Thomas Tuchel and Trent Alexander -Arnold (Eric Alonso -Uefa/Uefa Photo: Getty Images, Europa Press via Getty Images))
In his exclusive column on catch-offside, former England striker Stan Colliemore discusses some of the biggest topics in football, including Thomas Tuschel’s first match as England manager, the announcement of Trent Alexander Arnold in Real Madrid, the Club World Cup and Thomas Frank’s appointment as Tottam manager.
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Thomas Touchel needs to stick to the basics with England
You can see the three central defenders at the forefront of Thomas Thomas Thoushell’s thinking. All he has is a world-class striker, many good wingers and attacking midfielder. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham will likely be England’s future from a mid-centre perspective.
England essentially played 4-4-2 against Senegal, and we lost, but I was happy to see it being used. Personally, I would like to see Tuchel play players in their best positions. He needs to move forward based on that.
I think Tuchel has a good idea about his ideal starting lineup for the 2026 World Cup, but I think he should consider adding young players to his team in the build-up of that tournament. There’s less ego there, so they’re more open to being on the bench, and their youthful vibrancy is also valuable.
People like Tino Livramento, Elliot Anderson, James Mcatee, and Harvey Elliot are all worthy of Tuchel.
Liverpool fans need to move on from Trent Alexander Arnold
Liverpool and its fans will need to move on quickly from this Trent Alexander Arnold situation. Liverpool is not a club that crys spilled milk, so that’s just if you forget and look ahead.
The transition to Real Madrid is fantastic for Trent considering that it is undoubtedly the biggest club in the world. As a sportsman, you want to play for the best in the world and compete for the trophies regularly. He certainly does that in Madrid. And I think this move was the only possible step up he’d got from Liverpool.
And the fact that he quickly embraced this move is wonderful by learning enough enough to speak it to the fluent at his press conference. Send a message to the Real Madrid hierarchy, his new teammates and club supporters that he will be there for a long time. You wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish his time with a similar CV as Garethbert.
Club World Cup is good, but not in the current format
The bottom of the Club World Cup is that Saudi Arabia and several other countries in that part of the world want to be a major player in football, and this competition gives them a platform to get that opportunity. In the face of that, it must have always been a tournament, and it’s great to think of the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid playing against teams like Boca Junior and Yokohama F. Marino.
However, news that there are already plans to expand the Club World Cup to 48 teams highlights the point that Saudi Arabia is moving forward through Infantino. They know that hosting the tournament in performances in Liverpool, Man City and Real Madrid, among others, will give you more credibility.
If Infantino brings this competition because they want to see the best teams in the world (e.g. 10 instead of 32), then we’re more welcome to this competition. But that clearly wasn’t what happened in this case. This means he has the idea to solidify his legacy, supported by the Saudi Arabia and Emirati sides.
And because of this, when Infantino went, we could see the Club World Cup being discarded in the future.
Thomas Frank is a very good appointment for Tottenham.
I really appreciate the appointment of Thomas Frank as Tottenham’s new manager. I’ve spoken to him in the past and he’s a very clever coach. He is an engineer and for this reason he should fit very well in North London. He understands tactical flexibility. And I think he’ll be easier, but I’m sure he’ll work with steel bars too.
I also believe that it was the right time for him to leave Brentford. He was no longer staying so there would have been some doubts as to whether he would step up to a bigger team, but he’s doing it now.
After the looting of Ange, we don’t know this supposed rebellion in Tottenham. The decision was clearly made due to poor performance in the Premier League, but it was for them that ended on the 17th. If they had worked better and perhaps more intensely, he would still be at the club.
People like James Madison talk a lot, but he doesn’t get enough of it during the season. He was one of the players who seemed to have a good relationship with Angi, so it would be interesting to see how Frank sees him. It keeps readers eye on it for their readers.
Tottenham should remember that if they plan to compete in the Champions League via the Premier League, they will likely need another 10 wins compared to their final season. And I think Frank has more strings in his bow. This improves the club’s level when compared to Ange, which was mostly in tactically inflexible.
It’s ironic to complain about Nottingham Forest Crystal Palace
I think there’s a really simple solution for multiclub owners. One state/business/person should only be allowed to control one club. And this should apply to all Confederates in Europe, not just UEFA. If this were the way to move forward, this situation with Crystal Palace would not have happened.
At the palace, the text simply dropped the ball. But that’s what Nottingham Forest is a club that complains about. Because not many believe that Evangelos Marinakis is not calling the city ground or shots of Olympiacos.
He literally went to the pitch to beat Nuno Espirito Santo after a draw with Leicester. I think proposing something different is a shame for people’s intelligence.
He can sign a contract or write a letter confirming that he is no longer the owner of Nottingham Forest, but it’s hard to convince anyone of that fact if he sits in the executive box and runs in a match after the game.
Emi Martinez could have better handed over the situation at Aston Villa
If players want to leave the football club, they should be given the opportunity to do so. Does Emi Martinez borrow anything from Aston Villa? no. But I think it’s poor that he doesn’t reveal the situation by saying that. Because it caused a lot of confusion. Not surprising, but it’s a shame.
Aston Villa fans should thank EMI for this service, and it is difficult to replace anyone with his quality and personally. But even if he ends up joining Man United, I don’t think anyone can gratify him in this summer’s move. He is in his 30s and he is probably at a stage where he wants a new life experience.
He was able to join the clubs he wanted around the Champions League and the Europa League, but for now he is an Aston Villa player.
