Genuinely believe Ancelotti dropping Joao Pedro will prove decisive with time. You can’t judge a decision made over multiple call ups simply because the preferred choice didn’t perform well in the first game. Brazil are not going to regret not calling him, not like he would’ve made any difference.

🇧🇷 | I think there’s a real misunderstanding of João Pedro’s situation for Brazil and Ancelotti’s reasoning for leaving him out of the squad. Some important context to help explain the decision: Between June 6, 2025 and April 1, 2026, Ancelotti tested SEVEN different No. 9s across nine matches: • Matheus Cunha | 397 minutes • Richarlison | 174 minutes • João Pedro | 153 minutes • Vitor Roque | 45 minutes • Kaio Jorge | 19 minutes • Igor Thiago | 19 minutes • Igor Jesus | 10 minutes A combined 817 minutes without a SINGLE GOAL from any of them. Brazil had a serious goalscoring problem. Ancelotti used his multiple opportunities to work with these players up close in training camps, calling them into several squads: • Matheus Cunha | 4 call-ups • Richarlison | 4 call-ups • João Pedro | 3 call-ups • Kaio Jorge | 1 call-up • Igor Jesus | 1 call-up • Vitor Roque | 1 call-up • Igor Thiago | 1 call-up • Endrick | 1 call-up Out of all the options, Matheus Cunha was the one striker who genuinely impressed Ancelotti. His work rate, pressing, energy, selflessness, and ability to balance the front four made him a key piece in the 4-2-4 system Brazil were using at the time. But they still lacked that killer instinct. Then came Brazil’s final match before Ancelotti announced his World Cup squad: the game against Croatia. With Brazil struggling, Igor Thiago (23 minutes) and Endrick (14 minutes) came off the bench and changed the game. Igor Thiago scored from the penalty spot, while Endrick won the penalty and provided an assist. At the same time, João Pedro had another difficult game, a constant under Ancelotti. He struggled to make an impact, missed a big chance, and was eventually replaced by Igor Thiago himself. That last 25 minutes proved decisive. By the end of the Croatia game, João Pedro had played the second most minutes under Ancelotti as a no.9 (only behind Matheus Cunha), but had convinced him the least. At the very last moment, Ancelotti changed his mind. The performances of Endrick and Igor Thiago against Croatia tipped the balance. So between the 4 choices and 3 number 9’s he was going to take. He left João Pedro at home.

Do not forget these names, even for a minute...

The signs too clear. We will be there.

Pedro Neto via IG. 💼 #WorldCup 🇺🇸

Exclusive Chelsea to offer a new contract to Marc Cucurella 👀💣😉#CFC

I want barcola at chelsea so bad bro. I am dying on that hill

I used to buy two shawarma when i was dating my now ex girlfriend every week. One for her and one for me when money enters my hand. We dated for four years. I was broke one good week, she went to buy one shawarma and turned her back to me until she was done eating it.

Bradley Barcola Situation • Moussa Sissoko has been trying to renew Bradley Barcola’s contract for the best part of 9-12 months. Talks have been difficult, and it reached a point where both parties agreed to put negotiations on hold so that Barcola and PSG could focus on important fixtures in April and May. • Soon after the UEFA Champions League final, talks resumed and remain ongoing. The player reportedly told people close to him that he was disappointed not to start a number of important fixtures. • PSG’s position is clear: renew or we will sell, as his contract expires in June 2028. Personally, I think that is a significant stance for the club to take. • Barcola’s agent also represents Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué and maintains a good relationship with PSG. The club is also in serious talks regarding Yan Diomande and Maghnes Akliouche, which could further influence the situation surrounding Barcola. Both Arsenal and Liverpool are interested, but I want to explain Arsenal’s side of the story. • Andrea Berta made serious enquiries into Barcola’s situation last summer. At the time, Arsenal were informed that the player would stay for at least one more year. Since then, Berta has remained in constant contact with Sissoko and has made it clear that Barcola is of serious interest to Arsenal. He has also asked to be notified if PSG become open to a sale. Should Arsenal make an official approach towards PSG, there will be a further update. • Arsenal also hold an interest in Morgan Rogers and one other player(sensitive info currently). More on that in due course. • As always, Andrea Berta is willing to agree personal terms with multiple targets and make a move when the timing suits Arsenal. Before I sign off, there is something worth noting. Berta is very happy for misinformation to circulate publicly. Berta & Co are busy behind the scenes, and many details remain unknown as Arsenal move silently. Allow me to provide a free exclusive as an example of that which is unknown. Arsenal made standard checks on Nico Paz. Nico was reportedly left confused following a recent call with Mourinho, although another conversation may be scheduled. Arsenal have also made serious checks on Christos Tzolis, the Greek winger. My point is that a great deal is happening behind the curtain. Embrace the silence and, as always, choose your sources of information carefully. HandofArsenal

For phone? 😭😭

They have names. They have families. Bring them home. 💔

Arsenal are in talks with Club Brugge for Christos Tzolis as @HandofArsenal called. Belgium side want close to £35m. As previously revealed on @talkSPORT, Morgan Rogers remains a leading target in addition. Bradley Barcola and Junior Kroupi are the other viable options for a starting left-wing spot at the club. Liverpool also tracking Barcola. PSG are prepared to consider a sale if they reinforce with another attacker even though contract extensions talks are also active. Julian Alvarez also a dream target for Arsenal. Jeremy Monga talks remain advanced. Arsenal also working on outgoings. Saudi interest in Gabriel Martinelli remains. Bournemouth one club who have enquired on Leandro Trossard, who is also drawing interest from Europe.🔴

Niko Kovač advised Bayern against signing one of his own Dortmund players last year How? Last summer, after Bayern failed to sign priority target Nico Williams, they turned to alternatives. One of them was Dortmund's Jamie Gittens. The supervisory board, including Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, was skeptical about the player. A club employee was tasked with contacting Niko Kovač to get an honest opinion from him about Gittens. Kovač is said to have made it more than clear that he considers the Englishman "not professional enough" to succeed at FC Bayern. The club then abandoned the pursuit of Gittens and went all in on Luis Díaz. Gittens ended up joining Chelsea [@BILD, Bayern Insider]

More of an informed opinion rather than a report but I imagine Ethan Nwaneri’s club next season will either be Chelsea or Borussia Dortmund. Both clubs keen.