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Hello, and welcome to The Athletic's coverage of today's football news.
It is now the international break, with England preparing for games against Switzerland and Ivory Coast, the United States bidding to reach the World Cup, and play-offs kicking off to decide over half the places in Qatar this winter.
Chelsea's ownership issue still needs to be revolved while Manchester United are stepping up their search for their next permanent manager.
Stay here throughout the day for all the latest updates.
Background reading:
(Photo: Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
March 23, 2022 at 2:47 PM EDT
Everton winger Andros Townsend will miss the rest of the season after it was confirmed he has suffered a serious knee injury in the FA Cup defeat by Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The 30-year-old had to come off after 16 minutes of the 4-0 quarter-final loss with manager Frank Lampard later saying he feared the worst.
Scans have subsequently confirmed the player, who joined on a free transfer last summer, damaged his anterior cruciate ligament.
A club statement said he will undergo surgery next week before starting his rehabilitation with medical staff at Finch Farm.
Full story here.
March 23, 2022 at 1:59 PM EDT
Harry Kane is planning to speak to other international captains over taking a “unified” stance towards human rights concerns at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Concerns have been raised over the number of migrant workers losing their lives during the construction of stadiums and facilities.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are also fearful of travelling to the Middle East as homosexuality is against the law in Qatar.
England manager Gareth Southgate has said that he will look to educate his players during the March international break, having now gained the knowledge to discuss the issue.
Full story here.
(Photo: Ettore Griffoni/LiveMedia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
March 23, 2022 at 1:24 PM EDT
Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic has signed a four-year contract extension with the Italian giants.
Brozovic had entered the final year of his deal with Inter and had been linked to several top clubs around Europe, including Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur.
The 29-year-old was able to sign a pre-contract agreement with other clubs in January, but no move materialised.
Tying Brozovic down is a major boost for Inter, who have seen several high-profile departures from the first team in the past year. Romelu Lukaku left for Chelsea, Achraf Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain and Antonio Conte resigned from his coaching role.
(Photo: James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
March 23, 2022 at 1:02 PM EDT
Tottenham Hotspur’s Dejan Kulusevski believes he has a better “rapport” with his new head coach Antonio Conte after enduring a “frustrating” time at previous club Juventus.
Kulusevski joined Tottenham in the January transfer window on an 18-month loan with an option to buy. He had been at Juventus for almost two years, having arrived in Turin from Atalanta.
The 21-year-old made only five league starts under the returning Max Allegri for Juventus in the first half of the season but has quickly established himself as a key player for Conte’s Spurs, starting their last seven Premier League matches.
Full story here.
March 23, 2022 at 12:01 PM EDT
Wolverhampton Wanderers have said that midfielder Ruben Neves has been ruled out until May with a knee injury.
Neves, 25, sustained the injury during the club’s 3-2 defeat by Leeds United at Molineux on March 18.
The injury has forced Neves out of Portugal’s upcoming World Cup playoff match against Turkey and will also see the midfielder miss out on a number of matches for Wolves.
(Photo: Getty Images)
March 23, 2022 at 11:33 AM EDT
Russia has declared an interest in rivalling the UK and Republic of Ireland for the right to host Euro 2028 — despite the country being banned from international football following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Russian football clubs and national teams were, last month, suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions, pending the outcome of an appeal by the Football Union of Russia to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
But that has not stopped the Russian Football Union’s executive committee giving its backing for a bid for the European Championship in either 2028 or 2032.
A post on the union’s official website outlined a number of results from Wednesday’s executive committee meeting which included “support(ing) the decision to declare interest in hosting the European Championship 2028 or 2032 in Russia”.
March 23, 2022 at 11:12 AM EDT
Manchester United youth-team goalkeeper Paul Woolston has retired at the age of 23.
Woolston joined the club from Newcastle United in 2018 and signed a one-year contract extension last summer.
Before penning that extension in July, Woolston underwent two operations in March and April after sustaining a hip injury.
More here.
(Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images )
March 23, 2022 at 10:38 AM EDT
Joelinton has become a key man for Eddie Howe at Newcastle.
Chris Waugh and Maram AlBaharna have detailed Joelinton's new, more defensive midfield style.
GO FURTHER
‘His defensive awareness is incredible’ – breaking down Joelinton, the midfielder
March 23, 2022 at 9:44 AM EDT
It's been quite the 12 months at Celtic whose squad depth has transformed considerably.
Kieran Devlin and Mark Carey are here to talk you through it.
GO FURTHER
Celtic’s squad depth has been transformed in 12 months – it is future proofed but could still get stronger
March 23, 2022 at 7:39 AM EDT
Paul Pogba has said that he has struggled with depression since playing under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
Pogba was interviewed by the French tabloid Le Figaro, and when asked whether he had experienced depression during his career, replied: “Completely, and several times in my career.
“I knew I was (depressed), but you don't talk about it. Sometimes you don't know you're depressed. You just want to get away from everyone, to be alone. But those are unmistakable signs.
“Personally, it started when I was with José Mourinho in Manchester. You ask yourself questions. You wonder if it's your fault, because you have never experienced moments like that before in your life.”
For the full story, click here.
March 23, 2022 at 7:08 AM EDT
Dan Purdy has rejoined Everton as scouting and operations manager, reprising a role he vacated just three months ago.
A key member of former director of football Marcel Brands' team, Purdy, together with head of recruitment Gretar Steinsson, decided to leave the club in December with the Dutchman.
But he has since been convinced to return to Finch Farm as part of new director of football Kevin Thelwell's restructure.
For more, click here.
March 23, 2022 at 6:38 AM EDT
Lucy Bronze is one of England's most recognisable players. It shows how much the women's game has progressed when dads of young girls recognise players.
The Manchester City and England defender spoke to Katie Whyatt about international football, commercial growth and more.
GO FURTHER
Lucy Bronze: ‘I’ve made three semis with England and never watched the finals – I’ve always been heartbroken’
March 23, 2022 at 5:56 AM EDT
Patrick Vieira and Wayne Rooney are the two new faces to be added to the Premier League's Hall of Fame.
Philip Buckingham has detailed what it is and if it even matters.
GO FURTHER
The Premier League Hall of Fame: What is it and does it really matter?
March 23, 2022 at 5:29 AM EDT
Only six per cent of direct free kicks end up in the back of the net.
Mark Carey has provided all the analysis on why it's so rare to see a free-kick fly into the top corner.
GO FURTHER
Analysing Europe’s free-kick takers: the good, the bad and the brilliance of James Ward-Prowse
March 23, 2022 at 5:18 AM EDT
It has been the most chaotic period for Chelsea in their Roman Abramovich era as the club looks for a new owner.
We want to know what you think about the potential future owners. Click below to take part in our survey.
GO FURTHER
Chelsea fans’ survey: Abramovich, Saudi owners and replacing Stamford Bridge
March 23, 2022 at 4:21 AM EDT
Hello and welcome to today's news blog.
Arsenal Women have Champions League football this evening – they take on Wolfsburg at 8pm GMT.
Art de Roche has detailed their leadership within a team full of leaders showing different qualities.
GO FURTHER
Arsenal Women: Leadership and language
March 22, 2022 at 3:30 PM EDT
That's all for today folks. Make sure you check back tomorrow for all the latest news updates.
March 22, 2022 at 2:21 PM EDT
If you support Newcastle then here's a midweek treat for you. Listen now to fill the void during this international break.
🔲 Should there be concern after Everton defeat?
🔳 Trippier & Wilson nearing returns
🔲 Your #NUFC questions answered
🔳 Getting used to losses once more
🔲 Dubai camp, New York runs & foreign climes
New free-to-listen Pod on the Tyne W/ @TaylorandPaynehttps://t.co/7tqGYYxQXj
March 22, 2022 at 1:50 PM EDT
Raheem Sterling has been given permission to delay meeting up with his England team-mates in order to attend an event in Jamaica hosted by the Duke of Cambridge.
Sterling, 27 accepted a personal invitation from the Duke and will check into England's training base on Wednesday.
The Manchester City man is proud of his Jamaican heritage, and has a "Kgn" tattoo in reference to the city of his birth — Kingston, Jamaica’s capital.
Click here to read the full story.
(Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
March 22, 2022 at 1:11 PM EDT
Sheffield United wing-back Enda Stevens came through his first 45 minutes in two months with no problems today in a major boost for the club’s promotion hopes.
The Republic of Ireland international has not played for the Championship club since the 2-2 draw at Preston North End on January 18 due to a calf problem.
With United recently without 11 outfield players through injury, Stevens’ return in Tuesday afternoon’s Under-23s victory over Colchester United was a big positive.
Click here to read the full story.
(Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
