Sports
Wayne Rooney Explains Why Jack Grealish Won’t Make England World Cup Squad
It was a solid enough outing for England as they brushed past Serbia in their latest World Cup qualifier, with a goal in each half from Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze enough to deliver a 2-0 victory. The Arsenal right-winger picked up the Man of the Match award in what was a largely routine win.
Thomas Tuchel will have few complaints ahead of his team’s final World Cup qualifier against Albania on Sunday, with the Three Lions securing their 2026 qualification in the previous international break. All in all, it’s been a smooth period for England of late, but that isn’t necessarily good news for one man.
Indeed, in the aftermath of the win over Serbia, Wayne Rooney has named one English Premier League star who ‘may as well book his holiday for the summer now’ because he’s got no chance of aming the World Cup squad.
Wayne Rooney Claims Jack Grealish Has No World Cup Hopes
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, England’s former captain explained why he felt recent events have as good as ended any hopes Jack Grealish had of playing at the 2026 World Cup. He said:
“Jack Grealish may as well book his holiday for the summer now because he’s not getting in the squad.
“You think Anthony Gordon dropped out and he still doesn’t get called into it, so I think Thomas Tuchel is quite set.”
Grealish has been in fine form for Everton, on loan from Manchester City, so far this season, but that wasn’t enough to land him a spot in Tuchel’s November break sqaud. The winger has not played for England for more than a year, and is yet to be called up under the German.
His most recent outing came under interim boss Lee Carsley, with Grealish actually scoring in that final appearance: a 3-1 away win against Finland in October 2024. He played three times under Carsley, scoring twice but hasn’t been able to win over new boss Tuchel.
Concerningly, the 30-year-old has impressed of late for Everton, with one goal and four Premier League assists in his first 10 outings for the club. As such, he’ll be wondering what more he can do to earn a recall.
But competition for places is very strong, and with Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford among the key names to have been given a second chance for England under Tuchel, it’s easy to see why Rooney has his doubts.
Tuchel Praised Grealish in March But Has Yet To Offer England Chance
Back in March, the England manager was full of praise for Grealish, saying: “I love Jack. I love everything about him – his personality, I love his quality, the guy has courage, he can take the heat, he is not affected if the Bernabeu whistles him.”
That said, he suggested that the winger needed more minutes before he could be considered, adding: “So is he a player who can be available and have an impact in our squad? Yes – 100 per cent. But lately he simply has no rhythm, and he knows that himself. I think Jack gets better and better the more minutes he plays. He has the character to be the glue in a team, it is easy for youngsters to attach to him.”
Having since moved on loan to Everton, and becoming a key man for the Toffees, it’s somewhat telling that Grealish has not been able to convince Tuchel that he deserves a call-up.
Sports
‘High in Their Thinking’ – Tottenham’s £45m Star Shortlisted by Rivals
Tottenham could be set for Premier League interest in one of their bright young stars this summer. Spurs are in the midst of a squad overhaul as they look to go from relegation candidates to European candidates.
Roberto De Zerbi is going to be handed big money to make changes to his squad, with the Italian likely securing promises from the Spurs higher-ups before even taking the job. Spurs have promised changes this summer after back-to-back bottom-half finishes, and they are now putting their money where their mouth is, already wrapping up four new signings in an impressively efficient window so far.
But mass signings are not always good news for existing players, and one player appears to want out.
Bergvall exit noise is not going away
One of Tottenham’s brightest young talents, Lucas Bergvall, is now being heavily linked with a move away this summer. The attacking midfielder clearly has a lot of potential to reach, described as a ‘generational talent’ by Spurs scouting chief Robert Mackenzie, but it has been reported that his route to regular first-team football is now a clear one next season.
That could leave him to leave, and amid growing transfer links, he recently refused to comment on a move, sparking more speculation.
Bergvall, who is at the World Cup with Sweden, told reporters: “As I said: I’m fully focused on the World Cup.” He added: “I’m fully focusing on the World Cup. I’m here with Sweden, and we’re going to try to make a good impression in the U.S. Whatever happens after that, we’ll deal with it then. It’s been a tough season, as I said. But now the focus is on the World Cup and being here.”
In Bergvall’s defence, ‘refusing to rule out’ a move, as it is often described, is treated similar to asking for a move by many, which doesn’t feel particularly fair. Many international players turn off all communications to the club world during an international tournament, and such an approach worked well for Spain at the last Euros.
So, in all likelihood, Bergvall is being truthful with his stance in those comments, but it doesn’t mean a move is not likely this summer. Ultimately, Spurs do have options in the number 10 role, and James Maddison is likely to be the starter there, while Xavi Simons will likely be the secondary option when he returns from injury, likely some time in the winter.
Forest could move for Bergvall this summer
If Bergvall is to leave, it is then about the possible suitors, and the Sweden international is likely to have options both in the Premier League and abroad. According to Ben Jacobs, one of the main Premier League options could be Nottingham Forest, who have the playmaker on their shortlist.
Jacobs posted on X: “Liverpool value Jones in the region of £40m, and it is unclear whether Forest are prepared to go that high. Liverpool are content to keep hold of Jones if their asking price is not met. Jones is heading into the final year of his contract but should he remain beyond this summer, talks over a new contract are not ruled out.
“Forest also have Spurs’ Lucas Bergvall high in their thinking. The Swedish midfielder has asked the club to leave as he seeks a new challenge.”
Spurs will reportedly ask for £45million to sell Bergvall this summer.
Sports
Jesse Marsch Slammed By Troy Deeney For ‘BS’ Comment After South Africa v Canada
Canada continue to make history at the 2026 World Cup, beating South Africa 1-0 to progress to the round of 16.
A relatively uneventful match looked like it was heading for extra time, before Stephen Eustaquio’s 92nd-minute goal sealed victory for Jesse Marsch’s side and broke South African hearts in the process.
They had already made it further than any other Canadian team at the World Cup when they made it out of Group B and into the knockout phase, and they’ve gone one step further, with Marsch quick to praise his side and brand them “Canadian heroes.”
Troy Deeney Questions Marsch’s “Free Hit” Mentality
Troy Deeney gave a scathing assessment of Marsch’s choice of words, taking aim at the suggestion that Canada’s last-16 tie is a “free hit,” rather than a genuine shot at progression.
Speaking on CBS Sports, the former Watford and Birmingham City striker said:
“Are we here to try and win? So that means we can lose 10-nil?”
It’s a fair question to raise, given the message it could send to a Canada squad who have already made history simply by reaching this stage of the tournament. Deeney went further, saying: “If that’s the case, go and have a beer now.”
Marcelo Balboa was equally unconvinced by Marsch’s framing, branding it a “bad message” to send to his players ahead of such a significant fixture. The former USMNT defender’s concern centres on the idea that labelling a knockout tie as a “free hit” risks lowering the stakes in players’ minds, regardless of the intention behind it.
Watch more of Deeney’s criticism below:
What’s Next For Canada and Jesse Marsch?
Canada now know they’ll face either Morocco or the Netherlands, FIFA’s sixth and seventh ranked nations, for a place in the quarter-finals, a daunting assignment by anyone’s standards.
While Marsch’s comments may have been designed to take the pressure off his squad and encourage them to play with freedom, there’s a risk that framing the game as a “free hit” could have the opposite effect, subtly lowering ambitions at the exact moment Canada require their players to be fully focused on the job at hand.
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It continues a tournament in which Marsch’s man-management style has split opinion, with many likening his somewhat performative approach to the popular TV series, Ted Lasso. Whether his words inspire Canada to another famous result, or end up undermining their belief before kick-off, will be proved in just a handful of days.
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Man Utd Battling Arsenal in Race for World Cup Wonderkid
Manchester United are reportedly battling it out with Arsenal for one of South America’s most promising talents.
Both the Red Devils and the Gunners have focused on building squads with the future in mind in past transfer windows. Take, for example, United poaching Ayden Heaven from the North Londoners back in February 2025.
United are continuing to target youngsters who can develop into top talent. The latest teenage prospect to be placed on the club’s shortlist is Mexican sensation Gilberto Mora.
Man Utd and Arsenal Among Clubs Eyeing Mora
According to Mexican outlet El Universal, Manchester United and Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Mora in action during the World Cup. The Club Tijuana attacking midfielder has appeared twice for Mexico, including an impressive showing in a 3-0 win over Czechia.
Mora, only 17, is already featuring for his country on the biggest stage, and he’s tipped to become a superstar. It’s said that English interest in the playmaker has increased during the tournament.
At club level, he is making a name for himself, and he registered six goals and one assist in 20 games across competitions for Tijuana. His profile has been likened to that of Kevin De Bruyne, a superb passer who can dictate games with his impressive dribbling.
Mora made his club debut at the age of 16 and became the youngest ever goalscorer in Mexico’s top-flight. He has previously been on Manchester City’s radar, although there’s no indication that their scouts have also watched him at the World Cup.
Tijuana confirmed that Mora has signed a historic new deal, the club’s biggest ever contract. However, this includes an exit clause which allows him to move to a European club if suitable offers are made.
United Not Leading Race For Mora
English interest doesn’t mean Mora will end up in the Premier League, as he has also caught the eye of European clubs. TEAMtalk claims that Real Madrid are frontrunners to sign the Mexican, while Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also admirers.
United may therefore have a real fight on their hands to try and win the race for the in-demand attacker. It’s important that they guarantee senior football for the player who will clearly prioritise regular first-team action.
Heaven is an example of a youth signing who has been brought into the first-team fold. Michael Carrick has blended youth with experience since replacing Ruben Amorim in January.
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