Gossip: Forest reluctant to sell Gibbs-White to Spurs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
13 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Redemption tales and late-night karaoke: the Lionesses have done it again
Given the number of rakes they'd trodden on, Sideshow Bob-style, without sustaining a fatal handle blow to the face, Football Daily fully expected Sunday's final against Spain to be the match in which an almost supernatural reservoir of good fortune enjoyed by the Lionesses at Euro 2025 finally dried up. Pummelled in their opener against France before stumbling and lurching through the knockout rounds like the world's most tea-timely football email pinballing its way home off a series of lampposts and trees after a lock-in down our local drinker, England surely couldn't pull off another smash-and-grab against a team of world champions who can play football to such an ethereal level it often resembles a completely different sport. And while it looked like our prophecy would come to pass after Mariona Caldentey had put the red-hot favourites in front with a bullet header before the break, it was Spain who got the Basel brush-off and Leah Williamson who hoisted the trophy skywards after spot-kicks to prompt a post-match team pogo that reverberated around England before continuing, accompanied by celebratory champagne, cake and karaoke caterwauling, long into the Swiss night. In her post-match interview, Lucy Bronze revealed she had played the entire tournament with a broken tibia, a knack you could be forgiven for thinking might have ruled lesser mortals out of the competition, but in this particular instance wasn't sufficiently serious to preclude the right-back from participating in all six matches before being forced off in extra-time by some comparatively minor knee-ouch. 'I think that's why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game – because I've been through a lot of pain,' she roared. 'But that's what it takes to play for England and that's what I'll do.' Meanwhile, Chloe 'Clutch' Kelly, whose career looked to have hit the skids as recently as January, took pleasure in recounting her own redemption tale after six highly-restorative months. 'If that's a story to tell, [for] someone that maybe experiences something the same: tough times don't last,' she cheered. 'Just around the corner was a [Big Cup] final, won that. Then a Euros final, won that. Thank you to everyone that wrote me off, I'm grateful.' For England fans who had already endured several trips through the wringer, the tough times lasted right until the point Kelly fired her decisive spot-kick past Spain's goalkeeper in a shootout that briefly threatened to eclipse the extraordinary levels of slapstick that prevailed in England's quarter-final against Sweden. For Sarina Wiegman, however, the outcome was never in doub … well, a little in doubt. 'I always think this is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played,' declared the woman who has now masterminded victory in back-to-back-to-back Euros with the Netherlands and England. 'I actually can't believe it myself. How can this happen? But it happened. I'm so incredibly proud of the team and the staff. We're just going to party tonight!' And party they did, with the TV cameras on hand to capture the obligatory and increasingly common footage of beatifically bleary-eyed Lionesses boarding the coach outside a team hotel whose corridors were still echoing with the sounds of Ella Toone's stirring early-hours rendition of River Deep, Mountain High. After flying home for an official welcome at 10 Downing Street, England's pride of Lionesses will parade along the Mall on an open-top bus on Tuesday lunchtime, when tens and possibly hundreds of thousands of well-wishers are expected to line the famous London boulevard and pay homage to their heroines. The road to Buckingham Palace is one Kelly and Hannah Hampton are expected to make again in January, after it was revealed they could be awarded MBEs in the new year honours list for their services to being 'proper England'. 'I'm in shock. I must apologise for missing my penalty and congratulate England. But we played well. We were the better side, although that's not everything, you have to put it in the net. I'm devastated. The same thing happened to us in [Big Cup] with my club Barça. We were the better team. England weren't getting [forward], but no one is to blame: we win and lose together. It feels so cruel. I think we're the ones who have done the best [in the tournament], who have played the best, and who have the most talent' – a rueful Aitana Bonmatí, player of the tournament, after Spain missed out on the bigger prize. Why oh why do we allow drummers to bash away BANG BANG BANG BANG during football matches? Mindless metronomic drumming in the stands is relentless, intrusive, distracting, and just plain boring. Why would any genuine fan torture the rest of us like this? Also what about drumming's potentially harmful impact on those other drums in the vicinity, ie in the ears of fans seated close by? Let's drum the drummers out of our football stadiums (don't get me going on the trumpeters)' – Mick Beeby. As one of the last of the few remaining born and bred Caulkheads, I can assure Tim Scanlan (Friday's Football Daily letters) that we Isle of Wight natives delight in referring to mainland Britain as the North Island' – Jonathan Banks. Yes, it would appear New Zealand has solved the problem of where the north-south dividing line is (Friday's letters). But not all is as it seems. The Māori word for south is 'runga'. That word also means 'above'. So … in pre-European times, the Māori going from the bottom of the present-day South Island to the top of the present-day North Island would, in fact, be heading south. Yes, that makes my brain hurt too' – Ron Thompson. If you have any, please send letters to Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is … Ron Thompson. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. The Football Weekly crew reflect on England's European triumph. Catch up with the Lionesses as they celebrate their latest Euros glory. Our picture desk have gone through tens of thousands of images to settle on these as the best photos from Euro 2025. It's been a magnificent 24 hours for Nottingham Forest: not only has Morgan Gibbs-White signed a new three-year contract, leaving Tottenham with an industrial poultry farm's worth of egg on their faces, Forest are now the holders of the José Mourinho Award for Most Shameless Self-Congratulation. 'The deal underlines the ambition of Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, whose vision for European success and sustained Premier League progress continues to shape the club's future,' purred a club statement. 'A statement of intent from our owner Evangelos Marinakis,' parped the club's social media disgrace team, in case it needed ladling on a little thicker. Then came a video in which Gibbs-White, flanked by a looming Marinakis, proceeded to namecheck the Greek three times in under 45 seconds, suggesting he was 'the main reason' for the club's success. 'We're very happy,' rumbled Marinakis when it was his turn to take his place in front of the club-branded microphone. 'I would never let anybody from any other team try to get a player from us or make something that we don't agree with.' Cue wild applause and, whatever you do, don't be the first person to stop clapping. England's success has led to increased engagement at grassroots level, with more than a third of the sample of 500 13-18 year old girls surveyed – 36% – now attached to a football club. Nigeria have won Wafcon after staging a remarkable fightback from two goals down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2, picking up a record $1m in prize money (which has doubled since the last tournament). And good news for Harry Kane: Liverpool have agreed to sell Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich in a deal worth up to €75m (£65.5m). 'They thought it was all over. Quite a few times, in fact.' Do read Jonathan Liew at the Euro 2025 final. Who was good and who was bad less good in the Euros final? Sophie Downey's player ratings have the answer. Aitana Bonmatí's sullen walk to collect the player of the tournament award showed there is no joy in personal accolades when your team loses but Spain will be back, writes Nick Ames. Chloe Kelly's early introduction helped change the game for Sarina Wiegman's side. Sophie Downey analyses the tactical shift. 'Proper England' turned up in Basel and Tom Garry explains exactly what it means. Things got a little weepy in Madrid after Spain lost but the growing interest in the women's national team is a victory in itself, as Sam Jones witnessed. England won on the pitch, but who were the victors in the TV studios? John Brewin kept his beady eye on the BBC and ITV coverage. Nick had a natter with Uefa suit Nadine Kessler about the future of the Women's Euros. The women's game is growing across Europe and the playing field is starting to level, according to Philipp Lahm. David Hytner takes a look at Viktor Gyökeres and the man behind the new Arsenal striker's mask. Meanwhile, Miguel Dantas hears from those in Portugal who tried – and generally failed – to keep the Swede quiet at Sporting. Alexander Isak's desire to leave Newcastle for pastures new asks questions of whether, even with Saudi finance, the club can challenge the bigger boys in the game, reckons Jonathan Wilson. And it's been a busy summer for business between the Bundesliga and Premier League. Eze Obasi goes back through those who have made the switch. Ten years ago in July 2015, the England Women's team rock up to meet PM David Cameron at Downing Street for a reception after their third-place finish at the World Cup in Canada. The shindig came shortly after that post on Social Media Disgrace Twitter from the FA. 'It's nice to hear that we have been an inspiration to people – that was always our objective but I don't know if we thought we could achieve it to this extent,' declared Karen Carney.
Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton 'in line for MBEs' after penalty shoot-out heroics in England's Euro 2025 triumph
Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton are reportedly the leading candidates to secure honours following their roles in England 's Euro 2025 triumph. The Lionesses retained their European crown in thrilling fashion on Sunday, with Sarina Wiegman 's side winning 3-1 on penalties against Spain after a 1-1 draw between the rivals. Hampton, who usurped Mary Earps as England's No 1 before the tournament, produced two crucial saves in the shoot-out. Her heroics gave Kelly the chance to seal victory, with the winger comfortably converting her penalty to spark wild celebrations. According to the Guardian, Hampton and Kelly have already been lined up as possible contenders to receive MBEs in the New Years Honours list. Four England stars were honoured when the Lionesses lifted the trophy back in 2022, with Kelly missing out despite scoring the winning goal in the final. England captain Leah Williamson received an OBE following the triumph, with Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and Ellen White becoming MBEs. Further honours were bestowed when England reached the World Cup final in 2023, where they were eventually beaten by Spain. Mille Bright, who captained England in Williamson's absence, was awarded an OBE. Earps and Lauren Hemp secured MBEs for their performances which helped England to finish as runners-up. In addition to their role in the shoot-out success, Kelly and Hampton were key throughout the tournament. Hampton has earned praise for being arguably England's most consistent performer during the campaign, with the Chelsea shot-stopper also making two saves in the quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Sweden. Despite not starting a match in the competition, Arsenal winger Kelly made a telling contribution from the bench. Kelly delivered an assist as England fought back from 2-0 against Sweden in the last eight, while she scored the 119th minute winner against Italy in the semi-finals. She then turned provider again in the final for Alessia Russo's equaliser, after being introduced as a first half substitute in place of the injured Lauren James. According to the report, England captain Williamson's current OBE could be upgraded to a CBE. It follows Williamson leading England to success Euros triumphs, as well as being the first to captain the nation to a title in an overseas football tournament at senior level. England boss Wiegman is expected to receive an honorary damehood after becoming the first coach of the national team to secure two major honours. The Dutch manager was reported to be set for an honorary damehood two years ago before the Lionesses' suffered an agonising defeat in the World Cup final to Spain. After England won Euro 2022, the 55-year-old was made CBE on the UK's overseas list with the permission of the Dutch government. She was made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau for leading her native Netherlands to Euro 2017, which she followed up by reaching the final of the 2019 World Cup.
The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
Arsenal transfer news: Eberechi Eze, Rodrygo, Ollie Watkins and more
Arsenal are setting in motion the first steps of a productive summer as they look to buck their trend of second-place finishes next term. It was once again a case of close but not close enough for Mikel Arteta 's side in 2024/25. Finishing second fiddle to the Premier League champions for a third successive season, the Gunners endured another trophyless campaign after their Champions League push fell at the hands of eventual winners PSG. A key reason for their failure to achieve was an attacking injury crisis that forced Mikel Merino to take up a role of makeshift number nine, and despite their undeniable quality in the starting XI, Arsenal's depth is far from good enough for a team hopeful of major titles. And with numerous players already on the chopping block, Arteta has promised a 'big' summer of recruitment at the Emirates. With the transfer window having re-opened on 16 June, a striker was top of the club's shopping list, and they've finally got their man after completing a move for Viktor Gyokeres. Elsewhere, deals for midfielders and defenders are being pursued, with Noni Madueke putting pen to paper and Eberechi Eze being considered. New sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the club's transfer dealings, and Arsenal will be hoping he can replicate his Atleti exploits in London as Arteta looks to lead the club back to the Premier League pinnacle for the first time since 2006. Arrivals & areas to improve The obvious priority for Arsenal will be to sign at least one world class striker. Gabriel Jesus is sidelined with a serious injury that could keep him out until midway through next season, and while the returning Kai Havertz remains one of Arteta's favoured players, there is a strong desire to add an out-and-out proven goalscorer to the ranks, hence the arrival of Gyokeres. The Gunners have added a top-class midfielder as they completed a deal for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, with the 26-year-old Spaniard joining for around £60m a year after apparently rejecting the advances of Liverpool. In addition, Christian Norgaard joins from Brentford as a defensive cover option, while they could yet add Eze as a more attacking choice. Inconsistency on the Gabriel Martinelli front means that a winger has been targeted, with Noni Madueke bringing healthy competition for the Brazilian (if not replacing him entirely). Elsewhere, cover has been secured in defence - with the Gunners having signed Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera – while a backup goalkeeper for David Raya has been acquired with the arrival of Kepa Arrizabalaga. Done deals Ins: Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad, £60m), Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP, £55m), Noni Madueke (Chelsea, £48.5m), Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia, £13m) Christian Norgaard (Brentford, £10m), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea, £5m) Outs: Nuno Tavares (Lazio, £7m), Marquinhos (Cruzeiro £2.5m), Jorginho (Flamengo, free transfer), Kieran Tierney (Celtic, free transfer), Takehiro Tomiyasu (leaves as free agent), Thomas Partey (leaves as free agent) Potential targets Eberechi Eze, Crystal Palace Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze has emerged as a midfield target for the Gunners, with Mikel Arteta likely valuing the England international's ability to play in several attacking positions. Eze impressed for Palace last season and scored the winner in the Eagles' memorable FA Cup final triumph, with a goal that perfectly illustrated his ability in the final third. Reports suggest the 27-year-old is undeterred by the imminent arrival of Noni Madueke, and Arsenal are said to be hoping to agree a deal below his £68m release clause. Benjamin Sesko, RB Leipzig While a deal for Gyokeres has been completed, Arsenal could well turn their attentions back to RB Leipzig sharpshooter Benjamin Sesko if they feel further depth is required up top. The 22-year-old has a penchant for ripping the net off and Arteta reportedly sanctioned talks with the Slovenian, with the German club apparently looking for between £65m and £85m. Rodrygo, Real Madrid On the wing, Arsenal could look to provide further reinforcements in the form of Real Madrid star Rodrygo. The Brazil international appears to be heading for the Santiago Bernabeu exit door this summer after being used sparingly at the Club World Cup. Premier League rivals Liverpool are also said to be interested. Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa A man perpetually linked with the Gunners, you can never write off a move to the Emirates for Ollie Watkins. The Aston Villa talisman has long been admired by Mikel Arteta and could be sought as Arsenal look to prevent last year's failure to adequately stack their attacking options from repeating itself.
