عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

The in-Form Players who Can Freshen up the England Squad

Liverpool’s Joe Gomez (L). (Getty Images)
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez (L). (Getty Images)
TT
TT

The in-Form Players who Can Freshen up the England Squad

Liverpool’s Joe Gomez (L). (Getty Images)
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez (L). (Getty Images)

Gareth Southgate knows expectations will be on the rise after England fell back in love with its national team at the World Cup. With both Gary Cahill and Jamie Vardy stepping aside from international football last week, two of the three 30-somethings who traveled to Russia have made way for the next generation of talent. Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho – both 18 – could be included in the squad for the upcoming fixtures against Spain and Switzerland, but there are also plenty of first-team Premier League players who will be hoping to force their way into Southgate’s plans.

Joe Gomez, 21
This is something of a no-brainer for the England manager. Gomez only missed the World Cup through injury and he has returned to full fitness in fine form this season. The 21-year-old has played every minute for Liverpool so far this season alongside Virgil van Dijk and he impressed in his last showing with England against Brazil on the right of the back three. The youngster is clearly comfortable with Southgate’s approach of passing out from the back, having completed 89.7 percent of his 77.7 passes per game for Liverpool so far this season.

Luke Shaw, 23
It has been a difficult start to the season for Manchester United, but Shaw has been their best player. He scored his first ever career goal against Leicester in the opening game of the season, which was enough to give United all three points. While the result was bitterly disappointing against Tottenham, the 23-year-old was again United’s top performer. He has made more tackles than any of his teammates so far. The young full-back seems to have his confidence back.

James Tarkowski, 25
Tarkowski was initially included in Gareth Southgate’s standby list for the World Cup and will will hope to go one better this week. Gary Cahill’s retirement has also opened up a spot for a physical defender. Still only 25, the center-back has enjoyed a decent start to the campaign, scoring twice, though Burnley have been uncharacteristically fragile at the back, perhaps owing to their Europa League exertions. That said, Tarkowski leads the league for clearances (29) after three matches, and has been typically dominant in the air, winning 21 of his 24 duels (87.5 percent).

Ben Chilwell, 21
Now unquestionably Claude Puel’s first-choice left-back at Leicester, Chilwell will be hoping to catch Southgate’s eye this season. He has certainly made an encouraging start to the campaign. His is willing to support attacks so would fit a wing-back role well. He has created four chances and completed five dribbles in his three appearances and seems to have worked on his upper body strength to ensure he isn’t bullied by forwards. The 21-year-old is part of an exciting crop of young talent at Leicester.

Demarai Gray, 22
Another player who has established himself as a first-team regular under Puel, Gray’s understanding with Chilwell down the left-flank has been very encouraging. The 22-year-old will be hoping for further progress this season having been eased into the side since joining the club from Birmingham City in 2016. The winger has completed more dribbles than any other player in the Premier League so far (10) and opened his account for the season in the 2-1 win at Southampton.

Will Hughes, 23
Hughes was tipped as one of the country’s rising stars when he broke into the Derby first team as a teenager, but he hasn’t yet hit the heights many expected. This could be the year he makes a name for himself in the Premier League. The midfielder has made a strong impression so far at Watford, starting every game. He scored against Burnley in the second of Watford’s three consecutive victories and has made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League.

Callum Wilson, 26
Wilson, another player who excelled in the Championship but has never reproduced that level of consistency in the Premier League, has also started the season looking sharper than ever before. Injuries have restricted him to just 48 starts and a modest return of 19 goals in the last three seasons, but he has played every minute of the new campaign, scoring twice and setting up one goal while ranking fourth for shots (14).

The Guardian Sport

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

England, Ghana Eye Last 32 as Portugal Look for Lift-off

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
TT
TT

England, Ghana Eye Last 32 as Portugal Look for Lift-off

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP

England will aim to become the latest of the World Cup big guns to book their place in the knockout rounds on Tuesday as Portugal attempt to kickstart their campaign after a lackluster opening draw.

A day after Argentina and France sailed into the last 32, England face Ghana in Group L knowing that victory will see them safely into the next phase of the tournament, said AFP.

England launched their campaign last week with a stylish 4-2 win over Croatia, a result that has given the Three Lions camp fresh belief as they chase a first major championship win in 60 years.

With captain Harry Kane scoring twice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham netting, England midfielder Declan Rice believes Thomas Tuchel's squad should be a match for any team in the tournament.

Rice said Monday the challenge for England will be reproducing the swashbuckling attacking display that marked their second-half performance against Croatia.

"We know as players the level, we know what's required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level," Rice said.

"We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world.

"We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch."

England's German manager Tuchel meanwhile says his team are already embracing the pressure that comes with a World Cup campaign.

"There are emotions involved and you can at some point feel the tension and feel the pressure. I hope we can cope with it, accept it and turn it around," Tuchel said.

"I heard also a lot about it and I feel of course the excitement and the pressure, but I feel that we have so many winners and so many players who are experienced to cope with the pressure."

England though will be wary of the threat posed by Ghana's Antoine Semenyo, the London-born Manchester City winger who is the focal point of the Black Stars attack.

Ghana, 1-0 winners over Panama in their opener last week, can also qualify for the knockout rounds on Tuesday with a victory at Foxborough, just outside Boston.

- Portugal chase response -

Elsewhere, Portugal will attempt to draw a line under a turbulent first week of the tournament when they take on Uzbekistan in Houston.

Portugal arrived at the World Cup as one of the tournament favorites, boasting a team studded with flair players and spearheaded by veteran Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.

But Ronaldo's leaden performance in a faltering 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo renewed debate about the captain's place in the starting line-up.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has continued to offer staunch support of his 41-year-old captain, despite his failure to score in his last 10 matches at major tournaments.

"He's a good example for us, for all of us," Martinez said of Ronaldo.

"So he really wants to keep on improving, to contribute to the team, and he's really a role model for our team."

Martinez though stopped short of confirming Ronaldo will start against Uzbekistan when asked by reporters on Monday, saying he had not informed his players of the lineup.

Martinez said the disappointment Portugal felt after drawing with the DRC will be motivation against Uzbekistan, who are playing at a World Cup for the first time and will be heavy underdogs.

"The feeling of frustration that we all had as a team, the feeling of disappointment after the game, probably that's the best starting point to prepare for the next game," said the Spaniard.

Sports

Marquez Extends with Ducati Until 2028

Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (L) competes to win the MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)
Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (L) competes to win the MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)
TT
TT

Marquez Extends with Ducati Until 2028

Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (L) competes to win the MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)
Team Ducati Lenovo Team's Marc Marquez (L) competes to win the MotoGP Grand Prix of Czechia in Brno, Czech Republic, on June 21, 2026. (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP)

Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez has extended his contract with Ducati until 2028, the Italian manufacturer said on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Spaniard joined Ducati in 2024 and made a remarkable comeback the next year, winning his seventh MotoGP championship at the Japanese Grand Prix — his first since 2019.

This season began with a series of injuries, but Marquez soon returned to top form. ⁠He secured his 100th ⁠career victory across all classes with a commanding win at the Hungarian Grand Prix at Balaton Park earlier this month, less than a month after undergoing shoulder and foot surgery. He followed ⁠it up with victory at the Czech Grand Prix on Sunday.

"I'm red. I'm super happy with this new agreement with the Ducati Lenovo Team and to continue being part of this family," Reuters quoted Marquez as saying in a statement.

"With this renewal, they have once again reaffirmed this commitment, respecting my times and giving me the peace of ⁠mind ⁠I needed to make the right decision."

Marquez heads into this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix trailing championship leader Marco Bezzecchi by 40 points.

"I continue to compete because I love this sport and I want to achieve even more ambitious goals. I'm convinced this is the right place to do it. As long as I'm here, I'll give my all to paint the future red," he said.

Sports

Jordan Coach Proud of Players Despite Early World Cup Exit

Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
TT
TT

Jordan Coach Proud of Players Despite Early World Cup Exit

Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami reacts after their loss in the World Cup Group J soccer match between Jordan and Algeria in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)

‌Jordan coach Jamal Sellami said his players' inexperience may have cost them in a 2-1 defeat by Algeria at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Monday, but he was proud of their World Cup campaign despite their early exit.

Jordan bowed out of their first World Cup after consecutive defeats in Group ‌J. They ‌lost 3-1 to Austria in ‌their ⁠opener.

"The Algerian team ⁠did some substitutions that might have made a difference. They had a very tall offensive player ... I think our lack of experience allowed them to score from two corner kicks when ⁠we were waiting to make our ‌own substitutions with ‌the cooling break," Sellami said.

"Generally speaking, we had a ‌great match, and we should be proud ‌of our performance. Very first experience in the World Cup, we were better than the first match," he added.

"Now for us facing Argentina ‌is an opportunity. It's an opportunity for us to perform well ⁠and ⁠leave a great mark worthy of Jordanian football," he remarked.

Sellami, who is Moroccan, said Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein had visited the players' dressing room after the match and offered them congratulations. "Whenever you lose, there is always a negative feeling you're not in the best state of mind as the players that they have shown, but his words were a tonic for their spirit."