It’s funny being an England fan: you’re always a mix of total cynicism and disbelief that we’ll ever win anything but there’s a little voice in the back of your head that still whispers, ‘It’s coming home’ – and after looking at some of the stats from our squad this season, that voice sounds a little louder.
On Wednesday night, Manchester City star Phil Foden went 21-up for goals this Premier League campaign, not to mention 10 assists to boot, and our brains have already started drifting to visions of him creating or scoring an all-important goal at the Euros this summer.
Undoubtedly one of the rising stars in world football, not just England, the Stopfordian midfielder is having his best statistical season ever there’s no doubt he already looks at home on the biggest stage following the treble last year, but it’s also the company he’s now joined that’s getting us really excited.
As it turns out, not only does Foden have the stats to back it up but he’s also just the fifth player to manage 20+ goals and 10+ (and without penalties) across all of Europe’s top five leagues this season. We were also delighted to find out that only one of those other players wasn’t English:
Five players have registered 20+ goals and 10+ assists in Europe's big five leagues this season, across all competitions 🔥
England players putting up these kinds of stats is making us believe we could actually win something.
When putting things into a wider European perspective (which we have to start doing now the tournament is just over two months away), you can’t help but start to feel more positive when you hear that key members of Gareth Southgate‘s squad are putting up the best numbers on the continent.
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Although Harry Kane will obviously be starting presumably every game unless we romp through the group stage, having a second striker in Ollie Watkins, who is also having his best season in the top flight and looks to be leading a team outside of the ‘big six’ into the European spots, is not a bad place to be in.
Better still, with Ivan Toney having now returned from his lengthy league ban and already back to scoring, it seems the Three Lions boss has plenty of options up front when the Euros rolls around. Even Marcus Rashford is on 14 all-told in a fairly off-season for him.
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In fact, it may have been a problem for England teams in recent years but this current squad seems to have attacking players galore, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen and Cole Palmer all on 20 goal contributions each this season too.
Bowen himself said he wants to give Southgate as big a selection headache as possible, whereas Palmer turning one goal into a hattrick in stoppage time on Thursday to make it 21 goals and a dozen assists is the kind of match-winning mentality you want in your squad. These are good problems to have.
✈️ This is the most likely England squad for the Euros based on the odds
On paper, you can’t deny it’s a seriously impressive squad.
And then we come to that all-important midfield, which has also historically caused us a dilemma at major tournaments, either through not having enough creative players or the right balance between defence and attack. The classic Scholes-Gerrard-Lampard-Beckham problem.
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We don’t want to get carried away but this year it looks like we might have one of the best lineups in the middle of the park you could hope for not only in quality and balance as mentioned before but in depth, physicality and overall engine too.
With Jude Bellingham being quite literally one of the best players on the planet right now and having quickly become a ‘galáctico’ star at Real Madrid in his first season and Declan Rice proving why everyone wanted to sign him as he’s been instrumental in Arsenal’s title race, it’s hard not to dream.
Oh, and we can’t forget about the latest inclusion to the squad in Man United‘s phenomenal young midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo, another Stockport-born starlet who hasn’t only just looked like the most mature player on the pitch at club level but earned player of the match on his very first England start.
Mainoo has been virtually undroppable since bursting onto the scene and after Ian Wright and countless other fans said he simply has to be in the squad, it already looks like he’s done one better and forced himself into most people’s starting 11.
We’re not ones to get overly obsessed with the most specific of stats but what we will say is that all three of these England players boast great numbers when it comes to passes played and accuracy, dribbles completed, tackles and low turnover rates when pressured – Mainoo, especially, at such a young age.
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To cut a long story short, what we’re saying is that there is a supreme amount of talent in this squad and even aside from things like xG and all those more minute metrics, it’s a really energetic squad with some key experienced players all throughout the spine to help keep the younger players more grounded.
Whether or not Southgate is around after Euro 2024 remains to be seen and although there are lots of players to build around in the future, it looks like this is arguably his best chance to win something as England manager. It’s all there on the table, we’ve just got to believe. It’s coming home.
Featured Images — Man City (via IG)/Harry Kane (via IG)/England (via IG)
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There’s just one month to go until a blockbuster Manchester derby in the WSL at the Etihad Stadium
Danny Jones
We’re just one month out until one of the best games on the football calendar: the Manchester derby in a Barclays Women’s Super League campaign that is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested in some time.
Manchester City and Man United are both duking it out at the top of the table already, the high-flying East Manchester club and last season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup finalists, each of the local teams has plenty of reason to go into the game confident.
With Man City boasting not just the home advantage but the bonus of playing in front of a crowd at theEtihad Stadium, many are already expecting a blue moon to rise once again.
This season may have only just begun, but Man City Women have already shown plenty of promise and signs of early form. Barring an opening day blip against the champions, Andrée Jeglertz’s side have looked pretty prolific; Man United are right up there with them, meaning we’re bound for a good clash.
Netting well over a dozen goals – the most of any team in the league – theCityzens will understandably feel on the offensive when they host the visitors on Saturday, 15 November.
Man United are right up there with them, though, meaning we’ve got a derby day that shouldn’t disappoint. Let’s be honest, it rarely does.
Don’t you just love it when two rivals go into a clash in strong spirits?
All eyes will be on this WSL fixture, especially with members of the back-to-back Euros-winning Lionesses squad taking to the pitch on both sides.
Clinton, Park; Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, as well as more international stars such as Viv Miedema and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – there’s going to be so much talent on show.
Speaking to The Manc ahead of the match, first-team star and City vice-captain, Kerstin Casparij, gave us their thoughts on the historic and always hard-fought rivalry…
What does the Manchester derby mean to you?
The derby means more to me every year. It’s not just 3 important points, but also pride and bragging/banter rights. This year, I’d say it’s also about redemption for me, considering our home loss last season.
Are there any standout memories of derby day that come to mind?
I think the away win at Old Trafford two years ago is a nice memory. Being booed for the full 90 minutes and coming away with a win feels extra satisfying.
It really is set up to be an unmissable meeting between the two heavyweights of the female football world, with a 1:30pm kick-off leaving plenty of time for added fanfare before and after either whistle.
Promising plenty of activities in and around the stadium, as well as the dedicated Man City Kids Fan Zone, a completely free event that runs for four hours before kick off on the indoor pitch of the City Football Academy, the ‘Blue Carpet’ experience, where you can see players arrive 90 minutes before the game and plenty more, there’s so much going on.
As well as fun games at half-time, live entertainment, not to mention a wide range of food and drink around the concourse, it’s going to be a great day out.
Best of all, tickets are super affordable: general admission for adults starts from only £15 and £5 for under 16s. If you grab two adult passes and one U16 ticket, you can get any additional U16 tickets for just £1 each.
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If you want to enjoy Hospitality at the Etihad Stadium, packages start from as little as £35. From the Sports Bar experience and the Tunnel Club, where you can see players getting read on the way to the dugout and pitch, or even a bottomless brunch before the game with your friends.
Whatever offer best suits you, fans can grab tickets right HERE.
Salford Red Devils have been dropped from the Super League
Danny Jones
Salford Red Devils RLFC have been officially relegated and dropped from the next Betfred Super League season following months of uncertainty both on and off the field.
It’s a nightmare scenario for supporters, but not entirely surprising given their struggles of late.
Revealing the decision this week, the Super League announced that Salford Red Devils will not be competing in the top tier next term, with the upcoming adjusted campaign getting underway in 2026.
Confirming that their IMG grading had been reduced as expected in the wake of recent events, the Greater Manchester side shared an official statement with the fans on Thursday morning, 16 October.
The reaction has obviously been one of deep frustration from a fan base that has been put through the ringer over the past year or so.
Die-hard Red Devil, Andy Roberts, commented in the numerous replies underneath Salford’s post on X: “I’m sorry, but this statement is a complete disgrace. Patronising fans, ignoring the huge elephant in the room. RELEGATION!”
Even neutrals got involved, with one person writing: “I hope someone comes in and saves you. No gloating here, we’re all part of the RL [rugby league] family, and I’ve lost my club before – wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Best of luck getting sorted.”
Another added that he believes this “Has to be the worst piece of comms from any club ever. Might have been better to start with a ‘really sorry we won’t be part of Super League next season’ line.”
Most notably, their dismissal from the division for now has also made way for the return of Bradford Bulls, who haven’t featured in the tournament since 2014, ultimately limping towards liquidation and eventual relegation themselves. Safe to say Salfordians fear the same.
It’s also worth noting that Salford Red Devils’ relegation also comes in tandem with the Super League actually expanding in terms of participants, with 14 teams set to face off in 2026; a dozen are automatically included via the aforementioned gradings system.
The Bulls were restored to the ranks after finishing 10th in the overall IMG rankings, while SRDLFC’s 0.25 point reduction to their total score proved enough to see the Yorkshiremen take their place after more than a decade.
Another two of clubs are still waiting to be named in the roster for next year, with an independent selection panel scheduled to verify their picks this Friday, 17 October.
You can see the club’s ‘divisive’ (to say the least) statement in full HERE and, in the meantime, find out more on the latest twist in this unfortunate tale that went on somewhat behind the scenes down below.
Danny Jones -
5th April 2024 
