Stories By Graham Ruthven
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Sport
Spain have the quality to go the distance this summer
Of all the teams to have played at Euro 2024 so far, Spain put down the biggest marker. Germany might have racked up the goals against Scotland on opening night, but Luis de la Fuente’s team faced higher calibre opposition in Croatia and made them look ordinary.
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Sport
Is England’s depleted defence strong enough to win Euro 2024?
It could be strongly argued that three of the best four players at Euro 2024 will be English. Indeed, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane are all proven at the elite level for club and country and could use this summer’s tournament in Germany to stake their claim as a potential Ballon d’Or winner.
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Sport
Scotland relishing opportunity to crash Germany’s party in Euro 2024 opener
26 years have passed since Scotland last opened a major tournament. That was at the 1998 World Cup when Craig Brown’s team faced defending world champions Brazil. While Scotland held their own for much of the match, they ultimately suffered a 2-1 defeat and exited the tournament at the group stage.
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Sport
A new era at Chelsea: on-field success or off-field profit?
Chelsea could have used a tranquil summer for once. Instead, they hired their fourth manager in two seasons by confirming the appointment of Enzo Maresca on Monday and look set for yet another frantic transfer window with several homegrown players, including Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah, believed to be up for sale.
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