Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah believes his first England call-up has come at the right time as he stakes his claim to be Harry Kane’s deputy at Euro 2024. The 24-year-old is England’s all-time top goalscorer at under-21 level having netted 16 in 17 games. But after bursting onto the scene as an 18-year-old, Nketiah’s future at Arsenal looked in doubt until an injury to Gabriel Jesus gave him the opportunity to impress for Mikel Arteta’s men last season. Nketiah has also deputised for Jesus this season, scoring twice in four Premier League games, to earn his call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad.
“I think I am a much better player now than I was two or three years ago. It is really nice and I am coming in at a good time,” said Nketiah yesterday. “I feel confident and I feel ready to continue to improve. That is the thing, I’m still young and humble enough to know I am not the finished article. Coming away with these players and being able to show my quality and learn from them is really good for me and (to) continue to take those steps in my career.” England travel to face Ukraine in Wroclaw, Poland on Saturday looking to extend their perfect record from four games of Euro 2024 qualifying. The Three Lions then face Scotland in a friendly on Tuesday to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ever international between the countries.
Man City to face Club Leon or Urawa Reds at Club World Cup
European champions Manchester City will face either Mexico’s Club Leon or Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in the Club World Cup semi-finals in December after draw.
The UEFA Champions League winners and Copa Libertadores winners enter the competition at the semi-final stage. This year’s edition is being held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and also features African champions Al Ahly of Egypt, Oceania champions Auckland City and home team Al Ittihad. The final of the Copa Libertadores is to be held on November 4.
Draw
First round: Al Ittihad (KSA) v Auckland City (NZL), December 12
Quarter-finals: Al Ahly (EGY) v Al-Ittihad/Auckland City; Club Leon (MEX) v Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN), both December 15
Semi-finals: Copa Libertadores winners v Al Ahly/Al Ittihad/Auckland City, December 18; Manchester City (ENG) v Club Leon/Urawa Red Diamonds, December 19Villarreal sack coach Setien after poor start to season
Villarreal coach Quique Setien paid the price for a slow start to the season as the La Liga club announced his sacking. Setien’s side lost three of their opening four games and stand 15th in the table.
Setien arrived at the end of October 2022 after Unai Emery quit suddenly to take over at Aston Villa. He responded by promoting a number of youngsters from the academy and qualifying for the Europa League after finishing fifth in La Liga. This season, however, has been more complicated as they slipped to home defeats against Barcelona and Real Betis as well as losing at Cadiz. The 64-year-old had an even shorter spell in charge of Barcelona, sacked just seven months in the job.
Eddie Nketiah (Reuters)
