However, the Gunners and the Foxes are still widely expected to reach an agreement on an eventual fee, according to a report from the Telegraph.
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Monga is highly regarded and has interest from other clubs, but the Telegraph claim that Arsenal is his preference, and the north London giants already seem to be planning for the 16-year-old’s pre-season.
Arsenal have supposedly decided to recruit more young players this summer, with the view of developing players who could see a significant rise in value.
Jeremy Monga likely to get his big transfer to Arsenal
Monga looks like he has a big career ahead of him, and a move to the Emirates Stadium should be a good step up for his career.
There’s surely no doubt that Monga is too good to continue playing for Leicester, who are in a bit of a crisis after suffering back-to-back relegations in the last two seasons in the Premier League and the Championship.
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That means Leicester will be in League One next season, so it seems probable that Monga won’t be their only sale.
Arsenal fans will hope this means their pursuit will continue in a positive direction, even if there’s perhaps been an initial setback.
It’s worth noting, however, that rejected bids may just be part of the normal negotiation process, rather than a flat-out message that Leicester are not selling, which seems unlikely.
The Telegraph’s report does not mention how much AFC have offered or how much they would have to up their offer to convince Leicester to sell, but perhaps these details will emerge shortly.
Former Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has aimed a sly dig at his former club by saying his transfer to Real Madrid is a big step up in his career.
The Spain international is currently with his country at the World Cup 2026, but his sudden move from Chelsea to Real Madrid was sorted quickly during his time at the tournament.
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Cucurella himself had not yet spoken about the move until today, as he’s been quoted by Fabrizio Romano as explaining how the deal came about.
On “big step” to Madrid: “The transfer to Real Madrid happened very fast. It took 36 hours. I was so happy! They called me in the morning and told me that the clubs had talked about everything, that if I wanted to go there. I had no doubt, it was a big step for my career.”
? Marc Cucurella: “The transfer to Real Madrid happened very fast. It took 36 hours. I was so happy!”.
“They called me in the morning and told me that the clubs had talked about everything, that if I wanted to go there. I had no doubt, it was a big step for my career”. ????? pic.twitter.com/t2SASF57mv
On Mourinho: “Yes, I spoke to Jose Mourinho. He told me that he wants to work with me and that gave me confidence. I really want to play under him, I can’t wait for it.”
??? Marc Cucurella: “Yes, I spoke to José Mourinho. He told me that he wants to work with me and that gave me confidence”.
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Chelsea fans might not take too kindly to Cucurella sounding so overjoyed about leaving, but it perhaps makes sense that he wasn’t entirely happy at Stamford Bridge.
It was a difficult season for the west Londoners as they failed to win a trophy, finished 10th in the Premier League, and got thrashed by PSG in the Champions League.
Cucurella notably gave an interview to the Athletic in which he criticised the club’s transfer policy, so perhaps they were right to offload someone who doesn’t believe in the project.
“I understand this is part of the club’s policy, and that they want to take this direction — signing young players and looking to the future. But, for all of us who are still here and want to win big things, moments like this make you feel discouraged,” he said.
The family of Lionel Messi have put out an official statement in response to growing speculation about his father Jorge’s health.
The statement has confirmed that Messi’s dad has been experiencing some health troubles, though he is now seemingly recovering well.
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They have not gone into any specific details, as one would expect, but it’s clear that the Messi family were keen to end the speculation and gossip about the situation, which must make an already unpleasant experience a great deal more stressful.
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Messi family statement in full
“The Messi family informs that Jorge Messi is currently going through a health situation.
“At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he is experiencing.
“In light of the reports, rumors, and speculation that have circulated in recent hours, the family wishes to express its deep concern regarding the lack of sensitivity, respect, and discretion with which some individuals have treated a strictly private family matter.
“The family would also like to clarify that only Jorge’s immediate family has real and accurate information regarding his condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.
“At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention.
“We sincerely appreciate the expressions of affection, respect, and concern we have received, and we ask that Jorge’s privacy, confidentiality, and personal space—as well as that of his entire family—be respected throughout this process.
“Any relevant updates will be communicated in due course by the family and through the appropriate channels.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Messi’s tears during World Cup win
Messi has started the 2026 World Cup on fire with a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening game against Algeria.
However, as quoted by BBC Sport, the former Barcelona forward explained why he was tearful during the game as he admitted he was being affected by something away from football.
When asked about it after the game, he said: “Why did I cry? It was something completely unrelated to football.
“I went through some difficult days, but I’m grateful to the entire delegation and my team-mates because they were always by my side, giving me a lot of strength to help me get through it.”
One imagines this was related to his father’s health, now that more information about the matter has come to light.
Newcastle United have been exploring alternatives to the Victor Munoz transfer as Liverpool are now understood to have won the race for the Osasuna winger.
Although our sources have confirmed the Magpies entered into advanced talks over signing Munoz, there was also some hesitation about meeting the 22-year-old’s release clause, while Liverpool were happy to pay it and moved quickly to do so.
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Newcastle have had other options in mind for some time, with Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Cody Gakpo all understood to have been discussed.
As reported recently, Tottenham are interested in Gakpo and could make a move, but Newcastle have also been hovering, and the Munoz blow could lead to them accelerating their interest.
Newcastle ask about Arsenal duo
Some sources have also suggested to me that conversations have already happened between Newcastle and Arsenal as they look for information on the availability of Trossard and Martinelli.
Martinelli is also available, however, so Newcastle have been keen to gather information on how much the Brazilian could cost.
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“Newcastle have been exploring other options, they weren’t putting all their eggs into the Munoz basket,” one source explained.
“They’ve asked Arsenal about Trossard and Martinelli. They also like Cody Gakpo, but the current feeling seems to be that Martinelli could be cheaper.
“Nothing’s advanced yet, and Newcastle won’t rush this. They weren’t entirely convinced about meeting Munoz’s release clause, and they’re prepared to wait to find a deal they’re fully convinced strengthens their squad whilst still representing good value for money.”
As I reported earlier today, Woltemade has interest from Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, and Aston Villa.
The Germany international has struggled to settle under Eddie Howe and the club would be prepared to sanction his sale after just one season.
Even if that doesn’t happen, Newcastle’s plan is to make changes up front again this summer after Woltemade and Yoane Wissa failed to adequately replace Alexander Isak after his move to Liverpool.
Ibrahima Konate has been officially announced as a new Real Madrid player in a statement on the club’s website this morning.
The France international, currently at the 2026 World Cup with his country, recently left Liverpool as a free agent as he’d come to the end of his contract.
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This looks like a fine signing for the Spanish giants, who announced him today with the following statement:
“Real Madrid CF and Ibrahima Konaté have reached an agreement whereby he will be a Real Madrid player for the next four seasons, until June 30, 2030.”
Ibrahima Konate transfer continues Real Madrid’s strong start to the summer
Konate has now been confirmed, and his arrival follows the free transfer swoop for former Manchester City man Bernardo Silva as well.
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On top of that, Real also recently sealed a deal with Chelsea to sign Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella in a somewhat surprise move.
With Jose Mourinho set to return as manager at the Bernabeu, there seems to be a clear shift towards bringing in more proven and experienced players who’ve won trophies elsewhere.
That could be just what Real Madrid need after a difficult couple of seasons in which they’ve under-achieved in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Los Blancos have done well with some of the young players they’ve signed in recent years, but it also seems clear that they need more of a balance, so signing the likes of Konate, Silva, and Cucurella looks like a step in the right direction.
Chelsea are reportedly showing an interest in Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall and scouting him heavily at this summer’s World Cup.
The 20-year-old will be one to watch if you follow World Cup 2026 news as he could be a key player for the Swedish national team as they make a strong start to the tournament.
According to Simon Phillips, Bergvall is now someone being closely monitored by Chelsea as they sense he could be open to leaving Tottenham this summer.
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It was a difficult season for Spurs, who only narrowly avoided relegation with a win on the final day of the Premier League season, so work is needed to fix Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.
This surely also means some sales could be likely, with a talented young player like Bergvall perhaps likely to be tempted to look elsewhere for opportunities.
It will be interesting to see how the Sweden international performs at the World Cup, as that could be key to earning him a big move.
It’s not easy to flourish in this under-performing Tottenham side, but Bergvall might look better with his national side, who thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in their opening group game.
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Chelsea could be a good destination for Bergvall if he does look to leave Spurs for a new challenge, with the Blues showing they’re prepared to invest in young players for the future.
On the other hand, it’s debatable if a move to Stamford Bridge would be enough of a step up, as they were also pretty poor in 2025/26, finishing trophyless and in 10th place in the Premier League, meaning they won’t be in Europe next season.
THFC need a lot of work to improve, but that’s true of their London rivals as well, so it might be more realistic to see Bergvall moving if even bigger clubs end up looking into a transfer.
The Spain international is at the World Cup with his country, but that didn’t stop him undergoing medical tests with Liverpool yesterday, according to the Liverpool Echo.
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Munoz had notably been linked strongly with Newcastle United, with BBC Sport claiming that the Magpies were in advanced talks over signing the 22-year-old until Liverpool hijacked the deal.
Now it seems the Liverpool Echo are also aware of Man Utd showing an interest in Munoz, along with Bayer Leverkusen and the player’s former club Real Madrid.
What can Victor Munoz bring to Liverpool?
Munoz is not yet that experienced, and hasn’t been particularly prolific for Osasuna, but he seems like a player with a bright future.
We’ve scored this a medium level 16/25, with Munoz looking like someone arriving at a good stage of his career in a position Liverpool need to strengthen in.
Blessed with pace and skill out wide, Munoz looks like he could at the very least provide new manager Andoni Iraola with a better squad player option than unconvincing performers like Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa.
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Still, Liverpool will also surely need to invest big money in a more proven player who can come in straight away and act as the replacement for the departing Mohamed Salah.
While that’s obviously going to be a big ask for almost any player, it seems more like a job for someone with more outstanding numbers and consistent performances at the very highest level, which Munoz just doesn’t quite have under his belt at this moment in time.
Arsenal are reportedly looking into some final details before making a bid for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola.
The France international, who scored for his country as they beat Senegal in their opening group game at the 2026 World Cup, has long looked like one of the most exciting young attacking players in Europe.
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According to the Independent, the Gunners are now stepping up their interest in Barcola, though the report also mentions that Liverpool may still also be looking into his situation.
Still, it sounds like a bid from Arsenal could come soon as they look to raid their Champions League final opponents PSG for this top attacking player who contributed 13 goals and five assists in all competitions in the 2025/26 season.
What’s been reported about Bradley Barcola and Arsenal?
It sounds like the Barcola Arsenal transfer saga is hotting up, and here’s a round-up of some of the other key details that have emerged in recent weeks…
May 7th – Going a bit further back, Florian Plettenberg also reported on the likes of Barcelona and Bayern being among Barcola’s admirers.
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In other words, it’s hard to know precisely where this saga is heading, but the general direction at the moment seems to be that Arsenal’s interest is intensifying.
This makes sense as the Gunners surely need an upgrade on inconsistent duo Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli on that left-hand side.
At the same time, it’s perhaps not yet at a particularly concrete or advanced stage, meaning other clubs could surely still get involved.
We’ll do our best to discuss this story with our sources and bring you exclusive updates as we get them, as well as reporting on what other leading journalists and outlets are saying throughout the summer.
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for seeming more focused on getting goals for himself than for his team as Portugal drew with DR Congo yesterday.
The 41-year-old is still going strong despite his age, with his performances with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League getting him close to a remarkable 1000 career goals.
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As well as missing some chances, it also seemed like Ronaldo was getting in the way of his teammates due to a strong desire to be on the scoresheet himself, as highlighted by Henry in the video clip below…
Really good analysis from Henry. This is the Ronaldo issue right now.
He's playing as a 9, but he's never been a 9 and he's not acting as a 9. Not giving Portugal those traits and it hurt them today. pic.twitter.com/yjSaOK2J5J
“One thing that’s important … the team needs to score, not you need to score,” Henry said.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has been in this situation multiple times – if you make the run here then you make the defender take a decision, but because he wants to score he goes into the path of Bruno Fernandes.”
Henry added that if Ronaldo had instead made the run into the six yard box, the defender would have had to follow him, leaving space for Fernandes.
The Frenchman even said you could see the frustrated reaction of his teammates.
Cristiano Ronaldo struggles as Lionel Messi shines at World Cup
It’s just one game, but you just know there are going to be the usual big debates about Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, with the latter making a dream start to the World Cup.
This year will surely be Ronaldo’s last chance to do so, but at the moment there are surely serious questions about if he should even be starting games for his country anymore.
Messi, meanwhile, looks like he’s still good enough to guide Argentina to glory again.
Former Arsenal and England star Ian Wright praised Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham as the key players that stepped up for the national team last night.
For those who weren’t following the World Cup live, England started their campaign with an impressive performance to beat Croatia 4-2.
Wright was really pleased with the “brilliant” performance and style of play from England as they picked up an important three points from what looks, on paper at least, like being the toughest game in their group.
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Kane scored twice on the night and Bellingham also got an important goal to put the Three Lions back in front after Croatia had twice pegged them back.
Speaking after the game, Wright said it will be significant for England this summer if those two players can continue to perform at that high level.
Ian Wright praises Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham
“What we saw tonight is they both (Kane and Bellingham) stepped up and I’m sure when the games get tougher they will do that again,” the pundit said on ITV, as quoted by the Metro.
“We’ve got to make sure we are funnelling it into those two because they will deliver, they both will deliver.
“It’s been a long time since I watched anEngland teamgoing forward with as much gusto as we saw from them tonight. It was brilliant.
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“Croatia weren’t as good as we thought they might be given their experience but we beat them quite comfortably which was really promising.”
Who else impressed for England?
England can take a lot of positives from last night’s game, with Kane and Bellingham perhaps the stand-out stars, but with the likes of Declan Rice and Noni Madueke also doing an impressive job.
Reece James and Nico O’Reilly also showed a lot of promise as the two full-backs, but the defence probably should have done more to prevent Croatia’s goals, even if the first one in particular was a fantastic finish.
Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka impressed off the bench, and that kind of depth is hugely encouraging for Thomas Tuchel, though perhaps Anthony Gordon and Elliot Anderson could’ve done more.
Newcastle United have been the focus of a lot of the biggest transfer stories so far this summer as Anthony Gordon has left for Barcelona while interest in Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento, and Lewis Hall continues.
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It’s no secret that Woltemade struggled in his first season for Newcastle, and my understanding is that there have been some differences in opinion between himself and Eddie Howe about his best position and role in the team.
Nick Woltemade surely leaving Newcastle after difficult debut season
Woltemade’s spell at Newcastle is now seen as being highly likely to be a short one, and my understanding is that Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, and Aston Villa are all keeping an eye on his situation.
There have not been any formal contacts yet, but there’s the sense that these clubs could make approaches soon, with Newcastle open to offers.
“Nick Woltemade is expected to leave,” one source with ties to the agents industry told me. “Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, and Villa are interested, and Newcastle will listen to offers. One issue, though, is that they’re keen on a permanent sale for around €65m, but for now it’s probably more likely that clubs will seek a loan with an option to buy.”
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Big clubs like Bayern Munich were keen on Woltemade before he made the move to Newcastle, which was seen as a real coup for the Magpies at the time.
It could still be that the 24-year-old can revive his career, but it’s unlikely to happen for him in Howe’s tactical set-up.
“Woltemade’s camp have not been entirely happy with how his development’s been handled under Howe,” one source said.
“The manager has given slightly mixed messages about his best position, initially saying he sees him as a number 9 but then using him in midfield. I’m just not sure there’s a future there without a more fixed tactical plan and proper clarity about what the manager wants from him.”
It’s worth noting that other sources played this down and simply suggested that Woltemade’s struggles have not been anything abnormal and can mostly be put down to adapting to a new league and country.
Almost everyone I’ve spoken to, however, thinks it’s inevitable that they’ll go their separate ways this summer.
Liverpool are reportedly optimistic about their chances of signing RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande alongside Victor Munoz during the World Cup this summer.
It’s been reported that the Reds have hijacked Newcastle United’s move for Osasuna and Spain star Munoz, with the possibility of a medical happening in the US, according to BBC Sport.
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See below for details as Jacobs reports on LFC being up against PSG for the 19-year-old’s signature, with the possibility of these two exciting winger deals being done during the World Cup…
? Understand Liverpool are still working on Yan Diomande in addition to Victor Muñoz and are optimistic.
There is competition from PSG, and it is not discounted by suitors that a deal for his signature is closed during the World Cup.
“Understand Liverpool are still working on Yan Diomande in addition to Victor Muñoz and are optimistic. There is competition from PSG, and it is not discounted by suitors that a deal for his signature is closed during the World Cup,” Jacobs posted on X.
Liverpool looking for major investment in attack – and they need it
Liverpool have just lost the legendary Mohamed Salah and are also set to be without the injured Hugo Ekitike for the rest of the year.
Diomande, Munoz, Gakpo stats comparison (DataMB)
With the likes of Cody Gakpo and last summer’s signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz looking underwhelming, it’s therefore no surprise to see the Merseyside giants going big on new attacking signings this summer.
If they could bring in both Diomande and Munoz, that would surely be a huge boost for incoming new manager Andoni Iraola.
Diomande in particular looks like a world class talent in the making, even if he’s still young and inexperienced.
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Munoz also looks like someone who could have a fine career, even if he’s perhaps not yet looking like being in the same bracket as someone like Diomande.
This kind of investment is surely needed, though, so Liverpool fans will be pleased to see transfer rumours like this hotting up.
Declan Rice has insisted he only went off as a precaution in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening World Cup 2026 group game.
Arsenal and England fans will no doubt have been concerned to see the midfielder appearing to limp off when he was subbed by Thomas Tuchel with 20 minutes to go.
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World Cup news has only really been positive for England so far, with the team avoiding injuries to key players and gelling really well in an impressive victory against a tough opponent in Croatia last night.
And it seems Rice’s injury is not a major concern either, with the 27-year-old insisting he’s fine and he’ll be back for the next game against Ghana.
Declan Rice calms injury fears after England beat Croatia
Speaking after the game, as quoted by the Metro, Rice sounded upbeat and explained that he only went off as a precaution due to carrying a minor niggle for some time.
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“All good, good as gold,” Rice said to ITV.
“Just what I’ve been nursing probably in the second half of the season, little neural pains here and there, but I’m all good.
“All fine, just precaution and I’ll be back out there against Ghana.”
Declan Rice delivers again with assist and solid display
Rice is Mr Reliable for club and country, and WhoScored had him down as one of England’s top performers in last night’s win, with a 7.6/10 rating.
The Gunners midfielder always plays with great energy, doing his defensive work whilst also driving the team forward with his range of passing and ball-carrying ability.
On top of that, he picked up an assist with one of his trademark corner kick deliveries, which Harry Kane headed in.
Needless to say, Rice is not a player England would want to be without for long, so it was probably sensible from Tuchel to remove him early just to be on the safe side.
According to Fabrizio Romano on X, the Reds have suddenly triggered Munoz’s release clause despite Newcastle having been in advanced talks over signing the Spain international.
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“EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool are set to sign Víctor Muñoz with HIJACK done, HERE WE GO!” Romano posted.
“Newcastle in advanced talks for days but #LFC enter the deal, verbally agree terms with Muñoz and activate €40m release clause.
“All set to be signed and another big surprise.”
?? EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool are set to sign Víctor Muñoz with HIJACK done, HERE WE GO! ???
Newcastle in advanced talks for days but #LFC enter the deal, verbally agree terms with Muñoz and activate €40m release clause.
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Munoz has impressed in La Liga, and the 22-year-old is already a part of the Spanish national team squad for this summer’s World Cup.
More info on Liverpool’s Victor Munoz hijack
According to further information from BBC Sport, Liverpool already have staff ready in the United States so that Munoz can undergo a medical while he’s with Spain for the World Cup.
Munoz looks set to cost LFC just £34.6m, so it looks like they may have got themselves a real bargain there.
At the same time, some fans might also view this as a bit of a gamble on a player for the future, as he’s still relatively inexperienced and only scored seven goals in all competitions last season – hardly the kind of numbers that suggest he’s a Mohamed Salah replacement.
This could prove to be good business in the long run, but Liverpool will also surely need to invest bigger money in a more genuine world class talent who’s ready to come in and hit the ground running straight away.
Newcastle, meanwhile, will no doubt be frustrated to miss out on Munoz as they’ve just sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, so could’ve done with bringing this player in as a replacement.
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Chelsea are seemingly keen on the likes of Alvaro Carreras, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Victor Valdepenas, and Dean Huijsen.
Huijsen was notably a target for Chelsea while he was at Bournemouth, while Carreras could be an interesting one to watch as he’s directly impacted by the arrival of another left-back in the form of Cucurella.
What’s going on with Chelsea’s transfer strategy?
It’s early days yet for Chelsea in this transfer window, but the sale of Cucurella is unlikely to inspire much confidence.
This was an experienced and consistent performer in a generally struggling squad, and the speed at which the deal was done perhaps indicates that CFC didn’t even put up much of a fight to persuade him to stay, or to at the very least get a bigger fee from his sale.
Chelsea signed Cucurella for a £60m package in 2022, as per BBC Sport, and the fee reported by BBC Sport for the Spain international’s move to the Bernabeu is just under that at £51.8m.
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Even if Chelsea do replace Cucurella with Carreras, that’s a bit of a risk for a player who’d possibly end up looking like a downgrade rather than an upgrade.
Some of those other Madrid players could be exciting additions, particularly Tchouameni or Guler, but it remains to be seen how likely it is that players of that calibre would now move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea don’t have European football next season after finishing 10th in the Premier League, and the current project just doesn’t seem to be heading in a positive direction at all.
Perhaps Alonso’s presence can persuade some players to join, especially if they’ve already worked under him and have seen just how successful a coach he can be.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Arsenal and Liverpool’s contacts over the potential transfer of Lille midfield wonderkid Ayyoub Bouaddi.
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The Morocco international impressed in Ligue 1 in the season just gone and has also attracted a lot of hype after his performance for Morocco against Brazil at the start of this summer’s World Cup.
It remains to be seen, however, if Bouaddi will definitely choose Arsenal, with Romano writing in his column for Time2Play that Liverpool have also had contacts…
? From Bouaddi to Saibari, Brown & co. Future transfers from the biggest stage are and will always be part of World Cup behind the scenes.@Time2playItaliahttps://t.co/SWuSiu7Wjx
On Bouaddi, Romano said: “Paris Saint-Germain have had him on their list for months, though midfield isn’t their priority this summer. Arsenal and Liverpool, meanwhile, have already met with his agents multiple times since January.
“Expect twists and late entries because this kid is the real deal.”
Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer boost for Premier League giants?
It sounds like there is some good news in there for Arsenal and Liverpool as PSG don’t seem to be making a midfielder like Bouaddi their priority for this summer.
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Arsenal and Liverpool will hope this can give them the edge, but for now our understanding remains it’s the Gunners who’ve done the most work on this deal, even if there’s no full agreement just yet.
The 18-year-old could have his pick of elite clubs, though, after showing such immense potential in his relatively short career so far.
It’s already easy to imagine Bouaddi fitting in well at Arsenal, giving Mikel Arteta more depth and the option to rest the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi more often.
England start their World Cup 2026 campaign tonight with their Group L clash against Croatia at 9pm.
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The big team news questions mainly surround Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers for the attacking midfield role, while Thomas Tuchel also has decisions to make in central defence, and wide on the left.
While we think there’s a serious case for Tuchel to go for form over names by picking Aston Villa star Rogers over Real Madrid Galactico Bellingham, it’s perhaps hard to imagine the Three Lions boss taking a big gamble like that for the toughest opponent in the group.
??????? We're all agreed this should be England's first XI for this World Cup, right? ? pic.twitter.com/wBow9ROpLB
England look strong with this line up, but there’s always the possibility that Bukayo Saka’s fitness could be a problem, perhaps meaning a starting spot for Noni Madueke.
Saka has been a world class performer for Arsenal and England down the years, but he has had a few more fitness problems after playing so many games in recent times.
On the other flank, Anthony Gordon has done well after recently becoming more of a key player for England, but Marcus Rashford also goes into this tournament in fine form after a strong loan spell at Barcelona.
The Manchester United outcast is another player who might also be worth choosing for his experience, but we expect Gordon is slightly ahead in the pecking order right now due to his direct style, pace, and work-rate.
The likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice are surely certain to start whatever happens, but it will be interesting to see if they play the full 90 minutes in the blistering heat that has been touted as a bit of an issue in the US.
What do you make of the possible England line up and are you confident about the game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a swap deal with Atletico Madrid which will see Julian Alvarez and Viktor Gyokeres move in either direction.
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The Gunners are one of the clubs to have been linked with Alvarez in recent times, along with Barcelona, but journalist Jota Jordi has now provided a major update to El Chiringuito.
See the video clip below as the Spanish journalist claims that Barca asked again about Alvarez, only to be told that the Argentina international is not for sale and that an agreement is in place for a swap deal for Gyokeres…
?? "Gil Marín LLAMÓ a LAPORTA para decirle que JULIÁN NO está en VENTA".
? "Pero el ATLETI tiene un ACUERDO CERRADO con el ARSENAL para VENDERLO: 50M + Gyokeres". pic.twitter.com/Lt0sgKAkzi
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) June 17, 2026
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It remains to be seen how accurate this is for a number of reasons, but Arsenal fans will no doubt be interested to see this story gaining momentum.
Swap deals are pretty rare in football, despite there often being many transfer rumours about them being discussed or offered, so we wouldn’t exactly bank on this just yet.
How likely is a Julian Alvarez and Viktor Gyokeres swap deal?
While it’s always important to respect different journalists and their sources, we also feel a duty to inform our readers that this is probably a story that is unlikely to go anywhere.
As already noted, swap deals are rare, and it’s hard to imagine Arsenal would be prepared to offload Gyokeres after just one season in which he actually finished with more goals than Alvarez, and contributed to their Premier League title win.
That’s not to say the Sweden international’s time at the Emirates Stadium has been perfect, but it’s surely enough to earn him a bit more time.
However, the idea that a huge swap like this would already be agreed just doesn’t seem plausible, especially when there’s been no indication of top tier journalists like David Ornstein or Fabrizio Romano reporting anything similar.
El Chiringuito’s journalists obviously have genuine connections and break a lot of major stories, but there’s a general consensus that they also sensationalise things a bit for their audience, and that some of their exclusives should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly has aimed a dig at US president Donald Trump’s immigration policy after fans have struggled to make it to the World Cup.
Supporters from all over the world will be eager to follow the World Cup 2026 live, but Trump has previously signed executive orders imposing travel bans on certain countries, including partial bans on a number of African nations.
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Although some fans, many of whom are of Senegalese origin but based in the US, were able to watch yesterday’s game against France, it’s clear that large numbers have been prevented from coming to watch their team play.
Koulibaly was not happy about this, and brought it up with the Athletic after yesterday’s game, though he was also keen to insist he was not trying to get overly political about the issue.
Kalidou Koulibaly on Senegal fans
“The federation did the work for us to have parents or our close family with us,” the former Chelsea defender told the Athletic. “But it’s true that some supporters couldn’t fly to America.
“I think that every team can have their people, so I don’t understand why people from Africa cannot have their people.
“I don’t want to speak about politics or something like this. I just want to speak about football, enjoy football, and I think football is for everybody.
“I just want to tell this and I hope that the situation will be OK, but for me the most important is that we have to play for our people.”
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Most fans will surely agree that a major sporting event like a World Cup, with teams from all over the world taking part, should mean a more open policy when it comes to allowing in visitors from abroad.
The White House have previously put out a statement explaining their decision to impose travel bans on certain countries, citing high crime records.
The Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer story is emerging as one of the hottest potential deals of the summer, with Lille’s stance and the player’s own preferences making the race for his signature increasingly complex.
Bouaddi has already caught the eye at the World Cup 2026 as he ran the show from midfield for Morocco in their impressive 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening group game.
Since then, speculation linking the teenager with Arsenal has increased, and I’ve received some information that might be of interest.
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Arsenal have indeed held initial talks with those close to Bouaddi, with Andrea Berta moving some time ago to try to position the Gunners as early favourites for this deal.
Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer suitors
Bouaddi is, however, also a target for Chelsea, as reported before, and sources have also mentioned Liverpool, Manchester United, and, as has been widely reported elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain.
Lille are understood to be open to a sale and have long expected that they could lose the 18-year-old this summer, with strong performances at the World Cup giving them an opportunity to raise their asking price.
Sources with ties to the agents industry tell me that Lille could be looking for around £70-80m, but that may not be settled just yet as formal club-to-club negotiations have not started at the time of writing.
There’s also some truth to the widely-reported claim that Lille are keen to avoid selling Bouaddi to Ligue 1 rivals PSG, but sources close to the French champions insist that won’t put them off pursuing the deal for such a highly-rated talent, who is seen as a perfect stylistic fit for Luis Enrique’s project.
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How Arsenal are approaching Ayyoub Bouaddi deal
Berta has done a lot of work on this potential deal for Arsenal, but it’s also a big part of his strategy to reach an agreement on personal terms with a number of targets before deciding on proceeding with club-to-club contacts.
I’m reliably told that, for now, Arsenal do not yet have a full agreement on personal terms with Bouaddi, even if there’s the sense that initial talks have been positive.
“Arsenal have been pursuing the Bouaddi deal strongly,” one source said. “No agreement on personal terms yet, but Berta and his team are feeling positive. I’d expect Bouaddi to be the top target, but work has also been done on Manu Kone, Sandro Tonali, and others.”
So, although the links with Arsenal are strongest at the moment, I wouldn’t rule out the likes of Chelsea and PSG just yet, as Bouaddi is going to continue to be seen as hot property on the market.
AFC will also keep other options open, so this might not be the speediest deal, as we’ll have to see how things progress with other targets as well.
Silva had come to the end of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, and he’s now confirmed as being set to join Madrid on a two-year deal starting next season.
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The experienced Portugal international will currently be focusing on the 2026 World Cup with his country, but it seems his future for after the tournament has also been sorted out.
Bernardo Silva transfer and what it means for Real Madrid’s squad
Silva finished with three goals and five assists for Man City in the season just gone, having adapted his game to playing a bit deeper with age.
At his peak, the former Monaco man was a world class attacking midfielder capable of scoring and creating consistently at the highest level.
That’s perhaps no longer his game, but he remains a quality player with the experience and know-how of winning major trophies, and that could be a big help for this relatively youthful Los Blancos side.
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However, that could also mean that some members of this squad end up making way, with Silva looking like he’ll surely be strong competition for someone like Arda Guler.
It will be interesting to see how new Madrid manager Jose Mourinho manages these options, but he’s generally been known to favour experience in his teams throughout his career.
That could mean we’ll see some outgoings of talented young players like Guler, who will surely want to continue playing regular first-team football.
Chelsea have reportedly got a serious interest in Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye as they have sounded him out as a summer transfer target.
The Blues have also been targeting Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, but it looks like a deal is unlikely for now due to Arsenal being in a stronger position.
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The Senegal international impressed in the Premier League in the season just gone, contributing six goals and three assists.
Admittedly, those numbers aren’t exactly outstanding, but those who’ve watched him play will also know that the stats don’t tell the whole story.
Iliman Ndiaye would add quality and experience for Chelsea
Ndiaye is a technically gifted player with real elegance and flair, while he’s also a lot more experienced and proven in the Premier League than the players Chelsea have often signed under this ownership.
The 26-year-old could be a welcome change from some of the Blues’ recent signings, who have so often been quite underwhelming and unable to cope with the pressure of playing for such a big club at such a young age.
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Ndiaye looks ready to make the step up after impressing at Everton, and there’s every chance he could improve on his goal and assist numbers if he were able to slot into an attack-minded team with quality around him.
Chelsea will hope that will be the kind of platform they can provide players under new manager Xabi Alonso next season.
Signings will also be key, however, to helping Alonso become a success at Stamford Bridge, with the Spanish tactician showing what he’s capable of during his time as Bayer Leverkusen manager, though he struggled with the rather more chaotic situation at Real Madrid in the first half of last season.
Manchester United have reportedly started work on a double transfer raid for West Ham United stars Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville.
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The Red Devils have identified the Hammers duo as key targets and some discussions already seem to have taken place.
However, West Ham want as much as £140m for the pair, while Man Utd are aiming to pay less than that, according to the Daily Mail.
Fernandes and Summerville look like they could go a long way to strengthening Michael Carrick’s United squad, but it remains to be seen if they’d really represent good value for money for £140m.
Manchester United looking to raid West Ham
It makes sense that West Ham are facing a fight to keep some of their star names after their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.
Fernandes looked particularly impressive for the east Londoners despite their disappointing campaign, and the Times recently mentioned that he could cost around £80m as United look to be the favourites for his signature.
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While Fernandes has really stood out as an elite young talent, Summerville only got seven goals and two assists from out wide in the season just gone – far from the kind of numbers that would justify a £60m fee.
It could be that the Dutchman would be able to do more in a stronger team with better players around him, but it also looks like a gamble for a position MUFC aren’t even that desperate to strengthen in.
United signed a whole new front three last summer by bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, so they’d do well to focus their efforts elsewhere instead of spending big money on someone who wouldn’t necessarily even get into their starting XI on a regular basis.
The exciting young attacker, who finished with 13 goals and 10 assists in the season just gone, is a top target for the Reds, with constructive talks taking place, according to TEAMtalk.
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Their report adds that Iraola is very much in tune with Liverpool’s recruitment team on this potential deal, and is actively pushing to make it happen.
Iraola only recently left Bournemouth and was quickly snapped up by Liverpool as they decided to sack Arne Slot after a disappointing season.
Diomande looks like the next big thing in football after some electrifying performances in the Bundesliga, and the 19-year-old’s playing style could mean he’s the perfect long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah.
It won’t be easy for Iraola walking into a Liverpool squad that’s just had to bid farewell to a club legend like Salah, who leaves Anfield with a stunning record of 257 goals in 442 games on Merseyside.
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There’s no guarantee Diomande will ever quite hit those exceptionally high standards, but it would certainly help Iraola if he could rely on a pacey and skilful wide-player with a serious goal threat.
LFC fans will surely be concerned about life after Salah, as it’s never easy replacing a once-in-a-generation talent like that, but Diomande looks like the real deal and like someone who’s well worth pursuing.
Iraola worked well with young players at Bournemouth, so this could also be a really good match if they end up working together.
According to the latest info from Football Insider, there is still a desire from Brighton to strike a deal, but there would have to be a compromise somewhere as they’re not willing to pay Spurs’ £60m asking price.
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The report suggests, however, that Vuskovic himself could be keen on the potential move, and it would be fair to say that there are plenty of good reasons for that.
Brighton transfer could be ideal for Luka Vuskovic’s development
How many times in recent years have top young players shone in Brighton’s set-up and gone on to earn big moves?
A lot of those have ended up at Chelsea – Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Joao Pedro – but there have been similar success stories like Ben White and Leandro Trossard, now at Arsenal, and there could be another to come very soon as Jan Paul van Hecke looks to be set for a move to Tottenham, as per David Ornstein’s post below…
? EXCL: Tottenham Hotspur reach agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign Jan Paul van Hecke. Deal for 26yo #Netherlands int’l worth £52m fixed, no add-ons. Luka Vuskovic situation separate; 2nd #BHAFC offer worth £35m rejected by #THFC@TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/1D4yy6dJp3
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Ornstein has stressed that the Vuskovic deal is separate from this one, but it’s also easy to imagine that it could have some influence on how that pans out.
Vuskovic will want regular playing time, and it now looks that much more likely that Brighton would be a better bet for offering that than Spurs.
THFC have a big decision to make here, and it seems that by working on a deal for Van Hecke, there might not be much room for Vuskovic in their first-team plans for the season ahead.
Football Insider suggest the north Londoners would rather keep the player, so perhaps another loan could be the compromise that works best for everyone.
Lionel Messi scored his 16th World Cup goal in some style as his hat-trick gave Argentina a 3-0 win over Algeria last night.
The 38-year-old is now level with legendary Germany striker Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time leading goal-scorer, and you’d very much assume he’s going to break that record as there will still be so many more opportunities to do so at this year’s tournament.
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Watch below as Messi scored in typical Messi style to seal his hat-trick and his place in the World Cup history books in a dream start to this year’s competition for holders Argentina…
Messi, playing at his sixth World Cup, is now on a record-equalling 16 goals in the tournament, and you have to wonder if this might even go a step further to settling the GOAT (greatest of all time) debate between himself and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup
The Messi-Ronaldo debate has gone on for much of the last decade or more now, but the fact that Messi won the 2022 World Cup, scoring twice in that final victory over France, will have been decisive for some.
The fact that Messi is now also joint top as the all-time record scorer at the World Cup, scoring double the amount that his Portuguese nemesis has at this level, is another big argument in his favour.
World Cup top scorers
Goals
Games
Lionel Messi
16
27
Miroslav Klose
16
24
Ronaldo
15
19
Gerd Muller
14
13
Kylian Mbappe
14
15
Just Fontaine
13
6
Pele
12
14
Ronaldo, of course, is still playing at this year’s World Cup, so can do his best to catch up with Messi, but it’s hard to imagine he stands much of a chance of meaningfully catching up.
Mbappe won the top scorer prize at the 2022 World Cup, scoring eight times, including a hat-trick in France’s final defeat to Argentina.
Four years before that, Kane was the winner as he scored six goals, but could we still see veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in contention?
See below for a list of the top ten contenders for the World Cup Golden Boot as the bookies have picked the most likely candidates, with some money to be made if you use a Fanduel promo code…
Kylian Mbappe – 6/1
Mbappe had another prolific season with Real Madrid, even if his goals didn’t help his club to glory. Playing alongside such a world class pool of talents in this France squad, though, it’s hard not to see Mbappe getting a very good opportunity to both win the World Cup and the Golden Boot this summer.
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Harry Kane – 7/1
A lethal striker showing no sign of slowing down with age, Kane is probably England’s most important player, so seems a decent shout for the Golden Boot, even if Thomas Tuchel’s squad as a whole is arguably not looking quite as strong as recent tournaments.
Mikel Oyarzabal – 10/1
Not the biggest name or best striker on this list, but Mikel Oyarzabal has shown he can do the job up front for Spain, who will be seen as another of the favourites to win the tournament this summer.
Erling Haaland 16/1
Norway will be an interesting dark horse to watch this summer, precisely because of the threat of Erling Haaland up front. The Manchester City striker had a prolific qualifying campaign, scoring a remarkable 16 goals, and finding the back of the net in every game on their way to the World Cup. Surely decent odds for the Golden Boot?
Lionel Messi – 16/1
Not the goal machine he once was, but underestimate Lionel Messi at your peril.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 20/1
Now 41 years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo will be like a man possessed at what will surely be his last chance to win the World Cup, so could that see him really step up and scoop the top scorer prize?
Julian Alvarez – 20/1
Aside from Messi, Julian Alvarez could be the main goal threat to watch out for in this Argentina squad after two prolific seasons with Atletico Madrid.
Not exactly an out-and-out striker, but Kai Havertz is Mr Reliable for both Arsenal and Germany, plus he missed so much of the season just gone due to injury that he’s actually had more rest than most of the other players at this tournament.
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Lamine Yamal – 25/1
The undisputed gem in this Spain side, could we about to see Lamine Yamal enjoy a memorable first World Cup? He’s more of a creator than a goal-scorer, but these look like tempting odds.
Raphinha – 28/1
Finally, one of the most prolific goal-scoring wingers in the game right now, Raphinha will surely be one to watch if Brazil have a good tournament.
The World Cup is finally here, and while its monstrous ticket prices have dominated much of the build-up, the actual football is finally set to take over. So, which teams are you likely to see should you stump up enough cash to secure your spot at MetLife Stadium on July 19th?
Well, online betting sites have had their favourites priced up for months, and it’s the usual suspects who find themselves at the top of the odds lists. The latest World Cup betting at Bovada odds currently make Spain the 9/2 outright frontrunner, with France just behind at 5/1. Then there’s England at 7/1, third favourites. But what could each of their routes to the biggest game in world football potentially look like? Let’s take a look at their most likely path to glory.
Spain
Spain famously stormed to a record-breaking fourth European championship crown in Germany two years ago. Now, their talented young squad attempts to take their talents from the continental stage to the global one. Lamine Yamal was just 16 years of age for much of that tournament in Germany in 2024. Now aged 18, he has matured into arguably the best player on the planet, and flanked by his loyal Barcelona cohorts, such as Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, and Pau Cubarsí, he is now tasked with bringing the famous gold trophy back to Spain for the second time.
His side has been handed the perfect group to do exactly that. Luis de la Fuente’s men will face debutants Cape Verde in their opener in Atlanta on June 15th, before then facing Saudi Arabia in the same stadium five days later. Those two games will almost certainly yield six points and a slew of goals, before a clash with Uruguay in Guadalajara on June 26th brings their group stage commitments to an end.
The bookies make Spain a whopping 1/5 favourite to top Group H, and if they don’t, it would be a monumental shock. Presuming that they do, then La Roja would likely face either Austria or Algeria in the stunning SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on July 2nd for another clash that they will be heavily favoured to win. Win that, and they have a Round of 16 clash against either Croatia or Colombia to look forward to, again a contest they’ll be well backed to win.
Spain could well emerge at the quarterfinal stage without breaking a sweat. There, the USA, Turkey, and Belgium are considered their most likely opponents, arguably the weakest of any of the tournament favourites at that stage. In the semi-finals, second-favourites France will likely lie in wait.
France
France have reached each of the last two World Cup finals, and this summer, they aim to reach a record-equalling third straight. They beat Croatia in the first of those two showpieces in Moscow before losing a thriller on penalties to Argentina in Qatar four years later. However, if they are to reign supreme this summer, they will have to do so without two men who threaded the team together for over a decade: Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.
Even without those two, Les Bleus still have quality right across the pitch, but it’s in attack that they’re truly deadly. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, and Desire Doue make up arguably the most fearsome attacking quartet at the entire tournament, and they will strike fear into each and every defence they come up against. But even so, they do have a much tougher run to the final than frontrunners Spain.
Didier Deschamps’ side has been drawn into arguably the most difficult group at the tournament alongside both Norway and Senegal. Still, the bookies make them a clear 2/5 favourite to head Group I, and if they do, they will head to MetLife Stadium on June 30th for a clash with one of the best-placed third teams.
From there, they will head to Philadelphia for a crunch round of 16 clash against fellow heavyweights Germany, before embarking upon a potential quarterfinal against the Netherlands in Boston on July 9th. After already running the gauntlet, a well-rested Spain side will then likely lie in wait in the semis, with July 14th in Dallas the date for that monster showdown.
England
Pretenders or contenders? That’s always the question with England. Their runs to each of the last two European Championship finals suggest that they are firmly the latter as opposed to the former, while the appointment of proven winner Thomas Tuchel only aids their case. Add to that the blistering form of Harry Kane, whose 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich this season have positioned him as the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or, and it’s clear that the Three Lions could well roar.
Heartbreak for England is a constant on the big stage…
They must navigate perennial banana skin Croatia in their opening game, before then facing Ghana and Panama in Group L, a quartet that they’re 1/4 favourite to top. They will also face one of the best-placed third-place teams in Atlanta on July 1st, before gearing up for a likely clash against tournament co-hosts Mexico in front of thousands of Mexicans at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The task gets no easier in the quarterfinals as the Three Lions will likely gear up for a clash with Brazil in a repeat of their 2002 quarterfinal. They will then probably face one of their two modern rivals in the semi-finals, either Argentina or Portugal, with those two set to square off in the quarterfinals and the winner facing England in the semis.
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