He said: “We made life very difficult for ourselves. The result is fantastic, it’s amazing, but we are not happy with the performance.”
When pushed for more details, the German simply responded: “In every sense. Sloppy, a lot of technical mistakes, not fast enough: we were lucky today.” He added: “I am not happy. The way we played was sloppy, we did a lot of technical mistakes. It is nothing to do with mentality. We need to play better…”
Minutes later, Jude Bellingham was asked by ITV reporter Gabriel Clarke to give his thoughts on his manager’s comments. He said: “Yeah, well, whatever. Whatever. It’s difficult out there. It’s a tough shift. All the players have put in a tough shift, so my thoughts and appreciation goes to the players who were out there and put in a great shift yet again.”
“So, I think we’ve tried to create a positive environment. You’re not going to win every game, popping the ball and making a thousand passes. Sometimes you have to win dirty, and we’ve done that again tonight.”
Harry Kane Reacts to Jude Bellingham’s Interview
REUTERS/Eloisa Sanchez
Kane has now addressed the interviews given by Bellingham and Tuchel, hitting out at the English media for trying to create division within the Three Lions camp. He told the BBC:
“When you are playing a game like that and to be asked a question five minutes after the final whistle, and he didn’t really know what had been said, what do you want Jude [Bellingham] to say?
“We had just been through a battle. It is easy to try and create this division – it seems like an English thing to do at these major tournaments.
“But it is the complete opposite. The group is where we are because of our complete togetherness – not just the players, the coach and the staff. Things sometimes get made out to be more than they are.”
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Nathan Ray Seebeck
He added: “We understand it. Players on the pitch know more than anyone when you are playing well. When you are not playing well, that is part and parcel of football.
“We understand what the boss meant. The boss has been so complimentary of the group. He said the mentality of the group, which is sometimes the hardest part, has been at the highest, highest level, and we have been for some time now.
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World Cup History Quiz
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“He wears his heart on his sleeve and people appreciate that. When he talks, it is never scripted. That is what makes him who he is. When it just comes naturally, you believe in that, you believe in what he is saying, you believe in his approach.
“He is one of the best managers in the world for a reason. We understand it. Over the past two years, we have got to know him and know what makes him happy.”
England will face Argentina for a place in the World Cup final on Wednesday, July 15.
Arsenal transfer target Bradley Barcola favours a move to London over Liverpool, who are currently deemed the favourites to sign the Paris Saint-Germain winger, according to journalist Konstantinos Lianos.
Barcola spent another season somewhat on the periphery of Luis Enrique’s team in 2025/26, behind the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele in the pecking order. Despite this, the Frenchman still managed to net 13 goals and provide eight assists across all competitions, and is now wanted by two of Europe’s top clubs.
The Merseysiders lead the race to land the player’s signature, but they may have some difficulty convincing him to swap Paris for the north-west of England.
Bradley Barcola Prefers Arsenal Move to Liverpool
via Reuters
Rogers is Arsenal’s primary target for the left wing this summer, although the Gunners have prepared a clear plan B if a move for the Aston Villa star fails. The Villans are said to be demanding around £130 million for the England international, and if they hold firm on this valuation, the North Londoners may turn to this plan B.
Barcola is the alternative, and Arsenal may actually be better placed to acquire the electric wide man than their Premier League counterparts Liverpool, who view him as a priority.
According to Greek reporter Lianos, Barcola would prefer to swap the French capital for the English capital, rather than trade his Parisian lifestyle with Merseyside. This gives Arsenal a significant advantage in the race to sign the former Lyon man, if they do indeed end up pursuing him over Rogers.
Lianos also reports, however, that PSG will discuss a new contract with Barcola after his participation at the World Cup comes to an end.
The winger is currently tied down at the Parc des Princes until 2028, but the Ligue 1 champions are keen to secure his future for the long-term to fend off interest from elsewhere.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Arsenal Should be Able to Complete Barcola Transfer
Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters
Based on Villa’s purported demands, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Arsenal swiftly pivot from Rogers to Barcola, and they shouldn’t have any issues pulling a deal for the France international off.
While PSG are intent on signing one of their prized assets to a new deal, he must be itching for a new challenge somewhere else. Yan Diomande is being heavily linked with the French giants, and if this transfer materialises, Barcola will be left surplus to requirements in Paris.
He’d then be behind five players in the pecking order in PSG’s frontline, and this should be enough to convince him to consider plying his trade elsewhere.
Arsenal can offer Barcola a prominent role in one of the best team’s in Europe, while his desire to live in London gives them significantly more swaying power than Liverpool.
Andrea Berta shouldn’t have a hard time enacting a deal for the talented attacker if it becomes clear he’s going to leave PSG.
England’s starting lineup to face Argentina in Wednesday night’s World Cup semi-final has been leaked, with the biggest news being that Bukayo Saka has been dropped for the mouth-watering tie.
The Three Lions are well-placed to reach a second successive major tournament final after their come-from-behind victory over Norway on the weekend. But they will will need to do so without a recognised right-winger, with Morgan Rogers given the nod to start there in Atlanta, Georgia.
Of course, Jude Bellingham – England’s hero on many occasions this summer – starts, as does all-time top goalscorer Harry Kane, with other nailed-down starters including Jordan Pickford and Marc Guehi.
England’s Starting Lineup vs Argentina ‘Leaked’
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Caean Couto
As per Sami Mokbel of the BBC, England will line up as follows (see below):
“Jordan Pickford; Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon; Harry Kane.”
Arsenal are now said to be preparing a bid for a new winger as they look to tick off a key piece of business and beat Liverpool to a signing.
The Gunners are in need of a left-winger and a number 8 this summer, but they could yet add a top striker if the right circumstances play out, and there will be other holes to plug depending on exits.
Mikel Arteta is yet to make a true start to summer recruitment, putting aside the free signing of Illan Meslier and the effectively pre-agreed permanent signing of Piero Hincapie. But we are likely to see the Gunners ramp up their transfer efforts in the next couple of weeks, and the attacker spot is likely to be a priority, especially with Leandro Trossard’s departure likely meaning two players are needed on that side.
Arsenal preparing offer for World Cup star Nusa
According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are now preparing an offer for RB Leipzig and Norway winger Antonio Nusa, believing he could be a long-term solution to their issues on the left side. It’s claimed the Gunners will offer around €40m for the 21-year-old, but Leizpig will reportedly seek as much as €60million, keeping in mind Newcastle United, Juventus and others are also reportedly interested. That means Arsenal and Leipzig are a long way apart on their valuations, so a deal certainly isn’t close.
The Gunners were believed to want a standout, ready-to-start left-wing option, but if they can sign someone like Morgan Rogers or Julian Alvarez, who would be their preferred targets, it’s likely they will need to compromise on their left-wing spending, with both of those players usually operating centrally.
Club Brugge star Christos Tzolis has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, so it will be interesting to see if the Nusa deal is instead of or as well as the Tzolis interest. It’s likely the Norway World Cup star, described as ‘one of the best players of his generation’, is an alternative option to Tzolis at this stage.
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Nusa a Neymar-like ‘special’ talent
Speaking to TalkSport, European football journalist Andy Brassell explained why Nusa is seen as such a ‘special’ talent. He said: “What is it that makes Nusa so special? Well, he’s a wide player who’s equally effective on both sides, and even some of the best wide players in the modern game are not that.
“So this is something that’s a huge advantage for Leipzig at the moment is they have him on one side and Yan Diomande, who has been closely linked to Liverpool, on the other side. Having them and their ability to swap, I think is really, really useful. We often see Diomande on the right coming onto his left foot and Nusa on the left going onto his right, which is why a few people have floated the rather crass nickname of the ‘Norwegian Neymar’.
“His close control is brilliant, so you can understand the comparison. He’s very, very quick-footed. He’s able to go inside or outside. He’s adding a few goals to his game as well.”
