All posts by n8rngtd.top

FIFA released 2025 Club World Cup rulebook, including provisions for full strength squads and limited rest

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• FIFA to require strongest squads at Club World Cup
• Clubs won't be forced to release players for Gold Cup
• Massive fines threatened for breaching rules

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  FIFA has outlined regulations for its controversial Club World Cup, a 32-team, 63-game tournament to be held in the United States next summer. Among them is a requirement that all clubs field their strongest teams, with heavy sanctions threatened if they refuse to do so.

  Also included in regulations announced Tuesday is a provision that, according to ESPN, requires player to report "3-5 days" before their opening fixture, set for June 15. With an international window scheduled from June 6-10, it will leave many top players no time for rest at the end of a packed 2024-25 season. Furthermore, clubs aren't required to release players for major tournaments, potentially harming the strength of the USMNT at the Gold Cup, due to be played next July.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The rules follow months of controversy and uncertainty as to whether the tournament would actually happen. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has long supported the competition, which will feature 32 clubs from around the globe. The oft-criticized president announced all venues for the competition at Global Citizen musical festival in New York in September. A venue for the final, though, is yet to be picked.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite all indications that the tournament is set to go ahead, FIFA hasn't secured a broadcast rights deal. Apple reportedly bid $1 billion for global rights, a figure reported to be four times less than the figure football's worldwide governing body was seeeking.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR THE CLUB WORLD CUP?

  The tournament will start on June 15. Inter Miami will play in the opening game at Hard Rock Stadium against an undisclosed opponent.

Only a few weeks after hanging his boots up, football icon Andres Iniesta has dived into the world of investment, buying Danish club Helsingor.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Iniesta recently retired from football
• Completed takeover of Danish side Helsingor
• Excited for alliance with Scandinavian club

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  More and more famous faces are making their mark in the world of football by investing in clubs and Iniesta is the latest to open his wallet, buying Danish third-tier side Helsingor. He will officially be a co-owner of the club after his sports management company NSN entered into an agreement with Swiss investment group Stoneweg to complete a takeover.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT INIESTA SAID

  Speaking after the announcement was made, Iniesta said: "After playing as a professional, it motivates me a lot to start this new phase of my life, bringing my experience to a club like FC Helsingor, the first project in an exciting alliance between NSN and Stoneweg. It's a fantastic opportunity to get to know football in a different way".

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Investment is the perfect next step for the Spaniard following his retirement. At the same time, the 40-year-old is undertaking a coaching course with a view to becoming a manager in the future. Similar to what Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have done with Wrexham, Iniesta will be keen to move Helsingor up the divisions in Denmark in the coming years.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR HELSINGOR?

  With Iniesta now at the helm, Helsingor have a strong Catalonian presence within the club to lead them forward. Sporting director Quim Ramon previously worked for Barcelona's academy while head coach Pep Alomar was a youth manager at the club.

It may be about as clichéd as you can get, but last season was a campaign of two halves for Tottenham Hotspur.

Ange Postecoglou got off to a flying start in the Premier League, leading the team to ten unbeaten games before that disastrous match against Chelsea halted their momentum.

An avalanche of injuries followed, and despite looking incredible at the start of the campaign, the Lilywhites eventually limped into fifth place and Europa League qualification.

James Maddison's season mirrored that of the club's as his influence waned as the year went on – racking up just five goals and assists in his final 17 appearances – but based on recent reports, Daniel Levy and Co could soon sign an incredibly exciting player who'd surely help the Englishman's creative numbers explode next season.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Tottenham have maintained their interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers' star winger Pedro Neto.

The report claims that the Lilywhites are keen to bolster their attacking options this summer, and while they have some concerns over the 24-year-old's injury record, they are still impressed by his sheer skill and ability.

However, it won't be cheap to get over the line, as the story has revealed that the Old Gold will likely ask for between £50m and £60m for their dynamic wideman, although the prospect of seeing how Maddison and Neto could combine in North London might make that fee easier to swallow.

Why Neto would be a great signing

Now, the elephant in the room is Neto's injury record; unfortunately, as he missed 19 games last season, it cannot be ignored.

However, were he to join Spurs this summer, he could be used as more of a rotational option alongside Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson on the right, so as not to overplay him too much.

That said, every transfer involves an element of risk, and in the case of the Portuguese star, that is his fitness, but with how well he played at points last season, it feels like a risk worth taking.

So, with that said, let's take a look at the primary reason why he'd be a great signing and a great teammate for Maddison: his output.

In 24 appearances last season, the mercurial "monster", as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, scored three goals and provided 11 assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.71 games for the Old Gold, and he did so playing all across the front line.

This attacking ability and tendency from the former Lazio prospect to make things happen out wide for his side would be incredibly beneficial for the former Leicester City ace.

Opposing teams would no longer be able to focus solely on stopping the Englishman's creative output and would instead have to dedicate players to stopping both stars from impacting the game, thus freeing up that bit more space to operate centrally.

Moreover, having the creative prowess of the Viana do Castelo-born winger to his right would likely help the Coventry-born ace improve his own goalscoring record as well, which would, in turn, help Postecoglou's progressive attacking system flow more seamlessly from defence to attack.

Ultimately, starting an attacking threat as potent as Neto on Madison's right and Son Heung-min on his left would undoubtedly go a long way in helping the 27-year-old get back to his creative best for Spurs next season. While injuries will always be a concern for the Wolves man, his raw ability makes this potential transfer a risk worth taking.

Spurs looking to sign incredible £20m "wonderkid" in Archie Gray repeat

The special youngster could have a career as bright as the former Leeds ace.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 9, 2024

Amid a busy transfer window ahead of their Championship return, Derby County have reportedly submitted their first offer to sign their seventh arrival of the summer for Paul Warne.

Derby transfer news

Derby wasted no time before getting their summer business underway, hoping to avoid Championship relegation at the first time of asking and begin their journey back into the top six following last season's promotion from League One.

So far, Warne has welcomed Jerry Yates and Ebou Adams from Swansea and Cardiff City, Kenzo Goudmijn from AZ Alkmaar, Corey Blackett-Taylor from Charlton Athletic, Ben Osborn from Sheffield United and Kayden Jackson from Premier League side Ipswich Town in a solid window. Those at Pride Park will be particularly pleased with the arrival of Adams following an impressive loan spell from Cardiff.

After officially completing a permanent move, Adams told the club's official website: "I can't describe it, to be fair. I'm just over the moon and happy that it's finally done. I think it's a long time coming. Nothing's certain in life, but I was really hoping it would go through and I'm very grateful that it has. And now I can continue smiling again and enjoy myself."

Following Adams, the Rams have now reportedly turned their attention towards the goalkeeping department. According to Sports Bladet, Derby have made their first offer to sign Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from Djurgarden this summer, but have had that first move knocked back.

Derby County submit an offer to sign 21 y/o gem with "magic in his feet"

He has interest from numerous Championship clubs.

By
Tom Coates

Jul 17, 2024

This one may be far from over, however, after Djurgarden sports director Bosse Andersson confirmed the various "interest", saying via Sports Bladet: "You can tell that the interest in Jacob has increased and there are a couple of clubs that we have been in contact with. If something really good comes up regarding Jacob, we will solve it, but it is not something that is relevant right now. But there is interest in him."

Derby still looking to replace Wildsmith

After losing Joe Wildsmith to West Bromwich Albion on a free deal earlier this summer, Derby are running out of time to find a replacement for the shot-stopper, with Zetterstrom the latest option to emerge. The Swede enjoyed an impressive season at Djurgarden, keeping seven clean sheets in 14 league games, but it remains to be seen whether the Rams will submit a suitable offer to his current club, having reportedly seen their first attempt rejected.

At 26 years old, the goalkeeper should be in the prime of his career, making now a more important time than ever to make his biggest career move yet. Derby's first game back in the Championship takes place at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers on August 9 in what they hope will become the perfect way to get their return to the second tier going.

By that stage, the Rams must ensure that they've found their replacement for Wildsmith in the summer transfer market.

Ruben Amorim says his Manchester United team must improve "physically, technically and tactically" after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Ipswich.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Manchester United draw in Amorim's first game
• New boss identifies areas for improvement
• Europa League clash next for Red Devils

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Manchester United made the perfect start to life under Amorim by opening the scoring in under two minutes against Ipswich thanks to a Marcus Rashford goal. However, the Red Devils were pegged back by an impressive Omari Hutchinson strike and had to settle for a point at Portman Road in Amorim's first game since succeeding Erik ten Hag in the United hotseat.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Amorim has only been at Old Trafford for a few weeks but is already aware of the scale of the task ahead of him in Manchester. Speaking after United's draw, the 39-year-old did not hold back in his analysis of the team and made it clear there is a lot of improvement needed in key areas if his players are to challenge for silverware.

• WHAT AMORIM SAID

  He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was a tough match. We started very well but then we should have had more of the ball, more spells of possession, and we gave the ball away too much. The second half we didn’t play very well but we controlled the game better. We created better than Ipswich but we have to find more time to work with the players because we can do much better. They are very good players, but we have to improve physically, technically and tactically, and we need time to do that. If you go to every top player who have had tough moments then it is normal [to forget how good they are]. When they feel fine with the new idea they will feel better for sure.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Amorim is only the second permanent manager in Premier League history to see his side score within the opening two minutes of his very first game in charge in the competition, after David Moyes with Everton in March 2002.

As they look to steer away from relegation trouble in the upcoming campaign, Nottingham Forest have reportedly opened talks to welcome a sixth summer signing for Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

Preparing for Espirito Santo's first full season in charge, Forest have welcomed the likes of Elliot Anderson, Marko Stamenic, Carlos Miguel, Eric da Silva Moreira and, most recently, Nikola Milenkovic. The experienced defender comes in to replace Moussa Niakhate, who swapped the Midlands for Lyon in a move to help Forest comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

Nottingham Forest eye move to sign 27 y/o free agent ahead of Turkish club

He could be a shrewd coup for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

By
Ben Browning

Jul 23, 2024

Now, with just over a month left until the transfer window slams shut, Forest have reportedly set their sights on more fresh faces to add the cherry on top of what has been a successful summer. Recent rumours have even linked the Midlands club to free agent and former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez, whose agent has reportedly offered the midfielder to several clubs around the Premier League.

That said, Forest have seemingly set their sights on elsewhere in South America for their sixth signing of the summer. According to Cesar Luis Merlo via Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest have opened negotiations to sign Ramon Sosa in a deal that could be worth a reported $20m (£15.5m) in the next month. This follows Wolverhampton Wanderers' reported interest in the CA Talleres left-winger in a Midlands race for his signature.

Forest haven't been afraid to splash the cash in the current transfer window, but it remains to be seen whether they'll match Talleres' £15.5m price tag for the 24-year-old. Following an impressive season in the Copa de la Liga last time out, Sosa may get the chance to make his biggest career move yet by arriving at the City Ground over a move to Gary O'Neil's Wolves side.

"Gifted" Sosa can provide backup for Hudson-Odoi

Although Sosa's lack of experience in European football means that he's unlikely to step straight into Espirito Santo's starting side, he could at least provide cover for Calum Hudson-Odoi, whose injury history explains the need for exactly that.

At 24 years of age, the Paraguay winger could be entering his best years as a winger too, making now the best time to complete a move. Described as "gifted" by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Forest could add crucial strength in depth by signing Sosa.

Coming off the back of a seven goal and six assist campaign, which was then followed by an impressive Copa America tournament, Sosa could yet steal some headlines if he completes a move to the Premier League this summer. If Joyes' praise is anything to go by, then Talleres' £15m+ price tag is an understandable one.

The seven-time Women’s Super League champion guided the U.S. to Olympic gold this year, but could she ever enjoy such success with her homeland?

Emma Hayes is the most outstanding coach England has produced in the women's game, a manager who essentially built Chelsea from the ground up, won seven Women’s Super League titles, seven domestic cups and reached a Champions League final, turning the Blues into the dominant force in the domestic game. For some, then, it was unfathomable that she would leave that job to manage the United States women’s national team, not the Lionesses.

Instead of her next step being to lead her home country on the international stage, Hayes took over the four-time World Cup winners earlier this year and only added to her already immense reputation when she delivered Olympic gold in Paris just a few weeks later. It’s extremely likely that, in the years to come, the 48-year-old will stand in between England and a major title, with them possibly crossing paths at a future World Cup.

Before that becomes a possibility in 2027 though, the Lionesses will go up against Hayes for the first time on Saturday, as the USWNT visit Wembley for a friendly of the highest profile. It's an occasion that has prompted excitement but also questions, again, of why the Football Association (FA) let the best coach in English women's football take charge of a team that will be a genuine rival for the Lionesses in the battle for big titles.

But that shouldn't be the question; this isn’t a case of asking how the FA let this happen. The fact of the matter is that being the head coach of the USWNT is the biggest job in the women’s game and it’s one that, for a number of reasons, it makes more sense for Hayes to occupy than the England hot seat.

• Getty
  

  Huge opportunity

  Let’s talk about prestige first of all, because there is no job that has more than the one Hayes took up this year. No team has won the World Cup more often than the USWNT, with the U.S. as a country having been a huge trailblazer in the women’s game for a very long time.

  “First of all, this is a huge honour to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history,” Hayes said upon being announced as the program’s next coach in November 2023. “No one ever knows what the right time is in life for anything, but it's the feeling I have for this team and for a country that I have a great connection with and a history with. I've dreamed about doing this job from my days as a coach in my early twenties. You can't turn the USWNT down.

  “We've won a lot at Chelsea and I'm very proud of that, and I'm proud of the fact that I can leave that club in a better place and one that I hope continues to compete. But for me, the challenge of competing for World Cups, for Olympics, the dream of coaching a team that I've always wanted to get the opportunity to, I simply couldn't turn it down.

  “I understand how important the team is to the people and culture of the United States. This is not just about the soccer community and I fully understand the prestige and place that the team has in U.S. society. I've lived it. I remember being a young coach working my way up through the system in the U.S. and watching all those young girls aspire to play on the USWNT. For me, the honour of building on that legacy is part of my motivation, no question.”

  Her quotes were littered with an understanding of just how big the USWNT job is and, in that sense, Hayes taking it was always a perfect fit because there is arguably no coach in the women’s game with a bigger profile, not just for her achievements with Chelsea but for the way she continues to push the sport forward in England in terms of increased investment and innovative thinking.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  ‘Great connection’

  But another of the big reasons why Hayes was drawn to this role and why she suits it was also mentioned frequently in that interview – because of her connection with the U.S. as a whole. It’s a connection that goes back years, to even before she had stepped foot on American shores as a young coach looking to forge her way to the top.

  Speaking to in 2022, Hayes recalled how there were “zero opportunities” and “zero role models” when it came to women’s football in England when she was growing up. However, the 1999 Women’s World Cup completely changed her perspective.

  The event was hosted by the U.S. and its final would boast the official world-record crowd for a women’s game until that was broken a whole 23 years later by Barcelona at Camp Nou. The image of Brandi Chastain celebrating her title-winning penalty is iconic, and the tournament as a whole changed the entire sport. “I didn't know what a female football player looked like until 1999,” Hayes said. “That and that generation, they were the first role models for me.

  “My father went to Atlanta and he went to the games,” she added. “I'll never forget, he called me from his hotel and he said, 'Emma, you will not believe it. There are thousands of people going to a [women’s] football match and they idolise these players'. I was like, 'Really, Dad?' He said, 'You have to be in America. This is where you have to be'. And that was in 1999.”

  Not long after that phone call, Hayes would indeed cross the Atlantic as she made the first steps in what has since become an incredibly illustrious coaching career. It’s a move that would strengthen her affection for the U.S. massively…

• Made in the USA

  Hayes might’ve been born and raised in England, but her coaching path was kickstarted by her move to the U.S., and it’s no wonder that she has such an affinity for the country today. In her early twenties, she landed in New York with only a thousand dollars in her pocket and quickly set about making her mark in football overseas.

  “The culture shock for me was I just couldn't believe how much football was being played everywhere, on fields, at these little youth clubs with hundreds and thousands of kids and, more importantly, a split, an even split between boys and girls,” Hayes told . “It was so shocking for me. I was coaching boys’ teams as well, which I really loved, and I remember, within 12 months, I got an opportunity to work for the Long Island Lady Riders. They'd sacked their coach and this little 25-year-old was sort of in a position that went, 'I'll do it'.”

  The Lady Riders were in the semi-professional W-League and Hayes would be the youngest coach in the division, but would still go on to be named Coach of the Year in her first season. The following year, in 2003, she became head coach of Iona College's women's team and spent over two years there before deciding to return home to England, and to London, where she was Vic Akers' assistant at Arsenal.

  Hayes helped the Gunners achieve an unprecedented quadruple and was part of what remains the only English women’s club team to become European champions – but she wanted more. When Akers left his role in 2008, she was offered the chance to replace him and turned it down.

  “I realised that trouncing teams 4-0, 5-0, 6-0, 7-0, 8-0, it just didn't stimulate me,” she explained. “It wasn't enough. At that young age, I felt like I needed to be pushed again and taking the hard decision to go back to the U.S. was, for me, the right decision.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Unfinished business

  And so back to the U.S. Hayes went. It was there she felt, as her father had told her in 1999, she had to be if she wanted to coach in a competitive, challenging and exciting environment in the women’s game, and so it’s hardly surprising that, despite so many years away from the U.S. while in charge of Chelsea, she still harboured this immense connection to the country.

  In 2008, Hayes was announced as the new head coach of the Chicago Red Stars, a founding member of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS), a league that would precede today’s NWSL. There, she drafted future USWNT icon Megan Rapinoe straight out of college; she coached more soon-to-be World Cup winners in Carli Lloyd, Jess McDonald and Whitney Engen; she signed three England internationals, in Karen Carney, Katie Chapman and Anita Asante, to give them a taste of life in the U.S; and she coached other stars names too, such as Brazil legends Formiga and Cristiane, Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams and Kosovare Asllani, the talismanic Swede.

  But despite the star-studded squad, things didn’t work out for Hayes in Chicago. This was no easy job. She was building a franchise from scratch, she was doing so much more than just putting a team together, and she didn’t get the time to really build it all up. “That was a whole new process that, from a learning perspective, is one I took forward with me,” she told the podcast. “It was good experience, really, really good experience.”

  Thirteen years on from being sacked by the Red Stars, after incredible success in England, it’s no surprise that Hayes jumped at the chance to go back to the country she loves, but also the country she failed in when given her first big shot in a professional league. She had unfinished business. After winning Olympic gold earlier this year, she's already set about putting things right when it comes to her story in America.

Glasgow Rangers have it all to play for when they travel to Hampden Park to play the second leg of their Champions League qualifying clash next week.

The Ibrox giants, who are set to play away from their home stadium in the early weeks of the season, picked up a 1-1 draw away at Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg on Tuesday night.

Cyriel Dessers stepped up to score in the 94th minute to secure a draw for the Light Blues, converting from close range from Vaclav Cerny's sublime inswinging cross from the right flank.

There were a few concerning performances from Gers players on the night, though, and one dud who should be dropped from the starting XI is John Souttar.

John Souttar's struggles in Kyiv

The Scotland international was selected to play alongside veteran Leon Balogun from the start in Kyiv and endured a difficult evening at the heart of the defence.

Souttar let himself down twice in a matter of seconds for the opening goal from Andriy Yarmalenko in the first half, which gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Firstly, the 27-year-old flop dropped deeper than the rest of the defence, which played Vladyslav Vanat onside. Vanat then whipped a cross straight past Souttar, who had allowed Yarmalenko to sneak in behind him for an unmarked tap-in in the middle of the goal.

Glasgow World journalist Lewis Anderson awarded the centre-back a match rating of 2/10 for his display, citing his error for the goal and his loose passes in possession as the reasons for his low score.

Philippe Clement could react to this performance by finally ditching him and unleashing new signing Robin Propper from the start in the second leg next week.

Why Rangers should unleash Robin Propper

The Belgian boss must bring the £1.5m signing from FC Twente into the side as he could provide experience and quality at the heart of the defence.

At the age of 30, Propper has been around the block and racked up the best part of 400 appearances in his club career, including 223 outings in the Eredivisie.

This suggests that he would be unfazed by playing in such an important fixture as Rangers look to make it to the play-off round of qualifiers for the Champions League, due to his experience in top-level football.

As you can see in the table above, Propper has arrived at Ibrox (Hampden) off the back of an impressive campaign in the Eredivisie last term.

The Dutch colossus, who was described as a "powerful" player by Clement, is a reliable passer, as shown by his high pass accuracy, and has the physical qualities to dominate opposition forwards.

He can win the majority of his battles, on the deck and in the air, and could, therefore, be a commanding presence at the back for the Light Blues, which is why the manager must now unleash him ahead of the struggling Souttar.

As bad as Souttar: Clement must bin 2/10 Rangers man after Kyiv no-show

The Light Blues attacker endured a frustrating evening in the Champions League.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 7, 2024

Edoardo Bove is conscious and responsive in hospital following his terrifying on-field collapse during Fiorentina’s clash with Inter.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Midfielder collapsed to the turf
• Rushed to hospital with team-mates in tears
• Breathing unaided & speaking again

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 22-year-old midfielder, who is spending time in Florence on loan from Roma, went down unchallenged in the 16th minute of the Serie A fixture at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday. The game was stopped as players formed a wall around Bove and allowed him to receive medical attention.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Italy Under-21 international was rushed to hospital by ambulance, leaving several team-mates in tears as the decision was taken to suspend a sporting contest in the Italian top flight. Fiorentina went on release a statement in which it was revealed that Bove was “currently under pharmacological sedation and hospitalised in intensive care”.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  are among those to report that Bove has suffered “no brain or heart damage” after losing consciousness. In a positive update on Bove’s condition, the club has confirmed the night went well and Bove has been taken off ventilation. He has spoken to his family and been visited by his team-mates, with further tests scheduled to established what caused him to collapse.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT?

  reports that the Italian's first words were “thank you all”, with well wishes and messages of support having flooded in from across the wider footballing community. Diagnostic tests are ongoing, but it may be some time before Bove is playing again.

Liverpool stars paid a visit to a young Wrexham fan battling a rare form of cancer and jokingly tried to get him to switch his footballing allegiance.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Liverpool visit children's hospital
• Check in on young Wrexham fan
• Try to get him to switch teams

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  During Liverpool's annual visit to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for their festive meet and greet, a number of players met Archie White, who has a rare form of cancer called myeloid sarcoma. The 12-year-old is an avid Wrexham fan and has the club's flags and shirts around his bed. When Reds star Curtis Jones checked in on the youngster, he cheekily tried to get him to support Liverpool instead. Archie also admitted he was blown away getting a visit from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Advertisement

• WATCH THE CLIP

• WHAT ARCHIE AND THE LIVERPOOL PLAYERS SAID

  The clip begins with Archie introducing himself, that he lives in Wrexham and supports the club. The exchange follows below…

  Jones begins by saying, "Hello, hello. We're going to have a tough job here, I can see. We've got a big job on our hands of trying to make you a fan of us, haven't we?"

  Archie told the camera crew: "I was nervous but it was very, very good. I enjoyed it. [Virgil] Van Dijk [was the best player to meet]."

  When Van Dijk visited his bedside, he said: "I've got someone here to talk to you Max," while holding up his phone for a video call.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images/GOAL
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This is not the first time Archie, who has a cancer that affects less than one in a million children, has enjoyed a special visit this year. Wrexham forward Ollie Palmer popped in last month and co-owner Rob McElhenney had a video call with him as well. So, for all of the Liverpool squad's efforts, it may be a hard task convincing him to switch teams.