but never learnt to live with the fame… now his career could be over

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      LIVING with fame is hard for some footballers. With Paul Pogba it is a revolving ordeal.Now just as we thought the Frenchman was settled with Juventus, that headline writers here could stop trying to find rhyming nouns with the Frenchman’s strange (to us, anyway) surname, up he pops again.
      Paul Pogba has tested positive for testosterone and his career could be overCredit: Rex
      This time with an alleged offence that could end his football career.
      The World Cup winner is reported to have had a positive test for testosterone, a drug that has been taken illegally for years in helping build muscle and bone mass.
      Sylvester Stallone uses it and look where it took him. Maybe Stallone and many other testosterone replacement therapy users also rather liked the idea of its association with increased aggression, violence and sex drive.
      For Pogba, if correct, it would appear to have been aimed at extra zip.
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      Whether the Italian authorities noticed a difference in his performances in matches for Juventus is doubtful but someone discovered evidence for a possible long-term red card.
      Pogba’s second time at Old Trafford was a mockery of his then-world-record transfer of £89million, paid in 2016.  His agent, the late ingrate Mino Raiola, was paid at least £27m by Juventus for his part.
      I’m reasonably sure he wasn’t from Mars but sometimes his colourful haircuts made me wonder what David Bowie would dream up for him.
      There were times when he could rule a match and on £15m a year so he should.
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      Pogba could be banned for up to four yearsCredit: EPA
      Karren Brady says Pogba has struggled to deal with fame and notorietyCredit: Getty
      United fans will judge whether he was good value. He did play three times for them as a lad in 2010-11 and 236 games with 39 goals in the six seasons after he returned from Juventus.
      United were rewarded with two trophies and a variety of upsets in and out of the dressing room.
      Because, by then, Pogba, such an independent spirit that in various times he fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho could be named alongside the world stars of football.
      He had been directed towards that target by his mother whose marriage split up soon after the family moved from Guinea to east Paris.
      Young Paul was a huge talent and the temptations to move from Le Havre boys’ team to one of the biggest clubs in the world were sufficient for him to sign at 16. Le Havre contested it but eventually went away.
      I suspect Pogba is not as self-confident as he appears. Karren Brady
      I suspect Pogba is not as self-confident as he appears. Surrounded no doubt by hangers-on and chancers, threatened with extortion by one of his twin brothers, kidnapped, often injured and derided, it would be surprising if he did not feel cornered by his notoriety.
      It says a good deal that he has never branched out from the only two clubs for which he has ever played.
      Fame is no protection, nor are yes-men as other stars discovered… from Paul Gascoigne to George Best to Diego Maradona.
      The glamorous lifestyle did not hide the weaknesses, controversy chasing them through the post-football years. Will Pogba go the same way? Now 30, he could be banned from playing for two to four years.
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      This is how he feels: “Sometimes I was just by myself thinking: ‘I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me — not for the fame, not for the money’.”
      It’s heart-breaking. More

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      in Boxing

      Oscar De la Hoya’s life outside ring is a disaster, from Olympic lie and mum beating him to failed relationships

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      OSCAR DE LA HOYA has finally come clean and admitted he blatantly lied about one of boxing’s most heart-wrenching stories.Two years before going to the 1992 Olympics, the Golden Boy told the American media in a tear-jerking interview that his his 38-year-old mother Cecilia, who was dying of cancer, made him promise to return from Barcelona with the gold medal.
      Oscar De la Hoya celebrates at the 1992 OlympicsCredit: Getty
      De la Hoya with his world middleweight belt in 2004Credit: AP:Associated Press
      And when the handsome 19-year-old fulfilled that dream and arrived back in the US with the gong hanging from his neck, millions fell in love with him.
      De la Hoya became an instant celebrity and President George H Bush gushed: “He has not only brought home the gold medal, he has brought honour to his mom’s memory.”
      Sadly, it turns out Oscar made up that highly emotional conversation between mother and son.
      That will come as a great shock to all those who idolised him and embraced that touching tale.
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      In fact his Mexican mother used to physically abuse him – she constantly beat him as he grew up in the tough neighbourhoods of  East Los Angeles.
      De la Hoya made it clear he wasn’t going to sugar-coat anything as he bared his soul in a three-hour HBO documentary of his life shown on Sky.
      He was obviously relieved to take the opportunity to unburden himself of a 30-year secret  by telling the truth about his mother.
      Biting his lip to stop himself breaking down the Golden Boy admitted: “I was driven by a lie. It happened – emotion took over and it just caught fire.
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      “The world fell in love with my story – I embraced it and just held on to it. When you are lying you are caught up in this web.
      “My first thoughts of my childhood? Being afraid, pain. crying, anger. I hated it when she hit me – it was the worst. I never had the courage to tell my mother I loved her – I wish I did.”
      De la Hoya, was one of the greatest fighters of his generation  winning 11 world titles in six weight divisions – from super-featherweight to middleweight.
      He was the most popular fighter since Muhammad Ali, who generated $750 million in PPV revenue yet he said: “I didn’t live up to my potential in the ring  – I could have given a lot more.” 
      Early in his career I went to see him at his Big Bear altitude training camp in California’s San Bernardino mountains and like everyone else I was captivated by the bi-lingual young man’s charm and electrifying charisma.
      Unfortunately his brilliance in the ring wasn’t matched by his lifestyle outside the ropes, which was an unmitigated disaster.
      Oscar said “I was 24 years old, making $15-20 million a fight – I was living the American dream. You start to separate yourself from the world. But I ruined good things all my life.”
      My first thoughts of my childhood? Being afraid, pain. crying, anger. I hated it when she hit me – it was the worstOscar De la Hoya
      Beautiful women threw themselves at him – a former Miss USA  was one of several partners who bore him six children. 
      He didn’t meet one of his sons until the boy was sixteen and Oscar admitted: “I didn’t know how to be a parent.”
      Inevitably he became addicted to alcohol and cocaine and he spent time in rehab on several occasions.
      But perhaps his  biggest shock moment came when he was photographed cross-dressing – wearing make-up, high heels a wig and a fishnet body stocking – in a picture which appeared on the front page of the New York Post.
      Men like De la Hoya are envied for their wealth and fame but the reality is so many who come from the world’s back streets haven’t a clue how to handle it.
      Oscar ended  with a moving but telling  appraisal of the time when he was America’s darling.
      He said “The Golden Boy – it’s all f******   bull****, that’s all it is. Nobody really loves me – I am just a commodity. It’s time to live in reality.”  
      De La Hoya was married to Puerta Rican singer Millie CorretjerCredit: Getty
      Golden Boy is now married to Holly SondersCredit: Getty
      For the record, the other outrageous boxing porkie was Muhammad Ali ‘s revelation that he threw his Olympic gold medal in the Ohio river in disgust when he was refused service in a restaurant in segregated Louisville when he returned home from  Rome in 1960.
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      Years later Bundini Brown, Ali’s cornerman laughingly said “Oh yeah – the white honkies really fell for that one.”
      The medal was actually lost in a house move. More

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      in Soccer

      Troy Deeney: Poch’s Tottenham were one of the best teams I EVER faced… but NOBODY will be scared of Spurs any more

      by

      MAURICIO POCHETTINO’S Spurs were not only a fine footballing team, they were a big, nasty, intimidating bunch to play against.They might never have won a trophy — though they came close to both the Premier League and Champions League — but they were one of the best teams I ever faced.
      Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham will not be scary anymoreCredit: Alamy
      Harry Kane was one of the last remaining links to the Pochettino era but the strong identity that team possessed had disappeared long before his departure.
      From Jose Mourinho to Nuno Espirito Santo to Antonio Conte, Tottenham lost their positivity, energy and aggression.
      Back in the day, you’d be facing Mousa Dembele, a wonderfully-gifted player but also a massive unit who would not be afraid to use his physical strength.
      Moussa Sissoko would often stick one on you, the centre-halves Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were big and mean.
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      Kyle Walker loved a tackle and Danny Rose would delight in lifting opponents off their feet and ditching them in the stands.
      You lined up against them in the tunnel and they looked like a side not to be messed with — most were over 6ft, including Kane. You also knew they were a team who would never be outrun.
      I just can’t imagine opponents fearing them like that any more.
      Kane’s Bayern Munich move leaves Spurs without a genuine centre-forward — and that is something they must resolve before deadline day.
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      Harry Kane had a goal and assist on his Bayern Munich Bundesliga debutCredit: Reuters
      That is not going to be easy with just two weeks left in this window and with selling clubs knowing they have £100million burning a hole in their pockets.
      I find it hugely surprising that Spurs haven’t already bought a striker this summer because Kane was always likely to leave this year, or next at the very latest.
      But with Spurs, there never seems to be any long-term planning or strategy any more — that’s why they were overtaken by a small, brilliantly-run club like Brighton last season.
      Newcastle replaced them in the ‘Big Six’ and it could be a long way back for Ange Postecoglou.
      The obvious ready-made replacement for Kane would be Ivan Toney, if only the Brentford striker wasn’t banned until the New Year for breaking betting regulations.
      Harry Kane was one of the last remaining links to the Pochettino era but the strong identity that team possessed had disappeared long before his departure.Troy Deeney
      Toney is outstanding but would Spurs be prepared to strike a deal now for someone who can’t play for half of this season?
      My old Watford team-mate Richarlison led the line in Tottenham’s opener at Brentford and the team showed some decent signs in that 2-2 draw.
      But Richarlison is not a centre-forward, it’s simply not his natural position. He is a left-winger who can cut inside and score goals.
      I don’t remember him ever playing through the middle during his season at Watford.
      And although he had some success filling in there for Everton, you will never see the best of Richar in that role.
      That visit to Brentford was Postecoglou’s first competitive game in charge.
      There were some encouraging signs that he wants Spurs to get on the front foot and dominate games, like they used to do under Pochettino, but rarely since.
      New captain Son Heung-min was far from his best against BrentfordCredit: Getty
      Richarlison also has a point to prove at SpursCredit: Getty
      But too often Richarlison and Son Heung-min, who both prefer to operate as wide-left attackers, occupied the same positions.
      They were creating overloads but when the ball got into the box, either there was nobody there, or the ball fell to the ‘wrong’ players.
      And, yes, I know that Emerson Royal scored Tottenham’s equaliser but the full-back is hardly going to get double figures this season.
      I was surprised that Richar only scored one Premier League goal in his debut campaign for Spurs last season.
      But they have a genuine player there as long as he is able to operate in his best position.
      He arrived at Watford from Brazil six years ago as a 20-year-old who barely spoke any English — but we taught him all the right swear words and he had great fun learning.
      Richar is a great character to have in the dressing room.  His only fault is sometimes he seems to want it too much and can get too wound up on the pitch.
      I just can’t imagine opponents fearing Spurs any more.Troy Deeney
      But I don’t want to see him playing centre-forward for much longer.
      Spurs face Manchester United on Saturday and watching Erik ten Hag’s men struggle to their season-opening victory over Wolves was much like seeing Postecoglou’s team at Brentford.
      Marcus Rashford — just like Richarlison — is a wide-left player filling in at centre-forward and it was a frustrating night for him on Monday.
      While Spurs are missing Kane, United were the club that most people expected to sign the England captain.
      Instead, Ten Hag brought in the striker he wanted — the unproven Danish youngster Rasmus Hojlund, 20, who is now currently out injured.
      Read More on The Sun
      At least United have found a sense of identity under Ten Hag and perhaps we will be saying the same about Postecoglou’s Tottenham before too long.
      But if either club are to make forward strides this season, they need a proper goalscoring centre-forward. More

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      in Soccer

      Karren Brady: If anyone still says women’s football is a second rate version of men’s they should think again – and hard

      by

      ENGLAND’S appearance in the Women’s World Cup final places it among our great international sporting triumphs.Win it against Spain on Sunday and the MBEs are practically guaranteed — and perhaps more.
      England’s women’s team is set for the World Cup Final against SpainCredit: Rex
      Boss Sarina Wiegman has worked wonders with the LionessesCredit: Alamy
      The fact we haven’t had such a triumph since Sir Alf Ramsey roamed the planet makes it a certainty that Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman will become the Netherlands’ most famous expat since Vincent van Gogh.
      And anyone who asks who VVG played for should bite their own ear off.
      Wiegman earns £400,000 a year which is less than a few elite male footballers receive for a week.
      England’ men’s manager Gareth Southgate is on £5million annually.
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      Tosh to the cash.
      Already European champions, our women players have proved themselves major athletes, enjoying their football and their success.
      Every woman in the England party has earned her fame.
      The Women’s Super League has already improved and professionalised the game here beyond the wildest dreams of 13 years ago, when it was founded.
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      No one should underestimate women’s football, insists Karren BradyCredit: Getty
      Average attendance last season had doubled from 2021-2022, reaching well over 5,000 a match — about 500 fewer than League Two and nearly 2,000 more than the National League.
      But women’s football is becoming so hot that numbers should increase greatly this season and a few WSL clubs might even get close to breaking even.
      That should bring smiles of relief to accountants because financing before the expected boom is costly, in the case of West Ham more than £1m of losses a year for our WSL team.
      Players are bound to be paid more, too.
      At present, Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, scorer of Australia’s only goal against England last Wednesday showed why, in a touch and 25-yard strike, at about £470,000-a-year is the highest paid player in the woman’s game. She may shortly be overtaken.
      Manchester City’s 5ft 4in Lauren Hemp, renowned for her impish humour, is paid about half the Kerr sum but in Australia she displayed touches at pace that are going to be worth a good deal more. Other English stars will also be boosting their bank accounts.
      No doubt the commercial world is prepared for a selling bonanza in boots and strips and, just as obviously in scarves, hats, tracksuits, trainers, and maybe even tattoos.Karren Brady on the Lionesses’ success
      While Saudi Arabia is hardly likely to start a women’s professional league, there are any number of countries with excellent leagues, the US, Canada, France and Germany among them, soon to be joined by Australia.
      Lucy Bronze, Georgia Stanway, Kiera Walsh and Rachel Daly are among the England contingent playing overseas where the rewards are at least as high as at home. And their value is soaring, too.
      No doubt the commercial world is prepared for a selling bonanza in boots and strips and, just as obviously in scarves, hats, tracksuits, trainers, and maybe even tattoos.
      There will also be plenty of payments for endorsements, TV and public appearances. And in a reverse wash from all of this positivity, agents will thrive.
      This rebooted game is an attractive prospect for any talented female player, so much so that should any newcomer think women’s football is a second rate version of the men’s game they should think again. And think hard.
      It’s football, plain and simple.
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      It’s also noteworthy that woman footballers don’t hide their sexual orientation as the men so guardedly do, setting a far better example that it’s OK to be who you are, and love who you want and feel safe and confident in being who they are.
      Yes, Viva the Lionesses and viva the woman’s game. More