England coach Thomas Tuchel has likened playing Andorra to chewing gum as the Three Lions prepare to face the minnows three months after their scrappy 1-0 win.
England have been dealt a blow ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers after Manchester City defender John Stones was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury. The 31-year-old, who was back in the national setup for the first time under new head coach Thomas Tuchel, will now miss both fixtures against Andorra and Serbia. His absence continues a difficult run of fitness concerns.
Germany were stunned by an incisive Slovakia as their World Cup qualification campaign got off to the worst possible start in Bratislava. David Strelec stole the show with a superb goal as he put a sluggish Antonio Rudiger to shame.
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni expressed his views on the eternal rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of their potential last dance at the World Cup. The two icons have defined modern football for nearly two decades, and even now, as they edge towards the twilight of their glittering careers, their rivalry remains compelling as ever.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Manchester United remains uncertain, with the 20-year-old midfielder determined to secure a loan move away from Old Trafford, despite the club's insistence that he stay and fight for his place. The England youth international has reiterated his desire to leave the club, particularly after his exclusion from the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, a decision made by manager Thomas Tuchel due to his lack of playing time.
Thomas Tuchel had a "difficult" phone call with Trent Alexander-Arnold to inform the defender of the England axe with the Three Lions boss keen to make squad "more spicy". The German manager confirmed that the Real Madrid right-back, once considered an automatic pick, was dropped after falling behind Reece James and rising star Tino Livramento in the pecking order.