Act quickly and repair what is broken. Thomas Tuchel has enjoyed an encouraging week as he tackles the recurring challenge of shaping not only a successful England side, but one with a clear identity, while dealing with the constant and often contradictory pressures surrounding the national-team manager. None of this is unfamiliar. The position demands […]
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De Zerbi is an intense, direct and highly driven coach who expects complete dedication from his players and firm support from the club’s leadership. He has certainly received that support at Spurs, making their sluggish opening all the more surprising. However, before the campaign began, I believed his toughest task would be turning a collection […]
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4. Riyad Mahrez, Leicester, 2015-16, £5.5m Riyad Mahrez proved to be an exceptional bargain for Claudio Ranieri and fantasy managers during Leicester’s championship-winning campaign. He began the season with a 15-point performance against Sunderland, immediately benefiting the 5.9% of players who had selected him. That opening display was only the beginning. Mahrez recorded at least […]
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Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala has revealed that he is receiving treatment for a “neurological dysfunction” after collapsing twice during matches within four days. Musiala fell to the ground on Tuesday, six minutes after entering as a substitute in Bayern’s 4-2 friendly win against Heidenheim. The 23-year-old looked disoriented while being assessed by medical staff […]
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Thursday evening’s Europa League return match between Polish titleholders Lech Poznan and Faroese champions KÍ Klaksvík could be in doubt, as thick fog has prevented the Polish side from reaching the Faroe Islands as planned. Lech secured a 1-0 victory in Poznan in the opening leg thanks to a late strike by Ivory Coast forward […]
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GOODBYE, FAST EDDIE The idea that a public show of support carries little real value has been a familiar football cliché for years. Until now, however, few would have imagined that the same principle might apply when the backing came from Jonjo Shelvey—a man with such strong views about fairness that he once accused Alex […]
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Wales playmaker Harry Wilson made his Leeds United debut as his new team suffered a 3-2 defeat to Wrexham in their first pre-season fixture. Wilson joined the Elland Road club on a free transfer this summer following the expiry of his Fulham contract. He entered the match at half-time at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, […]
Continue ReadingBoth the Prime Minister and the Foreign Office intervened to argue that the kick-off time for England’s World Cup clash with Mexico should not be brought forward — an idea Fifa had floated in the days leading up to the match. Sir Keir Starmer directed officials to press the case, with the Football Association’s support, […]
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