Former USA star Jermaine Jones has chimed in and given his thoughts amid heavy criticism of Christian Pulisic following their World Cup exit.

Many high profile figures, including Carli Lloyd and Landon Donovan, have slammed Pulisic after the USMNT were thrashed 4-1 by Belgium in the last 16. Pulisic played 59 minutes before being subbed off through injury.

Lloyd took aim at Pulisic for his post-match ‘rest’ comments. When it emerged that Pulisic had suffered a leg fracture and a bone bruise in the defeat to Belgium, Lloyd was urged to apologise, which she has refused to do.

Landon Donovan, meanwhile, slammed the 27-year-old’s performances in big matches and criticised him for coming off when his side was losing.

Jermaine Jones Sends Message to Former Players Criticising Christian Pulisic

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jessie Alcheh

Jones, who played 69 times for the United States and captained his country twice, has made his feelings clear regarding the widespread criticism of Pulisic.

The 44-year-old, who featured for the USA at the 2014 World Cup, took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend Pulisic. He wrote:

“I strongly believe Christian Pulisic is the greatest American player of all time. I had the privilege of playing with some of the U.S. players and for me, no one matches him.

“What I find disappointing is seeing former players try to downplay his career or talent.

He added: “What about the other players who had a really bad day? [Sergino] Dest, [Tim] Ream, [Matt] Freese? I watched the game they all had shockers.

“So what? That’s football. Bad days happen. They’ll all learn from it, grow, and come back stronger.”

Tim Howard Reacts to Christian Pulisic’s Post-Match Interview

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Former United States goalkeeper Tim Howard has given his thoughts on Pulisic’s interview after the USA’s defeat to Belgium. He said on his ‘Unfiltered Soccer’ podcast:

“Yeah, rubbed some people the wrong way. I don’t envy Christian Pulisic right now. That’s a difficult place to be. I do, though, believe that the sort of perceived nonchalantness is not that he doesn’t care. I think he’s hurting. I think he’s aware. I think that’s his own defense mechanism.

“All I can is, I think it’s impossible for him to feel the way that he felt – being one of the leaders on that team and being the biggest name and the best player with his ankle hurt and getting crushed going out of a World Cup – I would find it almost impossible for him to give a legitimately nonchalant interview. So, there’s something else going on there.”

He added: “To whom much is given, much is required. He is the face of his team. He is undoubtedly its best player. When that happens, you receive all the money, and all the acclaim. And he’ll receive all the blame. I hope for his sake he isn’t on social media for the foreseeable future.

“He deserves a rest. Go on holiday…. What I would say about him is when someone shows you who they are, you believe them. I think he’s a nice footballer. I still think he’s the best player on the team. Outside of that, you’d have to ask me very direct questions to which I could give you very direct answers.”

Emerging British tennis star Arthur Fery has undergone a medical procedure on the eve of his Wimbledon semi-final clash against Alexander Zverev.

The 23-year-old, who entered the tournament as a wildcard, has stunned the sporting world by making it to the last four at SW19.

Putting together the best run by a Brit at the tournament since Andy Murray’s retirement, Fery has scored upset victories over the likes of Grigor Dimitrov and Flavio Cobolli on route to the last four.

However, he took an unusual step ahead of his semi-final meeting with Zverev.

Arthur Fery on His Decision to Undergo Surgery Before Wimbledon Semi-Final

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Fery has a history of mid-match nosebleeds and the player himself has conceded it could be down to nerves or stress during his intense Wimbledon run.

To ensure he does not suffer anything of the sort during his clash against Zverev, he underwent a medical procedure the day before he steps onto the court.

While he was fine during his five-set victory over Dimitrov and upset quarter-final win against Cobolli, Fery needed to be treated three times during his five-set comeback win over Zizou Bergs.

The Brit has admitted that he has been consulting doctors regarding the nosebleeds and underwent surgery to ensure he wasn’t disrupted during the biggest match of his life:

“I had a little procedure here on it. That seemed to help,” said Fery, per The Express.

“Just getting the blood vessels cauterised in the nose. A small thing. Nothing major. Didn’t hurt. I’ve also tried to avoid wiping with a towel straight on the nose. I think that was also not helping, so just a combination of things, just a bit of luck as well.”

The operation involved lightly burning Fery’s broken blood vessels to ensure his nose does not bleed.

Zverev “Very Impressed” By Fery’s Wimbledon Run

Prior to their showdown, world number three Zverev was asked about his semi-final opponent and the German expressed admiration for Fery’s tournament success:

“The first time I watched him play was actually in Australia. He beat Cobolli in the first round. I watched that match. I was very impressed back then already. He has a very clean technique and very clean ground strokes. I thought he was a very good tennis player already back then.

“Of course, it’s maybe a surprise a little bit that he’s in the semifinals. But I think he deserves it. The wins that he had, the way he fought back in a couple of those matches, is great to see. It’s a great story.”

While Fery is the underdog going into this clash, he has defied the odds previously and will be hoping to repeat the success of Goran Ivanišević 25 years ago when the Croatian famously won the Wimbledon title as a wildcard.

Arsenal are eyeing a move to sign a new winger after their impressive World Cup performances as they aim to bolster Mikel Arteta’s options this summer.

The Gunners shouldn’t need too many reinforcements during the summer transfer window after an impressive 25/26 season, which saw them lift the Premier League title.

Arsenal will be hoping to build a squad capable of winning the Champions League after going so close last season.

Arteta’s side managed to reach the final before losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain.

There’s no doubt they have a squad capable of going all the way once again, but they might need to add a little more firepower to go to the next level.

Arsenal eyeing new winger

via Reuters

According to a report from Team Talk, Arsenal are among the sides interested in signing RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa in the summer transfer window.

The Gunners face competition from another four Premier League sides, especially after an impressive World Cup so far.

The Premier League is believed to be Nusa’s most likely destination in the summer transfer window, with Arsenal and other sides monitoring the player closely.

The North London club are looking to bring in a new left-sided attacker this summer, and Nusa, described as ‘one of the best players of his generation’, fits the bill.

It is believed that Leipzig value him in the region of £51m. The Bundesliga club are under no immediate pressure to sell due to his contract running until 2029, but a big offer could tempt them.

Arsenal must prioritise left winger signing

Arsenal need to be prioritising a move to sign a new attacker in the summer transfer window.

The Gunners may have been looking to add a left-sided forward at the beginning of the window, but it’s even more important now that Leandro Trossard has agreed a deal to join Besiktas.

Gabriel Martinelli is Arsenal’s only natural left-sided attacker left in the senior squad, and even he has struggled to cement himself as a regular starter.

This could be their priority position to strengthen in the coming weeks and months as they look to improve Arteta’s squad for the new season.