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George Best Praised Paul Scholes After England Retirement at 29

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Over the years, British football has produced some brilliant players. Ranking among the very finest stands Manchester United legend George Best.

After all, the Northern Irishman is one of just six Brits to win the fabled Ballon d’Or. He also won the European Cup in 1968 and two league titles, making him one of the best players to ever play for the Red Devils.

As such, it’s fair to say Best knew a thing or two about talent within the beautiful game. One player he clearly rated was fellow Old Trafford icon Paul Scholes.

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Paul Scholes Retired From England Duty in 2004

Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes with England
Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes with England

In 2004, Scholes decided to retire from international duty. He’d played 66 times for the Three Lions, having made his debut in 1997. England had just competed at Euro 2004, losing at the quarter-final stage to Portugal.

Scholes started every game, but spent the tournament shunted out on the left of midfield, with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard preferred centrally. Explaining his choice to hang up his boots at the age of just 29, the Man Utd star said:

“This is a decision I have not taken lightly.” He added: “I have been considering retiring from international football for a while.”

There were claims that he didn’t see eye to eye with then-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, but Scholes insisted he just wanted to spend more time with his family. Despite standing by this explanation, the midfileder later admitted some regret over his decision, saying in 2020:

“I had a young family at the time and going away for England for ten days at a time, sometimes six weeks in the summer, it just wasn’t ideal and I wasn’t enjoying it. I know a lot was made of Sven-Goran Eriksson playing me on the left-hand side of midfield but that was never the problem.

“My form in the last 20 or 30 caps wasn’t quite good enough and Steven and Frank were two top-class players who he went with centrally. I was on the left but I played there many times for United and was quite successful there, scored a few goals so it was never really why I left England. It was just a personal choice.

“I do regret leaving England so soon. I went back to United and my football changed. I had been a player who was expected to score goals all the time for England, which I was judged on.”

He then explained how he took on a new, deeper role at Old Trafford, which aided his longevity: “Sir Alex Ferguson saw that he wanted me to play well into my 30s, and I needed a different position. I moved back and controlled games from midfield, sitting deep, and I was never that player for England.”

George Best Loved ‘Naturally Gifted’ Scholes

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Having called it quits with England at just 29 years old, many were disappointed by Scholes’ call. Among those was the aforementioned Best, who insisted that the Man Utd midfielder was, at the time, the best player in the country:

“To be honest I think England have lost their best player. Certainly he’s the most consistent and naturally gifted player we’ve had for a long, long time.

“He will leave a void that’s difficult to fill.”

Unsurprisingly, Man United boss Sir Alex seemed more than happy to let Scholes walk away from England. Speaking at the time, he said: “It’s straightforward – he wants to spend more time with his family.

“I spoke to Paul nearly a year ago about it when he came to see me and wanted to think about it. “At the end of the season before he left he said he’d speak to Sven about it and he did that and he’s come to his decision.

“Paul has made a great contribution to England and I don’t think he feels he’s missing anything now. I think 66 caps is beyond an average international career, he is going out at the top and we respect his decision.”

Scholes would play his final Man Utd game in May 2013, nearly a decade after calling it quits with England.

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Sandro Tonali Agrees Personal Terms to Join Tottenham on Long-Term Contract

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Tottenham Hotspur are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to return to the Premier League’s elite this summer after agreeing three deals already, and they could be closing in on a fourth deal after agreeing personal terms with another target.

Tottenham clearly have no intention of finding themselves in another relegation battle next term, and they are ready to seriously back manager Roberto De Zerbi in the transfer market to give the Italian the best tools to bring them back up the Premier League standings.

One of the key areas of focus appears to be the defence after Spurs conceded 183 goals in their previous three top flight campaigns, with three new faces arriving to bolster the backline already.

The north Londoners have already announced the signings of free agent duo Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, while Jan Paul van Hecke is set to join them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when he returns from the World Cup after a £52m deal was agreed with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Tottenham are also in talks to make Joao Palhinha’s move permanent after De Zerbi made it clear he wants the 30-year-old after a successful loan spell, while they are also in discussions to sign Manchester City winger Savinho.

Tottenham Agree Personal Terms With Sandro Tonali

Sandro Tonali via Reuters

Fabrizio Romano dropped a bombshell earlier this week that Tottenham were pushing to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, as De Zerbi looks to add a statement signing to his squad ahead of next season.

Despite links with Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United this summer, the Magpies man is said to be keen to link up with his Italian compatriot at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That belief has been backed up by one trusted Tottenham source on X, who claims that the 26-year-old has now agreed personal terms to join Spurs on a long-term contract.

The next challenge for club chiefs will be to find an agreement with Newcastle, with GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs suggesting that the Tyneside outfit will demand a total fee worth up to £100m for their midfield maestro.

England World Cup Quiz

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Tonali Deal Would Send Statement Out to Premier League

Sandro Tonali applauding the Newcastle United supporters via Reuters

Tottenham were a laughing stock for rival clubs’ fans last season, but there is no doubt that the addition of Tonali would send out a real statement to them and Spurs’ rivals ahead of next season.

Tonali has established himself as one of the best in his position in the Premier League since making the move to St James’ Park, and he should be in the prime years of his career at 26 years of age.

The Italy international has shown that he can be an all-round midfielder, offering physicality, energy, quality on the ball, and a goal threat.

What would be interesting to see is if Tottenham do end up landing Palhinha and Tonali, who ends up leaving.

De Zerbi currently has Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall to choose from in midfield, and at least one of those would surely be on their way if Palhinha and Tonali both join.

Sarr has been linked with an exit, while you wonder if one of Gray and Bergvall could be sent out on loan if their minutes are going to be limited, like they were in the closing stages of last season.

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Man Utd Open Talks to Sign ‘Incredible’ £50m Star After Fernandes

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Manchester United are stepping up their efforts to sign new players in the summer transfer window, as Fabrizio Romano claims that talks have been initiated for one fresh transfer target.

The Red Devils are working at pace to give Michael Carrick the best chance of succeeding next season, with a return to the Champions League on the cards, following an impressive second half of the campaign.

There are clear areas for improvement, with the midfield identified as the one position that needs the most work over the course of the next few months of the transfer window.

However, there is also consideration being made for an attacking addition, who could bring even more firepower to the squad, following a season filled with goals from last summer’s new signings.

Plenty of options could be on the cards, but the one who appears to be of most interest to Man United is West Ham star Crysencio Summerville.

Man United Open Talks For Crysencio Summerville

Crysencio Summerville

Man United have been linked with a move for Crysencio Summerville, who appears to be available this summer following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship.

Reports have claimed that a £50 million price tag has been slapped on the Netherlands international for any suitors who want to land him in the coming weeks.

While Paris Saint-Germain have been in the picture, Fabrizio Romano claims that Man United have opened talks over a potential switch for Summerville, who has been described as “incredible“, as well as Mateus Fernandes in a potential double swoop from the Hammers.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “There are many clubs interested in Crysencio Summerville, scored at the World Cup with the Netherlands on the opening game, and Summerville is attracting interest from several clubs, so Manchester United are one of them, it’s true.

“So he’s one of the names being considered for the winger position. Appreciated by them, United are readying conversations with West Ham for Matues Fernandes. Don’t forget that.

“So there is talks underway about the midfielder, and so they also asked about the situation of Crysencio Summerville and the price of the player, so there is interest.

“Then also Paris Saint-Germain last week made a call to understand the situation of Summerville. They could add one more winger to the squad in case Barcola leaves, it’s not sure yet, but it’s still a possibility to follow and watch.”

It means Man United could swiftly add the pair to their ranks heading into the busy part of the summer, with a lot of work still left to do.

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Summerville Deal Could Be Costly

West Ham United's Crysencio Summerville

Any deal for Summerville could cost Man United upwards of £50 million, a figure that may well seem a little costly for a player of his current stature.

While the winger has shown plenty of quality, which included a goal for the Netherlands on his World Cup debut this summer, there hasn’t always been that consistency in performances.

The 24-year-old picked up just five goals and four assists in the Premier League last season, as West Ham suffered relegation to the second tier.


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In part, his performances gave the side some hope of survival, but the lack of consistency in them also ended up with the Hammers falling just short when it really mattered.

While there could certainly be a deal there, especially for a player on the up, there may be some worries about such a strong transfer fee being attached.

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Arsenal Eye Bournemouth Midfielder Alex Scott Transfer

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Arsenal are reportedly considering an approach to sign a new midfielder in the summer transfer window as they look to build Mikel Arteta’s squad.

The Gunners already have plenty of options in the middle of the park, but there is a chance some of them head through the exit door this summer.

Christian Norgaard was brought to the club from Brentford last season, but he struggled for game time, meaning there’s a chance he departs.

Arsenal also have more attacking options like Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, but they don’t have a host of players capable of playing a little deeper.

Mikel Moreno is another option, but he’s often being utilised further forward and even in a centre-forward position.


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Arsenal Ready Midfield Approach

Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta
via Reuters

According to a report from Talksport, Arsenal are considering making an approach to Bournemouth about a potential move to sign midfielder Alex Scott in the summer transfer window.

The Cherries are engaged in contract talks with the English star, and they do not want to sell him.

Bournemouth value him in the region of £80 million, and they are willing to include a big release clause if they do tie him down to a new contract.

Scott, described as ‘one of the best midfielders in the Premier League’, is yet to put pen to paper with the South Coast Club, which could make it an ideal time for Arsenal to make their move.

Scott has interest from a number of sides, while he’s also believed to be a Tottenham fan.

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Arsenal Need Forward Additions

Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli

Alongside a potential midfield signing, Arsenal need to bring in new forwards during the summer transfer window.

Specifically, Arsenal should be looking to bring in a new left-sided attacker, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard struggling to nail down a starting role.

The aforementioned duo often rotated in and out of the side, with neither player really hitting elite-level heights.

If Arsenal want to go one better in the Champions League next season, they need to sign a world-class left-winger, someone who specialises in that position. Eze has also been used in that role, but he’s more comfortable in the number 10 position.

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