England should play to strengths instead of copying Spain's template - Gordon

Published –
Winger Anthony Gordon believes England should abandon attempts to copy Spain's possession-based style of football and instead embrace their natural game by leaning more into physical strengths.

Following England's World ‌Cup semi-final loss to Argentina in July, England manager Thomas Tuchel attracted a backlash after saying ball possession was "not in their DNA" like Spain, where a passing-heavy approach is taught at all levels.

Gordon, who moved to Spanish club Barcelona from Newcastle United in ⁠May, agreed with Tuchel and said on Wednesday that he was not sure English players could be taught in a similar way.

After hosting Spain at Wembley, England visit the Czech ⁠Republic ​and Croatia before playing the Czechs ​again at home.

The remaining two fixtures of the Nations League group will be completed ​in November.
KEYWORDS (SEO)

Comments

Post a Comment

...IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Olukismet FC pens monumental deal with Hungarian top-tier side Kisvarda

Published –
Image
By Mishael Emmanuel    Ekiti State based Nigerian club Olukismet Football Club has signed a historic partnership deal with Hungarian top-flight outfit Kisvarda FC, as the Kisvarda based side looks to collaborate on players discovery, development and exposure to top levels of European and world football. The momentous partnership comes from the boots of talented midfielder prodigy, Ridwan Abdulrazak, who paved the way with a host of outstanding performances in Hungarian football circuit. Abdulrazak was previously scouted from Olukismet Football Club.   Following a strategic partnership meeting held in Lagos, last week, the President of Kisvarda FC, Revesz Atilla Utja, Portuguese FIFA football agent, Andre Cabete Portulez and Prince Olumide Fetus Adegboye graced Top Level Football Agency's football scouting tournament held over the weekend in the 'City of Excellence and Aquatic Splendor', in search for exceptional footballing talents in the mould of renowned Nig...
Read more

Experience, effort — Edo State's rise to Table Tennis success, Coach Goriola Olayiwola Wahab

Published –
Image
...Secures 13 medals as table tennis event comes to an end By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Abuja           From grass to grace, this is the inside story of Team Edo State's rise in table tennis, the once uneducated side powered by eagerness is now a consistent medal winner for the Heartbeat State. These are the words of the head coach of Team Edo table tennis, Goriola Olayiwola Wahab in an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the ongoing National Para Games in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Coach Wahab, fond called Mr. Consistent, led Team Edo to secure 13 medals Games, 4 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals. For coach Wahab in the Table Tennis coaching business it all began 1991, in Bauchi, when he teaching special athletes the games of pingpong. He then started working with the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria to help educate and train more athletes. “I started coac...
Read more

Hammer thrower Falana vows to rule Africa

Published –
Image
 By Mishael Emmanuel         Gabon’s national hammer record holder, Kenza Falana, is certain that her time to rule the spotlight and make headlines is now. It’s a medal within reach for the young Gabonese hammer thrower who was selected to represent her country at the CAA U-18/20 Championship, holding in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria. The 18-year-old who broke into the international stage a year ago at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, added that she is looking to revive the spirit of unity, commitment and collaboration — to back rising athletes in Africa. Speaking before silver-finish at the biennial championship, Falana said she was ready to rule the continent as soon as possible. She said: “I think it finally my chance with what I’m doing this Championships. I’ve been thinking of it this past year, thinking it would be such an opportunity to travel to Nigeria and even win a gold medal,” Falana stated in an interview with First ZealMe...
Read more

Poor scheduling of the Games, the reason behind Algeria’s underwhelming outing — Dr. Hafed Amine

Published –
Image
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye           A key and prominent figure in the Algerian Athletics Federation (AAF), Dr. Hafed Mohamed Amine, has attributed Team Algeria’s subdued performance at the Islamic Solidarity Games to what he described as “poorly timed scheduling.” He made this statement during an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, emphasizing that the timing of the Games collided with a crucial preparation window for Algeria’s elite athletes, a clash that significantly affected the team’s strength and participation. He stated that many of the country’s top performers were unavailable because they were deep in preparations for major international competitions. “This edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games was challenging for the Algerian Athletics Federation because the dates selected were not suitable,” he said. “The competition took place during a key preparation period for mos...
Read more

NPBL shockwaves, Hoops N’ Read almost out as Kano Pillars humble Lagos Legends

Published –
Image
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye It’s heartbreak in the Lagos camp. Once the pride of Nigerian basketball, Hoops N’ Read BBC are almost out of the ongoing abridged Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBL) — ending their hopes of getting continental action. Despite a spirited 74–67 win over Nigeria Customs on Match Day 6 in Port Harcourt, the Lagos side’s late rally wasn’t enough to keep their Basketball Africa League (BAL) dream alive. With just two wins in six games, Hoops N’ Read sit sixth on the log — a far cry from their glory days as league heavyweights. Elsewhere, Gboko City Chiefs continued their ruthless march, dismantling Kwara Falcons 74–60. Led by the high-flying Kareem Joseph, a dunk specialist with a flair for flair, the Chiefs showed no mercy.  “This win proves our discipline and ability to execute,” Joseph said after the game — and his team’s performance backed it up. But the real drama unfolded in Game 3. The previously unbeaten Lagos Legends were ri...
Read more

NFF President, SSA to the President, others, arrive Morocco ahead of Playoffs

Published –
Image
By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports    Nigeria continues to build momentum ahead of their make or mar 2026 World Cup Qualifier Playoff encounter against West African counterparts Gabon with key stakholders touching down in Morocco.   The high-power delegation was led by President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sports Development, Hon. Adeboye Anthony Adeyinka; the General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation and President, Authentic Nigeria Football and Allied Sports Supporters Club (ANFASSC), Prince Abayomi Ogunjimi. Their collective presence in the sunny North African nation reflects urgent efforts to ensure that the three-time African champions do not fall out along this final streak of important fixtures on the road to the World Cup finals scheduled to be hosted by Canada, America and Mexico next year. The arrival of football and government representatives underscores the colla...
Read more

From Kano Dala Hard Courts to the helm of Nigerian Tennis – Yusuf Datti

Published –
Image
By Maxwell Kumoye       When Alhaji Yusuf Datti walked into the election hall at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, last Saturday, he was already known in Nigerian tennis circles as a man of quiet influence and enduring commitment. As Tournament Director of the famous Kano Dala Hard Courts Tennis Championship, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most prestigious tennis events, Datti had spent years nurturing talents, sustaining sponsorships, and keeping the spirit of the game alive in the North. By the end of that day, his name would be etched on a larger canvas. Datti was overwhelmingly elected Vice President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) — a recognition not just of his administrative acumen but of his consistency in building tennis from the grassroots upward. A RESOUNDING MANDATE In an election supervised by the National Sports Commission (NSC), Datti secured 12 out of 14 votes, a landslide that underscored his broad acceptance within the tennis commun...
Read more

Support from family, fans and state fuels my drive — Long Jump gold medalist, Gowon Oghenerunor Gift

Published –
Image
…Eyes World U-20 Championship, CAA Seniors, Youth Olympics   By Mishael Emmanuel and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, South-South, Nigeria          Long jump sensation Gowon Oghenerona Gift has credited the unwavering support of his family, fans and Delta State government as the propelling forces behind his gold medal triumph at the ongoing Niger Delta Games.   The energetic jumper, representing Team Delta, leaped to victory in the men’s long jump at the 2nd edition of the annual multi-sport festival, clearing a distance of 7.39m, to win gold.   Speaking to your authoritative and award-winning news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, Gowon Oghenerona Gift, revealed that he arrived with high expectations but still had to put in a double shift to secure top spot.   “I was already expecting a gold medal, due to my recent performance. I wasn't at my best, but I needed to show...
Read more

D'Tigers overcome travel woes to seal first win in Angola

Published –
Image
...New era begins with comeback win as D'Tigers defeat Tunisia ...Fizdale reveals NBA stars keen to Join D'Tigers after Tunisia win ...Delighted with D'Tigers return – Ikenna Iroegbu ...Collective toughness earns victory over Tunisia – Fizdale By Maxwell Kumoye and Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye     Nigeria's senior men's basketball team, D'Tigers, produced a spirited comeback to defeat Tunisia 84-81 in their opening game of the FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers in Angola, with head coach David Fizdale hailing his players' resilience after overcoming a difficult build-up to the contest. The victory was particularly impressive considering the circumstances surrounding Nigeria's preparations, as the newly assembled squad had just one training session and a walkthrough before taking on one of Africa's most experienced teams. "We literally had one practice and one walkthrough," Fizdale told reporters after the game. ...
Read more

Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana athletes set for Dynamic Athletics Meet in August

Published –
Image
By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye      Athletes from Benin, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and host nation Nigeria are gearing up for the highly anticipated Dynamic Athletics Meet, scheduled to take place in mid-August at the Yabatech Sports Complex in Lagos. Dynamic Athletics founder and meet organiser, Olabanji Ayegbusi, confirmed that the World Athletics-listed competition has already generated strong interest across West Africa, with athletes from the participating countries indicating their readiness through emails and other communication channels. With the 2026 athletics season gradually drawing to a close, many competitors see the meet as an ideal opportunity to round off their campaigns on a high note by producing outstanding performances, achieving personal bests and improving their world rankings. The Dynamic Athletics Meet has built a reputation for producing high-quality performances over the years, including world-leading marks, meeting records and...
Read more