England clinched a historic victory over Germany to reach the quarter-finals of the Euros - now who would you pick for the game against Ukraine?
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Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Euro 2020 top goalscorers: Can you name nine players to have scored three or more?
Can you name the nine players to have scored three goals or more so far at Euro 2020?
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‘He was ridiculous!’ Rio Ferdinand says former Manchester United winger Luis Nani ‘blew his mind’ in training
Rio Ferdinand has hailed Luis Nani as a ‘proper player’ and says the former Manchester United winger ‘blew his mind’ in training.
In an eight-year spell at Old Trafford, Nani played 230 games and helped the Red Devils win four Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Ferdinand says the Portugal hero, who won the Euros in 2016, would regularly dazzle his Manchester United teammates in training and was close to reaching an elite group of players.
Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: ‘Nani was a ridiculous player. If Manchester United had Nani now… what they would give to have him.
‘He was frustrating but we talk about him in our WhatsApp group, he was a bad player! A proper player.
‘The inconsistency was with his end product. He would do things in training that would blow your mind. Shift it, bang, left or right foot, top corner, the hardest shot you’ve ever seen.
‘He might do that two out of five times in training but you don’t get as many chances in a game and it was a little bit wild at times with him in matches.
‘The only criticism with Nani is if he could’ve slowed down in those moments, just as he was going to shoot, if he could have slowed down like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, the top players, he would have been a different category man.’
Nani enjoyed the best period of his career at Old Trafford and said last year he became ‘allergic to defeat’ after living with former teammate Ronaldo.
He told The Players’ Tribune: ‘At the start I was supposed to move into a hotel, but Jorge Mendes asked me, “Would you mind staying with Cristiano?” Jorge was his agent, too, and Cristiano was living alone.
‘What a time it was. We were all young lads who spoke the same language, and we had so much fun. Cristiano had a swimming pool, a Ping-Pong table, a tennis court – and every day we would compete at something.
‘One time we had a quiz with Carlos Queiroz, Sir Alex’s assistant. I gave my answer and Cristiano gave his, and I knew mine was right. That’s what it was like with Cristiano. He could never accept losing. Never!
‘But we loved that about him, and we learned a lot from him. By the time Anderson and I left that house, we had become allergic to defeat, too!’
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Jamie Redknapp tips England to recall Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount for Euro 2020 quarter-final
Jamie Redknapp has tipped Gareth Southgate to recall Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount for England’s Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine.
Mount, who played a crucial role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last season, started England’s first two matches of this Euros before missing two matches in a row due to coronavirus protocols.
The 22-year-old and his Blues teammate Ben Chilwell were forced to self-isolate after coming into contact with Billy Gilmour – who tested positive for Covid-19 – following England’s draw with Scotland at Wembley.
England coped well without Mount, beating rivals Germany 2-0 in the last 16 stage, but Redknapp believes he will return to the side for Saturday’s quarter-final tie with Ukraine.
‘There’s a lot of different options for Gareth,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports. ‘Against Ukraine, we might have to play in a slightly different way.
‘They looked very tired after the Sweden win which went to extra-time, so it feels to me that we’re going to have to play more attacking players.
‘Mason Mount might be his first port of call, he started the games before the Covid ban. I think Mason Mount will certainly start and I would love for Jack Grealish to play.
‘Gareth is going to have to manage his team really well but we’ve got really fresh players unlike other teams which bodes well.’
Harry Redknapp echoed his son’s comments on Good Morning Britain and suggested Chelsea’s young star will get the nod in Rome this weekend.
‘I think he might change it next time, I think there will be changes for the next game,’ said the former Tottenham boss.
‘I don’t think we’ll see exactly the same 11 that started last night. I think Mason Mount will be fit and available after he had to isolate for the Covid scare.
‘I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see Mason Mount back in the team. I think Gareth’s a big fan of his as we all are.
‘So we’ll see what he does, but whatever he does he’s coming up with the winning formula.’
England are yet to lose or concede at the 2020 European Championships as they bid to win the tournament for the first time.
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Manchester United make Raphael Varane their next priority transfer target after agreeing Jadon Sancho deal
Manchester United have made Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane their priority transfer target after reaching an agreement to sign Jadon Sancho, reports say.
Premier League giants United have agreed a deal in principle with Borussia Dortmund to sign England international Sancho for an initial £72.6million.
Sancho, 21, is now set to undertake a medical at Old Trafford before being officially unveiled as a Manchester United player.
The Red Devils enjoyed a largely promising campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season and are ready to back the club legend with a number of signings this summer.
After securing Sancho’s signature, Manchester United will look to sign a new centre-back partner for club captain Harry Maguire, with Madrid’s Varane at the top of Solskjaer’s wish-list, according to The Telegraph.
Varane has spent almost a decade at the Bernabeu and won a number of trophies at the club but is stalling over signing a new contract and reportedly wants to leave to take up a new challenge.
The 28-year-old is said to be open to joining Manchester United but may have his head turned by their domestic rivals Chelsea who have this week entered the race for his signature.
Red Devils legend Rio Ferdinand doubts his former club or Chelsea will sign Varane this summer, however, and believes the Frenchman is simply trying to earn himself a better deal.
‘Varane is just doing things, massaging the papers, the media papers and the headlines to get a bigger deal at Real Madrid,’ Ferdinand told his FIVE YouTube channel.
‘If Varane doesn’t sign a new deal at Real Madrid, I’ll be surprised. Real Madrid are not letting Ramos and Varane go in the same window, 100 per cent. He’s not going anywhere, man’s gonna get a new deal.
‘It’s happened in the past, it’s not new, players like [Toni] Kroos and [Bastian] Schweinsteiger have done it. At Bayern as well, they’ve all done it.’
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Jamie Carragher rates England as Euro 2020 favourites and hails Jordan Pickford, Harry Maguire and Raheem Sterling after Germany win
Jamie Carragher insists England are now favourites for Euro 2020 and has hailed Jordan Pickford, Harry Maguire and Raheem Sterling for their contributions during the Three Lions’ impressive victory over Germany.
On a memorable evening at Wembley on Tuesday, England clinched their first knockout win over Germany since 1966 thanks to second-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.
The victory means Gareth Southgate’s side are yet to lose or concede during the tournament and have progressed to the quarter-finals where they will face Ukraine.
With holders Portugal and World Cup champions France already out of the Euros, Carragher views England as the ‘favourites’ to win the tournament but insists it will ‘not be easy’, despite the favourable route to the final.
The former Liverpool and England defender told Sky Sports: ‘It does look doable. I actually felt before the tournament that there was a great chance for this team to reach the semi-final because of the way the draw was set up.
‘We knew they had to beat a Germany, Portugal or France and we knew that would be difficult because England historically, going back since 1966, had never beaten a top team in 90 minutes in a knockout stage. This was the first time.
‘The fact that we have done it, the belief from that, playing at Wembley in a semi-final and final, it is a great chance, obviously.
‘They could not have picked anyone better than Ukraine next. I think even of the two teams they would have preferred Ukraine to Sweden. It almost feels like it has fallen in their lap.
‘It still won’t be easy. Going to Rome, just that uprooting, you are not in your familiar surroundings, that could have a bearing on the game. But there was no way they could have picked anyone better.
‘If the semi-final is against the Danes, that will be a tough game. I have been impressed with them in this tournament for obvious reasons. If you get to the final, it will be one of the big hitters on that side, Belgium, Italy or Spain.
‘But with the confidence that England will have, they are favourites now and I don’t see that changing.’
England produced a superb display to down rivals Germany in the last 16 and move one step closer to European Championship glory.
Carragher was particularly impressed by Everton goalkeeper Pickford – who made two big saves – Manchester United defender Maguire – who bossed the defence – and Manchester City forward Sterling – who opened the scoring with his third goal of the competition.
He said: ‘I think you could argue that Jordan Pickford has been the best goalkeeper in the tournament or certainly close to it. He has not conceded a goal and he has made vital saves when called upon.
‘I think a lot of people were worried about him because when you watch him in the Premier League at times you think that he is maybe going to take his form to England.
‘But when you think about Jordan Pickford in an England shirt, he has never let England down. He has done more than not let them, he has been outstanding.
‘You think of his role in penalty shoot-outs going back to the last World Cup, his distribution from the back as well, that is always the reason why he plays ahead of other goalkeepers who people deem to be better in terms of shot-stopping.
‘But if you judge him in an England shirt, he has been outstanding. He has delivered in real pressure moments.’
Carragher, who made 38 appearances for the Three Lions, added: ‘Harry Maguire is our best centre-back by a long way. He adds composure and calmness with his defending, also on the ball.
‘It was the right decision for him to come straight in. Tyrone Mings did really well but Maguire brings something nobody else can bring.
‘I am a huge Raheem Sterling fan too and a lot of the talk going into the tournament was that he would not play. But whenever I was picking my England team it was always Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and one other in that front three.
‘There was no way you could go into that first game without the pace and penetration that he offers running in behind, especially if Kane is going to be the centre-forward because he needs that now with the way he is playing.
‘Sterling’s goal record in the last couple of years for Southgate is off the scale so the fact that he was being questioned I could not believe. He is an outstanding player.
‘He has been England’s best player in this tournament by a mile and the way that he is going he will not be far off winning player of the tournament if England keep going to the final and he is getting goals. That is the impact that he has had.’
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Euro 2020: 'Fighter' Raheem Sterling praised by England boss Gareth Southgate
England boss Gareth Southgate praises Raheem Sterling's "incredible resilience and hunger" after the forward's performances at Euro 2020.
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Lionel Messi contract: Barcelona star becomes a free agent
Barcelona striker Lionel Messi becomes a free agent after his contract expired at midnight.
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Marco Silva: Ex-Watford and Everton boss frontrunner for Fulham job
Ex-Watford and Everton boss Marco Silva is the frontrunner to replace Scott Parker as the next manager of Fulham.
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Arsenal and Tottenham fighting for signature of AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie
North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are both keen to bring AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie to the Premier League, while Inter Milan are also keen to secure his signature.
The 24-year-old has been a mainstay in the Milan midfield for the last four seasons and enjoyed his most successul goal-scoring season by far over the last campaign, netting 13 goals in 37 Serie A appearances.
For a young man he has a huge amount of experience, making 252 club appearances, mostly for Milan but also in spells at Atalanta and Cesena, while he has also won 48 caps for Ivory Coast.
Kessie has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and after his goal-scoring exploits of last season the rumours of a switch to England have only grown louder.
The midfielder’s agent has fueled the fire of speculation by naming two clubs interested in him and saying Kessie holds his future in his own hands.
‘Now Kessie is the one who holds the knife by the handle. He can decide what is best for him rather than the club,’ said Massimo Brambati.
‘I know that in addition to Inter [Milan] there are two Premier League teams interested in him, including Tottenham.’
Despite not being named by Brambati, Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport report that Arsenal are leading the chase for Kessie as they look for a replacement for the outgoing Granit Xhaka, who is set to move to Roma.
Brambati’s comments on Kessie’s future being in his own hands are especially true in this case as his contract at Milan comes to an end in 2022.
The Italians are keen for him to sign a new deal until 2026, but if he will not do so then they will look to cash in on him this summer.
MORE : Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher describes Rafael Benitez as ‘the perfect manager for Everton’
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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher describes Rafael Benitez as ‘the perfect manager for Everton’
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Rafael Benitez is the ‘perfect manager for Everton’ as he has achieved his most notable successes when battling against bigger clubs, rather than trying to fend off challengers.
Benitez was appointed as new Everton boss on Wednesday, a controversial choice for many Toffees fans due to his past with local rivals Liverpool.
The Spaniard spent six years in charge of the Reds and is still well regarded at Anfield after winning the Champions League and FA Cup during his spell in charge.
The 61-year-old is fighting an uphill battle to win over the Goodison Park faithful, but Carragher, who played under him at Liverpool, feels he is exactly the right man for the job.
Carragher believes Benitez’s best achievements came at Valencia, where he won La Liga twice, and in his early years at Liverpool when he claimed the Champions League and FA Cup.
When the Reds became a better team, trophies faded away, while Benitez also failed to make an impact in spells at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, leading Carragher to believe he is best suited to a team looking to topple the best sides rather than maintain greatness.
‘The reason I think he’s the perfect manager for Everton is that he’s different from [Carlo] Ancelotti,’ Carragher told the All Together Now Podcast.
‘I think Ancelotti was a manager who won big trophies at big clubs, I think Benitez has had most success at teams that are fighting the big clubs. He was successful at Valencia against Barcelona and Real Madrid.
‘At Liverpool, Champions League, FA Cup and Champions League final, and at that stage we weren’t great, but those weren’t his best Liverpool teams.
‘His best Liverpool teams came after that and we didn’t win anything.
‘When he was like fighting against [Jose] Mourinho at Chelsea or [Alex] Ferguson at Man Utd, when he didn’t have the tools to go up against them and match them, we were successful fighting against them, he created a fight against Mourinho when no one else could beat him.
‘He struggled at Inter Milan and Real Madrid. He’s successful at teams fighting against the teams at the top and Everton have been that for a long long time, trying to break into the top four and now a top six.
‘Fighting against those clubs is when he’s had success as a manager.’
Carragher also claimed that Benitez was ‘desperate for a job’ after leaving his last role at Dalian Professional in China in January.
‘I’d spoken to Rafa, we did some punditry work together, and he was desperate to get back into management,’ said Carragher.
‘He will manage clubs after Everton, his whole DNA is about managing, that’s why he’s taken this really brave move because if he’s not involved in football he almost doesn’t know what he’s doing.
‘So he was desperate for a job.’
MORE : Former Everton captain Phil Jagielka reacts to Rafa Benitez appointment
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Arsenal make ‘important’ transfer bid for Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli, says Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali
Arsenal have made an ‘important’ bid for Italy midfielder Manuel Locatelli, says Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali.
The Gunners expressed interest in signing the Euro 2020 star earlier in the month and have now contacted Sassuolo with an official offer, according to Carnevali.
He told Sky Sport Italia: ‘Arsenal have made an official bid for Locatelli. They’re pushing hard to sign Manuel and it’s an important bid… we will see.
‘Also Juventus want Locatelli and we’ve a special relationship with them. We’ve a new meeting scheduled with Juve.
‘We are trying to leave the lad calm, so I haven’t spoken to him or his agents yet. We can think about Locatelli’s future, but above all we care about his present and that means Italy doing well at the Euros.’
Locatelli, 23, has established himself as one of Sassuolo’s most important players over the past two seasons, with his form also attracting interest from Serie A giants Juventus.
The midfielder has featured in three of Italy’s four Euro 2020 fixtures to date, helping Roberto Mancini’s side cruise through the group stages and into the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Arsenal’s move for Locatelli comes as the Gunners close in on a deal for Portuguese defender Nuno Tavares and make progress with Anderlecht midfielder Sambi Lokonga.
Locatelli, who scored twice for Italy during their recent win over Switzerland, will hope to impress yet again on Friday against the impressive Belgium.
If Mancini’s side knock out the Belgians, they will face either Switzerland or Spain in the semi-finals and could meet England in the final after the Three Lions beat Germany to book their place in the last-eight.
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Transfer rumours: Sancho, Rice, Kane, Sterling, Haaland, Mbappe
Man United target further additions after agreeing £73m Sancho deal, Man City plan Sterling talks, Chelsea eye Haaland, plus more.
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Jadon Sancho: 'A talented traiblazer and hybrid of the modern age'
What can Manchester United fans expect from Jadon Sancho, who is returning to England four years after joining Borussia Dortmund.
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Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles involved in serious car accident on M25
Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles was involved in a serious car crash on Wednesday morning on the M25.
The club has confirmed the incident, from which the 23-year-old emerged unhurt after rolling his Mercedes on the motorway.
The Athletic report that the crash happened at 6am on Wednesday between junctions 24 and 25.
Highways England reported that emergency services had attented an accident described as a ‘multi-vehicle incident with a car on its side’ at the same point on the M25.
Arsenal’s club doctor has reportedly been in contact with Maitland-Niles to check on his wellbeing.
The 23-year-old is back at Arsenal after spending the second half of last season on loan at West Brom, who he could not save from relegation despite some impressive performances.
He is expected to leave the Gunners this summer, with Premier League clubs including Wolverhampton Wanderers linked with a move for him.
Just last year Maitland-Niles won five caps for England under Gareth Southgate, but after falling out of favour at Arsenal and moving to the Hawthorns, he also fell a long way down the pecking order for his country, both at right-back and in his favoured midfield position.
The versatile star said he took on the loan move to the Baggies in an attempt to avoid ‘rotting away’ at Arsenal.
‘It was just more of a chance for me to show what I’m capable of other than sitting on the bench for the rest of the season and rotting away,’ he told talkSPORT.
‘The main reason was being able to play as there’s nothing better than playing. I felt it would be great to experience the work of people trying to save their careers and stay in the Premier League.’
MORE : Arsenal considered using Matteo Guendouzi in deal to sign Benfica defender Nuno Tavares
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Man City set for windfall from Jadon Sancho’s transfer to Manchester United
Manchester United are set to sign Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of around £73m, with Manchester City set to receive a substantial amount of cash as part of the deal.
Sancho spent two years with City from 2015-17 after signing from Watford and before moving to Dortmund.
The Bundesliga side paid around £8m for the then-teenage winger, but City ensured they had a sell-on clause in the transfer agreement.
The Premier League champions will receive 15 per cent of any profit made by Dortmund on Sancho.
With Dortmund set to make a cool £65m profit on their £8m investment, it will see City pocket just shy of £10m – around £9.75m.
The only thing left for Sancho to do before confirming his switch to Old Trafford is a medical as the Red Devils’ lengthy pursuit of the 21-year-old finally nears an end.
The move has been agreed between the clubs and the England international will be handed the No. 7 shirt, memorably worn by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham and Eric Cantona in the past.
Sancho had a wonderful time in Germany, scoring 50 goals for the club in 137 appearances and twice being named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
He has picked up 20 England caps, scoring three goals, although he is yet to make much of an impact at Euro 2020 as Gareth Southgate goes with other options in his front three.
The winger came on 84 minutes into the final group stage game against Czech Republic in his only appearance at the tournament so far.
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Tottenham appoint Nuno Espirito Santo as new manager
Tottenham appoint former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager on a two-year contract.
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Rio Ferdinand gives advice to Jadon Sancho as Manchester United agree £72.6m transfer deal for Borussia Dortmund star
Rio Ferdinand has urged Jadon Sancho to put all his ‘energy and focus’ into being a success at Manchester United after the Red Devils agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign the England star.
Sancho, 22, is set to undergo a medical at Old Trafford after Dortmund accepted a £72.6million bid from the Premier League giants.
While Sancho has barely featured in England’s run to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, he has thrived in the Bundesliga over the past few seasons and Ferdinand expects him to impress for the Red Devils.
Asked if he had a message for Sancho ahead of his move to Old Trafford, Ferdinand told the FIVE YouTube channel: ‘I don’t need to tell him this because he loves his football, but work hard and make sure everything you do is about being a success at Manchester United and being the best you can be.
‘Don’t let nothing sidetrack you. Be yourself, entertain and the end product is what you’re about. Bring that to the table.
‘The energy and the focus should be solely on football. Just immerse yourself in everything about the club, man.’
A clearly delighted Ferdinand added: ‘Sancho’s arrived, Sancho’s here! I feel beautiful man.
‘This boy, just look at his stats, they don’t lie. In terms of goal involvements he was the second most over three seasons – that’s a fact.
‘He’s got to convert that to the Premier League which is difficult, we’ve seen that, but listen, I believe in Jadon Sancho man.
‘Since he was a kid, he’s had hot press, hot expectations, he had the bravery to leave Man City and go abroad. Personality, character.’
Asked what Sancho will bring to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, Ferdinand said: ‘On the right-hand side and the left-hand side, we haven’t got a winger who goes on the outside and can cross the ball. That’s what you need.
‘He can play on the right or the left, he plays with both feet. On that right-wing, as well as Mason [Greenwood] has done and I’m a massive fan of his, this is Manchester United, who are always associated with wingers.
‘At any of our most successful times, there’s been wide players who can cross the ball. For a full-back, it’s terrible news!’
Manchester United endured a mixed 2020-21 campaign, finishing second in the Premier League but failing to win any silverware after losing the Europa League final to Villarreal.
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