Gary Lineker is certain England will win a major tournament soon, but does not want to wait any longer than their Euro 2024 final against Spain on Sunday.
England face Spain in Berlin with a chance to end an excruciating 58-year wait for an international honour, something Lineker failed to halt during his own playing career.
Lineker scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for the Three Lions, becoming the first English player to win the Golden Boot at a World Cup in 1986.
The former striker suffered his fair share of heartache on the international stage, with Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal knocking England out of that World Cup.
Lineker and England would reach the semi-finals four years later at Italia 90, but would fall to defeat to West Germany in a penalty shoot-out.
The Three Lions' fourth all-time scorer netted in both of those aforementioned games, making those defeats hurt that little bit more.
Though England are yet to get over the line at a tournament under him, Gareth Southgate has edged the Three Lions closer than ever to international glory.
Under Southgate's stewardship, England have reached consecutive European Championship finals, achieving more major tournament finals in four attempts with their current manager (two), than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup and Euros combined (one) before his tenure.
Sunday's final will be England's first on foreign soil, but they have never lost a match in Berlin in six attempts (four wins, two draws), only playing more in Helsinki (eight), Amsterdam (seven) and Sunderland (seven) without ever suffering defeat.
Lineker is hopeful Southgate and his players can end their wait for a major international honour, but is confident that should they fail to do so, they will in the near future.
"My lifetime ambition as a player was always to win a major tournament with England. We got very close, but it did not quite happen," Lineker told BBC Sport.
"Now it is the same in broadcasting. I have always wanted to utter those words and say an England's men's team has won a World Cup or European Championship - and I am hoping Sunday is the day it finally happens.
"It is going to be tough, of course. They are playing a very good Spain team with a couple of real superstars and one emerging phenomenon, but I still feel like they've got a good chance.
"England went very close at the last Euros - losing a final on penalties is as close as you can get without winning - and that experience will help them now. Since then, I have been saying that this team will do it and win something, and I still believe that.
"If it is not on Sunday night then it might be in two years, or four, or six... but it will happen because this England side is only going to get better and, if you keep banging on the door, eventually it will open.
"I don't want to wait, though. I just hope it happens on Sunday."
Atletico and Sociedad reach agreement over Le Normand transfer
Atletico Madrid have "reached an agreement" with Real Sociedad over the signing of Robin Le Normand.
The Spain defender, who was part of the side that won Euro 2024, will finalise his move to Atleti "in the coming days" for a fee believed to be in the region of €34.5million.
French-born Le Normand started his career with Brest before spending eight years with Txuri-Urdin, for whom he made 221 senior appearances across all competitions, while winning the 2019-20 Copa del Rey.
The 27-year-old is fresh from international success in Germany, where he played in six of Spain's seven matches, while he also helped La Roja win the Nations League last year.
A statement on Atletico's official website read: "Atletico and Sociedad have reached an agreement for the transfer of Le Normand. The deal will be finalised in the coming days when the player returns from his holiday.
Meanwhile, Sociedad wrote on X: "We'll always remember his dedication and gratitude to the colours that have shaped him into the player he is today. Good luck."
Lindstrom joins Everton on loan from Napoli
Everton have completed the loan signing of Jesper Lindstrom from Napoli, the club confirmed on Friday.
Lindstrom will join the Toffees for the 2024-25 season with the deal including an option to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.
The 24-year-old becomes the fourth addition at Goodison Park following the arrivals of Tim Iroegbunam, Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Harrison.
Lindstrom arrives after a difficult season with Napoli, playing just 416 minutes in 22 league appearances for the Serie A side.
The Denmark international arrived in Naples from Eintracht Frankfurt where he scored 14 goals in 80 appearances, helping the German side lift the Europa League in the 2021-22 season.
“I feel very good. It’s amazing to represent Everton," Lindstrom said in his first interview with the club.
"This is a big club, with big history, a good stadium and, as I’ve seen, very good facilities as well. I’m very, very happy to be here and I feel like this is a good fit.
“I actually heard of Everton’s interest a while ago – not only from now but previously. England is very similar to Denmark so I will feel at home quickly.
“I’ve spoken to the manager. It sounds as though he likes the way I play football and I can be a good fit for the team with my speed, so now I want to deliver."
The search for another attacking option out wide had been the priority at Everton, having seen Arnaut Danjuma return to Villarreal following the completion of his loan deal, and the sale of Lewis Dobbin to Aston Villa.
Everton managed 40 goals last season, the second worst in the Premier League ahead of Sheffield United (35), and Dyche believes Lindstrom has a lot to offer in the final third.
"Jesper is a player with very good ability who can operate in a number of different attacking roles, which will benefit us heading into the new season," said Dyche.
"He joins us with a range of different experiences. He is hungry and eager to succeed with us, and that's a strong starting point as we look to add more productivity to our attack."
Maguire labels England criticism 'ridiculous' following Euro 2024 display
Harry Maguire has defended his England team-mates after their performance at Euro 2024, labelling the criticism as "a bit ridiculous".
England reached back-to-back European Championship finals but suffered the same outcome in Berlin as they did at Wembley three years ago.
The defeat against Spain saw Gareth Southgate become the first head coach in the history of the tournament to end up on the losing side in two finals.
Southgate called time on his eight-year tenure in charge of the Three Lions two days after the tournament ended, winning 59.8% of his 102 games in charge.
Despite this, underwhelming performances in Germany saw cups thrown towards the former England head coach as supporters jeered the players.
Southgate came under fire for his defensive approach, though only Walter Winterbottom (383) and Alf Ramsey (224) have overseen more England goals than his 213.
However, Maguire has come to the defence of his team-mates.
“Yes, performances might not have been amazing but it is tournament football," Maguire told BBC Sport.
"It is not as expansive. There are far less risks taken. You can’t afford to make mistakes or get caught going out in a full press. You saw throughout the tournament there were not many high-scoring wins.
“I just don’t know what the media or fans expected of this team. Was it to go and beat Serbia 4-0 in the first game and then beat Denmark 3-0? Did they think it was just going to be a walk in the park?”
Under Southgate's stewardship, England reached more major tournament finals in four attempts (two) than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup and Euros (one).
Maguire played 63 times during Southgate's time in charge, a total only bettered by Harry Kane (81), Kyle Walker (70), Jordan Pickford and John Stones (both 68).
Maguire was forced to miss the tournament having picked up an injury in May, forcing him to miss Manchester United's FA Cup success against Manchester City.
Euro 2024 was the first major tournament he has missed during his international career, having become a mainstay in central defence alongside Stones.
Maguire's 17 appearances at major tournaments saw him keep seven clean sheets, but he insisted that missing out on Euro 2024 was difficult for him to comprehend.
"To miss out was tough," said Maguire.
“It has been really frustrating, working all season to get myself mentally and physically at the top of my game and be in a position to feel I could really make a difference for Manchester United and my country."
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