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New York Times
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Newcastle's players of the season: Burn and Tonali led their team to history
A first domestic trophy in 70 years and a spot in the Champions League for 2025-26 are wrapped up but, obviously, the prize truly craved at Newcastle United is The Athletic's player-of-the-season award. Anthony Gordon ran away with the accolade across 2023-24, but there are many candidates for it a year on. Chris Waugh and George Caulkin debate the merits of five contenders from a historic season (and reach differing verdicts)… Waugh: Last season, Isak scored 25 goals, yet Gordon (rightly) pipped him. This time around, Isak scored 27 times, including 23 in the top flight, making him the first to reach 20 or more goals for Newcastle in successive Premier League campaigns. It's been a strange season for him — he only scored once in the league before October 27 and his form dipped again after the Carabao Cup final win in March — yet those numbers still warrant recognition. Advertisement Caulkin: In any other year, Isak would probably be a no-brainer selection — but this has not been just any other campaign. Isak has not necessarily been brilliant every week, but he was phenomenal during that club-record-equalling nine-game winning run across December and January. Waugh: He's a pleasure to watch as well. When Isak has been on it, he has been borderline unplayable. Arsenal's William Saliba and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk will still be having nightmares about facing him. Caulkin: Without question, Newcastle have one of the best strikers in the world — and that's a great thing to be able to say. Waugh: Isak can score all types of goals, but he has largely relied upon deliveries from a team-mate who has risen from ridicule to remarkable. One of our editors cleverly headlined a piece about their unique understanding as 'provide and conquer'. Murphy supplied seven assists for Isak, which was the most goals somebody laid on for any individual team-mate in this season's Premier League. Caulkin: You identify stories of the season and Murphy is one of many, which is why this is such a great conversation. I'm so pleased Murphy is getting the recognition he deserves. He has been underappreciated and underrated. We always talk about the combination between Alan Shearer and Nolberto Solano, now Isak and Murphy have created their own history. Waugh: Only Mohamed Salah provided more Premier League assists than Murphy's 12. Only Salah and Isak had more goal involvements from December 1 than Murphy's 18. This was the season of Murphy's life. If you'd told me three years ago he would be capable of these figures, I would have laughed at you. He has proven everyone wrong. Caulkin: He had some really difficult moments and he has risen to all those challenges. Like Dan Burn, his career has been a slow burn but after winning at Wembley, they have automatically become legends and proved they're more than good enough. Waugh: Murphy must also be a serious goal-of-the-season contender for that wonderstrike against Crystal Palace in April. If one moment encapsulates how hot he has been in 2025, that's it. Waugh: Football is fickle and we risk applying recency bias. Going back to 'stories of the season', until March, Hall would have been that. He is definitely the club's most-improved player, year on year. Last season, he dropped to fourth-choice left-back behind a centre-half and two right-backs, while he was hooked at half-time in three of his first four starts. Fast-forward a year and he revolutionised that left-back role (before Tino Livramento's excellent form), making himself integral. Advertisement Caulkin: It's felt like a journey for him, and he's still such a young lad (Hall turns 21 in September). The coaching and recruitment staff had seen something in him, but for much of last season, it felt like a forlorn jump. He looked like a boy lost. But the coaching staff and, more importantly, Hall deserve great credit for sticking at it, coming through those tough moments and then standing out by a mile for much of the season. Waugh: In pre-season, the theory was that Hall would compete with Lloyd Kelly at left-back. By the end of the winter transfer window, Kelly had been sold to Juventus, while Hall had established himself as the undisputed first-choice left-back and started 22 consecutive league games before injuring his foot in late February. Given what has happened since, it's easy to forget that when Hall was sidelined and then Gordon got himself suspended, that had a massively deflating effect pre-final because of how important Newcastle's left-sided duo had been. Caulkin: Had Hall stayed fit, he may well have won this. Waugh: So we come to the player who is definitely among the stories of the season, who scored the all-important opener at Wembley and who has probably been the most consistent across the campaign, starting all bar one of Newcastle's league matches. Burn has been so reliable — and often excellent — something he will say is unsurprising, given that he was regularly played in his natural position as a centre-half, rather than at left-back. Caulkin: He's one of the best-value signings in Newcastle's history. Last season was difficult for him, he had his struggles at left-back after he had battled to return early from a broken back. That premature comeback doesn't get recognised enough. But the cliche I use about him is: he plays every game as if it's his first or last. This season, though, has been different. He's always shown leadership but Burn personifies Howe's Newcastle in so many ways because he's fearless, takes responsibility and shows leadership. He's been phenomenal. Advertisement Waugh: He's 'England's Dan Burn' now. Thomas Tuchel summarised it perfectly when he expressed surprise that Burn had never been called up before he did it in March, given his consistency at the top level. Burn was usually among the best performers every week and was even defending well when Newcastle were labouring in the autumn. Caulkin: It's a beautiful story because he's one of our own and he's taken a mazy route to get where he is. Isak was probably born elite, but Burn has had to turn himself into an elite player. This really has been Burn's season. Waugh: For an individual's transformative effect, nobody has had as great an impact as Tonali. He missed the start of the season as he served the final weeks of his 10-month suspension for breaking gambling rules and it then took him weeks to establish himself in the XI. Strangely, once he did, that dream midfield three on paper of Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton just did not quite gel when the Italian was playing further forward, as a No 8. There was a period when it seemed it should be one of Tonali or Guimaraes, not both. Some idiot even wrote about that (although that article was your idea…) Caulkin: But it really did feel like that. It was like a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces didn't fit together. Waugh: When Howe played Tonali deeper, in a No 6 role, against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup in October, he excelled. He then did so in the league game at Palace at the end of November and Tonali showed promising signs. The switch with Guimaraes became permanent soon afterwards and it is not coincidental that Newcastle's nine-game winning run followed — and then the team's magnificent form continued almost unbroken until the very end. Tonali makes Newcastle tick. On and off the ball, he sets the tempo. Caulkin: He hasn't necessarily done it for the whole season, but he's an exceptional footballer and altered the course of Newcastle's campaign. He is not an archetypal holding midfielder — he covers so much ground and starts attacks, but then he sprints forward and joins them. Waugh: Tonali is technically-gifted enough to produce special moments — including his non-intentional goal against Brentford — but what impresses me most is how he does the simple things brilliantly. He almost always makes the right decision, and has the skill to execute it. He's world-class and Newcastle's recruitment team deserve immense credit for identifying him and three of the other player-of-the-season nominees here. Caulkin: Well, we haven't really mentioned Guimaraes, the first Newcastle captain to lift a trophy since Bobby Moncur in 1969. So if I really had to choose, it'd be Burn. I may be biased, but I also think that's justified. Waugh: For consistency across the season, you're right. But I'm going for Tonali, just in terms of his effect from December onwards. Having a split vote feels apt, really.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Palmer responds to Neville's infamous Chelsea jibe after Conference League win
Cole Palmer starred as Chelsea buried the demons of last year's Carabao Cup final defeat against Liverpool to win the Europa Conference League on Wednesday night Cole Palmer has insisted he paid no attention to Gary Neville's infamous jibe at Chelsea following last year's Carabao Cup final. The Blues took on a depleted Liverpool at Wembley last February. They had infamously spent huge amounts of money in the transfer market under owner Todd Boehly. But they stumbled on the big stage, falling to a 1-0 defeat after Virgil van Dijk's extra-time goal. Neville was working as a pundit for Sky Sports on that game and was commentating alongside Jamie Carragher. The legendary Manchester United skipper branded the Chelsea squad 'blue billion-pound bottle jobs'. The comment prompted a furious response from then Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino. Palmer played all 120 minutes at Wembley that day and also featured for the Blues on Wednesday as they won the Europa Conference League. He played a key role in the come-from-behind thrashing of Real Betis, laying on two assists. But he has rejected suggestions that the Blues squad were using Neville's comments as fuel to inspire a win. "I wouldn't say I was hurt, I didn't really pay attention to be honest. But I think we shown on Sunday that we can go to a tough place and win. Tonight, even when we was losing I feel like we shown good character again and come back," he said. "It's a good feeling for us and the fans. We picked up the intensity in the second half and put on a good performance. I was sick of getting the ball and going backwards and sideways. "I remember there was a bit of space, always chopping and changing and I saw Enzo run so I put the ball over the top. Same again [for the second assist]." The Blues were 25 minutes away from losing to Betis after Abde Ezzalzouli fired home. But Palmer turned on the class, first setting up Enzo Fernandez to brilliant head in an equaliser before crossing in for Nicolas Jackson to bundle home. Jadon Sancho made it comfortable with a lovely curling finish before Moises Caicedo added gloss to the scoreline with a deflected effort from 20 yards. Back in December, Neville admitted he regreted his jibe at the Blues. "I wish I had not said 'billion-dollar bottle jobs'. They're harsh lines that stain a group of players or a manager. It's a cheap shot really. It's that line of humour meets cheap shot," Neville told The Stick to Football podcast. "I was actually going to do a roll back on my podcast, the day after, and say that I shouldn't have probably used that word 'bottle,' but when I heard that Mauricio thought the team were playing for penalties, I thought that it was the epitome of freezing." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea ready to let young England star leave in summer transfer window twist
Chelsea are expected to be active in the upcoming summer transfer window and one young star has already set his sights on an exit amid interest from the Championship England Under-19 international Leo Castledine looks likely to land a Championship move this summer with Chelsea ready to let the young midfielder leave permanently in order to pursue regular first-team football elsewhere. Castledine, 19, was snapped up by the Blues after coming through the ranks at AFC Wimbledon and remains highly thought of by the newly minted Europa Conference League champions, who handed him his senior debut in the semi-finals of last year's Carabao Cup. But Castledine is keen to play regularly and, with Chelsea willing to sanction a permanent exit, has no shortage of interest from clubs in the Championship ahead of the transfer window. Castledine caught the eye on loan in League One with Shrewbury Town this season before a back injury curtailed his campaign in February. In total he made 26 appearances for Salop, scoring twice. Chelsea are expected to be active in the transfer window with plenty of incomings and outgoings anticipated. Castledine joined the Blues back in March 2020 at the age of just 14 from Wimbledon before signing his first professional contract in the summer of 2022. He is the son of former Wimbledon midfielder Stewart Castledine, who represented the south west Londoners between 1991 and 2000. Chelsea are expected to offload a number of players at the end of the campaign, including some of those who spent the 2024-25 season out on loan. Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Armando Broja are among those who will be moved on should suitable offers arrive while others could join them. In terms of incomings, Chelsea are pushing hard to sign a striker and are in the mix for Ipswich Town's Liam Delap.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Championship fixture release day twist and key details for Blackburn Rovers fans
Blackburn Rovers fans can circle June 26 in their diaries but there will be a difference on the day as they discover the 2025/26 Championship schedule. As is tradition, Rovers fans will be able to plot and plan their away trips across the division by the last Thursday in June. There will be at least two new grounds for many supporters following Wrexham and Charlton Athletic's promotion from League One. Though the three relegated Premier League sides are familiar faces, it is a chance to visit the scenes of two memorable away days at Leicester City. The less said about Southampton and Ipswich in 2023/24, the better. Valerien Ismael will hope to have a number of fresh faces confirmed and through the door by then, with pre-season fast approaching. The head coach wants 90% of his squad assembled by the time they return which will be a tall order. READ MORE: All clubs will learn their fixture schedules in full on Thursday, June 26. However, they will be released at 12pm as opposed to the usual slot of 9am. Later that day, at 4:30pm, the first round of the Carabao Cup is set to be drawn. That will be shown live on Sky Sports News. The first round of Championship fixtures are August 8-10 and the Carabao Cup ties will be played the following week, commencing August 11. Rovers have opened up their last four seasons at Ewood Park, beating Swansea City, Queens Park Rangers, West Brom and Derby County. The latter was a Friday night fixture and the first of the league season. The scheduled 46 rounds of league matches will take place across 33 weekends, nine midweeks and four Bank Holidays in the Championship, with Leagues One and Two playing over 33 weekends, five midweeks and eight Bank Holidays and International Breaks.
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Cardiff's Ronan Kpakio, 18, earns surprise Wales call-up after one league start
The right-back – who only turned 18 on Sunday and has captained Wales several times at youth level – has been named in Craig Bellamy's 27-strong squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Belgium. Kpakio signed his first professional contract last July and made his Cardiff debut in the Carabao Cup a month later. His first Sky Bet Championship appearance came as a second-half substitute against Sheffield United in December, but he missed several months of the season after having leg surgery in January. He made his full league debut for Cardiff at Norwich on the final day of the campaign. Kpakio and Charlie Crew have both been included by boss Bellamy after featuring in last week's Wales training camp in Cardiff and Spain. Leeds midfielder Crew spent the second half of the season on loan at Doncaster and helped Rovers to League Two title success. Harry Wilson (left) and Ethan Ampadu return to the Wales squad after injury (Nick Potts/PA) The 18-year-old won his first cap in a friendly against Gibraltar last summer. Key pair Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson return to the international fold after missing Wales' opening two World Cup qualifiers in March through injury. Captain Aaron Ramsey remains unavailable after undergoing hamstring surgery in March. The recently-retired Joe Allen, Kai Andrews and Tom Lawrence are absent after being involved against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia two months ago. Wales captain Aaron Ramsey misses out again after hamstring surgery (Zac Goodwin/PA) Wales currently sit second in Group J after beating Kazakhstan 3-1 at home and drawing 1-1 in North Macedonia. The Dragons host group minnows Liechtenstein on June 6 and play Belgium in Brussels three days later. Group favourites Belgium have yet to begin their campaign, having been involved in Nations League action in March. Wales squad: K Darlow (Leeds), D Ward (Leicester), A Davies (Sheff Utd), N Williams (Nottingham Forest), J Dasilva (Coventry), C Roberts (Burnley), R Kpakio (Cardiff), B Davies (Tottenham), C Mepham (Sunderland, on loan from Bournemouth), B Cabango (Swansea), J Rodon (Leeds), J Sheehan (Bolton), C Crew (Doncaster, on loan from Leeds), E Ampadu (Leeds), J James (Rennes), O Cooper (Swansea), H Wilson (Fulham), D Brooks (Bournemouth), S Thomas (Nantes, on loan from Huddersfield), L Cullen (Swansea), N Broadhead (Ipswich), L Koumas (Stoke, on loan from Liverpool), R Matondo (Hannover, on loan from Rangers), K Moore (Sheff Utd), M Harris (Oxford), B Johnson (Tottenham), D James (Leeds).
