Friday’s briefing: Thomas Frank appointed new Tottenham manager

 Tottenham appointed Thomas Frank their new manager after agreeing compensation with Brentford.

England Under-21s began the defence of their European Championship crown with an impressive 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in Slovakia.

Matheus Cunha completed his switch from Wolves to Manchester United, Napoli confirmed Kevin De Bruyne was set to join them from Manchester City and Real Madrid’s summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold showed off his language skills.

Spurs get Frank

Tottenham confirmed Thomas Frank as the club’s new head coach on a three-year deal.

Spurs and chairman Daniel Levy moved swiftly for former Brentford boss Frank after they dismissed Ange Postecoglou only 16 days on from Europa League glory.

Following negotiations with Brentford during the past week over Frank’s reported £10million release clause and the backroom staff to be joining him, the 51-year-old Dane was finally confirmed on Thursday night.

“In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game,” a club statement from Tottenham read.

“He has a proven track record in player and squad development.

“We look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead.”

Young Lions roar

England Under-21s laid down a marker with a positive display as they beat the Czech Republic 3-1 in their opening European Championship Group B fixture in Dunajska Streda.

Goals either side of the break from Harvey Elliott and Jonathan Rowe had put Lee Carsley’s side in control at the MOL Arena.

Daniel Fila reduced the deficit in the 50th minute, before England defender Charlie Cresswell headed in a third from a corner with 15 minutes left.

Matheus Cunha heads to Old Trafford

Manchester United confirmed the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves on a five-year deal, with the option of a further 12-month extension.

United effectively completed the deal on June 1 after activating a £62.5million release clause in the 26-year old’s contract.

Cunha scored 31 goals in 76 appearances for Wolves, having joined from Atletico Madrid in 2023.

“Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother’s house, United was my favourite English team and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt,” Cunha said.

“All my focus is now on working hard to become a valuable part of the team, and helping get this club back to the top.”

Kevin De Bruyne set for Naples switch

Napoli confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne is to join them from Manchester City.

The Belgium playmaker is out of contract at City this summer.

De Bruyne, 33, will move to the Serie A champions after 10 years at City in which he won the Premier League six times and the Champions League.

A tweet from Napoli, which showed De Bruyne sitting on a throne, read: “King Kev is here”, with a further post saying: “Welcome to SS Napoli Kevin De Bruyne.”

Napoli club president Aurelio De Laurentiis also released a photograph of himself shaking hands with the midfielder. No contract details have yet been given.

Trent settles in

Trent Alexander-Arnold said joining Real Madrid was a “dream come true” as he delivered his opening address to club dignitaries and invited guests in Spanish.

The 26-year-old England international – who has signed a six-year deal after his contract with Liverpool expired – was watched by his family as he spoke confidently at his official presentation ahead of a press conference.

“This doesn’t happen every day, it’s a dream come true and I’m very happy and proud to be here,” Alexander-Arnold said after his 20-year association with Liverpool officially came to an end.

“I am going to give my all for the team and Real Madrid fans.

“I want to win many titles and I want to be a winner here and enjoy playing alongside the many great players.”

What’s on today?

Manchester City and Chelsea continue their preparations for the Club World Cup, which starts in the United States on Saturday.

City will open their campaign against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia, while Chelsea face Los Angeles FC in Atlanta, with both group-stage fixtures taking place next week.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/fridays-briefing-thomas-frank-appointed-new-tottenham-manager-41239556

Trent Alexander-Arnold shows off fluent Spanish at Real Madrid unveiling after learning for ‘a few months’

Trent Alexander-Arnold surprisingly gave his welcome speech entirely in Spanish as Real Madrid unveiled their new signing at the Estadio Bernabeu.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, arrives after 20 years at boyhood club Liverpooljoining for a fee of £10m to ensure his participation at the Club World Cup.

opting not to extend his contract at Anfield, an announcement which was made at the beginning of May.

However, Alexander-Arnold’s first words as a Real Madrid player indicate his decision to leave was far from a last-minute one as he showed off his impressive Spanish at the welcome ceremony.

“This doesn’t happen every day,” Alexander-Arnold said in the language of his new employers. “It’s a dream come true, I’m very happy and proud to be here.

“I want to show Real Madrid fans how I play. I do realise I’m signing for Real Madrid and that the demands are high, but I’m going to give my all for the team. I want to win many titles and play alongside the best players.”

In his press conference, he confirmed he had been learning for a “few months”.

The ceremony kicked off with a montage of his greatest moments for Liverpool, among which included his famous performance against El Clasico rivals Barcelona in the Champions League in 2019, where he caught the Blaugrana defence napping from a corner to set up the Reds’ crucial fourth goal on the night.

Alexander-Arnold was instrumental in Liverpool winning Europe’s most prestigious trophy that year, and later added two Premier League titles, two Carabao Cups, an FA Cup and a Club World Cup to his accolade collection across 354 appearances.

The Liverpudlian left his home side on imperfect terms, with his first appearance after announcing his departure seeing him booed by the Anfield faithful. However, as he collected his Premier League winners medal on the final day of the season, a teary-eyed Alexander-Arnold was met with cheers in what was heart-warming send-off.

Alexander-Arnold will wear the number 12 shirt - forced to ditch his famed 66 due to LaLiga rules - but has also changed the name that will appear on his back, opting for ‘Trent’ over his surname.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was sure to hail Alexander-Arnold’s arrival at the ceremony, who joins in time for the start of the Club World Cup next week.

Trent Alexander-Arnold lifted the Premier League title on his Liverpool send-off (PA Wire)

“This is a very special day for Real Madrid fans worldwide,” Perez said. “One of the best right-backs in world football who played for one of the best clubs in the world. A legend in the game at 26 years old, today we welcome him to our family, a player who wants to don the famous Real Madrid jersey.

“We’d like to thank you for joining our club we know it means a lot, you could have signed for any club worldwide but you wanted to commit your future to Real Madrid. Our fans will never forget that gesture.”

when they take on Saudi side Al-Hilal on Wednesday 18 June at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/trent-alexander-arnold-shows-off-fluent-spanish-at-real-madrid-unveiling-after-learning-for-a-few-months-41236671

The 10 Most Expensive Transfers in First Summer Window

 As a result of the FIFA Club World Cup, this summer’s transfer season will be unlike any other.

To allow competing clubs to bolster their ranks before the revamped tournament in the United States, an early ten-day transfer window was introduced at the beginning of June. However, it was not only those jetting off to the Club World Cup that were allowed to recruit, with any sides within the same league as one of the competition’s contestants also able to dip into the market.

Such an extraordinary situation has sent clubs from across the world into a spending frenzy, especially those in Europe’s elite divisions. Vast sums have been splashed over a short spell and there will be more splurging once the summer’s ‘proper’ transfer window opens on June 16.

Here are the most expensive deals that occurred during the early transfer window.

Ten Most Expensive Deals From First Summer Transfer Window

Matheus Cunha has been the summer’s most expensive signing. / IMAGO/Pro Sports Images

Manchester United have become infamous for overspending on mediocrity and there might be one or two fears over Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian is undoubtedly an exciting talent but similar has been said of past high-profile acquisitions at Old Trafford. £62.5 million ($84.1 million) was spent to sign him from Wolverhampton Wanderers after several impressive seasons with the Old Gold.

All ten of the most expensive transfers of the first mini-window have involved Premier League teams but only two have seen English sides selling to foreign clubs. Dean Huijsen’s lucrative move to Real Madrid is one of those deals, with the Spain international costing £50 million ($66.4 million) following an astonishing debut season with Bournemouth.

Jobe Bellingham is the other to have left England entirely, with the midfielder following in brother Jude’s footsteps by joining Borussia Dortmund. Costing approximately half of Huijsen’s mammoth fee, BVB will be aiming to profit from another Englishman at Signal Iduna Park.

Manchester City are one of two English teams competing at the Club World Cup and they have been busy in the market as a result. Following a traumatic 2024–25 by their lofty standards, the Cityzens have recruited Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Aït-Nouri for a grand total of £108.6 million ($146.7 million) as part of their much-needed summer rebuild. The trio will all make their debuts in the United States.

Chelsea have fulfilled their reputation as transfer window protagonists with an early flurry of activity. Big money has been spent on Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap as Enzo Maresca looks for reinforcements in the number nine department. The Blues, who are also travelling to the Club World Cup, have finally got their hands on Estêvão Willian after he signed for them last summer but stayed with former club Palmeiras for the year.

Liverpool will break countless records with their potential acquisition of Florian Wirtz but Jeremie Frimpong, the German’s former Bayer Leverkusen clubmate, is the only confirmed signing for the Premier League champions. A relatively cheap release clause of £29.6 million ($39.8 million) was simply too good to refuse.

One signing that has gone under the radar is Jean-Clair Todibo. Having spent last season on loan at West Ham United from Nice, the French defender’s stay in London has been made permanent for an eye-catching £32.8 million ($44.3 million). That makes him the fourth most expensive addition of the first transfer window.

*U.S. dollar conversion based on date of transfer.

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS AND RUMORS FROM WORLD SOCCER

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/the-10-most-expensive-transfers-in-first-summer-window-41235171

Where the Club World Cup will be won and lost – and why it matters more than you think

 

It was on a call with Fifa and Club World Cup rivals that Manchester City’s Ferran Soriano was willing to reveal some of the team’s inner workings.

As long ago as August, City’s chief executive revealed how Pep Guardiola’s staff had been working on their physical programme to ensure the squad would be ready for the tournament in the United States. Such changes might have been a factor in City’s underwhelming season, but the Club World Cup might change perceptions. An entire year may have been building to this.

For Florentino Perez, it’s a lifetime’s work. The Real Madrid president never got his Super League, but this is viewed as something similar, at least in terms of legacy and maybe an elegant historical echo.

Under his predecessor, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid were the drivers of the European Cup back in 1955 - to the point that they claim to have created it and were the first club to win it. Now though, Perez wants to do the same thing with the Club World Cup.

He has developed a political alliance with Gianni Infantino’s Fifa and Madrid have backed the competition. So, the key message for Xabi Alonso’s team as they depart for the USA has been that it would fit with Madrid’s great history to be the first to win this. It would ensure they have been the first true European champions and the first true world champions.

A club like Madrid having such aspirations is almost all the endorsement that Infantino needs. Because, right now, it’s hardly an exaggeration to say this new Club World Cup has caused huge debate.

The more relevant point is that controversy subsides and prestige grows as games are played. Even the European Cup met with resistance in its first season, as Chelsea know too well. They were supposed to be England’s representatives in 1955, only for the Football League to object. Now, Chelsea’s ownership is all in on the Club World Cup, to the point they care little for the Premier League’s reservations.

The Club World Cup trophy is displayed prior to the Play-In match between LAFC and Club America (Getty)

It’s like that with all of the owners. They can see the worth, especially since the eventual winners could receive around £80m in prize money. On the other side, clubs and federations from the Americas, Asia and Africa see the opportunities from big games against the hugely popular European clubs.

The reality is football did need something like that.

It also points to something that may decide this entire Club World Cup. It was also reflected in Soriano’s comments.

Man City enter the tournament as one of the favourites (AP)

European club owners might be all in on this competition, but that doesn’t mean their players can be, even if they want to. Many are exhausted. The Champions League’s expansion meant the 2024-25 season was the most congested for elite clubs in modern history, all that off the back of Euro 2024. Inter have been affected the most, with 10 more games than the 2023/24 campaign. They already looked like they could do with a break in the Champions League final.

And yet this may all make the first expanded Club World Cup even more unpredictable. That is primarily because the South American clubs are primed, and see this as an opportunity of their own. While the European clubs are at the end of long campaigns, their South American counterparts are mid-season, meaning they’re at peak condition. It could be like the 2022 World Cup for them. Although most of their best players go to Champions League clubs, they believe their desire can more than compensate.

There won’t just be a physical freshness, either. There’s a psychological freshness. The old Club World Cup was always bigger in South America. That was partly because of its own mythology. Pele’s Santos embarrassed Eusebio’s Benfica in 1963, the Brazilian legend even nutmegging his burgeoning Portuguese challenger. Flamengo humiliated Liverpool in 1981, with the great Zico starring.

Florentino Perez sees the Club World Cup as pivotal to the allure of Real Madrid (Getty Images)

The South American clubs are now determined to evoke that spirit, and their fans will travel in hundreds of thousands. From that, the eye will naturally be drawn to fixtures like Boca Juniors against Bayern Munich. Thomas Muller even told that such a fixture would be “a highlight”.

The main focus should perhaps be on Brazilian clubs, though. The country’s domestic competition is going through a resurgence, as plans evolve for its own version of the Premier League. In the meantime, a growing financial power has meant Brazilian clubs have won the last six Copa Libertadores. Palmeiras and Flamengo, who have just signed Jorginho after his Arsenal exit, look the most dangerous.

Some are even motivated by the words of Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, who predicted the competition will lack interest because “the Europeans will win everything”. This is a chance for pride and glory.

Xabi Alonso faces a quick start to life as Real Madrid boss (Getty Images)

Brazilian dominance of the Libertadores has already superseded the era of Marcelo Gallardo, who coached River Plate to two victories. He is back at the club, and made a late pitch to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo for this summer.

The Portuguese declined, meaning Lionel Messi still heads an array of stars, from Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland through to Jamal Musiala, PSG’s electrifying Desire Doue and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer. In a manner that might fit with the classic World Cup, too, this tournament could also offer exciting first glimpses of brilliant new talent.

There is considerable buzz about Flamengo’s Uruguayan playmaker Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who has never played for a club outside of South America, while River Plate midfielder Franco Mastantuono is a revelation. Typically, the 17-year-old is set to join Real Madrid.

Desire Doue and PSG have the firepower to claim Club World Cup glory this summer (PA Wire)

That doesn’t mean the trophy is also bound for the Bernabeu. One of the many storylines will be how Xabi Alonso adapts as their new manager, having agreed to take the job just days before the tournament after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure to lead Brazil ahead of next summer’s World Cup. With Inter, there’s the question of how they recover from Champions League final humiliation. City will meanwhile be seeking to make a season right, and Chelsea will feel they can restore their own prestige after becoming the first club to win every major European trophy following the Conference League final win over Real Betis.

On the other side of the world, can Messi be as impactful for Inter Miami? Could any of South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Korea’s Ulsan HD or New Zealand’s Auckland spring a surprise? The Saudi Pro League’s Al-Hilal, meanwhile, get their grand stage, just as Saudi football is about to escalate activity after being confirmed as 2034 World Cup hosts.

In general, though, this is a new tournament, so there’s also a sense of new territory. It has the dimensions of a classic World Cup - taking place every four years - but on top of a club game that runs constantly. Will it serve as a barometer for the game in the same way? Will it point to something new in terms of how it might be played? Palmeiras’ Abel Ferreira is one coach who has already attracted attention.

Franco Mastantuono is poised for a big future away from River Plate with a move to Real Madrid in the works (AP)

Muller added that he is thrilled by “different cultures and different clubs coming together”. That is needed in the club game, which is so dominated by Europe. It also affords the tournament a more distinctive sense of glory.

And yet, after all that, it’s still hard to look past Europe’s champions. PSG have had 58 games, but many of those have been while cantering to the French title. If the Champions League final is anything to go by, they may have too much firepower for the competition. Luis Enrique sounded more enthusiastic than anyone when asked about the Club World Cup after winning the Champions League. He found the idea of crowning a true club world champion for the first time, and potentially being the first, “invigorating”.

There is a place in history up for grabs here, for a competition that is going to say a lot about football’s future.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/where-the-club-world-cup-will-be-won-and-lost-and-why-it-matters-more-than-you-think-41231607

Brazil clinch World Cup spot as Carlo Ancelotti enjoys home debut in charge

 Brazil secured a spot at the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay in a successful home debut for new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian’s second match in charge made for a memorable night in Sao Paulo, courtesy of Vinicius Jr’s 43rd-minute goal.

The hosts dominated possession, but managed just four shots on target as Paraguay took the result down to the wire.

The result was still much-improved from Ancelotti’s debut in last week’s goalless draw against Peru.

The win lifts Brazil to third in South American qualifying, level on points with second-placed Ecuador who sealed their World Cup place with a goalless draw in Peru.

The top six teams in CONMEBOL qualifying receive automatic qualification.

Elsewhere, first-place Argentina drew 1-1 with sixth-place Colombia after Thiago Almada’s goal in the 81st minute cancelled out Luis Diaz’s 24th-minute opener.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/brazil-clinch-world-cup-spot-as-carlo-ancelotti-enjoys-home-debut-in-charge-41230769

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha: Every major deal so far as transfer deadline approaches

 Big transfers have already been completed with the first window set to close

The summer transfer window’s first deadline is approaching ahead of the upcoming Club World Cup.

Because of the newly expanded tournament, FIFA allowed for an earlier opening of the market so that clubs could sign and register players in time for the inaugural competition.

Chelsea and Manchester City have done so with the signings of Liam Delap and Rayan Ait-Nouri respectively.

On the continent, Real Madrid completed the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool, and paid a fee to the Premier League champions to ensure that he was on the plane to the United States with them.

Bayern Munich did similar with Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, who arrives to provide fresh impetus to Vincent Kompany’s backline.

In the Premier League, Ruben Amorim’s rebuild at Manchester United is already underway with the signing of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, with United set for a big summer of ins and outs.

Here, Standard Sport lays out every major deal of the summer so far.

Signed: Jeremie Frimpong

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

June

June 1

Matheus Cunha - Wolves to Manchester United, £62.5million

June 2

Dario Essugo - Sporting to Chelsea, £18million

Romelle Donovan - Birmingham to Brentford, Undisclosed

June 3

Caoimhin Kelleher - Liverpool to Brentford, £12.5million

Mark Flekken - Brentford to Bayer Leverkusen, £8million

June 4

Liam Delap - Ipswich to Chelsea, £30million

James Ball - AFC Wimbledon to Swindon, Free

June 5

Nuno Tavares - Arsenal to Lazio, Undisclosed

Antonio Cordero - Malaga to Newcastle, Undisclosed

June 6

Jorginho - Arsenal to Flamengo, Free

Lloyd Kelly - Newcastle to Juventus, £20million

Thierry Small - Charlton to Preston, Free

Sonny Carey - Blackpool to Charlton, Free

Jean-Clair Todibo - Nice to West Ham, Undisclosed

June 9

Rayan Ait-Nouri - Wolves to Manchester City, £31million

Mamadou Sarr - Strasbourg to Chelsea, £12million

Marquinhos - Arsenal to Cruzeiro, Undisclosed

Safe hands: Caoimhin Kelleher

Nigel Keene/ProSportsImages

May

May 14

Eric Dier - Bayern Munich to AS Monaco, Free

May 20

Bashir Humphreys - Chelsea to Burnley, Undisclosed

May 28

Michael Kayode - Fiorentina to Brentford, Undisclosed

May 30

Jeremie Frimpong - Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool, £29.5million

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool to Real Madrid, Free

Carlos Alcaraz - Flamengo to Everton, Undisclosed

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/trent-alexander-arnold-liam-delap-matheus-cunha-every-major-deal-so-far-as-transfer-deadline-approaches-41227016

The Harry Kane dilemma Thomas Tuchel faces ahead of the World Cup

 Harry Kane was already in his thirties, albeit by less than two weeks, when Thomas Tuchel agreed to pay €100m for him. Bayern Munich have since seen a return in the form of 82 goals in two seasons and if Tuchel need not worry how much resale value the striker has, he only needs to concern himself if Kane can keep going until a World Cup that ends just before his 33rd birthday.

The England captain has looked far further into the future, however. An admirer of Tom Brady, Kane has spoken of a desire to play into his forties. He admires Cristiano Ronaldo for his longevity and, at the age of 40, the Portugal captain has scored in both the Nations League semi-final and final in the last week. Can Kane follow in his footsteps? Tuchel believes it will not be easy. Ronaldo is an anomaly in many respects. His age is one of them.

Tuchel said: “I think it gets more and more difficult nowadays. Cristiano took a step into a not-as competitive a league as [the] Premier League or Spain as part of keeping his performance up. I think he is always the exception to the rule. We cannot go now from Cristiano Ronaldo and think everyone can play until 39 and 40 in today’s game. Harry has this natural ability to score goals. There are at the moment no signs he cannot do it at a high level. How long he can do it, I have not a crystal ball, [so] let’s see. He is in a club where they play dominant football, I think that can suit him. Just the outlook until the World Cup, he knows that it is a crucial year for him, also in terms of fitness and being ready to compete in the heat, in the humidity.”

It is a matter of more than just the attitude that means Kane wants to play every game. Tuchel has acceded to his wishes and said it is “likely” that he starts against Senegal on Tuesday, though he played against Andorra on Saturday. “He scored his 450th [career] goal in this match. It was a very decisive goal, a very important one,” noted Tuchel. Calling a goal against Andorra decisive and important reflected the reality that no one else scored any – it was a 1-0 win.

Harry Kane applauds the England fans after the World Cup qualifier against Andorra (PA)

And that, in turn, was an indication that Tuchel’s appointment alone was not a quick fix to the problem of England looking less than the sum of their considerable parts and struggling to accommodate the various creators who all want to gravitate towards the middle. Cole Palmer started against Andorra. So far, however, one of only four Englishmen to score in the final of a major international tournament has had a greater impact for his country as a substitute than a starter. Right now, too, he isn’t really Tuchel’s idea of a winger.

“If we want to have players in, and we don’t have enough No 10 positions, we could have Cole play on the wing and play then more inside,” he said. “But at the moment, we decide to have the wingers high and aggressive and wide, where they have their biggest strength. Everything is a big learning.”

Cole Palmer isn’t really Thomas Tuchel’s idea of a winger (Getty)

If one lesson is that England rarely have the Palmer of Chelsea or the Phil Foden of Manchester City, Tuchel had a point when he argued their clubs haven’t seen that much of late either. Palmer delivered a star turn in the Conference League final but only has one goal in his last 23 games.

Tuchel nevertheless accepts the broader issue. “That’s the question that needs to be answered,” he said. “It is a fair question. I think that even Cole struggled lately at Chelsea to have an impact. Phil, unfortunately, struggled over many months now to have the impact that he can have.”

Part of the puzzle for Tuchel involves personnel. Bukayo Saka is set to feature for the first time in his reign against Senegal – another reason not to pick Palmer off the right – and there is a quest for chemistry.

Bukayo Saka should be back for England’s game on Tuesday against Senegal (PA)

“It’s on us, it’s on me to find the right balance, to find the right connections, like who loves to play with each other, who has a genuine connection, who takes care of each other,” he reflected. “We need to improve in connections, in support, in interactions in the group. I feel we are too isolated on the pitch. We have not clicked yet. I don’t see it has clicked between the players.”

That could be part tactical, part mental. “We can do better,” Tuchel added. “We can do more fluid. We can be more exciting, which since a longer time I feel has been a bit of a problem. I feel a bit stuck.”

Gareth Southgate could probably empathise. It is not as simple, however, as liberating footballers with one word. “It’s difficult to prescribe freedom, to play with freedom and suddenly everyone plays with freedom,” Tuchel said.

Tuchel believes he is ‘very impatient’ when it comes to seeing England improve (PA)

The England shirt can hang heavy on players. “Like a heavy shirt?” mused Tuchel. “Do we expect too much? Don’t we feel the freedom? Do we not feel the same freedom to express ourselves that we feel like in the clubs? Does Phil feel free in his club? Is he really free in his club to express himself? Not since many months. He struggles also there.”

Free or not, Foden isn’t in the squad to face Senegal. But many another flair player is and so far Tuchel’s reign has brought six goals: one from an attacking midfielder, in Eberechi Eze, but two from defenders and three from Kane. A reliance on the captain is nothing new. He has 72 international goals, the rest of the squad 40 between them. It may not be Tuchel’s problem but his successor might hope Kane shows the staying power of Ronaldo.

Source: https://onefootball.com/en/news/the-harry-kane-dilemma-thomas-tuchel-faces-ahead-of-the-world-cup-41225700