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BBC News
19 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Watch England news conference: Tuchel & Saka speaking before Senegal
Update: Date: 12:11 BST Title: 'Why should we sugarcoat it?' Content: England England manager Thomas Tuchel on the reaction of the players to his critical comments: "I protect my players, I said no names of players, it is not an individual matter. But as I said, as a team we did not reach our standards and I did not like the last 20 minutes. I felt we didn't play seriously enough in what we needed to do in a World Cup qualifier. "What I have told you I have already told the team directly. Why should we sugarcoat it? You have been in the stadium, why should I tell you that we had a good game? No harm done. We can handle criticism. I have always strongly believed that a group of football players can speak honestly to each other, I include myself. Now it's on us to do better. "The attitude towards training and in camp, the committment from the players, was outstanding. Everybody wanted to be there, to be involved and to play in this game. We take our analysis from this and try to do better of course." Update: Date: 12:08 BST Title: 'Shared same feeling we could have done better' Content: England England manager Thomas Tuchel on the reaction to Saturday's 1-0 win against Andorra: "There was common sense in the dressing room, we all shared the same feeling that we could have done better. "If we look at other top sides who have played Andorra, we created more xG than them. But we underperformed in our finishing and accuracy. "We under performed clearly in the physical input into the game. "But no harm done. If we had a better result maybe everyone would have felt differently, but if you don't have it then you accept the criticism. We have high demands of ourselves. We stay committed to our beliefs and to train. "Yesterday in training we had an excellent performance and attitude. We watched the tennis together and football, there was a good atmosphere." Update: Date: 12:06 BST Title: Post Content: England v Senegal (Tue, 19.45 BST) England Thomas Tuchel confirms it will be a much-changed England side which faces Senegal tomorrow, but declines to name names. Here's what he had to say about the fall-out from Andorra... Update: Date: 12:04 BST Title: Tuchel to tell players straight Content: Alex HowellBBC football news reporter Thomas Tuchel is speaking to the media for the first time since that disappointing win over Andorra. After the match he said England had "played with fire" and given the tie a feeling of a "cup match" where the underdog could get something from the game. Tuchel said he was going to tell the players exactly what he thought when they got back to St George's Park. The match against Senegal is a step up in quality, even though it is only a friendly. Update: Date: 12:01 BST Title: How to watch the England media conference Content: England As well as following this live text, you can also watch the England men's media conference with Thomas Tuchel and Bukayo Saka. Manager Tuchel is speaking first, followed by Saka - who was absent against Andorra but who, on this basis, seems set to feature versus Senegal. Click the play button at the top of our live page to tune in. Update: Date: 11:59 BST Title: Post Content: England v Senegal (Tue, 19.45 BST) England Thomas Tuchel says it is "common sense" that England could and should have been better against Andorra. "No harm done" as England got three points, but they "accept criticism" of the display. Full quotes to follow. Update: Date: 11:57 BST Title: Post Content: England v Senegal (Tue, 19.45 BST) England Here's Tommy... Update: Date: 11:57 BST Title: 'I didn't like the attitude' Content: England v Senegal (Tuesday, 19:45 BST) Thomas Tuchel didn't like what he saw from his England players against Andorra, but he highlighted their attitude - rather than their laboured play - as his main concern. "I was most worried in the last 20 minutes because I did not like the attitude that we ended the game with," said the German. "I didn't like the lack of urgency and it did not match the occasion - it is still a World Cup qualifier. We will let them know [on Sunday] what we want from them. "I think we lacked the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier. "I think we played with fire. I didn't like the attitude in the end. I didn't like the body language. It was not what the occasion needed." Update: Date: 11:54 BST Title: 'There are a lot of questions around selection' Content: BBC 5 Live Breakfast Former England goalkeeper Rob Green on Thomas Tuchel's team selection against Andorra: "The team selection is a strange one but it's such a long way away from the World Cup and there is so much football to be played before it. "Even then the World Cup lasts for a long time, so the team that start then might not be the team that reach the final. "It's a mile off where we are probably going to end up being [at the time of the World Cup]." "There are question marks around it and I think Thomas Tuchel will have learnt a lot but it has left more question marks than answers." Update: Date: 11:52 BST Title: England prepare for Senegal friendly Content: England v Senegal (Tuesday, 19:45 BST) England have the chance to get Saturday's disappointing performance against Andorra out of their system when they face Senegal on Tuesday. The friendly match will take place at the City Ground in Nottingham, and will be the first meeting between the sides since England triumphed 3-0 in the 2022 World Cup round of 16. Thomas Tuchel named an experimental line-up against Andorra, so expect several changes against Senegal. Update: Date: 11:48 BST Title: Inside the England media room Content: Gary FlintoffBBC Radio 5 Live reporter at St. George's Park All set up and ready to go for the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and Bukayo Saka. The England head coach and Arsenal winger will also be chatting one on one to John Murray and Ian Dennis later for a bespoke edition of the Football Daily podcast. Update: Date: 11:45 BST Title: 'That's as bad as we can get' Content: BBC 5 Live Breakfast Former England goalkeeper Rob Green on England's performance against Andorra: "It was poor and there is no two ways about it. "I am done, let's move on. What we can say is, when we have a really good performance, there is a standard set. They set the standard there [at Barcelona on Saturday] in a bad way. "Tuchel has said okay, remember that, remember what you did do and what you didn't do. "That's as bad as we can get, so let's never go there again. "Let's move on and hope that tomorrow is better and brighter." Update: Date: 11:42 BST Title: How bad were England against Andorra? Content: It wasn't great, was it? As expected England dominated possession (83% v 17%), created more big chances (six v zero) and took more shots on target (10 v zero), but those stats don't tell the full story of what was largely a slow and sloppy performance. Though Andorra goalkeeper Iker Alvarez did make nine saves, England's finishing was poor. England were booed off by their fans at the break and at full-time, despite establishing a five point lead at the top of their World Cup qualifying group. As boring as the match was, no England player will ever be judged for their performance against a team ranked 173rd in the world. The quicker they move on, the better. Update: Date: 11:39 BST Title: 'I won't hesitate to tell players the truth' Content: The I England fans booed the team during and after their match in Barcelona on Saturday. Tuchel has warned his England side that he "won't hesitate to tell them the truth" after their performance against Andorra on Saturday. "We can just admit that, it's not what we expect from us. We need to look at it in detail and do better on Tuesday." Tuchel said. Update: Date: 11:36 BST Title: 'I'll handle the boos' Content: England boss Thomas Tuchel said he can "handle the boos" from supporters after his side produced an underwhelming display against Andorra in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday. Despite winning 1-0, England were lacklustre and disengaged. Afterwards Tuchel said: "I think we lacked the seriousness and the urgency that is needed in a World Cup qualifier. "I think we played with fire. I didn't like the attitude in the end. I didn't like the body language. It was not what the occasion needed." Update: Date: 11:33 BST Title: England media conference at noon Content: Gary FlintoffBBC Radio 5 Live reporter at St. George's Park It's a rather grey day in the Staffordshire countryside. Thomas Tuchel and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka will speak shortly, ahead of tomorrow's friendly against Senegal at Nottingham Forest's City Ground. Update: Date: 11:30 BST Title: ICYMI Content: England We've covered quite a bit of transfer talk this morning, so let's round up what you might have missed... Now, we're moving away from transfers for the minute to turn our focus on England. You'll be able to hear from manager Thomas Tuchel and forward Bukayo Saka live on this page from noon. Update: Date: 11:26 BST Title: Rumour round-up Content: Update: Date: 11:23 BST Title: Arsenal still expect Zubimendi capture Content: Sami MokbelBBC Sport Senior football correspondent Arsenal are still expecting Martin Zubimendi to sign for them ahead of next season. There has been talk of Real Madrid trying to hijack the deal but it would take a monumental U-turn from Zubimendi for this deal not happen. As we reported on May 28, all that is left is for the Spain international to complete his medical. Update: Date: 11:20 BST Title: Carson leaves Man City Content: Manchester City Big(gish) news coming out of Manchester City - goalkeeper Scott Carson will leave the club after six seasons when his contract expires this summer. The former England goalkeeper, 39, made two appearances for the club during arguably the most successful period in their history. Jokes aside, Carson played an important role behind the scenes and in the dressing room - Ederson has previously credited the veteran with improving his game. "We would like to thank Scott for his hard work and dedication and wish him the very best of luck for the future," a club statement , externalpublished on Monday read.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Lions ahead of OTAs: Aidan Hutchinson cleared, Sam LaPorta and DJ Reader focus on team goals
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — A handful of Detroit Lions players gathered at the team facility on Thursday to speak with local reporters and recap where the team is as offseason workouts unfold. Insight into the 2024 season was shared, as was the mindset of the team, coming off a disappointing finish. But one thing remains clear — the players the Lions gravitate toward are here because they have the innate ability to see beyond themselves and focus on the bigger picture. Advertisement That was evident on Thursday. The news of the day was created when a 6-foot-6 blond pass rusher emerged in front of a microphone in Allen Park for the first time in seven months, ready to discuss what life away was like. There was Aidan Hutchinson, walking normally, sharing the story of the broken leg that ended his 2024 season just five games in and the aftermath that followed. Hutchinson said he had never spent the night at a hospital before his injury — something that changed when he spent several days in Irving, Texas, having surgery to repair a broken tibia and fibula. It was the longest Hutchinson had been without football in his life. He didn't feel like part of the team when he was away rehabbing, and while he was happy to see the team continue to win, not being able to contribute was difficult. But Hutchinson is back now. He's been cleared to return to football activities and has been for some time. He's participating in Detroit's offseason workouts and said he's never been more excited for OTAs than he is now. 'It was a very challenging time for a few months,' Hutchinson said. 'You know, you want to be a part of the winning that was going on. As much as I was a part of the team, when you're not really there, you don't really feel that you're a part of it. So when I was able to get back on my feet again, that's why I was trying to be as involved as I could.' At the time of his injury, Hutchinson was leading the league in sacks (7.5), pressures (45) and pass-rush win rate (35.4 percent; min. 40 pass-rush snaps). He had elevated his game to another level and was the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year. It would've marked a true ascension to stardom and perhaps cemented him as arguably the game's most-feared pass rusher. Aidan Hutchinson hasn't played football in seven weeks and still ranks 10th in pressures among edge rushers, per PFF: — Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) December 1, 2024 Hutchinson said he's motivated — not because he was robbed of an elite season — but because he knows what he put on tape. Some might view that level as his ceiling. He doesn't see it that way. 'I would say there's motivation, not from it getting taken away, but me putting that on tape,' Hutchinson said. 'I had a lot of growth in those first five games to where I feel like you evolved as a player and things were clicking at a high level. … I think a lot of people, you know, believe that that is kind of like my ceiling. But I still believe that, you know, I'm gonna continue to push for those greater heights. I'm 24, I'm still a young dude. I don't think that's the peak.' Advertisement Hutchinson will get a chance to prove as much when he returns to action in 2025. Right now, he's participating in offseason workouts, getting back on the field and enjoying his time around the team. His coaches and teammates see signs of a return to form in how he's moving. Hutchinson believes so, too. 'I know it's tough mentally and physically,' Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader said. 'It's tough. It's taxing on you, but knowing just from what I know about him and what I know how he's built, there's nothing better than to just get out there and sharpen. …So, I know that he's feeling pretty good.' 'If you're off the field, right when you step back on it, you get to do what you love again,' Hutchinson said. 'Eventually, I think that naturally fades over time. You try to be as grateful as you can. But I don't think anybody in the game of football will ever be as grateful when I come back in that first game and I get to play football. I get to do it on the big stage again. That's what it's all about. It's the comeback. I'm back. But it's just being able to do what I love again on the biggest stage. That's what sets my heart on fire right there.' Sam LaPorta broke records as a rookie, with a season for the ages. He was named a second-team All-Pro. He earned Pro Bowl honors. He quickly became a star at his position and another weapon on this Lions' offense causing headaches for opposing defenses. But there was, admittedly, a decline in targets for LaPorta in Year 2. It took him a while to get going. LaPorta's been hearing about it this offseason. And he doesn't understand why. 'There were a lot of weapons last year, so I kept hearing comments this offseason, 'Why didn't you get the ball as much?'' LaPorta said Thursday. 'It's like, 'Dude, we scored the most points of any team in the NFL in the last five years. Everybody deserves the ball.'' Advertisement That right there is why LaPorta is here, and why he figures to be a mainstay in Detroit for years to come. Some players would see a dip in production or targets going elsewhere and take it personally. There are egos abound in this league, and managing them is among the list of responsibilities for a head coach. But it's nothing Campbell has to worry about with LaPorta. There were a few contributing factors to LaPorta's slight dip in production. He battled constant, nagging injuries — seemingly one thing after another until he was finally healthy in December. No longer an unknown, LaPorta faced increased attention from defenses, which opened things up for others in the passing game. The emergence of Jameson Williams helped the Lions become a more explosive offense, sacrificing some intermediate looks that went LaPorta's way in 2023 for the big-play ability of Williams in 2024. But as LaPorta mentioned, it led to the highest scoring offenses in recent memory, en route to 15 wins. If anything, LaPorta is happy with his season because he thought he grew as a run-blocker, which speaks to how he's wired. His goal this year is to see the game through the quarterback's lens — something new offensive coordinator John Morton has been preaching to players this offseason. 'Looking ahead this year, I think just continuing to polish things off in the run game, the pass game,' LaPorta said, when asked where he can further improve. 'Start to see the game from the quarterback's perspective, what Jared needs exactly, and maybe not just knowing what I'm doing on the field, but what other people are doing as well. Just seeing the big picture.' LaPorta can be a forgotten man at times. Let this be a reminder of what they have in him. When the Lions sign free agents, they do it with culture in mind. They have a type in the draft — hard workers with talent to match — and that's no different from their free agency approach. The addition of DJ Reader two years ago remains a shining example. Reader, in his first year with the Lions, was a calming voice amid chaos. Each week, it felt like someone who signed off the street days prior was playing next to him. Injuries piled up. Adjustments were needed. But Reader's even-keeled nature and veteran presence subtly kept the Lions afloat. Frankly, he doesn't get enough credit for that. Advertisement But the Lions believe they're past those continuity issues. They're getting guys back from injury. They've added depth. And as the offseason unfolds, Reader is starting to see the vision for this defensive line and what it can become. 'You see a lot of familiar faces, you see guys that are familiar with the system, so you're not really second-guessing if they know it, if they don't,' Reader said. 'You don't have that kind of nervousness — you know what's going on. It's always cool to add new guys. …It's easier for me. Being somebody like last year, I came in last year, it's a lot easier for me to go into those guys in that room and ask questions because they're here. They know the system. They can help me out when I get lined up, and I can play with confidence. I'm not worried about some guy who just got here with me (and) I gotta ask him a question. '…I think that helps us out a lot. There's guys who are self-check now. Like, I don't gotta look back and think about where Jack (Campbell) is gonna be or where such and such is gonna be. Like, I know they're gonna be there because it's my second year in the deal and I've seen them do it a million times before now.' Detroit's defensive line — and defense in general — has been playing together for years now. That sort of roster continuity can help ease the transition for new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and the new faces on the defensive coaching staff. And as Reader explained, there won't be much second-guessing now that this group knows what to expect out of one another. This is why the Lions didn't cut corners building this thing. They want to set themselves up to win and do it together. For a player like Reader, still chasing that elusive Super Bowl, it's all that drives him. 'Nothing else really matters,' Reader said. 'I've had a really, really good career. I've been blessed and fortunate to play for a long time, played good ball, played in the Super Bowl, had a good game — just hadn't won it. So that's really all that matters to me. It's really just winning one, whatever way and whatever part of the team I can be and whatever help I can do to this team to help it win, that's my main focus.'
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hearts duo make TOTW
Frankie Kent: Utterly assured at the back as Hearts continue their end-of-season Shankland: Four goals in his past two league games. Incredible what a change of shape, position and, perhaps, manager can make.
