James Benge
@jamesbenge.bsky.social
Football Correspondent, CBS Views own
Group chats big enough for every single Bluesky user to bring a friend along
Bluesky@bsky.app · yesterdayUpdate: group chats can now host up to 100 members.
As Arsenal close in on Bruno Guimaraes, it's notable how their patience has been rewarded. A steady drip drip of speculation has been forcing Newcastle's hand before Andrea Berta even came to the table. Big read on Arsenal's dynasty planning 👇
How Arsenal plan to build a Premier League dynasty by chasing stars like Vinicius Junior and Bruno Guimaraes
After finally conquering the Premier League, Mikel Arteta is shifting transfer strategies by prioritizing established stars over youth to build a lasting dynasty
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Arsene Wenger says he was "not involved" or aware of the plans to sell off the World Cup and has welcomed their scrapping. "The decision to withdraw the project was absolutely necessary and beyond question". His statement does not mention Gianni Infantino or call for change.
Spoke to Christos Tzolis last week, he says the thing that has struck him the most since joining Arsenal is the hunger everyone in the squad is showing to go further. "I see a clear mindset and that everybody is on the same page to win titles here."
William Saliba to miss an “extended period” with back injury but will not undergo surgery
You see those scenes at the final whistle and it’s a delight that Argentina didn’t win.
Argentina need to be careful here. They’re running the very real risk of a football match breaking out.
Chelsea spectacularly overplaying for a good highlights, meh stats player so they can get him ahead of Arsenal. It cannot go as wrong as it did last time, right?
I just can’t believe a coach as astute in game as Tuchel could so spectacularly mess up. Clearly he did. How could you think that the right plan down to 10 men in the Azteca or in Miami heat would work when it meant giving every attacking third touch to the best forward ever?
Frustration for England should be Argentina have been running that set piece routine for a Fernandez shot for years. He scored one against the Dutch. Heroic effort by Bellingham but that move should have been anticipated.
You think that goal was bad for you? My newborn, the reason I wasn’t at the tournament this summer, did a wee through her nappy and onto me just as Norway scored. By god if she weren’t the light of my life.
UEFA statement incandescent over FIFA suspending Balogun's suspension. "When the certainty of rules is no longer guaranteed by its guardians, the integrity of the game is at stake and the credibility of a competition is undermined."
England's brilliance really shouldn't take away from how dreadful Mexico were.
Was watching that first goal thinking move Jude, move. You won't get in the box in time. Shows what I know. Brilliant timing. Such composure and energy from the Arsenal boys on the right.
In Brazil's last three World Cup eliminations they have put up shots worth 8.48 xG, scoring three goals. They have allowed shots worth 2.02 xG, conceding five goals. (Chuck in 2014 and they're still up 10.1 over 5.17) This is cursed stuff.
A scandalous decision, FIFA placing its thumb on the scales of the tournament without even feeling compelled to offer a fig leaf of justification. Borderline red cards happen all the time and plenty of teams with more at stake than the USMNT have to just deal with it.
James Benge@jamesbenge.bsky.social · last mo.Folarin Balogun has had his suspension for the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium lifted. Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code allows them to suspend any suspension not related to match fixing. No explanation has been provided by FIFA as to why they chose to suspend Balogun's suspension.
Folarin Balogun has had his suspension for the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium lifted. Article 27 of FIFA's disciplinary code allows them to suspend any suspension not related to match fixing. No explanation has been provided by FIFA as to why they chose to suspend Balogun's suspension.
Given the moment, the opponent, the technique: that has to be one of the greatest goals ever scored at a World Cup
Ultra edge to decide a World Cup game?! Absolute cinema.
It's 1.4 xG to 0.2 Portugal have had 70% of the ball Bruno Fernandes has more penalty box touches than every opposition player combined Everything's coming up Croatia winning a penalty shootout
Thomas Tuchel is having to coach his way around a straitjacket of an England squad, constructed for him by Thomas Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel's flawed England squad construction is threatening their World Cup chances
The Three Lions survived a massive scare against DR Congo, but Thomas Tuchel's questionable roster construction is already threatening to derail England's World Cup campaign
cbssports.com
Thomas Tuchel is having to coach his way around a straitjacket of an England squad, constructed for him by Thomas Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel's flawed England squad construction is threatening their World Cup chances
The Three Lions survived a massive scare against DR Congo, but Thomas Tuchel's questionable roster construction is already threatening to derail England's World Cup campaign
cbssports.com
England are serving a timely reminder of how hard it is to get your wingers to come back and do their defending like Arsenal do. Even, it transpires, when you've got Arsenal wingers in your team.