List of All Articles with Tag 'epsocmag'

England are back in action on Friday and resume their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with a trip to the National Stadium in Ta’Qali. There, Gareth Soughate’s side are in action against Malta in Group C - a meeting off top against bottom in the early stages of this series. Two wins over Ukraine and Italy have put the Three Lions well and truly in the driving seat to comfortably qualify for the finals, given the top two in each group will head through to play in Germany. Malta, meanwhile, have lost both their games against Italy and North Macedonia. Key decisions in terms of the team will come over whether to hand a debut to Eberechi Eze and how many of the fringe or inexperienced players get the nod in a game England should be far too strong for their opponents in. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Malta vs England? The Euro 2024 qualifier kicks off at 7:45pm BST on Friday 16 June. Where can I watch it? England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers are free-to-air after Channel 4 secured the rights for all Three Lions games for two years. Fans can stream the match via Channel 4’s app and desktop website. What is the England team news? It’s not yet clear whether Man City’s stars will feature in the match given their Champions League exertions - and subsequent celebrations - but it’s likely Gareth Southgate will offer a chance to a few players who are not habitual starters. Marc Guehi could be in line to win just his fourth cap in defence and Crystal Palace teammate Ebe Eze is hoping for his senior debut with the national team. Jude Bellingham has just completed his transfer to Real Madrid but will not be playing in this break as he recovers from injury. Predicted lineups MAL - Bonello, Attard, Borg, Apap, Corbalan, Muscat, Guillaumier, Yankam, Mbong, Jones, Satariano ENG - Pickford, Trippier, Guehi, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Gallagher, Eze, Saka, Kane, Maddison Odds Malta 66/1 Draw 18/1 England 1/20 Prediction No contest in terms of the outcome of course, so it’s about how clinical and intense England can be in the humid conditions. Malta 0-4 England. Read More Southgate makes call over Man City stars and warns of ‘line’ in celebrations How to watch Malta vs England Euro 2024 qualifier online and on TV today Malta vs England team news and predicted line-ups for Euro 2024 qualifier England’s future is about to be defined – and it’s out of Gareth Southgate’s control One year to Euro 2024: Who is on the plane for England? Rashford underlines commitment to England after missing recent games

Brazil and Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. has been tasked with leading a special player-run Fifa anti-racism committee. The committee will look to advocate for more stringent punishments for any displays of racism within football, a long overdue need. Vinicius Jr, arguably the face of LaLiga, recently came under attack when he experienced chants from Valenica’s fans in May during a 1-0 away defeat at the Mestalla. The incident accounted for the ninth time the 22-year-old star had reported racial abuse this LaLiga campaign alone. Support around the world came in for the Brazilian star who blasted the Spanish league after the events that unfolded. Vini Jr. made his feelings clear about his experience so far in LaLiga stating that he believed racism like he experienced at the Mestalla had become “normal” all around the top flight. The Brazilian didn’t hold back in expressing his thoughts, stating that in Brazil, Spain is regarded as a country of racists. Javier Tebas, LaLiga’s president, didn’t take kindly to Vinicius’ criticism of Spain. The Costa Rican-born Tebas failed to reinforce support for the abused star, criticising the Brazilian’s reaction to the terrible events. Although LaLiga has had extreme numbers of incidents with racist fan behaviour over the past year, the issues extend beyond Spain. Joelinton, a fellow Brazilian and Newcastle United midfielder, recently revealed that he had his own experience with racism following Newcastle’s defeat to Arsenal. The newly created committee is an important step in the right direction and, at the very least, demonstrates that Fifa is no longer willing to passively observe their players suffer with no consequences. Gianni Infantino, Fifa’s president, spoke with the Brazilian national team in Barcelona encouraging the players that football will no longer deal with racism and stated to Reuters: “There will be no more football with racism in it. The games should be stopped immediately when it happens. Enough is enough.” Infantino stressed the importance of not just punishing fans within the scope of football but expanding the punishments beyond the stadium and pursuing legal action. The president continued: "An act of racism is a criminal act... From now on, Fifa will take legal actions with local authorities too, we will join complaints filed in local justice.” Football has no room for racism and incidents such as Vinicius’ should not have to occur to move the needle. However, the appointment of a player like Vinicius to lead the new committee, who has personally experienced racism in football at its most extreme, brings hope for creating a safer environment for players all around the world. Read More Gordon McQueen: The tough defender who starred for both Leeds and Man United Kompany eager for ‘perfect’ season start when Burnley face Man City Former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen dies aged 70

Gordon McQueen, the former Manchester United, Leeds United and Scotland defender, has died aged 70 after suffering with dementia. His daughter, the Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen, announced the news on social media. “Beyond heartbroken to announce we have lost our wonderful dad,” she wrote on Instagram. McQueen was diagnosed with dementia in January 2021, a condition that is prevalent in the game: according to studies conducted by the Glasgow Brain Injury Research Group, footballers are five times more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Now 378 former players across football, rugby league and rugby are taking legal action against governing games bodies they allege were “negligent in failing to take reasonable action to protect players from permanent injury caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive blows”. Hayley wrote: “I thought when the day came I’d be prepared & feel a sense of relief that he is no longer trying to battle this awful disease but I just feel numb. I’m hoping we can now remember him for the man he was & not the man he became this last few years. We thought we were losing him when home palliative care came to look after him back in December, we were distraught but being the big strong man that he is, battled on for many months. “Whilst it’s been unimaginably sad & at times unbearable for my mum who has cared for him at home we’ve had precious time with him whilst this cruel disease & all that comes with it completely took over, he certainly put up a fight. One comfort was he knew all his friends & family right till the end but to watch someone slowly die I wouldn’t wish on anyone. “I now want to remember my Dad for the man he was, the ultimate entertainer, the life and soul of every occasion, the greatest storyteller who certainly lived life to the full, he made sure everything was one big adventure & full of so much fun for me Anna & Eddie. His career gave me one too & I will be forever grateful for him passing on so much of who is and what he loved. Life really won’t be the same without him but he is now at peace.” She added: “A big thanks to my employers sky sports who have been incredible throughout this & for all the time off & support they’ve given me this last year or so. #ripdad.” McQueen began his playing career at St Mirren before moving to Leeds United in 1972, where he won a league title. He joined Manchester United six years later, winning the FA Cup in 1983, before retiring in 1985. He went on to manage Airdrie before working as a television analyst. His former Manchester United teammate Bryan Robson also paid tribute. “Gordon was one of the best centre-backs I had the privilege of playing with. He was strong and brave, and ahead of his times in being a defender who could play out from the back and contribute as much in attack as he did in defence. He was a perfect fit for Manchester United with his flair, courage and big personality, and that’s why the fans loved him. “Most importantly, though, he was a brilliant person with a huge heart. He lit up any room he walked into, and that’s how he should be remembered.” McQueen played 30 times for Scotland, scoring five goals. Read More Former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen dies aged 70 Gordon McQueen: The tough defender who starred for both Leeds and Man United Premier League fixtures LIVE: Opening weekend and full schedules for every club Former Scotland defender Gordon McQueen dies aged 70 Gordon McQueen: The tough defender who starred for both Leeds and Man United

The Premier League announced its 2023/24 fixture list today and the schedule left many fans feel particularly disparaged by the arrangement. Supporters of six clubs in particular - Aston Villa, Fulham, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, West Ham, and Wolverhampton Wanderers - are feeling hard done-by after their teams were scheduled to play away from home on each of the opening weekend, Boxing Day and the final day of the season. Fans of these six clubs are disappointed enough to start the season away from home, with that frustration only rising that they will miss out on home days for any of the season’s three most iconic matchweeks. While anger is flowing all through fans of these six clubs, on the other end of the spectrum, six lucky clubs will feature at home during all three of these rounds. Arsenal, Brentford, Brighton, Burnley, Chelsea, and Sheffield United will all have the opportunity to play on home soil, hoping to reward their fans with outstanding performances at each end of the campaign. Aston Villa fans rushed to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction with the Premier League’s scheduling, with Villa Park set to miss out on the three big match days ahead of their first year in Europe since 2010 - with the fans left travelling for each of those occasions. Forest fans didn’t seem to hold back either, as this marked the second consecutive year that the Reds have been forced to play away on the three big match days. After a successful season which saw Fulham finish tenth in the Premier League, ahead of their close neighbours Chelsea, Craven Cottage will also miss out on any home days on gameweek 1, post-Christmas or the final round of fixtures. Fans of Wolves didn’t seem to hold their displeasure back from social media either as many fans showed their disappointment over the Premier League’s fixture list on Twitter. While fans are rarely pleased with scheduling decisions year after year, these six clubs can perhaps feel particularly justified in their displeasure with the latest schedule release.

England resume their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign on Friday as they face Malta away from home. Gareth Southgate’s side have made a great start by beating both their most likely rivals for a top-two finish, Ukraine and Italy, while Malta have lost to the latter as well as North Macedonia - who the Three Lions will face next week. Come the end of this round of fixtures, Southgate will be expecting to sit on 12 points and be a big step closer to qualifying for the next summer’s finals in Germany. But the first part of that job is to be professional and claim victory in Malta, even though the game comes at the end of another long season which ran up until only a few days ago for some of the squad’s stars. Here’s everything you need to know. When is Malta vs England? The Euro 2024 qualifier kicks off at 7:45pm BST on Friday 16 June. Where can I watch it? England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers are free-to-air after Channel 4 secured the rights for all Three Lions games for two years. Fans can stream the match via Channel 4’s app and desktop website. What is the England team news? It’s not yet clear whether Man City’s stars will feature in the match given their Champions League exertions - and subsequent celebrations - but it’s likely Gareth Southgate will offer a chance to a few players who are not habitual starters. Marc Guehi could be in line to win just his fourth cap in defence and Crystal Palace teammate Ebe Eze is hoping for his senior debut with the national team. Jude Bellingham has just completed his transfer to Real Madrid but will not be playing in this break as he recovers from injury. Predicted lineups MAL - Bonello, Attard, Borg, Apap, Corbalan, Muscat, Guillaumier, Yankam, Mbong, Jones, Satariano ENG - Pickford, Trippier, Guehi, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Gallagher, Eze, Saka, Kane, Maddison Odds Malta 66/1 Draw 18/1 England 1/20 Prediction No contest in terms of the outcome of course, so it’s about how clinical and intense England can be in the humid conditions. Malta 0-4 England.

The Premier League fixtures have been announced and fans will already be scouring the list to see when their best games are, when they face rivals and when the trickiest encounters are. We’ve taken a look through the season and chosen five games which are must-see for reasons across the entire span of league objectives, from title fights to avoiding the drop. FOLLOW LIVE: Premier League 23/24 fixtures announced Here are five to watch for throughout the entire campaign which could affect matters top to bottom. Chelsea vs Liverpool - 13 August Both looking to return to the top four after dismal 22/23 seasons, Liverpool and Chelsea will have spent the summer rebuilding their squads - or trimming them - and preparing for a much better start than last year. Mauricio Pochettino couldn’t have been handed a much tougher start and this game takes place on the very first weekend of the season - though, from his perspective, at least it is on home soil. The Reds requested an away day on the first gameweek to allow more time for stadium work to be done, but probably were not hoping for it to be against a club which has spent the best part of a billion pounds on transfers in the previous 12 months. Burnley vs Everton - 16 December Into December and there will be a meeting which could shape up as dictating the battle at the bottom: Championship winners Burnley hosting Everton, who avoided the drop last term on the final day of the season. The game will also mark a return for Sean Dyche to Turf Moor, where Vincent Kompany is now in charge. A potential battle at the bottom could ensue - or will we by then see that the Clarets have done enough to survive, or the Toffees having improved from last year to avoid yet another relegation struggle? Luton vs Newcastle - 23 December How about this for an early Christmas present: the richest club in the world heading to the smallest club and ground in the Premier League. Suddenly-mighty Newcastle, who will have just about wrapped up their Champions League group stage at this point, head on 23 December to the 10,356 capacity Kenilworth Road. That’ll be the smallest in Premier League history if there are no major works done before the campaign gets underway, with tiny Luton proud of their home and ready to welcome the game’s top stars there. Liverpool vs Man City - 9 March We’ll be heading towards the home straight at this point and we’ll already know what teams are really aiming for at both ends; presumably at the top, this massive match will give us an idea of what they are actually capable of. These are the two best teams from the past half a decade, but last year there was a huge gap between them. Are Liverpool back? Has the squad renewal paid dividends? Are Man City an unstoppable juggernaut heading for a second treble in a row...or even all four trophies perhaps? The additional wrinkle here is that the game takes place shortly after a potential piece of silverware for either of these clubs, with the League Cup final at Wembley set for 25 February. Will it be a case of a second marker being put down at Anfield, one way or another? Man United vs Arsenal - 11 May Finally, this could be a late-season battle for a Champions League spot - or even for the title itself. The Gunners fell short last term but will hope to be up and around the top spots again this year after a summer of improvement, while Man United - surely with new owners by this point and another year of progress under Erik ten Hag - might be hoping for a title fight of their own. This fixture takes place on the penultimate weekend of the season and could be the make-or-break game for both clubs, whether they are fighting for the top four or something far more tangible.

A driver and his girlfriend were surprised when a bus carrying Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates drove alongside them in Beijing. Mr He said that while they were travelling down the road his girlfriend remarked that it would be nice to see the World Cup winner, who is in the country for a promotional football match. Amazingly, the bus carrying Messi pulled alongside them. The motorist claimed that when he rolled down the car window and called out to the 35-year-old, the former Barcelona and PSG man waved at him. Argentina take on Australia in a friendly in Beijing on 15 June. Read More Grealish says he hasn’t slept for 24 hours as he revels in Man City victory parade Manchester City players take top off during Champions League victory parade Golfer Adam Hadwin rugby tackled by security while celebrating at Canadian Open

There is a former Aston Villa captain who has been at the front and centre of celebrations of late. Not Tyrone Mings, admittedly, even though he helped his club qualify for Europe for the first time in 13 years as a season that began with him stripped of the armband and his place in the team ended with him a pivotal part of Unai Emery’s remarkable revival. Villa clinched seventh place with a last-day win over Tottenham. “After the final game I was in bed by about 11 o’clock with a Ribena,” said Mings wryly. “Other juices obviously are available.” Jack Grealish has tasted a few of them. The £100 million man has looked the party animal, enjoying Manchester City’s treble with the relish he brings to much else. “He’s had a great time, hasn’t he?” said Mings. A night out with his old Villa teammate Grealish, he can testify, is not for the faint-hearted. “It is extremely wild,” he added. “The only thing he needs to do is do it at the right times and he’s just won the treble so I don’t think anybody can begrudge him going out and letting his hair down - those luscious locks of his now he has taken the hairband out. He’s certainly had a good few days.” Part of Grealish’s appeal is that he can seem the likeable Jack the lad: unpolished, at times undiplomatic, but natural. “It’s important to be yourself, whatever that looks like,” Mings said. “It adds to the game and dressing room. It adds to the culture and authenticity is a tough trait to come across. Football is sometimes just a reflection of society, isn’t it? Or like a reflection of everybody’s life.” Grealish’s seems more eventful than most. “Surely he’s all partied out,” said the defender. They have been photographed on breaks abroad before but Mings was quick to draw a distinction. “I’ve bumped into him on holiday,” he said. “I’ve never put myself in the position of where I’ve actually flown out with him! But I’ve seen him abroad - and many, many times in this country. It’s impressive - if that’s what you’re into...” His own plans are more restrained. “The thing I love doing the most is running a normal life schedule,” he said. “Like going out for coffee in the morning, or training when you want to. Popping to the dry cleaners, stuff like that. Real mundane things, like pottering around the village.” Which he can do after a successful season. The summer of 2022 was bookended by disappointments for Mings: first a staple of Gareth Southgate’s squads was dropped by England and then Steven Gerrard replaced him as Villa skipper with John McGinn and preferred new signing Diego Carlos for the opening-day defeat to Bournemouth. “I guess it started being left out of the England squad but that was a whole summer of strange times,” he added. “Then sitting on the bench at Bournemouth and thinking, ‘I don’t know how all of this has happened in such a short space of time’; from the captaincy to not starting first game of the season.” And yet the happy end to the campaign left him reflecting: “I certainly wouldn’t change the last 14 months since the last game of last season to where we are now. Sometimes need a kick up the backside, don’t you?” He had the honesty to accept Southgate was right to omit him. “Did I need it? Probably,” he said. “There always comes a stage in people’s careers where there is a plateau and you are coasting.” A change of fortune came in part with a change of manager. He was back in the Villa side before Gerrard was sacked, but was revitalised by Emery. While another England centre-back, John Stones, has shown a new dimension to his game by playing in midfield, Mings has benefited from being ordered not to desert his post in the middle of the defence by Emery. “He has made my job a lot simpler and a lot clearer,” he said. “I always go back to the first conversation that we had and he said every time he watched me, I ended up in centre midfield, left-wing, right-back or covering the other centre-back and all of that can happen within 60 seconds. He wanted me to play in my position, simplify what I have done and learn his methods.” If Mings has proved a star pupil, Southgate has taken note. But his role for England has not just been confined to defensive duties. Mings has found the net in his last two caps, against San Marino and Ivory Coast. “What is the longest scoring streak for a defender for England?” he wondered. “Two, probably.” Score for a third consecutive game and he may find his friend Grealish celebrating. Again. Read More Jack Grealish says he hasn’t slept for 24 hours as he revels in Man City victory parade Manchester City quintet set to arrive for England duty on Tuesday evening Jack Grealish revels as Manchester City parade treble

It was the England squad that was out of date even before it was announced. Eberechi Eze was out before he knew he was in. His Euro 2020 had ended before he knew he might play a part in it. As he prepares for a belated England debut, two years after Gareth Southgate had first called him up, it nevertheless marks swift progress for a footballer released by Arsenal at 13, Fulham at 15 and Millwall at 18. Eze has a calmness that has enabled him to deal with setbacks, a quiet assurance that has stemmed from his faith. He has a belief in destiny, that things are meant to be. It helped him to deal with events of May 2021. “In training we were playing small-sided games, five v five, and I received the ball and went to push off and start running with it and I just felt a pop,” recalled the Crystal Palace midfielder. “It felt like someone had kicked me or someone behind me had stepped on my ankle but I looked around and no one was there. So I knew it was serious.” His immediate instincts were sadly correct. He required surgery. As he was digesting and disseminating the news, he discovered he was in England’s 33-man provisional squad for the tournament. Their number had to be reduced to 26. The luckless Eze was the first to go. “I had gone inside, had a little assessment from the doctor and he told me that I had done my Achilles,” Eze said. “I asked for my phone to tell my wife and my family and I saw I had the message I was in the provisional squad for England. For it to happen on that day…” Eze coped with greater equanimity than many others would have done. “I found myself at peace because I understood I wasn’t meant to be,” he said. He found England’s eventual run to the final “inspirational”. There was no bitterness, no sense it might have been him. “I look at things deep so I saw it, ‘listen this is just another hurdle on the way, you know what you can do and where you can get to, so the focus is to keep going and keep pushing,’” he explained. A theme of his career is that he does get there in the end, even if he is tripped up by the hurdles. “Against the odds, I am in this position,” he said. “Getting released from Millwall was quite tough, because that was the time when everyone is getting their pro contract and you don’t know where you are going.” He had passed through a series of clubs. Even when picked up by QPR, he made a solitary appearance before being loaned to League Two Wycombe. “Without that experience who knows if I would be here?” he wondered. Now he has found the approval of two England managers: both Southgate and Roy Hodgson, who signed him for Palace in 2020 and whose unexpected return to the dugout in April brought a burst of six goals in nine games for Eze, leading to international recognition. “He has insane wisdom,” said Eze. Hodgson and his long-time assistant Ray Lewington have helped Eze on and off the field, with his confidence, with his mental state, with their guidance. “I owe so much to them,” he added. “It has opened my eyes to more.” His chances of an England bow may be increased if the Manchester City duo of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden sit the game out after their Champions League final exertions. He hopes his parents will be able to join him in Malta. Eze is of Nigerian descent and qualified to play for two countries but when England called, it felt the right decision to accept their approach. He is a different type of talent, a player comfortable operating in small spaces, with the skill to prevail in close quarters. It is a result of his upbringing; fellow south Londoners like Wilfried Zaha and Jadon Sancho learnt the game in a similar way. “I think there’s load of players that have grown up playing in cages so they understand, they know what it is about,” he said. “It is fun, it is enjoyable, and it is where you get your first learning as a footballer in south London. It has helped massively and I can see that now in how I play, how I think and how I assess situations. It’s definitely a strength I have.” The journey from the cages of south London to Premier League pitches was indirect, his route to international football then obstructed by an ill-timed injury. It has not come easy for Eze. But the man who was released and rejected, injured and ill-fated could be an England international on Friday. Read More Eberechi Eze feels injury nightmare gave him platform for England recognition Manchester City quintet set to arrive for England duty on Tuesday evening Jude Bellingham uses pain of England’s near misses in bid for Euro 2024 glory Eberechi Eze feels injury nightmare gave him platform for England recognition Sportswashing is about to change football beyond anything you can imagine Football rumours: Man United, Real Madrid and Chelsea fight for Kylian Mbappe

Gabri Veiga, tipped to be the next young star of Spanish football, has a long list of skills and abilities, but if one thing sticks out about this supremely confident 21-year-old then it’s his ability to strike a ball. The secret to his ball-striking abilities, however, may surprise you. “I began playing football because of pumpkins,” he has explained. Playing at his uncle’s house when he was a toddler, he discovered a pumpkin on the kitchen floor and started to kick it “out of curiosity”. From then on, all he wanted to do was kick balls and he joined his first football club aged four. Later, as a 12-year-old, he was enrolled in the famed A Madroa academy of local Galician club RC Celta and now, in 2022/23, the attacking midfielder has emerged as one of the team’s key players, working up a profitable partnership with Iago Aspas, the team’s most senior and exceptional player and another who also came through the club’s academy many years ago. Fast forward to this term and Veiga scored the two crucial goals on the final day of the season to see Celta Vigo beat champions Barcelona and secure their top-flight status. That could yet turn out to be his last action at Balaidos, with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United all being heavily linked with a move and the talented attacker sitting high on their list of priorities for this summer’s transfers. Veiga’s release clause is set at €40million (£34.4m) - though it’s perhaps worth noting that Celta have only sold one player for more than €15m since Nolito left for Man City in 2016. Eleven goals - top ten among Europe’s U21 players Between them, Aspas and Viega were responsible for scoring 23 of RC Celta’s 43 LaLiga Santander goals in 2022/23 and the veteran striker has done his part in making the youngster feel comfortable, personally setting up two of the midfielder’s 11 goals. Veiga’s goal count this campaign, his first full season in the first team, is nothing short of stunning. Nobody scored more goals from midfield in LaLiga this season. In his age category, Veiga is truly standing out. Of all the Under-21 players in Europe’s top five leagues, Veiga finished with the seventh-highest goal tally, only trailing the likes of Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. Also, he is the Under-21 player with the second-most goals produced in LaLiga 22/23 (11 goals and four assists), only one behind Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson (12 and four). Veiga is about much more than his goals, however. He has proved his versatility throughout his youth career, playing in every position aside from goalkeeper, centre-back and left-back. It is perhaps that rich variety of experience which has seen him to develop into the player he is today: a midfielder with remarkable vision and ability to make the final pass, with the courage and pace to take players on and the timing to run in behind defences and latch on to through balls. “In my career I’ve only seen one or two players who have the characteristics of Veiga,” said RC Celta coach Carlos Carvalhal, who has been in management for 25 years. “He is a very complete player. He has a different profile to all the other midfielders in Spain, who are usually about touch and possession. Gabri breaks games open.” A player who can score different types of goals As Carvalhal alluded to, Veiga’s qualities make him the ideal link between midfield and attack and his 11 goals this season showcased his various attributes. The two most eye-catching goals were his long-range rockets against Real Betis and UD Almería, with the former being his first goal in front of the home fans at Balaídos, when he rounded three defenders before pinging the ball into the far bottom corner, while the latter goal was a thumping drive from outside the area with hardly any back-lift, which cannoned in off the crossbar. His first goal had come against Atlético de Madrid, a first-time finish which crept in at the near post, while he produced an ice-cool shot to score against Sevilla FC after racing on to a through ball from Aspas. His best individual display yet, however, came in the thrilling 4-3 win at Real Betis earlier this month. He scored RC Celta’s second goal with a cheeky lob right in front of goalkeeper Rui Silva after creating the danger himself with two clever headers. He then gave his side the lead by appearing at just the right time to knock in Jorgen Strand Larsen’s cross from the byline. What next for Veiga? He was believed to be under consideration by Luis Enrique as a potentially surprise call-up for the World Cup and, even if he didn’t go to Qatar, his debut for Spain’s senior team cannot be far away. He is in the U21 squad for this month’s fixture against Mexico. An international debut is bound to further raise Veiga’s profile and confirm what everyone at RC Celta already knows: that he has what it takes to make it to the very top. Read More Jude Bellingham uses pain of England’s near misses in bid for Euro 2024 glory Sheikh Jassim waiting to hear if final offer to buy Man Utd has been successful Joelinton: I received racist insults after Arsenal game Jude Bellingham uses pain of England’s near misses in bid for Euro 2024 glory Sheikh Jassim waiting to hear if final offer to buy Man Utd has been successful Joelinton: I received racist insults after Arsenal game

The final day of the Premier League season saw only the relegation battle still outstanding to be sorted, ultimately with Leeds United and Leicester City joining Southampton in dropping down to the Championship - while Everton, again, survived. Naturally there will be plenty of off-field developments at each of the relegated sides, with Leeds a good example after the agreement of a club sale to the owners of the San Francisco 49ers. Alongside that, the natural implication of failing to survive in the top flight is that bigger clubs will come calling for those players deemed too good to go down. Rumours have already circulated around a number of those names and Youri Tielemans has already agreed to join Aston Villa after deparing Leicester; here are 12 more who could easily attract a move to a top-flight club this summer if their present sides feel the need to sell to balance the books after departing the richest league on the planet. James Ward-Prowse Starting with the side who are already gone, central midfielder and dead-ball expert Ward-Prowse will certainly be in demand. An England international, the 28-year-old hasn’t been at his best this term but failings around him haven’t helped. Still has eight goals and four assists in a dismal team, and it’s hard to see him spending even a season in the Championship. Armel Bella-Kotchap While Saints’ defensive unit as a whole has been far too porous, individually there are a couple of players who have impressed. Centre-back Bella-Kotchap is one, with some tenacious displays earning him strong reviews earlier in the campaign. Put him alongside a more experienced player in a more cohesive unit and it’s safe to say his career is on an upward trajectory. Romeo Lavia Another recent recruit, teenage midfielder Lavia is already interesting plenty of top-half clubs who have been impressed with his tactical intelligence as much as his ferocious defensive work, overstretched as he has been in the middle of the park and even with one or two errors on show, as is usual for young players. Considering this was a rookie season for him in the top flight he has acquitted himself very well and the Belgian is already capped at senior international level. Kyle Walker-Peters Not so much a star for the future this time, but Walker-Peters has long since proven his capabilities in the Premier League. Add in his versatility and the fact he has only two years left on his contract and this summer seems the right one for any clubs keen on him to make their move. Kamaldeen Sulemana Of all the January arrivals who failed to impact at Saints, former Rennes man Sulemana might be the biggest disappointment - and therefore potentially the bargain with the biggest upside. At age 21 there’s a long runway for improvement for the Ghanaian, who can play wide or central in attack and showed what he’s capable of on the final day with a brace against Liverpool - but then again perhaps a season as a guaranteed starter would actually prove more beneficial for him in the long run. If Saints keep hold of him he should be a standout star in the Championship. James Maddison Moving onto the teams still fighting for survival, James Maddison looks to be one who might move on regardless of the final day. The creative attacker is certainly playing at a higher level than most of his Leicester teammates and has already been linked with the likes of Newcastle. Perhaps the only real factor at play here is the transfer fee; the Foxes might be able to ask for significantly more if they do beat the drop. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall Might be one Leicester hope to hang onto even if they are in the second tier, given he has a very long-term contract, but Dewsbury-Hall is almost certain to have top-flight admirers. Energetic, diligent in both halves of the pitch and with a sprinkling of magic about his play, the 24-year-old is too good for the Championship but might be too pricey to prise away. Harvey Barnes Finishing up at the Foxes, Harvey Barnes is already a known target - the Independentreported Aston Villa’s keen interest in the left-sided attacking outlet this week. Despite Leicester’s struggles he has 12 goals to his name this season and with two years remaining on his deal it’s probably time to make a step up, since even if they survive this weekend, his club don’t look like mounting a real revival any time soon. Timothy Castagne Far more wing-back than full-back, Timothy Castagne is a versatile defender who has had an up-and-down time at Leicester to be kind - but Arsenal have already reportedly eyed him up as a squad booster this summer, maybe on the cheap. The 27-year-old was a big-money recruit three years ago, and still has two years left on his deal. But relegation, along with the financial struggles the club have had over the past year or so, will lower the amount the Foxes can ask for. Tyler Adams Onto Leeds and the first probable departure is American midfield dynamo Tyler Adams. An excellent ball-winner, ball-carrier and team leader in the centre of the park, it’s unthinkable he’d drop down into the second division. An injury absence at the end of this season hasn’t helped Leeds at all but he has long since shown himself a top performer. Luis Sinisterra Given the ability of some of their players, it’s a bit of a wonder Leeds are down there at all - until you watch some of the defensive work, at least. At the other end of the pitch it can be a very different matter though and Sinisterra is another who, having fought around the top of the Eredivisie for Feyenoord before a £25m last summer, surely won’t be a Championship player. Injuries have hampered him this term but he’s electric when fit. Wilfried Gnonto One of the bargains of the season, Leeds signed the Italian for about £4m in September and he is a real gem in the making. Given the length of his deal and the fact he’s only 19, perhaps he’s one of those they’ll hope to keep and shoot straight back up with - but other, bigger clubs have been impressed this season by Gnonto, make no mistake. He’s already a senior goalscorer for Italy; he probably isn’t going to be keen on facing Rotherham and Hull next term. 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It was not the first time Youri Tielemans had made headlines on the day of a major final. A couple of years after he decided the FA Cup with a superlative strike against Chelsea came something that was rather less of a bolt from the blue. It may be presented as a bolt to the claret and blue, given his move to Aston Villa had seemed increasingly likely, but it became fact a few hours before the Champions League final kicked off. A few days earlier came confirmation of a rather costlier move: Jude Bellingham’s transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid. Before the transfer window had officially opened, it was announced that Alexis Mac Allister was bound for Liverpool. European finals occurred amid thoughts of goodbyes and to a backdrop of uncertainty. No sooner had West Ham won the Conference League than chairman David Sullivan admitted what was long known: that Declan Rice will leave, providing an appropriate offer comes in. There is the possibility that either the out-of-contract Ilkay Gundogan or Bernardo Silva will bow out of Manchester City having won the Champions League in his valedictory appearance. They could form part of what looks like being a massive midfield merry-go-round. If transfers are a staple of every summer, and discussions about them seemingly a global fixation, 2023 should appear particularly busy in the centre of the pitch. Others seen in the Premier League this season who are either definitely or at least quite likely to be swapping clubs include Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Granit Xhaka, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, James Ward-Prowse, James Maddison, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tyler Adams, Scott McTominay, Fred, Jefferson Lerma, Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves. That is before factoring in others whose departures might not be a genuine shock, a group that could include Conor Gallagher, Amadou Onana, Kalvin Phillips, Wilfred Ndidi and Brenden Aaronson, while Tottenham have their annual problem of what to do with Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso. And, given the Premier League’s status as huge net importers, there is every chance of arrivals from abroad. Borussia Dortmund’s Mo Dahoud seems likely to replace Mac Allister at Brighton. Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone and Nice’s Khephren Thuram are potential targets for others. A host of reasons are colliding, and not merely because high-level players are less likely to look for upheaval in tournament summers, making this probably busier than 2024. If there is the usual wish to upgrade, it is particularly pronounced at several clubs. Liverpool delayed their midfield rebuild, paid a price and only exacerbated their need for reinforcements. Erik ten Hag began overhauling Manchester United’s midfield last year but it was always envisaged he would want at least one signing there this summer. Arsenal’s swift improvement in the rest of the team highlighted the midfield as an area where, despite Xhaka’s best season in London, they could be better and Rice would appear better. Newcastle’s transformation into a Champions League club can bring a necessity to find alternatives, and potential superiors, to Eddie Howe’s worthy workhorses, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock. Maybe Ange Postecoglou will want to give Tottenham an injection of creativity. Then there is also a phenomenon that has been apparent for a while: it may be a sign of the Premier League’s strength in depth or a failing on the part of some of the superpowers that some of the outstanding midfielders have not been at the supposed big six. Rice may be the most expensive example but the Brighton double act of Mac Allister and Caicedo, who attracted January bids from Arsenal and Chelsea, are other cases in point. Neves has been a player with enviable class who has shown admirable loyalty to Wolves but has been open in his desire for Champions League football. Indeed, one of the division’s dynamics this season, which in turn should speed up the revolving door of midfielders, is the relegation of sides with quality performers. The precocious Lavia never seemed likely to stay at Southampton for long but Ward-Prowse, whose consistency and set-piece delivery had drawn bids before, could have been a Saints lifer had they stayed up forever. Likewise, it is hard to envisage Adams in the Championship with Leeds. Their contractual situations may have meant Leicester would have always lost Maddison and Tielemans but demotion reduces their bargaining power for the Englishman. The Belgian belongs in two categories. Some of the midfield business comes because an unusually high number of talents are available on free transfers. Gundogan could be the most prominent of them, unless City persuade their captain to re-sign. Liverpool’s frustration with the injuries of Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain meant neither was offered deals. Then there is Kante, who is also part of another cause: Chelsea’s great disruptors, committed to inexplicable revolution. Todd Boehly and co may be taking a wrecking ball to a Champions League-winning team without intending to. Kante highlights the sudden emergence of supersized offers from Saudi Arabia as a new element in the market. But if Kovacic goes, it will be in part because Chelsea have contrived to alienate their existing players with their incessant focus on the new. If Mount and Gallagher are sold, they are enforced moves to try and balance the books – especially for Financial Fair Play regulations – after ludicrous spending. Meanwhile, of course, Chelsea will carry on bidding: indeed if most of Kante, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher and Mount depart, they could somehow end up short of midfielders and needing to spend again, a few months after paying £107m for Enzo Fernandez. Others have more legitimate reasons to buy: just to replace. City will, if Gundogan goes. West Ham must look for a future beyond Rice and, as the reality is they will not recruit someone of his calibre, that may entail bringing in two midfielders. In turn, that can keep money swirling around, powering the merry-go-round. Some of the available players may find themselves in limbo for a while due to the excellence of others: those stuck on shortlists below Rice or Gundogan or Maddison or Lavia or Mount may have to wait to see where they go and when and what that means. The sheer number of compelling options available could make it a buyer’s market, even if some sizeable fees are inevitable. Some of the more astute recruiters seem to have done fine business early, in Tielemans, Mac Allister and Bellingham. Some European clubs may delay to pick up bargains at the end of the summer. The guarantee is there will be plenty more moves. Because by the time the window closes, virtually every midfield is likely to look different, some completely. After a Champions League final decided by a midfielder, this could be the summer of many midfielders. Read More How Jude Bellingham can become the anti-Haaland for Real Madrid Replacement for Granit Xhaka and a No9 for Mauricio Pochettino: Transfer targets for every Premier League club Liverpool begin midfield overhaul by completing Alexis Mac Allister signing Germany celebrate 1000th international match with dramatic Ukraine draw Kylian Mbappe alerts Premier League clubs with surprise announcement about his future Football rumours: Arsenal closing in on Declan Rice for club-record fee