Agree. Just doesn't offer much. He can't pass the ball well. Doesn't score enough and doesn't offer any tenacity in midfield
I'd say the unqualified successes would be Mbappe, Ronaldo x2, Kane & Bale. Bellingham and Rice would be close (just due to timeframes - Kane's goals make it much easier to assess), and Caicedo has really stepped up in the latter part of this season.
Bale was a success but is probably wrongly going to be seen in history as an underperformance or even a failure by many because of how the later part of his time went.
I wonder if there is a poster on the Italian forum called something like fuocobrucia who has been saying because of the lack of options Italy might end up hiring someone like Gattuso
🚨 Al Ahli make contact with Ange Postecoglou about becoming head coach, if Matthias Jaissle exits. Former Tottenham Hotspur boss among candidates being considered in event of #AlAhli managerial change. Xavi another option @TheAthleticFC after @mcgrathmike https://t.co/n2f99aPnHx— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 14, 2025
🚨 Atletico Madrid weighing up move to sign Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson. No formal talks yet between clubs or with 31yo - but Theo Hernandez out of frame + Scotland international among options #Atleti considering @TheAthleticFC after @FabrizioRomano https://t.co/tpMQgSeBbn— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 14, 2025 Liverpool will be a very non British zone as I think Jones might be their only senior British player.
Keith Andrews in line to be Brentford manager. Would be a bizarre appointment. He was a decent player at Blackburn
The club world cup opening bits were quite ott. I bet the main world cup is like that as well next year.
NEW: The head coaches of both FC Porto and Palmeiras, as well as the Brazilian wonderkid Estevao, criticised the “dry” and “slow” turf at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night. Venue will host final of this tournament and World Cup final next year.https://t.co/iAMrkjQ8S7— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) June 16, 2025
🚨 Florian Wirtz expected to arrive in UK later this week - current plan for medical Friday before completing transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool. Fee £100m guaranteed + up to £16m add-ons to #Bayer04. Proposed 5yr contract with #LFC @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/Fkf6TibjHK— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 16, 2025
🚨 Chelsea make verbal enquiry to Lyon regarding Malick Fofana. 20yo #OlympiqueLyonnais winger among multiple options #CFC considering amid Jadon Sancho exit. Nothing advanced for Belgium international but discussions continue @TheAthleticFC after @lequipe https://t.co/wZRuXMEOqA— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 16, 2025
Just happened to turn on channel 5 to see what sort of crowd there is for this Chelsea game…….the stadium is mostly empty and the players are being introduced one by one. Think the players look embarrassed. This tournament is surely going to flop with empty stadiums.
I really think FIFA expected attendances to be strong, even for the group games. The World Cup games next summer will have arses on seats, even those kicking off at 3pm on a Monday. I think FIFA genuinely thought this tournament would generate comparable interest.
The tickets were very expensive and they hasn’t been any international travel except for Latin American fans.
I have family in the USA within driving distance of at least one of the venues who love Football and I don’t think they going to a match. Wouldn’t be surpsied if they go to a match next summer through even one not near them.
Yeah I think FIFA realised a fair while ago that the hype wasn't there, I'm more talking about when they first announced the plans. I guess that's why they set ticket prices so high initially.
The nearest one to me is about a 2 hour drive. Current cheapest ticket on stubhub is $13 for Pachuca v Salzburg. I'm surprised they aren't cheaper. It's a strange tournament with weird qualification criteria.