List of All Articles with Tag 'epsocmag'

Sean Dyche branded Craig Dawson’s decision not to send Ibrahima Konate off in Everton’s Merseyside derby defeat bizarre and incredible as he criticised the referee and called for VAR to be used to determine bookable offences. The Liverpool defender, who was on a booking, was spared a second yellow card for a foul on Everton substitute Beto – a decision which Dyche accused Pawson of rushing to and which he felt was stunning and almost impossible. Dyche claimed he had no idea why he was booked in Everton’s 2-0 loss, which was sealed by a late brace from Mohamed Salah. He did not complain about the award of the penalty for the Egyptian’s opener, for handball against Michael Keane, but questioned the first caution Ashley Young received for his first-half red card, though he admitted the second was correct. But Konate’s reprieve, when the game was still goalless, bemused him. “I have no clue,” Dyche said. “I have asked the referee and he said he didn’t feel it was a bookable offence. I think people who were here today would be stunned it was not a second yellow.” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp promptly replaced Konate and said afterwards that the Frenchman could have been sent off and that he understood Dyche’s frustration. “Jurgen couldn’t wait to get him off because he knows,” the Everton manager said. “Fair play. I think that is an honest view. I don’t want to bleat too much because we lost. I can’t remember the last time I spoke this openly about referees but that one is incredible to me. And I got a yellow card, I don’t know what for.” Dyche was annoyed by Pawson’s swift decision-making, explained: “I have seen the footage back and within a second he is saying, ‘No chance no chance.” You aren’t giving yourself thinking time. If you give yourself 10 seconds, you think, ‘That has to be a yellow’. That is just bizarre to me. How that is not a second yellow is nearly impossible in the modern game.” Whereas Pawson was sent to the monitor to review the handball that led to the penalty, there is no scope for VAR to intervene for bookings but Dyche said: “I think there is where VAR should step in. In a game of this magnitude, I think VAR should be there to correct it.” Read More How Sean Dyche turned Everton into a better attacking team than Liverpool Northern Ireland rising star Isaac Price grateful to former boss Frank Lampard Mikel Arteta pinpoints moment Arsenal made ‘phenomenal’ response at Chelsea

Sir Bobby Charlton, the World Cup winner and European Cup winner who is one of England and Manchester United’s greatest-ever players, has died at the age of 86. Charlton, who won the 1966 Ballon d’Or, became the record goalscorer for both United and England in a career where he became known for his sportsmanship and dignity as well as his flair on the ball and his ferocious shot. A survivor of the 1958 Munich air disaster, Charlton went on to lift the European Cup a decade later, captaining Sir Matt Busby’s team and scoring twice in the 4-1 win over Benfica in the final. Two years earlier, he had been a fundamental part of the only England team to win the World Cup, scoring both goals in the semi-final win over Portugal and playing in a team alongside his brother, Jack. They remain one of just two sets of siblings to win the World Cup. The son of a miner in his native North East and a teenage prodigy, Charlton joined United at 15 and scored twice on his debut as a 19-year-old. He was one of the “Busby Babes”, the team of youthful talents who played attacking football, but eight of his teammates were killed in the plane crash in Munich. Charlton, who was on the flight, survived and went to form a famous attacking trio with George Best and Denis Law. He played 758 games for United – then a record, and a total since only topped by Ryan Giggs – and scored 249 goals, which only Wayne Rooney has beaten. He won three league titles and the FA Cup in his United career. He made 106 appearances for England, also a national record at the time, and was in the squad in four World Cups, playing in three. His total of 49 goals was the most by any England player until first Rooney and then Harry Kane overtook him. Charlton subsequently managed Preston and, for almost four decades, was a United director, playing a part in appointing Sir Alex Ferguson in 1986. He was diagnosed with dementia, which his family announced in 2020. The team will wear black armbands tonight in their Premier League fixture at Sheffield United and the pre-planned minute’s silence will be expanded to pay respects to Sir Bobby. A book of condolence will be open to fans and the public tomorrow (Sunday, 22 October) from 10am in the International Suite at Old Trafford. United said in a statement: “Manchester United are in mourning following the passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, one of the greatest and most beloved players in the history of our club. “Sir Bobby was a hero to millions, not just in Manchester, or the United Kingdom, but wherever football is played around the world. “He was admired as much for his sportsmanship and integrity as he was for his outstanding qualities as a footballer; Sir Bobby will always be remembered as a giant of the game. “A graduate of our youth Academy, Sir Bobby played 758 games and scored 249 goals during 17 years as a Manchester United player, winning the European Cup, three league titles and the FA Cup. For England, he won 106 caps and scored 49 goals for England, and won the 1966 World Cup. “Following his retirement, he went on to serve the club with distinction as a director for 39 years. His unparalleled record of achievement, character and service will be forever etched in the history of Manchester United and English football; and his legacy will live on through the life-changing work of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation. “The club’s heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Lady Norma, his daughters and grandchildren, and all who loved him.” Sir Geoff Hurst, who played a key role in the World Cup-winning team alongside Sir Bobby, paid his tribute on X, formerly Twitter: “Very sad news today. One of the true greats Sir Bobby Charlton has passed away. We will never forget him & nor will all of football. A great colleague & friend, he will be sorely missed by all of the country beyond sport alone. Condolences to his family & friends from Geoff and Judith.” Former England captain Gary Lineker said: “For me England’s greatest ever player. “You can only judge players that you have seen in your lifetime and I was lucky enough to see Bobby Charlton play when I was a young boy. It’s a very sad day, he was one of my heroes, one of many people’s heroes. “It’s difficult to judge the ‘best ever’, but he was synonymous with English football all over the world for such a long time. “You could go somewhere that no one spoke English but people would know Bobby Charlton. That was a true testament to the fame he had and a testament to his ability.” David Beckham, who followed Sir Bobby in captaining club and country, took to Instagram to pay his tribute. “It all began with Sir Bobby. Sir Bobby was the reason I had the opportunity to play for Manchester United,” wrote Beckham . “I will be forever grateful to a man I was named after, someone I looked up to and was a hero to many around the world not just in Manchester and our country where he won the World Cup in 1966. “A true gentleman, family man and truly a national hero… Today isn’t just a sad day for Manchester United & England it’s a sad day for football and everything that Sir Bobby represented.. Our thoughts go out to Lady Norma , there daughters and grandchildren x Rest in Peace Sir Bobby. @manchesterunited@england today our hearts are heavy.” Read More Bobby Charlton: England World Cup winner and Manchester United legend A true gentleman – David Beckham pays tribute to ‘national hero’ Bobby Charlton How one impassioned Bobby Charlton video explains why we’re football fans Sir Bobby Charlton: Gary Lineker leads tributes to ‘England’s greatest ever’ Gary Lineker leads tributes to ‘England’s greatest ever’ Sir Bobby Charlton Bobby Charlton’s best games for Manchester United: Cup final hero and record-breaker

As Manchester City became only the second English team in history to complete the treble last season, the remarkable feat somewhat passed Phil Foden by. Arguably the most gifted player to ever come through the City academy, the very definition of a generational talent, had little impact as his boyhood club blew everyone who dared step in their path away last term. Remarkably, given all he has achieved on our shores, there are some who have remained critical of how Pep Guardiola has underused Foden, insisting a young, English magician needs to be centre stage. This season, with several big personalities in the City dressing room having departed in the summer, Foden’s role in Guardiola’s squad has been catapulted from peripheral figure to integral leader, with only two players featuring in more games since the new campaign got under way. Like the rest of his City side, Foden faded badly in the second half of the champion’s edgy 2-1 win over Brighton, but the damage had been done in the first half at the Etihad. Furthermore, in such a dazzling first-half showing, as the world waits for Foden to morph into a David Silva incarnate, the 23-year-old instead showed, in glimpses, that the wide role Guardiola continues to deploy him evokes more Lionel Messi feels than Silva. When you are born with possessing your own gravitational pull over a football, just as the Argentine has, where Foden plays on the pitch is almost irrelevant. Like Messi, Foden had quite the stellar support act elsewhere on the pitch on Saturday to give him the freedom to leave supporters aghast with some of the mazy runs he went on against a Brighton side set up to go toe-to-toe with the champions. Another surprisingly regular starter this season, Julian Alvarez, got the ball rolling with a fortunate finish early on as City went in front, looking to avoid slipping to three successive league defeats for the first time since 2016. The impressive Jeremy Doku had a huge hand in the opener and kept Brighton pegged back right from the off. Much had been made of the heir apparent to the Guardiola throne, Roberto De Zerbi, planning to upset the apple cart further at the Etihad, but his team were not allowed any time on the ball to do their thing, such was the hunger among the City ranks to get back to normality – winning games at a canter. One such player desperate for his own turnaround in fortunes was Erling Haaland, without a goal in his previous two games – very much drought territory for the Norwegian goal machine. His booming finish that proved decisive in the end was as emphatic an answer to his deluded critics as he could have possibly mustered, sweeping home an arrowing finish to make it two 19 minutes in. While the game was being settled around him, Foden was busy picking out passes with the outside of his boot, sashaying past defenders as if they weren’t there, while bursting in the box at every given opportunity. Most importantly, a trait that often goes unheralded at City, Foden possessed that breathless desire in the first half that has enabled City to dominate the Premier League in recent years. No player in blue completed more sprints in the match than Foden, while only Doku had more touches in the Brighton box than Foden. So many recent losses are proving hard to shift psychologically for City, even with Rodri back at their heart of the midfield, with Kaoru Mitoma twice denied by Stefan Ortega in the City goal after the break, before Ansu Fati made one count and got the visitors into the match with 17 minutes left. There were some nervy moments late on for City, especially after Manuel Akanji’s late red card, but the champions stood firm to see out the victory to, temporarily at least, go back top of the pile. If they are to stay there this season, on the evidence of the early part of the campaign, Foden is going to have a much more prominent role in further glory. Consistency remains an issue, as his second half decline suggested. But what he did in the first half? Few, other than Messi, are capable of. Read More Pep Guardiola hails ‘exceptional’ Brighton after Man City return to winning ways Pep Guardiola believes both Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi deserve Ballon d’Or These are great times for England, says Phil Foden Gary O’Neil insists Wolves win at Bournemouth not about revenge over former club A true gentleman – David Beckham pays tribute to ‘national hero’ Bobby Charlton Erling Haaland back among the goals as Manchester City return to winning ways

Mauricio Pochettino highlighted his respect for Mikel Arteta and believes the Arsenal manager is “one of the best in the world”. Chelsea boss Pochettino faces off with his former Paris St Germain team-mate for the first time on the touchline when the Blues host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 21 October. “We respect Arsenal, they are a great team,” Pochettino said. “They have Mikel who is part of my family. “It does not surprise me with what he’s doing. He’s great, he’s really young, he’s improving every day and he can be one of the greatest managers in the world. I’m going to be proud to see him.” Read More Barcelona reveal special Rolling Stones jersey for El Clasico fixture Tyson Fury’s wife shares impact of boxing on their children: ‘I worry to this day’ Mohamed Salah says ‘humanity must prevail’ as he calls for Gaza aid ‘immediately’

Andy Robertson is likely to miss the rest of 2023 as he is set to undergo surgery on his injured shoulder. The Liverpool left-back will sit out Saturday’s Merseyside derby along with November’s trip to champions Manchester City and big December games against Manchester United and Arsenal. Robertson was injured in Scotland’s 2-0 defeat to Spain and missed their 4-1 loss to France on Tuesday. He is also set to sit out their last two Euro 2024 qualifiers, though Steve Clarke’s side have already booked their place in Germany next summer. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes it is in Robertson’s interest to go under the knife, explaining: “I think we go towards surgery. There is a little chance we could try without but talking to pretty much all experts it looks like surgery will be the best thing, particularly in the long term and that means he is out for a while. In my experience you can train pretty quickly again but not football specific so he will be out for a while.” Kostas Tsimikas, who signed a new contract in September, is likely to stand in for Robertson. The Greece international has only played four minutes in the Premier League so far this season. Joe Gomez and Luke Chambers are other alternatives Klopp namechecked and he added: “We need options and Kostas is definitely the most experienced but he cannot play all the games from now on.” Liverpool will be without the suspended Curtis Jones but Diogo Jota is available again after serving a one-match ban for his red card against Tottenham. Cody Gakpo faces a race against time to be fit after missing the draw with Brighton. The Netherlands forward is back in training. Read More Andy Robertson faces shoulder surgery and long lay-off Goalkeeper Liam Kelly says Scotland debut was “the best moment” of his life How Scotland qualified for Euro 2024 – and why Germany will be different

Fantasy Premier League managers will have experienced another weekend of frustration or elation after some surprise results and plenty of eye-catching performances. With the international break on the horizon and plenty of injuries to key players from the first part of the season, now could be the time to think about a wildcard to bring in some in-form players and rebalance your squad. Here are five players we think could help you in gameweek 9 and beyond, regardless of whether you are thinking of a whole-squad overhaul or just a small differential gamble to catch up with your rivals. Ollie Watkins - Aston Villa, forward (8.1 m) While Villa’s three-match winning streak may have come to an end after a 1-1 draw with Wolves, Unai Emery’s star striker continued his impressive form with another assist. The 27-year-old has earned a recall to Gareth Southgate’s England squad and it’s easy to see why with four goals and four assists in his last four games. After the international break, Villa have an enticing run of fixtures against West Ham, Luton Town, Nottingham Forest and Fulham - three of which are at home - and the English striker should be highly coveted by many managers. Antony Gordon - Newcastle, midfielder (5.6m) If you’re looking to fund a move for Watkins in attack, the Newcastle winger could offer a budget-friendly option in midfield. Gordon sat out the Magpies’ clash with West Ham having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and so should be well rested by the time gameweek nine rolls around. Home fixtures against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth lie ahead in the next four and with one goal and three assists in his last three starts, it’s clear that Gordon is beginning to show the kind of form that warranted his big-money move from Everton last January. Tyrick Mitchell - Crystal Palace, defender (4.5m) Palace’s backline wracked up their third clean sheet in a row in gameweek eight and statistically are the fifth-best defensive side, conceding just 10.35 expected goals so far this season, a figure better than league leaders Tottenham and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Tyrick Mitchell has shown his capabilities going forward already this season - with an assist in the 3-2 win against Wolves - and could be a good long-term rotation option in defence. Tricky fixtures against Newcastle and Spurs are on the horizon in the next two gameweeks but the following home games against Burnley and Everton could offer the potential for returns. David Raya - Arsenal, goalkeeper (4.8m) With four Premier League starts in a row, it’s clear that Raya has usurped Aaron Ramsdale in the pecking order at the Emirates. The Spaniard has made a promising start to life in an Arsenal shirt with three clean sheets in his first four games and is the cheapest starting goalkeeper out of the clubs currently occupying the top five spots in the league. Home fixtures against Sheffield United and Burnley feature in their next four games and with just 3.4% of managers owning the Arsenal shot-stopper, he could represent a smart differential pick for the weeks ahead. Pedro Neto - Wolves, midfielder (5.7m) After an upset victory over Man City and a well-deserved point against Villa, there are signs that Gary O’Neil may be beginning to find his footing with this Wolves side. A large part of that has been the form of Pedro Neto who has one goal and six assists in his last six games. The Portuguese international set up Hwang Hee Chan’s opener on the weekend and currently has the ninth-highest number of points out of all midfielders in the game, putting him above much-fancied assets like Moussa Diaby and Kaoru Mitoma who are both around 1m more expensive. Games against Bournemouth and Sheffield United - two of the league’s bottom three - await in Wolves’ next three fixtures so the in-form winger is certainly one to consider if you’re looking for an outside-the-box pick over the next few weeks. Read More FPL GW9: Watkins, Gordon and five players to consider for transfers How Sean Dyche turned Everton into a better attacking team than Liverpool Eddie Howe reveals Sandro Tonali availability amid betting investigation How Sean Dyche turned Everton into a better attacking team than Liverpool Eddie Howe reveals Sandro Tonali availability amid betting investigation Mikel Arteta hails career-long support of ‘big brother’ Mauricio Pochettino

By Christian Radnedge LONDON The Football Association (FA) said it would be reviewing whether to light Wembley's arch

LIMA (Reuters) -Lionel Messi become the all-time top scorer in South American World Cup qualifying on Tuesday after netting both

By Lori Ewing MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) -Fran Kirby is back in England's women's squad for the first time since sustaining

England could join Scotland in punching their ticket to next year’s Euros should they beat Italy at Wembley on Monday. Gareth Southgate’s side are three points clear at the top of Group C with just three games remaining and know that a win would secure their place in Germany next year. They return to face Italy at Wembley for the first time since their heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat in the Euro 2020 final, but they will have exorcised some of their demons from that loss with their impressive 2-1 away win against Italy in Naples earlier in the qualifying campaign. Italy beat Malta 4-0 on Saturday to move above Ukraine and into second in the group in Luciano Spalleti’s third game in charge of the national side. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Tuesday’s fixture. You can get all the latest odds and tips here. When is England vs Italy? England vs Italy is due to kick off at 7:45pm BST on Tuesday 17 October at Wembley Stadium. How can I watch it? All of England’s fixtures outside of international tournaments are for now screened free to air on Channel 4, and can be streamed on the Channel 4 website and app. The build-up for the match begins at 7pm. If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider. Team news Having made a second-string side for their friendly against Australia on Friday, Southgate will likely return to a full-strength side for this must-win clash. Bukayo Saka remains an absentee after his hamstring injury for Arsenal, while Kieran Trippier could deputise at left-back in the absence of both Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw who are out with long-term injuries. Premier League duo Sandro Tonalia and Nicolo Zaniolo remain unavailable for their national side having withdrawn from the squad after their pair were questioned in relation to a gambling investigation by Italian authorities. Elsewhere, Spalleti will have to deal with a number of injuries in the forward line with Federico Chiesa and Ivan Provedel both withdrawing from the squad due to respective fitness issues. In their absence, Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi looks set to retain his place in the forward line having scored his first goal for Italy in two years against Malta last weekend. Predicted line-ups England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Phillips, Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Kane, Grealish Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Frattesi, Locatelli, Barella; Berardi, Raspadori, Kean. Odds England win 8/13 Draw 11/4 Italy win 17/4 Latest odds here. Prediction A full-strength England side to edge out Italy and secure their place in the Euro 2024. England 1-0 Italy. Read More Jordan Henderson: ‘If people want to boo me for playing in Saudi Arabia, that’s fine’ Jordan Henderson set to face Italy despite England boos Ollie Watkins and Lewis Dunk emerge with credit on England’s audition night against Australia Sweden fans given overnight police protection after Brussels shooting Ireland beat Gibraltar to spare Stephen Kenny further questions over immediate future How Scotland qualified for Euro 2024 – and why Germany will be different

It was a character reference for a man who has become an ambassador of sorts for Saudi Arabia. The England faithful – or some of them, anyway – had turned on Jordan Henderson when he was booed off in Friday’s win over Australia. The England manager offered an endorsement of his vice-captain: not merely as a midfielder, either, but as a principled individual. The Henderson of Al-Ettifaq, the man who used to support the NHS and the LGBTQ community instead plugging Saudi’s 2034 World Cup bid, stands accused of either being the opposite of the Liverpool incarnation or a figure whose decision to join the Saudi Pro League led him to become a public face of a repressive regime. Gareth Southgate can see why many have a sense of disappointment, why there is a seeming contradiction. Yet he also argued that Henderson remains the same person, one who has helped create the right kind of culture with England. “What I do understand is that people would feel that the decision Jordan would go and play there doesn’t align with his strong support of the LGBTQ community in the past,” he said. “I have not seen him comment anywhere differently. I don’t believe he is an individual whose values and principles have changed. “I would back him against pretty much anyone in the country in terms of what he stands for and what he believes in but I accept that the decision to go and play there doesn’t align that. He understands that; he accepts that.” But Southgate does not appreciate the jeers. “We have had a couple of incidents that I don’t understand because I don’t think any player wearing an England shirt warrants that,” he added. “I grew up seeing John Barnes receive that kind of criticism so that has never helped the team.” But if others were booed for their skin colour, Henderson has brought a reaction with his apparent hypocrisy has drawn. Deliberately or otherwise, Southgate drew a distinction between Harry Maguire, barracked mercilessly by Scotland supporters at Hampden Park last month but normally hailed by England fans, if not all of their Manchester United counterparts, and Henderson. There is nevertheless the feeling that three players created problems for Southgate with their decisions in the summer transfer market: Henderson by swapping Liverpool for Saudi Arabia, Maguire and Kalvin Phillips by opting to stay at clubs where they feature infrequently and when they had the option to move for more first-team football. Issues feel unavoidable until Southgate drops them, and thus far he has shown no willingness to do that. “I will always pick the players that I think are the best players to represent the team, that give us the best chance of winning, unless there is something I think is not appropriate,” he said, with the clear inference that Henderson, who captained his country against Australia, has not breached his code. “People may disagree with Jordan’s decision, given the stance he has taken in the past to support the LGBT community, but I don’t think that is a reason to not select him and I don’t actually think that is a reason to boo him.” If the stubbornness in Southgate has become more apparent, so has the loyalty towards his stalwarts; in September, he branded the treatment of Maguire “a joke”. The former Liverpool captain and the deposed United skipper, he said, have helped bring the “unmeasurable factors” of team spirit and togetherness. It gives them credit in the bank, if not necessarily forever. “It wouldn’t be fair to say I am going to support them regardless if better, younger players come through but I am also going to defend our team because we need that strength and the two players you are talking about have performed again and again in massive games,” he said. And England against Italy tends to belong in that category, and not merely the Euro 2020 final when Maguire thumped in an emphatic penalty in the shootout Roberto Mancini’s side won. In 1997, an England side featuring Southgate qualified for the World Cup with a 0-0 draw against the Azzurri; now the same result would secure a place at Euro 2024. Henderson may be a distraction: indeed his presence in the starting 11 in the second-string side against Australia might indicate that Phillips is likelier to begin Tuesday’s game. The wider question, separated from the moral issue, is whether Henderson, plying his trade in a far weaker domestic league and in debilitating heat, remains a good enough player to retain his place. “We will assess Jordan like every other player but if I just select on a popularity contest then our team would look very, very different,” Southgate said. Perhaps Henderson, an unflashy workhorse, would never have won a popularity contest as a footballer, though, increasingly, he may have done as a role model. The difference now is that he could triumph in an unpopularity contest with a public who feel betrayed. Read More Jordan Henderson: ‘If people want to boo me for playing in Saudi Arabia, that’s fine’ Gareth Southgate questions why England fans booed Jordan Henderson Ollie Watkins and Lewis Dunk emerge with credit on England’s audition night against Australia Southgate addresses Henderson criticism ahead of Euro 2024 qualifier Jordan Henderson set to face Italy despite England boos Jordan Henderson: ‘If people want to boo me for playing in Saudi Arabia, that’s fine’

Luciano Spalletti was supposed to be on his Tuscan farm now. Arguably, though, he should still be at Napoli, managing what had looked like Europe’s most unexpectedly entertaining side. Instead, he will be at Wembley on Tuesday, in charge of Italy, his appointment a consequence of a combination of factors from the personal to the political, the footballing to the financial. Or, in a different way, of two emails. One, triggering the extension in his Napoli contract without a pay rise, stemmed from club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, and instead prompted his resignation. A need for a sabbatical on his farm the cited reason; a breakdown in relationships more of a cause. The other, from Roberto Mancini’s camp a few months later, was his sudden resignation as Italy manager, the first to lead the Azzurri to a major title since Enzo Bearzot, trading the patriotism of leading his country for a reported £20m a year to take charge of Saudi Arabia instead. And so it will be Spalletti in England, his presence a product of the enduring pulling power of the Azzurri job. While elite club coaches often eschew the international game, three of the last four incumbents, including Antonio Conte, are Scudetto winners, whereas no England manager has won the Premier League or the old Division 1 since Don Revie. It comes after the greatest feat of a career in the dugout that dates back three decades. Spalletti became only the third manager to secure Napoli the Serie A title, and the first to do so without the benefit of Diego Maradona’s genius. The title was clinched in May: the footballing high came last autumn, amid a run of 13 consecutive wins in all competitions. There were 20 goals in the Champions League group stage: the 4-1 evisceration of Liverpool was, despite Manchester City’s spring demolitions of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, arguably the finest performance in the competition all season. Rewind a year and Napoli were arguably the best side in world football at the time. Which few predicted after the departures of Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Kalidou Koulibaly. If there was magic in Spalletti’s attacking side, there was also the element of the unknown, in the revelation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. What it was not, however, was a particularly Italian team: only three of the 14 players with the most appearances are even eligible for the Azzurri. Spalletti may name two of his former charges in his starting XI at Wembley, but while Giovanni Di Lorenzo captained Napoli, Giacomo Raspadori was only the understudy to the prolific Victor Osimhen. If Spalletti’s alchemy is illustrated by Napoli’s struggles under his successor Rudi Garcia – beaten three times already at home this season, they have lost to each of the best sides they have faced – it may be required by Italy. His inheritance is mixed. “Once we have played [England], then I will tell you what the potential is,” Spalletti said after Saturday’s 4-0 win over Malta. It is little more than a year since Italy were on a record run of 37 games unbeaten. It is only 28 months since the Azzurri won Euro 2020 at Wembley; in a rematch with England, perhaps only Gianluigi Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo and Nicolo Barella will start both games. Before England’s March win in Naples, Mancini lamented the Italian talent pool. “We are worse off than Southgate,” he said. It was a sign of the negativity enveloping him, an indication of the disenchantment that may have propelled him to the desert. He gave 57 players their debuts, casting around with ingenuity and impatience. He looked to the Oriundi, seeking to naturalise some from the Italian diaspora. Spalletti has dropped the Argentina-born forward Mateo Retegui; he has also omitted some of the stalwarts of the recent past, in Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Verratti and Jorginho, while recalling Giacomo Bonaventura who, at 34, is older than his fellow midfielders. He has five of Internazionale’s Champions League final starters and has given a debut to Tottenham’s in-form left-back Destiny Udogie. In other respects, however, it could be seen as an undistinguished squad, certainly compared to Italy’s past. Lose and, if Ukraine beat Malta, Italy will find themselves three points behind their rivals for second spot, with a game in hand but a de facto decider when they face Ukraine in Leverkusen in November. It could mean Italy miss three of four major tournaments after Euro 2016; the added curiosity being that they won the other one. In part, it reflects the tragedy of Mancini; unused as a hugely gifted forward in the 1990 World Cup, omitted in 1994 after falling out with Arrigo Sacchi, he had declared his ambition was to win the World Cup as Italy manager. Instead, they failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament; if he is at the 2026 version, it will be as the richly rewarded Saudi Arabia manager. There will be no Euro 2024 for him; there may be for Spalletti. A wizened, gnomic figure is scarcely the stereotype of an Italian manager: more attack-minded, more idealistic, for years the architect of sides who were stylish nearly men. But then so, too, were an Azzurri side who influenced him in his upbringing. At his unveiling, Spalletti said he would carry the giant Italy flag his mother sewed for him as an 11-year-old to celebrate the 1970 World Cup semi-final win against West Germany. It was an epic 4-3. More than half a century later, Spalletti has no Gigi Riva, Gianni Rivera or Sandro Mazzola, nor an Osimhen or a Kvaratskhelia, no world-class forward. But, for the second time in two seasons, he has the chance to use his principles and his capacity to generate something spectacular from seemingly unpromising ingredients to make history. Read More Wembley revenge to seal place at Euro 2024? – England v Italy talking points Gareth Southgate fired up as England face ‘revitalised’ Italy in crunch clash England fans may have turned on Jordan Henderson — but he still has Gareth Southgate England fans may have turned on Jordan Henderson — but he still has Gareth Southgate Belgium officials release details on suspected shooter of Sweden fans On this day in 2018: Shahid Khan withdraws £900m offer to buy Wembley from FA