Eni Aluko says she disagrees with Gareth Southgate and ‘doesn’t mind’ Jude Bellingham ‘leaving it all out there’ after the England manager suggested the midfielder needs to better pace himself within matches.

On the back of a remarkable debut season at Real Madrid, Bellingham scored the only goal of the game as England got their Euro 2024 campaign off the ground with victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen last weekend.

The 20-year-old’s all-action performance was one of the few shining lights from an otherwise uninspiring showing from the Three Lions, though Southgate’s men were understandably pleased to emerge from the contest with all three points.

This evening, Bellingham will look to continue his promising start to the tournament when England do battle with Denmark in their second Group C clash, a repeat of the sides’ semi-final three years ago at Wembley.

Victory in Frankfurt would see England secure their place in the knockout phase of the European Championships and Southgate was full of praise as he reflected on Bellingham’s opening display.

Asked which quality has enabled Bellingham’s incredible rise, the England boss told ITV: ‘Mentality.

‘He’s comfortable embracing the pressure of needing to deliver on the big stage and thrives on it.

‘There’s still room for improvement.

‘I think he got through 90 minutes work in 45 so that’s still experience to come.

‘But the ability to impact games in the manner that he did, that’s a phenomenal attribute.’

While on punditry duty for ITV Sport, ex-England international Aluko waxed lyrical about Bellingham’s performance which inspired the Three Lions to victory over Serbia.

But the former Lionesses star questioned Southgate’s assessment of Bellingham display, arguing that the youngster’s determination to be the ‘main character’ and put his body through the wringer should always be deemed a positive.

Asked if she agreed with Southgate’s suggestion that Bellingham needs to pace himself, Aluko told host Laura Woods: ‘Do you know what? I’m not sure about that.

‘I think as a 20-year-old, main character of this amazing cast, he’s full of beans and we’ve got a European Championship to try and win so I don’t mind Jude Bellingham leaving it all out there.

‘We talk a lot about his goals, we talk a lot about his attacking play. This guy had the most tackles and interceptions of any England player. More than Declan Rice, more than Trent [Alexander-Arnold].

‘That just shows the level of his game. Roy Keane talks about it a lot: midfielders, yeah, we can talk defensive, attacking. You’ve got to be able to do it all and I think Jude did that in the first game and hopefully he can do that today.

‘If he can do that today then maybe he will have a rest if England win.’

Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand heaped praise on Bellingham and labelled the midfielder a ‘unique’ talent as he spoke the media ahead his side’s high-stakes clash with England.

‘What a fantastic season. I don’t think many people predicted that Jude Bellingham would score so many goals,’ Hjulmand told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

‘It is unique how he has entered Real Madrid, the way he arrives late in the field and uses his offensive qualities.

‘To see a player shine like that for the Champions League winners… It’s just a fantastic first season and he’s 20.

‘The way he acts on the field and the character he has as a person.

‘He is a fantastic player and he will be really, really good when he is 23.;

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JJ Redick has agreed to a four-year deal to grow to be the Los Angeles Lakers’ head coach, based on ESPN. The Lakers, one of many NBA’s most historic franchises, with 17 championships, parted methods with coach Darvin Ham after simply two seasons in Could following a first-round playoff exit. 

Redick has no teaching expertise, however he spent 15 seasons within the league as a participant from 2006 to 2021. The primary seven years had been spent with Orlando — which chosen him at No. 11 general out of Duke — earlier than time with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Dallas Mavericks. Redick was often known as one of many league’s prime 3-point shooters, hitting 41.5% of his profession makes an attempt. 

He joined ESPN as a basketball commentator after he retired from the league in September 2021. 

Redick, 39, can also be acknowledged as top-of-the-line school basketball gamers in historical past. The Blue Devils’ all-time main scorer (2,769 factors), he averaged 19.9 factors per recreation over 4 seasons. Redick was named the nationwide school participant of the 12 months in 2006 and was a two-time All-American, a two-time ACC Participant of the 12 months and a two-time ACC Match MVP. 

The Lakers, regardless of having stars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, have failed to fulfill expectations in latest seasons. They’ve made it out of the primary spherical of the playoffs just one time since they gained the NBA championship in 2020.

Los Angeles reportedly supplied College of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley a six-year, $70 million deal final week, based on ESPN, however he declined so he may keep in school basketball.

On nineteenth June, Twerton Park was delighted to play host to Somerset FA’s England Soccer Equal Sport workshop.

Aimed toward grassroots golf equipment, the workshop encourages golf equipment to contemplate their present provision, determine gaps and alternatives for future provision, and affords recommendations on methods to develop their membership’s governance, workforce, advertising and marketing and services to offer women and girls equal entry to soccer.

Welcoming golf equipment from across the county, Tara Taylor, Captain of Tub Metropolis Girls’s first crew, spoke of her expertise at Twerton Park and the way being handled the identical as the lads impacts her expertise on the membership, on and off the pitch.

From having their kits washed, to taking part in services, entry to the identical sports activities professionals and social media content material creators, Tara says that “We had been promised an equal sport to the lads and the whole lot has been delivered. I nonetheless get goosebumps each time I stroll out of the tunnel onto the pitch at Twerton Park.” she added, having up to now not been allowed to coach or play on the identical pitch as the lads for worry of damaging the turf.

Tub Metropolis Basis’s Geoff Stevens was additionally readily available in his function as Girls & Ladies Neighborhood Champion for Somerset FA, providing recommendation on methods to encourage extra girls to step over the sidelines and take into account teaching roles inside their golf equipment.

Rachael Lawler-Edwards, Soccer Growth Officer, Feminine Participation & Inclusion at Somerset FA, mentioned “Feminine soccer has grown exponentially for the reason that Lionesses Euros success in 2022, with over 5,300 feminine gamers accessing soccer throughout our county. There’s extra we will do to make sure equal entry to soccer for our feminine gamers and we’re delighted to be working with golf equipment to assist make this occur’.

If you’re a grassroots membership in Somerset and wish to discover out extra, electronic mail: caroline.white@somersetfa.com

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a four-year contract with JJ Redick to make him the franchise’s subsequent coach, sources informed ESPN on Thursday.

Redick, an ESPN NBA analyst who performed 15 years within the league, met with Lakers vice chairman and common supervisor Rob Pelinka and proprietor Jeanie Buss over the weekend, and conversations on the emptiness continued all through the week, sources mentioned.

Pelinka supplied Redick the job Thursday morning, sources mentioned.

Pelinka turned bought on Redick’s skill to attach with gamers and his basketball IQ and believes surrounding Redick with an elite teaching employees will assist shorten his studying curve into his first teaching job, sources mentioned.

Redick moved into the forefront of the search per week in the past after the Lakers’ pursuit of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley was finally rebuffed.

The Lakers supplied Hurley a six-year, $70 million contract that he turned down early final week, sources mentioned.

As Pelinka sought with Hurley, he nonetheless desires a educating coach and employees who will prioritize the event of younger gamers reminiscent of Max Christie, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura and may design a inventive method to that includes Anthony Davis on each ends of the ground, sources mentioned.

Redick has a robust relationship with Lakers star LeBron James, with whom he co-hosts a basketball podcast.

Phil Salt hit six boundaries in an over as he and Jonny Bairstow powered England to an eight-wicket victory over host nation West Indies of their T20 World Cup Tremendous 8s opener in Saint Lucia.

Salt (87 not out off 47 balls) thrashed three sixes and as many fours in West Indies seamer Romario Shepherd’s 30-run sixteenth over because the defending champions reached their goal of 181 with 15 deliveries to spare in Gros Islet for an announcement win.

Bairstow struck 48 not out off 26 deliveries in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 97 from 44 balls with Salt, taking three boundaries in succession off left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein within the fifteenth over.

The Yorkshireman additionally smoked two consecutive boundaries off paceman Alzarri Joseph at first of the 14th, which had begun with England requiring 70 from 42 balls following a West Indies fightback within the center overs after England had reached 58-0 on the finish of the powerplay by means of Salt and Jos Buttler (25 off 22).

Buttler’s facet sit prime of Tremendous 8s Group 2, above South Africa on web run-rate, forward of their conflict with the Proteas in Saint Lucia on Friday (3.30pm UK and Eire).

Spinner Adil Rashid (1-21) was earlier the decide of the England bowlers, conceding solely two runs and dismissing the possibly harmful Andre Russell (1) within the seventeenth over, with quick bowler Jofra Archer (1-34) delivery solely 4 runs and eradicating Nicholas Pooran (36 off 32) within the sixteenth – these overs essential in limiting West Indies to 180-4.

Brandon King (23 off 13) dazzled briefly for the hosts within the powerplay, together with smashing Reece Topley for a 101-metre most over deep midwicket, however then retired damage with a facet pressure that might rule him out of the remainder of the event.

West Indies – who will rue Pooran dropping Salt on seven off Hosein early within the chase – subsequent play in opposition to USA in Bridgetown, Barbados from 1.30am on Saturday.

Salt stars in Saint Lucia as England lay down marker

Salt accomplished a 38-ball fifty when he smoked Shepherd for 4 over the covers at first of the sixteenth over after which proceeded to pump a six down the bottom earlier than uppercutting a slower ball over wicketkeeper Pooran for 4.

The opener continued his assault with sixes over long-off and deep backward sq. and concluded a run-laden over by belting a full toss by means of the off-side, leaving his workforce requiring simply 10 from 24 deliveries and the sport all however gained.

Salt had earlier dominated his opening stand of 67 from 46 balls with Buttler earlier than the latter was pinned lbw by off-spinner Roston Chase, whereas Moeen Ali (13 off 10) then holed out off Russell as England managed solely 53 runs throughout overs seven to 13.

Bairstow reignited the innings, although, earlier than Salt’s pyrotechnics.

With the ball, spinner Liam Livingstone (1-20) took some faucet in his sole over, nailed for 3 sixes in 4 deliveries by West Indies skipper Rovman Powell (36 off 17) earlier than he dismissed the identical participant, whereas paceman Mark Wooden’s 18th over was taken for 19, largely on account of Sherfane Rutherford (28no off 15).

However the hosts have been largely subdued with top-scorer Johnson Charles (38 off 34) plodding alongside and England spinners Rashid and Moeen (1-15) retaining the run charge down.

After solely squeezing into the Tremendous 8s forward of Scotland on web run-rate, England now appear to be real title contenders as soon as once more.

Buttler: England have been calculated with the bat

England skipper Jos Buttler:

“I assumed it was a extremely good efficiency. We deliberate rather well and I assumed we executed with bat and ball and deserved the win.

“We did rather well to limit such a strong batting line-up. It was nonetheless an honest rating we have been chasing, you needed to play nicely to chase it down, however we have been very sensible with the bat.

“Guys have been calculated once they took their choices and I assumed the Bairstow-Salt partnership was so good. Bairstow got here with nice intent and took the momentum again, whereas Salty broke the again of the chase with that one huge over.

“Lots of people say you be taught while you lose however I consider you be taught while you win as nicely. We have to replicate on what we did nicely after which put that to mattress and transfer onto the following recreation.”

Powell: West Indies should take the positives

West Indies captain Rovman Powell:

“I feel we left 15, 20 runs on the market with the bat. We’re often superb within the final 5 overs however credit score to the England bowling unit. You may see that they had clear plans and executed.

“We might even have given a greater show as a bowling group. Phil [Salt] all the time appears to attain runs in opposition to West Indies and damage us however I felt we strayed slightly from our plans.

“It’s for us to re-evaluate as a batting and bowling group and take the positives from this recreation. Future continues to be in our personal palms so we now have to play good cricket.”

Catch each match from the T20 World Cup, together with the ultimate in Barbados on Saturday June 29, stay on Sky Sports activities.

What’s subsequent?

England keep in Saint Lucia to play South Africa on Friday (3.30pm UK and Eire), whereas West Indies journey to Barbados to tackle USA on Saturday (1.30am UK and Eire).

England acquired off to a powerful begin with a 1-0 success over Serbia and they are going to be hoping to seal a spherical of 16 berth by defeating Denmark.

The necessity for factors is extra pressing for the Danes, who’re beneath strain after being held to a 1-1 draw by Slovenia on Sunday.

Denmark vs England Betting Suggestions

• England to win and beneath 2.5 targets @ +240 with bet365
• Jude Bellingham to attain anytime @ +300 with bet365
• England to win, plus Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to every have over 0.5 pictures heading in the right direction @ +750 with bet365

All odds are courtesy of bet365, appropriate on the time of publishing and topic to vary.

Determined Danes might be outclassed

England have by no means received their opening two matches at a European Championship however they’ll create a chunk of historical past by defeating Denmark.

The Three Lions’ 1-0 success over Serbia was strong quite than spectacular however it has put Gareth Southgate’s aspect in a powerful place.

They coped properly towards a harmful Serbia assault and can fancy their possibilities of one other clear sheet towards the Danes, who seem like a staff in decline.

Denmark had been shock semi-finalists at Euro 2020 however they haven’t received any of their final 5 video games at main tournaments and had been held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Slovenia on the weekend.

The Nordic nation are beneath strain so as to add at the least one other level towards England however they may battle to deal with the pre-tournament favorites, who look a strong +240 wager to win a contest that includes beneath 2.5 targets.

Denmark vs England Tip 1: England to win and beneath 2.5 targets @ +240 with bet365

Jude can justify the hype

Jude Bellingham popped up with an excellent header towards Serbia and he seems a possible match-winner towards Denmark.

Opposing groups are properly conscious of the potential menace posed by the 20-year-old, who bagged 19 La Liga targets in his debut season for Actual Madrid.

However he’s a troublesome participant to cease due to his energy, technical skill and the timing of his runs into the penalty space.

Bellingham has solely scored 4 worldwide targets however he may add to that tally in Leipzig.

Denmark vs England Tip 2: Jude Bellingham to attain anytime @ +300 with bet365

English Duo to Take a look at Denmark Aim

Gareth Southgate is rumored to be fielding an unchanged aspect from the slender victory over Serbia.

Because of this makeshift midfielder Trent Alexander-Arnold will get the nod once more within the middle of the park.

The Liverpool man put in an energetic 69 minutes final day out, recording 3 pictures within the course of. Over the course of the 2023-24 season as an entire, he averaged 1.6 pictures per recreation.

Subsequently, backing him in bet365’s combo guess to have over 0.5 pictures heading in the right direction, together with the beforehand talked about Jude Bellingham on their approach to an England win, proves potential strong worth.

Denmark vs England Tip 3: England to win, plus Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to every have over 0.5 pictures heading in the right direction @ +750 with bet365

Carlos Alcaraz takes on the brand new British No 1 Jack Draper within the match of the day on Thursday at Queen’s Membership.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is seeking to defend his title this week however has a tough encounter in opposition to a person in kind in Draper, who received his first tour title in Stuttgart final week.

British wild card Billy Harris can also be in second spherical motion on Centre Court docket, as is fifth seed Tommy Paul and Italian participant Lorenzo Musetti.

Andy Murray was pressured to retire from his second-round match on Wednesday, plunging his participation at his closing Wimbledon into main doubt.

Observe stay motion from Queen’s Membership with The Impartial

Present newest replace

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Carlos Alcaraz 2-1 Jack Draper*

Explosive return at 15-15 by Draper which ends up in a slice into the web from Alcaraz, earlier than the Spaniard’s serve will get him out of hassle.

On serve early on right here…

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 13:53

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*Carlos Alcaraz 1-1 Jack Draper

A way more routine service maintain for Draper, who builds behind his huge first serve to get a lead earlier than Alcaraz goes lengthy on the backhand facet at 40-30.

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 13:49

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Carlos Alcaraz 1-0 Jack Draper*

Tight sport to kick issues off!

Draper taking the ball early and squeezes the sport again to deuce but after a number of missed pictures, the defending champion ultimately holds…

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 13:46

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Carlos Alcaraz vs Jack Draper LIVE:

Alcaraz will begin out on serve right here…

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 13:42

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Carlos Alcaraz vs Jack Draper LIVE:

Right here come the gamers out onto Centre Court docket!

It’s a heat, cloudy day in west Kensington for this encounter – Alcaraz received the earlier two conferences however that is their first conflict on grass!

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 13:31

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GAME, SET AND MATCH – Tommy Paul beats Alejandro Tabilo 6-3 6-4

The American fifth seed is thru to the quarter-finals at Queen’s Membership!

Little bit of a cruise for Paul at the moment, far superior out on courtroom!

And he’ll face the winner of the highly-anticipated match-up to return between Carlos Alcaraz and Jack Draper!

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 13:20

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Alejandro Tabilo 3-6 3-4 Tommy Paul*

One-way visitors for the time being, with Paul needing solely to carry serve twice extra to safe a secure passage to tomorrow’s quarter-finals.

Alcaraz and Draper could be on very shortly…

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 13:13

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Alejandro Tabilo 3-6 Tommy Paul

An important break of serve got here within the fourth sport in favour of the American and Tommy Paul closes out the primary set, 6-3.

Can Tabilo – ranked 11 locations beneath – reply within the second?

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 12:55

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Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) vs Tommy Paul (USA) LIVE:

The primary match of the day on Centre Court docket at Queen’s Membership sees fifth seed Tommy Paul tackle Chilean participant Alejandro Tabilo.

It’s their first assembly – and Paul has held serve to open up proceedings!

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 12:13

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Order of play for Thursday 20 June

Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) vs Tommy Paul (USA)

Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs Jack Draper (GBR)

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA) vs Billy Harris (GBR)

Brandon Nakashima (USA) vs Lorenzo Musetti (ITA)

Kieran Jackson20 June 2024 12:00

This match-up was a tantalising prospect which immediately caught the attention when the draw was made on the weekend.

The Wimbledon champion versus Britain’s most promising hope.

Draper has made nice strides over the previous 12 months, since getting back from the shoulder harm which dominated him out of the whole British grass-court swing final 12 months.

Dealing with Alcaraz was a take a look at of his progress – and he handed with flying colors.

Draper’s work in current months to be extra aggressive along with his explosive recreation, and dominating his opponent within the rallies, was seen in a assured show.

His mentality was equally spectacular. Draper regarded composed and targeted all through, rising to an event which he relished with out overexcitement compromising his execution.

“You must go on the market and actually consider you’ll be able to win the match – that’s what I did,” he mentioned.

After sealing victory, Draper initially remained cool as he shook fingers with Alcaraz however launched his emotion seconds later with an enormous leap into the air.

The passionate response of the Queen’s crowd confirmed their elation at seeing one other British star emerge.

Draper’s improvement has been well timed given the void which is ready to be created by Andy Murray’s impending retirement.

Even Murray, who is ready to retire from the game later this 12 months aged 37, has stoked the joy by backing Draper to go “proper to the highest” of the game.

“The extra instances you come by means of these robust moments, in opposition to nice gamers like Carlos, the extra you begin to consider you are able to do issues that you simply thought have been unattainable,” Draper added.

“The extra instances I come by means of these matches, the extra I consider I can go to the highest.”