^ ^ Gary Neville fears Arsenal World Cup star ‘doesn’t look right at all’

Gary Neville believes Thomas Tuchel has some major selection headaches to contend with ahead of England’s next game (Picture: Getty)

Gary Neville fears Thomas Tuchel will have to consider taking one of his most reliable attacking players out of the firing line for England’s next World Cup match against DR Congo.

The Three Lions qualified for the knockout stages with a minimum of fuss, collecting seven points from three games and ending their Group L campaign with an ultimately routine 2-0 win against Panama.

Fitness concerns over a number of key players is, however, beginning to represent a genuine cause for concern with tougher tests ahead.

Midfield linchpin Declan Rice was rested from Saturday night’s game, while Reece James isn’t expected back until the quarter finals as England attempt to manage his hamstring strain.

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Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, started his first game of the competition against Panama having made cameo appearances off the bench in the previous meetings with Croatia and Ghana.

The Arsenal winger struggled to make an impact against limited opponents and was described as ‘arrogant and ignorant’ by former Watford striker Troy Deeney.

Saka’s form for England has mirrored the performances for his club over the course of the last few months which culminated in another subdued display in the Champions League final against PSG.

Bukayo Saka was taken off after 63 minutes against Panama (Picture: Getty)

And Neville fears Saka’s condition means he cannot be risked against England’s next opponents given his long-standing Achilles issue.

‘Bukayo Saka doesn’t look right at all,’ Neville said.

‘He’s usually the boy that’s bubbling and smiling, he’s got that competitive edge to him, but he’s not right and that’s a concern to us I think.’

Those sentiments were echoed by Ian Wright, with the Arsenal legend questioning whether Saka has been ‘rushed back’ for the World Cup.

‘We’re going into a World Cup, and still not starting the first few games, only starting when we’re three games in, and still isn’t looking like the Saka that we know – this guy needs a break,’ Wright said.

Bukayo Saka is nursing a hamstring injury (Picture: Getty)

Tuchel’s other options in the wide positions have hardly covered themselves in glory so far, with Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon making only limited impacts.

I can’t remember too many tournaments where you’re feeling like you’re on the edge, I feel like that’s normal,’ Wright said.

‘But there are a lot of people [in the England squad] who are not up to speed.

‘Our wingers, and the way we depend on the wingers are not doing well enough.’

Roy Keane, meanwhile, added: ‘The wingers need to grab their opportunity. These players [wingers] haven’t quite grabbed their opportunity yet.

‘In the group games, you can maybe slip up in one of them, but now at least one of them has to start turning up.’

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^ ^ World Cup: César Azpilicueta on Yamal, Dechamps & Tuchel

Former Chelsea and Spain captain César Azpilicueta talks to Steve Crossman about playing with a young Lamine Yamal, his time at Chelsea with Reece James and Thomas Tuchel, and his early years at Marseille working under Didier Dechamps.

TIMECODES: 05:21 – Working with Didier Dechamps at Marseille 12:45 – Lamine Yamal 21:08 – Reece James 23:57 – Thomas Tuchel

^ ^ Chelsea enter race to sign £60m star ahead of Man Utd and Arsenal

Chelsea have entered the competitive transfer race (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have joined Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Alex Scott after Bournemouth reduced their asking price for the midfielder.

The Blues are working on a number of summer deals as Xabi Alonso prepares to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Italy international Marco Palestra looks set to become Alonso’s first summer signing after Chelsea agreed a £51m deal with Atalanta for the right-back.

Chelsea identified Palestra as a top target as they are open to offers for Malo Gusto and braced for an approach from Manchester City, who have appointed ex-Stamford Bridge boss Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s replacement.

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There has also been movement on the left-hand side of Chelsea’s defence with Marc Cucurella getting his desired move and joining Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

Trevoh Chalobah could follow Cucurella out of Chelsea amid interest from Cesc Fabregas’ Como, with Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix lined up as an upgrade.

Chelsea have also been linked with a number of midfielders as Enzo Fernandez, valued at £120m, continues to push for a move away.

Bournemouth star Alex Scott (Picture: Getty)

England World Cup star Morgan Rogers has been considered by the west London club, who have also entered the race to sign Bournemouth’s Scott.

Scott, 22, enjoyed another impressive season on the south coast, playing all but one of Bournemouth’s league games as they finished sixth, qualifying for Europe.

Manchester United have identified Scott as a possible target as they look to bolster Michael Carrick’s options in midfield following Casemiro’s exit and Manuel Ugarte’s horror injury.

New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)

Premier League champions Arsenal are also believed to be admirers of Scott as they took look to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s title-winning midfield.

But talkSPORT say Chelsea intend to rival Manchester United and Arsenal for Scott, just days after it was reported that Bournemouth had reduced their asking price.

Bournemouth were believed to be demanding at least £80m for the highly-rated midfielder earlier in the summer but the Daily Mail says a figure of around £60m is now possible.

Man Utd admire the Bournemouth midfielder (Picture: Getty)

It has also been reported that while Tottenham are also fans of Scott, Manchester United and Arsenal are the two ‘frontrunners’ to secure his signature.

Scott was close to making England’s World Cup squad but was ultimately overlooked by Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.

Manchester City’s imminent £116m deal for Elliot Anderson has reduced the options for clubs hoping to sign a top-class midfielder this summer.

Elliot Anderson is joining Manchester City for £116m (Picture: Getty)

Ex-England striker Darren Bent recently urged Arsenal to win the race to sign Scott, claiming he could be better value than England World Cup star Anderson.

‘Elliot Anderson for £120m or Alex Scott for £60m, I’m taking Alex Scott all day, every day. There’s no way on the planet that Elliot Anderson is £60m better than Alex Scott, he’s just not,’ Bent told talkSPORT.

‘I like Elliot Anderson, I think he’s a top player but for that money, £120 million is crazy. He’s been decent [at the World Cup] but not £120m. Alex Scott for £60m, I promise you now if I had the choice.’

In a separate show, Bent added: ‘This is where transfer fees are crazy. Elliot Anderson is brilliant but I’m saying he’s not £40m better than Alex Scott.

‘If he comes to Arsenal, I’m just not sure where he plays because you’ve got [Martin] Zubimendi who is the holder, or [Myles] Lewis-Skelly, then you have [Declan] Rice as the No.8.

‘You know what though, I’d take him at Arsenal because he’ll get so many minutes. He’s a top player and, you never know, he can force his way in.

‘He has had a wonderful season but I always think it’s that next level. Going to play for Arsenal or Manchester United, when you’re in the Champions League and all these different various competitions, the expectation goes through the roof.’

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^ ^ The two reasons ex-Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka wants to complete shock Chelsea transfer

Granit Xhaka is angling for a move to Chelsea from Sunderland (Picture: Getty)

Granit Xhaka will continue to push for a move to Chelsea with personal terms already ‘guaranteed’.

The 33-year-old midfielder has emerged as a shock target for the Blues who are looking to add more experience to a squad that floundered baddly last season.

BlueCo appear ready to admit the mistakes that have undermined their attempts to arm various managers with squads capable of competing for major trophies.

The likes of Enzo Maresca, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino have all struggled to keep pace with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool as a consequence of a strategy that has relied upon recruiting Europe and South America’s best emerging talent.

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Upon appointing Xabi Alonso as Liam Rosenior’s permanent replacement, the Spaniard was notably given the title of manager rather than head coachfollowing his insistence that he be heavily involved in player recruitment.

Complementing Chelsea’s best young players with seasoned Premier League performers represents a priority for the latest man in the Chelsea hot seat.

A deal to sign Crystal Palace’s France international centre-half Maxence Lacroix appears to be progressing well, while Xhaka would add vast knowhow to a midfield engine room that could well be losing Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid.

Granit Xhaka and Xabi Alonso won the Bundesliga together at Bayer Leverkusen (Picture: Getty)

According to Fabrizio Romano, Xhaka wants to be reunited with Alonso at Stamford Bridge given the success they enjoyed together at Bayer Leverkusen where they helped the club win a first Bundesliga title, dethroning Bayern Munich in the process.

Moreover, Xhaka is keen to relocate his young family to London where he spent seven years as an Arsenal player, several as club captain, having spent last season at Sunderland.

Xhaka captain the Black Cats during their first season back in the top flightin eight years and helped secure unlikely European qualification, ironically after they beat Chelsea at home on the final day of an uplifting campaign.

Granit Xhaka captained Sunderland last season (Picture: Getty)

Granit Xhaka spent seven years as an Arsenal player (Picture: Getty)

After that match, Xhaka addressed the Sunderland fans and claimed ‘it was only the start’ but he now appears determined to renege on that promise and sign for Chelsea.

Sunderland, however, will not part with the veteran midfielder, who is currently playing for Switzerland at the World Cup, without a fight.

Xhaka joined Sunderland last summer in a £13million deal and with two years left on his contract they will at least hope to make their money back, if not a significant profit.

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^ ^ World Cup: Steve Clarke Goes & England Get The Job Done

Steve Clarke has resigned as Scotland manager following their World Cup exit, with Eilidh Barbour joining Rick Edwards and Lloyd Griffith to react to the news and assess what went wrong for Scotland.

England are through to the last 32 after a 2-0 win over Panama. Paul Robinson joins from the stadium to break down another slightly underwhelming performance, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham again central to the result to get the job done.

The Athletic's Adam Crafton looks ahead to England’s knockout tie with DR Congo and runs through the standout fixtures from an exciting last 32 line-up.

Plus, Rick and Lloyd discuss the Nigerian goalkeeper who’s taken over everyone’s algorithms despite not being at the World Cup, and Lloyd shares a story from his time working in DR Congo on an old job.

^ ^ Harry Maguire sends clear message to Man Utd over Marcus Rashford’s future

Marcus Rahsford impressed for England in their 2-0 win over Panama (Credits: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Harry Maguire insists Marcus Rashford would be welcomed back with open arms were to he stay and fight for his Manchester Untied future.

The 28-year-old’s career appeared certain to lie away from Old Trafford having been deemed surplus to requirements by Ruben Amorim.

Rashford was loaned out to Aston Villa for a six-month spell in January of last year, before earning a dream move to Barcelona the following summer.

The Spanish champions, however, passed on the option to sign the England international on a permanent basis earlier this summer despite Rashford enjoying a productive campaign.

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With Anthony Gordon having been signed for £70million, a return to Camp Nou looks increasingly implausible and Rashford appears destined to begin pre-season back at his boyhood club.

Under new management and with Michael Carrick now in charge, Rashford could yet perform a dramatic U-turn and resurect a United career that appeared dead and buried.

The versatile forward is understood to still maintain a number of Premier League suitors but Maguire insists his long-time teammate could yet thriveat United with Carrick at the helm.

Marcus Rashford was brought into the starting line-up for England’s game against Panama (Picture: Getty)

He told The Rest Is Football: ‘I have an amazing relationship with Marcus and had some great times with him over the years.

‘I know what what a wonderful player he can be. It’s up to the club and up to Marcus and finding a mutual agreement.

‘Of course, if Marcus does come back we want him to come back and play and be happy and confident.

Anthony Gordon’s move to Barcelona has complicated Marcus Rashford’s future (Picture: Getty)

‘It needs to be right for himself, it needs to be right for the club but everyone knows what a great player Marcus can be for whatever club he plays for next season.’

Rashford did his reputation little harm with an eye-catching performance in England’s 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday night.

The Three Lions booked their place in the last 32 as group winners and will be strong favourites to progress at the expense of DR Congo.

Whether Rashford maintains his place in the starting XI at the expense of Gordon remains to be seen, but Maguire was impressed with the winger’s display.

Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford have been teamamtes together for England and Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

He said: ‘I think he was so direct and positive with everything that he did. We spoke about the Ghana game where it was a bit slow and we had too much patience.

‘I think Rashy straight away took the game to Panama and I think first 10 minutes he put four or five crosses in the box and it wasn’t as accurate as he normally is and then he finds that one where Harry probably was unfortunate not to score.

‘He was a constant threat throughout the game and when he’s in that mood I think us England fans know how good he can be and I’ve had the pleasure of playing with him at Manchester Unite for many years so when he’s in that frame and in that direct mode he’s unstoppable on his day.’

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