07 Jun 2026 11:04:26
Congrats to Rio on winning MOTM for his England Debut today. Completed the most dribbles (3), won the most duels (6)
- 92% passes completed (24/26)
- 2 tackles won
- 40 touches in 45 minutes
Now where are the people who said to sell him? : )
07 Jun 2026 11:17:45
He was best player by a mile and should be in the full England squad.
{Ed025's Note - slightly better than the rest of that poor bunch for me Liver..
07 Jun 2026 11:30:11
Liver_La, at the same time I'm very happy he's not. At his age, it's a huge step up from playing the equivalent of just 11 games all season; it would be a huge potential injury concern.
07 Jun 2026 11:36:17
That's exactly why a good loan to a good team is essential for both him and the club. He'd be a starter and get the opportunity to prove himself further.
07 Jun 2026 11:48:03
I think 25 to 30 games a year with us, with an able deputy to take some of the pressure off him, would be far more beneficial to his development. Plus we'd have to go and buy another player to take his role in the squad.
Just doesn't make sense to me. Gakpo could be ideal for this with a new manager and system in place. Might also bring the best out of him.
07 Jun 2026 12:25:53
Didn't see the game but I'm sure the mighty New Zealand football team would really have tested his credentials.
07 Jun 2026 12:54:38
Aren't NZ also the lowest ranked team in the World Cup, JK?
And if Rio was MOTM against the mighty NZ, it's saying a lot more of the other players than what it does of Rio.
07 Jun 2026 12:59:43
Have been saying to sell him?
Yee, JK - NZ were very passive and didn't try to press.
We all love Rip, don't we? I don't think we need to use these cameos as evidence of the obvious talent he has. Nor do others need to use any "poor" performance as evidence of the obvious development he still has to go.
07 Jun 2026 13:16:30
Pre World Cup friendly.
If anyone is surprised both teams used it as that, then good on them.
I'd like to have heard players were putting their bodies on the line in what was a meaningless game.
07 Jun 2026 13:54:18
Pitch was shocking too. Rio was out there to impress. The others were out there for fitness and not to get injured.