Sports
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Praises Arsenal’s ‘Impressive’ Gabriel Jesus
English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has recently returned to Arsenal after eight years away from the North London club. He is currently without a team, having left Turkish outfit Besiktas in the summer, but has been training with the Gunners to maintain his fitness.
A conversation with ex-teammate and current head of the club’s academy programme, Per Mertesacker, opened up the door for the Englishman to link back up with his former team. Mikel Arteta was keen on the idea too, and Oxlade-Chamberlain has now even played in a behind-closed-doors friendly for the Under-21s, who beat Manchester United U21s 3-0 at St George’s Park last Saturday.
Having now spent a little time getting reacquainted with his old surroundings, Oxlade-Chamberlain recently spoke about which players have impressed him the most. Interestingly enough, he singled out a bit of a surprise name for some high praise.
Oxlade-Chamberlain Blown Away By Jesus
Talking to The Athletic, the 32-year-old admitted that he’d been blown away by Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has spent almost a year out with an ACL injury, only recently returning to training – and also playing in that U21 friendly.
With Jesus spending so long on the sidelines, and now potentially fourth-choice striker at Arsenal behind Kai Havertz, Victor Gyokeres, and even Mikel Merino, it’s all the more surprising that he stood out so much. Oxlade-Chamberlain, however, was firm with his praise after being asked who has impressed behind the scenes:
“What a player he [Jesus] is. I’ve played against him many times, but just seeing how he trains, the way he works, how sharp his finishing is, he’s really impressive.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain Impressed By Hale End Trio
Jesus wasn’t the only man who Oxlade-Chamberlain mentioned. He praised first-team star Declan Rice: “Ubelievable, he was already a great player at West Ham but now he’s gone into another stratosphere.” As well as Martin Odegaard: “The quality he has got, the way he leads by example.”
Having spent some time rebuilding his fitness with the U21s, it’s no surprise that a few Hale End graduates have also caught the Englishman’s eye. Notably, he was struck by the quality of Max Dowman, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, saying:
“And I’ve been really impressed by the young guys, like Max (Dowman), Ethan (Nwaneri) and Myles (Lewis-Skelly). Ability-wise and the way they are as characters, it’s really impressive at such a young age.”
Specifically on Dowman, he added: “When I saw him for the first time, I was thinking, ‘Let’s see what all this talk is about. It wasn’t even a session where you could do that much, but right from the off, you could tell he is a proper player, the way he controls the ball and the way he moves. And from what I see, he’s a really good character, mature in the way he carries himself.”
Still only 32, Oxlade-Chamberlain hopes use his experience to bring value to whichever club he ends up at next, noting: “I feel like I can add value on the pitch but also show the right way to train, the right way to act on and off the pitch.”
It will be interesting to see what the next chapter of his career holds for him.
Sports
Man Utd Make Fresh Contact For Alex Scott
Manchester United have made fresh enquiries over a move for Alex Scott this summer, according to TeamTalk, as the Old Trafford outfit continue their pursuit of a new midfielder.
There is an expectation that the Red Devils could sign up to three central options in the transfer window, with a deal for Ederson already agreed as the first arrival.
One of the other two expected signings is set to be the marquee arrival, with money set aside to spend big on a star who will anchor the midfield for years to come.
Plenty of links have emerged, with Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes the most prominent options, but a move for Scott appears to be on the cards for Man United.
Alex Scott To Man United Transfer Latest
Alex Scott has emerged as a transfer target for Man United, as the England international appears to be gaining plenty of interest from top sides in the Premier League.
After an impressive season with Bournemouth, the Red Devils appear keen on a deal, as TeamTalk reports that the club have recently made fresh enquiries over a switch.
Scott has been valued at £80 million in some reports, as the team on the south coast face a battle to keep hold of their star player, who has been described as “amazing”, with the years on his contract dwindling.
However, despite the growing pressure to potentially sell the 22-year-old, the report from TeamTalk claims that Bournemouth are insisting that they won’t allow for an exit this summer.
New Cherries boss Marco Rose is believed to have told the hierarchy that he doesn’t want to lose the midfielder, and intends to go into next season with the star in his team.
It comes as the latest frustration for Man United in their ongoing pursuit of another midfielder, with challenges arising over a few of their other transfer options.
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Man United’s Midfield Struggles
Manchester United will be left frustrated with how their approach to the midfield options on the transfer market has gone so far this summer.
While a deal for Ederson has been wrapped up quickly, it seems as though ground has been lost to Tottenham in the race to sign both Tonali and Fernandes.
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Other options, such as Aurelien Tchouameni may prove costly and tough to get over the line, while Scott is the latest player to be seemingly ruled out for a move as it stands.
The Red Devils may need to dig deeper into their scouting pool to find their next top option, with others seemingly being ruled out one by one.
Sports
Predicted Starting XIs for World Cup Group I Match
One of the most exciting games at this year’s FIFA World Cup thus far takes place on Friday when France meets Norway in the final matchday of Group I. The European nations collide at Gillette Stadium, battling to top their group.
Erling Haaland and the Vikings have lived up to their billing as dark horses with a 4-1 win over Iraq and a 3-2 victory against Senegal. Kylian Mbappe and Les Bleus have looked the real deal, beating Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0.
It means the Norwegians will be eyeing victory over the French to steal first place in their group. Both countries are already through to the Round of 32.
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Match: |
Information: |
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Date |
Friday, June 26, 2026 |
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Kick-off Time |
15:00 EDT Local Time (20:00 BST) |
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Venue |
Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), Foxborough |
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Competition |
FIFA World Cup 2026, Group I (Matchday 3) |
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Referee |
Michael Oliver (English) |
Norway
Stale Solbakken’s men sealed their place in the knockout rounds with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Senegal. Manchester City striker Haaland was at the double as his side made it six points from their two opening games.
Norway can really put the cat amongst the pigeons with a win over favourites France and finish at the top of Group I. That will be a tough ask, though, as they haven’t beaten the two-time world champions since August 2010.
Team News
Solbakken is likely to be without Borussia Dortmund defender Julian Ryerson, who picked up a thigh injury in the win over Senegal. That will be one change that has to be made, and it will force their manager to rotate for the first time at this World Cup.
Torbjorn Heggem’s fitness will be assessed ahead of the game after coming off late on against Senegal. That might mean Solbakken tinkers with his defence, but Haaland will undoubtedly continue to lead the line, having bagged four goals in two games.
Predicted Starting 11
There should be two changes to Norway’s backline, with Marcus Holmgren Pedersen, who scored against Senegal, replacing Ryerson. Leo Ostigard could come in for Heggem as he did at the end of their win over the Senegalese.
Haaland should be joined by Antonio Nusa in attack, as well as Fulham’s Oscar Bobb, to give Alexander Sorloth a rest. Solbakken will want to field a team that can spring a surprise and beat France.
Expected XI: Nyland; Pedersen, Ajer, Ostigard, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Nusa
France
Of the bookies’ favourites to win the tournament, France are looking the strongest side. A slightly underwhelming first-half performance against Senegal aside, they have been superb, and Mbappe is in red-hot form.
Mbappe, like Haaland, has found the net four times in two games, and he’s not the only French attacker shining. Les Bleus are currently top of Group I, ahead of Norway with a superior goal difference of just one.
Team News
Deschamps will miss the game against Norway after the death of his mother, leaving his assistant Guy Stephan to lead the team. He will have to decide which of Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking pair, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, should start.
Manchester United-linked Aurelien Tchouameni lost his place in midfield to Manu Kone in the victory over Iraq. He might have a fight on his hands to reclaim it, as well as Theo Hernandez, whom Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne displaced at left-back.
Predicted Starting 11
William Saliba returned and played the full 90 minutes in the win against Iraq, and he should keep his place against Norway. Digne fared well in that game and could get the nod over Hernandez again.
Kone’s performance earned praise, and he may have done enough to continue in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot. In attack, Barcola has outperformed Doue thus far and should get a chance to prove he deserves to be a starter.
Expected XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Rabiot, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Barcola; Mbappe
Sports
Tottenham Suffer Transfer Blow As Midfielder Rejects Move
Tottenham have been incredibly active in the transfer market so far this summer but they do appear to have missed out on a target.
Following a serious relegation scare where they avoided dropping down to the Championship on the final day of the 2025/26 season, Roberto De Zerbi’s team have sprung into action in the transfer market as they attempt to get back to competing towards the top of the Premier League once again.
Firstly securing the signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively, last week Tottenham signed centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton & Hove Albion in a £52million deal and experienced Premier League goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has since followed.
Tottenham aren’t done just there, though, with midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes linked with big-money transfers to N17.
However, one midfielder who doesn’t appear to be making the move to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of the new campaign is Aleksandar Stankovic.
Stankovic says no to Tottenham transfer
Stankovic looks set to stay at Inter Milan for the new season after starring for Club Brugge last term, contributing nine goals and five assists in 55 appearances.
The defensive midfielder, who is the son of former Inter ace Dejan Stankovic, departed the San Siro for Club Brugge on a permanent basis last July but the Nerazzurri maintained a buy-back clause in their agreement with the Belgian side.
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At the beginning of June, Inter activated the clause and re-signed the ‘exceptional’ 20-year-old in a deal worth €23million (£19.85m).
According to Sky Sport Italy, the midfielder had two transfer proposals from Premier League clubs, one of which came from Tottenham.
However, Stankovic reportedly turned down Spurs and did likewise to Brentford in favour of returning to Inter Milan.
What next in Tottenham’s midfield?
It looks set to be all change in midfield next season as De Zerbi really stamps his mark on his Tottenham team.
Adding to that area in the winter transfer market with the north London club bringing in Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid prior to the Italian taking on the hotseat, the 26-year-old could well be joined by Tonali and Fernandes if Tottenham get their way on the transfer front.
One current player who will be looking for a big season under De Zerbi is Rodrigo Bentancur after returning from injury and playing an instrumental role in midfield to help Tottenham drag themselves out of relegation danger after such a bleak run of form.
Bentancur’s teammate Lucas Bergvall looks set to move on after only two years with the club, though, after asking to leave in his quest for more first-team football.
Yves Bissouma’s Tottenham departure has already been confirmed with the Mali international set to exit at the conclusion of his contract later this month, with Joao Palhinha’s loan move from Bayern Munich also coming to an end after his temporary switch from the Bundesliga champions.
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