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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Aggie Beever-Jones takes chance to lead breakout night for England's next generation
After all the talk this week of who's not going to the Euros, England made sure they moved the conversation onto those who will be travelling to Switzerland this summer. Aggie Beever-Jones produced a performance, and scored a hat-trick against Portugal on her first Wembley start, that meant the excitement around the Chelsea forward will go up to another level ahead of Euro 2025. The Women's PFA Young Player of the Year seized her opportunity, with the type of display that comes from the sheer hunger of wanting to really make your case for going to a major tournament. It's what Sarina Wiegman wanted to see. Advertisement Beever-Jones followed the instructions. 'As cliche as it sounds, Sarina said, 'It's a new kit, new England today. Go out there and put a graft in',' Beever-Jones revealed. 'I think her words were 'destroy them'.' This was a reborn England, putting the noise of the past week behind them in style. 'I told them we have a job to do,' Wiegman said. 'It helps when you have energy and fun.' Beever-Jones played with that spirit. She left nothing to chance and was not the only one. Aggie Beever-Jones celebrates after scoring her hat-trick for England (The FA via Getty Images) This was perhaps not what Mary Earps had in mind when the retiring England goalkeeper spoke of wanting to step aside to 'give the younger generation an opportunity to thrive'. But Beever-Jones visibly grew in confidence with a Wembley goal tucked under her belt from the third minute, making curved runs behind the defence and demanding the ball with the sharpness of her movement. Behind her Jess Park brought nimble touches and the intelligence to turn; Grace Clinton strode around midfield as if she owned it. Beever-Jones is 21, Clinton is 22 and Park is 23. They will all be going to their first major tournament when Sarina Wiegman names her squad next week and they will all have important roles to play. Hannah Hampton, at 24, had already become England's No 1 before Earps's shock retirement this week. Wiegman is often criticised for the changes she doesn't make to her team, but over the past six months she has helped to bring through the talent that was knocking on the door. They now feel at home. Beever-Jones leads an excellent night for England and Sarina Wiegman (The FA via Getty Images) It helps, of course, when there is the experience there as well. Lauren Hemp made her first England appearance of the year after recovering from a knee injury and brought the dynamism and bursts from the left wing that only she can. Lucy Bronze marauded down the right, coming off after an hour with a poacher's finish and a wonderful assist. Keira Walsh comes to life when there is energy and movement in front of her and was faultless in midfield. Leah Williamson, standing a foot taller after leading Arsenal to Champions League glory, marshalled the back-line and sprayed some excellent passes. Advertisement We knew all this already, but there was a freshness and energy about England. Wiegman punched the air and laughed as the goals flew in during the first half. How the Lionesses manager needed a night like this, too, after the grilling she has been under in recent days. But with England's opening game of the Euros against France just over a month away, those selection headaches have never looked tougher. On a different night, England could have lined up with Alessia Russo up front, with Lauren James and Chloe Kelly either side. If James is fit, Wiegman is going to be able to take six elite forward options to Switzerland. Portugal, it should be said, were atrocious. In February, they managed to frustrate England to a 1-1 draw in the Algarve. Back then, they looked to be an organised team then with a few touches of attacking talent. But in April they conceded seven and four in heavy defeats to Spain and at Wembley plunged to rock bottom under Francisco Neto. Beever-Jones scored her second from Lucy Bronze's cross (Getty Images) But England were rampant and ruthless. With Russo nursing a calf injury, Beever-Jones took the No 9 shirt and made a compelling case for keeping it. She is a very different forward to Russo, lacking the all-round game and physicality that Russo possesses that can bring others into play, but with a sharpness and belief in front of goal that makes her such an interesting option. Advertisement 'She's a goalscorer,' Wiegman said. 'She scores goals very easy, such quick feet, tight on the ball. She played relaxed.' Beever-Jones is not on England's plane to Switzerland just yet, of course, but Wiegman's grin all but confirmed it. 'She did really well today,' Wiegman smiled. The finish for her first Wembley goal was not clean but the instinct was. After Park regained possession on the edge of the Portugal box, Beever-Jones slipped as she struck the ball and it took a deflection on the way through. But the effect it had on Beever-Jones was extraordinary; arrowing down the channels and directing others as if she was an established international. Her second was a towering header from Bronze's cross, crashing in off the bar. The hat-trick goal was another thunderous finish, struck low and inside Ines Pereira's near post after Williamson's pass forwards from defence. Chloe Kelly comes off the bench to score England's sixth (The FA via Getty Images) Portugal, by then, were in disarray. Bronze scored England's second from the goalmouth when Beth Mead was denied at close range. The Portugal defence then vanished as Mead pulled off a clever nutmeg and finished low into the corner. Pereira called a huddle inside the Portugal half after conceding the fourth, but there was little resistance throughout and virtually nothing for Hampton to do, barring a header from Andreia Norton that caught the outside of the post. England were five goals up by the break but the second half brought further positives. Alex Greenwood and Georgia Stanway also made their returns, with Greenwood playing a stunning, raking pass out wide in the move that led to Kelly's back-post header and England's sixth. They will go to Spain on Tuesday needed a victory to beat the world champions to top spot in their Nations League group, but at Wembley the Lionesses ensured they have already taken a step forward.
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
OFFICIAL: Trent Alexander-Arnold set to join Real Madrid before Club World Cup
La Liga giant Real Madrid announced the signing of English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool on Friday. Alexander-Arnold's contract will run until 2031, the club confirmed. 'Real Madrid C.F. and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement for Trent Alexander-Arnold to join for the next six seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2031,' the club's statement read. Madrid also confirmed the defender will join the squad before the FIFA Club World Cup, which starts on June 14. ALSO READ | Who after Trent Alexander-Arnold? Liverpool manager Slot hints at replacement The 26-year-old, who made his club debut in 2016, has made 351 appearances for the Reds, scoring 23 goals and providing 92 assists. He played a key role in ending Liverpool's long wait for a Premier League title in 2019–20, the same season he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award. During his time at the club, Alexander-Arnold has lifted the Champions League, FA Cup, and two League Cups. Overall, he has won nine trophies with Liverpool.
The Hindu
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool at end of season
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Liverpool at the end of the Premier League 2024-25 season, the club confirmed on Monday. 'Trent Alexander-Arnold has informed Liverpool FC of his intention to leave the club this summer upon the expiry of his current contract. Trent will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for his contribution during a sustained period of success,' the club confirmed in a post on social media. After making his senior team debut in 2016, the 26-year-old has made 351 appearances for the Reds, scoring 23 goals while assisting 92 in that period. 'After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season,' Alexander-Arnold said in a statement on social media on Monday. 'This is easily the hardest decision I've ever made in my life. He was instrumental in ending Liverpool's long wait for a Premier League title in 2019–20, a season in which he also won the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Over his 19 years at the club, Alexander-Arnold has also lifted the Champions League, FA Cup, and two League Cups.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cole Palmer open to Manchester United transfer
Cole Palmer would be interested in a move to Manchester United this summer, though Chelsea have no interest in a sale. Palmer has been a huge hit since signing for Chelsea from Manchester City in 2023. The 22-year-old's debut season with the Blues was a breakout campaign, in which he led the Premier League for goal involvements (22 goals and 11 assists). Palmer's performances earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Palmer is understood to be happy at Chelsea and is contracted in West London until 2033, though there would be a receptiveness to an approach from Manchester United. Miguel Delaney, of the Independent, has claimed the lure of a return to his native Manchester and the chance to represent his boyhood club would appeal to Palmer. 'He's put himself in this situation, but he's not going anywhere' ❌ Miguel Delaney and Darren Lewis discuss Cole Palmer, who is contracted until 2033 at Chelsea but could be without Champions League football for the third straight season 🔵 — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 4, 2025 Delaney said Manchester United would also 'seriously go for' Palmer if there was a suggestion a transfer could happen. However, that possibility is deemed remote – even if Chelsea miss out on Champions League qualification. Manchester United, meanwhile, must win the Europa League to secure a place in next season's competition. 'So many clubs would want Cole Palmer and Manchester United are one who would, if there was any sort of possibility, they'd seriously go for him. And I think he would be open to it, but really, there's no possibility to happen this summer,' Delaney said to Sky Sports. Manchester United remain keen to sign an attacking midfielder and are pushing ahead with plans to sign Wolves' Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian has a £62.5m release clause in his contract at Molineux. Read – See more – | | | |
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Premier League Young Guns Shooting for the Stars.
The English Premier League's (EPL) 2024/25 season is a dazzling stage for audacious young talent, with names like Eberechi Eze, Cole Palmer, Ollie Scarles, Kobbie Mainoo, and Adam Wharton lighting up pitches. These rising stars are reshaping the EPL's future, but their meteoric ascents spark debate: are clubs nurturing genuine talent or overhyped prospects? Out with the Old and in with the New Eberechi Eze, Crystal Palace's 26-year-old maestro (though still young in impact), is a prime example. His 11 goals and 6 assists last season, per Premier League stats, made him a potential target for Manchester City. His flair and improvisation, praised by The Guardian, defy rigid coaching molds. Similarly, Adam Wharton, 20, has been a revelation since his bargain $24m move from Blackburn to Palace. His pinpoint passing, showcased in a 4-0 rout of Manchester United, earned him an England Euro 2024 call-up, per Transfermarkt. Kobbie Mainoo, 19, is Manchester United's midfield heartbeat, with his composure drawing some to make comparisons to Paul Pogba. His spectacular goal in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool last season probably cemented his ascent to stardom. Kobbie Mainoo (19) is Flying for both Man Utd and England - Getty Images West Ham's 18-year-old Ollie Scarles, a versatile midfielder, is turning heads with his tenacity, though limited starts keep him under the radar, which will suit his employers. Others, like Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri (17), who became the youngest-ever Premier League player in 2022, and Chelsea's Cole Palmer (22), add to the wave. Palmer's breakout 2023/24 season, where he scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists, showcased his ice-cool penalty-taking and knack for game-changing moments, earning him the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Crystal Palace's Michael Olise, now at Bayern Munich, left a legacy of 10 goals in 2023/24. 'You can't win anything with kids' - Alan Hansen (Match of the Day Pundit) in 1995, just before United did just that! Critics argue the hype outpaces experience. Wharton and Mainoo have just 15 England caps combined, prompting skepticism about their readiness for high-stakes roles. But remember former Liverpool star turned TV pundit, Alan Hansen famously said about Manchester United's flock of youngster in 1995 'You can't win anything with kids' only to see the United youngsters prove him so embarrassingly wrong. Fans on X question if clubs rush youngsters in, to fill gaps, risking them burning out. Advertisement Managers like Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner counter the burnout question that talents like Eze and Wharton thrive in systems that grant freedom. The EPL's youth revolution is undeniable, with 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite and 23-year-old Anthony Gordon also shining, you'd think the England national team would thrive, but then again, that could be said of many previous squads that went nowhere. Whether they're the real deal or fleeting sparks, these kids are rewriting the league's script, and fans can't look away. Next: Manchester United's Worst Season Ever Exposes Old Trafford Mismanagement - Athlon Sports
