England took a huge step toward Uefa Nations League promotion with a resounding 3-0 win away in Greece on Thursday.

Avenging their shock defeat at Wembley, the Three Lions put their hosts to the sword with goals from Ollie Watkins and debutant Curtis Jones, either side of an Odisseas Vlachodimos own goal forced by a Jude Bellingham shot that hit the post.

The result takes England top of the group, level on points with Greece but now boasting a better goal difference and head-to-head record.

Any sort of win against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday will return England to League A at the first time of asking.

For now, read on for full England player ratings from a huge win in Athens.

England player ratings vs Greece: Curtis Jones ‘outstanding’ on debut

Jordan Pickford – 9/10 – Made some vital saves to preserve the win and clean sheet, while reminding everyone how important he is for England.

Kyle Walker – 6/10 – A little negative with his play, going backwards when he’d taken up some great positions. Slotted in well enough at centre-back in the second half.

Ezri Konsa – 7/10 – A solid performance, completing 100% of his passes and winning both of his contested ground duels. Brought off at half-time, presumably with an injury.

Marc Guehi – 8/10 – Tidy with the ball and made a couple of important interceptions and tackles to keep the Greeks at bay.

Rico Lewis – 8/10 – Used the ball brilliantly and popped up in some dangerous positions. Perhaps should have got himself on the scoresheet in the second half but was denied by a good save.

Conor Gallagher – 8/10 – Got through plenty of defensive work and did his best to drive England forward once he turned the ball over.

Curtis Jones – 9/10 – Absolute class on the ball and alert to any Greek counter-attacks. Misplaced just three of 68 attempted passes. Capped off an outstanding England debut with a beautifully taken goal. ‘Outstanding’ according to former England and Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie.

Noni Madueke – 8/10 – Set up Watkins’ goal with a great run and cut-back and was a menace all game, creating a match-high three chances and having five touches in the opposition box.

Jude Bellingham – 9/10 – The Greeks couldn’t handle Bellingham once he got into full flow, powering through midfield with immense force. Hit the post twice, first with a header, then with a shot from the edge of the box which hit Vlachodimos and went in. Unlucky not to be credited with a goal but did the damage.

Anthony Gordon – 6/10 – A few dangerous flashes but was more subdued than Madueke.

Ollie Watkins – 8/10 – Took his goal well and provided England with a good focal point, even if he was a little isolated at times.

Substitutes:

Lewis Hall (46′, for Konsa) – 7/10 – A solid England debut from a youngster with the potential to be his nation’s left-back for years to come.

Harry Kane (67′, for Watkins) – 7/10 – Did a lot of work off the ball, including his run to create the space for Bellingham’s shot on the second goal.

Morgan Rogers (67′, for Gordon) – 7/10 – Won’t be credited with an assist on the second goal but it was his smart pass inside to Bellingham that set England away.

Jarrod Bown (67′, for Madueke) – 7/10 – Did well in the build-up for the third goal.

Morgan Gibbs-White (79′, for Gallagher) – 7/10 – Set up Jones as England finished the job.

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Newcastle United are preparing for a defensive shake-up as they look to extend their winning run after the international break.

Eddie Howe’s side, currently sitting in 8th place in the Premier League with 18 points from 11 matches, will face West Ham United at St James’ Park, aiming to build on recent victories against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

The Magpies’ defence, however, has been hit hard by injuries and suspensions. Key right-back Kieran Trippier remains sidelined, having missed the last five matches due to an injury that has kept him out for nearly a month.

Adding to Howe’s concerns, experienced centre-back Dan Burn will serve a suspension after picking up five yellow cards this season, marking his first absence from the starting XI.

Adding to the defensive crisis, Emil Krafth is out with a broken collarbone, while Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman continue to recover from long-term injuries.

This series of setbacks leaves Howe with limited options, forcing him to call upon some newer additions to fill the defensive void.

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Newcastle to unleash quartet vs West Ham

According to Newcastle World, Howe is expected to field a reconfigured backline valued at £63 million, featuring Lloyd Kelly, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, and Fabian Schar.

Kelly, who arrived from Bournemouth on a free transfer last summer, is likely to fill the gap left by Burn’s suspension.

Livramento, who has shown his quality in Trippier’s absence, is set to continue his role at right-back.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hall, fresh from his recent England call-up, has impressed on the left side and is expected to retain his spot. Schar, a reliable presence at centre-back, will anchor the defence.

Newcastle will hope this newly assembled backline can maintain their recent momentum and help the team climb further up the standings.

As the Magpies seek to extend their winning streak and climb higher in the standings, the cohesion and performance of this restructured defence will be crucial.

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Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak has directly addressed the speculation over his future at the moment as he continues to be linked with Arsenal and other top clubs.

The Sweden international has been a star performer since joining Newcastle and it’s easy to imagine him also being a success at other top clubs at some point in the near future if he gets himself a big move.

Isak has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool by TBR Sport, who recently reported that the 25-year-old’s talks over a new contract with Newcastle were not going well.

Isak could clearly do a job for Arsenal right now as they’re short of quality up front, with Kai Havertz not really a natural number 9, while there’s a lot of pressure on Bukayo Saka to deliver the spark in basically every game without ever getting much of an opportunity to rest.

Alexander Isak addresses talk over his future

Still, Isak has decided not to comment too much on a potential move as he clearly wants to show respect to Newcastle, though it’s also worth saying that he hasn’t taken the opportunity to deny that he could be on the move somewhere else.

“Throughout my career, I have never talked about or really commented on the move rumours during the season,’ Isak told fotbollskanalen, as quoted and translated by the Metro.

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“There have been many such years where it has been talked about. It doesn’t affect me.

“I am commenting on my situation in Newcastle and I have never had any problem there. I am fully focused on my task there and that we will have a fantastic season. There are still great opportunities for that. I have no thoughts about anything else.

Asked specifically about talks over a new contract with Newcastle, he replied: “No comment.”

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Newcastle United continue to look across the globe for the world’s best footballing talent, and they’ve apparently beaten Arsenal, amongst others, to the signing of brilliant 17-year-old striker, Vakhtang Salia.

According to Newcastle World, the Magpies will officially sign the Dinamo Tbilisi talent when he’s 18 in August 2025.

It’s understood he’s been compared to fellow Georgian, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, however, Mikha Gabechava, a scout at Gent, who previously worked at Dinamo Tbilisi, has suggested that the youngster reminds him more of a former Liverpool ace.

Vakhtang Salia will join Newcastle in August 2025

“I can see why people compare himself to [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia, although I would probably say the player that he resembles even more is Roberto Firmino because of his style of play,” he told Loaded Mag NUFC.

“I think both of them are a mix of a poacher and a false nine, plus both of them have a very high work rate.

“If I compare Salia to Kvaratskhelia, I don’t think Kvaratskhelia can play false nine and I don’t think he can be as efficient in that role as a lone striker in 4-3-3.”

Newcastle World also quote the Premier League club’s sporting director, Paul Mitchell, regarding the club’s purchase of Salia.

“We’re delighted to get ahead of a number of other top clubs to sign Vakhtang,” he said.

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Given that the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules are biting every club hard, unearthing gems at the beginning of their careers is clearly the way to go.

Moving forward, Newcastle will surely hope to be bringing through youngsters of their own in order to both save money and have a more direct link to players in the first-team.

The Magpies only need to look at La Liga giants, Barcelona, as a typical example of what can be achieved by having a brilliant academy system in place.

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Arsenal and Newcastle United are among the clubs that have been scouting and monitoring Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor since the start of this season.

Sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside that the 22-year-old has been attracting plenty of interest with his strong performances this term, with Arsenal, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Napoli keeping tabs on his development.

Ajax are not keen on letting Taylor go, but CaughtOffside understands that a fee of around €35million could be enough to persuade them to sell the Netherlands international.

Taylor certainly looks like he could be ready to make the step up to playing for a bigger club, and Arsenal could be an ideal destination for him as the Gunners look in need of more bodies in the middle of the park.

Kenneth Taylor transfer: Is he the answer for Arsenal in midfield?

Arsenal have also notably been linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in a report from the Independent, but there could perhaps be a case for Taylor as an alternative.

For one thing, Taylor is younger than Zubimendi, so would be a more long-term option, while at €35m he might also prove the cheaper option.

Of course, Arsenal shouldn’t be afraid to spend big money on proven players, but it could make sense that Taylor ends up being seen as the smarter long-term investment.

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Newcastle could be one to watch in this saga as well, however, and it would surely be a good idea for the Magpies to plan for the future in midfield as there’s surely no guarantee they’ll be able to hold on to a star name like Bruno Guimaraes.

NUFC also looks a tempting project that should be able to lure in top talents like Taylor, and that’s certainly also the case for this ever-improving Aston Villa side under Unai Emery.

The post Revealed: Arsenal & Newcastle United have been scouting €35m transfer target for months appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is reportedly not happy with how contract talks are going at St James’ Park.

The Sweden international has been a star performer at Newcastle for a few years now, and they’d surely suffer from losing him, but an exit seems almost inevitable.

According to the latest from TBR Football, there is now the expectation that Isak could move on from Newcastle in 2025, especially if they don’t qualify for the Champions League.

The Magpies don’t seem to have made positive progress in contract talks with Isak, with the 25-year-old seemingly keen to have a release clause in his new deal.

Newcastle don’t want this, however, and don’t seem to be budging, and this has left Isak unsettled.

Where next for Alexander Isak?

Isak could surely have his pick of Europe’s top clubs if he is to leave NUFC, with big names like Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona linked with the former Real Sociedad man in recent times.

Newcastle could make big money from Isak’s sale, as he’d likely move for at least £60m if not more, and that might soften the blow of his exit.

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Still, it would not be at all easy for Newcastle to replace such an influential player, even if there has been some speculation about exciting potential deals.

Victor Osimhen to Newcastle is one name mentioned recently, with the Napoli striker still facing an uncertain future after recently moving on loan to Galatasaray.

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On-loan at Galatasaray, Victor Osimhen and his agents are already looking at their options in 2025, with a move to Newcastle being mooted.

The Nigerian hit-man, who joined Napoli for £64.3m (Chronicle Live), could be pitching up at St. James’ Park, with the same outlet suggesting that the Magpies are one of a number of clubs that the player’s representatives are considering.

Victor Osimhen could join Newcastle in 2025

Reports suggest that there could be a fresh twist in the Osimhen story in due course, and it’s understood that the Chelsea target’s transfer fee would be more affordable this January, despite him still being on loan at Turkish league leaders, Galatasaray.

What’s abundantly clear is that he won’t be staying in Turkey any longer than is necessary.

If Newcastle could land a player who is a virtual guarantee of goals – 122 in 232 games per transfermarkt – it would allow them to think about potentially cashing in on Alexander Isak.

Though the Swede seems perfectly happy on Tyneside, with the club not making any noises to suggest he’s for sale either, the fact remains that Newcastle could get a pretty penny for him and then install a more traditional number nine in Osimhen in Isak’s stead.

Journalist feels 27-year-old could be on his way out of Newcastle – find out who here!

Newcastle supporters love a true No.9 and with the likes of ‘Wor’ Jackie Milburn, Malcolm McDonald, Alan Shearer and others, they’ve been blessed with seeing some of the best in that position wear the black and white stripes.

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At just 25 and still some way off his peak, Osimhen could certainly join that select group if Newcastle were able to secure his services and he hits the ground running.

There’s still a long way to go before any deal can be concluded, but the fact that it seems the Magpies are in the conversation is encouraging at least.

The post Agent of £64m striker eyeing Newcastle for 2025 move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle United are reportedly among the clubs interested in a potential transfer deal for Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

The 26-year-old only joined Chelsea from Leicester City in the summer, and initially looked like an exciting signing to follow Enzo Maresca from the King Power Stadium to Stamford Bridge.

However, it hasn’t worked out well for Dewsbury-Hall so far, and the Daily Briefing now reports that the Englishman could already be allowed to leave Chelsea.

Man Utd have also asked about ANOTHER Chelsea star…!

This has put the likes of Man Utd on alert ahead of January, and it would certainly be interesting to see if he could revive his career at Old Trafford.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall transfer: Could he be a surprise success story for Man United?

New United manager Ruben Amorim could perhaps do well to strengthen his midfield, with the ageing Christian Eriksen surely not likely to be a key player for the Red Devils for much longer.

Even if Dewsbury-Hall has been disappointing at Chelsea, it could be that he still has what it takes to make it at a top club after showing such impressive potential during his time at Leicester.

KDH was a real assist machine for Leicester in the Championship, but also previously showed his talent for them in the Premier League as well.

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Newcastle would also surely look at this as a player who could improve them in midfield, and if he’s available on loan then that would also likely be seen as a low-risk deal.

Some Chelsea fans may be disappointed, however, that Dewsbury-Hall hasn’t had more of a chance to show what he can do since joining the club in the summer.

Maresca has worked with him before, so the link-up looked like it made sense for everyone involved, but he might not want to wait around for too much longer to see if his situation can change.

The post Manchester United on alert for surprise Premier League midfielder transfer deal appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea may reportedly have been given a huge opportunity in the transfer market as Alexander Isak’s Newcastle United future looks in real doubt.

Isak has been in superb form for the Magpies as usual this season, contributing ten goals and assists in his first 13 appearances in all competitions this term.

The Sweden international has been a joy to watch for much of his time at St James’ Park, and he’d surely fit in well at a number of top clubs around Europe.

“I’m ready to leave” – HUGE transfer bombshell for Liverpool!

TBR Football now report that Isak’s contract talks with Newcastle have not been going well, and Graeme Bailey added on X, formerly Twitter, that the expectation is now that the 25-year-old will leave the club in 2025…

Alexander Isak's camp left 'shocked' by Newcastle stance over contract.

Expectation will be that Isak leaves in 2025, especially if they don't seal Champions League qualification.https://t.co/gh46Ob8UMy

— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) November 12, 2024

The report states that Arsenal and Chelsea are long-term admirers of Isak, though they suggest that Liverpool may have the stronger interest for the moment, along with other big names like Manchester City and Barcelona.

All in all, it’s hard not to see Isak having his pick of Europe’s elite if he does decide to leave Newcastle, and if the Premier League giants are prepared to sell.

Alexander Isak transfer could be just what Arsenal need

Of all the clubs mentioned, it’s arguably Arsenal who need Isak most right now, as Mikel Arteta is really lacking some spark in his attack.

The Gunners have been overly reliant on Bukayo Saka, and although Kai Havertz has performed well, he’s not really a 20-25-goal-a-season centre-forward.

Isak can also fill in on the left of a front three if required, and that could be useful as Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have both suffered dips in form in recent times.

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Still, Isak would also do an important job for Chelsea, who arguably need an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson, while Christopher Nkunku seems to be facing an uncertain future, according to L’Equipe.

Liverpool would also surely do well to bring in Isak as an upgrade on Darwin Nunez, while the former Real Sociedad man could also help replace Mohamed Salah if he ends up leaving at the end of his contract next summer.

The post 10 G/A in 13 games: Liverpool, Arsenal & Chelsea given opportunity to land dream attacker transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jamie Carragher has made it clear he thinks the Premier League rules need to change after witnessing a “nonsense” incident during Newcastle’s win against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Newcastle came from behind to win 3-1 at the City Ground, thanks to goals from Alexander Isak, Joelinton, and Harvey Barnes, but there was one moment of controversy as well.

There was one moment when Tino Livramento went down with a knock, but then couldn’t help his team defend against a Forest attack due to being told to leave the pitch.

Carragher clearly feels this is a current rule that needs looking at, as he described it as “nonsense” to give Forest a one-player advantage in that situation.

Jamie Carragher calls for Premier League rule change

“The way that rule has been set up at the moment, it’s something to be looked at,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“I mean, Livramento has had a whack there, should have had a free kick.

“Nottingham Forest have got a free kick, Livramento can’t defend it. They are actually down to 10 men. That has to change. That’s nonsense that.”

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It didn’t matter too much on this occasion as Newcastle still won the game, but it does seem like one of those strange regulations that needs clearing up to improve the game.

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