John Terry has never been shy about sharing his opinions, and his verdict on England’s World Cup squad was vintage Terry. Blunt, confident, and guaranteed to get people talking.
The Champions League winner has shared his thoughts on numerous occasions on a range of topics. He’s been outspoken on how he doesn’t even think Lionel Messi is the greatest Argentine player ever, let alone the best footballer ever, and during Enzo Maresca’s short-lived reign at his beloved Chelsea, he criticised the Italian’s tactics and his habits surrounding squad rotation.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored alongside Simon Jordan, the former Chelsea captain made a bold claim: That only four England players are truly world-class. It’s a take that’s sure to get the conversation going among fans of the Three Lions.
The Four England Players John Terry Trusts
The quartet Terry did single out represents the spine of what England should be built around this summer. Jude Bellingham has been described as a generational talent who hadn’t even turned 20 before he became one of the best midfielders in the world. Declan Rice has developed into exactly that too, a commanding box-to-box force whose influence over Arsenal’s Premier League title win and Champions League final run has been nothing short of impeccable.
Would the former Three Lions skipper make a combined XI?
Reece James, when fit, offers a level of quality at right-back that few nations in the World Cup can match, often working in an inverted role and getting involved with the attack in a way that few players can do, whilst displaying strength and discipline when called on defensively.
And Harry Kane, for all the noise around England’s system and how they’re predicted to set up, remains one of the most lethal finishers England has ever produced. Terry described his importance when responding to Morgan’s question over how reliant the Three Lions are on the Bayern Munich man:
“If he gets injured we are in trouble, regardless of his goals, he’s a big presence and the captain of our side.”
“I think we have the best striker in the World Cup, and I firmly believe he’ll be the top scorer in the World Cup”
Watch the discussion about England’s world-class four (12:40 onwards):
John Terry Doesn’t Consider Bukayo Saka “World Class”
Toby Melville via Reuters
The elephant in the room, though, is Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka. When pressed by both Morgan and Jordan on why Saka didn’t make his world-class cut, Terry’s reasoning came down to his end-of-season output, suggesting the winger didn’t quite hit the levels expected of someone in that bracket, whilst at least acknowledging his injury struggles. It was a reserved critique rather than a dismissal, but a critique nonetheless.
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What made it more nuanced was what followed. Morgan put it to Terry that when Saka is at his best, he’s as good as anyone in his position in the world. Terry agreed, but only went as far as “potentially.” Not a no, but far from a yes. It suggested Terry sees Saka as a player on the cusp of that level rather than one who’s firmly established himself there.
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Whether or not the world-class label strictly applies is, in some ways, beside the point. What Terry’s comments do is frame exactly where the bar sits, and for Saka, the 2026 World Cup may well be his chance to clear it.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Tommy Fury defeated Eddie Hall in their bizarre exhibition contest in the main event of a Misfits Boxing card at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday night.
Billed as ‘The Beauty vs The Beast’, there was a massive 108lbs weight difference between the two participants, with former World’s Strongest Man Hall enjoying a massive weight advantage.
The fight was signed over six two-minute rounds, in a marked departure from the three-minute rounds typically seen in boxing.
Hall made an impressive start in the first, constantly pressuring his smaller opponent and finding success with a big right hand towards the end of the session.
‘The Beast’ continued his good work in the second, using his imposing frame to prevent Fury from getting into his rhythm. His exertions in the first four minutes looked to have taken their toll on Hall in the third, as he was noticeably feeling the pace. Tommy was able to use Hall’s tiredness to land a few stiff shots and find his way into the fight.
Fury again used his movement well in the third, although Hall still found his way through with a few blows. Ultimately, though, the extra weight Hall was carrying was reflected in his cardio.
Although he swang heavily up until the final bell, Hall couldn’t find the blow he needed to end the fight, with Fury taking the win on the judges’ cards.
This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
James McClean has always been one to speak up when he believes a moral line has been crossed.
The former Republic of Ireland international, who earned 103 caps for his country, has spoken out in a characteristically forthright fashion following a decision that had Irish fans up in arms.
The context is the FAI’s confirmation that Ireland’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Israel, scheduled for the 4th of October, will be moved to a neutral venue and played behind closed doors, rather than at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
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The organisation cited operational challenges and potential disruption as the driving factors behind the decision, with UEFA approving the request following consultation with various stakeholders, including the Palestinian Football Association, which expressed its appreciation for Ireland’s stance on the conflict while respecting the FAI’s course of action.
McClean Accuses FAI of Cowardice
For McClean, the compromise satisfied nobody and stood for nothing. “I think we’ve missed a massive opportunity here,” he told RTE Sport (via the Irish Mirror). “I think the decision to move to a neutral venue behind closed doors, of all the decisions we could have made, is by far the worst one.
“The FAI have missed a massive opportunity to stand on the right side of history.”
“If you’re going to go ahead with the game, at least have the courage to face the backlash that was going to come with it being played in Dublin. But to move it away is a cowardly move.”
The Irish pair have finally swept their different under the carpet after a lengthy feud.
The Derry City man also drew on Ireland’s own history to make his point: “If there’s one country that can relate to the oppression and famine and what’s going on in Gaza, it’s the people of this country.”
The FAI’s lengthy statement on Saturday made clear that the decision wasn’t taken lightly. They’ve been engaged with UEFA on the issue for almost two years and submitted a formal motion in November 2025 that called for the suspension of the Israel Football Association from UEFA competitions. That motion was passed at the FAI’s general assembly, but UEFA’s competition rules left the association with limited room to manoeuvre.
The former Wrexham man, who has recently joined Derry City, couldn’t help but rile up the opposition fans one last time.
Had Ireland refused to fulfil the fixture entirely, the consequences would have been significant: Six points forfeited, potential relegation to League C in the Nations League, damage to UEFA and FIFA rankings, and perhaps most frustratingly, a boost to Israel’s own competition standing as a direct result.
It’s a seriously difficult position, and the statement reflects an organisation trying to balance sporting obligation against increasingly vocal moral pressure. Whether moving the game to a neutral venue reads as a reasonable compromise, or a failure of leadership, will depend largely on where those who read into it stand. McClean, for his part, has made his view rather clear.
Arsenal are reportedly in talks to sign Christos Tzolis ahead of the summer transfer window, but they are also ready to spend £87m on a ‘superstar’.
The Gunners are in the strongest position they’ve been in for years when it comes to recruiting players in the summer transfer window.
Mikel Arteta’s side lifted the Premier League title after a 22-year wait, while they also reached the Champions League final before being beaten by Paris Saint-Germain.
They are now one of the most attractive prospects to play for in Europe, which could see them enjoy a busy summer window.
Arsenal don’t need too many signings in order to go to the next level, with Arteta and his recruitment team already building a phenomenal squad.
The Gunners are making their first move in the summer transfer window
Arsenal Ready to Sign ‘Superstar’
According to Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Arteta considers Juventus star Kenan Yildiz as his dream target for the summer transfer window.
It is claimed that the Gunners would be ready to spend around £87 million for Yildiz, with Tzolis considered an alternative option after Arsenal open talks.
Arsenal want to sign a key player for the left-hand side of attack, and Yildiz, described as a ‘superstar’, could be the ideal signing for that position.
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Yildiz Better Than Tzolis
Although Tzolis’ numbers were more impressive during the 2025-26 season, there is no doubt he is playing in a lesser league than Yildiz is.
Tzolis is also now 24, meaning he is approaching his prime years, whereas Yildiz is three years younger and yet to reach his full potential.
Tzolis has played in England before with Norwich City in both the Premier League and the Championship, but he struggled to make an impact.
The Greek international has certainly developed since then, but there’s no doubt Yildiz is the player with a higher ceiling and also more proven at the highest level.
