Stories By Harry De Cosemo

• Sport

  Joelinton signs new contract at Newcastle

  Last season, when Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League, Brazilian midfielder Joelinton played 32 league games, missing just six. Hollywood might call his turnaround on Tyneside too idealistic.

• Sport

  Rodrigo Muniz has emerged as the newest star at Fulham

  When Aleksandar Mitrovic departed Fulham in the summer, manager Marco Silva was far from happy. His talisman, top scorer and most consistent performer, who had lit up Craven Cottage since his arrival from Newcastle in 2018, left rather acrimoniously for Saudi Arabia.

• Sport

  England named favourites for Euro 2024

  England have been named as the favourites for Euro 2024, and looking at the squad, it’s easy to see why. Having lost in the final three years ago, when the last tournament was delayed by the Covid pandemic, it now feels like the time to expect success from one of the best young groups of players seen for many years.

• Sport

  Manchester United – Is Gareth Southgate the right choice?

  Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of 25% of Manchester United and control of the football operations, could lead to a reunion at Old Trafford. His right hand man, Sir Dave Brailsford, is currently being tasked with building the team to take the club forward.

• Sport

  Ben White should not be criticised for declining to play for England

  To many people, Ben White has committed the cardinal sin. England manager Gareth Southgate, told the gathered media at his latest squad announcement that the Arsenal defender made it clear he didn’t want to be involved.

• Sport

  In-form Nunez could be a deciding factor against Man City

  Comparing Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland always felt like a mismatch, but in the summer of 2022 the pair were intrinsically linked. They were the men Liverpool and Manchester City, the Premier League’s two title favourites, chose to spearhead their attacks as they looked to reinvent themselves somewhat.

• Sport

  Where has it gone wrong for Ansu Fati?

  Barcelona had such high hopes for Ansu Fati. At the height of their financial crisis, which still looms large to this day, they had to turn inwards to their greatest weapon, La Masía, their young academy.

• Sport

  Newcastle lose sporting director to Manchester United

  This wasn’t in the script. When Newcastle United were taken over by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium in October 2021, there was a sense that a dynasty could be in the offing. Depending on your definition, the new era signalled either the awakening or creation on a footballing powerhouse.

• Sport

  Mbappe’s transfer story has become tiresome for many

  Finally, now, everybody can move on, can’t they? Kylian Mbappe informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will leave the club at the end of the season. But he’s been here before, we’ve been here before, so is this finally it? Mbappe is the best player in the world, but his story has become tiresome for many.

• Sport

  The introduction of Blue Cards could ruin Football

  Perhaps it is perception, but it feels as though football is making a conscious effort to change itself at its very core over the past decade or so, more so than at any other point in the modern era. The latest example of that desire to shake things up is perhaps the biggest.

• Sport

  Xavi’s time as Barcelona coach set to end with a whimper

  When Xavi Hernandez arrived at Barcelona in 2021, it was curious timing. His tenure as coach at Camp Nou was supposed to go well; it had to, for so many reasons. After announcing his departure at the end of this current season last month, there is a lingering feeling that it never felt like the right fit.

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