CONCACAF Gold Cup · Defender · #23 · Haiti · 27 yrs
Luis Enrique, Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta are among the favourites to lead their sides to victory, but more recent appointments should not be counted outA delve into the history of the Champions League shows that managers can and do win in their first season at a club, but also that experience matters. Which makes it interesting, given that tenures for the 2026‑27 crop range from newly appointed coaches to one with almost 15 years in charge. Some have managed more than 100 matches in the competition, others none.It gets under way on Tuesday with 14 of the 36 clubs led by managers who have been in the role for less than a year. It cannot match the turnover of the Premier League, in which 11 of 20 managers were appointed in 2026, but the tenures of the head coaches involved this season break down neatly. Continue reading...
John Terry has given his assessment of Chelsea’s defeat against Arsenal John Terry has singled out Chelsea captain Reece James for criticism in the wake of Sunday’s defeat against Arsenal. Xabi Alonso’s new-look side were hoping to cement their status as potential title challengers at the home of the reigning champions. The Blues made a positive start, racing into an early lead through Morgan Rogers’, but Arsenal’s class and experience ultimately told and the Gunners ran out convincing 2-1 winners. While Terry saw many positives in defeat, he suggested a lack of intensity and concentration contributed to the mistakes that were committed in the build-up to Kai Havertz’s equaliser. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. ‘Reece just needs to drop in and close the space because Havertz then has to go down the outside on his weaker foot, he came in on his left foot and got the shot off because there was a gap and space,’ said Terry on his YouTube channel. The club legend also thought his old team missed a trick during the early exchanges when Emi Martinez received a kick to the head from Gabriel Magalhaes. No disciplinary action was taken against the Arsenal defender, but Terry believes the VAR might have intervened had Chelesa’s leadership group, such as it is, applied more pressure to the match officials after seeing their goalkeeper writhing around in apparent pain. John Terry said Reece James of failed to spot the danger as Kai Havertz approached goal Reece James could only watch on as Kai Havertz equalised for Arsenal (Picture: Sky Sport) ‘I think we missed a big opportunity to get Gabriel sent off,’ he added. ‘I think it was Hato and Joao Pedro closest, as soon as I see my goalkeeper reacting like that I’m surrounding the ref saying ‘he’s just been kicked in the f’ing head ref’ put a bit of pressure on the ref. ‘I know we don’t really want to be doing that but we’re here to win 3 points and challenge for the league.’ ‘I think we need to be better at dark arts, they’re big, Arsenal are the best at it.’ Whether haranguing the officials would have made a difference to Gabriel’s fate remains highly doubtful, however, with former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher suggesting the Brazil international was not guilty of violent conduct. {"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"'It was beautiful': Arteta hails Arsenal's attack-to-defence display in win against Chelsea","contentUrl":"https:\/\/videos.metro.co.uk\/video\/met\/2026\/09\/07\/2593273995855020828\/480x270_MP4_2593273995855020828.mp4","description":"Arsenal came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium after Morgan Rogers stunned home fans into silence with a volleyed goal 77 seconds into the game.","duration":"T5M27S","height":270,"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i.dailymail.com\/1s\/2026\/09\/07\/07\/111091359-0-image-a-53_1788761962819.jpg","uploadDate":"2026-09-07T07:17:08+0100","width":480} To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page window.addEventListener('metroVideo:relatedVideosCarouselLoaded', function(data) { if (typeof(data.detail) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel) === 'undefined' || typeof(data.detail.carousel.el_) === 'undefined') { return; } var player = data.detail.carousel.el_; var container = player.closest('.metro-video-player'); var placeholder = container.querySelector('.metro-video-player__up-next-placeholder'); if (placeholder) { container.removeChild(placeholder); container.classList.add('metro-video-player--related-videos-loaded'); } }); ‘They’re all on the floor,’ Gallagher told Sky Sports. ‘There’s a big tangle. He definitely goes to kick the ball and he gets the ball, his foot actually gets the ball. ‘That’s why it pops out of Martinez’s hands. Martinez grabs the ball, [Gabriel] goes to kick, gets the ball. The
Chelsea explored a late move for Fulham midfielder Sander Berge during the closing stages of the summer transfer window as they prepared for Enzo Fernandez’s departure to Manchester City. The Blues were keen to avoid being left short in midfield, but their interest in Berge never progressed to a formal offer. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? […] The post BBC: Chelsea considered late move for experienced midfielder from London rivals appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Lautaro Martinez revealed that Lionel Messi's retirement from Argentina national team "hits hard" despite knowing before the announcement. Lionel Messi‘s retirement announcement from the Argentina national team sent shockwaves across world soccer, reverberating not because of his age, but because of his sustained performance at the sport’s highest level. Despite receiving advance notice of the decision, star teammate Lautaro Martinez admitted that Messi’s departure “hits hard.” In an open letter published on Instagram, Messi confirmed his decision to step away from international duty, sharing his thoughts just two days following the 2026 World Cup final. The announcement brought an official end to a legendary 21-year tenure with the national team that began with his senior debut in 2005. Speaking during Monday’s pre-match press conference ahead of a Champions League clash against Real Madrid, Martinez addressed whether he was aware of Messi’s plans beforehand: “Leo announced that he had retired from the national team, and for us, we knew that at some point the news was going to come, but when it arrives it hits hard because of everything Leo means to the world of football, to the national team, and to our country.” Martinez elaborated on the personal message he shared on Instagram, while reflecting on the captain’s resilience through adversity. “I spoke with him and dedicated a few words to thank him for how he has taught and guided us toward victory; he went through difficult times and never gave up,” he added. Lautaro Martinez of Argentina celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring. (Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images) “That is what is truly valued, and that’s what I take with me, beyond the fact that on a day-to-day basis we talk and experience very intense things for our careers and for life,” Martinez noted regarding the Argentina icon, who will be absent from the squad for the upcoming international window. With Messi vacating his spot in the attacking line, questions remain regarding how manager Lionel Scaloni will adapt. Scaloni could opt for a traditional two-striker system pairing Martinez alongside Julian Alvarez, or deploy rising playmaker Nico Paz to assume Messi’s creative responsibilities in the final third. Lautaro Martinez, a cornerstone of Argentina’s championship run Lionel Messi served as the catalyst for Argentina’s international dominance after Lionel Scaloni assumed control in 2018, leading the country to multiple major trophies, including the 2022 World Cup. However, Lautaro Martinez played a pivotal supporting role throughout that golden era, consistently supplying critical goals in key moments. During the Scaloni era, Messi leads all scorers with 60 international goals, but Martinez stands comfortably in second place with 40 goals, holding a substantial gap over Julian Alvarez in third place with 15 goals. Furthermore, the Inter Milan striker delivered the defining moment of the 2024 Copa America, scoring the extra-time winner in a 1-0 victory over Colombia on American soil, as well as the recent header coming from a Messi cross to complete the comeback against England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal.
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