England limped over the line in the 2026 World Cup group stages with a cagey 2-0 win against Panama. The result sees the Three Lions finish first in Group L, but one player’s performance hasn’t gone down well.

Thomas Tuchel’s men are supposed to be among the favourites to win the whole competition, but while they are progressing to the Round of 32, many fans have been left worried after this performance.

The German coach made five changes from the previous disappointing draw against Ghana. Jarrel Quansah, Nico O’Reilly, Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford all came into the starting XI. However, one of them has received strong criticism online.

England Fans Unimpressed With Morgan Rogers

Caean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Before the United States, Canada and Mexico-hosted tournament got underway earlier this month, there was a huge debate regarding who would start between Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers.

Many felt the latter would get the nod as the most attack-minded midfielder after some issues between Tuchel and Bellingham. Rogers was brilliant for Aston Villa last season, and appeared in pole position to start in the opening game.

However, his Real Madrid compatriot started against Croatia and scored an important goal. Bellingham was then named Man of the Match against Ghana and scored the winner vs Panama.

Rogers started alongside him in this game, but failed to deliver. The 23-year-old was outclassed by his rival No.10 and it would be a surprise to see him start the first knockout match.

Fans were quick to criticise his display, particularly in the opening 45 minutes. “You could’ve told me Rogers wasn’t playing and I’d believe you. Completely useless against a low block,” one England supporter posted on X.

Another claimed: “Stocks falling on Rogers, been dreadful,” while the Aston Villa man was even labelled ‘non-existent’: “Rogers has been non-existent.”

Marcus Rashford got some stick alongside him as another X user said: “Not playing well at all. Rashford is no better than Gordon. Rogers waste of space.”

Some were critical of Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection. There were fans quick to point out that Cole Plamer could’ve thrived in such a game. One said: “England needed a Cole Palmer today, not Saka or Rogers,” while another added: “Feels like this performance is once again showing that this team needs a Palmer more than it does a Rogers.”

“I don’t care how good a season Rogers had, you can’t tell me Palmer wouldn’t be infinitely more effective in this team.”

Everton have made contact with Premier League rivals over a move for a striker, according to Football Insider, as the club aim to give some fresh options to David Moyes.

It comes as the Toffees look to improve on last season’s 13th-placed finish, which saw the team in the conversation for European football, but falling away late in the campaign.

Several areas could be addressed in the market to help give Everton a fighting chance of landing a return to Europe next time, but the forward ranks remain the most prominent in the club’s focus for this summer.

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According to the report from Football Insider, Everton have made contact with Chelsea in an effort to sign Liam Delap, as work for a deal accelerates.

The 23-year-old is expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks, following a difficult debut campaign with the club last time around.

A mixture of injuries and poor form meant the striker looked a shadow of the player he was in his time with Ipswich Town the season before, having been described as a “beast” when at top form.

Everton are looking to take advantage of Chelsea’s decision to try and get Delap back to his very best, with plenty of potential clearly there.

The forward could offer a presence at the top end of the pitch, which would suit Moyes’s style of play, where the strikers often have to fight for the right service towards them.

It’s unclear exactly how much Everton value the striker at, with other reports claiming that £40 million could be enough to persuade the Blues to part ways this summer for the star who has been described as a “beast”.

That switch could prove to be the first deal of many for the Toffees, which could bring about some change in the forward departments.

Everton’s Forward Changes

Everton are expecting a few ins and outs when it comes to the forward areas, with some possible deals being lined up in both directions this summer.

RB Leipzig have made contact over a deal to sign Thierno Barry, which may open up the possibility of Delap making the switch to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Beyond the French striker potentially leaving, reports have stated that Everton are interested in Jarrod Bowen following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship.

It would see Moyes reunite with the forward following their time together in the capital, which had plenty of success for the forward and the head coach.

Lionel Messi has a strong understanding of what separates the very best players from the rest, and his eight Ballon d’Or titles underline that better than most. Across more than two decades as a professional, he has faced plenty of England’s biggest football names. However, it is not Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane or Ashley Cole who the Argentine regards as the country’s finest ever talent.

Instead, Messi – one of the greatest footballers in the history of the game – chose Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard as England’s “greatest ever player.”

Back in 2016, the Argentine superstar was discussing the Liverpool legend shortly after his retirement. He made it clear just how much he admired the midfielder, wishing him “a happy retirement” and saying:

“Personally, I think [Steven] Gerrard is England’s greatest-ever player.”

Although he was not specifically weighing in on the famous Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes debate involving three of England’s most celebrated midfielders, Messi’s comments still make his preference for the Liverpool star over his former international teammates pretty clear.

The former Reds captain has a glittering list of individual honours to his name, having been selected in the PFA Team of the Year a record eight times and included in the FIFPRO World 11 on three separate occasions. That is the second-highest tally of any Englishman, behind only Chelsea great John Terry, who made the side five times. Gerrard was also named alongside Messi in UEFA’s “Team of the Century”, standing as the only English player included and one of just two members of the XI not to have represented either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Gerrard Feared Messi

Gerrard, meanwhile, named Messi alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the only two players he was ever “afraid” to play against. The pair met just twice during their long careers, facing one another in both legs of the 2006/07 Champions League last-16 tie. Liverpool progressed on that occasion, eliminating the Catalan giants on away goals after a 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou and a 1-0 defeat at Anfield. Messi did not find the net in either match.

Messi endured a similar outcome on his only other visit to Anfield, when Liverpool memorably wiped out a three-goal first-leg deficit in the 2019 Champions League semifinal to send Barcelona crashing out. The Merseyside outfit appeared to be among the few clubs capable of getting the better of Messi’s star-packed Barca sides.

Messi yet to Face England

Jay Biggerstaff (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Against English clubs outside of Liverpool, the Inter Miami star generally had little trouble leaving his mark, producing 27 goals and seven assists in 36 matches against Premier League opposition. What stands out is that, even with relatively few direct meetings against Gerrard, Messi still selected the Liverpool man as England’s greatest. He shared a pitch with Frank Lampard on nine occasions and came up against Paul Scholes four times.

For all his admiration of Gerrard, Messi has surprisingly never faced England on the international stage. Argentina have not played the Three Lions at senior level since David Beckham’s penalty earned Sven Goran Erikson’s team a 1-0 victory at the 2002 World Cup. That match came three full years before Messi made his international debut. Their paths may yet finally cross at the 2026 World Cup in North America. “`