Mjallby: The Swedish minnows on the verge of a league title

Mjallby: The Swedish minnows on the verge of a league title

Based in a tiny fishing village in the very south of Sweden, Mjällby AIF were in the second tier as recently as 2019. Today, they are preparing to make their European debut next season and are just one win away from lifting an unforgettable Allsvenskan title.


By Neel Shelat


Since their foundation in 1939, Mjällby AIF have spent less than 15 seasons in the Swedish first tier. Based in a quite remote village in the second smallest province in the country, their 6,000 capacity home ground is capable of holding the local population multiple times over. Naturally, then, they have never been anywhere close to competing against the nation’s strongest clubs from places like Stockholm and Gothenburg. They only made their top-flight debut in the 1980s and never managed to stay up for successive seasons until after the turn of the century. But in recent years, something special has been brewing in Blekinge County.

Soon after their first multi-year Allsvenskan stint came to an end in 2014, Mjällby appointed a new chairman in Magnus Emeus. Sweden’s 51% rule is similar to the German 50+1 rule, in principle, making all of their clubs effectively fan-owned and controlled. So, the locally born businessman did not change the club’s fortunes overnight with a big cash injection, but he did start laying the groundwork for achievements that might then have seemed unthinkable.

Simple and sensible management

Given their relatively small stature and consequently tight budget, Mjällby are anything but big spenders in the transfer market. Even presently, they predominantly rely on free transfers to shape up their squad. Following their last relegation, they focused their scouting on the lower leagues of Sweden to rebuild with very limited resources. After returning to Allsvenskan in 2020 and enjoying some relatively successful seasons, they managed to make a couple of notable sales and earn a little bit of money to reinvest on the squad. They then expanded a bit and all started looking for targets in other parts of Scandinavia, still sticking to the principle of finding underrated talents. To this day, they have only paid eight six-digit transfer fees, most of which are under €250,000.

No matter how good a job Mjällby’s recruitment team does or how well they are supported by their youth academy, the disparity in resources means that the Hällevik-based club are never going to have the same squad quality as their league rivals. So, the coach has the big responsibility of providing the best possible platform for the players to excel. Fortunately for them, Anders Torstensson has done just that.

The now-59-year-old Swede first joined the club as an assistant coach in 2007. His first season in the hot seat came in 2013, after which he moved on to a couple of other lower league clubs and also served as a principal in a local school. His second stint in charge of Mjällby came in 2021, and he was reappointed for a third time in 2023.

While Torstensson is credited for his leadership, the key to his success perhaps lies in his willingness to trust his fellow staff members. Most notable among them is Karl Aksum, who is regarded by FIFA’s training centre as “a world-leading authority on visual perception in elite football” and has a PhD on the topic from the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences. He has been credited with revolutionising Mjällby’s style of play, as their average possession went up from 43.6% in 2023 to 51.2% following his arrival in 2024.

Eye-catching and effective style of play

Mjällby’s possession average has gone up further to over 54% this term, but that stat alone says very little about exactly how they like to play. The Allsvenskan leaders are always a very intriguing team to watch but especially so when they face high-pressing opposition, as is quite often the case in Sweden. Typically lining up in a 3-4-3 formation, they like to position their attackers high but bring the rest of the team quite deep when building out, looking to bait their opponents out of shape before quickly playing through with slick passing and/or releasing one of the forwards. That is why they are fourth in the league for short passes completed but down in 12th for long balls – they only punt it forward in selective circumstances.

Interestingly, Mjällby would likely not be so susceptible to being opened up in such a way if they were to face themselves. Although they can press high at times, Torstensson’s side often look to defend in a compact block and with a disciplined back five. This approach has helped them hold on to the vast majority of their leads, enabling them to come away with all three points on 19 of the 23 occasions in which they have gone ahead in the 26 league games played so far this term.

Mjällby have by far the best defensive record in Allsvenskan with just 17 goals conceded, but their underlying numbers are not quite as incredibly impressive. They have significantly outperformed xG on both ends of the pitch, so some standout seasons from many of their players as well as a great deal of good fortune have been just as crucial as their tactics to their title charge.

Standout players

Surprisingly, the top scorer for the champions elect only has seven league goals to his name this term as almost everyone in the side has chipped in with a few. While they might not have a standout figure to credit for their record in front of goal, they certainly have to be very grateful to goalkeeper Noel Törnqvist for their mightily impressive defensive record. The stats suggest that the 23-year-old custodian has prevented more than nine goals above average thanks to his shot-stopping alone, and he is an impressive ball-player too. It should be no surprise, then, that he has already sealed a move to Serie A upstarts Como.

Törnqvist’s mightily impressive season shot map in goal

Central defender Axel Norén has also impressed enough to earn a first call-up to the Swedish national team this year, but his occasional partner Herman Johansson is even more eye-catching. More often deployed as a right wing back this season, he is the team’s joint top-scorer with seven league goals, most of which have come from being at the right place at the right time in set-piece situations.

Fellow wing back Elliot Stroud also deserves some credit for his excellent deliveries, which have contributed to Mjällby scoring over a quarter of their goals from dead ball situations. He himself has six goals and five assists to his name as he is a real threat in open play as well.

Young Gambian forward Abdoulie Manneh is the only other player above Stroud in the scoring charts thanks to his constant clever movement and willingness to let fly from all angles.

Mjällby’s leading scorers in 2025

But perhaps one of the most important figures is Jesper Gustavsson, an academy graduate who is one of just two players to have reached the 300-appearance mark in Mjällby’s history. The club captain was absent for their biggest game to date as they lost the cup final in 2023, so it will be all the more emotional for him when Mjällby finally lift their first-ever major trophy, thanks in no small part to over 2,000 minutes of his pulling the strings and dictating the play from midfield.

The Swedish fairytale could be decided if Mjällby win at IFK Göteborg, next Monday.


(All images courtesy of Michael Smolski, Football is Everywhere, with thanks to Mjällby AIF)


You can follow the climax of the Allsvenskan season on FotMob – with deep stats, xG, and players ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Preview: England travel to Latvia looking to book World Cup place

Preview: England travel to Latvia looking to book World Cup place

Thomas Tuchel’s England can confirm their place at the 2026 World Cup with a win against Latvia on Tuesday.


By Graham Ruthven


Qualification formality

Thomas Tuchel is just one win away from achieving his first objective as England manager – successfully guiding The Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup.

Of course, this doesn’t begin to outline the brief Tuchel was handed as England head coach, but they have to be in it to win it and the German can be relatively satisfied with how his team has cruised through Group K to this point.

The 5-0 away win over Serbia in England’s last competitive game was the best result and performance of Tuchel’s tenure so far. Friday’s 3-0 friendly win over Wales was another demonstration of the talent within the national team.

Latvia’s only win in World Cup qualifying came against Andorra with the 137th-ranked team in the world lacking much in the way of match-winning quality at the elite level.

Tuesday’s match in Riga threatens to be a one-sided affair. Indeed, if England play to their full potential they could clinch World Cup qualification with aplomb.

Key players

Morgan Rogers caught the eye in the 3-0 win over Wales and could keep his place in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s match against Latvia although there’s competition from Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Bukayo Saka, like Rogers, found the back of the net and is expected to start in Riga with the Arsenal winger a key figure for The Three Lions on the right side.

Harry Kane could return to the fold after missing the friendly against Wales through injury. The Bayern Munich striker has netted 21 goals in all competitions for club and country this season.

Marcus Rashford could freshen up England’s forward line on the left side with the on-loan Manchester United winger in good form at club level for Barcelona right now.

Declan Rice will anchor things in the centre of the pitch while Elliot Anderson could start having impressed in his performances for England to date.

Vladislavs Gutkovskis found the back of the net in Latvia’s 2-2 draw against Andorra and has the physical presence to unsettle England.

However, Latvia will likely find it difficult to give Gutkovskis much service, putting pressure on the likes of Dmitrijs Zelenkovs, Aleksejs Saveljevs and Renars Varslavans to provide protection in the middle.

Team news

Ollie Watkins has left the England squad through injury while Kane is still carrying an ankle injury picked up in his final Bayern Munich appearance before the international break.

Jareel Quansah has also withdrawn from consideration through injury, although Marc Guéhi and John Stones were always likely to start together in central defence.

Paolo Nicolato could rejig his Latvia team from the 2-2 draw against Andorra in an attempt to make his side more solid defensively against the ball considering England will dominate possession. 

Raivis Jurkovskis could be dropped in favour of the more defence-minded Roberts Veips who would give Latvia more presence in the back three. Otherwise, the hosts have a fully fit and available squad to choose from.

Prediction

England aren’t know for making it look easy in major tournaments, but getting there has been a relative breeze for a good few years now. With the Three Lions not having conceded so much as a goal in this qualifying group and with Jordan Pickford on a run of three clean sheets for his country, we’re expecting a comfortable World Cup place-sealing win for the away side: Latvia 0-3 England.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every qualifier for the 2026 World Cup with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Norway’s golden generation finally look close to delivering

Norway’s golden generation finally look close to delivering

Marseille, June 27, 1998. Italy secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Norway in the Round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup. Fast forward 27 years and this match represents the last time Norway played in the World Cup finals.


By Ross Kilvington


The 1990s were an incredible decade for the nation. Not only did they qualify for two World Cups, but Norway also hit second in the FIFA world rankings while also boasting a winning record against Brazil, including a stunning victory at France ’98.

Indeed, the Norwegians remain the only international team to have never lost to the Seleção. 

Throughout the decade and stretching into the early noughties, Norway could call upon a generation littered with names such as Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Tore André Flo, Henning Berg, Erik Myland and Stefan Iversen among others.

Since France in 1998, however, a group stage exit at Euro 2000 is the only other major tournament the country has experienced, and it was hardly a chance missed.

Can the current Golden Generation end that barren run by securing a place at the 2026 World Cup over the next few weeks?

Norway closing in on World Cup qualification

Many believe that this is the time for the current group of players to come of age and for Norway to become regulars at international tournaments, particularly with the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams.

Norway lost out to Serbia in the playoffs for a place at Euro 2020 while finishing third in their World Cup qualifying group ahead of the 2022 edition.

Surely Euro 2024 would be the time that the stars aligned? Nope. Norway won just three of their eight matches in qualifying, two defeats to Spain sandwiched by a gut-wrenching loss to Scotland, who scored twice in the final minutes to seal the win.

The old cliché about what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger has certainly applied to this group of players. After five rounds of World Cup qualification, the Norwegians are flying in Group I, winning five consecutive matches, scoring 24 goals while conceding only three in the process.

Wins over Israel and Moldova to begin the campaign were solid, but expected. The victory against Italy in game three, however, was the moment which showcased just how far Ståle Solbakken’s men could go. 

Goals from Alexander Sørloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland gave Norway a 3-0 advantage at the break and the Italians had no reply.

The result wasn’t just a statement of intent, it was something bigger. Beating the Italians was arguably the final hurdle that the Norwegians had to overcome to prove that not only can they qualify for the World Cup, but they could emerge as dark horses who have the ability to go deep in the tournament.

A 1-0 win over Estonia three days later demonstrated that this side can also dig deep when required. A few months later, Solbakken encouraged his side to release the handbrake against Moldova and was duly rewarded with an 11-1 victory.

One way Norwegian traffic against Moldova

Three points was the most important thing, yet the 11 goals scored will be extremely handy in the long run, especially with goal difference likely coming into the equation.

Make no bones about it, Norway still have to keep their foot on the gas, but with home matches against Israel (today) and Estonia up next, six points will mean they just need to avoid defeat in Italy, in their final game, to secure automatic qualification.

Norway have their best group of players since the 1990s

Norway’s defence has been breached only three times in 2025 so far. Kristoffer Ajer and Torbjørn Heggem have formed a solid partnership at the heart of the defence, while David Møller Wolfe and Julian Ryerson have been effective on either flank.

The midfield and attacking options that Solbakken has at his disposal are the reason why Norway have been so good during this qualification campaign.

Martin Ødegaard may be missing for the clash against Israel due to injury, yet the Arsenal midfielder grabbed two assists and got on the scoresheet against Moldova. He is the fulcrum of this side, making them tick.

Sandar Berge, Felix Horn Myhre, Oscar Bobb and Thelo Asgaard offer plenty of support in the middle of the pitch. The latter scored three times in just 26 minutes against the Moldovans, while Berge dictated the play, finishing the game with a 93% pass success rate, with 20 of his passes entering the final third.

In Haaland, Sørloth and Jørgen Strand Larsen, Norway have a trio that could even surpass the triumvirate of Solskjær, Flo and Iversen from the halcyon days 25 years ago.

Haaland has already notched 48 goals for his country across 45 caps. Elsewhere, Sørloth (24) and Strand Larsen (3) also offer plenty in attack, but each of the three offer differing qualities.

The Manchester City striker is arguably the greatest finisher on the planet right now. Sørloth is fast and powerful, while his towering 6’4” frame ensures he is an ideal aerial presence.

Larsen might not be as efficient in front of goal, but his technical ability and intelligence allow him to drop back and link up the play or operate out wide.

Norway stand on the cusp of a first major finals appearance in 25 years. Should this group of players continue to flourish over the next few games, a trip to North America awaits them next year.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Preview: Inter Miami take on Atlanta United in penultimate regular season round

Preview: Inter Miami take on Atlanta United in penultimate regular season round

With just two games left to play in the 2025 MLS regular season, Inter Miami face Atlanta United on Saturday night, and they might have to do so without Lionel Messi.


By James Nalton


Inter Miami are now looking towards the playoffs in what is their final chance of a trophy this season, having missed out on all the others despite having Messi at their disposal.

Inter Miami fail to defend league title 

It has now been confirmed that Inter Miami will not retain the Supporters’ Shield they won in 2024 after Philadelphia Union claimed the points needed to secure the title last weekend.

Given that Miami have Messi in their team, this will be viewed as a failure.

Everything now rests on the MLS Cup playoffs for Javier Mascherano and his side. 

This postseason tournament, rather than the league leaders’ Supporters’ Shield, is still regarded as the true title in MLS, so if they win this, the relatively poor performance in the league might be forgotten.

They will now be able to plan their final two games with this in mind, although finishing as high as they can in the table to get what would be, in theory, an easier draw in the playoffs, will still be on their minds.

Coincidentally, this weekend’s opponents, Atlanta United, were the team that knocked Inter Miami out of the playoffs in the first round last year.

International absences

MLS continuing during the international break affects some teams more than others.

Inter Miami will be missing numerous key players, not least Messi, as well as Noah Allen, Rodrigo De Paul, Ian Fray, Santiago Morales, Telasco Segovia, and Mateo Silvetti.

However, the likes of Sergio Busquets, Luis Suárez, and Jordi Alba are available, having retired from international football.

Tadeo Allende, who scored twice in last week’s game against New England, taking him to double figures for the season, will also be available for the home team.

Inter Miami’s top scorers in MLS this season

Some reports are even suggesting that, as both of Argentina’s international friendlies are being played in Miami, Messi might miss one of them and make an appearance for his club this weekend.

However, the organisers will likely need him present at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for Argentina’s game against Venezuela.

Opposition watch: Atlanta United

Atlanta themselves will be missing eight players for this game due to international call-ups

Atlanta United’s full list of absentees as a result of the international break is: Miguel Almirón, Luke Brennan, Ronald Hernández, Saba Lobjanidze, Enea Mihaj, Alexey Miranchuk, Cooper Sanchez, and Bartosz Slisz.

They will still have some talented players to call upon, though, who are capable of causing problems for opposition defences on their day. 

Prior to Los Angeles FC’s signing of Son Heung-min, Atlanta’s signing of Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough for $22 million was an MLS record transfer, but it is fair to say he has not lived up to that billing.

Regardless, he and Jamal Thiare will be looking to get at the Inter Miami defence in this game, and have both previously scored against this opposition.

Prediction

Messi-less Miami will still get the job done at home and push for a good league position heading into the playoffs.


(Cover Image from IMAGO)


You can follow every MLS game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Introducing the Van der Sons: The second generation Dutch footballers

Introducing the Van der Sons: The second generation Dutch footballers

They might sound like a Dutch Eurovision act that clung to the early-2010s folk revival way longer than they should have, but in fact, it’s a nickname (coined by the editor) for the surge of former Dutch footballers’ sons emerging to take up the family business.


By Alex Roberts


Nepotism in football isn’t quite as simple as it is in say, finance or real estate, due to the fact it takes actual skill. Yet for many, the luxurious life of being the child of a footballer doesn’t necessarily instill the work ethic needed to succeed.

It’s not a particularly new phenomenon, Ronald Koeman, Daley Blind, and Steven Berghuis all had fathers that were professional footballers. It just doesn’t happen anywhere else nearly as much as is does in the Netherlands.

The House of Kluivert, arguably the most successful Dutch footballing dynasty, recently enjoyed a remarkable spell. All four of Patrick Kluivert’s sons are footballers, and on October 2, three of them found the back of the net on three consecutive days.

First there was Shane Kluivert, who scored the equaliser in Barcelona Under-19’s 2-1 UEFA Youth League win over PSG. Then came Ruben Kluivert, the only defensive Kluivert, who bagged his first goal for new club Lyon in their 2-0 Europa League victory over RB Salzburg.

Finally, there was Justin Kluivert, the most famous of the Kluivert children. He capped a fine performance for high-flying Bournemouth with a well-placed long-range effort to give his side the lead against Fulham.

In the summer of 2010, a star-studded Dutch side played their way to the World Cup final. Although they ultimately fell at the final hurdle, losing 1-0 to Spain, Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Rafael van der Vaart, Mark van Bommel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar all etched their names into their nation’s footballing history.

Now, 15 years later, their kids will be hoping to go one step further, although they certainly have some big boots to fill.

Perhaps the furthest along in their development is Ruben van Bommel, son of Dutch hardman Mark. Unlike his defender old man, Ruben is a left winger, who learned his trade at AZ Alkmaar, breaking into the first team in 2023 and going on to score 17 goals and provide six assists in his 73 games for the club.

This summer, champions PSV came knocking, and Van Bommel Jr. joined for a reported fee of €16 million. Standing at 6’4”, the 21-year-old has absolutely no right being as technically gifted as he is, using his rapid pace to beat his man to burst into the opposition box.

He’s already making waves at PSV, scoring four goals in his eight games across all competitions (three in the league). Unfortunately, after picking up a serious knee injury in the 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Ajax, it looks like he’ll be out for the rest of the season.

“The moment it happened, I immediately sensed that something was wrong,” Van Bommel said on the club website. “This is a significant setback, as I was highly motivated to make this an unforgettable season with PSV. However, I am quickly adjusting my mindset. I will do everything I can to return to the pitch in the best possible condition, and in the meantime, I will continue to support the team from the sidelines.”

Of all the second-generation stars, perhaps the highest hopes are pinned on Shaqueel van Persie, son of all-time Oranje top scorer Robin van Persie. Shaqueel came through Feyenoord’s academy, just like daddy dearest, who now happens to be first team manager.

The former Arsenal and Man United gun man is yet to give Shaqueel his professional debut, largely because they currently have Eredivisie top scorer Ayase Ueda up top banging them in for fun with eight goals in his eight games.

He certainly has his dad’s eye for goal. Blessed with quick feet, Shaqueel has been a nuisance at youth level, scoring 30 goals in his 53 games for Feyenoord’s various ranks. Funnily enough he’s only provided a single assist, so he clearly doesn’t care for much else than finding the net.

Rafael van der Vaart may genuinely be one of the most underrated players of his generation, his son Damian, will be hoping he can make up for that. Like Rafael did, the 19-year-old is playing for Ajax’s famous academy.

While Rafael was a number ten, Damian is a little more defensive minded, operating primarily as a six, although he does display the same comfort in possession that defined his father’s game.

Born in Madrid when his father Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was at Real, 16-year-old Sebastian left Vitesse this summer with the Dutch’s club future still very much in the air, joining PSV’s academy for a respectable €200k. A striker just like his father; he needs to be studying one of the most clinical forward the Netherlands has ever produced.

19-year-old Jessey Sneijder signed his first professional contract with FC Utrecht, the club his father Wesley supported, despite the fact he never played for them, last season. He’s since trained with the first team on several occasions, playing in the number ten role much like his dad. He’s understood to be quite the freekick specialist.

Finally, the “cut-in king” Arjen Robben has two sons in the academy of his former club, FC Groningen. The eldest, 16-year-old Luka, is beginning to show glimpses of that fearless, old-school winger style — the kind who loves to take on defenders and cause chaos down the flank. Sound familiar?

There is something deeply romantic about these young men wanting to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, and for those of us who grew up watching such a talented generation of Dutch players, if offers a comforting sense of familiarity.

It’s fair to say the Netherlands haven’t been quite the same since these daddies retired, perhaps their sons can help bring them back to the centre stage.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow the Eredivisie on FotMob during the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Preview: England face Wales in Wembley ‘friendly’

Preview: England face Wales in Wembley ‘friendly’

England and Wales take a short interlude from World Cup qualifying as the two rivals meet in an international friendly at Wembley on Thursday evening.


By Ross Kilvington


Both nations have started their qualifying campaigns off solidly. England have won all five of their fixtures so far, scoring 13 goals and conceding zero as they bid to reach an eighth successive World Cup.

Wales currently occupy third place in Group J, however, they have only lost once in five matches and sit just one point behind leaders North Macedonia.

Craig Bellamy will be looking to snap Wales’ seven game winless streak against England, a run that stretches all the way back to 1984.

Indeed, since a 2-1 victory over England in the British Home Championship in 1955, Wales have defeated their rivals on just three occasions – 1977, 1980 and 1984.

Team news

Reece James was forced to withdraw from the England squad on Monday after sustaining an injury during Chelsea’s win over Liverpool at the weekend.

Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento are both sidelined because of injury, but Declan Rice will be fit, despite limping off against West Ham last week.

Thomas Tuchel left out Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden from his latest squad, sparking rumours that there was perhaps a rift between the German and Bellingham.

He was quick to dispel that, however, stating that he had no issue with the Real Madrid midfielder: “To make it fully clear, we can have the same harmony, the same level of performance with him.”

There is no such controversy in the Wales squad. Bellamy will be without influential figure Aaron Ramsey due to injury. Elsewhere, winger Dan James is also absent from the squad.

Aside from that, there are no further injury issues.

Wales will have one eye on Belgium clash

While Bellamy will be looking to seal a historic victory at Wembley, the manager surely has one eye on the qualifying tie against Belgium just four days later.

A victory against the Belgians could give the nation a major boost in their chances of qualifying for back-to-back World Cups.

Will Bellamy sacrifice the chance to get one over on England in order to secure three points on Monday evening? Only time will tell.

Tuchel eyes further progress with England

Safe to say, the German didn’t enjoy the most productive of starts with England. Across his first five matches, England scored just nine goals and suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June.

Since then, England have defeated Andorra, before putting in their finest performance yet under Tuchel, with a sublime 5-0 win over Serbia in Belgrade.

Another positive display against Wales will further demonstrate that perhaps Tuchel is the right man to guide England to silverware next summer at the World Cup.

Prediction

While both teams have more important games on the horizon, Wales’ clash with Belgium holds more significance compared to England’s match against Latvia.

As such, expect the home side to secure a relatively straightforward 2-0 win at Wembley.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Jude Bellingham facing the first serious questions of his career

Jude Bellingham facing the first serious questions of his career

England will take on Wales and Latvia without Jude Bellingham after the 22-year-old’s omission by Thomas Tuchel.


By Graham Ruthven


Jude Bellingham has watched more football from the sidelines than he would have liked this season and he’ll have to watch some more as England face Wales and Latvia. The midfielder’s omission from Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad raised some eyebrows, but reflected how for the first time in his career Bellingham is facing questions.

Tuchel’s decision not to call up Bellingham could simply be attributable to the 22-year-old’s delayed start to the season through injury. Having undergone shoulder surgery in July, Bellingham has started just one game for Real Madrid this term. That one start came in the 5-2 derby demolition against Atlético Madrid when the midfielder looked off the pace.

Bellingham in LaLiga this season

“He is a special player, and for special players there can always be special rules,” said Tuchel. “Jude always deserves to be here. There is also the situation that he has not quite gathered his full rhythm again at Real Madrid – he has not finished a full match. He wanted to be called up. We had a phone call.”

One wonders, however, if Tuchel is using this as an excuse to look at other options ahead of the 2026 World Cup. While Bellingham was undeniably impactful at Euro 2024 – England wouldn’t have made a run to the final without him – he looks to be an awkward fit for The Three Lions under their new manager.

Similar could be said of Bellingham as a Real Madrid player. The arrival of Xabi Alonso has changed the landscape at the Santiago Bernabéu with Los Blancos going through a tactical transition. That transition has so far taken place without Bellingham who is now behind the curve.

Arda Güler has been most commonly used as the number 10 in Alonso’s team this season. The Turkish international has been transformed under the new manager who sees Güler as a central creator rather than a wide difference-maker, as had been the case under Carlo Ancelotti.

With Güler as Real Madrid’s new number 10, Bellingham will have to adapt his game to become a two-way midfielder as part of Alonso’s double pivot. This is where the 22-year-old might lack the defensive instincts for the role, especially when compared to Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde.

There’s stiff competition in Tuchel’s England squad too. Declan Rice is a more accomplished two-way midfielder than Bellingham while Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are more nimble as natural creators further up the pitch, particularly in matches where England have most of the ball.

For England and Real Madrid, Bellingham previously produced his best form when he had the freedom to get forward from midfield as a box-crashing threat. There were times for Real Madrid when he essentially operated as a de facto centre forward following Karim Benzema’s departure. Bellingham helped bridge the gap.

He had a similar role for Gareth Southgate’s England. Indeed, Bellingham’s desire and willingness to get forward frequently offered a different dimension in games The Three Lions were otherwise lacking in an attacking sense. At the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, Bellingham was integral.

Now, though, Tuchel is remoulding the national team and Bellingham’s role will surely change. If the idea is to accommodate two of Eze, Foden and Palmer in the forward line, Rice might require someone like Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton alongside him to anchor things in central midfield.

Bellingham could add defensive fibre to his game to become a midfield anchor, but that would rob him of the attacking verve that makes him such a special talent. The 22-year-old might be squeezed out by England and Real Madrid who both want to become more modern and proactive in their respective approaches.

The best players find a way to make themselves useful. It was only a couple of seasons ago that Bellingham was widely considered one of the best players in the world. He was a Ballon d’Or contender. Bellingham’s future for club and country is bright even if he has to make a few adjustments.

To date, Bellingham’s career has been on a solid and sustained upward trajectory. From Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, he made every step with ease. There was a fairytale element to his career, as exemplified by how he won his first Champions League title against his former club at his national stadium.

It’s possible that Bellingham’s upward trajectory will continue with World Cup glory next summer. For the time being, though, he must prove himself all over again. He won’t be able to do that against Wales and Latvia, but English football’s golden boy must somehow find a way to make his game shine again.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
The stakes are high as Steve Clarke dreams of a World Cup with Scotland

The stakes are high as Steve Clarke dreams of a World Cup with Scotland

Scotland can take a big step towards World Cup qualification with a win over Greece at Hampden Park on Thursday.


By Graham Ruthven


Greece know what it’s like to silence the famous ‘Hampden Roar,’ as it has been dubbed through the decades. Indeed, it was only a few months ago that they beat Scotland on their own patch, securing their Nations League promotion at the expense of Steve Clarke’s side. The stakes will be even higher when the two teams meet again on Thursday.

In a four team group as competitive as the one Greece and Scotland have landed in, there is no room for a misstep. A defeat for either team would be catastrophic, especially for Greece who suffered a 3-0 loss at home to Denmark in their last outing. It would also be difficult to envisage Scotland finishing top should they lose on Thursday.

This is the sharpest of knife-edge matches Scotland have played in years, since their last World Cup qualifying campaign which ended with a disappointing defeat to Ukraine in the playoffs. Even if Scotland win on Thursday, the ‘Hampden Roar’ might be quietened by the sheer nervousness of the occasion.

The match could be a referendum on Clarke’s entire time as national team manager, certainly the latter part. While the 62-year-old succeeded in ending Scotland’s long wait for a major tournament appearance, qualifying for the last two Euros, the World Cup remains the golden carrot he has yet to bite.

Clarke must learn lessons from the way March’s defeat to Greece panned out. Scotland were picked off by a team with more urgency and energy in the attacking third. They afforded too much space to Konstantinos Karetsas, the teenage prodigy many believe is destined for the top of the sport. The same thing can’t happen again on Thursday.

The second leg of the Scotland vs. Greece tie in the Nations League

At their best, Clarke’s Scotland have been difficult to beat and steadfast in their conviction to hit teams in quick transition. At their worst, they have been limited in their attacking ambition. This was certainly true of them at Euro 2024 when Clarke was heavily criticised for not taking the handbrake off with a place in the round of 16 at stake.

Many believed Scotland’s group stage exit in Germany should have marked the end of Clarke’s tenure. After five years in charge, it was argued that a new voice was needed in the dressing room. Still some believe this, although a respectable Nations League campaign stopped the spiral that looked to have started at the Euros.

Scotland have the quality to make it to a World Cup. In fact, their record of just one defeat in 16 qualifiers, a run dating back to 2016, makes it something of an anomaly that they haven’t already done so under Clarke. Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell recently called World Cup qualification the “last piece of the jigsaw.”

Clarke’s record with Scotland

In Scott McTominay, Scotland boast a player who finished 18th in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting. The Napoli midfielder finished Euro 2024 qualifying with seven goals and is most effective when he has the freedom to crash the box and cause chaos in the final third. Scotland need McTominay to be sharp against Greece.

They also need John McGinn to carry over the sort of form he has recently rediscovered at club level. The 30-year-old has scored three times in his last four Aston Villa appearances. It’s been a while since McGinn was truly influential for Scotland, but he could make the difference on Thursday night.

Ben Gannon-Doak could be the most important player in dark blue. The teenage winger gives Scotland a different dimension, a different route to goal. Clarke doesn’t have another player like Gannon-Doak, someone who can dribble past an opponent and create something out of nothing.

It will be on Billy Gilmour to control possession at the base of the midfield with Andy Robertson still an important and experienced figure at left back. On the right side of the defence, Aaron Hickey’s return from injury has given Scotland the sort of security on the ball they desperately missed at Euro 2024.

Against Greece in March, Scotland struggled in moments of defensive transition. Against Croatia and Portugal in the Nations League, though, they kept clean sheets in front of their own supporters. It’s this sort of defensive solidity Scotland require to top a group that includes Denmark, Greece and Belarus.

In many ways, Scotland have been building to this moment for years. They are accustomed to high stakes games having played at two major tournaments in the last four years. They possess their strongest talent pool in a generation or two. Key players are fit and rounding into form. Fail to beat Greece on Thursday, however, and it could all matter for little.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Minnows Cape Verde are ready for the World Cup

Minnows Cape Verde are ready for the World Cup

Cape Verde are on the brink of making history. Following their September victory over one of Africa’s footballing behemoths, Cameroon, the tiny archipelago nation are now one win away from qualifying for their first World Cup.


By Alex Roberts


The brilliantly nicknamed Blue Sharks have been punching above their weight in the African Cup of Nations for some time now, reaching the quarterfinals in the 2013 and 2023, but compared to Cameroon, they’re nothing but a lemon shark.

The breakthrough came in the 54th minute, when Dailon Rocha Livramento shrugged £100 million+ rated Carlos Baleba off the ball deep in his own half and drove forward. Bursting straight through the spine of the Cameroon defence, he carried the attack into the box before coolly slotting past André Onana from just inside the area.

Cameroon struggled to mount any meaningful response, with Man United forward Bryan Mbeumo seeing a penalty appeal waved away and home goalkeeper Vozinha denying Flavien Boyomo’s stoppage-time volley.

At the final whistle, the stadium erupted as jubilant fans poured onto the pitch, waving flags and setting off flares in wild celebration of a historic triumph.

Sitting at the top of Group D in CAF World Cup qualifying, all they need to do is travel to Libya and win today’s game. If they succeed, they will become the second smallest nation in terms of population ever to reach football’s ultimate stage.

It almost happened in 2014, but after fielding an ineligible player, Fernando Varela, Cape Verde were disqualified from the World Cup CAF qualifying play-offs. As a result, Tunisia were awarded a 3–0 victory (instead of Cape Verde’s 2–0 win), and they advanced to the play-offs.

Ironically, Cape Verde were handed the points from their March fixture, in which Varela was sent off, after FIFA ruled that Equatorial Guinea had fielded an ineligible player. Equatorial Guinea had originally claimed a 4-3 victory, but the result was overturned when it was confirmed that striker Emilio Nsue López did not meet the nationality requirements.

The ruling also had knock-on effects for Tunisia, who thought they had secured a play-off spot in June with a 1-1 draw in Malabo. Instead, those sanctions against Nsue’s inclusion altered the standings and denied them progression.

Still, when all was said and done Tunisia finished top of Group B with 14 points, with Cape Verde second on nine points, and they were denied their chance to play in the 2014 World Cup in beautiful Brazil.

This time around their qualifiers have been a little less fraught with controversy. It started all the way back in November 2023 with a drab 0-0 home draw against Angola. We’d love to go into more detail but the only thing that happened was there were some substitutions.

The next game against Eswatini was a little more entertaining. Cape Verde travelled to the Mbombela Stadium and ended up 2-0 winners thanks to goals from 35-year-old winger Ryan Mendes and 31-year-old attacking midfielder Jamiro Monteiro.

When the final whistle blew in their first game against Cameroon, any hope of reaching the tournament proper felt a long way off. The home side ended the game as 4-1 winners, and Cape Verde were sent home with much to ponder.

Bubista’s lads needed to rally, knowing that defeat to Libya in their next game would likely end their chances of catching that flight across the Atlantic Ocean to the promised land of the Americas.

Centre-back Diney Borges put his side ahead inside ten minutes, finishing off a brilliantly executed corner routine. Jovane Cabral played it short to Monteiro, who teed up Patrick Andrade to deliver a high, looping ball into the box.

Libya goalkeeper Murad Al Wuheeshi flapped at it but he couldn’t quite reach it. After a little bit of classic penalty box pinball, it dropped to Borges who slotted the ball into an open goal and secured a much-needed win.

It would be nearly a year before the players met up again to face Mauritius. With only one win at the time, this game should have been routine for Cape Verde, but it took an incredibly tense 85 minutes before Yannick Semedo broke the deadlock and earned another hard fought 1-0 win.

Five days later Cape Verde headed to Angola. By the time this game came around, the four goals Cameroon scored were the only goals Cape Verde had conceded, and when Livramento gave them a 1-0 lead just before the break after a devastating counterattack, it looked like it would be business as usual.

Whatever Angola boss Pedro Goncalves said at half-time appeared to work. His side exploded out of the gates, with Gelson Dala bagging the equalizer in the 50th minute from an indirect freekick.

Cameroon’s 0-0 draw with Eswatini during the same international break saw Cape Verde leapfrog them into the top spot. The Indomitable Lions went on to win the reverse fixture 3-1, in the first international break of the 2025-26 season, but it wasn’t enough to regain their position.

Now sitting four points ahead of Cameroon, Cape Verde need just three points from their final two games to make what seemed impossible happen. That’s a lot of pressure put on the shoulders of those who would write their names in history.

The small archipelago of ten islands boasts distinct cultures and traditions on each, but when the national team gathers, those differences quickly fade, and there are plenty of them.

At last year’s AFCON, their 25-man squad was drawn from 25 different clubs across 16 countries, including Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Russia, the USA, Spain, France, Italy, and Ireland.

Historically, Cape Verdean-born talents like Nani and Rolando have opted to represent Portugal in pursuit of international success. But this could mark the beginning of a new era, one of footballing independence, where future stars choose to stay and shine for Cape Verde.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
EFL Championship: How things stand at the October international break

EFL Championship: How things stand at the October international break

The international break gives us the perfect opportunity to jump back in and take a look at how the season is progressing in the Championship. Nine games in, broadcaster Sanny Rudravajhala checks in with Coventry, Sheffield United and Preston fans who have lots to talk about but for very different reasons.


By Sanny Rudravajhala


I’m not the biggest romcom fan but who knew that 1998’s ‘Sliding Doors’ starring Gweneth Paltrow would have such an impact on the English language? How else could you succinctly describe the concept of fate going in two different directions, all upon one chance event? For Paltrow, it was the consequence of either making or missing a train. And in the Championship, the ripple effects from last season are still being felt.

Let’s flash back to 24 May, the playoff final and what happens if Sheffield United’s Kieffer Moore doesn’t try a first-time lay off that ended up setting up Sunderland’s Tommy Watson for a 96th minute winner? At 1-1, the Blades could have still found a Wembley winner. Right now, Moore could be their top flight front man rather than the latest big name at Wrexham. For Sheffield United, their fortunes couldn’t be starker.

That failure saw Chris Wilder leave and replaced as Blades boss by Rubén Sellés. Six games and six defeats later Wilder was back for a third spell but in the three weeks since, they remain at the foot of the table.

“It was right to part ways with Sellés. The new owners’ experiment had failed, drastically shown by the 5-0 loss to Ipswich, which proved to be the final straw.” David Taylor from The Pinch fanzine and podcast tells me. 

“The players look like shadows of the ones who were a few kicks away from the Premier League and our new signings haven’t shown why they might be an improvement on, or even worthy replacements for, those that left too. Wilder has tried to re-install his version of Sheffield United, but it hasn’t worked out yet. We’re not conceding goals by the tonne, but at the same time, we don’t look like a team that can control a match.”

Saturday’s defeat to Hull City, in which Harrison Burrows had a late penalty saved, only accentuated Sheffield United’s problems. When I was in the city battling wind and rain to break Wilder’s return live on TV, every fan that I spoke to was almost jubilant. There was an expectation that he would hit the ground running but looking at the data, goalkeeper Michael Cooper is a good illustration of their issues.

Cooper and James Trafford were the outstanding shot stoppers in the division last season. Cooper prevented 4 more goals than he was expected to concede but this season, from an xG of goals on target of 12, he’s conceded 16. 

Michael Cooper’s save map, Championship 2025/26

Gus Hamer continues to show flashes of his old self – what if his effort which crashed off the post against Hull had gone in? A combination of errors and misfortune have hurt them dearly. For Blades fans, it’s already feeling like a Sliding Doors season.

Continuity key for Lampard’s Coventry

I hope you can feel my smugness through your screen when I tell you that I called this! Coventry are unbeaten, free-scoring and top the table. Continuity has been key and in a samey division, having a quality, well-drilled core has given them the edge.

“To this day, we’ve only lost to [promoted] Leeds and Burnley at home under Frank Lampard”, says Tom Ward of the Sky Blues Extra Podcast

“We’re carrying on from last season, but players have raised their levels. Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jay Dasilva, for example, had spells where they weren’t great, but now they’re two of the first names on the teamsheet. Collectively and individually, we’ve come out firing on all cylinders.”

Coventry are overwhelming in attack. They’ve scored 27 already and the seven against QPR in August have been followed up more recently with four put past Millwall and another five beyond a beleaguered and multiple-embargoed Sheffield Wednesday. There’s an endless stream of players arriving in the box at just the right time, none more so than Haji Wright. He’s put long-term injury behind him to become a fox in the box for all eight of his goals so far.

Coventry have two of the top three scorers in the division

“It’s great to have him back and firing”, says Tom who explains that Lampard has shifted Wright from the left flank to become a number nine. 

“I think he’s done a lot with him mentally as well. He has loads of talent, but he did go missing a bit last season. In the playoff semi-final at Sunderland, he just wasn’t really in the game and probably cost us it a little bit. But it feels like we’re seeing the rewards of Lampard’s work with him now.”

Sliding Doors reflections on that Stadium of Light night are being banished.

Preston no small fry

Time to swap smugness for humble pie, or better still, a gourmet jacket potato. Yes, I said Preston would go down. They survived. And, having been at their summer sponsorship extravaganza, the feelgood factor and new faces have kicked them on. PNE are perched in fourth.

“The SpudBros have helped with the vibes around Deepdale because they’re just two local lads giving us some positivity.” Kimberley Ramshead, season ticket holder and PNE Her Game Too Ambassador tells me. 

Lewis Dobbin has impressed on loan from Aston Villa. He scored a cracker in their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough and was alive to get the ball to Thierry Small, who was manic in celebrating scoring against his old Charlton side. There’s definitely desire in the new boys.

“On the pitch I think getting rid of those who didn’t look interested in playing helped and Paul Heckingbottom had a full summer to get things sorted. Daniel Iversen back in goal has given confidence to the defence and some of his saves this season have been outstanding. We’d be lost without him.” concludes Kimberley.

David Iversen’s save map, Championship 2025/26

I was at Leicester’s draw with Wrexham last week and the home boos at the whistle were certainly justified. Wrexham’s Lewis O’Brien showed all the desire that Leicester were lacking in setting up Nathan Broadhead’s equaliser and I saw enough from the visitors to think they’ll be okay this season. 

Middlesbrough’s bright beginning under Rob Edwards is slowing and the stats on their starting XI show that their attacking players need to raise their levels. At the other end of the table, I’m worried for Liam Manning at Norwich. Investment in the squad hasn’t paid dividends. They’re still overly reliant on Josh Sargent and crumpling to rivals Ipswich Town has only added more weight to the visit of Manning’s old club, Bristol City, next time out.

Even though it’s 27 years old, I won’t spoil the end of Sliding Doors for you. There is a twist, though, and I think we will still see that in the Championship. Even the worst performing teams can come good. If the game is made up of little moments, then there’s still plenty of time before the doors slide shut.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every game from the EFL on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss