Stories By Graham Ruthven

• Sport

  Gareth Southgate right to omit Jadon Sancho from England squad?

  “There are other attacking players in our squad who are ahead of him in our opinion,” Gareth Southgate reasoned when asked to explain why Jadon Sancho had been omitted from his England squad. “Jadon in the last few weeks his performances have improved but it is an area of the pitch where we have competition for places.

• Sport

  Luka Modric getting even better with age

  Even as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face, Luka Modric stands as the only player to have disrupted their dominance of the Ballon d’Or over the last 15 years. Indeed, the Croatian midfielder won football’s most prestigious individual prize in 2018 after a series of eye-catching performances for club and country that year.

• Sport

  Gareth Southgate can’t afford to gamble on Harry Maguire

  From the moment Manchester United made Harry Maguire the most expensive defender in history, the centre back has had a target on his back. Unfortunately for him, Maguire has recently given his critics plenty of ammunition to aim his way with the United captain currently enduring an extremely difficult individual season.

• Sport

  Is Frank Lampard the right man for Everton’s relegation battle?

  Even as Frank Lampard took charge of an Everton team that had won just once in 13 matches, sights were set on the upper echelons of the Premier League. Now, though, the realisation has come crashing down on the Goodison Park club that they are in the midst of a relegation fight.

• Sport

  The Old Firm rivalry is finally competitive again

  There have been some great title races at the top of Scottish football but not for over a decade. Indeed, the 2010/11 season was the last time Celtic and Rangers finished within touching distance of each other at the top of the table.

• Sport

  Pochettino and Ten Haag should avoid chaotic Manchester United

  Ralf Rangnick was never hired to be the long-term answer to Manchester United’s problems, which is just as well given how the Old Trafford team have performed under the German coach. Instead, the idea is that Rangnick’s interim tenure will put in place the groundwork for a permanent manager to take over this summer with Erik Ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino reported to be United’s top two picks.

• Sport

  Joelinton transformation represents Newcastle progress

  The St James’ Park faithful always stood by Joelinton, but out of pity more than anything else. After all, expectations had been high when Newcastle United spent a club record transfer fee of £40m to sign the Brazilian forward from Hoffenheim in the summer window of 2019.

• Sport

  Is Jurgen Klopp building his best team yet at Liverpool?

  Jurgen Klopp quickly batted away the suggestion that Liverpool could win an historic Quadruple this season after getting his hands on the Carabao Cup on Sunday. “No team in the history of English football ever won the quadruple, right? Because it’s really difficult,” the German coach said despite his side’s strength on all fronts.

• Sport

  What will Jesse Marsch bring to Leeds United?

  The last American to coach a Premier League team lasted just 85 days in the job. Indeed, Bob Bradley’s stint in charge of Swansea City in 2016 was a fleeting one with the former USA manager unfairly mocked for the footballing dialect as much as the dreadful results his team produced.

• Sport

  Van de Beek form reflecting badly on Manchester United

  Manchester City might have collected all three points against Everton on Saturday, but they didn’t have it all their own way. Indeed, the Toffees produced a battling performance and were somewhat unfortunate not to take something from the match, not least because of a questionable non-penalty decision towards the end.

• Sport

  Wout Weghorst might take Burnley to the next level

  The loss of Chris Wood to a relegation rival as much as Burnley’s position in the Premier League table seemed to have sealed their fate. Sean Dyche’s side were stuck in 20th place and had just lost their top scorer and attacking focal point midway through the season.

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