European Under-21s Championship: How England are lagging behind their continental competitors June 13, 2019 English football has enjoyed a bumper last 12 months. The Three Lions’ run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the all-English Champions League and Europa League finals that followed would suggest the domestic system that produced the players is in rude health. That is the picture at senior level. But look beyond [...]
Stoffel Vandoorne interview: Belgian on his Formula One nightmare, Formula E and making his Le Mans debut this week June 11, 2019 Upon joining McLaren’s junior driver programme in 2013 Stoffel Vandoorne moved a step closer to achieving the dream of every young racing driver: becoming a Formula One world champion. When he was installed as McLaren’s test driver in 2016 and then Fernando Alonso’s team-mate in 2017, it seemed that perhaps the hardest part of the [...]
Canadian Grand Prix is Ferrari’s best chance to stop Mercedes’ streak after error-ridden start to season June 6, 2019 As they head into the seventh round of the Formula One season in Canada this weekend, Ferrari are already 118 points behind rivals Mercedes in the constructors’ standings. Pre-season expectations of competing for the world championship quickly came shuddering to a halt while an engine upgrade was fast-tracked to the Spanish Grand Prix last month. [...]
Momentum with England at Nations League June 6, 2019 Hopes are high for England at the inaugural Nations League as they prepare for their semi-final against Holland in Porto on Thursday. In part that is down to the success of Premier League clubs in Europe this season, even if that effort was helped by a multitude of other nationalities. There is a sense of [...]
England looking to build on club success at last June 5, 2019 While Premier League clubs running amok in Europe this season may have lifted spirits among his squad, it has caused a headache for England manager Gareth Southgate. The problem is largely logistical, with the late arrival of Liverpool and Tottenham players to the training camp this week following their Champions League final exertions disrupting preparations [...]
Jurgen Klopp’s reliance on home advantage could cost Liverpool the Champions League May 30, 2019 If Anfield has become synonymous with magical European nights, then Jurgen Klopp is similarly linked to falling at the final hurdle. The stark fact is that, for all the entertaining football Liverpool have produced, they remain trophyless in his almost four-year tenure. The German has lost six successive finals – three at Liverpool, three at [...]
Trevor Steven: Tottenham have more to gain from Champions League win but Liverpool’s need is greater May 30, 2019 I couldn’t be any more excited about the prospect of a Champions League final between two English teams who possess all of the ingredients for wonderful, dynamic, modern football. Liverpool have stepped up another level again this season, as their astronomical Premier League points tally of 97 shows, steamrolling almost everyone in their path. They [...]
Tottenham v Liverpool: Why Champions League final could prove the tipping point for delicately balanced Spurs May 30, 2019 After the late thrill of Barcelona, the precision of Borussia Dortmund, the rollercoaster of Manchester City and, finally, the unforgettable comeback of Ajax, winning Saturday's Champions League final would cap a brilliant European campaign and provide the biggest moment in Tottenham’s history. Just as for Liverpool, success in Madrid would be the perfect conclusion to [...]
Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal: Eden Hazard seals Europa League trophy before bidding Blues farewell May 29, 2019 They don’t want him to go, but if this is goodbye it’s a sweet one from Eden Hazard. He took his time, but when the chances came to shape the Europa League final it was Chelsea’s star who shone the brightest to light up a strangely subdued and distant – in more ways than one [...]
Chris Tremlett: Solid India represent the biggest threat to home favourites England at the World Cup May 29, 2019 The World Cup begins tomorrow and as I’ve been writing for the last few months England are my favourites. The hosts have all bases covered, are peaking at the right time and know the conditions the best. However, it will be far from plain sailing for Eoin Morgan’s side, with most of the other nine [...]