Former England defender Jamie Carragher has revealed he would select Harry Kane over Erling Haaland ahead of Saturday’s crucial World Cup quarter-final between England and Norway.
The two elite strikers are preparing to go head-to-head as the Three Lions face the Scandinavian side in a high-stakes knockout tie.
Despite acknowledging the Norwegian as a generational talent, the television pundit believes the England captain offers superior overall contributions on the pitch.
“I’ve got to say Kane,” Carragher said. “I love Harry Kane. I think there’s a bit more to Harry Kane’s game than Erling Haaland.”
A future record-breaker
While the Three Lions skipper takes his preference, Carragher offered immense praise for the 25-year-old Scandinavian.
The former Liverpool defender predicts the prolific marksman will eventually surpass 1,000 career goals, matching the ambition of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The towering forward already boasts an astonishing 379 career goals, including a remarkable 62 strikes in just 54 international appearances.
“I actually think Erling Haaland, when he finishes his career, will be remembered as the greatest goalscorer of all time,” Carragher stated.
“His record at international level blows Lionel Messi and Ronaldo’s apart after 50 or 60 games. He’s a freak, he’s a phenomenon.”
Containing a man-mountain
Stopping the lethal attacker presents a monumental challenge for the English defensive unit this weekend.
The centre-forward enters the quarter-final having scored in his last 14 competitive matches for his country, netting 27 times during that relentless run.
Carragher highlighted recent domestic battles, noting that certain Premier League defenders have occasionally managed to frustrate the physical forward.
“But it’s a difficult one with Haaland because he’s not in the game that often really,” the pundit explained. “He’s absolutely devastating in the penalty box.”
With breathtaking pace and imposing physicality, the upcoming tactical battle in the penalty area will likely determine who advances to the semi-finals.
Manchester United remain in the market for a high-profile midfielder to replace Casemiro following their £50m acquisition of Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
Manager Michael Carrick is preparing for his first summer transfer window by securing the promising 22-year-old Brazilian.
The £50m package takes the Stamford Bridge talent to Old Trafford after he struggled for regular minutes behind Moises Caicedo in west London.
However, the club hierarchy do not view the youngster as a direct heir to the recently departed Casemiro.
Search for a senior replacement continues
The veteran enforcer has left the club following the expiration of his contract, creating a significant void in the middle of the pitch.
Reports suggest the 20-time English champions are still looking to sign at least two more central players before the upcoming campaign begins.
A £34m deal for Atalanta’s Ederson has been agreed since May, though concerns over a requested second medical have cast doubt on that transfer.
Several high-profile alternatives have already eluded the INEOS recruitment team during a frustrating market for holding midfielders.
Missed targets and World Cup options
Arch-rivals Manchester City secured Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson for £116m, while Mateus Fernandes completed an £85m switch to Tottenham Hotspur.
Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni has opted to sign a contract extension in Spain, further reducing the pool of elite options.
Brighton’s valuation of Carlos Baleba continues to deter an approach, despite the Cameroonian expressing a strong desire to make the move.
Attention has now turned to AS Roma’s Manu Kone following his impressive performances on the international stage at the World Cup.
Representatives for the French international have reportedly held preliminary talks regarding a permanent switch to Manchester.
The successful candidate is expected to partner academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo in the engine room next season.
Premier League rivals Liverpool and Arsenal have submitted identical contract proposals to 17-year-old Georgian attacking prospect Andria Bartishvili following a scouting trip to Estonia.
Directors from both English clubs travelled to Tallinn to watch the teenager in action for Iberia 1999 during a Uefa Champions League qualifying match.
The highly-rated youth international played 80 minutes as his loan club secured a 3-2 victory over Tallinna FC Flora.
Scouting mission triggers formal approach
Representatives for the youngster and his family are now evaluating the proposals to decide whether his future lies at Anfield or Emirates Stadium.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal have presented identical contract proposals to Bartishvili.
GEO Team
Arsenal’s head of scouting, Mauricio Micheli, was reportedly in attendance and left highly impressed by the forward’s performance.
This pursuit represents a wider strategy from the Merseyside club to aggressively secure Europe’s top emerging talent before they reach peak market value.
The Reds recently committed substantial funds to their youth setup, agreeing a reported £60m deal for Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet and spending £34.5m on Osasuna attacker Victor Munoz.
Comparisons to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Excitement is building in Georgia around the versatile attacker, who typically operates as an advanced midfielder but can seamlessly transition to either flank.
His domestic form has drawn inevitable comparisons to Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, widely considered the finest player to emerge from the country in a generation.
The teenage sensation has already registered two goals and three assists in 18 appearances during his current loan spell.
First-team pathway to dictate decision
A definitive choice between the two Premier League title challengers will likely hinge on which club can offer the clearest route to senior football.
The player remains contracted to parent club Kolkheti Poti until the end of 2026, when his current temporary agreement is scheduled to conclude.
With his domestic deal expiring at that juncture, English suitors are positioning themselves early to secure a highly sought-after signature.
Premier League champions Arsenal have made Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers their primary transfer target over Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola as they seek to replace the departing Leandro Trossard.
The Gunners are looking for a new left-winger ahead of their title defence, with Trossard nearing a £17.2m departure to Turkish side Besiktas.
Manager Mikel Arteta has already bolstered his squad during the current window with the free transfer of former Leeds goalkeeper Ilan Meslier.
Aston Villa star emerges as top target
Interest in PSG winger Barcola has cooled after the French champions made it clear the 21-year-old is not for sale.
Arsenal’s focus has firmly shifted to securing Unai Emery’s talisman at Villa Park, according to sports journalist David Ornstein.
The versatile Englishman is reportedly keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium to join a title-contending side.
“All the checks we’ve made suggest that Rogers is the top target,” said Ornstein.
“We’re not aware of offers… and Aston Villa have been quite clear they’re not looking to sell him.”
Massive valuation for England international
Any successful bid for the Midlands attacker would need to exceed the £116m Manchester City recently paid Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson.
Reports suggest a final fee could reach the £130m mark, reflecting his crucial role for Villa last term.
The forward registered 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions during a sensational domestic campaign.
He is currently representing his country at the World Cup, although most of his appearances have come from the substitutes’ bench.
PSG stand firm on Barcola
Alternatives remain on the Arsenal radar, but prying Barcola away from the Parc des Princes appears increasingly unlikely.
The French World Cup star racked up 13 goals and seven assists last season, perfectly fitting the profile of a pacy, wide attacker required by Arteta.
“PSG wanted to renew Barcola’s contract,” Ornstein added.
“When you speak to people there, they’re of the view: look, he’s not for sale; we don’t want to sell him.”
Argentina will look to returning forward Julian Alvarez to ease their reliance on Lionel Messi when they face Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-finals in Kansas City on Saturday.
The defending champions are the last non-European side remaining in the tournament.
Lionel Scaloni’s men must navigate a disciplined Swiss outfit if they are to retain their global crown.
European test awaits South American champions
Switzerland may lack the glamour of traditional heavyweights, but their organised approach poses a significant threat on the counter-attack.
Messi will be acutely aware of the challenge, having needed extra time to secure a narrow victory against the same opposition at Brazil 2014.
Since lifting the trophy in Qatar four years ago, the Albiceleste have enjoyed a celebratory atmosphere during their extended unbeaten runs.
However, recent knockout fixtures have exposed vulnerabilities within the South American squad.
Overcoming defensive frailties
Argentina were forced into a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Egypt in the last 16, fighting back from a two-goal deficit.
That fixture marked the first time they had trailed in 17 tournament matches, dating back to their shock defeat by Saudi Arabia in 2022.
A similarly chaotic 3-2 triumph over Cape Verde earlier in the knockout stages highlighted a worrying trend for the reigning champions.
The reintroduction of Alvarez could prove crucial in adding much-needed efficiency to their attacking lines.
The energetic forward offers a dynamic edge that may serve as the perfect antidote to their recent defensive inconsistencies.
Novak Djokovic has criticised Wimbledon tournament officials for closing the Centre Court roof prematurely during his quarter-final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The Serbian was angered when tournament referee Denise Parnell opted to shut the retractable structure at 7:40pm local time following the end of the second set.
With sunset not scheduled until after 9:15pm, the 24-time Grand Slam champion argued there was ample daylight remaining to continue play in natural conditions.
Parnell defended the decision by citing the need to avoid halting the match midway through a subsequent set as the evening progressed.
‘We are an outdoor tournament’
The explanation did not satisfy the tournament favourite, who confronted the umpire over the perceived inconsistency of the timing.
“Why now? Why? The other day you didn’t want to close it until, like, 8.20, 8.30, and now you want to close it?”
“You don’t want to get to 8.30? It’s 7.40 now. We can play a whole another set. Outdoors. We are an outdoor tournament.”
When Parnell referenced earlier roof protocols used during Jannik Sinner’s fourth-round tie, the frustrated veteran dismissed the comparison.
“With Jannik, I don’t care what happens. I care about our match right now.”
The debate over the use of the Centre Court roof, originally installed to prevent rain delays, has frequently resurfaced during late evening sessions at SW19.
Nadal and Murray echo roof concerns
Djokovic is not alone in his discontent, as historic rivals Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have previously voiced identical grievances.
The Spanish 14-time French Open winner famously questioned the logic of keeping the roof closed during his 2018 semi-final defeat to the Belgrade native despite dry weather.
“I don’t think it’s right, it’s an outdoor tournament. If the previous part of the match started with the roof on, there was logic, but I don’t understand why it had to be closed.”
Meanwhile, the two-time Wimbledon champion from Scotland has historically criticised the lack of communication from officials regarding scheduled roof closures.
Murray has previously noted that the enclosed environment severely alters playing conditions by increasing humidity and making the tennis balls significantly heavier.
Portugal have appointed 71-year-old Jorge Jesus as their new head coach following the departure of Roberto Martinez.
The experienced manager steps into the role after the national side’s disappointing World Cup campaign concluded with a 1-0 round-of-16 defeat by Spain.
Martinez vacated his position immediately after the tournament exit.
The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed the appointment on social media on Friday.
“A new journey begins today. Welcome to the National Team, Mister Jorge Jesus.”
Reunion with Ronaldo?
The move comes just a month after Jesus left Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
During his one-year tenure in the Middle East, he guided a team spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League title.
That domestic triumph marked the club’s first championship since the iconic forward arrived in December 2022.
It remains to be seen whether the appointment of a familiar face will convince the 41-year-old attacker to extend his international career.
World Cup exit and international future
The veteran striker scored three goals during the recent tournament, including a brace against Uzbekistan and a penalty against Croatia.
However, the national team’s talisman struggled to make a significant impact during the narrow elimination against the Spanish.
Despite confirming this will be his final World Cup, the most decorated player in international football history has not entirely closed the door on representing his country again.
“I’ve won three titles for Portugal; before Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hadn’t won a single title.”
“The biggest title the national team has ever won was in 2016, the European Championship, which, to be honest, is just as significant to me as a World Cup.”
“I gave it my all. I did my best and I’m leaving with a clear conscience.”
He added that he intends to spend time reflecting with his family before making any definitive decisions regarding his playing future.
The prolific goalscorer currently holds the all-time international scoring record with an astonishing 146 goals in 233 appearances.
Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull at the end of the 2026 season after performance-related exit clauses in his contract were reportedly triggered by the team’s poor start to the campaign.
The Dutchman’s current deal runs until the conclusion of 2028, but he is now believed to have a clear early exit route.
Speculation surrounding his future has intensified in recent days, fuelled by his open dissatisfaction with the sport’s incoming technical regulations.
Retirement remains a possibility
The reigning world champion has been a vocal critic of the new generation of Formula 1 cars scheduled for introduction in 2026.
He has expressed significant concerns over the massive new emphasis on battery harvesting and power deployment.
Following the Chinese Grand Prix in March, the Red Bull driver even admitted that early retirement from motorsport was a very real possibility.
Social media fuels McLaren rumours
The rumour mill went into overdrive this week following a cryptic social media post from former Formula 1 broadcaster Will Buxton.
Hearing a big announcement is on the way before the end of the day. If it is what I think it is, it’s absolutely massive.
Fans immediately drew parallels to Buxton’s similar posts ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s shock switch to Ferrari in January.
Many expected a similar bombshell, with recent media reports suggesting a potential switch to reigning constructors’ champions McLaren in place of Oscar Piastri.
However, the anticipated announcement actually related to series legend Scott Dixon joining McLaren’s IndyCar operation next year.
Despite the false alarm, the revelation of active exit clauses ensures that the future of Formula 1’s biggest star will remain a major talking point.