Football Daily - Monday Night Club: England Semi-Final Preview & Mbeumo joins Man United

Episode Date: July 21, 2025

Steve Crossman, Nedum Onuoha, Izzy Christiansen and Steph Houghton talk all-things Euro 2025, & we hear the latest transfer news.The team preview England’s semi-final against Italy and reflect on how they got there; was it resolve or luck against Sweden? Who really is England’s ‘wildcard’ Michelle Agyemang, and how did Lucy Bronze drag the Lionesses to victory?Plus, we hear from England boss Sarina Wiegman on Leah Williamson’s fitness, as well as Georgia Stanway on the squad coming together following the racist abuse that Jess Carter has suffered this summer.And finally, the MNC team react to Bryan Mbeumo joining Manchester United, and discuss Newcastle’s nightmare transfer window so far.Timecodes: 04:13 No-nonsense Lucy Bronze 16:41 Georgia Stanway on Jess Carter & racism 24:28 Sarina Wiegman on Williamson’s fitness 26:00 Do England have a defensive problem? 37:13 Michelle Agyemang interview 45:04 Mbeumo joins Manchester United 48:00 Newcastle’s nightmare windowBBC Sounds / 5 Live commentaries this week: Tue 2000 SF1 England v Italy, Wed 2000 SF2 Germany v Spain, Sun 1700 Euro 2025 Final.

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BBC Sounds music radio podcasts. On the Football Daily Podcast, the Monday Nightclub with Steve Crossman. Listen on BBC Sounds. Welcome to the Monday Nightclub Euro 2025 semi-final tomorrow night on 5 Live. England, Italy on air at 7, kick off full commentary at 8 o'clock. We've got a couple of lionesses with us tonight. Former captain Steph Houghton, Izzy Christensen. Hello guys. Good evening. How are we? Very well, thank you.

All good. All good, Steph. Evening guys. Hello. How are we? Very good. Thank you. Well, and this is the thing I was just saying actually to Nader Manu or how much that I was missing not being with him. And that was 24 hours ago and it's like, it's like the stars have aligned for us. Haven't they used to man? What?

A bromance, isn't it? Yeah. I'm third wheeling here in the studio stuff. I know is he actually helped you to be fair. You should have done. Do you know what? It's actually the opposite of that. I find that like when Nadam and Izzy are in the same room, because you know, we play football together sometimes, I sometimes feel like I'm on the outside looking in. No.

It's just how I feel. No, we're very welcoming, aren't we Izzy? Yeah, no clicks here. Yeah, no. Well, we'll get onto some of the old England clicking a little bit later. That's for sure. Right, before we do anything else, Steph,

24 hours out from England looking to get to a third straight major tournament final. Just how are you feeling about everything, about how England are right now? I think for me, we can take really great confidence of how we came back against Sweden, I think it was more of a semi-final that one I felt in terms of, I think I was quite confident if we beat Sweden that we would get to the final, of course, that's no disrespect to Italy, but I am really confident that we can really get

to this final on Sunday. So it's an amazing opportunity for us. I think we have to take some confidence from that performance in terms of that, especially the latter stages of the second half and going in extra time and the penalties. But I think with the quality that we have in comparison to Italy, I think we have some world-class players in our squad and this,

this team knows how to win. That's for sure. I can't wait. The shape of England off the back of extra time, penalties, the emotion, the drama, the blood, the sweat, the tears. I'm sure with tears were shed in happiness saw some scenes from the England dressing room afterwards online and yeah, rightly so massive celebrations. But knowing the players in that camp, they'll be, you know, push the reset button ready to go again. And all of a sudden we're back at match day minus one and they're poised. Yeah, absolutely absolutely and it's tough to not like believe in

them because if you look back at the last year-olds you know they won the whole thing you know they showed to us that they can do it and now in this instance they've done everything that they've needed to do to get to this point and even in that game against Sweden where we saw them at times suffer you know they found a way they made Sweden really uncomfortable and obviously you have the luxury of penalties at the end, but when you're a winner, why would you not take belief into that next game? And the next game is against the Italy side who will obviously make it tough, but you

know England have the quality. Will Barron Issy, we're going to zone in a little bit later on penalties in the round, both that shootout and the rest of the tournament, because a lot of people I think are talking about it. But in terms of the way England got through then, just from listening to you there, it won't matter that they needed a bit of luck, take the penalties out of it, the way that they scored those two late goals. They're not thinking about that. They're not thinking about, oh, goodness me, are we a bit fortunate to be here? No. And I think you can win things in different ways. And I think this England team have shown they've got a different side to

them. I think Euro 2022, they won the tournament and throughout the whole tournament, bar the first game against Austria at Old Trafford, they played some wonderful football. Like they were slicing through teams through the midfield, there's a really nice balance in the team and then we fast forward three years to where we are now and they're starting to win games in a different capacity. They're starting to win ugly. And I like that about the team and I know we're probably getting it on to Lucy Bronze but I think going to the penalty shootout without talking penalties yet, she won the first penalty by winning the coin toss and watching the game back yesterday and when she went, obviously she had the captain's armband because Williamson had gone off, she

takes the armband, she's then in with the referees for the coin toss. She won the coin toss and then the camera pans to her and she had this wry smile on her face. I saw that. I was thinking like we all know. She knew psychologically she had started. Because I think she won both tosses, didn't she? Because she was like she was looking at the players and going, guys I won both of them.

Yeah and it's just so typical Lucy to just win a coin toss something you have zero control over. She won a coin toss. She's competitive, isn't she? But that set a precedent. Yeah. I don't know if Steph, if it's changed since you were England captain or not, but the way it works now is and sometimes this can catch people out. I've noticed and I can understand why. There are two coin tosses. So you have the one for which end do you want it to be at and you have the one for do you want to go first or second? I never got to a penalty shoot out of such but obviously Izzy will know that before every

tournament there's so much preparation that goes into penalties in terms of the how you walk to the pen, how long you take, your routine from an individual point of view, but also like once the whistle goes, it's like, okay, do we get into huddle? Do people want individual time? So there's so much detail that goes into it. And I think obviously you do know that information when you are the captain, because you have to be zoned into that moment.

And for that moment, that was Lucy Bronze. And obviously that just kind of built a confidence of even more, she gets the goal goal that gets us back into it. Then also she has an unbelievable performance for the rest of the game to try and drive the team forward. And then she wins the coin toss, which psychologically can be an advantage. And I think at that moment in time, Sweden were on their knees. I think they made substitutions that were probably at the wrong time. And it really changed the momentum of the game.

They took two experienced players off and even though we made subs that were a positive I think they did exactly the same which turned out negative for them so I think it can be psychologically advantage and when you see it's probably Lucy Bronze who's been one of the best right backs defenders in the world for a number of years I think then you're probably thinking right okay the luck might be against us but I think in, Steve, you have to have luck in some way or other. You have to be able to try and perform, but ultimately you have to have luck and you have to have them players like Lucy Bronze that are going to kind of pull you through it.

Do you know what I've got to say? Like as we're speaking about this game now, as we get further and further away from the match just before, we're missing like a significant section of this because yes, she won both coin tosses, which is amazing. And I think as Steph was saying there with luck, I think luck gives you belief. But the goalkeeper folk had a chance to win a penalty shootout for Sweden with a fifth penalty, but it almost feels as if like, Oh, it was always going to be England because things were going their way. Like the following one as well. They had two penalties. Yeah, that's, that's literally, it sounds so negative, but like I say, that's like the reality of it because the story is almost right in itself.

Oh, and Lucy, she won the first one, she won the second one. And then I think she took the first penalty as well, smashed it into the top corner. Before you know it, the story gets away with you. But yeah, when I think about luck, I think that is what brings belief because if Lucy was like my captain and she was saying I've won both tosses, I'd be like, yeah, this is going to be our day. And you'd be amazed what that little 1% difference can make. But obviously then it still comes down to the pencil, doesn't it? It did make me think a little bit about going back to the men's Euros when England lost in the final at Wembley to Italy and you had, you know, Giorgio Chiellini in consecutive penalty shootouts. Was it Spain the one before that? I think it was in the, in the final at Wembley to Italy. And you had, you know, Giorgio Chiellini

in consecutive penalty shootouts. Was it Spain the one before that? I think it was in the semis. Looking over the moon to be at penalties. Do you know what I mean? Like that, just the facial expression, the difference it makes. It was fascinating.

Why do you reckon that was? Did he take one? I don't think he took one. That's probably why he's over there. There's another one. He's chill, because he's not got no responsibility. Lucy's thinking it doesn't get to her on seven. Oh hang on a minute.

She's thinking Chloe's won it already. Exactly. I had, so I'm amazed that you haven't had a penalty shootout Steph with England. I just sort of threw that out there assuming. No, I was trying to think back then and no, never. Obviously, probably the one that would have went to penalty shootouts, the World Cup in 2015 when we went extra time, but we won it in extra time. So thank God we didn't get to a penalty shootout. I would have been well nervous, to be honest. Will Barron Right. So we'll do the kind of the ins and

outs of the shootout, but I just feel like we've started talking about Lucy Bronze now. So let's just talk a bit more about Lucy Bronze. And I'm looking at both of you here, because obviously you've both been there throughout her career. But Izzy, you wrote a whole piece for The Times based on texting Lucy after the game, didn't you? I recorded a podcast with The Times and then we made the column as well. And it was basically about Lucy. And I don't know, I just texted her, obviously, like, you know, just to say, like, congrats and like, great penalty, you know, just bog standard text. And then I went to sleep that night, woke up the next morning and she text

back to me and she went, sometimes it just needs a good old smack down the middle. And I was thinking, yeah, you're spot on. And the way she took, obviously, we know what her penalty was like, but I don't think there are enough superlatives to describe her. I'm trying to give something different and something we haven't maybe heard about Lucy Bronze in the past week or so. But the one I can say, and Steph, I'm sure you can relate to this, is when you're in training, right, and you go into small small sided games at the end of training, which is pretty much a feature of every training session, highly competitive, and this is where Lucy Brown

just steps into her own. And when the gaffers put in the teams, putting you in bibs, if your name gets read out in the same sentence as Lucy Brown's and you're on her team, you can 99.9% surely say you are going to win this small this tournament. Why though? I don't know. I cannot put my finger on it.

No you need to explain that. What is that? She's a winner. I can't describe it. What does that mean? She blocks shots from close range that you don't think she's even going to get in front of. She pops up with goals. Like she will be the first to admit she isn't technically the most gifted footballer, but the way her game has adapted over the years, like she's always been a supreme athlete, a physical sort of animal, I'm sure she won't mind me saying that, like she's always been physically superior to many people, that's how she started out at right back.

And then the game physically caught up with her or other players caught up with her. So then she had to then adapt and evolve again and become technically better. So she kind of gone through this sort of ebb and flow of her career where she's and the way I look at her now is I think she's a she's still a physical animal and she's still dominating players who are in their prime in their twenties. And it's just that mentality to win. I, I, I was watching the game back against Sweden yesterday morning, um, cause I'm so sad. And I was like, she's doing runs, which you just don't know why she's doing it.

And, but it just adds an impetus to the game and injects the game with something in it. And it just sends a message to your teammates and go match my energy here. And we've got a chance and I can't really say any more about it. She's, she's blowing my mind at the moment the way she's playing football. Steph? I think for me, I think what Izzy's saying is correct, but I think like Nadam you touched on it there, like that physicality element is massive. I think if you can really like trust your body to be able to do the outputs that you do week in, week out,

where it's such a high level and know that you can do that better than anybody and better than your left winger. I think automatically then your confidence is better. And obviously some of that is innate in Lucy, like as a young athlete in the Northeast coming up through the ranks. Like I remember first meeting her, she came to Gateshead gym and back in the days Izzy,

when you used to have to go with England to go and train and do your weights at gym and you had to take yourself there. She'd come in and like, she was just very different to the rest and I've told this to Lucy, I was like, I didn't understand her. Not that I needed to understand her, but she was a bit different to like some me, Demi, Jill,

because we'd known each other for longer time. She'd just come in, did her work. If I was benching whatever 10, say, she would want to bench 15, just because it was always a competition to beat. Not that I benched her, I benched heavier Izzy. So, do it. I was gonna say, you're underselling yourself there.

Ben and Nedim as well, everybody, just saying. Yeah, yeah. Without that. But yeah, I think for me, like, as well, Izzy, you know the stupid runs that you're on about in terms of she just keeps going. Like as a right center half playing next to Lucy, you've just got to let her go

because she ain't coming back. And you've just got to let her do her thing and trust that she'll get back if she needs to. And I think at some points in this tournament, that's been a little bit from a defensive weakness for England that we've been exposed down there. But the exposure to what she did against Sweden that won us the game, the fact that she's in at that back post to get that header changed the game.

So I think for me Lucy will be the greatest ever right back for England. I think obviously she had a good mentor and Alex Scott who was fantastic, got loads of caps, 140 caps, and I know how well they work together. But I think in terms of all aspects of the game and the ability to win and win again and drag people with you is a bit of a special talent, if I'm being honest. Can we go back to Gateshead Gym, please, Steph? Because this just sounds, this sounds fascinating. So is this early in you meeting her then? Like how quickly after you meet her is she trying to beat you in the gym? Before she said hello or what? Yeah, so basically we all had an S&C coach and you had to

arrange your time and you had to go twice a week with England. So it was a must that you did in the England age groups. She would have been probably under 15s and me and Jill, Carly might have been under 17s and under 19s. So you just had to go in, do your weights and then maybe a bit of conditioning and go. And I can always just remember like, she walked in, I think I was sitting on the bench or something and I was going, you all right Lucy? Like you okay?

Cause I thought, oh, she's a young player, like make her feel better. She went, yeah, I'm fine. And I went, right, okay, that's fine. So she's just cracked on with our session, got her stuff done and I was like, you know what? I respect it. Like, and that's where you you kind of just thinking, okay,

there's something different about this girl. Not in a like arrogant or anything other way. It was just like, okay, I just want to do my work and I want to go. And like, as we develop through the England age groups and like, obviously she become a person I really confided in when I was captain because she gave different views.

And I think it's so important as a leader to be able to get views from different people and allow them to lead in a different way. And yeah, I mean, I speak to her now and again, just to say, well done. Obviously the same as Izzy just in terms of the pen, but also the fact that she pulled the team through that, to be honest.

I think sometimes when you want luck, you have a lot of quality in there as well. And it's who's going to up, and she certainly did. Her header as well against Sweden has got England back in the game, and that was what kind of dragged England out the ashes. And the other thing about Lucy as well is like over the course of her career,

she's had a lot of injuries, and she's sort of had chronic knee pain for a long period of time. She's had, I think, two ACLs, She's had a lot of meniscus surgery. So she's constantly sort of fought back and almost defied the odds of the number of knee injuries she's had and the type of player she is and the way she plays to sort of perform at this level where she is still surpassing so many people who she shouldn't be surpassing in the game physically.

Her output is ridiculous. And she's also off the back of a season, her first season at Chelsea, second season, first season, can't remember. But she played pretty much every game for Chelsea last season, like in the WSL and the amount of games I covered last season. And she's just, her output in domestic games is ridiculous. And she's just doing the same, if not more in an England shirt. It's just incredible. So we've got loads more to come on England versus Italy. And we can now hear from our first interview. So Serena Vigman and Georgia Stanway both been speaking to our team in Geneva in the last sort of 15 or 20 minutes. We'll talk about matters on the pitch in a moment.

Over the weekend, you might have seen that Jess Carter posted a statement that she had received racial abuse during the tournament. She said, Well, I feel every fan is entitled to their opinion on performance and result. I don't agree or think it's OK to target someone's appearance or race. As a result of this, I'll be taking a step back from social media and leaving it to a team to deal with. Let's hear from one of her teammates then. Here's Georgia Stanway. It's horrendous. It's really difficult because we will never understand, but we want to create an environment where Jess feels safe and yeah, we want her to be able to tell us in those

moments where she is experiencing something because as a collective we can be so powerful in order to try and make change and that's exactly what we've done now and it's not only about Jess thinking about herself, she's thinking about other players, she's thinking about the next generation and I think yeah it's such an unselfish thing to do to be able to talk about something that you're going through in order to try and make change at the end of it. These clearly aren't real fans because I guess the risk of any thing like this is that it could impact performance. But is that a concern for you? Or do you think it could actually bring the team closer together?

Yeah, it brings the team closer together. I think it's super important as individuals that we can be vulnerable with each other, we can be open and honest. Yeah, if anything, it brings us closer together because we've got support, we've got everybody behind everything. Even in terms of the staff,

in terms of everybody at the FA, everybody's united as a collective in order to make something happen. Why choose not to take the knee? Because there are some of course who feel that's been a very powerful gesture against racism. Yeah we feel like it's gone past that now and we feel like it's still happening even though we are taking the knee and we've decided that we will stand and we will not do that. We think that that's a way of making change in itself because we want to get people talking. We want to tell people that what is being done isn't enough.

Will Barron That's Georgia Stanway speaking to our sports editor, Dan Rowan. So just a couple of extra lines on this. Serena Vigman in her press conference was asked about Jess Carter said she's ready to compete and perform tomorrow night. She said, we have had conversations about whether or not she was going to play. Jess is a very strong person. She wants to move on too. She also felt, so did we, that we had to address this. You can't just let it go. So that's what Serena Vigman said. And you've just heard from Georgia Stanway, we've got Nader Manouar, Steph Horton and Izzy Christensen all with us on the Monday nightclub. There's a complicated situation and complicated decisions as well, Izzy, specifically related to the decision that they've made that they're now not going to take the knee.

Izzy Christensen Yeah, and I think it's powerful. I like the unity, I like the stance that they're choosing to take. And I think the fact that they have changed their stance on not taking the knee to standing ahead of tomorrow's fixture, I think, sends a message in itself. It's clearly, you know, not very nice at all for anyone to hear what Jess Carter has been going through this tournament. And obviously we're not just talking about Jess Carter. It's systemic in football, systemic in sport and obviously it needs change. And I personally think I know that it's been split opinion for what for what the England team are going to do tomorrow night. But for me personally, I think it's a brilliant idea.

I think it resembles unity with Jess and also as a team. And I think it's also a really clean message that has come across without much noise, if you like, not much kind of controversy about it. I think it's really clean message that has come across without much noise. If you like not much kind of controversy about it. I think it's really clean message. Um, the statement that the Lioness has put out on their pages, I think, you know, resembles a really clear message. And I think, you know, ultimately you don't want any distractions going into the game. You want to stay, say your stance, stay, say where you stand as a team and you

want to move on with your preparations. And I think the England team have done that. I think the communications to the outside out of their camp has been brilliant. And I think what they're going to do tomorrow night will send a really powerful statement. I mostly agree. I mostly agree because I'm all for this united message as such. And I think the way you just said there about how there was like a split in the camp, about what the right thing to do is, I think in some ways that's a good thing to have diversity of thought about situations which matters to people. Because it's not

a case of somebody doesn't care and somebody does. It's more a case of well how can we do this in the best way? I think that sort of spread of thought is good. My only concern is if for example tomorrow Italy decide to stand as well, then when the game is about to start, it looks like nothing's happening. So as a consequence, it no longer is a conversation starter. Like it's just dead and buried because on the assumption that for example, that everybody's going to see that press release, so everyone's going to see the social media pages. I think that's in some ways, in my opinion, like slightly naive because essentially what people will see if they're going to be watching the game

is what happens at the start. So I think the conversation is probably bigger when they're doing something which is different to the norm within football. So I think standing conversation is probably bigger when they're doing something which is different to the norm within football So I think standing kind of is unfortunately I would say that the narration from the commentators will certainly paint a powerful photo is a picture as well Because they'll commentate Jerry they have been doing already though, which they they they do when the players take the knee There is the backup communication from commentators worldwide to say The players will now take the knee. Yeah in a stance against racism

Yeah So the fact that the players are going to be standing Will 100% still be alluded to by the commentators, which I think is enough for listeners and viewers I know and see and understand I hope so It's a really tricky situation because I know lots of people have so many different perspectives on it And I think Georgia was very good in speaking saying she never knows what it will feel like but still appreciating how much it could hurt. I think the fact that they're

all coming together, rallying around to support Jess is a huge thing in itself and as is the problem with things which are so broad like this it's very hard to find the solution. Like everyone wants one and believes there should be one but there isn't one because the amount of people who can be involved in it on like a wider scale is so varied that you don't know the best way to reach someone in particular. But I think the fact that they have acknowledged the fact that it's not just about protest and you need action, but then I still think you need to be able to present

protest to continue a conversation. And those conversations themselves aren't necessarily to the adults who are watching. Sometimes it's to younger people who are seeing something for the first time, who wanna ask, well, what does this mean? What are they trying to do and so on? when you learn that lesson, I think that's when it can sort of matter the most because this is something now which does lead to change. Because

as you know, as we're all hard-earned adults here, most of us won't really change our positions on anything, but the young people, they're growing, they're evolving, they're starting to understand the world in a different manner. And I think as long as the England ladies are thinking about that, then for me, it's absolutely perfect. I think you've as the England ladies are thinking about that, then for me it's absolutely perfect. I think you've both done a fantastic job then of illustrating how complicated it is. But it also resembles the toxic fan culture that does exist in our game. Because if we go back to the Men's Euros, the final against Italy in 2020, the players who received significant racial abuse online was Bukai Osaka, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.

And it wasn't because they scored their penalties, it was because they missed them. Now you should back a player whether they miss or score, you should back a player whether their performance is exceptional, whether their performance is, you know, subpar, it's normal for an athlete to have to underperform in a match. And I would imagine the abuse against Jess Carter has come because people deemed her to have underperformed in a certain game, but actually she's doing her best. And that should not warrant in any way what she's received. And she should not have to go to that major tournament, which is the

pinnacle of your career, that you have to receive that damage. And I hope that she doesn't see any more of it. And I hope she can continue and fight back and prove how good she is, because that's the biggest message in itself. And also it just needs to stop in the game. There's some horrible people out there and the fact they send these messages, social media platforms have to do better. Mason- Great to hear from Serena Vigman in her press conference that Jess Carter feels ready to compete, ready to perform and that she wants to be able to move on for this whilst addressing it at the same time. And I think as we've just said, you've heard from all of the Lionesses and the manager in the words that they have chosen. They've chosen them

very, very carefully and from the sounds of it, Jess Carter is in a good place, which is all that matters. Let's turn our attention to the football itself then and we can hear from Serena Vigmen on the availability of her captain. Well, you never know if someone can play the whole 90 but she's fit enough and is available for tomorrow. How much of an encouragement is that? I mean, obviously huge. Yeah, of course. Well, you want the whole team to be fit. And of course, Lya's our captain and you want her to be available. She did everything to be available.

And she was on the pitch today. She could do the session. So that's very good news. Not going to ask you about what your starting lineup's going to be. But in terms of team selection, have you had more headaches going into this one, given that the performance against Sweden wasn't, for many parts of the game, as much as you would have wanted it to be? I don't agree with you with that. I think the first 25 minutes were not good.

I think after that, I think we played pretty good. We just, we created two, three chances. And of course Sweden could just be, you know, they didn't have to go forward. And in the counter-attack, they kept being really dangerous. But as soon as we start scoring a goal then they were struggling too. So I didn't think we started not good but I didn't think we played so bad as everyone says and came back really really powerful. Of course before every other new game we have headaches because the team's doing well and individuals are doing really well

contributing so tomorrow again we'll bring in the starting line-up which we think that's the best starting line-up for the team. And we know when something is necessary and tactical or someone needs to get off that we know we have players that are really ready to come on and make a difference for the team. Right. Izzy, if England have got an issue, have got a concern, is it in defence? Is it about being vulnerable to pace? Where are the areas where we have a question mark? Well, never going to be perfect ever. The deeper you get into a tournament, you know, the harder things get in terms of opposition, shape of the team, injuries come into play, form, the physical kind of demands

catch up with you. It's all about piecing the squad together and getting you ready for the next one and obviously Italy are ahead tomorrow night. A very interesting opponent. I do think England's vulnerabilities remain the same as they did at the start of the tournament that we spoke about against France, that were exploited against France, which seems like a long time ago now. But no, it's definitely the pace at the back, the transitional moments, exploiting that area sort of in between left-sided centre-back, left-back. I think England have done really well at dealing with that. And like I said, it's not necessarily, we're talking about two top players that play in those positions that have done for the whole

tournament, Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood. It's just that there are other teams who have had huge assets on that right-hand side that have exploited England or they've manipulated that the opposition manipulated their 11s to exploit that because they can't necessarily see another weakness in the English side. So how Italy will attack that area is a huge question mark because I don't think Italy have got the pace to do damage there. I hope I'm correct. But yeah, I think that's where England will still lie with a bit of an issue in terms of selection and shape of the team in terms of who's fit, who's not fit. But intrigued to see the start of Levin

tomorrow night. Will Barron I mean, she doesn't like changing the team, does she Steph? So you've got to feel like bronze, Williamson, Carter, Greenwood, probably? Steph H Yeah, I think so. And obviously, with everything that's gone on with Jess Carter from on the pitch, but also off the pitch, I think she will back her tomorrow. I personally think that. I do agree with Izzy in some parts, but I do think that England as a team have impressed the greatest in this tournament and I think that's what leaves us a little bit vulnerable, especially against the better teams. Izzy, I don't know what you think in terms of the midfield.

I think from a physical point of view, I think we've been lacking. I look at Sweden in terms of what they did with the likes of Angadal. Aslani was very, very clever, and Sweden were very clever in putting the press towards our left-hand side and really kind of manipulating

and kind of putting a trap, which every team does. England probably put a trap on Sweden in the sense of probably pressing from the right-hand side, but because they had a lot more control, it made us defensively weaker. And for me, I was just thinking about this before I came on. I was like, right, okay, yeah, it's Piers' problem, but I look at Jess Carter.

Jess Carter's fast. Liam Williamson's fast. Lucy Brown's fast, Liam Williamson's fast, Lucy Brown's fast, Alex Greenwood is very, very good at reading the ball and can get a body in between the ball and the play. So is it necessarily a physical point of view from the back four, or is it more of how England set up in general to cope with then transitions,

but also be ready to think actually, when we are so expansive and we're building up, are we actually thinking what happens if I lose the ball? Because the first goal against Sweden is a prime example. We are so spread but actually we're not thinking what if I'm more focused on attacking, I'm more thinking okay I might get the next two or three passes but actually in that moment the player on the ball loses the pass then Sweden go and score, Salani scores a great goal. So for me I think that we've seen a lot of that this tournament and this is not for me to be negative

because against Italy, we should have a lot of joy with the ball in terms of they like to press to a point but when you get them running back to their own goals, they don't want to defend and they don't want to be compact. So I think it's something we could definitely work on but ultimately we have a lot of players in the higher positions that are able to win us the games. Yeah, absolutely. And do you know, as you were talking then, the two of you, I was like

thinking back to when I first started playing and when you would be say potentially building out from the back, you're far less expansive than you are today because it was more a case of like that anxiety. Well, what if this goes wrong? What if this goes wrong? And then that sticks in your mind so much that like you stop it from going right because people won't be in the right positions further forward. You know, they don't make the pitch as really as big as possible. It's like big ish, but you know, just in case this guy turns it over, I'm going to just drift back here. And I think as times pass,

I think style of styles of play in my opinion, to certain weaknesses because if you're a team that wants to be really like spread their field out, make people as wide as possible, if you do lose it, you are quite open. And that's when you hope that the teams that you play against don't have players, say like a Black Stenius, say like other players for France, for example, who can hit you, Baltimore can hit you in transition. If you do have that, then that's the risk that you run. But the fact is, as you step out there, do you want to try and win the game where you're worried about losing the game? Well, that's the way Sweden started. They, they, if you, if you freeze frame where Keira

loses, well say Keira doesn't lose the ball, but she's pressed. If you freeze frame it and you look at our two offensive midfielders in Stanway and Toon. If Keira's pass is successful that she attempts, we are absolutely out, evaded the press and on the front foot. And then you go, okay, what could have happened in that moment? But you talk about risk and reward, a fine line. It was literally the width of a toe that then led to a goal and the clinical nature of Aslani. Sorry Steph, you're jumping. No, go on. My point, you know, when you say about the two midfielders, Izzy, I think for me, we're a bit naive that both go. I think because Kieran was more towards the left,

I don't know whether it was Georgia or Tooney, then I'm all for them being really advanced and going actually like if I can get on the half turn, I'm at the back four. Whereas I think we've seen a little bit in the France game where because Lauren James is so attacked by me and in that 10 position she was more attached to the back line than she was to Kira so we left quite a lot of space so I think I get what you're saying in terms of yes we want to advance and yes we've got to take risks like Ned I'm saying the way that we speak I mean we can speak about Man City is he when we first joined like it was all expansive and we're like oh my god like I'm out of my comfort zone,

I shouldn't really be here, I'm outside the width of the box, like KB shouting for us to get back in, I'm just like, yeah, but the manager's telling us to be here. Like all these things are going through your head and you've got to throw that in, on top of playing in a quarterfinal for your country.

So there's so many like, kind of, how do I say it? There's different like aspects of the game that you've got to think about in one moment when someone's got the ball. And Nedim, I think what you're saying, you've got to trust that person in the ball. But also you've got to kind of, even though you've got the confidence in them,

I'm thinking, oh my God, what happens if this does shut down? That's your older football brain kicking in. You know what I mean? Are you saying I'm old? I said older football brain. All right. I said older football brain.

I see where you're coming from now. But say for you two, and I'll start with you Izzy actually. Do you know, we talk about this being England's floor. What would you say Spain's biggest floor is defensively? Same. That's my point. Paredes and Carmona getting forward. And that's the point. She's like a bull in a china shoparedes and Carmona getting forward. And that's the point.

She's like a bull in a china shop going forward, Carmona, and then Paredes struggles on the transition. And that's the best team in the world. I think when it comes down to it from a football standpoint, I think at times you try and solve every problem, but there are some styles of play which you'll go towards, which will lead you to be potentially susceptible in another way. But it's not to say that it should limit you to a point where you can't be successful because as we just mentioned there,

England's biggest floor arguably is the same as the world champions who many people see as one of the best teams that we've seen in women's football. So sometimes you just got to accept that's what it's going to be, I guess. Yeah, that's kind of what I meant at the start. Like it's, we're talking about two quality players

in inverted commas, England's weakest area of the pitch. But then you put Alex Weimert into an offensive position where she's got probably one of the best left- weakest area of the pitch. But then you put Alex Wemmard into an offensive position where she's got probably one of the best left-foot in the game. Her impact in the offensive area, but also like Steph alluded to, her reading of the games is outrageously good. And she's able to get herself out of a lot of duels

because she reads the game so well. Yeah. I think as well, I think for me in that moment where we go one-nil down against Sweden, I think sometimes it's okay to kind of like, right, okay, I might have to give myself a little bit of a yard here, just to kind of just steady the ship a little bit,

but we kept on trying to like, because the girls are so honest and they wanna kind of implement this game plan that they've done for a number of years now, sometimes I think you have to just be like, okay, is my body shape right? Do I know where she is? Are we working together as a partnership?

Are we actually doing what we're supposed to do? Are we being compact in this area? And I think it is going back down to basics and yeah, it might be a little bit old school, but I think you look at how Lucy Bronze turned that performance because she did old school things. She literally tackled hard. She ran hard and she hit the penalty really hard. So, unbelievably, she changed the game.

102 miles an hour or kilometers? Kilometers. Like it's steady on, is it? Never in Lucy that'll be the next target. Italy, Italy, don't worry me. The only thing that worries me is their unpredictability. In what sense would you mean? Okay I covered their first game I think you did as well Nedim. Yeah I covered a few of their games. The one-upsmanship is reliable isn't it? You can smile you know Nedim. I'm smiling don't worry about it. I was really unimpressed in the first game. And I will say they have grown into the tournament. They do have a real unity about them.

I think they are so vulnerable physically. So vulnerable. And I think if England play their game, executed right to the standard that we know, I think it could be... Totally agree. I totally agree. And I'm a believer that England could dominate them. And I think England perform be. Totally agree. I totally agree and I'm a believer that England could dominate them and I think England perform anywhere near their best. The game won't be comfortable as such but it'll be one whereby you can give a nod and say yeah I think they're

ready for the final. I think there'll be quite a lot of gamesmanship going on. On the Italian side? Oh yes. You're off on the English side now? No. No we want to get it done. Okay. Keep the tempo of the match high. Well, there we go. Yeah, state of the game definitely plays a factor, but I think there will be a very large proportion of the game, which will be frustrating for England if the Italians get their way. Get closer to the action with live commentary from the world's greatest sporting events on BBC sound. It is all over. Bulls. Closer to the action with live commentary from the world's greatest sporting events on BBC Sound.

It is all over! Balls, cross edge, ball behind. Including cricket, Super League, Women's Euros 2025, Wimbledon, Formula One and much more. It's all lights to the lights, and foot to the floor. Oh what a dunnit! Drop shot! Winner! On Five Sports Extra, Sports Extra 2 and Sports Extra 3. Listen, only on BBC Sound. We've got an interview with Michelle Aguimang who's been labelled England's wild card or an agent of chaos. She came off the bench

and scored that crucial goal in England's game against Sweden and she's been speaking to Jor Kurri. How does she deal with the spotlight? It's weird I think you know like especially when I was younger I wasn't really the biggest fan of like cameras and just stuff around me but you know I think it comes with the game and it's nice to know that people are interested in the women's game and in me, so you know, it's nice, so it's a privilege and I like it. You're very calm. Thank you. Is that actually how you are most of the time? I think, yeah, I get it from both my parents, you know, my dad's very calm, very friendly,

my mum's exactly the same, so I got that off them, which is good. So there's no ego yet, they're not letting you grow too big or anything like that? No, never, which is good, I think it's good to stay grounded. So you're sat on the bench, England are obviously not doing very well. Serena points to you and says, get warmed up, you're going on. What's going through your mind? Just to go and change the game, like, for her to have that confidence and trust to say, like, we want to put you on. So it gives me that confidence as well that I can go and do something.

So I was excited to, like, warm up, but also trying to get in the zone you know like this is a serious moment. So yeah I was excited but also ready and fired up. What did she say? Literally just go and get us a goal? I mean she gave us a note I didn't see it but she didn't really say much like you know that there's a task at hand you don't even need to say anything we know what we need to do and I think we executed that well. You talk about the note this note that went around the pitch has become quite viral, did you know what was on it? I believe it was just a formation change but who knows? I don't know, you know notes are

quite funny to me especially when people come and read it from the other team but I don't really know what was going on, I was just ready to go and make an impact. You've come such a long way in such a short space of time. If I take you back to October 2021, you were a ball girl for the Lionesses when they played Northern Ireland at Wembley. What are your memories of that night? That was my first time at Wembley and first time being a ball girl for England.

So it was crazy, you know, like, seeing the girls like so close to my face and like, I think Beth got a hat trick that day. So to be a part of that experience was invaluable and I'll never forget it. To see them and be so close to them was crazy at that time. To have gone through the England pathway and the set-up and everything and then to know that I am where I am today is a great blessing and a privilege to be here. What else do you like doing away from football? What's important to you?

So I play a couple of instruments. I play the piano, the bass, guitar and the drums. Currently here I have my piano in my room so I spend a lot of time in there just playing, chilling. You have a full baby piano in your room? 88 keys, full sized, but not a grand piano. Oh my god that's amazing! When did you start playing? I'm not entirely sure when but I started off playing the guitar and then I guess being in the round church like playing the piano was just yeah it

was right in front of me so I thought why not let's try this and yeah I enjoyed it. How important is something like that to get your mind out of you're at the Euros as you know it's a lot of pressure there's a big spotlight the fact you can go back to your room you've got this piano waiting for you we can just zone out how does that help you? I think it's very important. I don't think there's a day that I go without playing it because it's right in front of me. And especially on game days, I probably spend about two hours just playing, just enjoying ourselves because like it's night games, you know, nine o'clock, six o'clock. So there's a lot of time within the day to just

chill. And that's what I spend my time doing. A brilliant interview. All the interviews that Joda's are great, but that was fantastic. Michelle Agyemang, who is 19 years old, by the way. Like, she's 19. So we've got Nadim Manoa, Steph Horton, Izzy Christensen with us. There's loads of interesting stuff in there. But I do just want to start with this is one of the things I love about Nadim is you never get everything from Nadim Manoa. You never get it all. Like over the course of 20 seasons, he will just give you a little something extra. And every so often there's a season finale. And we've just had a season finale listening to that where you revealed that you used to be in the band and played bass guitar. Yeah, it's just when she mentioned it. Like these things don't

just, I don't play anymore, but shout out to Seb, to Andy, and to Liam as well. They got me into it. Oh wait, did you support all the artists? Not that Liam though, this was more in the sort of like new metal era when I was a part of that, but yeah it's great fun. New metal? Yeah my friend. Listen, you'd be very surprised. What like Less Than Jake? That kind of, where were we?

Harder. Linkin Park? Harder. Lincoln Park. Harder. You played bass guitar in a hard new metal band. While you were playing for Man City? No, no, this is when I was in high school. This is, yeah, I'm a little bit older than you, so it's different times, different era.

Nah, one four evident. Folk, listen, be careful what you wish for. Could've, right? No, wish for that? Don't be careful. No, no, no, we're all good, it's not about me anyway, it's about Michelle, shout out to Michelle. Okay, name of the band, are you allowed to tell us? No, no, no, let's not do that. Okay, come on. Let's not for that. No, no, no. Don't be careful. We're all good. It's not about me anyway.

It's about Michelle. Shout out to Michelle. Okay. Name of the band? Are you allowed to tell us? No, no, no. Let's not do that. Okay.

Come on. Let's not do that. No, no. We won't do that. We won't do that. But shout out to those guys. Good guys. Really good guys.

Brilliant. Right. So first thing on the actual interview. At major tournaments, Steph and Izzy, obviously, what has been the strangest home away from home things that you've seen? Cause full size piano with Michelle Aguimont, to me that must be up there. Must be nice. It must be nice.

Yeah. Yeah. Serious career. She did say piano, didn't she? Yep. Yeah. 19 year old first tournament. Can I bring my piano, Serena? I just, I just don't know? Yeah. Yeah. 19 year old first tournament. Can I bring my piano, Serena?

I just, I just don't know. Yeah. FaceTime you've been selected. I'll come, but. Rider. Can I take my piano with me? Yeah. Anyway, she was very impressive. Steph, wasn't she? Michelle, I give you a hand. Yeah. I've loved this tournament. I think when she got selected, there was obviously a lot of conversations around a lack of experience, but I think when she got selected, there was obviously a lot of conversations around a lack of experience, but I think you have to give these young players opportunities to really embrace being part of a tournament, being like part of a squad and being ready. And I think the times that she's been able to come on, she has really made a difference. I think the first one was obviously against France and she helped us get the goatee, Kievis Skorin,

because she was a little bit of a handful against the centre halves, but she pretty much did that against Sweden as well, I think. And for me, I liked the fact that she just had no fear. And sometimes when you're a young player, you overthink the situation, but actually the fact that you haven't even read

the formation and the note just shows that it doesn't really matter, I'm still gonna go on and do my job and physically, she's a handful and I think it time at that time in the game against Sweden especially we needed someone to Make it difficult for Bjorn and Ericsson because at that time they were defending really excellent excellently against crosses runners Rousseau especially and we weren't anything, but the moment that she comes on and you have somebody else to handle as a centre half, that's really tough.

And I think even just being in the right place at the right time and not really giving up when the cross comes in and Beth challenges, being aware to be able to react, it's a big moment for her and she's going to be a superstar. And this next season is going to be really important, whether she stays at Arsenal or she goes out somewhere else, she needs to go and play her and, and really show us what she's about.

How old is Alessia Russo? 25 maybe? So do you think Serena will ever see her as being somebody to challenge it? Or do you think someone to compliment her? That's the thing, it's interesting isn't it? It's so interesting. Alessia Russo needed somebody close to her, like Stef said, in the Sweden game. And that's how the goal happened.

The equaliser. Russo, she's the first contact on the cross. And German's there to tap it in. Great little finish. So yeah, how the England team evolves, I don't know. I mean, I know it's going to be a post-tournament chat, but it's just such an interesting job that she's in right now and how she's used. Oh my God.

19 year old will lose it. Go on, save the nation. Of course you do. Yeah. Let's do a bit of men's football then because it's just been confirmed that Brian and Burmo is a Manchester United player. £65 million deal finalised this evening. A couple of quotes from him coming through.

As soon as I knew there was a chance to join United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams, the team whose shirt I wore growing up. Oh, you're right, is it? Yeah. How long has the speculation been going on? Like a while. Yeah. A while. Discuss then. I mean, obviously he's a heck of a player. Manchester United have signed loads of good players on paper and it hasn't worked out for them. So do you think Mbembo is different? He certainly offers something different. In that, here we go again, Amram system, where does he play? Is he one of the wide front three?

Don't say here we go again, we haven't even started the season yet. No, I know, but it's going to happen, isn't it? It's going to happen. Like, let's just, it's going to happen. Where does he play? Does he play off the left? Does he play down the middle? Does he play off the right in that sort of narrow front three? Where does Mateusz Kunja come into it? Which I think is a player who United fans would be very excited. What do you think is the answer to that? One right, one left and then someone else through the middle? You could do. You certainly could do those narrow forwards fit that system better. I

think he's a great sign. Mbembo was a great sign for United. It's just how the environment that he steps into, the team dynamics, how is he gonna operate? Is he gonna be competing with Hoiland? Is he gonna be playing to the side of Hoiland? But yeah, it's a good solid sign in a player who's certainly proved himself in the league. Yeah, I would agree.

And I was actually, believe it or not, I actually speak with Stamandaev off air. Yeah, I actually do that. And he was making his point about Mbembo, Mbembo. And like, he was saying, yeah, but the price and this, that and the other. And I thought for me, realistically, for the position United are in right now,

they don't really have a solid foundation to be building true success in this particular moment. So Dave was talking about all the alternatives that are similar type players who you could get for less, who come from different leagues and so on and I thought in this moment now you probably need some people who are aware of the league itself aware of how United stand within it and aware of the expectation that comes with being there in this particular moment because the other side for example because you've

said himself Hoylan huge potential but it's not really worked out at the moment but I think they need something to work out now and then as they build for the future some of those younger players and younger, bigger prospects who can maybe take two, three years to develop, then great. But they're not there now. And I think we've gotten Cunha, we've gotten in Bermo. Like those are steps in the right direction for United, because I think even for us now, we can anticipate what they'll look like

playing for them, which I think is a positive as opposed to some of the other signings where you wonder how will they fit in first at United and secondly, adapt in the league as well. And I know Steph, this is a Middlesbrough fan asking a Sunderland fan. It's two of us here by the way, you be very careful now. About Newcastle. But I think if I was a Newcastle fan, hearing this news about a player that they wanted, on the same day as they hear the news about Hugo Ekatike, Liverpool have agreed to pay £68 million for him, another player that Newcastle wanted. I would be getting pretty worried right now because their summer, Newcastle's summer, is beginning to turn into

a little bit of a nightmare and obviously if they keep Alexander Iczak that changes things, but that hasn't happened yet. No, I think the moment that he's probably been left out of that friendly against Celtic, I think that's a bit of a telling sign, if I'm being honest, no matter what. Hey, don't say that you, Joel Linton, wasn't there either. Don't start any controversy. Yeah, but hang on. But Eddie Howe did say that- Everybody else is saying it. Yeah. Eddie Howe said that he didn't, that Isaac missed the friendly because of all of

the noise. So- That's what I mean. So they made made a bigger issue out of it really. If he was just there, then nobody would really say anything. That's just my opinion. But I feel as though I think Eddie Howe said himself in terms of summer, it hasn't been great with a lot of changes behind the scenes

in terms of players with deals, getting targets in. And we know how crucial Isaac is to Newcastle. And obviously the target of having another striker there to kind of help Isaac along the way potentially going to Liverpool is big news because you know how hard it is to get a striker you look at Arsenal and how long they've taken to get a number nine and they've not got that one in yet so they're going to be for a lot of money for the top quality ones that are going to guarantee you 20 plus goals in a season. So I think obviously not a Newcastle fan, but if I was a Newcastle fan, I'd be worried at this moment in time in terms of the next few weeks and how that's all going to play out.

Last one then Izzy, right? On this, staying with Newcastle. Other names we could add to the list, players that they wanted went elsewhere. João Pedro, Chelsea, Liam de Lapp, Chelsea. Cunha Manchester United was one at one point as well. Hoyson, Real Madrid. Yeah. Which also makes the point I was going to ask you about. Have they got an issue in that these are the kind of players that they need to improve themselves,

but those players are always going to choose these other clubs? Wow. Are they not? Well, there's a lot of directions you can point that toward and like Luke Edwards and The Telegraph, he wrote a great piece on the current situation, exactly what we're talking about here, about Newcastle. I look at it from the outside, I love what Newcastle do, I love what they're doing. It's a very crucial window in order to sustain the charge that they're lookingle do. I love what they're doing. It's a very crucial window in order to sustain the charge that they're looking to do. They're looking to disrupt the top four. And there

are other teams in that bracket who are trying to do the same. So they need to improve their squad year on year. So does everyone. I love what they do. I think they've got one of the best coaches in the league in Eddie Howe, it developing players. It's they've obviously got Anthony Alanga through the door, which I think is a brilliant sign in. But they need more. They do need to add more to that to sustain that charge. Whether that's, you know, you look into things like

geography of where Newcastle is compared to Manchester. There's nothing wrong with that. I love the Northeast by the way. I think it's a totally valid point. I think it's a beautiful region. Belt River region of our country. And now we've got a tiny little derby East by the way. Yeah, no, I think it's a totally valid point. I think it's a beautiful region, belt river region of our country. And now we've got a time where Derby back in the league. Brilliant.

You're right though. Bruno Gimres, Tanali, Gordon, Harvey Barnes, so many top players at that club and they just need to add layers to it. And I wouldn't necessarily say if I was a Nuka fan, I'd be worried, but you would wanna see positive activity over the next two weeks rather than negative activity. Yeah, it's what's been on the location side of things.

You then get the feeling that whoever goes up there, they're desperate to be there. Do you know, you look at the way that like, Gil Mares and Joel Linton and so on, once they buy into that region, in a manner that you probably wouldn't have expected from say like a Brazilian and so on. So that narrows the recruitment.

Of course. Because it's a certain type of player. Of course, of course. And you're so right. You know what I mean? Of course. And I think the... Do you think it narrows it a lot?

I think that's really interesting. No, I think... You're buying into a culture that's different. Which is a good thing. Sometimes people want the sort of Dean's Gate of Manchester vibe. Sometimes what's the posh places in London? I don't know. Chelsea.

I don't know. I couldn't tell you Steph. Chelsea, innit? You know, you either want that lifestyle or you want to get stuck into the North East, humility, and you see that in the way that Newcastle plays football. Big market, key side. 100%. What's the lovely place up by the beach? It's Siem, Siem is called. Yeah, I played with QPR from 2012 to 2018 and when we were in the Premier League for those first

two, three years, there were players who were playing for QPR because it was in West London. Just think on that. They wanted to play in the Premier League, but they wanted to live in London. That is a thing. It's very much a thing. The football, I enjoyed my time there, but there were people coming from Champions League campaigns who now live 10 minutes away from Harrods who were delighted with themselves, you know. Whereas with Newcastle, it's the club, it's the area, it's everything.

The identity of the city is built, as was Sunderland, built around the football club. So when you're coming there, like, it's a different experience. And what I would say in terms of those players that they all went for, I think there'll be other teams who also missed out on those targets who've fallen away from this conversation. If it was Newcastle and other team

for all these different players and every player chose the other team, I'd be more concerned. But for now, this is unfortunately just the transfer market with top players. I think that's a nice way to reframe it, Steph, as well, is the geography point is clearly absolutely fair enough. And I understand there are lots of people who want to be in London and that kind of thing.

No worries. Or somewhere like Manchester, which is a much bigger city. However, what the North East of England has got, and especially Newcastle, you have to say, is the biggest city there, is what Naiden was talking about. It's got that vibe of somewhere if you go there, you will have a different experience and it can be just as all-encompassing and it can be just as something which takes over your life, but just in a different way. Yeah and I think for any football player you want to be loved and you want to be liked and when you go to the North East, like as soon as you're going to represent a club like Newcastle or Sunland, the fans are just desperate to do well.

Or Middlesbrough, sorry Steve. It's a bit further south, I don't know where from where I live there. Oh, your lines breaking up. Yeah. Well, my point is I think to say what Nedim's saying, it's like the fanatics and all they wanna do and they live the football club,

no matter what day it is, they're speaking about the club, they're speaking about the next game, the previous game and that's the vibe when you get to the North East and I think you look at the likes of Bruno for Newcastle like everybody loves him because he just shows passion he shows like he wears his heart on his sleeve and he's the captain of the football club and that's all they want to do so yeah I understand the differences but yeah North East is a great place to be. From a footballing, sorry, quick, from the footballing perspective, I personally love the way Newcastle play and I can't see how watching them play, you would want to play for them.

I think, I think they're so exciting to watch. I think they've got some class players and I just love what they do. So there we go. Said my piece. I suppose that the reason I think it's especially interesting now is, like you said, it's a massive window for them. But also, you would think this is the moment when Newcastle will be the most enticing and they will know that and Eddie Howe will know that, which is why it's so important. People have seen everything that we're talking about with the feeling and the strength of feeling and what it means with winning the League Cup, you know, those pictures going around the world, they're in the Champions League next season. So if ever Newcastle were going to be in the position to make those take the next step

signings, it's here and now. And I just feel like on July the 21st doesn't mean it's not going to happen. But we are here literally talking about another one of their top targets going somewhere else. But then the players that you listed earlier that their targets have chosen other clubs, they're also players who are of a different calibre to the ones that they've signed over the past five years. So it's almost like, well, do you know what, if you don't get them through the door in this kind of quest to evolve the football club, they revert back to type anyway, which what they've done got them to where they are in terms of younger players and Eddie Howe and his staff developing them and becoming competitive that way. So it's almost they do have a sort of, I don't know, trick in the armoury in terms of they can revert back to what they know they're good at. But what they've done

in this window is an attempt to push and kick on who knows how it will work out for them. Right, big thank you to Steph Houghton, Izzy Christensen and Neda Minuwe for being with us on the Monday nightclub. Don't forget full commentary, England, Italy, Women's Euro semi-final Tuesday night, five live on air at seven o'clock. Kick off full commentary from eight o'clock. That's it from this edition of the Football Daily Podcast. Thank you so much for listening. The kidnap of a super horse. It must have been terrifying. Of course it was. How are we gonna throw it like that? An ill-advised errand, changing F1 forever. It will haunt the people involved for as long as they live. A trillion dollar takeover, which never took off.

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