View From The Bridge

International football is a strange paradigm. The same fans who pushed England to the brink of their best result in 55 years are the same fans that have brought nothing but disgrace to themselves and the nation after Sunday nights heartbreaking exit at Euro 2020. After just 1 minute at 37 seconds, Luke Shaw raised a nation to it’s feet, only for Italy to bring us crashing back down to our sofas with our heads in our hands 66 minutes later. Despite the outrageous home advantage, it was always Italy’s game to lose and with a 33 game winning streak on the line, they showcased not only why they are the best team in Europe, but maybe even on the planet - something our young lions may one day possess (just not in the immediate future).   There were several major errors both on and off the pitch that ultimately cost the lions their first international trophy since 1966. In fact, England’s problems started long before any ball was placed on a penalty spot. After a scintillating 45 minutes ...

In terms of bold statements, I may have slightly overstretched with this one but before a dozen angry French and PSG fans come and bite my head off, just let me plead my case.  As of now, the future for Kylian Mbappe is surrounded by question marks. After a fairly mediocre performance and a crucial missed penalty against Switzerland in last nights Euro 2020 Round of 16 matchup, a few questions have been raised surrounding the ability of footballs number one wunderkind. In  390 minutes of football at the Euro’s he managed 4 shots on target out of 14 attempts and was a major contributing factor in France’s early exit. Nevertheless, this is far from the end of Kylian Mbappe. At 22 years old he has a lot more football to play, but where he chooses to play may just decide his fate as an all-time great or a wunderkind bust.  Mbappe - thegaurdian.com I get it, it’s all a little dramatic. One bad game and Mbappe has gone from comparisons to some of footballs greatest ever talents...

With the group stage drawing to a close, Euro 2020 has proven to be just what football fans ordered after 18 months of multi-tiered lockdowns and empty stadiums. However, with plenty of football still to play, now seemed a good a time as any to look back at the good, bad and ugly of football’s first return to normality on an international scale.  Winners: Italy Having been a notable absence from 2018’s FIFA World Cup, the Italians have regained their position among world footballs very best. Coming into the tournament, they had previously gone 27 games undefeated and have since increased this total to 30 - 5 shy of Brazil’s all time record (1993-1996). Incredibly, this run isn’t the mark of one incredible individual, but a team made of young stars and old war dogs set on returning their old school nation back to the top. 3 convincing wins out of 3 have placed Italy among the favourites to take it all the way.  Italy at Euro 2020 - thegaurdian.com Winners: Aaron Ramsey & Ga...

Unfortunately for fellow Brits like myself, the time has come for another major international tournament and if previous attempts are any indication, we’re in for another whole summer filled with good weather, cheap pints and another round of crushing disappointment. Some might gasp at that statement and point toward the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount, and Harry Kane as suitable talents to lead England to their first European Championship in 2021. However, with the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Wayne Rooney unable to produce on the international stage, I don’t give our boys much chance either. I know that’s a pretty negative note to start on but I have tried to remain positive. Gareth Southgate has assembled quite a side that (on paper) that looks poised for at least another visit to this years semi-final before obviously being quickly dismantled by the likes of France or Germany. Last weeks Champions League Final was a fine example of some of the talent that England po...