Steven Gerrard insists he has 'felt' the change in the Saudi Pro League since becoming Al-Ettifaq manager in 2023 and doesn't want to leave.
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Gerrard optimistic about future
Committed to Saudi Pro League
Witnessing significant changes
WHAT HAPPENED?
Gerrard, having signed a new contract with Al-Ettifaq in January until 2027, appears fully committed to the development of the highly ambitious Saudi Pro League, adamant there is potential for the competition to "get closer to the top" leagues in the world.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Big name players, many towards the latter stages of their career – but not exclusively, have flooded out of Europe to Saudi Arabia since the start of 2023. The enormous financial incentives on offer have often made the headlines, although the football has continued to be criticised and not everyone has found it to be what they wished for. Jordan Henderson wound up leaving Al-Ettifaq within a few months after seemingly struggling to settle and being left underwhelmed by poor attendances outside the country's state-controlled 'Big Four' clubs.
WHAT GERRARD SAID
Gerrard told the : "I knew they were going to be extremely ambitious. A lot of big-name footballers were coming to the league. There is the ambition to get there fast. The change in this league from 12 months ago, I have felt it. It has improved immensely. If that continues then I believe this will get closer to the top and I want to be part of that."
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WHAT NEXT FOR GERRARD & AL-ETTIFAQ?
Having finished sixth in the recently concluded 2023-24 campaign, Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq will have their work cut out closing the gap on those above them, finishing 48 points adrift of champions Al-Hilal and 17 points off the AFC Champions League places. Making up an 11-point gap to fourth place to qualify for Champions League Two, Asia's equivalent of the Europa League, might be more realistic, although fifth-place Al-Ittihad would be expected to bounce back in 2024-25 after a surprisingly poor season from the previous reigning champions.
The first half of the 2023/24 season has been mixed for Mikel Arteta's exciting young Arsenal side. They sailed through their Champions League group and spent Christmas day atop the Premier League tree but have since fallen back down to fourth following consecutive defeats before New Year's Day.
A team that had looked so good only a few weeks ago suddenly seem bereft of ideas, tired and in need of replenishment. However, injuries to the likes of Jurrien Timber, Fabio Viera and Thomas Partey have left Arteta with fewer options than he'd ideally want.
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Partey's injury record, in particular, has become a genuine concern over the last couple of years, and for as good as he can be, the latest player touted for a move to N5 could be the perfect replacement: Everton's Amadou Onana.
Arsenal transfer news – Amadou Onana
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are on the lookout for midfield reinforcements this month and have now made an approach to sign Everton's impressive Belgian.
The report has revealed that while the Gunners are interested in several midfielders – including Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz – they have turned their attention to the Toffees star and could make an offer for him in 'the near future.'
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
Other Premier League sides have shown interest in the former LOSC Lille midfielder, including Chelsea and Manchester United, but the Gunners are keen to get ahead of them with a move this month.
While the other interested parties are sure to pose a challenge for the north Londoners, the most significant barrier to completing this deal could be the price that Everton are after, with TEAMtalk reporting that the Grand Old Team will not sell for anything less than £70m and are looking for offers closer to £90m.
Therefore, any move would require a massive investment from the Gunners, but for a player that talent scout Jacek Kulig described as the "complete package" and a "Swiss army knife in midfield", he might prove to be worth it.
Amadou Onana could replace Thomas Partey
Now, replacing a player as good as Partey is going to be a mammoth task for whoever is asked to do it, and at 22 years old, it could be argued that Onana is too young to do so. However, as the saying goes, availability is the best ability, and while it isn't his fault, Partey just never seems to be available anymore.
Since he arrived in North London in 2020, the former Atlético Madrid star has missed 63 games for club and country through injury, yet he missed just seven games in his entire career before joining the club. Unfortunately, it doesn't matter how good you are if you can't be relied upon throughout the season.
In comparison, Onana has missed just nine games since making his professional debut for Hamburg three years ago, and more importantly, he has not suffered the same injury twice.
So availability is clearly something that the Dakar-born dynamo has over his potential competition, but how do the duo's underlying numbers from last season stack up?
Well, it doesn't look good for the Arsenal man, as despite his clear superiority when it comes to progressive passes, it's Everton's "midfield powerhouse", as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, who comes out on top in the majority of essential metrics.
He won more tackles, made more interceptions, made no errors that led to a goal and won significantly more aerial duels.
Amadou Onana vs Thomas Partey
Stats per 90
Onana
Partey
Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists
0.20
0.14
Progressive Passes
2.86
8.37
Progressive Carries
0.98
1.23
Tackles Won
1.56
1.45
Interceptions
1.34
1.01
Errors Leading to Goals
0.00
0.04
Aerial Duels Won
2.17
1.34
All Stats via FBref for the 2022/23 Domestic Season
Ultimately, Partey is a player who will have to be moved on given his poor track record with injuries, and while it'll cost the club an awful lot of money, signing the "one-man army", as described by Jacek Kulig, that is Onana would be a fantastic idea.
Florentino Perez has invested intelligently to piece together the most well-rounded team in the sport
Real Madrid fans used to hate Vinicius Jr. The mercurial Brazilian, now the Ballon d'Or frontrunner and consensus world-class talent, couldn't stop missing chances. He did all of the right things asked of a modern winger; he beat his man, made dangerous runs, and put in a shift defensively. In terms of effort, there was little more he could have done for the famous white shirt.
But when it came to the crucial bit – putting the ball in the net – he was maddeningly inconsistent. Around that time, in the 2018-19 season, Vinicius began to feel like an expensive mistake, a pricey venture into the emerging South American market that didn't quite work out.
Now, five years down the line, and a further €800 million (£680m/$870m) later, every skewed opportunity feels like it was worth it. These days, Vinicius is deadly, and the centre-piece of something resembling a juggernaut. What seemed to be a pricey mishap has proven to be the first of a new wave of signings, the maiden investment in turning an ageing squad into Europe's most talented team.
Madrid have spent big in recent years, but they've also spent well, and have set themselves up for both short- and long-term success.
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Varying success
Florentino Perez wasn't always the most intelligent club president during his first spell at the helm. In an effort to grow the Madrid brand as much as improve the footballing product, he proposed the idea of the "Galacticos." Every summer, he demanded, Madrid must buy the best player in football – regardless of the price. Throw them all together, put trust in a manager, and surely this team could win domestically and in Europe.
And so the big names came in. Madrid broke the world record – then €60m (£54m) – to buy Luis Figo in 2000. Zinedine Zidane arrived a year later, Los Blancos smashing their own mark to the tune of a €78m (£70m) fee. Throw in Ronaldo in 2002, David Beckham in 2003, Michael Owen in 2004, and this looked like a super team.
Except, it didn't quite work out that way. The Galacticos were good, but perhaps should have won more. Whether it be an imbalanced squad or poor coaching – or both – they weren't the dominant side Perez envisioned. They went trophy-less from 2003-2006, and Perez resigned from his post in February 2006.
He returned three years later, however, and went big again. Over the next five years, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Luka Modric – among others – arrived to be managed by a series of celebrity coaches, notably Jose Mourinho. The big spenders were back.
That nearly 10-year era yielded immense success, both domestically and in Europe. But by 2018, that generation was ageing and had started to grow stale. Something had to change.
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Real Madrid
Raiding South America
European football has always shown interest in the South American market. Indeed, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Neymar, Lionel Messi and co. all had to come from somewhere. But Madrid, historically at least, had been loathe to venture into it – such was their power on the European stage. Why sign prospects when they could afford the biggest names in Europe whenever they wanted them?
That approach changed with the growing influence of head scout Juni Calafat. The failed footballer-turned-top recruiter had a deep understanding of the global talent pool. Spanish-born but raised in Brazil, Calafat knew that there was talent in the Americas that could be bought, trained and perfected in the Spanish capital. And when Perez famously presented him with the demand to "not let another Neymar slip through the net" after the Brazilian playmaker chose Barcelona over Los Blancos, Calafat went to work.
The next Neymar didn't exist, so instead Calafat went about signing a slew of South American talents, some cheap, others pricey, to help form the next generation of this Madrid side. Signed in 2018, Federico Valverde was first, brought in from Uruguayan giants Penarol and sent straight into the Madrid youth set up. Then came the more established names: Vinicius, Rodrygo and, most recently, Endrick.
The latter three, all teenagers when their moves were agreed, cost a total €150m – hardly a cheap outlay. Should Endrick follow in the footsteps of his two Brazilian predecessors, that investment might just be worth every penny.
Talent over experience
While Madrid knew there was value in South America, they didn't ignore what was happening in Europe, and indeed went about investing in young talent closer to home, too.
Eder Militao was the first example, brought in from Porto in 2019 for €50m (£43m/$57m). At the time, the Brazilian wasn't quite ready for the Madrid first team, and made just 15 La Liga appearances in the 2019-20 campaign. But he worked his way into the side, and was among the best centre-backs in the league for a three year period – before seeing his progress stalled by a torn ACL last August. Ferland Mendy was also brought in for a similar fee, and is starting to show why many believed he could be a long-term replacement for Marcelo.
They did much the same with Eduardo Camavinga. The Rennes midfielder was regarded as one of the top teenage talents in Europe, having bossed Ligue 1 since the age of 16. It was assumed that he would move to a team where he could immediately play, before then seeking a bigger deal down the line, but he instead went to Madrid for €40m (£34m/$47m) in August 2021 in the knowledge that Los Blancos wouldn't be able to guarantee him a starting spot. Camavinga accepted a bench role, and has since grown into a regular starter with the departure of Casemiro and the impending retirement of Toni Kroos.
Madrid took a similar approach with Aurelien Tchouameni. More expensive, and not quite as immediately effective as his compatriot, the former Monaco man seemed primed to be an outright replacement for Casemiro. Although he hasn't quite hit his best for Los Blancos, manager Carlo Ancelotti managed to adapt without him in the XI in 2022-23 before bringing the best out of him over the course of the most recent campaign.
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Still dealing in superstars
There have, of course, still been the big-money ventures – the superstars. This is Real Madrid we are talking about, after all.
Thibaut Courtois rather forced Chelsea's hand with a late transfer request after Madrid came calling in 2018, but still cost €39m (£35m/$48m). He has since developed into one of the best shot-stoppers in the world, with another impressive Champions League final performance only reinforcing his claim as being among the game's best.
Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, arrived In typical Madrid style, as his arrival was steadily orchestrated for months. Publicly, it seemed that the midfielder was torn between Liverpool and Madrid, but behind closed doors, Los Blancos had already put the work in to make things happen. They flattered Bellingham with meetings from Zidane, and laid out a vision in which he could become a crucial part of the emerging project – a modern Galactico. Ten months after he first donned a Madrid shirt, the initial €103m fee looks like a bargain.
And now, Kylian Mbappe is arriving. Technically, Los Blancos haven't sent a penny to Paris Saint-Germain for his signature, but they have still invested heavily to get Mbappe to the Bernabeu. His salary is comfortably the highest at the club, while Madrid have committed to a gaudy €130m signing bonus – spread out over the course of his contract – to secure the world's best forward. There are vague concerns about his tactical fit into the side, but this is a player who Madrid couldn't afford to let slip.
Gary O'Neil and Wolves find themselves in a difficult position in this month's transfer window. Despite making an £80m profit last summer, the Midlands outfit still aren't out of the woods when it comes to Financial Fair Play compliance, and that's set to shape any business they do before the deadline.
There's a chance that Wolves may sign targets on an initial loan with a later obligation or option to buy, deferring payments to next season's accounts, or they could alternatively reinvest money they generate through outgoings. Either way, there will be an emphasis on finding bargain gems for now, rather than doing headline deals. And Wolves' talent-spotters may have found one player who fits that bill.
Wolves one of six clubs keen on Rosario
According to Chris McKenna, a journalist for The Daily Mirror, Wolves are interested in Pablo Rosario at Nice. They're one of a quartet of Premier League sides "keeping an eye on" the midfielder this month, alongside Fulham, West Ham and Brentford.
Wolves have been scouting the player "in recent months" and have clearly been impressed by what they've seen, but Rosario is also attracting interest from Germany in the form of Stuttgart and Werder Bremen, so they don't exactly have a free run at the player.
Rosario offers possible Gomes solution amid Spurs interest
Rosario played for Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV during his time in youth football, but eventually left his homeland to join Nice in 2021. He's four short of a century of appearances for the south-of-France club, having tacked 17 onto his tally this season. While he's not considered undroppable by manager Francesco Farioli, he has been heavily involved, starting ten of their 18 Ligue 1 games so far this season.
While he's a defensive midfielder by trade, Rosario has featured in four different positions this season, also filling in as a centre-back, right-back and more advanced midfielder. All that chopping and changing makes it hard to assess him statistically, but it's the kind of versatility that makes him a manager's dream and an asset to any squad.
It should also be noted, given that the majority of those roles are defensive in nature, that Nice have only conceded 11 league goals this season, fewer than any side in Europe's top five leagues. Rosario deserves credit for the role he's played in that achievement.
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Wolves are currently fielding interest in 2023 signing Joao Gomes, who's caught the eye of Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur and could be subject to a "substantial" bid. Given that Rosario is primarily a defensive shield, he could be a short-to-medium term replacement for the Brazilian in Gary O'Neil's midfield, if indeed he does leave. In light of Wolves' FFP concerns, it might be that the money from his potential sale is directly put towards this deal, though we'll wait to see if Spurs match Wolves' asking price first.
Sheffield Wednesday will want to end January how they started the month when Watford come to town, victorious on their own patch after now going three matches on the spin without a win in both the Championship and the FA Cup.
On another day, if Danny Rohl's side weren't so toothless in front of goal with just two on-target efforts from 16 shots, the Owls could have progressed through against Coventry City with a replay now awaiting both sides to add even more congestion to a busy fixture schedule.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl.
Although Djeidi Gassama spared Wednesday blushes last match with a solo strike late on to secure a 1-1 draw, the Owls are arguably in need of some new striker reinforcements with a left-field move for this striker rumoured to be in the pipeline.
Wednesday pursuing exciting attacker
Having two bids already rejected according to Sheffield Star journalist Joe Crann, the Owls are in talks and now planning a third bid for Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire to try and land the breakthrough American striker before the imminent close of the transfer window.
With the report further revealing that McGuire would be open to relocating to England – with the 22-year-old now even rejecting a new contract to stay put in America according to the Star – this is a deal worth pursuing for Wednesday to finally land a potent centre-forward.
Drawing similar comparisons to ex-Owls youngster George Hirst, who had gone on to be Ipswich Town's star man this campaign before injury stopped him in his tracks, the second-tier side will hope McGuire can come in and be a vital breath of fresh air that can help Wednesday keep their heads above water in the division and secure safety.
How Duncan McGuire compares to George Hirst
Hirst feels like the one that got away from the South Yorkshire side's perspective, the homegrown Wednesday talent never flourishing into a clinical first-team striker whilst at Hillsborough before blossoming elsewhere.
The 24-year-old had been crucial for Kieran McKenna's Tractor Boys this season before picking up an untimely injury, helping himself to six goals and seven assists in all competitions from 26 games played.
McGuire, playing out in the MLS last season, did however better Hirst's goal total – the 22-year-old bagging 13 goals for Orlando from 29 MLS appearances, whilst also showcasing his unselfish and creative side with three assists.
It led to Orlando manager Oscar Pareja describing his deadly attacker as "lethal", the centre-forward possessing a clinical edge that would be invaluable to Wednesday's current predicament.
There are many similarities between both McGuire and Hirst, with FBRef showing a likeness between the current Ipswich man and the Owls transfer target in many different areas.
Both players in question go toe-to-toe with shots on target averaged per 90 minutes over their respective seasons, with the 6 foot 1 Orlando star just bettering his Tractor Boys counterpart with 24 shots on target from 33 overall efforts to Hirst's 20 from 45 efforts.
Moreover, both are eerily similar when it comes to shot-creating actions per 90 minutes over the same time period with Hirst just edging McGuire with 2.08 shot-creating actions to the American striker's 2.07.
Wednesday will have felt aggrieved losing Hirst when they did – the Sheffield-born striker only ever bursting into life in the senior game away from Hillsborough – but Rohl's men could well land their next goalscoring hero in the form of McGuire who could even help the Owls stay up this season.
Barcelona have reportedly opened talks with FC Porto to facilitate the sale of centre-back Mikayil Faye but have one main condition for a deal.
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Barcelona looking to sell Mikayil Faye
Porto interested in signing for €15m (£13m/$16m)
Barca want to include buy-back clause
Barcelona Twitter
WHAT HAPPENED?
Over the last season, Faye has impressed a lot during his time with Barca Atletic and even received two call-ups to the senior team. So much so that former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez even pondered upon making the sale of left-footed senior centre-back, Inigo Martinez to make room for Faye as a rotation centre-back. However, with the arrival of Hansi Flick, the chances of Faye making it to the senior squad have dwindled and he may now be moved on for a cash influx.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
As per Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have been approached by Liga NOS side Porto, who are willing to offer around €15 million to acquire Faye's services this summer. However, the report has stated that the Catalan club are looking to add a buy-back clause on the talented 19-year-old sale agreement so that they could potentially re-sign the Senegalese back in the future.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Barca Atletic started their season with a centre-back pairing of Faye and Pau Cubarsi, with the latter having been shifted to the first team, it was reported that Xavi wanted to do the same with the Senegalese in the coming summer. However, that will likely no longer be the case with Flick having taken charge of the senior team.
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WHAT NEXT FOR FAYE?
The season is not yet over for Faye and Barca Atletic as they continue on with their promotions playoffs in Primera Federacion as the club looks to make their way back to the second tier of Spanish football for the first time since 2018.
Whilst Newcastle United endured a January transfer window to forget, those at St James' Park can at least turn their attention towards the summer window in an attempt to make up for a disappointing month. In need of reinforcements, the Magpies are now looking at a future gem for Eddie Howe.
Newcastle transfer news
Much of Newcastle's focus during the January window was seemingly on keeping hold of players after the likes of Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Kieran Trippier all linked with moves away, albeit without completing departures in the end. Since deadline day, however, the focus has been able to switch to potential summer targets.
Names such as Amadou Onana, Anton Stach and Matias Soule have already been mentioned as potential summer targets, as PIF look to splash the cash once again at St James' Park.
The rich owners will be hoping to get things right this time, having failed to invest wisely last summer, welcoming the since-banned Sandro Tonali, injury-prone Harvey Barnes, Lewis Hall, who is now out-of-favour, and the young Tino Livramento, the sole success story to this point. And when June arrives, they could get off to the perfect start by hijacking Arsenal's deal.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are eyeing a move for Amario Cozier-Duberry if Arsenal's new contract with the youngster collapses. It will be a tight race for Cozier-Duberry's signature if he doesn't extend his stay in North London, however, with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Anderlecht all in the same position as Newcastle. Romano posted the news of the potential "free transfer" on X.
Although Arsenal remain in control of the situation, when June arrives it will be interesting to see just where Cozier-Dubbery lines up, with plenty of clubs interested.
Cozier-Duberry can follow in Miley's footsteps
It speaks volumes that Cozier-Duberry is attracting interest from around European football at just 18-years-old. The right-winger will be hoping to follow the path of Bukayo Saka by breaking into the first team, but given that Saka is still only 22-years-old himself, the question must be asked whether or not Cozier-Duberry will ever gain a starting place in the current Arsenal side.
With that said, the teenager's attention could instead turn towards Newcastle and following academy graduates such as Lewis Miley, who has starred on the biggest stages already this season, despite being just 17-years-old. Cozier-Duberry can look at the chance that Howe has given Miley as a major encouragement, which could give him an interesting decision to make.
Lewis Miley for Newcastle United against Paris Saint-Germain.
Game time and a pathway into the first team should be at the heart of the winger's decision, and if that's not guaranteed at The Emirates, then it would be wise to look towards Newcastle and Howe ahead of this summer.
Find out where you can watch every Euro 2024 game live in the United Kingdom.
Germany has opened its doors to the European football family this summer with the 2024 European Championship taking place across 10 German cities this June and July.
Everything you need to know about Euro 2024Find out more
Defending European champions Italy are back in a major tournament after the disappointment of missing the 2022 World Cup, while England will be desperate to bring an end to their 58-year wait for international glory. Cristiano Ronaldo is hoping for one last hurrah with Portugal, while Spain are resurgent.
ITV and the BBC will be serving up a football feast this summer and to help get you set, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about when the games are on and which channels you can watch them on.
UK TV schedule for all Euro 2024 games
Date
Fixture
Kick-off time (BST)
Channel
Jun 14
Germany 5-1 Scotland
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 15
Hungary 1-3 Switzerland
2pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 15
Spain 3-0 Croatia
5pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 15
Italy 2-1 Albania
8pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 16
Poland 1-2 Netherlands
2pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 16
Slovenia 1-1 Denmark
5pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 16
Serbia 0-1 England
8pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 17
Romania 3-0 Ukraine
2pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 17
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
5pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 17
Austria 0-1 France
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 18
Turkey 3-1 Georgia
5pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 18
Portugal 2-1 Czech Republic
8pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 19
Croatia 2-2 Albania
2pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 19
Germany 2-0 Hungary
5pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 19
Scotland 1-1 Switzerland
8pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 20
Slovenia 1-1 Serbia
2pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 20
Denmark 1-1 England
5pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 20
Spain 1-0 Italy
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 21
Slovakia 1-2 Ukraine
2pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 21
Poland 1-3 Austria
5pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 21
Netherlands 0-0 France
8pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 22
Georgia 1-1 Czech Republic
2pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 22
Turkey 0-3 Portugal
5pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 22
Belgium 2-0 Romania
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 23
Scotland 0-1 Hungary
8pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 23
Switzerland 1-1 Germany
8pm
BBC Two / BBC iPlayer
Jun 24
Albania 0-1 Spain
8pm
BBC Two / BBC iPlayer
Jun 24
Croatia 1-1 Italy
8pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 25
France 1-1 Poland
5pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 25
Netherlands 2-3 Austria
5pm
BBC Two / BBC iPlayer
Jun 25
Denmark 0-0 Serbia
8pm
ITV4 / ITVX
Jun 25
England 0-0 Slovenia
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 26
Slovakia 1-1 Romania
5pm
BBC Two / BBC iPlayer
Jun 26
Ukraine 0-0 Belgium
5pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 26
Czech Republic 1-2 Turkey
8pm
ITV4 / ITVX
Jun 26
Georgia 2-0 Portugal
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 29
Switzerland vs Italy
5pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jun 29
Germany vs Denmark
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 30
England vs Slovakia
5pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jun 30
Spain vs Georgia
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jul 1
France vs Belgium
5pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jul 1
Portugal vs Slovenia
8pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jul 2
Romania vs Netherlands
5pm
BBC One / BBC iPlayer
Jul 2
Austria vs Turkey
8pm
ITV1 / ITVX
Jul 5
Quarter-final
5pm
TBC
Jul 5
Quarter-final
8pm
TBC
Jul 6
Quarter-final
5pm
TBC
Jul 6
Quarter-final
8pm
TBC
Jul 9
Semi-final
8pm
TBC
Jul 10
Semi-final
8pm
TBC
Jul 14
Final
8pm
BBC One / ITV1 / BBC iPlayer / ITVX
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Euro 2024 on BBC: Channel & pundits
The BBC will broadcast 27 matches live at Euro 2024, including the final, and they will provide radio commentary on all 51 games via their BBC Radio 5 Live channel.
Games will be available to watch live on BBC One or BBC Two, as well as being available to stream live on the BBC iPlayer.
Coverage will be fronted by the familiar face of Gary Lineker, with support from Gabby Logan, Alex Scott and Mark Chapman.
The likes of Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Ellen White and Joe Hart will join Micah Richards, Ashley Williams in assessing the games.
Scotland matches will be analysed by David Moyes, James McFadden and Rachel Corsie, while Cesc Fabregas and Brentford boss Thomas Frank will be in the studio for games too.
Commentary teams will comprise of the likes Guy Mowbray, Jonathan Pearce, Robyn Cohen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson and Steve Bower. They will be supported on co-commentary by familiar voices like Shearer, McFadden, Martin Keown, Danny Murphy and Jermaine Jenas.
BBC One channel number & BBC iPlayer
Provider
Channel number
Freeview
1 (SD), 101 (HD)
Sky
101
Virgin Media
101
Freesat
101
Sky Glass
101
BBC One is available on terrestrial TV, satellite and digital, usually on channel number 101.
Fans wishing to watch games live on the BBC iPlayer can do so by logging on here.
Getty/GOAL composite
Euro 2024 on ITV: Channel & pundits
Euro 2024 TV coverage in the UK kicks off on ITV, with the opening game between Scotland and hosts Germany broadcast on ITV1 and STV, as well as ITVX and the STV Player.
Lead presenter Mark Pougatch will be joined by Laura Woods, with punditry from none other than Roy Keane, so you will have to tune in to ITV to see which players are the latest to receive the Irishman's trademark scrutiny. Arsenal icon Ian Wright and England women's legend Eni Aluko.will be part of the crew too. Graeme Souness, Karen Carney and Gary Neville will also be part of the team, as will Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglu and Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl. Furthermore, there will be refereeing insight from Christina Unkel.
Match commentary will be provided by the unmistakeable voices of Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight, with co-commentary duties shared by Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend.
News from the England camp will be provided by Gabriel Clarke, with Connie McLaughlin following the Scotland squad and Celina Hinchcliffe will have general roundups.
ITV1 channel number & ITV X
Provider
Channel number
Freeview
3
Sky
103
Virgin Media
103
ITV1 is available on Channel number 3 on Freeview and 103 on satellite providers. ITVX can be accessed here.
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West Ham United are plotting to appoint the “next Unai Emery” to replace David Moyes at the London Stadium, according to a new update.
David Moyes under West Ham pressure
The Hammers are still yet to win a game in 2024 after suffering another Premier League defeat on the weekend, this time to strugglers Nottingham Forest.
It was yet another afternoon to forget, losing 2-0 and seeing new signing Kalvin Phillips sent off. Plenty of West Ham supporters in the away end at The City Ground made their feelings known at the end of the game, unveiling a ‘Moyes Out’ banner.
West Ham make decision on future of David Moyes amid Forest defeat
The Hammers appear to have changed their mind on the future of the Scottish manager.
By
Ben Browning
Feb 17, 2024
However, Moyes came out and defended his position after the defeat at The City Ground, saying on fans’ discontent:
“I’m pretty long in the tooth, it happens and I don’t think you can please everybody. I think it would be hard to say there have been many better times at West Ham. Maybe they want something different but if they’re honest I think they probably have to say it’s been as good a time as they’ve had at the club, winning a trophy and the league positions.
"Maybe they’ve had managers who excite them more, possibly, but the one who’s sitting here wins more.”
West Ham boss David Moyes.
It is believed that Moyes is still under no immediate pressure in regards to getting the sack, but it looks as if club officials are looking at their options.
West Ham manager update
According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke in the last 48 hours, West Ham are plotting to appoint the “next Unai Emery”, looking at bosses who are serial trophy winners and have a CV littered with top clubs. Those at the London Stadium have been ‘impressed with Aston Villa’s capture of Emery in 2022 and would consider the potential to lure a top-calibre manager of their own’.
The Hammers want Moyes to stay but now have a shortlist of potential managers to replace the Scot, should they feel a change is needed.
It looks as if the club could well have a new man in the dugout during 2024, but when that will be remains to be seen. Moyes’ current contract expires at the end of the season, with talks over an extension thought to be on hold for now.
So far this year, things have gone from bad to worse, falling down the Premier League table and exiting the FA Cup to Championship side Bristol City.
In regards to who could take over in the Emery mould, former Wolves, Sevilla and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has been mentioned and is open to the idea of replacing Moyes.
He‘s won three honours as a manager and has taken charge of a number of top clubs, so perhaps Lopetegui could be a target, making this one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks and months.
Lucas Paqueta could reportedly head back to Flamengo as the Brazilian club have opened talks with West Ham for the midfielder.
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Paqueta under FA investigation for betting charges
Could face a lengthy suspension
Flamengo ready to open their doors to revive his career
WHAT HAPPENED?
Currently representing Brazil at the 2024 Copa America in the United States, Paqueta's future with West Ham United hangs in the balance due to an ongoing investigation by the Football Association (FA) into alleged betting breaches.
The FA's investigation into Paqueta stems from allegations of misconduct related to betting on four Premier League matches. According to formal charges filed on May 23, 2024, Paqueta is accused of deliberately acquiring yellow cards in matches between November 2022 and August 2023. If found guilty, Paqueta could face a lengthy suspension, which could potentially extend to 10 years, further complicating his professional trajectory and impacting his market value.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
In the midst of this tumultuous period, Flamengo, Paqueta's former club, has expressed a strong interest in bringing him back to Brazil. According to the Brazilian publication, Flamengo initiated talks with West Ham approximately a month ago, and although discussions are still in their early stages, there is optimism about reaching an agreement. Flamengo, where Paqueta began his professional career in 2016 after rising through the youth ranks, have made him their top transfer priority. The club is eager to reintegrate him into their squad as they compete in the Brasileirao, Copa Libertadores, and Copa do Brasil.
DID YOU KNOW?
Flamengo views itself as a potential refuge for Paqueta amidst his legal and professional uncertainties. They are already working on a legal blueprint to "avoid being harmed" if Paqueta is handed a suspension by the FA, which FIFA could implement globally. They believe that by returning to Flamengo, Paqueta could find a supportive environment that may help him navigate this challenging phase.
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WHAT NEXT?
West Ham, having invested £51 million ($65m) in acquiring Paqueta in 2022, face a dilemma. While the club would prefer to retain the midfielder given his contributions on the field, the uncertainty of his availability due to the FA investigation might prompt them to consider a transfer. Recouping a portion of their investment could be a pragmatic move, especially if the situation drags on without resolution. The potential transfer to Flamengo could be structured either as a loan or a permanent deal, with negotiations likely to be a lengthy affair.