Christian Pulisic Injury: USMNT Star’s One-Word Update Gives Pochettino Headache
Christian Pulisic Injury: USMNT Star’s One-Word Update Gives Pochettino Headache
The USMNT hosts Türkiye in a group-stage finale that could throw up some key selection decisions for Pochettino.Grey Whitebloom|
Never one to be described as overly talkative, Christian Pulisic offered a concise reply to the question of whether he would be available for the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup group stage finale against Türkiye on Thursday: “Yes.”
Pulisic lit up the USMNT’s opener against Paraguay with a dazzling first-half performance, leaving Juan Cáceres with twisted blood after having a hand in two of his side’s three goals before the interval. However, the U.S. star did not reemerge for the second half.
A whack on the leg aggravated an existing issue for Pulisic, who seized up during the mid-match break. Forced into individual training sessions over the subsequent week, the U.S. forward was not called upon for Friday’s physical clash with Australia.
That win, coupled with Paraguay’s victory over Türkiye, confirmed the USMNT’s status as Group D winner, rendering Thursday’s match a dead rubber against a team already eliminated from the tournament. As the draw opens up for Pochettino’s side, there could be several games on the horizon with plenty more jeopardy involved. Even if Pulisic is ready, should he play?
What Injury Is Christian Pulisic Carrying?
Pochettino revealed that it was a late decision to remove Pulisic during the halftime break against Paraguay, and even after two weeks to examine the issue, he still wasn’t quite sure what went wrong.
“I took a big kick to the calf a couple days before the [first] game,” Pulisic would later reveal. “Throughout the first half [against Paraguay], I felt good, and then I started to notice it a little bit, and I think adrenaline definitely carried me through.
“I just think I had a pretty strong contusion, strain, whatever you want to call it. But yeah, again, it’s been a lot better [now].”
Pulisic admitted that he was “really close” to being available for the meeting with Australia in Seattle but “just wasn’t quite there.” Now that he is back to full strength, how long will Pochettino risk him for?
Will Christian Pulisic Play Against Turkiye?
There aren’t many games at a home World Cup completely stripped of any consequence. Pulisic was at pains to stress that victory was the ultimate goal to maintain momentum into the knockout stages, but Pochettino is no stranger to using his full roster.
After rotating heavily for an historic 5–1 friendly thrashing of Uruguay last November, Pochettino bluntly dismissed the concept of having “regulars” who start in a first-choice lineup. “I hate the ‘no regular players’ [question],” the Argentine seethed. “What does this mean? It’s USA playing, it’s the national team. Stop with that mindset. Every time our decision to pick a starting XI, it’s the U.S. men’s national team playing.”
It was telling that when he revealed his hope of the current USMNT squad becoming “heroes” this summer, he made a point of mentioning the two goalkeepers, Diego Kochen and Andrew Rick, who are not on the roster but have been training with the team. Everyone must feel included, and there is every chance that they will be against Türkiye. Pulisic is certainly hoping to get a run out.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to play a part tomorrow,” the winger revealed. “I’ll discuss that with my coaches and the medical staff. Obviously not a good chance I’ll go and play 90 [minutes] right away ... but we’ll see.”
Even if he doesn’t get onto the pitch, Pulisic isn’t concerned about blunting his edge. “I don’t think that’s enough time to lose sharpness,” he sniffed. “I’ve been touching the ball every day, and whatnot. Like, I’m working a lot, so—get a couple training sessions in, I’d say I’ll feel ready.”
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Published 18 hours ago | Modified 18 hours ago
GREY WHITEBLOOMGrey Whitebloom is a writer, reporter and editor for Sports Illustrated FC. Born and raised in London, he is an avid follower of German, Italian and Spanish top flight football.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
