England fans have singled out an ‘overrated’ ace who ‘ghosted’ in the Three Lions’ leggy World Cup performance in a 0-0 draw with Ghana on Tuesday night. Just a week on from their convincing, free-flowing attacking display over old foes Croatia, and Thomas Tuchel’s side looked completely different.

Indeed, for much of the 90 minutes in Boston, they looked to play with the shackles on, with much of the action being stuck in midfield, being lost and won without any real sustained threat any further up the pitch. Whether the heat had played It’s part or not, onlookers were quick to take note of certain players that weren’t pulling their weight in the pursuit of ending a 60-year trophy drought.

Heading into the tournament, the harsh spotlight was on the omissions of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer. By the end of the second match, questions are once again being raised by those bold decisions made by their manager, with Jude Bellingham being a passive presence in the midfield battle.

England Player Labelled ‘Most Overhyped Player on Planet’ After Ghana Limp

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Among the first to come off in a host of changes made by his manager halfway through the second-half, it is Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham who has been singled out for criticism by England fans.

“Jude Bellingham is an overrated, hotheaded glory hunter. So many chances missed with his stupid double touch. Just strike the ball man. Get him off for the second half,” one X user said at halftime. Elsewhere, another added, pretty sensationally:

A third wrote: “Jude Bellingham faces a functioning midfield pivot of Partey and Sibo and, once again, ghosts,” as a fourth continued: “Bellingham has to be the most overrated, overhyped average player on this planet!”

Elsewhere, a fifth concluded: “Bellingham struts around the field with the arrogance of Cristiano Ronaldo and the ability of Joe Allen.”

England’s Chances of Topping Group L Take Big Hit

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For the fourth tournament in a row, England have drawn their second match, which immediately brings the mood from a positive opener down. More importantly, though, it means their chances of finishing the group stage top has now taken a big hit ahead of a crunch tie vs bottom-placed Panama.

But they can still feel confident of their chances given that Ghana must still get past Luka Modric and a Croatia side that has struck a perfect balance between old and new ahead of their trip to the USA, Canada and Mexico. Currently, England and Ghana are level on four points, with Tuchel’s side ahead by one goal difference.

Liverpool have clearly identified their attack as the key position for strengthening this summer, as they look to give new manager Andoni Iraola the squad he needs next season to make a strong charge in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

Liverpool may have been beaten by eventual Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in Europe’s elite club competition last term, but they were beaten comfortably across two legs, all while finishing 25 points adrift of Arsenal in the Premier League as they looked to defend the title they won in Arne Slot’s maiden season in charge.

The Reds have already completed the signing of winger Victor Munoz out of nowhere after hijacking Newcastle United’s move for the Spain international, but they remain determined to bring in another wide forward ahead of next season.

RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande has emerged as their top target as they look to find a long-term replacement for the departing Mohamed Salah, with the club said to be making progress on personal terms with the teenager as they look to convince him to move to Anfield.

Liverpool have already had one bid rejected for the 19-year-old, and agreeing a fee with the Bundesliga outfit could prove a hurdle too tricky to overcome.

It would be no surprise if the Merseysiders are already considering alternative targets.

Bradley Barcola Tempted by Liverpool Move

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Despite signing Munoz and as talks continue over a deal to sign Diomande, Le10Sport in France claim that Liverpool have reignited their interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola having attempted to sign him last summer.

The report says that Barcola is ‘thrilled’ by the prospect of a move to Anfield and is ‘excited’ by the thought of continuing his career in the Premier League.

PSG have refused to rule out an exit for the ‘world-class’ France international too, believing they have several options to fill the void if the 23-year-old leaves the Parc des Princes.

PSG are said to value Barcola at up to €130m (£112m) as they consider cashing in on the Frenchman.

Barcola is Way Better Than Diomande

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Diomande has clearly been Liverpool’s top winger target in recent weeks, but there is no doubt that Barcola is currently way better than the Ivory Coast international.

That’s not to say that the 19-year-old isn’t already a good player with a huge future ahead of him, but he has also only played one senior season of football.

Diomande looks to have all the attributes to be one of the best wingers in Europe in future with his pace, end product and defensive work rate, but Barcola is already there.

The France international has won the Champions League twice and the Ligue 1 title three times during 152 appearances for PSG, scoring 39 goals and registering a further 37 assists.

He has delivered consistently and over a longer period for the best club in Europe and, at 23 years of age, should still have his best years ahead of him.

You only had to see his goal in France’s opening World Cup game against Senegal to see the quality he has, as he went through on goal before brilliantly dinking the goalkeeper.

Liverpool will be getting a good player whoever they land out of Barcola and Diomande, but it is the former who is the finished product right now.

Manchester United have contacted the agents of Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni as their summer midfield rebuild takes another twist.

Man United quickly agreed a deal with Atalanta worth under £40m to sign Ederson even before the transfer window officially opened, with the player expected to complete his move to Old Trafford when he returns from representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.

The Brazilian is the first piece of the jigsaw puzzle as the Red Devils look to transform their midfield, and there could be two more additions to come should Manuel Ugarte join Casemiro in leaving Old Trafford this summer.

Having failed to make any progress with a move to sign top target Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, with the England international looking destined to join rivals Manchester City instead, club chiefs turned their attentions to West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes following the London outfit’s relegation to the Championship.

United considered the 21-year-old a target anyway, but there is more of a chance of prising him away from the Hammers given the player has no intention of playing in the Championship.

Agreeing a fee with West Ham will likely prove the most difficult hurdle though, given they are staying strong on their £85m valuation.

Man United Tell Tchouameni Agent They Want to Sign Him

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With no breakthrough in talks to sign Fernandes yet, United officials are now said to have made contact with the agent of Tchouameni.

Fabrizio Romano has already made it clear that the club see the France international as their ‘dream’ midfield transfer target, above all others.

The 26-year-old is seen as the perfect replacement for Casemiro, who leaves a huge void in the United engine room after leaving the club following the expiry of his contract.

According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Real are open to selling the 26-year-old star this summer following the appointment of Jose Mourinho, even though the player himself would like to stay.

United chiefs have expressed strong interest in signing the Frenchman to the player’s agents.

Tchouameni Would be Statement Signing for United

via Reuters

He may have had a public bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde on the Real Madrid training ground, which saw both players fined €500,000, but there is no doubting his quality.

His former teammate Chema Andres has described him as the ‘best DM in the world’, and there aren’t many better options on the globe in that position than Tchouameni.

During his four years at the Bernabeu, the 26-year-old has won the Champions League and La Liga, making 195 appearances along the way.

Tchouameni is ideal for United’s midfield as he is happy to sit and screen the defence, which will give someone like Kobbie Mainoo more freedom to make a difference further forward.

The France international is also physically dominant and powerful, with elite-level defensive anticipation that helps him snuff out any danger.

His tackling success and defensive duel wins also consistently rank among the best in Europe, which only further enhance his reputation as being one of the top defensive midfielders on the globe.