'Losing Isak without a replacement ready would be catastrophic'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
23 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Hannah Hampton's parents: ‘We've always known she will be England's number one'
The 24-year-old from Birmingham was named player of the match after the final, where her two saves in the penalty shootout with Spain helped secure victory for England. Speaking to ITV News, Hampton's mother Laura said: 'I don't think I could put it into words how proud I am. 'She has worked hard. She deserves this. The team deserve it. The Euros needed to come home.' Her father Chris added: 'To get to the standards they're at, they've had to give up so much in their early lives. 'This is the reward that having done all that has brought them and for that, I mean, I'm so proud that she's just carried on working hard, showing the enthusiasm … always up for the challenge of trying to be her best and that's all she wants to do.' The goalkeeper announced on Monday that her grandfather had died just two days before the Lionesses' triumphant Euro 2025 campaign began. Posting to her Instagram alongside a picture of her green England shirt with 'grandpa' printed in the neckline, Hampton wrote: 'Dear Grandpa. 'Two days before the biggest tournament of my life, you left. It still doesn't feel real. I kept thinking when I'd call Nannie I'd hear your voice again – one of your jokes, or one of those little comments you'd make that somehow said everything without saying much at all. 'You were one of my biggest supporters. You believed in me before I even knew what this journey would look like.' The Chelsea stopper had usurped Euro 2022 winner Mary Earps to become Sarina Wiegman's first-choice keeper and was under enormous pressure to deliver in Switzerland. Her mother praised her daughter for her resilience, and said: 'I think we've always known Hannah will be England's number one. 'It's always been her target. She's such a hard worker. Her mantra is keep plodding on. That's what she does, and she will continue to keep plodding on. 'This isn't the end for Hannah. This is another stepping stone.'
Metro
23 minutes ago
- Metro
Ex-Arsenal star set for Premier League return after Ramsdale and Xhaka
Yet another former Arsenal player could make a surprise transfer back to the Premier League following Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsdale. Mikel Arteta has been busy this summer spending just shy of £200million on six new players, including Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke. There could yet be more incomings at the Emirates but this transfer window has also seen several notable ex-Gunners make high-profile moves. Former club captain Xhaka is set to join newly-promoted Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £17m. The Swiss midfielder only left north London two years ago and achieved great success in Germany, leading Leverkusen to an invincible league and cup double. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Meanwhile, Ramsdale has reportedly said yes to joining Newcastle, with the Magpies now working on the terms of a transfer with Southampton. The England goalkeeper, who only left the Emirates last summer, is available for £20m thanks to a relegation release clause, but could move to St. James' Park on a loan deal. Now, a third player Arteta recently got rid of could be heading back to England, as Sky Sports report that Everton are interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The former Three Lions star spent two decades at Arsenal and started the 2020 FA Cup final victory, the last time the club won a major trophy. Capable of playing at full-back and defensive midfield, he struggled to keep his place in the first-team under Arteta and after multiple loan spells, he was released in 2023 and subsequently joined Lyon. It is said Maitland-Niles, who has two years left on his contract with the French club, is open to returning to the Premier League. More Trending Everton boss David Moyes is an admirer of the 27-year-old and is desperate for new signings, recently telling The Athletic: 'I would hope by the time we get to the end of the window, we'd be closer to 10 [new players]. So you can imagine the amount of work we've got to do. 'The club are trying really hard to get the players I want and I've found it really difficult because in my last few years [in his previous job at West Ham], I've been involved in European competition. 'It's a bit easier when you're a club in Europe. You get a better chance of attracting a lot of players. 'We've been in for a lot of really good players. Unfortunately, a lot them have said no at the moment.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea preparing opening transfer bid to beat Arsenal to £60m star MORE: William Saliba warns Premier League rivals over 'scary' Arsenal signing MORE: Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak rejects £96m transfer offer after Liverpool talks
Metro
23 minutes ago
- Metro
Chelsea preparing opening transfer bid to beat Arsenal to £60m star
Chelsea are lining up an opening transfer offer to sign RB Leipzig and Netherlands star Xavi Simons, according to reports. The Blues have already bolstered Enzo Maresca's attack with the addition of Jamie Gittens, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap for a combined fee of around £160million this summer. Young duo Estevao and Kendry Paez, both aged 18, could also be set for key roles in the first-team next season having touched down in west London with burgeoning reputations in South American football. But Stamford Bridge bosses are determined to further strengthen by bringing in Ajax defender Jorrel Hato and RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Simons before the transfer deadline. It's understood personal terms have been agreed with Hato's camp and a total agreement is edging ever closer for the 19-year-old Netherlands international. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Talks for Hato's Dutch team-mate Simons are also progressing at a pace and Chelsea are preparing an official bid for the 22-year-old having received some encouraging signs from RB Leipzig. According to talkSPORT, the latest round of 'positive' discussions have 'accelerated' over the last few days. It's claimed agent Ali Barat has been at the heart of negotiations for Simons this summer, with RB Leipzig keen to include a sell-on clause in any agreement for the former PSG and PSV Eindhoven man. The report adds that the Bundesliga outfit would be prepared to sanction the sale of Simons should they receive an offer in the region of €70m (£60.7m) from Chelsea. More Trending However, the Blues are hopeful they could drive down RB Leipzig's asking price and agree a lower fee for Simons. Chelsea's hierarchy want to avoid a repeat of last season – when Maresca's attacking options were left desperately thin on the ground after a string of injuries to key players – and Simons' versatility is considered a big plus. Arsenal have also been considering a move for Simons, but their interest remains just that at his stage and no concrete talks have taken place, with Eberechi Eze currently the Gunners' priority. Simons, who is believed to be open to the prospect of a Premier League move, has two years remaining on his current contract with RB Leipzig. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Ex-Arsenal star set for Premier League return after Aaron Ramsdale and Granit Xhaka MORE: William Saliba warns Premier League rivals over 'scary' Arsenal signing MORE: 'One of the best clubs' – Man Utd target fuels transfer speculation
