3 hours ago
Netherlands are ranked only eighth favourites to win the 2026 World Cup, below Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil, England, Portugal and Germany. Depending where you draw the line, they are either the worst of the realistic contenders or the best of the rest.
Yet there is plenty of evidence to suggest that is a pessimistic view of one of the best squads in North America this summer. Netherlands have one of Europe’s form strikers in Donyell Malen, who scored 14 goals in 18 Serie A games since joining Roma in January, much to the surprise of Aston Villa fans. They have Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders in midfield. And the defence is like something from a Premier League fantasy team.
Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Nathan Ake and Jurrien Timber are an elite quartet, and that is before you get to the power of right-back Denzel Dumfries – about to join Real Madrid from Inter as Jose Mourinho’s first marquee signing since returning to the Bernabeu. Chelsea’s Jorrel Hato and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke add strength in depth.
Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is developing into a hugely talented player in his own right, but he feels more secure knowing who will be standing in front of him when the Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign, against ***** an on 14 June.
“It makes my life a bit easier, that’s for sure,” Verbruggen says. “As a competitor, you always want to play against the best players but you also want to beat them, and in order to beat them you need the best players on your side as well. And I’ve got the big privilege to be able to play with a defensive line that I think is up there with the best in the world.”
Yet there is plenty of evidence to suggest that is a pessimistic view of one of the best squads in North America this summer. Netherlands have one of Europe’s form strikers in Donyell Malen, who scored 14 goals in 18 Serie A games since joining Roma in January, much to the surprise of Aston Villa fans. They have Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders in midfield. And the defence is like something from a Premier League fantasy team.
Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven, Nathan Ake and Jurrien Timber are an elite quartet, and that is before you get to the power of right-back Denzel Dumfries – about to join Real Madrid from Inter as Jose Mourinho’s first marquee signing since returning to the Bernabeu. Chelsea’s Jorrel Hato and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke add strength in depth.
Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is developing into a hugely talented player in his own right, but he feels more secure knowing who will be standing in front of him when the Netherlands begin their World Cup campaign, against ***** an on 14 June.
“It makes my life a bit easier, that’s for sure,” Verbruggen says. “As a competitor, you always want to play against the best players but you also want to beat them, and in order to beat them you need the best players on your side as well. And I’ve got the big privilege to be able to play with a defensive line that I think is up there with the best in the world.”
6 hours ago
The Chicago Bears are wrapping up organized team activities this week ahead of veteran minicamp next week, and there's been a noticeable difference in Year 2 of the Ben Johnson era compared to this time last year.
It's been a much smoother operation for those players returning for their second season in Johnson's offense and Dennis Allen's defense. With OTAs underway, there have been plenty of standouts, especially on the offensive side of the ball, where quarterback Caleb Williams continues to shine, the young playmakers are showing out and one rookie continues to make headlines.
Following Wednesday's open practice, here are five standouts on offense, who should be integral to the success of the team in 2026.
Second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III is primed for a breakout year in 2026, and he continues to make plays during the offseason program. According to Clay Harbor, Burden "made a couple plays in tight coverage and continues to show up when he gets opportunities." Burden was also on the receiving end of quarterback Caleb Williams' best throw of the day, per Herb Howard. "With Jaylon Johnson tight in coverage, Caleb led Luther on the Crosser, allowing the speedy receiver to catch the ball in stride and continue to run after the catch."
Third-round rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas has consistently been making plays during the offseason program, and it's not often he hasn't been mentioned among practice takeaways. According to Clay Harbor, Thomas made a couple of plays, where his speed was likely on display, and he's making a strong case as a rookie. Wrote Harbor: "It’s an uphill battle with Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker in that WR/returner competition, but he’s quick and had a nice catch today." According to Mark Carman, Thomas had the "catch of the day" from quarterback Tyson Bagent. "Impressive hands on out route where he was fighting to get open."
It's been a much smoother operation for those players returning for their second season in Johnson's offense and Dennis Allen's defense. With OTAs underway, there have been plenty of standouts, especially on the offensive side of the ball, where quarterback Caleb Williams continues to shine, the young playmakers are showing out and one rookie continues to make headlines.
Following Wednesday's open practice, here are five standouts on offense, who should be integral to the success of the team in 2026.
Second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III is primed for a breakout year in 2026, and he continues to make plays during the offseason program. According to Clay Harbor, Burden "made a couple plays in tight coverage and continues to show up when he gets opportunities." Burden was also on the receiving end of quarterback Caleb Williams' best throw of the day, per Herb Howard. "With Jaylon Johnson tight in coverage, Caleb led Luther on the Crosser, allowing the speedy receiver to catch the ball in stride and continue to run after the catch."
Third-round rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas has consistently been making plays during the offseason program, and it's not often he hasn't been mentioned among practice takeaways. According to Clay Harbor, Thomas made a couple of plays, where his speed was likely on display, and he's making a strong case as a rookie. Wrote Harbor: "It’s an uphill battle with Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker in that WR/returner competition, but he’s quick and had a nice catch today." According to Mark Carman, Thomas had the "catch of the day" from quarterback Tyson Bagent. "Impressive hands on out route where he was fighting to get open."
8 hours ago
Kansas Jayhawks News
The KC Star is giving you some background on Oklahoma vs Kansas this weekend
Incoming freshman Taylen Kinney is playing well for Team USA
Is Paul Mbiya poised to step up and take control of the starting center job with Reeves recovering from surgery?
Links!
The KC Star is giving you some background on Oklahoma vs Kansas this weekend
Incoming freshman Taylen Kinney is playing well for Team USA
Is Paul Mbiya poised to step up and take control of the starting center job with Reeves recovering from surgery?
Links!
13 hours ago
Liverpool have been tipped to shake up their midfield options this summer.
The middle sector was identified as a problem position during a poor 2025/26 season - a campaign which ultimately cost Arne Slot his job.
The likes of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo could all be moved on as Richard Hughes considers changes.
One name reportedly on the radar is West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes. According to a report in TEAMtalk the Reds are among the teams competing for the Portugal international's signature following relegation from the Premier League.
"Mateus Fernandes has been given the green light to leave West Ham this summer following discussions with the relegated Hammers, and while Manchester United are firmly in the race, Liverpool are closely monitoring the situation and pondering a firm move of their own," the report reads.
The middle sector was identified as a problem position during a poor 2025/26 season - a campaign which ultimately cost Arne Slot his job.
The likes of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo could all be moved on as Richard Hughes considers changes.
One name reportedly on the radar is West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes. According to a report in TEAMtalk the Reds are among the teams competing for the Portugal international's signature following relegation from the Premier League.
"Mateus Fernandes has been given the green light to leave West Ham this summer following discussions with the relegated Hammers, and while Manchester United are firmly in the race, Liverpool are closely monitoring the situation and pondering a firm move of their own," the report reads.
