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Rio Ferdinand Calls Out Gabby Agbonlahor Over Phil Foden

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Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has slammed Gabby Agbonlahor over a brutal attack he launched on an “incredibly bad” England player on Thursday afternoon. While FA Cup action looms this Easter weekend, the dust has yet to fully settle on what was a largely forgettable international break for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

Under the German manager’s previously spotless supervision, the Three Lions began their final preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay, where an experimental side delivered an error-filled audition in a bid to stake a claim for the final 26-man squad set to be named in June. Just days later, England then lost their first-ever home game against an Asian side, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Japan.

england thomas tuchel


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In the wake of those poor performances, Agbonlahor unleashed a scathing critique of one particular player, labelling him as looking like a “training ground player.” Ferdinand has now hit back at those comments during an exchange on social media, as the punditry duo clashed over the status of one of Tuchel’s highest-rated players.

Rio Ferdinand Hits Back After Agbonlahor’s Brutal Critique of Phil Foden

Thomas Tuchel and Phil Foden

Agbonlahor pulled no punches in his assessment of Phil Foden, who failed to inspire his teammates in two auditions this week as he aimed to prove he can fit into a squad already boasting several other star players. During a heated TalkSPORT segment, the former Aston Villa forward said:

“His fall for Manchester City has been incredibly bad. He came on in the 90th minute of the cup final against Arsenal, got zero minutes in both games against Real Madrid, and in his last 11 games, he’s only played 183 minutes of 990 available.

“Zero goals this year (we’re already in April), and for his country, he’s not performed. He’s only got four goals in 49 England caps. He should be in his peak now at 25. He’s never done it in an England shirt.”

He concluded his brutal critique by claiming that Thomas Tuchel gave Foden the nod in the latest squad selection because he “likes Foden’s career”, that he never deserved a call-up in the first place, and that he currently looks like a “training ground” player. In response, Ferdinand retweeted the video with a few words of his own (see the full post below):

“Gabby, he’s won six Premier League titles at 25 years old, [and] got 10 goals and assists in the Premier League this season (same as Saka, Watkins).”

The retired United legend’s comments were met with a mixed bag of reactions from onlookers, with some siding with Agbonlahor following Foden’s futile week, while others pointed to his potential and importance when at his best.

Tuchel has Big Decisions to make about Foden

Thomas Tuchel

There are still plenty of questions surrounding Phil Foden’s England future. Out of all the big-name stars, he now seems the most likely to drop out of the squad entirely after a second lethargic performance in a row. But it may not be entirely his fault, especially after Thomas Tuchel appeared to go back on his word about prioritising impact over reputation, instead shoehorning his star player into a role he never plays for Manchester City.

Labelled a “gimmick” by some online, many were surprised to see Foden used as a centre-forward, particularly after he had settled into a deeper midfield role under Pep Guardiola this season. It’s those performances in midfield that earned him a recall to the England squad, but Tuchel’s latest experiment could, ironically, be the reason he loses his place on the plane.

What’s more, just because Foden is typically used in midfield doesn’t mean others should lose their place. Morgan Rogers deserves to remain in an attacking midfield role rather than being pushed out wide, while Jude Bellingham is the natural first-choice option there when the Real Madrid star is fully fit. Previous “golden generations” struggled for similar reasons, with managers trying to fit too many high-profile names into the same lineup.

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Tottenham Chiefs Really Want to Sign Adam Wharton

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Tottenham are still said to be firmly in the race for one of the most in-demand Premier League players this summer. Spurs have already made a solid start to their summer business, with Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson snapped up, and attention is now firmly on continuing to strengthen with further signings.

Spurs and Roberto De Zerbi are hoping to compete for European football next season, and while there is existing talent in the squad, it’s no easy task to go from back-to-back bottom half finishes to a top seven finish. Heavy recruitment is going to be required, and it looks as though that is what the Tottenham board intend to deliver.

Spurs still in Wharton race

Adam Wharton via Reuters

One of the most intriguing Premier League transfer narratives this summer is where Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton is going to end up. The midfielder is expected to be on the move for big money having consistently impressed with the Eagles, and we are beginning to get a clearer picture of where he could end up.

According to FlashScore, both Tottenham and Liverpool remain firmly interested in Wharton this summer. In fact, it’s claimed Spurs view Wharton as one of their primary targets this summer. That’s despite ongoing talks over the potential permanent transfer of Joao Palhinha.

The North London club lose Yves Bissouma this summer, so it’s logical they will try to sign another midfielder or two, and there are also links with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, who would likely be a Wharton alternative. Spurs are said to have been tracking Wharton for at least a year, remaining patient in timing their move.

Liverpool are also said to be keen, though, and they are said to view Wharton and AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as their main targets for the midfield, although it will be one or the other. The Reds seek a midfielder capable of controlling the midfield.

‘Exceptional’ Wharton’s price and attraction

Adam Wharton in action for Crystal Palace

Wharton is likely to cost a huge fee this summer, with £100million floated as a reported Palace asking price. Though Premier League clubs might be confident of reducing that fee to around £80million despite the midfielder having three years remaining on his current deal.

Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal for £67.5million in a club-record sale for Palace, and so £80million would be a fresh record, and Wharton could push for an exit if the right club comes in this summer, which would weaken Palace’s leverage at the negotiations table.

But Wharton is always going to command a giant fee given his Premier League experience and his proven ability to thrive in huge games for club and country, while he is still only 22 years of age. Micah Richards dubbed Wharton ‘exceptional’ last year, and most connected to Palace and the Premier League would agree.


Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou


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New York Knicks Will Visit Donald Trump at White House After NBA Finals Win

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The New York Knicks are currently enduring the greatest moment in their modern era after ending a 53-year wait to secure a third NBA Championship.

The team secured the title last Saturday night, taking down the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on the road to clinch a 4-1 NBA Finals triumph.

Celebrations have been taking place non-stop since the Game 5 victory and fans of the franchise will get to witness the stars of the 2026-winning roster when the championship parade is held on Thursday, the 18th of June.

An American tradition that typically follows for a team winning a championship or a triumphant US national team in international competition is to get an invitation from the President to attend the White House. This often sees the winning players greet the sitting President in person and pose for pictures together.

However, this has become more of a conflicting decision for teams to make in the last decade, since the 45th and 47th President, Donald Trump, has been in office due to many players being against his administration’s policies and stances. Trump’s first stint in office was from 2017-2021 while his second and current one started in 2025.

NBA Champions Haven’t Attended White House Under Donald Trump Presidency

Donald Trump Amber Searls via Imagn Images

An NBA championship-winning team is yet to visit the White House since Trump’s first election into the Oval Office, with the Golden State Warriors being the first to make their stance clear after NBA Finals victories in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The Toronto Raptors (2019) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020) also did not visit the White House in the remaining years of Trump’s first stint.

The 2025 NBA champions, Oklahoma City Thunder, did not make the trip to Washington either after being the first champions of Trump’s second spell as President.


Donald Trump at the NBA Finals


Donald Trump Reacts to Heavy Boos He Received During New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs

When he appeared on the big screen, the POTUS was heavily booed by the fans inside Madison Square Garden.

Trump made an appearance at the 2026 NBA Finals, sitting in a suite alongside Knicks owner James Dolan for Game 3 of the series at Madison Square Garden.

The 47th President’s decision to attend the game was widely unpopular among the Knicks faithful, as it meant that fans were not permitted to gather for watch parties around the Knicks’ home venue, and fans with tickets had to go through extra rounds of security checks upon entering the third contest.

The President was booed when shown on the jumbotron at the game and some Knicks fans blamed his appearance at the game as the reason why their team was unable to secure a victory on that occasion, as the Spurs pulled the series back to 2-1 following that contest.

New York Knicks Made White House Decision

New York Knicks Dustin Safranek via Imagn Images

However, despite the Knicks fans’ opposition to Trump, it appears that the franchise itself is actually on good terms with the President, as the team is set to visit the White House following their Finals success.

Dolan, a long-time friend of Trump, confirmed the decision during an interview with WFAN New York on Wednesday after being asked whether he was looking forward to a potential celebratory trip to the White House.

The Knicks owner stated: “We did receive an invitation from (the) White House, which we accepted. We still have to figure out the details, but yes, of course, (we’re looking forward to it).


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“I invited the President to come down for the game, right? He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House,” the 71-year-old businessman added.

While Dolan will be pleased to make the White House visit and celebrate his team’s triumph with his close friend, it remains to be seen whether the Knicks players and staff display the same glee when greeting Trump and if they choose to pose for pictures with the current President.

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Arsenal Told Not To Make £100m Move For Dream Transfer Target

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Arsenal are just starting to make moves in the summer transfer window as manager Mikel Arteta assesses his options ahead of the start of the 2026/27 campaign.

After winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years, the rumour mill was slow to get into gear for the Gunners, but we are just starting to hear a few more noises around players potentially arriving at the Emirates Stadium now.

Christos Tzolis and Manu Kone are the names starting to make headlines in connection with Arsenal, but there is a big-money move that the club may well be working on over the next couple of weeks.

Arsenal are serious about signing Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring vs Manchester United

GIVEMESPORT understands that the Gunners are “serious contenders” to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa this summer and GMS senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs has said that he would be the dream signing for Arsenal.

Rogers is likely to leave Villa Park this summer, as Villa look to ensure they continue to comply with Financial Fair Play and adhere to the Premier League’s new Squad Cost Rules, coming in for the start of the 2026/27 campaign. There are also UEFA Squad Cost Rules to comply with given they are in the Champions League next season.

A number of clubs will be linked with signing Rogers and with Arsenal in the market for a left-sided forward, he is high on their list of transfer priorities.

Jacobs said: “Offers in excess of £80million will be engaged with. Interested clubs feel around £80million whereas Villa sources I speak to feel like they get in a room at £80million, but maybe £90million and even £100million might be the number because we’re in an inflated market.”

Rogers wants Arsenal move

Morgan Rogers

Arsenal may have the advantage when it comes to signing the 23-year-old, with Gunners insider HandofArsenal saying on social media that Rogers has outlined his preference to sign for Arsenal over the likes of Chelsea this summer.

One former Arsenal star does not think it would be the right move, however.

Speaking in a blog for Betway, Gunners legend David Seaman warned Arteta against spending £100million on the England international.

He said: “As a player, he’s fantastic, but in terms of fitting into the squad, is he in the same mould as [Eberechi] Eze? He is, really. So what do you do with that?

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“It’s Eze’s first season at the club, you’ve got to give him a chance to really settle in, and it looks like he’s settled in already. It always takes a while to get used to team-mates and play at the Arsenal level where you’re contending for big trophies.

“I would feel like we need more of a playmaker, and Rogers is more of a No. 10, an Eze-type player. It’s tough, but that’s why I’m not the manager!”


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