Claiming Your Bonus: A Step-by-Step Guide
Wolves accept West Ham’s bid in region of £40m for captain Max Kilman; Hammers made improved bid after seeing their opening £25m offer last month rejected by Wolves; West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui set to be reunited with Kilman, whom he managed in his time at Wolves
Gareth Southgate is preparing to rip up the plans he has used so far at Euro 2024 and radically change England’s formation in an attempt to get more width from his side and put more of his best players in their best positions.
For Saturday’s quarter-final with Switzerland, England are likely to switch to three centre-backs for the first time in a competitive match since the Euro 2020 final against Italy three years ago – and it may mean Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden both playing as No 10s.
That is one of the options that Southgate has been experimenting with in training where, Sky Sports News has been told, he has tried various formations and various players slotted into the different roles.
It is clear the England boss is still undecided about who will occupy central midfield alongside Declan Rice – a key decision if England are not to be overrun in that department against Switzerland in Saturday’s quarter-final.
The planned change of formation seems driven by two factors: the suspension of Marc Guehi, who has been England’s most consistent defender in the tournament so far, and the fact that privately, Southgate has accepted that what he has tried so far in Germany has seen his players perform at way below their best.
Kieran Trippier‘s availability, after concerns about his minor calf problem and the heavy knock to his knee that he picked up against Slovakia, could yet mean Southgate has a change of heart, and returns to a flat back four. But that is not currently an option in training, Sky Sports News understands.
The three centre-backs look set to be John Stones, Ezri Konsa and Kyle Walker – with Walker’s pace seen as the ideal foil to sweep around the back, if Switzerland break through the England defence.
But Southgate has yet to decide who will play as wing-backs, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka, Trippier – and even Eberechi Eze – possibilities to play in those roles. Luke Shaw‘s inclusion has also not been ruled out.
If, as expected, Southgate does switch to three centre-backs, it is not clear whether England’s formation will be 3-4-3, 3-5-2 or even 3-4-2-1 – with Bellingham and Foden in the creative roles behind Harry Kane. It is thought Southgate has tried all of those formations in training in Blankenhain in the build-up to the game.
How best to accommodate Bellingham is becoming a key conundrum. In many ways, he is England’s best player, but also Southgate’s biggest problem.
Southgate could ask him to play deeper than he has done all season for Real Madrid – as a ‘No 8’ rather than a No 10 – but there are concerns that having not played in the role for so long, he may not have the positional discipline to make it effective defensively.
There is also a risk that if you give both Bellingham and Foden a free role, they may take up each others’ space and make the same runs – which has been a problem already in this tournament when Foden has drifted in from the left wing.
The other option under consideration, according to sources, is to play either Kobbie Mainoo or Conor Gallagher in a ‘number 6’ role alongside Declan Rice. This would provide the two defensive midfield buffers that have been a common theme of Southgate’s time as England manager, but it will limit the number of offensively-minded players on the pitch.
The other option, which would line up in a 3-5-2 formation, would include Ivan Toney alongside Kane up front.
Toney impressed Southgate with his performance in extra time in Gelsenkirchen – setting up Kane for the eventual winner. He also held the ball up well and gave England an outlet when they were under pressure in defence – something that has been lacking somewhat, with the England captain dropping deeper in many of the games so far in order to try to influence the play.
Either way, it seems inevitable that the large stall of wingers in Southgate’s squad will be redundant against Switzerland – each of the systems the England coach is considering has width provided by the wing-backs, rather than by more advanced wide-men.
That means Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen are likely to find it difficult to get any game-time in the quarter-final, with Cole Palmer an option at number 10, most likely off the bench.
Depending on how the game progresses, however, Southgate has the personnel to switch to a back four, or any of his other formation options, and utilise the players on the bench. The England boss has made bold substitutions in the games so far, switching players at half-time or early in the second half.
When it comes to the wing-backs, Southgate has plenty of options, but none that have played in that role recently for their clubs. Saka is the biggest conundrum – having told the media in the lead-up to the last-16 game that he didn’t want to switch to full-back.
Nevertheless, he did that for a short period in the chaos of extra-time against Slovakia, and he may well be asked to do so again on Saturday. He will most probably be asked to switch wings, from right wing to left wing-back.
Southgate hasn’t yet ruled out the possibility of Shaw starting at left wing-back, I am told – even though that would be a huge risk, with the Manchester United defender having played no competitive football for almost five months.
It is thought Shaw is desperate to play, and feels he is fit and ready to do so, after having no reaction from a clear week of training. Southgate has yet to decide whether his inclusion from the start for the quarter-final is a risk worth taking. He also needs to decide whether he is prepared to sacrifice Saka in the process.
On the right, it is a straight choice between Alexander-Arnold and Trippier, both of whom could be asked to perform the more natural role they play for Liverpool and Newcastle respectively.
England had a closed training session on Thursday, away from the cameras, but it is thought Southgate was preparing to fine-tune some of his new positional plans in that time.
The England manager usually tells his players his final starting XI on the night before a game, and so there is still much to be decided.
But it is clear – after much clamour for change from pundits and fans outside the camp – Southgate is now planning a radical re-shuffle, as his team heads into a major quarter-final.
England will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Dusseldorf in a 5pm kick-off, UK time.
Were England to beat Switzerland and reach the last four, then they would then play in a semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday July 10; kick off 8pm UK time.
Netherlands and Turkey are the possible semi-final opponents for the Three Lions. The final is in Berlin on Sunday July 14; kick-off 8pm UK time.
The official player of the match against Hungary and Germany, Granit Xhaka was also described as “the best player on the pitch” by Roy Keane in Switzerland’s 2-0 win over Italy in the round of 16. He is having an extraordinary Euro 2024.
England await in the last eight and, with concerns over an injury, it is no exaggeration to suggest that Switzerland’s hopes may hang on Xhaka’s fitness. There is much at stake. He could be one more big performance away from being the player of this tournament.
For English audiences, those who recall Xhaka being booed from the field by his own supporters when an Arsenal player in 2019, all this requires a bit of mental recalibration. He has morphed into one of the best midfielders in the world in these past two years.
“My bags were packed. The passports were out,” he later revealed when discussing that day against Crystal Palace that resulted in him being stripped of the Arsenal captaincy. Instead, he stayed and became a driving force in the club’s revival under Mikel Arteta.
This past season, Xhaka won the double with Bayer Leverkusen, surely the outstanding accomplishment in European football in 2024. At 31 years old, the boy famously trusted with his parents’ house keys as a kid has finally grown up. A late bloomer, after all.
Arteta began the process. Xhaka had won back the crowd long before he departed, scoring twice in his final appearance for the club and being serenaded from the field. Reimagined as a No 8 on the left of midfield, it better suited the strengths of his game.
The Arsenal coach recognised that while the statuesque Xhaka has the physique to dominate midfield, he is at his best with the ball at his feet in the attacking half of the field rather than focusing on shutting down the opposition when his team are without it.
At Euro 2024, only Toni Kroos and Joshua Kimmich have completed more passes in the final third. And Xhaka has been doing it for Switzerland not the highly fancied host nation. If that sample is small, consider that he has been doing it all year for Leverkusen.
Xhaka was the catalyst for Xabi Alonso’s remarkable side when in possession. Not only did he complete more passes than any other player in the Bundesliga last season but he also topped those charts in the opposition half and the final third of the pitch as well.
Nobody played more accurate forward passes than Xhaka, 708 of them, moving Leverkusen into the final third on a league-high 440 occasions. His influence on his side is illustrated by the fact that he featured in more pass sequences than anyone else too.
“He has had a huge impact on the team since day one,” says Alonso, adding simply: “If you have good midfielders, you play better.” Leverkusen’s sporting director Simon Rolfes sees it much the same. “He is an exceptional player. He sets the tempo for our team.”
In his own words, Xhaka was signed to “stabilise this young team”. – to be Alonso’s eyes and ears on the pitch. He is already taking his coaching badges. And while he stops short of seeing himself as a father figure, his importance to club and country is obvious.
Rolfes refers to his influence “on and off the field” – something that Switzerland coach Murat Yakin had in mind when calling him “top class” and a “role model” following his standout performance against Germany, in which they were just minutes from victory.
What happens next? Switzerland have reached the quarter-final of a major tournament on four occasions but never gone further. If history repeats, Xhaka can return to his club with head held high, proud of his summer efforts. And yet, there is another scenario.
Vinicius Junior is odds-on favourite to win the Ballon d’Or with Jude Bellingham next in the betting. Kylian Mbappe and Toni Kroos are the other contenders and international silverware for any of the four this summer would put them in pole position for the award.
But if it is Switzerland, now three wins from history and in the more inviting half of this Euro 2024 draw, then can any of football’s superstars truly claim to have had a better season than Xhaka? Unlikely glory with Leverkusen and now starring for his country.
It was Xhaka who scored the only goal in the German Cup Final in Berlin to complete the double. If Switzerland somehow find their way back to the Olympiastadion next weekend, this season of all seasons for Granit Xhaka could have a sensational ending.
Spain have become the supercomputer’s favourites to win Euro 2024 but they face their biggest test so far on Friday as they take on hosts Germany in a mouth-watering quarter-final.
There is no doubt Spain have been the most convincing team at the tournament. Luis de la Fuente’s side have a 100 per cent record with Robin Le Normand’s own goal in the 4-1 last-16 win over Georgia the only goal they have conceded so far.
Such is Spain’s fluidity that they had 35 shots against Georgia – the most in a match at either the World Cup (since 1966) or Euros (since 1980).
La Roja have been an exciting watch and are everything England should be with their attacking talent clicking. But their opponents on Friday night in Stuttgart possess the weapons to hurt them and a midfield to rival them.
Germany have not quite hit the heights of Spain but Julian Nagelsmann’s side have shown glimpses of their electrifying quality with Jamal Musiala at the heart of it.
This is surprisingly Die Mannschaft’s first quarter-final at a major competition for eight years, but expectations will be high as the host nation.
And that home advantage could well give Germany the edge in what has been a tight affair in recent years between these two sides, with their last five meetings producing one win for each team and three draws.
It does feel like that whoever wins this heavyweight last-eight clash could well go on to win the whole thing.
Declan Olley
A 34-year-old Toni Kroos has rolled back the years in the Germany engine room this summer, but now he meets his toughest opponent with retirement on the line.
Kroos has made the most successful passes (386) with a 95 per cent completion rate and has created the second-most chances at the tournament. He has been untouchable.
Robert Andrich plays the enforcer role alongside him with 11 tackles and eight fouls placing him among Euro 2024’s toughest midfielders, while the silky Ilkay Gundogan brings guile and composure in between the lines.
The Germany midfield is balanced nicely, although, with a combined age of 96, the younger Spain trio can stretch their creaking legs.
Rodri anchors the midfield like he does at Manchester City with Pedri and Fabian Ruiz playing ahead of him, feeding the wingers and breaking into the box.
Ruiz has been particularly impressive, scoring and assisting in two of his three games and having eight shots – the most of any midfielder. He does his fair share of dirty work too, winning possession the second-most at the tournament (29).
There would be no shame in Kroos’ illustrious career ending against this opposition. He is playing well enough to stop it from happening though.
David Richardson
Spain have been enjoying the calm before the storm.
With three tournament wins each, they and Germany are the most successful nations in European Championship history, but the prospect of Friday’s showdown was put on the backburner this week as De la Fuente took his squad out to the tranquil setting of the Black Forest.
Blocking out a growing cacophony surrounding the exploits of their enterprising young wingers will prove difficult, however.
The 4-1 victory over Georgia was the first time since Italy were hammered 4-0 in the Euro 2012 final that Spain have won a knockout-stage game in normal time at a major tournament, but the reason they have now been installed as favourites of this edition is down in large part to two young men.
Lamine Yamal was heavily tipped to shine over the course of the month but Nico Williams’ star has reached new heights. His performances have already reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea, although Spanish publication SPORT claims the Athletic Bilbao winger would prefer a move to Barcelona.
“They are playing at a very high level,” Mikel Oyarzabal said of the pair. “They’re making a difference for us and that’s positive for the team. They’re different, it’s getting more and more difficult to find players like them. They’re young, they’re fearless, they’re going to do what they have to no matter the rival.”
Germany have Musiala – the joint-top scorer on three goals – and Florian Wirtz to call on, so this is also the clash of the wonderkids. Spain will look to their two precocious wide talents to deliver another display full of skill and swagger.
Ben Grounds
The best forwards in the world on either side, France vs Portugal has all the makings of being a classic fixture. Or does it?
Incredibly, a France player is still yet to score from open play in this tournament so far. Les Bleus’ top scorer at this Euros is ‘Own Goal’ with two.
Portugal, meanwhile, are not much better. They come into this game having failed to score in the last two and have statistically the most wasteful player in the tournament so far in their talisman and captain.
Cristiano Ronaldo has produced the most shots in the tournament so far with 20, but is still yet to score. His negative xG differential of -2.75 is the worst record in the competition too. Second in the list is France’s Antoine Griezmann, who is also without a goal despite producing 1.92 of xG.
With Kylian Mbappe also showing signs of wastefulness, both teams could do with getting their shooting boots on – as the games are getting bigger and the margins are getting smaller.
Sam Blitz
France’s goal stats are not the sort you would associate with potential champions, but at the other end of the pitch, their extremely robust defence – which has conceded just one goal, a penalty from Robert Lewandowski – gives them every chance.
At the heart of that defence is a player that many did not even expect to start at this tournament.
Didier Deschamps was expected to start Dayot Upamecano alongside Ibrahima Konte at the heart of the France defence, but William Saliba finally got his chance, won over Deschamps and is starring for Les Blues, who are yet to concede from open play at the tournament.
This will not be a surprise for Arsenal supporters and watchers of the Premier League. Saliba has been a vital cog in Mikel Arteta’s side over the past two season. His injury towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign was pushed by many as a reason for the Gunners’ failure to get over the line and win the Premier League title.
He has now transferred his club form to the national stage and his performance up against Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku in the last 16 was Saliba at his dominating best. He showed every one of the qualities he possesses up against the physical Lukaku.
He won everything in the air, showed he was up for the physical battle, read the game superbly and on the ball, his passing was superb. Lukaku, a thorn in the side of so many over the years, never had a sniff.
A new challenge now awaits Saliba with Ronaldo next up to battle the 23-year-old, but it would be no shock to see France’s surprise package shackle Portugal’s talisman and lead France into the last four.
Oliver Yew
Frustration in front of goal has been the main theme of France and Portugal’s Euro 2024 as both sides gear up to face each other in Hamburg.
Those struggles in front of goal have best been summed up by the off-colour displays of the two country’s captains, Mbappe and Ronaldo, giants of the game who have scored just once between them so far in the tournament and even that was a penalty from the France forward.
Mbappe, who joins Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, six years after Ronaldo departed the Santiago Bernabeu, has scored 48 goals in 82 appearances for Les Bleus and a mind-boggling 256 times in just 308 appearances before leaving the French capital.
After breaking his nose in France’s opening group-stage win over Austria, though, Mbappe has since been required to wear a protective mask over his face, something his manager Didier Deschamps says he is still “getting used to”.
And if France are to get their hands back on the Henri Delaunay Trophy for the first time since 2000, you feel their masked man will need to start firing up front, starting against a Portugal team whose own main man has also been misfiring in attack in Germany this summer.
Ronaldo’s 20 efforts on goal for the 2016 champions are more than any other player in the tournament and the 39-year-old has failed to find the net as yet.
That includes an extra-time penalty saved by Slovenia’s Jan Oblak on Monday night, though a tearful Ronaldo did score in the shootout that followed.
Ronaldo has already confirmed to O Jogo this “is, without doubt, my last Euros” and having scored in every one of the other tournaments he has featured in, the forward will be desperate to continue that run against France in what could come down to a battle between one former Real great and a potential future Madrid star.
Richard Morgan
Why England must be wary of dark horses Switzerland
Switzerland are without question the tournament’s dark horses. They have mustered just 46 attempts at goal, with Saturday’s opponents England the only team to register less shots than them at Euro 2024 (45).
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s passes (1,543 completed of 1,872) and completion percentage (82.4) are the lowest of the eight quarter-finalists and they are also the only remaining team with less than 50 per cent possession in their games so far (46.8).
But they are undefeated and have proved their credentials at this tournament, earning wins against Hungary and well-fancied Italy. Bologna striker Dan Ndoye could be one for England to watch, with the 23-year-old enhancing his burgeoning reputation with a goal against host nation Germany.
Dev Trehan
Having arrived at Fenerbahce aged just 13, Arda Guler was hailed as the ‘Turkish Messi’. At Euro 2024, he is making a name for himself.
The start to his Real Madrid career was blighted by a knee injury, but he returned stronger to become the youngest player to score on their European Championship debut with his goal-of-the-tournament contender in Turkey’s opening group game against Georgia – breaking a record held by Ronaldo.
There is a self-confidence and maturity to Guler behind his restless, indomitable will to win on the grandest stage. Through the heavy rain, the hostility and the hailstorm of beer cups, it was 19-year-old who conducted a masterpiece in how to embrace the pressure against Austria.
Head coach Vincenzo Montella said it took ‘soul’ to reach the last eight, and with their partisan supporters now descending on Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate will be painted red. The momentum is reminiscent of how Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.
One of Turkey’s greatest strengths is an intangible, unrelenting energy from the stands, but their 18 yellow cards to date is only one shy of a tournament record. Montella will look to Guler to provide a calming influence.
With Xavi Simons playing so well centrally for the Netherlands against Romania, this quarter-final could again demonstrate how Germany ’24 has been the Championship owned by the next generation of playmakers before their time.
Ben Grounds
Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo heads into Saturday night’s quarter-final clash with Turkey in Berlin as the joint-leading goalscorer at Euro 2024, although that will not come as any surprise to Liverpool fans.
That is because Gakpo also finished last season in impressive form for Jurgen Klopp’s side and was one of the few standout players in the stuttering end to the Reds’ league campaign, contributing two goals and two assists in their last six Premier League games.
The 25-year-old has continued where he left off for Liverpool, scoring three and assisting another in the Oranje’s passage through to the last eight, meaning he and Musiala, who also has three goals to his name, are the favourites to win the tournament’s Golden Boot.
Gakpo has been a real threat so far at the Euros cutting in from his starting position on the left-hand side of the Netherlands’ front three, from where he has scored all his goals, including a 121km-per-hour strike that flew past Romania goalkeeper Florin Nita at his near post to open the scoring in Tuesday’s last-16 win in Munich.
All of which means Gakpo has now joined former greats Johnny Rep (1974 and 1978 World Cups) and Dennis Bergkamp (Euro 1992 and World Cups in 1994 and 1998) as just the third Netherlands international to score three or more goals in two major tournaments after also netting three times at the 2022 World Cup.
In fact, across the past two international tournaments, the only European with more goals than Gakpo’s six in nine games is Mbappe, who has nine in 10 matches.
Richard Morgan
Euro 2024 has reached the knockout phase; listen to our podcast for all the major talking points during the tournament, with expert analysis from our Sky Sports News reporters on the ground, as well as from a whole host of big-name pundits and former players
The top stories and transfer rumours from Thursday’s newspapers…
THE SUN
Manchester United will listen to offers for Marcus Rashford after the breakdown of his relationship with Erik ten Hag.
Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is set to complete his £40m move to Manchester United once the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 campaign is over.
Jude Bellingham may not know until Friday if he will be cleared to play in England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
DAILY MIRROR
Al Nassr are ready to pay Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson north of £50m over two years.
Nottingham Forest defender Murillo has admitted that he could hold talks with the club’s owners amid links with Chelsea.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are primed for more interest in defender Max Kilman after receiving offers from West Ham and Napoli.
Tottenham have offered Djed Spence around after failing to agree a fee with Genoa.
West Ham are battling to keep England starlet Chinaza Nwosu.
DAILY STAR
German police are on red alert ahead of a potential semi-final clash between England and Turkey at Euro 2024.
DAILY MAIL
England have explored a three-at-the-back system ahead of Saturday’s crunch Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi-Lokonga has agreed a move to Sevilla following the end of his loan spell at Luton.
Willian has turned down an initial contract offer from Fulham amid major interest from Saudi Arabia.
Several members of Sheffield United Women’s team have not been told whether they are wanted for the upcoming season, despite the club being due to start pre-season training.
Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Euro 2024 will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last major tournament with Portugal.
DAILY EXPRESS
Tottenham are reportedly keeping tabs on Kyle Walker-Peters in what would be a surprise reunion.
The legendary Manny Pacquiao has been backed by the WBC to make his return to the boxing ring – nearly four years on from hanging up his gloves.
Dan Evans hit out at the officials for insisting he continued to play on an ‘unsafe’ court after he crashed out of Wimbledon on Wednesday.
THE ATHLETIC
Avram Glazer, a part owner of Manchester United and a member of the Glazer family who retain a majority stake in the club, has failed in a bid to become the controlling shareholder of NWSL side Angel City.
Manchester United are considering using St George’s Park as a temporary base for their women’s team after the men’s team relocated to the women’s building during renovation work at Carrington.
THE I
Manchester United’s move for Bayern Munich’s Matthijs de Ligt is progressing quickly as the club begin making moves in the transfer market.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Chelsea are considering signing another short-term front-of-shirt sponsor with the club wary of agreeing a multi-year deal while they are out of the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s heart-rate data during Portugal’s penalty shoot-out win over Slovenia has been made public by the maker of a wearable device with whom he has partnered.
DAILY RECORD
Rangers are reportedly weighing up a move for Le Havre midfielder Oussama Targhalline – with the French Ligue 1 side desperate to keep a hold of their Moroccan midfield star.
Todd Cantwell was offered to Italian side Lecce by former Liverpool star turned agent Jose Enrique with the move shared online after the Spaniard sent the message to the wrong person.
Celtic have been offered the chance to sign former Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi.
SCOTTISH SUN
Norwich City have kicked out Celtic’s opening £4m bid for Adam Idah and want around £7m for the striker, following his successful Parkhead loan last term.
Former Rangers starlet Robbie Ure has earned himself a major new deal with European giants Anderlecht.
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Celtic have made an approach to sign Adam Idah from Norwich City on a permanent basis this summer.
The striker joined Brendan Rodgers’ side on loan in the winter window and scored nine goals in 19 games – including their Scottish Cup final winner against Rangers – as Celtic added to their Premiership title success.
Sky Sports News revealed in January there was no option-to-buy clause in the loan deal, but, speaking in May, Rodgers made it clear he was keen to keep the 23-year-old at the club this summer.
“He’s been the real catalyst for us,” said Rodgers after their Scottish Cup final win. “I knew what I was getting, he’s fast and dynamic and has strength.
“What he’s shown since coming in is he is a goalscorer. Great headers, great movement in the box.
“He’s been absolutely immense for us and he’s clearly someone I would like to do something with.”
When discussing Celtic’s summer transfer targets, Sky Sports’ Chris Sutton told Sky Sports News last week: “There’s still a lot of work for Celtic to do over the summer, but Brendan Rodgers will feel he’s got his feet under the table again and feel like he’s in a stronger position than he was last season.
“He needs a goalkeeper, Joe Hart was brilliant for three seasons and he will be a big miss and big gloves to fill. That centre-forward position as well. Adam Idah came in January and really did well. I’d be surprised if they weren’t trying to do a deal, but Norwich City with their new manager will want to keep him.
“They certainly need to strengthen in that centre-forward position and hold onto Matt O’Riley as well. If they want to do well in Europe next season they have to hold on to their best players.
“I always think Celtic should do their business early in the transfer window, they dawdled last summer and I just wonder why there is a delay in this transfer window.”
When asked last week if Celtic could make moves for Idah or fellow loanee Paulo Bernardo this summer, assistant John Kennedy told Sky Sports News on Thursday: “Again, there are a lot of conversations taking place as we come back for pre-season and hopefully in the coming weeks some things will start to happen.
“There are a lot of plates spinning and a lot of work to be done.”
The 2024 summer transfer window is now open and will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Sky Sports has announced the Sky Bet EFL fixtures to be shown live on Sky Sports and Sky Sports+ in August and September, with every EFL club featuring at least three times.
For the period up until the end of September every EFL team will have an opening weekend fixture, a Carabao Cup tie and at least one regular weekend fixture screened live on Sky Sports.
Included in the selections are two Lancashire derbies in the Championship, with Blackburn travelling to Burnley on Saturday August 31 – kick-off 12.30pm – with Rovers then heading to Preston on Sunday September 22 – kick-off 12pm.
On Saturday August 17, Sky Sports will show the Championship clash between last season’s League One champions Portsmouth and Luton at Fratton Park – kick-off 12.30pm.
In League One, Birmingham host Wrexham in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Monday September 16 – kick-off 8pm.
And Bromley’s first-ever home game in the EFL is set for live coverage against AFC Wimbledon in League Two on Saturday August 17 – kick-off 12.30pm.
The EFL season begins with four games on Friday August 9 and every game across the opening weekend of the Championship, League One and League Two will be streamed live on Sky Sports+, a landmark first in broadcasting history.
Prior to the start of the new EFL season, all TV selections will be confirmed for the period up to the FA Cup third round in early January 2025.
This is a landmark commitment, providing fans and clubs up to five months’ notice, an increase from the five weeks’ notice given across the majority of last season.
Across the course of the season, more than 1,000 EFL games will be broadcast on Sky Sports+ with every team featuring more than 20 times, at no extra cost to Sky Sports subscribers.
Everything you need to know about watching YOUR EFL team on Sky this season…
Every single League One and League Two team will be featured live on Sky at least 20 times next season.
And every one of the 24 Championship clubs will be live on Sky at least 24 times.
Matches will be broadcast live across existing Sky Sports channels or on the brand new Sky Sports+ (more on that below!)
This will effectively replace the EFL’s domestic streaming option provided via iFollow and club streaming services.
Launching this August, Sky Sports+ will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app – giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost.
With the capability to show up to 100 live events via concurrent streams, Sky Sports+ makes it easier for fans to find and watch their team.
No!
Customers with a full Sky Sports subscription won’t need to do a thing.
Once live, Sky Sports+ will simply drop into the existing Sky experience, across Sky Glass, Sky Stream, Sky Q, and NOW.
The revamped Sky Sports app will also become the ultimate home of sports streaming on mobile devices with Sky Sports+ streams accessible directly from the app.
Download the Sky Sports app now:
For instant, contract-free access to all Sky Sports channels, non-Sky subscribers can purchase a NOW Sports Day or Month Membership.
From August, this will also include every single live Sky Sports+ stream and on demand catch-up content.
Each full weekend of EFL fixtures will see 10 live matches shown – including three Championship, two League One and two League Two matches all broadcast live at 12:30pm on Saturdays.
All opening weekend, final day, and midweek fixtures in the EFL will be shown live, as will all games played on Bank Holidays including Easter, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
The matches played in League One and League Two during international breaks will also be available live.
For the first time ever, fans will be also able to watch every match from the Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
While some matches will be rescheduled for broadcast purposes, the majority of fixtures won’t be moved.
All live matches selected for broadcast up to the FA Cup third Round in January 2025 will be communicated before the start of the season.
Greater parity in the number of times that clubs are selected for TV coverage is also guaranteed.
Arsenal are interested in Bologna and Italy centre-back Riccardo Calafiori as the Gunners look to strengthen in the defensive areas this summer.
Arsenal are yet to make a formal approach for Calafiori with the 22-year-old one of a number of players the north London side are looking at.
Calafiori played every minute of the Euro 2024 group stages for Italy but was suspended for the Azzurri’s round of 16 defeat to Switzerland.
The defender’s impressive displays in Germany were a bright spot in the holders’ disappointing exit from the competition.
Calafiori also played a key role in helping his club side Bologna qualify for next season’s Champions League for the first time as they finished fifth in Serie A.
The ex-Roma player has three years left on his Bologna contract.
Sevilla are in talks with Arsenal over the signing of midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga.
While a permanent sale at the right price is understood to be the preferred option for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s side are open to a loan with an option or obligation to buy.
The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Luton and has two years left on his contract, and there is a willingness from all parties to get a deal done.
Arsenal will start their 2024/25 Premier League season at home to Wolves on Saturday August 17.
The Gunners then face a trip to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and a home clash with Brighton before visiting Tottenham on September 14 for the first north London derby of the season. The return fixture with Spurs at the Emirates is on January 14.
Mikel Arteta’s side’s first game with last season’s title rivals and champions Manchester City comes within the first five games of the campaign on September 21 at the Etihad, with the reverse fixture at the Emirates on February 1.
Over Christmas, the Gunners are at home to newly-promoted Ipswich on Boxing Day before travelling across London to face Brentford on December 29. In March, the Gunners face a trip to Man Utd before a home game against Chelsea.
The Gunners end the season away at Southampton on May 25, after visiting Anfield on May 10 and hosting Newcastle for their final home game on May 18.
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League and Scottish Premiership is officially open.
The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and at 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Fifty-seven, missed. Fifty-eight, missed. Fifty-nine, missed. Sixty, missed. Maybe time to let someone else have a go Cristiano?
Far be it from any journalist to tell arguably Portugal’s best-ever player – scratch that, perhaps the world’s best – what to do.
But Cristiano Ronaldo’s unwavering self-belief in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary is the elephant in the stadium at this point.
Another four free-kick shots against Slovenia on Monday night, none scored. No question over who was taking each set-piece and, although his team-mates humoured the idea he might cross this one, there was no question where it was ending up.
But the 39-year-old’s eye-opening record of one goal out of 60 attempts from dead-balls is a sideshow. It dates back two decades. Eric Dier has a better track record at international tournaments, but you would still rather have Ronaldo up front.
The six-time Ballon d’Or winner deserves better than to be the figure of fun he is becoming, the ironic question of ‘who’s going to take this, then?’ every time a Portugal player is fouled within shooting distance of the opposition box, although impossibly wide angles are not out of the question either.
His extraordinary legacy is in no danger but, at what he has now admitted will be his final Euros, this is not how Portugal’s favourite son is meant to bow out.
The free-kick stats make for good memes, but his impact on Portugal’s hopes are a greater problem. Neither he nor his country can move on from his glory days, like a crooner returning for one encore too many.
Even in his 11th major tournament he remains the man Portugal build their side around, but, unlike most of the previous 10, there is little justification or reward.
He has scored in each of those other tournaments, driving his country on to reach four semi-finals and two finals across 20 years. In most he was either on the rise or at his world-leading pomp, far from the shadow of himself he is now.
The aged, limited Ronaldo has registered an xG at Euro 2024 more than three times that of anyone else in the Portugal squad. He would still be comfortably ahead if he had not missed a penalty in that last-16 win over Slovenia.
By the time that game had finished, he had racked up more shots across the tournament than Scotland. Even they managed to score twice, while he searches in vain to continue his clean sweep. He has had five more shots than any other player in Germany.
The tears streaming down his face after that penalty miss masked a pain deeper than a man dwelling on that squandered spot-kick. He has already blanked twice from the spot in previous tournaments.
It was the reaction of a man who somewhere, begrudgingly, is slowly coming to a realisation already obvious to the outside world that he cannot quite cut it any more.
There were jokes that he might still turn out as a 43-year-old at the next Euros, made with a hint of earnestness – he is the epitome of a man who does not know when he is done. But even he acknowledged his own mortality after Monday’s game by admitting for the first time this will be his swan-song.
“It is, without doubt, my last Euros,” he told O Jogo before offering an insight into his tears. “I don’t get emotional about that, I get emotional about everything that football involves.”
“I will always give my best for this shirt, whether I fail or not,” he later added.
That honesty, and those tears, have followed a tournament of growing despair to this point. All the way back to facing the Czech Republic in their opening game, when he missed a number of chances and saw his assist for a Diogo Jota goal ruled out for offside when he timed his run too early.
He is the only outfield player to have started all four matches, but by the time of facing Slovenia the frustration had got too much. The spring absent from his jump to meet two Bernardo Silva crosses he would have buried for most of his career. The terrible free-kicks. The penalty. The weak shot which should have won it late on but was easily saved.
The calls for Ronaldo to sit out Friday’s quarter-final with France will only get louder for it. Fernando Santos took him out for the World Cup last-16 game with Switzerland in 2022, and replacement Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win.
But the PSG forward has played only 24 minutes in Germany so far, while Roberto Martinez shows no signs of following his predecessor in dropping the figurehead of his country.
“He’s a constant example for us,” Martinez said on Monday evening. “I thank him for being the way he is, for caring for the group, for being someone after missing a penalty that he was the first penalty-taker (in the shoot-out).
“I was certain he had to be the first penalty-taker and show us the way to the victory.”
Ronaldo’s confidence in picking himself up to take that first spot-kick in Portugal’s shoot-out win was admirable.
But if Portugal are to beat France in a rematch of their 2016 final triumph, with Martinez’s blessing Ronaldo will need a touch of his old trademark magic rather than what he has shown so far.
If such a thing still exists.