Stories By Graham Ruthven

• Sport

  Calafiori represents the next stage of Arteta’s evolution at Arsenal

  Anyone who watched Riccardo Calafiori at Euro 2024 saw his potential. While Italy suffered a disappointing tournament, the 22-year-old was a standout performer, drawing attention from Arsenal who are now reportedly leading the race to sign him.

• Sport

  The best under-the-radar transfers in the Premier League this summer

  The summer transfer window is open and deals are being struck across the Premier League. Manchester United have splashed the cash on Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee while Arsenal are reportedly close to landing Riccardo Calafiori.

• Sport

  Manchester United seeking a much-needed defensive rebuild

  Eight different players played in central defence for Manchester United last season. Injuries robbed the Old Trafford outfit from achieving any sort of consistency at the back and that had a direct impact on their 2023/24 season which saw United finish a lowly eighth in the Premier League table.

• Sport

  A new era of dominance for Spain?

  In the end, the best team won. England might have had their shot at glory in the final, but Spain were deserved champions of Euro 2024 as Luis de la Fuente’s side won all seven of the matches they played at the tournament.

• Sport

  Saka has been the brightest star of England’s Southgate era

  There was widespread surprise when, as England lined up for kick off against Switzerland on Saturday, Bukayo Saka took up his position on the right wing. Widespread reporting before the Euro 2024 quarter-final claimed Gareth Southgate would shift his team to a back three with wing backs, which he did, but they got wrong which side Saka would operate on.

• Sport

  Saliba is the best central defender in world football right now

  No team has conceded fewer goals at Euro 2024 than France. Indeed, Didier Deschamps’ team have picked the ball out of their own net just once and that came in Les Bleus’ final group game, when their passage through to the knockout rounds was all but assured.

• Sport

  England’s comeback highlighted why they could still win Euro 2024

  Nothing about England’s performance against Slovakia was befitting of tournament favourites. Indeed, the 120 minutes of Sunday’s round of 16 match was a slog for Gareth Southgate’s team. Until Jude Bellingham’s stoppage time equaliser, they were heading home from Euro 2024.

• Sport

  Spain are the most complete team at Euro 2024

  Spain are the only team at Euro 2024 to have won all their matches so far. Luis de la Fuente’s side have a perfect record of four wins from four games with La Roja preparing for a quarter-final showdown with Germany on Friday.

• Sport

  Nico Williams has emerged as one of the stars of Euro 2024

  This Spain is a different kind of Spain. Known for being a possession-hungry team, Luis de la Fuente has adopted a more direct approach to get the best out of his players at Euro 2024 with Nico Williams someone who has benefited from this.

• Sport

  Southgate must explore every possible option at midfield

  Gareth Southgate had some notable things to say after England’s underwhelming draw with Denmark at Euro 2024. He spoke about experimenting with Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield and his team’s inability to press from the front.

• Sport

  Germany boast two of the best players in their position anywhere in world football

  On opening night of Euro 2024, a new Germany emerged. Julian Nagelsmann has only been in charge of the national team for a matter of months, but his ideas were apparent in the way the hosts comprehensively dismantled Scotland in a 5-1 victory.

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