England’s increasingly promising World Cup adventure delved into a new chapter on Saturday, as Gareth Southgate’s young side took on perhaps the least fancied team still involved in the competition at this stage – a big, burly, awkward and organised Sweden team.

The Three Lions only went and won, and with a dominant display too. Leicester’s Harry Maguire and Spurs’ Dele Alli popped up with the goals that saw Southgate’s men into the country’s first World Cup semi-final since 1990.

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Everyone in red put in an exceptional performance, but the man between the sticks deserves special recognition. Jordan Pickford made three terrific second half saves to keep his first clean sheet of the tournament.

So, England fans, which players impressed you the most – or the least – in the victory over Sweden? Let us know by taking part in the poll below and giving each of those involved a performance rating out of ten…

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Arsenal are in talks with Lorient to sign young midfielder Matteo Guendouzi according to Sky Sports.

What’s the story?

The 19-year-old made 18 appearances for Ligue 2 side Lorient where he has been since 2014 after playing schoolboy football at PSG.

The rangy midfielder was reportedly a target for north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in January but now it appears Arsenal have won the race to his signature for a fee in the region of £7million.

Guendouzi is valued at £2.25million on Transfermarkt and he would be Unai Emery’s fourth signing of the summer since joining Arsenal.

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Tipped for the top

Although Guendouzi has been plying his trade in the relatively poor French Ligue 2, he has excelled and shown that he belongs in the top flight.

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The youngster plays either as a central midfielder or as a defensive midfielder and his style is similar to that of other Arsenal target Adrien Rabiot, composed on the ball and effective at breaking up play.

However, with Rabiot valued at £45million on Transfermarkt, Arsenal could save themselves a lot of money by buying Guendouzi.

He may not be the biggest name linked with Arsenal this summer but he could be a very important one for years to come.

One of the factors that fed into the idea that Mesut Ozil was misunderstood in England was the constant faith that a hugely successful Germany manager in Joachim Low had in him as part of his hugely successful German team.

Despite his struggles and criticism at Arsenal, 5ft 11in Ozil had been a near constant in the world champions’ side throughout but this summer changed all that.

As the Germans crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages, Low lost faith in Ozil, dropping him from the side after a 1-0 opening day defeat to Mexico.

That creates a major conundrum for new Arsenal manager Unai Emery; if Low, who knows Ozil so well and surrounds him with compatriots around whom he feels at his most comfortable, lost faith in him, how does he go about getting the most out of him?

We put the question to you and the solution is clear – the signing of a proper defensive midfield player in Lucas Torreira to create a proper platform behind Ozil is the answer, as you can see from the results below…

According a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, Liverpool have made a move for Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. The 29-year-old has struggled for first team football ever since moving to the Nou Camp back in 2016, with the Netherlands international appearing just twice in La Liga and 21 times overall for Ernesto Valverde’s men in the last two years.

Yet Jurgen Klopp’s men are reportedly keen on luring the £18 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) to Anfield this summer, and while he is likely to be an upgrade on Loris Karius, it’s unlikely that his addition would help the Reds bridge the gap to champions Manchester City.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, the Citizens were cut above every side in the Premier League last season in eventually finishing the campaign with 100 points from their 38 league games, ending up 19 points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United, and 25 clear of Klopp’s Liverpool.

Thus, it will take something pretty special from their challengers to bridge the gap to Pep Guardiola’s side this season, although Liverpool would surely do just that with the addition of a top-quality goalkeeper.

Clearly, the goalkeeping ranks have been something of a problem area at Liverpool for a few years now giving the misfortunes of Karius and indeed Simon Mignolet, with neither doing enough to convince of their capabilities between the sticks.

Arguably, it was Karius who cost the Reds the Champions League title given his shocking performance in the final against Real Madrid back in May, while between Karius and Mignolet, they probably cost the Merseyside giants some points during the Premier League season as well.

And while Cillessen’s arrival would be a sensible choice as an upgrade on Karius, it wouldn’t be a big enough upgrade to bridge the hefty 25-point gap to Guardiola’s City, who are sure to continuing improving heading into the 2018/19 season after making their intentions clear with an outstanding season last time round.

Clearly, there will be question marks over the 29-year-old given he has been the number one choice in just three of his last seven seasons as a professional, to the point that he has managed only 21 appearances for Barca in the last two years.

Thus, that is a remarkably little amount of football for someone Klopp will hope can produce the goods in over 50 games for Liverpool this season, but significantly the Dutchman simply hasn’t shown the same level of performance as the world class keepers currently in the Premier League.

The likes of Thibaut Courtois, David De Gea, and Ederson have all produced the goods regularly during their respective spells in English football to underline their status’ as some of the best goalkeepers on the planet, from which they have certainly won their team points and indeed matches during the spells at Chelsea, Manchester United, and City respectively.

Yet there has been very little to suggest that Cillessen is indeed of that same standard, so while he is likely to an upgrade on current number one Karius, he probably won’t be that world class goalkeeper Liverpool are in need of in their quest to reel City in this season.

Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!

The Fulham fans remain overjoyed to be back playing in the Premier League, a stay they hope will last for a very long time. 

After making it through another gruelling Championship season, the Cottagers are hopeful that their four-year absence from the Premier League will be quickly forgotten as they look to make up for lost time in the top flight.

To do just that, players with league experience will be sensible signings and someone who has already experienced just that with the reigning champions Manchester City is Oleksandr Zinchenko, a player valued at £6.3 million on Transfermarkt.

The 21-year-old was utilised in an array of positions for the Citizens last season, from left-back to his favoured midfield role, Zinchenko has the distinct ability to chop and change even at his young age. Fulham could also find a number of spots for him in their side, knowing that he has experience of playing for a top league side.

Zinchenko is regarded as a very exciting young talent and if Fulham continue to surprise in the transfer market, the bigger names they can attract to the club to launch a proper survival bid. The London club could be an attractive move for the youngster to blossom even further and show his parent club Manchester City exactly what he is already capable of doing.

Having already made 17 appearances for Ukraine, that alone presents his talent at such a young age and Fulham have to barge to the front of the queue for the youngster.

Do you agree… Let us know!

Loads of Rangers fans have been reacting to the latest transfer news, as Steven Gerrard looks set to reinforce his defence with 21 year-old Kean Bryan.

According to reports, Bryan will join from Manchester City on a three-year deal.

The impressive and versatile youngster will cost around £2.5 million in wages and a signing on fee, after his contract ran down with the Premier League champions.

Bryan can play as a central defender or in midfield, so it will be interesting to see where Gerrard uses the youngster.

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Players like this usually leave England’s top six on loan, so securing a permanent deal is quite the coup for the Gers.

Gerrard simply must add to his defensive ranks before the window shuts, and Bryan likely won’t be the last signing of the summer.

The Gers have been heavily linked to Millwall’s Jake Cooper and Bolton’s Mark Beevers, and getting either of those towering centre backs as well as Bryan would be a huge boost.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer window is threatening to finally get underway during the final 7 days with the news that Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose and Mosua Dembele could all leave the club, according to Sky Sports News.

The report claims that Spurs are willing to listen to offers for the aforementioned trio, and they are hoping to make two signings of their own before the window slams shut.

With Dembele potentially set to depart the club, Mauricio Pochettino will need to target the acquisition of a new central midfielder to ensure his side are well prepared for life after their Belgium lynchpin.

And Pochettino already has his eye on a handful of players to target in the event of Dembele’s departure, one of which is Southampton’s Mario Lemina – an all-action central midfielder who impressed on his debut season in English football.

After winning back-to-back Serie A titles with Juventus, Lemina’s decision to sign for the Saints provoked plenty of interest last summer.

The Gabon international is a defensive midfielder by trade, but he possesses a level of creative intent which suggests his technical quality is rather wasted in a midfield anchor role.

Whether he is better suited to a box-to-box or a more advanced role remains to be seen, but his debut season in the Premier League suggests he is only bound to improve with further experience.

However, with all due respect to Southampton, a player of Lemina’s level could, and perhaps should be playing his trade for a top-four club with ambitions of reaching the knockout phase of the Champions League.

Tottenham are a club who fit that particular description at this moment in time, and under a manager like Pochettino who possesses a strong passion for developing emerging talent, Lemina could step up another level next season.

Lemina possesses all of the credentials to grow into one of the Premier League’s best midfielders in the years to come: he is technically gifted, a confident ball-carrier, strong in the tackle, an inventive passer and a brilliant engine.

But unless the 24-year-old slots into the right environment he will fail to live up to his enormous potential, so he should jump at the chance to play under a manager of Pochettino’s expertise if Spurs come calling for his signature in the final week of the window.

Tottenham fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Manchester United won 2-1 against Leicester City on Friday night to get their Premier League campaign off to the ideal start.

A summer of bad blood off the field and a lack of big money signings had seemingly thrown United off track somewhat, and manager Jose Mourinho was vocal to say the least in the build up the big kick off.

However, Mourinho did what he knows best, and got the three points in the bag, and there was some encouraging signs for United.

One of the big plus points from Friday was the showing of midfielder Paul Pogba, who captained the side and returned from his small summer break after winning the World Cup with France to take his place in the starting XI and deliver a big performance.

Pogba was often criticised last season for not taking games by the scruff of the neck and allowing the opposition to dominate the game, but on Friday, it was Pogba who showed dominance.

It should come as no surprise, given how well he performed in the summer, but it is a pleasant sight for United fans that they might finally be seeing the player everyone knows he has the ability to be.

If Pogba can maintain and even improve the levels he displayed on the opening night of the season, then there is every chance United could well find themselves right in the title mix come May 2019.

United fans, what did you make of Pogba’s showing? Give us your thoughts in the comments!

When Sheikh Mansour took over Manchester City in 2009, a stigma was soon attached to the North-West outfit.

Billions of pounds were flooded into the club and now they are one of the Premier League heavyweights.

In the past, City have spent huge amounts on signing new players, but this summer they have been relatively quiet.

Their only major new arrival of the window was Riyad Mahrez, who according to The Telegraph cost around £60m when City bought the winger from Leicester City earlier in the summer.

Elsewhere, some of their league rivals were splashing the cash on numerous signings.

When City secured the signature of Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson last year from Benfica, the club broke the world record fee in a £35m deal.

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Liverpool obliterated that when – as reported by The Guardian – the Merseyside outfit spent £66.9m bringing Alisson to Anfield from Roma.

Within a few weeks, the record was broken again when Chelsea landed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao.

According to BBC Sport, the West London outfit, who hired Maurizio Sarri to replace Antonio Conte earlier this summer, parted with £71m to sign the keeper.

On Reddit, some City fans pointed fingers at their rivals and critics for the constant criticism that the club faces for spending big on transfers.

Comment from discussion “Ederson was overpriced and a stupid buy”.Comment from discussion “Ederson was overpriced and a stupid buy”.Comment from discussion “Ederson was overpriced and a stupid buy”.Comment from discussion “Ederson was overpriced and a stupid buy”.Comment from discussion “Ederson was overpriced and a stupid buy”.Comment from discussion “Ederson was overpriced and a stupid buy”.Comment from discussion “Ederson was overpriced and a stupid buy”.Comment from discussion “Ederson was overpriced and a stupid buy”.

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Leeds progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 win over Bolton at Elland Road on Tuesday evening, and fans of the club on Twitter were impressed with Chelsea loanee Jamal Blackman’s performance.

The 24-year-old came through the academy system at Chelsea but is now on his fifth loan spell away from Stamford Bridge and is yet to make his debut for the Blues’ first team.

After Bailey Peacock-Farrell started Leeds’ first two league games, this was Blackman’s first competitive appearance for Marcelo Bielsa’s side and, despite one loose moment, he impressed these fans on Twitter enough to warrant a start in the Whites’ next Championship fixture at home to Rotherham on Saturday.

Blackman looked confident and comfortable on his first appearance of the season and after Peacock-Farrell’s mistake against Derby, where Tom Lawrence’s free-kick went straight past the 21-year-old’s hand, boss Marcelo Bielsa will have a big decision to make.

Take a look at some of the best tweets from Leeds fans on the dilemma after Blackman’s performance against Bolton below.

Leeds fans, who would you like to see start in goal for Saturday’s Championship tie at home to Rotherham? Have your say in our poll below.