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.

Tottenham Hotspur mean business in this summer transfer window, and they clearly have no intention of finding themselves near the relegation zone in the Premier League again anytime soon.

Tottenham have already completed the signings of three players ahead of the Roberto De Zerbi revolution, including a Champions League and Premier League winner in Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke.

It has been suggested that they want to complete seven summer signings, with a midfielder and three attackers to follow, although Spurs are also being linked with a second central midfielder and goalkeepers with Guglielmo Vicario expected to leave.

The north Londoners have been working hard on a deal to sign De Zerbi’s top target Sandro Tonali, having already had a £75m bid rejected by Newcastle United for the Italy international.

The 26-year-old is said to be keen on a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to link up with Italian compatriot De Zerbi, as Spurs continue to show huge ambition in the market.

Tonali isn’t the only midfielder De Zerbi has on his wishlist however, with the 47-year-old also wanting to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes on top of the Italian, following the Irons’ relegation to the Championship.

Tottenham ‘Very Close’ to Mateus Fernandes Agreement

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Italian journalist Matteo Moretto reported on Saturday that Tottenham are now ‘very close’ to reaching an agreement on personal terms with Fernandes, as they look to try and beat Premier League rivals Manchester United to his signature.

United had looked to be in clear pole position to sign the Portugal international, who would like to link up with Portuguese teammate Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford, but Spurs appear to have made an attractive offer to him as well, which would allow him to remain in London.

The Red Devils can also offer the ‘elite’ 21-year-old star Champions League football next term while Spurs have no European football to offer at all.

Nevertheless, Fernandes seems ready to join Tottenham if they can agree a fee with West Ham, as he looks to avoid playing in England’s second tier.

Tonali Will Love Fernandes

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If Tottenham can pull off an audacious double swoop for Tonali and Fernandes, like De Zerbi wants them to, they would arguably have one of the best central midfield partnerships in the Premier League.

Tonali is a physically imposing midfielder with impressive strength and stamina, while he has also shown his ability to dicate matches and make an impact in the final third at St James’ Park too.

Fernandes could prove to be the perfect player to complement him in the Tottenham engine room, given the Portuguese’s own versatility.

The 21-year-old has proven he can play as a ‘6’, ‘8’ and a ’10’ during his spells with West Ham and Southampton, and that adaptability will allow Tonali to not only sit deep, but also get involved in more attacking areas too because he knows he can rely on him for tackling success.

When Tonali finds Fernandes in possession, he knows that youngster will use the ball well too after what we’ve seen from him at St Mary’s and the London Stadium.