Author: Rowan Clarke

Tottenham have agreed a deal worth £85m to sign Portugal international midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United this summer. The north London club beat off competition from Manchester United, who refused to match the guaranteed fee Spurs were willing to pay. Unlike many modern transfer deals, the £85m figure contains no add-ons, representing a straightforward and significant financial commitment from Tottenham. The 21-year-old had been identified as a primary transfer target for Spurs after their £80m bid to sign Sandro Tonali was rejected by Newcastle United. Tottenham have moved quickly in the summer transfer window, with Fernandes becoming the…

Germany’s latest World Cup failure has left fans questioning the future of head coach Julian Nagelsmann following a devastating penalty shootout loss to Paraguay. The defeat in Boston marked yet another painful chapter for German football, with the national side crashing out in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup. It is the third consecutive major tournament at which Germany have failed to make a significant impression, having suffered group stage exits in both 2018 and 2022. Nagelsmann, the 38-year-old former Bayern Munich boss, made clear he has no intention of walking away, saying “I’m not someone who runs…

Newcastle United insist Bruno Guimaraes is not for sale, but the club faces one of its most significant tests since the Saudi Arabian takeover in October 2021. Arsenal are poised to make an offer for the Brazilian midfielder, who has established himself as the heartbeat of Eddie Howe’s side. It is understood Arsenal have not yet made a formal approach, but their interest represents a serious and credible threat to Newcastle’s ambitions of keeping their best players. Guimaraes arrived from Lyon for £35m in January 2022, famously vowing at his unveiling that Newcastle were “going to be a big power…

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has called for Kobbie Mainoo to be handed a starting role against DR Congo in Wednesday’s World Cup last-32 tie. Rooney believes Mainoo should be preferred to Elliot Anderson, who started all three of England’s Group L matches during the tournament. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney outlined his preferred midfield setup, saying: “I’d go with Declan Rice sitting, and I’d go with Mainoo and Jude Bellingham.” The former striker argued that Mainoo’s technical ability in confined spaces makes him the superior option for a knockout tie against a physical DR Congo side. Rooney…

Germany’s 2026 World Cup campaign has come to a stunning end after they were beaten by Paraguay on penalties in the round of 32. The four-time world champions were eliminated following a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat after the match finished 1-1 following extra time. It represents one of the most significant upsets of the tournament so far, with Germany among the pre-competition favourites to go deep. Paraguay held their nerve throughout the shootout to book their place in the last 16, delivering a remarkable result against one of football’s most decorated nations. Germany have won the World Cup on four…

The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team timeline is one of international football’s oldest and most compelling rivalries, stretching back more than a century and defined by moments of extraordinary drama, political backdrop, and Iberian pride. The rivalry began on 19 December 1921, when Portugal lost 3-1 away in Madrid in their first-ever international friendly. Spain dominated the fixture in those formative years, with the first draw between the two sides, a 2-2 result, not arriving until 1926, and Portugal’s first win, a 4-1 victory, not coming until 1947. Politics shaped the fixture as much as football…

After Steve Clarke’s shock resignation in the early hours of Sunday, Scotland fans have wasted no time debating who should take charge of the national team. Clarke stepped down following Scotland’s World Cup exit, with the search for his successor expected to begin imminently amid considerable interest and opinion from supporters. Ange Postecoglou has emerged as the most talked-about candidate among fans, with several pointing to his knowledge of Scottish football and his record as Australia’s national coach. Fan Neil believes Postecoglou would be “the perfect fit”, arguing he “would get the players playing with swagger and confidence, and he…

After England’s 2-0 victory against Panama, Jude Bellingham has once again shown he is the player this England side cannot do without. The 22-year-old’s importance stretches far beyond moments of individual brilliance, encompassing tactical intelligence and relentless physical commitment across ninety minutes. Thomas Tuchel has maintained that his system and approach will largely remain consistent throughout the tournament, but subtle tweaks were visible against Panama due to injuries in the squad. Jarell Quansah came in at right-back for the injured Reece James and was asked to slot into a back three in possession alongside Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa. Rather…

Scotland’s World Cup adventure ended in America with the weather in Charlotte providing a fittingly dramatic backdrop to a bombshell announcement. Within minutes of Scotland being officially eliminated from the tournament, the news of Steve Clarke’s departure as head coach dropped without warning. Clarke’s exit was handled in a manner entirely typical of the man, low-key, no fuss, no interviews, and no apparent desire to elaborate beyond his written statement. The length and detail in his valedictory statement suggests the decision had been forming for a day or two, though no explanation has been offered for the timing. Players were…

England have secured their place in the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup, finishing top of their group with seven points from three matches. Thomas Tuchel’s side were not always convincing, but they did enough to finish ahead of Croatia, Ghana, and Panama to progress as group winners. Their reward in the last 32 is a tie in Atlanta on Wednesday 1 July against DR Congo, who finished third in Group K. The Leopards drew with Portugal, lost to Colombia, and beat Uzbekistan during the group stage, conceding just three goals across those three fixtures. DR Congo are ranked…