The football world continues its busy schedule as the knockout stages of the Club World Cup rapidly approach. Alongside the global tournament, speculation is mounting regarding potential summer transfers involving prominent USMNT players.
Club World Cup Knockout Rounds Taking Shape
With only two days left in the group stage, ten teams have already secured their places in the competition`s last 16. Juventus and Manchester City have qualified and will face each other in a playoff for the top spot. Attention now turns to Groups E and F, which feature intriguing matchups. While Group F may lack major household names, games like Borussia Dortmund versus Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns against Fluminense are significant. A win for the South African side in the latter match would make them Africa`s sole representative in the next round, a possibility that shouldn`t be dismissed given their competitive 4-3 loss to Dortmund.
Meanwhile, considerable pressure rests on Inter Milan, who must defeat River Plate to guarantee their spot in the knockout phase. A dramatic late victory over Urawa Red Diamonds offered some relief, with new head coach Cristian Chivu hoping it has helped break the “cycle of negativity” that reportedly developed after narrowly missing the Serie A title and suffering a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.
Chivu isn`t the only European coach facing challenges. Xabi Alonso`s Real Madrid needs to overcome Salzburg to finish atop Group H. Failure to do so, coupled with an Al-Hilal win, could see the tournament lose its biggest club name.
Another Champions League winner, Chelsea, successfully navigated their final group game, beating Esperance de Tunis 3-0 despite the intense heat in Philadelphia. This marked the 60th game of a demanding season for Enzo Maresca`s squad, but they are aiming to use the Club World Cup as an advantage. Liam Delap noted that the tournament has helped him integrate into the team because the players are constantly together, fostering unity unlike a typical training environment.
Benfica`s surprising 1-0 win against Bayern Munich demonstrated they are a team to be taken seriously. This result was likely welcomed by Chelsea, who will now face the Portuguese side in the round of 16, with the winner advancing to play either Palmeiras or Botafogo. Bayern, conversely, moved into a seemingly tougher section of the bracket, with the impressive Flamengo potentially awaiting them in the last 16, followed by the winner of the high-profile clash between Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. An exciting knockout stage is rapidly taking form.
USMNT Players Linked with Summer Moves
As the Gold Cup enters a waiting period before the knockout stages—where teams like Honduras, Panama, Canada, and Guatemala are confirmed participants, and the USA anticipates facing the winner of Guatemala vs. Costa Rica—the focus shifts to potential club transfers for USMNT players. It`s often said that football abhors a vacuum, and when the national team isn`t playing, movement among its players heats up.
Yunus Musah, who is absent from the Gold Cup for personal reasons, is one player linked with a move. Despite making 40 appearances for AC Milan last season, the 22-year-old seems likely to be impacted by changes in the coaching staff, with Massimiliano Allegri coming in. Furthermore, the expected arrival of Luka Modric after Real Madrid`s Club World Cup involvement concludes casts doubt on Musah`s future. AC Milan`s sporting director, Igli Tare, confirmed that Musah doesn`t fit the specific profile of deep-lying midfielder Allegri requires for a three-man midfield setup, stating this is the “real reason” they are considering a different approach.
Musah`s next destination remains somewhat unclear. While a move to Napoli under Antonio Conte initially seemed probable, that possibility appears to have cooled down, particularly since Kevin De Bruyne`s signing there. West Ham United, who have long admired Musah and reportedly targeted him in the summer of 2023 when Declan Rice departed, have also been linked. For now, his future is uncertain.
In contrast, Johnny Cardoso`s situation seems much clearer, with reports indicating he is close to completing a transfer to Atletico Madrid from Real Betis. The deal for the anchoring midfielder, currently with Mauricio Pochettino`s US squad, is reported to be worth around $34.8 million and is expected to be finalized once the USA concludes its Gold Cup campaign.
Cardoso`s defensive capabilities align well with Atletico boss Diego Simeone`s tactical preferences, and the prospect of competing in the Champions League is undoubtedly appealing for the 23-year-old. This potential move could provide Pochettino with a reliable option in a midfield area that has recently lacked consistency. However, there are also concerns that Cardoso might struggle to secure regular playing time behind established players like Koke and Rodrigo De Paul, which could affect his rhythm ahead of next summer. Only time will tell how this transfer ultimately benefits Cardoso.
Top Football News Highlights
- Lyon Relegated to Ligue 2: Stunning news from France as Lyon faces relegation from Ligue 1 due to financial mismanagement, though they plan to appeal the decision.
- Auckland City`s Historic Draw: Amateur side Auckland City made headlines globally with a surprising 1-1 draw against Boca Juniors. Their goalscoring hero, Christian Grey, is reportedly a teacher returning to his day job.
- Arsenal Bid for Norgaard: Keeping the transfer market active, Arsenal has reportedly submitted a bid exceeding $12.5 million for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard, who has also been linked with Tottenham.
- More on Musah and Pulisic: AC Milan Sporting Director Igli Tare also commented further on the futures of the club`s US duo, Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic.
- Chelsea Secures CWC Win: Reporting from Philadelphia, Chelsea clinched an important 3-0 victory over Esperance de Tunis despite challenging hot conditions.
- Boston Legacy Names New Coach: NWSL expansion club Boston Legacy has appointed Filipa Patao, formerly of Benfica, as their head coach for the upcoming season.
- Benfica Receives US Investment: Benfica has become the first Portuguese club to receive US investment, in a deal potentially worth up to $23.1 million.
- Alex Morgan`s No. 13 Retired: San Diego Wave is honoring club legend Alex Morgan by retiring her iconic number 13 jersey.
- Inter Miami Benefits from CWC: Inter Miami is the only MLS club in the Club World Cup knockout stages, a run reportedly worth at least an additional $7.5 million to Lionel Messi`s team.
- Club World Cup Hub: Information and updates on the Club World Cup games, standings, and key talking points are available.
Dominic Ashworth