The international break kicks off this evening with the semi-final of the UEFA World Cup qualification play-offs taking place right now.
Despite the terrible state of the world and the hosts of this summer’s World Cup doing their best to spoil everyone’s excitement, I’m still pretty pumped about the tournament (supporting one of the favorites will do that to you). Let’s all get behind Wales and Ireland as they make a late bid to qualify for the World Cup this summer. The tournament will be better
if both are there. And I suppose if Wales don’t make it, I guess it’s fine if Northern Ireland do instead? Or maybe just don’t fill that last spot.
Right now, Ireland are 2-1 up against Czechia, with Troy Parrott once again playing the role of the world’s greatest international striker, while Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy vs Northern Ireland both remain goalless. Hopefully New York Times columnist and former Southampton FC loanee David Brooks can grab a winner for Wales in the second half.
BVB News
- Borussia Dortmund have identified Torino’s Nikola Vlašić as a potential replacement for Julian Brandt when he leaves the club this summer.
- Serhou Guirassy’s release clause is considerably lower than initially reported, with a €35m release clause due to come into effect from July onwards.
- The fallout from Sebastian Kehl’s departure from his role as Sporting Director continues. Sport BILD has reported that Kehl’s relationship with BVB’s Managing Director Lars Ricken had broken down, and plenty in the Dortmund front office didn’t like Kehl’s attitude or his way of working.
Bundesliga News
- Liverpool and Chelsea are interested in Hamburg’s 19-year-old defender Luka Vuskovic.
- Meanwhile, Juventus are sniffing around 18-year-old FC Köln defender David Fürst before he has even made an appearance for the senior team.
- Mahmoud Nahoud will leave Eintracht Frankfurt this summer when his contract expires. I’m not sure if this is supposed to go in Bundesliga news or BVB news.
Your Thoughts?
Who do you want to see replace Julian Brandt? We will forward the tips to Dortmund’s new Sporting Director. Let us know in the comments.
