Tottenham are now showing interest in a World Cup winger as they turn their attention to strengthening at the top end of the pitch. Spurs have spent much of the summer strengthening the defence and midfield, with a number of top options snapped up, including Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke.

Robert De Zerbi will be delighted with the new options he has, with his squad having clearly been upgraded, but there is more work still to do. Some players will likely leave, including Cristian Romero and Guglielmo Vicario, but there will also be more new signings, with a new winger appearing to be the main priority.

Tottenham now considering World Cup winger Schjelderup

Tottenham are now said to be considering a deal to sign Norway winger Andreas Schjelderup, who impressed at the World Cup despite having been a toss-up in terms of his selection for the Norway World Cup squad. The winger notably scored against England in the quarter-final.

Shjelderup landed a move to Benfica back in 2023 and went on to land a starting role in 2024 after a loan spell back at his old club in Norway. The winger scored seven and assisted six in 28 league appearances last season, playing an important role in José Mourinho’s Benfica, who didn’t lose all season in the league, though they fell short of the league title.

Tottenham are now said to be interested in the 22-year-old, with journalist Pete O’Rourke reporting on the Transfer Insider podcast: “Schjelderup’s World Cup performances have caught the eye of some of the biggest clubs across Europe, including multiple Premier League clubs.

“I know Tottenham have shown an interest and are in the market for a new left-sided winger or forward, so Schjelderup definitely ticks a lot of boxes for them in that respect, as that is where he plays for Norway and Benfica. He had a very good World Cup.”

Mourinho convinced by Schjelderup

Early in Mourinho’s Benfica spell, he was critical of Schjelderup, who was struggling to live up to the intensity. He said: “Schjelderup is Schjelderup – he struggles for 90 minutes, he struggles with intensity and the sacrifice of transitions,”

Towards the end of this season, Mourinho sang a very different tune. He said: “Look, I spoke to him yesterday or the day before and said that he had a lot of reasons to be very proud of himself.

“Comparing the Schjelderup of months ago with the Schjelderup of today is impossible. There’s no point of comparison, the only thing that’s the same is that boyish face… He’s still unshaven, his face is the same, that baby face is the same. Neither from a physical point of view, nor from a tactical point of view, nor from a mental point of view, there’s nothing comparable. I’d say that this kid, if he continues to develop in this way, will surely be a real talent and I’d say a great, great, great talent.”

England ultimately fell short of the goal to bring football home during the 2026 World Cup, but Thomas Tuchel’s side proved there are many reasons to be positive for the future.

The German coach has been heavily criticised for his role in the Three Lions’ semi-final defeat against Argentina, in the country’s biggest game since 2018. But Tuchel reportedly retains the backing of the FA, having penned a new contract until Euro 2028.

But what will his starting XI look like at the United Kingdom-hosted tournament if England qualify? Well, ChatGPT has predicted exactly that. There are some huge shocks, as well as some regulars retaining their place in the XI.

Goalkeeper and Defenders

The predicted backline is almost completely different to Tuchel’s back five at this summer’s World Cup. Jordan Pickford is expected to finally give up the No.1 jersey for Manchester City shot-stopper James Trafford.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall make the AI’s team. The young duo could have easily been part of the World Cup XI after impressing ever since moving to St. James’ Park.

Marc Guehi is the only man to keep his place in the back four, with the Man City centre-back partnering Chelsea’s Levi Colwill. Had injuries not plagued the latter, this could’ve already been cemented as Tuchel’s preferred partnership.

Midfielders

Paul Childs via Reuters

It will take something incredible to dislodge both Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham from the Three Lions line-up. ChatGPT expects both men to continue in their current roles after impressing on the international stage.

Bellingham was England’s top scorer at the 2026 World Cup and will be in his prime by the time Euro 2028 comes around. Meanwhile, Rice could well be the captain of his country by that time. Especially with a notable absentee in other areas.

Elliot Anderson claimed the third midfield spot over the summer, but the £117 million man isn’t included in the AI’s predicted team. Instead, Adam Wharton joins Rice at the heart of the midfield. He’ll only be 24 when the home European Championship kicks off, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him playing for a top Premier League club by then.

Forwards

REUTERS/Paul Childs

The attack is perhaps the most shocking part of ChatGPT’s prediction. Bukayo Saka, fresh off the back of a hat-trick at the World Cup, isn’t going anywhere and will be tasked with leading the team forward.

The 56-cap star is predicted to join a Chelsea duo in the frontline. Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens both endured nightmare debut seasons at Stamford Bridge and were nowhere near anyone’s thinking for the World Cup.

It’ll take an incredible improvement from both men to be starting for a top nation in two years. Delap is the most obvious candidate to replace Harry Kane, who doesn’t make this XI. However, living up to the expectations set by the country’s all-time top goalscorer is a task he’d currently fail.

Gittens, on the other hand, will have to overtake Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon to secure a place on the left-hand side of attack. He’ll also be competing with youngsters like Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha by Euro 2028.

Argentina or Spain will add another World Cup title to their trophy cabinet on Sunday night as they meet in the final at MetLife Stadium. Two-time winner of the competition, Ronaldo Nazario, has predicted an ‘easy’ win for one side.

Spain overcame attack-heavy France in the semi-final with a professional and impressive 2-0 victory on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, Argentina joined them in the final with a hard-fought comeback win against England.

The upcoming clash in New Jersey, New York City, will see the present meet the future. Either Lionel Messi will solidify his status as the greatest footballer ever with back-to-back World Cup wins, or Lamine Yamal will pull level with his icon at just 19 years old.

Ronaldo Nazario Firmly Backs One World Cup Finalist

Images via Reuters

Both sides bring something different to the table. Spain have been extremely controlled throughout the tournament, quietly winning games with minimal fuss. Argentina, on the other hand, have had to scrap their way through the entire knockout rounds.

The South Americans had scares against Cape Verde and Egypt before defeating Switzerland in extra-time and England in stoppage time. But the Messi-factor and sheer grit of the reigning champions won’t be enough, according to Ronaldo.

One of Brazil’s greatest-ever players, Ronaldo’s opinion is always one that people take notice of. He has given an in-depth explanation behind his prediction that Spain will add to their 2010 triumph.

Speaking on his official TikTok account alongside ex-teammate Denilson, R9 said (via Metro): “I think Spain wins and the game will be easy.”

The 1994 and 2002 winner claimed he was always sure the winner would emerge from Spain vs France in the semi-final. He added:

Ronaldo even paid the highest compliment imaginable to Spain’s style of play, saying: “I think there’s a lot of [Pep] Guardiola in there to have started this philosophy, it’s at Barcelona in 2006, 2007.”

Argentina Have ‘Character’ But Won’t Win World Cup

REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

“So I think Spain wins easy. I don’t believe Argentina has the strength to become a game of a 1-0, 2-0 because Spain will have possession of the ball all of the time,” the ex-Barcelona and Real Madrid striker claimed.

But Ronaldo did give credit to the fighting spirit of the three-time winners. Argentina may require another special moment from Messi if they are to overcome a team that has conceded just one goal this summer.

Ultimately, however, he’s certain it will be Spain’s year, as he concluded: “But I think the way Spain play… it’s very automated, the way they play is very automated, it’s what you have to do every time in every phase, no hurry, they play the ball with speed, they run the game, they cool the game with possession.”