Month: March 2023

Beth Mead will miss the Women’s World Cup unless “a miracle happens”, according to England head coach Sarina Wiegman.

The Arsenal forward suffered an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury in November and has not played since.

Such injuries are long-term setbacks, and it was the cruellest of blows for Mead, coming so soon after she played a starring role in England’s Euro 2022 triumph.

Mead won the Player of the Tournament award and the Golden Boot as hosts England swept to glory, edging out Germany 2-1 in the Wembley Stadium final on July 31.

The 27-year-old former Sunderland striker would have been central to England’s plans for this year’s global tournament, which is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July and August.

Wiegman believes there is next to no chance of Mead being fit to feature for the Lionesses, however.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, Wiegman said of Mead: “I had a conversation with her. She’s doing well. She’s in rehab and she’s doing good.

“But the World Cup is actually too early, so what we said now is she’s not in our plans now.

“[She should] just really take the time to get back well, but if a miracle happens and she goes so fast we will reconsider it, but at this moment I don’t expect that.”

England have home friendlies against Australia and Brazil in April as they build towards the focal point of the year.

There are also worries over Chelsea forward Fran Kirby, who is sidelined with a knee injury of her own, albeit not one as serious as the one Mead sustained.

“Of course I’m concerned because she’s been out for a while now,” Wiegman said. “But I want to keep this opportunity open, and she’ll be treated as we treat anyone else.

“Hopefully she gets fit, gets on the pitch, gets playing, and then you need to show performance and fitness. It’s a little concern, but also don’t think too much forward, just see how she progresses.”

Romelu Lukaku finds himself at a career crossroads.

The Chelsea forward, 29, has endured a frustrating campaign on loan at Inter Milan, netting just five goals in all competitions having been plagued by both poor form and injury.

With his club future appearing more uncertain than ever, a timely hat-trick for Belgium against Sweden last Friday night was a reminder of how dangerous Lukaku can be when fit and firing.

Ahead of his nation’s blockbuster clash with Germany this evening, we shine a spotlight on the striker’s rocky patch and a pivotal upcoming period.

Spectacular decline

Lukaku’s fall from grace has been a rapid one.

Just 19 months ago, Chelsea were shelling out a then club-record £97.5million to bring their former marksman back to Stamford Bridge after a glittering stint in Italy.

Having bagged 24 times in 36 games to fire Antonio Conte’s Nerazzurri to the 2020-21 Serie A title, most pundits tipped the ex-Manchester United ace to score for fun upon his return to England.

However, a disappointing return of 15 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions — coupled with some unwise comments in the press midway through the campaign — saw the Belgian loaned back to Inter for 2022-23.

He has played less than 800 minutes of league football this term and boasts a paltry three Serie A goals.

Unclear future

When Lukaku’s loan was signed off last summer, it felt like a move that would eventually become permanent.

Reports at the time suggested the only stumbling block would be agreeing a fee — one that minimised Chelsea’s hefty losses while also not forcing the Italians to break the bank.

But recent comments from Inter CEO Beppe Marotta hint that his club will not be chasing a transfer in the off-season.

Marotta told Sky Italia earlier this month: “The loan was for one season only. So on June 30, regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea. 

“This has been an unprecedented season. I’m referring of course to the [winter] World Cup.

“Lukaku hasn’t found the fitness he needs to play his best football. He’s still not at his best or the player we got to see in years gone by.”

Hard to judge

The main challenge facing Chelsea this summer is trying to assess what Lukaku still has to offer.

On recent form, the easy conclusion would be that the Antwerp native is nowhere near his prolific best any more — though last week’s performance against Sweden suggested otherwise.

Lukaku nabbed a hat-trick any centre forward would be proud of in Stockholm, applying the finishing touches to a trio of pinpoint crosses via a deft header and two tap-ins.

It made for a perfect start to Domenico Tedesco’s reign as Belgium boss and the No9 confessed he is bullish about future prospects under the 37-year-old former Schalke coach.

Speaking after Friday’s clash, Lukaku said: “We have started to play much more offensively. 

“We haven’t had much time to prepare, but I’m happy. Change is not a bad thing, as long as the results follow.”

Quick decision

Blues boss Graham Potter and owner Todd Boehly must now decide if change is also afoot for Lukaku at club level.

Spending sprees across the last two transfer windows mean the Londoners possess an embarrassment of riches in attacking areas, though an in-form Lukaku could feasibly muscle his way into a starting berth.

Should they opt to give the 29-year-old another roll of the dice and he stays fit, it could prompt the most remarkable turnaround in footballing fortunes.

However, if there is to be a parting of ways, a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia — following in the footsteps of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo — now seems his most viable exit route.

Either way, the next few months will surely define the legacy of one of the most puzzling strikers of a generation.

North London is not the only place where Arsenal’s youngsters are thriving this season with Folarin Balogun enjoying a superb season on loan at Reims.

The Hale End academy graduate has found the net 17 times in Ligue 1, leading to speculation over where his future lies.

As the Gunners prepare to return to Premier League action against Leeds on Saturday, we look at what is next for their homegrown talent.

Burgeoning reputation

Reims have been one of France’s most talked about clubs this term due to their surprise success under Belgian-born English manager Will Still.

Starring in Les Rouges et Blancs’ record 19-game unbeaten run was Gunners loanee Balogun, whose league goal tally is bettered only by Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe and Lille forward Jonathan David.

What is more, only France captain Mbappe and World Cup-winning PSG team-mate Lionel Messi have taken more shots than Balogun (86) in 2022-23, leaving him in impressive company.

With ruthless finishing ability, blistering pace and impressive link-up play, Balogun is undoubtedly among the French top flight’s most exciting marksmen.

Gunners future

While Mikel Arteta will no doubt be delighted to see Balogun thriving elsewhere, his exploits leave the Spaniard with a big decision to make this summer.

Gabriel Jesus recently returned from injury after an impressive first half of the campaign following last summer’s move from Manchester City and fellow academy graduate Eddie Nketiah is proving a worthy back-up.

January addition Leandro Trossard has also impressed as a striker of late, meaning Arteta is not short of options up top.

And that Balogun made just two Premier League appearances in more than three years under the Gunners boss before sending him out on loan suggests he is yet to be convinced of the youngster’s first-team pedigree.

Life in Ligue 1

Having previously outlined his desire to break through at his boyhood club, Balogun refused to rule out remaining in France past this summer.

Speaking on his future, the forward said: “Contractually I have to go back because the loan was only for one year so that was always the agreement.

“I’m not sure what is going to happen in the future.

“A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer and we’ll see what happens.

“I mean there’s no door that’s closed. Of course I have had a good year here and to a lot of people it makes sense for me to come back here. I don’t know what the future will bring.”

It may not be just those two options for Balogun to consider, with reports suggesting Italian giants Inter Milan and AC Milan are keeping tabs on the prospect’s situation.

International prospects

Balogun’s club future is not the only talking point of late with his international allegiance a subject of much discussion during the pause in domestic action.

The youngster has 13 caps for England Under-21s but is also eligible to feature for the United States — the country of his birth — and Nigeria.

Harry Kane is the only Englishman to score more goals than Balogun this season in Europe’s top five leagues.

Yet the Reims ace could not win a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for their Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Italy and Ukraine with Brentford’s Ivan Toney selected instead.

The Three Lions boss has urged Balogun to be patient to get his chance and suggested there were still at least three strikers ahead of him in the pecking order.

Southgate said: “We like Flo. He has obviously not had an opportunity in the Premier League yet, so we have to weigh up those goals to Ivan [Toney], for example, or Ollie Watkins. 

“Or Eddie Nketiah, who has done really well with the opportunity he has had at Arsenal.”

Interest in Balogun continues to rise at club and international level — and that will only make him harder for Arsenal and England to ignore.

Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski was “sad” to see Antonio Conte fired by the club but claimed Spurs players support the decision to remove him from his post.

Conte and Spurs parted company on Sunday after a week of intense speculation suggesting he had already taken charge of his final game.

The Italian made headlines last Saturday when he went on a remarkable rant in his post-match press conference after Spurs threw away a two-goal lead at Southampton to draw 3-3.

He called his players “selfish” and extraordinarily suggested the club’s lack of tangible success in recent years was ingrained, saying: “Tottenham’s story is this – 20 years and they never won something. Why?”

Conte was reportedly asked by club chiefs to clarify those comments and he was said to have insisted they were aimed at the players rather than hierarchy, though seemingly that was not enough to save his job.

Since Conte’s exit was confirmed, media reports have brought to light apparent frustrations with Conte from the squad, though Kulusevski – who was signed during the former Inter boss’ tenure – appeared disappointed.

He told Fotballskanalen: “It’s always sad when a person you work with and have grown close to has to leave.

“But life goes on and you just have to move on. We have ten games left now and we have to do our best to reach the top four.”

Kulusevski added: “He has been very important [to me]. I have learned a lot from him and I will always remember him, but now we have his assistant [Cristian Stellini], who I know very well.

“Then we’ll see who comes in next season, but I enjoy the city and the club very much.”

Nevertheless, Sweden international Kulusevski clarified that, while he seemed somewhat disheartened by the change, collectively the Spurs squad does not have an issue with the action taken by decision makers.

“It’s not me who decides. Whoever is the coach, we players will always accept and play for him and for everyone else,” he said.

“Now the club made this decision because they think it is the best, and we players stand behind that.”

Spurs are back in Premier League action on Monday when they go to Everton – at that point, Newcastle United, who have two games in hand, could have replaced them in fourth.

England have confirmed their squad for April’s Finalissima showdown with Brazil.

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has largely kept faith with the group which lifted the Arnold Clark Cup last month in the final selection before this summer’s World Cup.

The European champions will face the queens of South America at Wembley on April 6 before going head-to-head with World Cup co-hosts Australia on April 11.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan have returned to the fold, while uncapped Lucy Parker of West Ham has also been included.

Injured Emily Ramsey has dropped out alongside Lotte Wubben-Moy, Katie Zelem and Ebony Salmon as the Dutch boss names a 25-player squad for the two clashes.

Wiegman, 53, said: “We are getting closer to the World Cup and I can’t think of two better games to assess our progress. 

“After these games, there will be less than three months until we fly to the tournament and we must make every second on and off the pitch count. 

“For us as a technical staff this will be the last chance to see the players within our England environment before we come together for the final preparation phase in June. 

“And these two matches will be two real tests to see where we are at.”

There is still no place in the squad for Tottenham poacher Bethany England, who has scored five goals in her last six Women’s Super League games.

Wiegman has instead picked Manchester United’s Alessia Russo and Villa ace Rachel Daly, who has been listed as a striker despite regularly featuring as a left-back for her country.

Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby remains absent from the squad due to a knee problem, while Beth Mead is continuing her recovery from an ACL injury which has kept her out of action since November.

Virgil van Dijk accepts he has not been performing at his best level but says footballers “are not robots” after being strongly criticised by Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit.

The Liverpool defender’s captaincy credentials were questioned by Van Basten in particular following Friday’s 4-0 Euro 2024 qualifying defeat to France.

Dutch great Van Basten accused Van Dijk of “making noise but not saying anything” and creating chaos that leads to misunderstandings” in the side.

Fellow former Netherlands international Gullit, speaking alongside Van Basten in his punditry role with Ziggo Sport, said Van Dijk “thinks he is better than the rest”.

While Van Dijk is open to opinions, he does not believe the criticism is entirely justified.

“It is clear that we played badly. I am one of the experienced guys, so it is completely justified,” he said following Monday’s 3-0 win over Gibraltar.

“Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion these days, that’s the case. Did I set the bar unrealistically high? I was never perfect.

“But we’ve had a lot of success with the team. Football players [Van Basten and Gullit] know that better than anyone, [players and teams] have high peaks and deep valleys.

“It’s quite normal that you can’t always play consistently. That you have a phase as a club or player where you are looking for your level. People should not forget that. 

“It is normal that people make mistakes; it is part of football and that it is very human.”

Van Dijk has also been far from his best in a Liverpool shirt this season, but he hopes to return to top form soon.

“You know better than anyone when you are doing something right or not,” the 56-cap defender said. “These are difficult times at my club, with lots of ups and downs.

“I am very positive about the future and I try to play my best game ever in every game. We are not robots. Let’s not forget that. Maybe people sometimes forget that.”

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Brilliant Bellingham

Jordan Henderson believes Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham’s potential is “through the roof” thanks to his mentality.

The 19-year-old enjoyed another fine international break as England started their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with wins against Italy and Ukraine. 

Bellingham already has 24 caps for his country and was at the centre of the action during the World Cup in Qatar.

Henderson said: “His potential is through the roof, really.

“He can be as good as he wants to be — but he’s got the right mentality, which is the most important thing.

“He is a really special player and I can’t believe his age and his mentality, how he applies himself to training and the games, everything.

“When you let him play football you can see what he does for Dortmund, you can see what he does here for England.

“Every time he puts on an England shirt he grows and is getting better and better all the time.”

Chef Kane

Harry Kane is hoping to hit the net with a limited edition burger after teaming up with TOCA Social to celebrate becoming England’s top scorer. 

Tottenham star Kane, 29, surpassed Wayne Rooney’s tally of 53 goals by converting a penalty as the Three Lions beat Italy 2-1 last Thursday. 

And he notched again at the weekend to move on to 55 when Gareth Southgate’s men made it two wins from two in Euro 2024 qualifying with a 2-0 victory over Ukraine. 

The Record Breaker burger will be available for a limited time from TOCA Social’s London venue at The O2. 

More than half of the proceeds from each one will go towards the Harry Kane Foundation, which was established in October 2022 with the aim of transforming a generation’s thinking about mental health. 

Kane said: “I’m thrilled to create The Record Breaker to celebrate becoming England’s all-time record goalscorer. It tastes amazing. 

“Initiatives like this are good fun but we have involved my foundation to help raise funds for charities and mental health programmes across the country.  

“Every sale will also directly support some incredible causes, so I am really pleased. I hope everyone enjoys it.”

Royal requires surgery

Tottenham and Brazil full-back Emerson Royal is set to undergo surgery after picking up a knee injury on international duty.

The 24-year-old had been enjoying his best spell at the North London club since joining in 2021 and was recalled to the Brazil squad after missing out on the World Cup.

But the former Barcelona defender limped off in the 2-1 defeat to Morocco and is now a doubt to return for the rest of the season.

A club statement from Spurs said: “We can confirm that Emerson Royal suffered a meniscus injury to his left knee while on international duty with Brazil last week.

“The defender will undergo surgery before beginning his rehabilitation with our medical staff.”

Irish heartbreak

Wolves defender Nathan Collins cannot understand how the Republic of Ireland walked away empty-handed against France in last night’s Euro 2024 qualifier.

Les Blues emerged 1-0 victors largely thanks to the heroics of keeper Mike Maignan, who denied Collins a last-gasp equaliser.

The 21-year-old thought he had rescued a point for his national side after powering a header towards the top corner in Dublin but the AC Milan stopper leapt to the rescue of the World Cup finalists.

On the save, Collins said: “I thought I’d done everything. I got as high as I could, I got power behind it, but it’s an unbelievable save.

“That’s the difference at the top level. It’s so frustrating. I’m heartbroken for the lads as well.

“They’re so good, they’re going to get a chance and they took it. We did so well to stay in the game and throw the kitchen sink in the last 10 minutes.

“But I’m proud of the lads’ performance, there is so much to build on.”

Harry Kane is not ruling out scoring 100 goals for England after becoming his country’s all-time leading goalscorer this international window.

The Tottenham striker’s penalty in last week’s 2-1 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Italy moved him in front of Wayne Rooney outright on 54 goals for the Three Lions.

He added to that tally with another strike in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley to make it 55 goals in 82 appearances since making his debut in 2015.

Only Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo (122) and Iran great Ali Daei (109) have reached triple figures for men’s international goals, while Argentina’s Lionel Messi is one short.

But Kane, who will only turn 30 in July, is looking to chase down that big milestone ahead of qualifiers with Malta and North Macedonia in June.

“Getting 100 will be tough for sure, but I never count out anything,” he is quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

“I am still young – I am 29, I am still fit and strong. I want to play for England for as long as I can. Every game there is I will be putting myself forward to try and play.

“We will take it step-by-step. The next step will be trying to get into the sixties.

“A hundred is not out of the question. It will be extremely tough, but we will have to see how the next few years go.”

Kane has scored 39 goals with his stronger right foot for England, seven with his left and nine via his head.

While he has yet to win a trophy with England – or indeed with Tottenham at club level – he won the Golden Boot with his six goals at the 2018 World Cup.

“I am extremely passionate about my country. I love playing for England,” Kane, who also recently became Tottenham’s record scorer, said of his Three Lions career to date.

“To think of all the English legends and strikers that have played the game and to be number one now is just beyond my dreams.

“Playing for England is special and to have this record is special.

“I don’t think I dreamed this far. I dreamed of playing for England and scoring for England – to be record goalscorer was not even in my dreams.

“I have had so many great moments and hopefully there are more to come.”

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson says it would be “amazing” if Jude Bellingham joins him at Anfield, but added the teenager must choose the club that is best for him.

Bellingham has become one of the hottest prospects in football during his time at Borussia Dortmund, as well as having an impressive World Cup alongside Henderson with England last year.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid among others, though recent reports suggested the Reds may struggle to finance a deal should the latter two start a bidding war, with Bellingham expected to demand a fee in excess of £100million (€114m).

Henderson has been as impressed as anyone by Bellingham, and though he hopes to be able to link up with him at club level as well as with England, said the youngster must “think about himself”.

“I just want him to be the best player he can be – of course, if it ended up being Liverpool that would be amazing,” he said. “But it’s got to be right for him, and it’s going to be every club you can think of that will want him.

“He has to think about himself and make sure he makes the right decision for his career. But there’s going to be one lucky club that will end up getting him, whether that is now or in a year or two it will be a lucky club.”

Bellingham has 10 goals and six assists in 34 games for Dortmund this season, and Henderson detailed what it is about the former Birmingham City player that makes him stand out.

“His potential is through the roof, really,” Henderson added. “He can be as good as he wants to be – but he’s got the right mentality, which is the most important thing.

“He is a really special player and I can’t believe his age and his mentality, how he applies himself to training and the games, everything. I’ve never seen it before, so I’m pretty confident that he’ll be a pretty good player for many years to come.

“Honestly, I can’t believe his age, how mature he plays, how mature he is off the pitch, in the gym, training, everything, recovery day after the game. He is just dedicated to football.

“He’s a special player, but I’ve said it before we just need to be careful not to apply too much pressure on him but let him play football. When you let him play football you can see what he does for Dortmund, you can see what he does here for England.

“Every time he puts on an England shirt he grows and is getting better and better all the time. Of course there are things he can improve on and get better at – he’s only 19 – but the platform and the basis he has got he can go as high as he wants to.”

Emerson Royal will miss a string of important games for Tottenham in the Premier League run-in after he undergoes surgery on a left knee injury.

The Brazil international faces a battle to play again this season, with the news of his setback coming as the club head into their final 10 games of the league campaign.

Spurs have Pedro Porro at their disposal at right-back, and the Spaniard is set to have a run in the side with Emerson Royal sidelined.

The north London giants let Matt Doherty join Atletico Madrid on loan in January, so acting head coach Cristian Stellini will hope Porro stays fit.

Tottenham said in a statement: “We can confirm that Emerson Royal suffered a meniscus injury to his left knee while on international duty with Brazil last week.

“The defender will undergo surgery before beginning his rehabilitation with our medical staff.”

Emerson Royal has made 32 appearances for Tottenham this season, taking all competitions into account, including 23 starts.

He played in Brazil’s 2-1 friendly defeat to Morocco on Saturday, suffering the injury in the 90th minute after a challenge from Sofyan Amrabat.