1035 – ERIKSEN SET TO FACE GERMANY
Denmark are hopeful Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen will be fit to face Germany in Dortmund tonight after recovering from a stomach problem during the week.
“We expect that he will be able to play tomorrow,” says manager Kasper Hjulmand.
“Germany are one of the favourites, and it’s just too bad they’re playing us. The quality they have and the way they’ve expressed themselves in the first few matches.
“But we also have a great team and so they have to be very, very good to beat us.”
Denmark stunned Germany to win the Euro ’92 title in Sweden with a 2-0 final victory in one of the biggest shocks of all time.
1025 – GORDON KEEN TO LIFT ENGLAND GLOOM
Anthony Gordon is ready to help lift the current gloom surrounding the England team, as The Three Lions prepare for a Euro 2024 last-16 clash against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate’s side have limped their way into the knockout stages after three lacklustre group-stage performances against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia.
“I think it [my direct style] brings a sense of unpredictability. I draw a lot of fouls and it can put teams on the back foot and that’s how I play football.
“That works for me, that’s the way I feel best playing. I know how hard I am to play against, I can feel it, I know they don’t like playing against me and I’m going to carry on doing it.”
‘I went 10 feet in the air’ – Gordon reflects on bike accident
1015 – CHELSEA CHASE A HALLMARK STAMP
Chelsea are closing in on Leicester City midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, according to The Athletic.
The 25-year-old midfielder has also attracted attention from Brighton, but the publication believes he will choose between Chelsea or staying put.
The report explains: “Chelsea have submitted an offer to sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City.
“The Athletic revealed on Thursday that Chelsea had contacted Leicester to express an interest in recruiting the 25-year-old midfielder, although a bid had yet to be made.
“But the west London side have now sent a proposal for the Englishman to their newly promoted Premier League counterparts.
“If a deal is struck between the clubs, Chelsea would be expected to agree a long-term contract with Dewsbury-Hall’s representatives.
“He is thought to have declined the chance to join Brighton & Hove Albion and there remains an expectation that he will only move to Chelsea or remain at Leicester, where Dewsbury-Hall’s terms run until 2027.”
1005 – ITALIAN JOB IN BERLIN
Defending European champions Italy won the 2006 World Cup against France in Berlin on penalties.
Can they relive those glory days against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 last 16 this evening?
“We had a very difficult group, everyone thought we were done for, but we gave it our all and got through,” says the PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. “That boosts our confidence and motivation. Once you are in the round of 16, you can go all the way.
“The adrenaline will be pumping, we know millions of Italians are behind us and that gives us an extra push going forward.”
0955 – HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO EURO 2024?
0945 – GERMANY EXPECTS IN DORTMUND
The host nation take on Denmark at 8pm in Dortmund this evening as they chase a spot in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
It is a somewhat poignant return to the venue where they lost to 2-0 Italy in extra-time during the 2006 World Cup semi-finals in Germany.
“It’s special when we see the pictures and videos of the fans and how they celebrate in the cities,” says head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
“When we talk about 2006 it’s always about that, we don’t talk about the results, we don’t talk about the games..it’s always about the fan zones.
“At the moment I feel the same…we’re not done yet.
“We’ll try to continue winning the games to try to create new pictures and videos in the fan zones tomorrow and in the next weeks as well.”
0935 – WATCH THE PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE ON TNT SPORTS
The Premier League fixtures for the 2024/25 season have been announced and there are some tasty ties on the agenda.
First up on TNT Sports will be newly-promoted Ipswich hosting Liverpool at Portman Road on Saturday, August 17, with Arne Slot set to lock horns with Kieran McKenna.
0925 – EVERTON TARGET HULL CITY WINGER
Everton have joined the race to sign highly rated Hull City winger Jaden Philogene, according to the Daily Mail.
The youngster is also wanted by a number of clubs on the continent, as well as Premier League sides West Ham and Tottenham.
The paper writes: “Everton are lining up a potential £16 million move for Hull City winger Jaden Philogene.
“The 22-year-old had a stand-out season in the Championship last season that has attracted attention from the likes of Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur.
“The England U21 international scored 12 often spectacular goals, and that has also alerted West Ham who are mulling over a bid as they look to strengthen their attacking options this summer.
“However, Everton have stepped into the chase and are willing to offer around £16m for a player that cost Hull around £5m last summer when they signed him from Aston Villa, who are understood to hold a sell-on and buy-back option.
“Philogene grew up in Villa’s academy where his early promise attracted enquiries from Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona who have kept him on their watch list.”
0915 – AN UNFORGETTABLE SPORTING SUMMER
The countdown is on to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
It is sure to be full of drama as a host of the biggest names in sport compete for glory in the French capital, across sports as diverse as athletics, swimming, tennis, cycling and even, for the first time, breaking.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
0910 – VILLA GET WORK DONE EARLY
0900 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDE
England will be hoping the Real Madrid superstar has the key to the door as he bids to fire into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday afternoon.
0850 – ARSENAL JOIN ISAK CHASE – REPORT
The Sun reports that Chelsea have been priced out of signing Newcastle forward Alexander Isak.
Newcastle want more than £100 million for the Sweden international, leaving Arsenal still with an interest.
The paper claims: “Chelsea have withdrawn from talks over signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle due to their reluctance to meet the club’s £100 million-plus valuation.
“Sources with knowledge of the negotiations have told SunSport that Newcastle would not even consider bids below £100m for Isak and believe the Swedish striker’s true value in the current market is closer to £120m.
“Isak’s current contract at Newcastle expires in 2028 with the club ready to offer him a two-year extension.”
“Arsenal are long-term admirers, but have yet to make any contact with Newcastle.”
0840 – IS MARCUS RASHFORD HEADING FOR PSG?
The Mirror reports that Paris Saint-Germain are keen on moving for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.
“Paris Saint-Germain are poised to reignite their interest in Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford,” says the newspaper.
“The French giants are long-term admirers of Rashford, 26, and previously held talks with the England international back when it seemed as though a move abroad could be on the cards.
“Rashford opted to stay at Old Trafford [and] went on to enjoy a career-best season under Erik ten Hag, plundering 30 goals. However, he endured a disappointing campaign last year and there has been further speculation over his future with United’s top brass believed to be open to offers for all but a handful of key players.
“That has led to renewed interest from PSG.
“PSG’s latest stance on Rashford comes just months after it was reported that they were set to shelve their interest due to Manchester United’s demands.
“It was claimed back in April that The Red Devils were demanding a sum of £100 million in order to part with their homegrown striker, who missed out on a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad.”
0830 – GOOD MORNING FROM A HUGE MORNING IN FOOTBALL
We are building up towards a huge day at the Euro 2024 finals as the first last-16 matches are played out tonight with defending champions Italy facing Switzerland in Berlin (5pm BST) before hosts Germany meet Denmark in Dortmund (8pm BST). Should be two thrilling matches ahead, but we also have all the latest transfer news and rumours swirling around the club game on another super Saturday in the world game.