Didier Deschamps is prepared to face the critics after France kickstarted their Nations League campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Italy on Friday. 

Bradley Barcola handed the hosts a lead with just 12 seconds on the clock, only for the Azzurri to respond to secure their first victory over France at the Parc des Princes.

After scoring just once from open play at Euro 2024, Les Bleus failed to trouble Gianluigi Donnarumma, with only three of their 12 shots in the encounter on target, all of which came in the first 45 minutes.

France registered an expected goals (xG) total of 0.86 compared to Italy's 1.71, with Kylian Mbappe enduring another difficult night in front of goal. 

Despite winning both the World Cup and the Nations League during his time in charge, Deschamps is ready for criticism, having previously come under fire in Germany.

“I am accustomed to criticism, even if I won more than lost in my career," Deschamps said.

"I knew our fitness levels were not at the best, but it is a young squad with Olise and Manu Kone getting their senior debuts. These are the necessary steps to grow.

“I have always been clear-eyed on what we were doing. Unfortunately, in terms of intensity and physicality, Italy did more than us.

“It irritates me that our first 20 minutes were so good and then the light went out.”

Despite starting well, France failed to find that attacking spark that many have feared on the international stage in recent years. 

With the likes of Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram all experienced in the senior side, it was Barcola, on his sixth start for his country, who shone. 

He contributed an expected goals (xG) total of 0.45 to France's total, registering more shots (three) than anyone for Les Bleus.

But speaking after the game, Deschamps praised Italy's stern defensive showing, acknowledging his side's quick start was difficult to maintain.

“We had started so well, scoring the goal and putting good pressure on Italy," Deschamps told RAI Sport.

"It’s tough to keep that high press and intensity up, even before half-time I saw a physical dip. We made mistakes, which allowed Italy to equalise.

“In trying that high press, we opened up spaces and Italy hurt us with attacking players who pushed up. Without a solid block, it became very difficult for us.

"Italy defend very well and we have great attacking players, but you have to be wary leaving those spaces or they’ll hurt you in return.”

Craig Bellamy insisted that there is more to come from his Wales side as his maiden outing as their new head coach ended in a goalless draw against Turkiye. 

Having seen Aaron Ramsey and Joe Rodon squander golden opportunities early on, Bellamy thought his side had netted the first goal of his tenure in the 37th minute.

Ramsey's searching ball picked out Sorba Thomas behind the Turkiye defence before lobbing the ball over Mert Gunok, only for the offside flag to be raised.

The hosts played for just under half an hour with a man advantage after Baris Alper Yilmaz was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Neco Williams.

But Wales were unable to find a breakthrough, and they have now failed to score in four consecutive international matches for the first time since a run of four between February and September 2012. 

However, Bellamy praised his side's display on home soil, saying: "[The players were] outstanding. We have had a lot of work this week.

"There have been a lot of meetings and I am always conscious of a lot of information going in at the same time.

"But they were great this week and that gives you confidence.

"Believe me, this is the worst we are going to be. The more we learn, the more we spend together, the finer details.

"It's such a good start but there's much more to come from this team.

"I am not a master at this after one game, trust me. But I enjoyed it. It was a great country to play against in your first game and I am really happy."

Wales gave an exciting glimpse of what the future may hold under their new head coach, starting immediatley on the front foot with high-octane new style.

Having failed to qualify for Euro 2024 under Robert Page, Bellamy's appointment has seemingly galvanised Welsh football once again. 

His methods faced a stern test against Turkiye, who were one of the standout sides at the European Championships under Vincenzo Montella earlier this year.

Wales were a threat from set-pieces, with Ramsey going close with a flicked header, while a well worked corner routine was fired over by Rodon. 

Turkiye did provide a couple of anxious moments, however, with Yilmaz's appeals for a penalty waved away after tussling with Rodon inside the penalty area.

Having seen his goal ruled out in the first half, Thomas again went close after the break, with Harry Wilson's curling effort narrowly evading the far post. 

While there was to be no winning start for Bellamy, there was also a nod to the future. 

18-year-old Lewis Koumas made his home international debut, coming 15 years and 162 days since his father, Jason Koumas, made his last home appearance for Wales in a 2-0 defeat against Finland in March 2009.

Kevin De Bruyne scored twice either side of half-time to hand Belgium a winning start to their Nations League campaign, beating Israel 3-1 at the Nagyerdei Stadion.

De Bruyne got the ball rolling with a fine finish early on, only for Timothy Castagne's own goal to level things up on neutral ground in Hungary.

But the Red Devils rallied after the break, with Belgium's captain scoring from the spot shortly after Youri Tielemans had restored their advantage.

Belgium took the lead in the 21st minute as Manchester City's Jeremy Doku skipped to the byline before finding his club team-mate De Bruyne, who finished emphatically.

Despite their dominance, Belgium were pegged back nine minutes before half-time as Anan Khalaili's goal-bound header deflected off Castagne and beyond Koen Casteels. 

But Tielemans restored their advantage three minutes after the restart, firing into the bottom corner after Lois Openda's neat touch. 

De Bruyne grabbed his second of the game four minutes later after Openda was fouled by Raz Shlomo inside the box, finishing confidently from 12 yards.

Belgium were awarded another penalty soon after, with Openda again involved, only for the RB Leipzig striker to step up and see his spot-kick saved by Yoav Gerafi.

The Red Devils travel to Lyon on Monday to face France, who were beaten 3-1 by Italy in their opening fixture in Group A2.

Data Debrief: De Bruyne at the double

While many of Belgium's 'golden generation' have come and gone, De Bruyne proved once again he is still the jewel in the Red Devils' crown.

The City midfielder contributed an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.64 to Belgium's 3.53 total, also playing more passes in the final third (34) than any other player on the pitch. 

He also created two big chances for his team-mates, with his 10 touches in the opposition box a total only bettered by Doku (11) for the hosts.

Italy conceded inside 12 seconds but recovered to stun France in their Nations League opener, fighting back for a memorable 3-1 victory at the Parc des Princes.

France hit the front almost straight from Italy kicking off as Giovanni Di Lorenzo took too long on the ball, allowing Bradley Barcola to steal possession before driving into the box and side-footing past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Italy should have levelled just five minutes later, but Davide Frattesi could only rattle the crossbar with his header with the goal gaping, then Mateo Retegui diverted the rebound over the top.

The Azzurri were back on terms through a magnificent goal on the half-hour mark, though. Sandro Tonali played a sumptuous flick over the top of the France backline, and Federico Dimarco hammered a brilliant left-footed volley across Mike Maignan and into the far corner.

Barcola saw an effort deflect narrowly wide of Donnrumma's goal before half-time, but the third goal went Italy's way five minutes into the second half. Youssouf Fofana lost possession cheaply and Luciano Spalletti's men made France pay, Retegui crossing low for Frattesi to slide it home at the far post. 

Despite France enjoying plenty of possession, Italy extended their advantage with 14 minutes to play, Giacomo Raspadori side-footing past Maignan after being teed up by Destiny Ugodie.

Antoine Griezmann almost set up a grandstand finish when he curled narrowly wide of the left-hand post, but that was as close as France came in the dying stages, with the full-time whistle prompting a chorus of boos from the home fans.

Italy face Israel in their second game in Group A2 on Monday, while the pressure is on for Didier Deschamps' Bleus as they host Belgium on the same day.

Data Debrief: Azzurri end Paris Bleus 

Friday's victory was Italy's first over France at the Parc des Princes, with the Azzurri recording three draws and one defeat in the teams' previous four meetings on the ground.

Only two Italy players found the net across those four previous matches, with Alessandro Del Piero and Pierluigi Casiraghi both netting in a 2-2 friendly draw in 1997.

Prior to Dimarco's equaliser, a stunning volley teed up in expert fashion by Tonali, the last Italy player to score versus France in a competitive match was Danielle De Rossi, who netted in a 2-0 group-stage victory for the Azzurri at Euro 2008. 

Noni Madueke believes new Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is one of the best in the business and is looking forward to flourishing under his stewardship.

Madueke, who joined the Blues from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, started the new Premier League campaign in fine form in the early tenure of the Italian.

The 22-year-old has scored four goals in four appearances this season, netting his first professional hat-trick in their 6-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.

Madueke managed just 11 goal involvements (eight goals and three assists) across all competitions last term, but feels Maresca's arrival has helped him add another level to his game.

"He's a great guy, a good manager, a very good tactician. He's helping me a lot with my game, little details," Madueke told talkSPORT.

"Things that you wouldn't necessarily think of yourself. I always feel like a great manager will say 'this can help you score more' or this can help you get in behind more'.

"Little things that I feel like he's helping me with."

His impressive start to the campaign has resulted in a first senior England call-up under interim head coach Lee Carsley for the Three Lions' upcoming Nations League fixtures.

Only Taylor Harwood-Bellis (21) has made more appearances than Madueke (19) for England's Under-21's side during Carsley's time in charge, helping them to success at the European Under-21 Championship last year.

However, when it was suggested that Carsley's appointment had given Madueke more motivation to impress, he insisted that his full focus remained on Chelsea.

"Not so much England, more so because I had a new coach at Chelsea and you want to impress your new coach at your club, and just play well,’ Madueke said.

"Every time I get the chance to play for Chelsea, it's such a massive club, I feel like it's a thing of pride, and you want to do the best you can.

"I always want to improve my game, so this season I just wanted to start as well as possible."

Madueke managed just 13 starts in the Premier League last season, and faces another year of fighting for his place in Chelsea's line-up. 

The Blues welcomed 11 new faces to Stamford Bridge during the transfer window, with Pedro Neto offering the biggest threat to his starting spot on the right-hand side of their attack. 

But Madueke is relishing the prospect of competition at the club, saying that he will embrace the situation with ambitions of succeeding at the highest level.

"If you want to play for one of the top clubs in the world, you’re going to have to deal with competition," Madueke concluded.

"That’s not something you should shy away from, that’s something you should just take head on.

"If you believe you’re a good player, you want to be around good players, because it increases your level.

"You don’t want to feel like you’re going to play every week and can just cruise through because that allows you to drop your standards a little bit.

"So it’s good that we have a lot of great players in the building, so the training level is better and, ultimately, we’re better on the pitch when it comes down to it."

Lautaro Martinez believes he is worthy of being in consideration for the Ballon d'Or after leading Inter and Argentina to silverware in recent months.

Martinez was, unlike his compatriot Lionel Messi, one of 30 players nominated for world football's most prestigious individual prize earlier this week.

He fired Inter to their 20th Scudetto last season, topping Serie A's scoring charts with 24 goals in 33 matches, eight more than his closest rival, Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic. 

He then carried that form into the Copa America as Argentina won a record-breaking 16th continental crown, winning the Golden Boot with five goals – including the winner in the final versus Colombia – in just 221 minutes on the field.

Martinez finished 20th in the voting for the 2023 award but expects to be higher up the rankings this time around.

"Considering the season I had, I deserve to be where I am," Martinez said. "I worked hard and suffered so much in the previous years. 

"This is the second year in a row that I will participate in this ceremony. I think that I am ready to compete for this recognition."

With Messi out injured, Martinez partnered Julian Alvarez in attack as Argentina thrashed Chile 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday, the Atletico Madrid man scoring with a stunning long-range strike.

Albiceleste boss Lionel Scaloni was impressed with how the forwards dovetailed in that match, saying: "The duo of Julian and Lautaro performed well. They complement each other well, they don't give up a single ball.

"Lautaro assisted, Julian also went very well, he scored. They worked for us and they are two strikers who can continue to play together, we will see.

"I don't think there is so much superiority to the rest. They leave everything out there, the key is not to give anything up in advance. 

"They are always hungry. Football is very strange, at any moment it can put you in your place."

Erling Haaland fluffed his lines as Norway were held to an underwhelming goalless draw by Kazakhstan in their Nations League opener.

Norway failed to secure promotion from League B in the last edition of the Nations League in 2022-23, and their attempt to escape Group B3 got off to a frustrating start in Almaty.

Haaland was the joint-leading goalscorer in the 2022-23 tournament (alongside Aleksandar Mitrovic) with six goals, but he was unable to find the target despite being presented with several good chances on Friday.

The Manchester City man sent a 24th-minute header spiralling over the crossbar, then dragged another effort wide from the edge of the six-yard box five minutes later.

Norway dominated possession as newly promoted Kazakhstan dug in to preserve their clean sheet after the break, and Haaland's best chance would come nine minutes after the restart.

However, the Premier League's leading scorer was unable to steer home from just a couple of yards out as Norway's winless run in competitive action stretched to three games.

Data Debrief: Contrasting fortunes for Premier League stars

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was at the centre of everything good about Norway's performance, creating four chances for team-mates and registering the most passes in the final third (41) of every player on the pitch.

However, Norway found their main man Haaland out of form up top, the City star failing to score from four shots totalling 0.9 expected goals (xG) – a figure that represented almost half the overall total created by both teams (Kazakhstan 0.21, Norway 1.63). 

Steven Bergwijn had strong words for Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman following the 61-year-old's criticism of his move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

Bergwijn, who has made 35 international appearances since his debut in 2018, was a notable admission for the Oranje's upcoming Nations League fixtures. 

The 26-year-old started two games at Euro 2024 in the knockout phase of the competition but was substituted in both at the half-time interval. 

He also enjoyed an impressive season at club level last campaign, creating more chances (50) and completing more dribbles (39) than anyone in the Ajax squad, scoring 12 goals in 24 appearances in the Eredivisie.

But ahead of the Netherlands' clashes with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany, Koeman took a dim view of Bergwijn swapping Ajax for the riches of Saudi Arabia.

"The book is basically closed to him. He knows what I think about this," Koeman said.

"When you are 26 [years old], your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make."

Bergwijn, however, had some choice words for his international manager, saying: "I am done with someone who deliberately portrays me like that in the media.

"That's not how you treat your own players. The national coach knows very well that the competition in Saudi Arabia is at a great level.

"Or are you only allowed to take such a step when you are 32?".

But Koeman has since responded to Bergwijn's comments, choosing to stick to his guns. 

"It's logical that Steven Bergwijn reacts to my words on his move to Saudi. But I stick to my words!," Koeman told NOS.

"Going to Saudi at 26, it's not a transfer based on the sporting aspect."

Ryan Gravenberch has credited Arne Slot for his brilliant start to the new season, saying the manager gives him clarity and confidence.

Gravenberch joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich last September and made 26 Premier League appearances under Jurgen Klopp, but started just 12 of those games.

Since Slot's arrival, the midfielder has been shifted into a deeper-lying midfield role, earning plaudits for his performances, having started all three of their matches as the Reds made a perfect start to the campaign.

So far, among Liverpool players, he has won the joint-most duels (17), made the most interceptions (seven), and won the joint-most tackles (six).

Gravenberch believes his performances come from the faith shown in him by Slot.

"I just feel good in my skin, to be honest," Gravenberch told ESPN Netherlands. "But does that have a reason? Yeah, things are going well at the club. I'm just doing my thing, and it's working out well now."

"He gives me confidence now. He just lets me start in the lineup. It's going pretty well.

"As a player, you obviously want to get minutes. For me, that confidence is part of it. With that confidence, I feel more comfortable, and with the minutes, it keeps getting better.

"He's a good coach. He knows what he wants. He has a clear plan. Yeah, so far, we're executing it really well. Clarity from the start is always nice for me."

Gravenberch is now hoping to translate that form to the national side, and he is part of the squad for their Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany.

The 22-year-old was also part of their Euro 2024 party but did not play a single minute in the tournament as the Oranje reached the semi-final before being knocked out by England.

While he admits that it bothered him not to feature for his country at the Euros, he is now looking to put that frustration behind him as he looks towards future tournaments.

"It did gnaw at me a little," he said. "Because, when you go to the Euros, of course, you want to play. But in the end, we have to move on. The Euros are in the past. And now we're here."

"Life goes on," he added. "The Euros are over, and now we have to focus on the Nations League. And in two years, there's the World Cup again."

New York Red Bulls coach Sandro Schwarz is demanding defensive improvements against Sporting Kansas City after seeing his team's three-month unbeaten run in MLS snapped.

The Red Bulls suffered their first loss since June 8 – when they were beaten 1-0 by the New England Revolution – last week as they went down 2-0 at home to the Philadelphia Union.

The result left the Red Bulls fourth in the Eastern Conference standings but with just a five-point advantage over the teams currently occupying the wild-card spots.

With every point of utmost importance during the run-in, Schwarz wants his team to rediscover their solidity on Saturday.

"We didn't have the best few days after the Philly game, we analysed this and it's very clear we have to improve our defence, especially against Kansas City," Schwarz said.

"It's also necessary that when you lose a game, you change a little bit the atmosphere and now we are looking forward to the game.

"We should see some more players integrated towards the end of the season and the performances every day on the training field will be important, but matchday is when you have to show your quality."

Sporting KC, meanwhile, beat Indy Eleven in the U.S. Open Cup semi-finals last time out, having also beaten Orlando City 3-0 in their last MLS game to keep their own slim playoff hopes alive.

Coach Peter Vermes was glad to have a breather last weekend and expects his team to be reenergised for their trip to Red Bull Arena.

"The week has been good. Having the break after two games in a row was actually really healthy for us," Vermes said.

"I think for the team, having some of the days off has kept the guys hungry and they're ready to go and play a big game. It's been good."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

New York Red Bulls – Lewis Morgan

As well as leading all his team-mates in the goalscoring charts with 12 strikes in 23 regular-season games this year, Morgan has been a real creative force for the Red Bulls.

Only John Tolkin has matched his 38 chances created for the team in MLS play this season.

Sporting Kansas City – Tim Melia

Sporting have kept clean sheets in back-to-back matches across all competitions, and veteran goalkeeper Melia will be desperate to remain unbeaten again here.

This is the first time they have gone consecutive matches without conceding a goal in all competitions since March 2023, while they last did so in three straight back in 2020.

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK RED BULLS WIN

After meeting nine times in all competitions between 2012 and 2014, Sporting and the Red Bulls have played just eight times in the 10 seasons since Kansas City moved to the Western Conference. Sporting have won four of those eight meetings (two draws, two losses).

They approach Saturday's game in good form, too, winning six of their last 10 matches (one draw, three losses) after only winning six of their first 24 to start 2024 (five draws, 13 losses).

The Red Bulls saw their 11-match unbeaten run in MLS ended by last week's defeat to the Union, having also previously gone 17 home games without defeat – the longest such run in their history. Can they get back to winning ways on Saturday?

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York Red Bulls – 58.3%

Sporting Kansas City – 20%

Draw – 21.7%

Houston Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen has urged his team to maintain their high level as they prepare to face Los Angeles FC for the second week running.

The Dynamo came out on top as 2-0 winners at BMO Stadium last weekend, bouncing back from their 1-0 defeat to Toronto FC.

They now sit seventh in the Western Conference as one of three teams on 40 points.

And Olsen says his team cannot let their guard down, despite already registering a vital win against LAFC.

"This is a league where you've got to move forward, and you've got to get better," Olsen said.

"We'll have to be at our best. Things happen quickly against LAFC. The focus you need to play against them is an incredibly high level.

"Alarm bells are always going off, and we coped with it well, but we'll have to be even better at it when we're back at home."

Meanwhile, LAFC are five points behind rivals LA Galaxy at the top of the table, but with three games in hand over them.

However, that home defeat was LAFC's second loss in three games (W1), having also been beaten by Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup final.

When asked if LAFC struggled against Houston due to their similarity to Columbus, Steve Cherundolo said he could not see it, but that his team needed to be stronger in dealing with the problems they faced.

"They're different and can hurt you in other ways," he said. "They are secure in possession and combination play, and they're good at it if you let them find a rhythm.

"It's imperative to deter teams from building and combining. We just want to field a team that is mentally and physically fresh."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Hector Herrera

Hector Herrera completed 118 passes in the Dynamo’s win over LAFC on Saturday.

Only Riqui Puig (134 on May 19 this year) has completed more in a single regular season match since the start of the 2021 season.

LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz

Mateusz Bogusz has equalled an LAFC club record by registering a goal contribution in six straight regular season away matches (Carlos Vela in 2018).

Bogusz has recorded three goals and three assists over the six matches.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

Despite the win probability favouring LAFC, they did lose to Houston last Saturday at the BMO Stadium (2-0). The teams are meeting in consecutive regular season matches for the second time in two years, also doing so in June 2023.

Houston's 2-0 win at LAFC on Saturday was their third straight regular-season victory over LAFC. Only San Jose Earthquakes (2020-21) have won four straight league meetings with the Black and Gold, though LAFC did defeat Houston in last season's Western Conference Final.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles have won five of their last six regular season away matches (D1) though the lone blemish came in Texas, a 1-1 draw at Austin on June 19. This is LAFC's best six-match span of away matches within a single regular season in club history.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 31.6%

Draw – 25.3%

LAFC – 43.2%

St. Louis City interim head coach John Hackworth says his team have more to give, but need to find consistency, starting against New England Revolution.

St. Louis snapped a five-match winless streak in MLS last weekend, beating high-flying LA Galaxy 2-1 at home.

It was just their fifth win of the league season, and they remain second-from-bottom in the Western Conference, nine points off the playoff places.

However, Hackworth says he was waiting for a performance like the one they put in against the Galaxy, and hopes they can replicate it more often.

"We expect this [good performance]," he said. "We'd been talking about it.

"We believed we could do that, and then, the next step is to continue to do that. You have to have that belief in yourself - the players do, the staff do.

"That's what sport is. I was satisfied, but I don't think that is the end of it. We've got more."

Meanwhile, New England followed up a 5-0 thrashing of CF Montreal with a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake.

They sit 13th in the Eastern Conference, five points behind the playoff places, but Caleb Porter believes his team can only improve as more of his players return to the fold.

"I'm glad that those guys [Giacomo Vrioni, Ian Harkes and Dylan Borrero] are going to be close to being able to play major minutes now," Porter said.

"They needed another game. We felt they were kind of 30 to 45 minutes fit, max. Now, we feel like they will be close to 60, hopefully, with a good week of training. That gives us a lot of optimism for the next game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New England Revolution – Carles Gil

Carles Gil has recorded an assist in each of his last two MLS home appearances and has 38 total assists in home MLS matches (incl. playoffs) since joining the league in 2019, second only to Luciano Acosta's 40 in that time.

St. Louis City – Cedric Teuchert

Germans Marcel Hartel and Cedric Teuchert scored St. Louis's goals in their 2-1 win over LA Galaxy on Sunday - it is the second time in MLS history that two German players scored for a single team in a match.

The first: Teuchert and Eduard Lowen for St. Louis the week before.

MATCH PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION WIN

This is the first-ever meeting between New England and St. Louis in any competition.

After suffering their first three-match home losing streak in nearly a decade in April-May this year, New England have lost only two of their last nine matches in all competitions at Gillette Stadium (W4 D3), though three of the last four matches in Foxborough have ended in draws.

Meanwhile, St. Louis won the first three road matches in the club's history in February-March 2023. Since then, they have managed just three wins in 31 away matches in all competitions, including going winless in 16 straight away from home (D7 L9).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New England Revolution – 41.3%

Draw – 26.7%

St. Louis City – 32%

Conor Gallagher insists his Chelsea departure was not due to him lacking the technical qualities to play Enzo Maresca's preferred possession-based style of play.

Gallagher joined Chelsea at the age of six and progressed through the ranks before making 95 senior appearances for the Blues between 2019 and 2024. 

He captained the side regularly under Mauricio Pochettino last season as skipper Reece James battled a series of injuries, only to find himself out of favour when Maresca replaced the Argentine.

Gallagher sealed a £34million move to Atletico Madrid in August, amid questions around his suitability for the patient style of play favoured by former Leicester boss Maresca.

Gallagher started 37 of Chelsea's 38 league games last season, more than any of his fellow Blues midfielders, completing 1,766 of his 1,930 attempted passes with an accuracy of 91.5%.

That latter figure was the best recorded by any Chelsea midfielder in league action, ahead of Moises Caicedo in second (90.8%). 

However, when those stats are adjusted to per 90 minute values, Gallagher ranked third among Chelsea midfielders for passes completed (50.7 per 90) and successful passes in the opposition half (28.56), and fourth for passes completed in the final third (15.67).

He does not believe the narrative that he was unable to fit into Maresca's engine room is a fair one, however, saying: "I don't think that's true.

"Last season I had a good season with Chelsea and you could see that by Pochettino playing me every game and showing his trust in me. 

"The fans appreciated what I did on the pitch. I'm very grateful for all of that and very thankful to the fans, and very thankful to Pochettino for giving me that platform to go and express myself and show the best version of myself at Chelsea.

"Chelsea make their own decisions and they've brought in some top players on long contracts. That wasn't the situation with me but what happened is good for everyone."

Gallagher has helped his new club make a positive start to the new campaign, with Los Colchoneros sitting third in LaLiga – level with rivals Real Madrid – with eight points from four games.

Asked about his first interactions with new boss Diego Simeone, Gallagher said: "He was very welcoming and it was, 'ready to get to work?', basically.

"That's what he's like, that's his character; he just wants everyone to work as hard as possible, to prepare for each game and to win – and that's perfect for me."

Gallagher will hope to feature for England when they take on the Republic of Ireland in their Nations League opener on Saturday, in their first game under caretaker boss Lee Carsley.

Suriname, Costa Rica and Guatemala opened their League A Concacaf Nations League accounts with victories, as did El Salvador in League B as the fourth edition of the tournament got into full swing on Thursday.

All battling for Group A honours, Suriname and Guatemala topped Guyana and Martinique 3-1, while Costa Rica blanked Guadeloupe 3-0, as all three teams sit on three points, separated only by a slight goal difference.

Meanwhile, in Group A of League B, El Salvador romped to a 4-1 win over Montserrat, while Bonaire and St Vincent and the Grenadines played out a 1-1 stalemate.

Guyana vs. Suriname

Suriname’s victory away to Guyana spoiled the Golden Jaguars League A debut at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.

After three seasons in League B, Guyana would have hoped to start life in League A on a positive note, but it was not to be.

Djevencio van der Kust sent Suriname in front with an 18th-minute strike. However, Omari Glasgow pulled Guyana level with a 41st-minute penalty conversion for his 11th Nations League goal to extend his tally as the nation’s leading scorer in the competition.

But Guyana’s celebrations were short-lived as Jaden Montor drove home a powerful effort from an angle in the 66th to put Suriname 2-1 up.

Virgil Misidjan then sealed the win for the Dutch-speaking Caribbean island with a tidy 83rd-minute finish.

Costa Rica vs. Guadeloupe

Costa Rica were always favoured to secure three points here and they did just that on home soil at Estadio Nacional in San José.

After a goalless first half, Costa Rica’s captain Francisco Calvo led from the front with an expert header from Joel Campbell’s weighted corner kick to put his team in front in the 50th minute.

Ariel Lassiter doubled the lead in the 77th when he tucked home a right-footer from close range.

Warren Madrigal added another in 81st to cap the win.

Guatemala vs. Martinique 

Guatemala extended their all-time unbeaten record at home to eight matches as they bettered Martinique in a first-ever meeting between the two at Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores.

Rubio Rubin fired home from Oscar Santis’ cross to give Guatemala a 3rd-minute lead.

After keeping Guatemala at bay thanks to goalkeeper Yannis Clementia, who came up big to deny Rubin and Alejandro Galindo in the 10th and 22nd minutes, respectively, Martinique pulled level in the 51st when Kevin Appin headed home.

However, Guatemala regained the lead from the penalty spot when Jose Pinto converted in the 61st.

Martinique should have been back on level terms in the 72nd, but Brighton Labeau’s penalty kick was saved by Guatemala’s custodian Nicholas Hagen.

That allowed Guatemala to capitalise as Jose Martinez fired home in the 90+5 to secure all three points.

Group A action will resume on Monday, beginning with Guadeloupe against Suriname and Martinique against Guyana. A Central American clash will conclude the day’s play as Guatemala hosts Costa Rica.

Over in League B, El Salvador will be aiming to consolidate their lead atop the group when they take on Bonaire on Sunday, while St Vincent and the Grenadines play Montserrat.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 900th career goal sealed a 2-1 win for Portugal over Croatia in the Nations League, with Roberto Martinez hailing the "historic moment".

The 39-year-old scored the landmark goal in the 34th minute, and it eventually proved to be the winner; Diogo Dalot opened the scoring but then handed Croatia a lifeline with an own goal just before the break.

Ronaldo's close-range strike was his 131st for Portugal in 213 appearances, with both of those records for any male player on the international stage.

Martinez showed his faith by keeping Ronaldo in his squad despite an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign in which he failed to score and was delighted to see the forward hit his latest milestone.

"It's a historic moment. 900 goals is incredible," Martinez said.

"It's not easy. He scores because he has a commitment to the national team, the work in training that no one can see, he has an energy to help the youngsters, and the commitment is an asset to the national team.

"It's a historic moment, the fans liked it, and being on the day of the tribute to Pepe is special. It's fantastic for Portuguese football, the World Cup and the national team."

Midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who also played with Ronaldo during his return to Manchester United, echoed his head coach's praise for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"I thought we had already stopped counting," Fernandes joked. "At least we've stopped counting, he hasn't.

"He likes to tell them, and I believe it's a very special number for him, and we are all very happy for him too because it's not just Cristiano.

"In addition to being Cristiano, he raises the name of our nation to the highest level as he has done all these years, and this is another record, another normality in his life."