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I think Torres to PSG is the worst thing PSG could have done and the best thing Barça could have done.

This is absolutely huge for football. When good people stick together and stand up for what is right, they can achieve great change. Let’s hope something comes of this.

In light of Pirlo being appointed Italian national team manager, I wanted to share this. For a month my U10 son has been playing football in Italy. Here are my observations. Smaller sided games (with all the benefits they bring). Without exception all players were more ‘functionally technical’ than their US counter parts. We may not have witnessed the ‘Ronaldo Chop’ or the ‘inside outside reverse 360 upside down inverted move’, but moves were functional, practical, contextual and most importantly, effective. Less tactical players (space management was not so much a thing, compared to the US but especially so when comparing to young Spanish players). 1000% more savvy players (the dark arts were very visible even at U10). Pushing and pulling blind side of the ref, standing on free kicks to prevent quick takes. Tactical fouls etc. were prevalent and were bought into and understood by the whole team. The players knew when to hold the ball, move the ball, play direct, speed it up, slow it down etc. Something you 10000% do not see in the US game. Emotionally the kids were very highly strung. It appeared to mean EVERYTHING to them which had both good and bad effects on their ability to play. Some players absolutely lost their heads when they missed a chance and were then effectively done for the rest of the game, they couldn’t recover. Parents were generally less rowdy than in the US when there were questionable decisions against their team. The referees did not want to be the stars of the show, nor did they make it all about them like they can in the US. The referees actually knew the rules as they were football people rather than having just done an online course to make cash in hand. As a result, the ever-present phrases of ‘foot up’ when taking a throw in and insisting possession be handed over, ‘high foot’, ‘no playing on the ground’, nor ‘do over’ were not heard. Genuinely speak in the level of competition was more competitive. It appeared to look a little more ‘like football’ and was genuinely a fun and enjoyable experience.

Those saying English football has problems at grassroots level, this is incorrect (a post for another day). Top 8 (& as high as 2nd) finishes in the world since 2018. It’s a mentality problem (mentality can drive tactics under pressure). We always have hope but never belief.

Maybe a good time to do what English rugby did under Sir Clive Woodward and look at psychological factors involved in the high performance game. Along the lines of ‘fear of failure’ etc.

Twitter can be a place of 20/20 armchair experts. But does anybody think Tuchel got his tactics correct in the last 35 minutes?

Tuchel absolutely fumbled a World Cup final there. How can you sit back for 40 odd minutes against an emotionally pumped Argentina team, with no forward outlet and expect anything else. Kane dead on his feet. Could not close down. Rashford on the bench. Absolute shame.

Somebody called Mike Grella, who we have previously never heard of, is a rather irritating and poorly informed individual.

A massively underperforming England team progress again by the grace of Bellingham. England playing this badly and still winning is a good sign?

Game of the tournament so far. In spite of missed penalties, Messi never fails to deliver for his country or club. I have never in my life seen a sports star like him. Better than Jordan, Woods, Ronaldo and Maradona. He is the definition of a clutch player.

We must remember that the 11 USMNT players on the field are not the people making the noise, the phone calls to FIFA, the poor decisions, the inconvenient kick off times etc. Well done USMNT! Culturally they are still quite young. The tournament is only once every four years. ‘Powerhouses’ like England have only won it once, to put it into perspective. Spain only once also. The game is growing in America. It will continue to do so. The cultural organization of football is different to any other American sport. It will take time.

Football. Life. Inextricable. The emotion is unexplainable.

In a time where we are often criticized for national pride it was lovely to see England celebrating with the fans to Wonderwall. #Wonderwall #ThreeLions

Mexico were AMAZING in the Entry Phase in first 30 minutes of the game & I feel as if they may have gotten a result if they had stuck to playing rather than the antics they adopted later on. Their use of Give & Go & Third Man Movement to move from the Entry to Finishing phase was perfect.

Not usually very free with England praise. Last night was a masterclass in guts, determination, spirit, fight, leadership, dealing with crisis and defensive organization a man down.