Hail GFOP!

Rog writes: What a weekend. A sold-out show with the stars of Everton on Friday night in Manhattan with an energy that was set at “Gwladys Street after a goal” high. Then England go and win the Euros. I will write about both, starting with the latter, because it is so historically powerful in a way that transcends football.  

i. Mine eyes have seen the glory. An England that wins things. Then defends those wins in a Survivor-esque “Outwit, Outlast, Outplay” style that can only be said to be proper, gritty England. This statistic is mind blowing: The Lionesses only led for four minutes 52 seconds during the entire knockout round, but somehow won the whole enchilada. Tenacity, resilience, a refusal to relent. The most English qualities of all. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏆

The victory on penalties was one of the most relentless journeys tournament football has ever witnessed. The defending champions lost their opening game, were 2-0 down in the quarter-final against Sweden and came back from the dead, needing a 96th minute lifesaver from Michelle Agyemang to reach the final. Italy led in the semi-final until the 96th minute when Agyemang AGAIN rescued her side with an equalizer and Chloe Kelly followed up with a winner in extra time. On Sunday Spain scored first and could have won in the 94th minute if Salma Paralluelo had not elected to attempt to flick the ball stylishly, rather than just stab it home from a yard out, but once it went to penalties, there could only be one winner. Chloe Kelly won it once again for the Lionesses. Resilience personified.

More: Watch Ali Riley and Sam Mewis break down the game at the final whistle.

There were remarkable stories all over the field. The cool tactical brain of manager Sarina Wiegman who has now won three straight Euros, one with her own Dutch team, then back to back with the Lionesses. Nineteen-year-old Michelle Agyemang was a revelation, a wildcard pick before the tournament, who announced herself as an unstoppable goalscorer, whose name is now known all over the football world. Twenty four-year-old goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who conceded just 27% of the penalties she faced. For a player who had to overcome a lack of depth perception, which meant she had to train herself to judge distances, this achievement is humanly epic. 

Above all, this was a moment of true redemptive vindication for Chloe Kelly, who at the beginning of the year had been frozen out at Manchester City and dropped from England. Her career appeared to have stalled out, and she had to force her way out to Arsenal on loan. It was her arrival which changed the game, delivering an assist and nervelessly slotting home the winning penalty. For the second straight Euros final, she was the spark—catalyzing celebrations that will not die down. Expect these Lionesses to now become the biggest cultural influencers in Women’s Football. 

It is hard to overstate just how strange it is to witness an England National Team who wins things. A generation of young kids think England are GOOD at football. Any England fan who lived through the 80s and 90s knows that the national team’s brand was about hyped hopes and self-sabotagingly shattering failure. I have a history of English Men’s football since 1966 that is pitifully called “40 Years of Shite.” To have a men’s team who reach semi-finals on the regs, and a women’s team who defend their titles is to re-write an entire nation’s identity and sense of self. What a tenacious victory. What joyful scenes across England. I watch with wonder and know that thousands of girls—boys yes, but girls who would have never dreamed of kicking a ball back in the days when I was a kid (Women’s Football was banned in England until 1971) across England will have watched yesterday and been inspired. What a future awaits. 

More: This is the legacy of England’s win: Thousands of kids will now play football.

And: The incredible Swiss Ramble breaks down the eye-popping finances which reinforce the sense of possibility that no-one watching this eight years ago could have imagined. That is the real story. 

ii. What a night we had on Friday, communing with a sold-out crowd of Evertonians who had flown from all points in our nation, and from across the Atlantic, to bask in each other’s company and revel in the stories of so many of the heroes who have transformed fortunes of the club we love. I cannot lie: It was personally, profoundly moving to live out this show. When I took the stage to Z Cars and the crowd exploded, it was all I could do not to sob right then and there on stage.

It was incredible to dive into the emotions of this transformative moment with David Moyes, James Tarkowski, Séamus Coleman, and Iliman Ndiaye. The noise from the crowd felt like I was back at Goodison. My Lord. They literally drank the venue out of beers. It was a night to remember with Tark reliving that 98th minute wonder strike, Séamus reflecting on his 17 life-changing seasons, Illy breaking down the dance moves (for reals) that lead to his goals, and a well of wisdom from St. David Moyes.

The highlight of the night for me was listening to Moyes speak about the emotion of his return and its impact on the club, and how it now needs to be sustained as we move into the new stadium. This statement “We need 9 or 10 new players” was a sobering reality check this close to the curtain raising on the season. 

📺 WATCH THE EVERTON NIGHT OF NIGHT SPECTACULAR HERE 💙🍻 #UTFT

With wishes for better days ahead. 

Courage,

ROG

The Premier League Transfer Update 💵

By Tommy Stewart

Viktor Gyökeres ➡️ Arsenal ($74.6 million)

In Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have finally signed a proper striker, and after this long and arduous journey the footballing world has teased and memed them for, let’s just say don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Although the 27-year-old Swedish frontman isn’t Premier League proven, falling down the English leagues from Brighton to Coventry in the Championship, he’s transformed into an undeniable, bonafide goalscorer. The stats since his 2023 move to Sporting Lisbon are, quite frankly, ridiculous: 97 goals in 102 games for the Portuguese champions, 63 for club and country last season, two back-to-back Primeira Liga titles in 2024 and 2025, both of which were accompanied by the Bola de Prata (the league's top scorer). In an intangible way, he doesn’t feel like an Arsenal type of signing, which is exactly why it's a sign of progress. Arteta finally recognized that shoehorning square pegs into round holes can only get you so far, and this statement is emblematic of a focused intent that could finally break their silver medal curse and take them to a first Premier League title in 22 years. In taking Thierry Henry’s iconic number 14 jersey, he’s already shown a bold assuredness that’s a symptom of having developed late as a footballer, wearing scars and bruises that are all evidence of the fortitude he’s shown to earn this mega move and that historic shirt. 

Hugo Ekitike ➡️ Liverpool ($107 million)

Arne Slot’s domination of this transfer window has almost been vengeful, emphatically compensating for a near-silent summer last year. History says that winning football teams are built on improving on excellence rather than sitting on it, and this eye-catching signing of 23-year-old French striker, Hugo Ekitike, exemplifies that perfectly. In a game of transfer poker, Liverpool, who anticipated Eintracht Frankfurt’s desire for a bidding war, waited for Newcastle to lay down their hand first, with a $94 million bid that was rejected by the club. Ekitike had his heart set on the Premier League champions, and with reports of interest from their bitterest rivals, a fairly non-threatening Manchester United, a deal thought to be worth up to $107 million was quickly made, as Slot once again got his man. The fragile nature of Alexander Isak’s future probably played a part in this deal’s sudden movement, and while the Swede refuses to play for Newcastle and may still join Slot’s men, Ekitike’s arrival should not go unnoticed. After a quiet time at PSG, he moved to Frankfurt in 2023 to become their focal point, scoring 22 goals last season and helping them qualify for the Champions League. With the imminent departures of Luís Diaz and probably Darwin Nunez, he has the opportunity to slot straight into the first XI as part of a new-look and fluid frontline, where Liverpool believe he has the platform to become one of the most potent strikers in the world.   

James Trafford ➡️ Manchester City ($36 million)

Although it’s easy to say an ex is an ex for a reason, former-Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford’s return to Manchester is actually quite romantic. The City academy graduate kept 29 clean sheets in Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League last season, and impressed as England won the under-21 Euros in 2023, where he didn’t concede a single goal all tournament. At 22, Trafford already has Premier League experience for Burnley, but his development since has proved to Pep Guardiola that he has the requisite profile to be a top class goalkeeper, further evidenced by how he’s forced his way into the senior England squad. Him rejoining his boyhood club is Pep’s Shaquille O'Neal moment that essentially admits to Trafford: “I owe you an apology, I wasn’t really familiar with your game”. Ederson has been a stalwart for Pep, not just between the sticks, but with his feet, where he’s accumulated a record-breaking seven Premier League assists for a goalkeeper since he joined the club in 2017, and although he’s adamant he’ll stay and fight for a place that has long been as good as guaranteed to him, it could be the time to pass on the torch to the new young thing. It is of course unclear yet as to whether they’ll share the gloves this season, with Ederson acting as Obi-Wan to Trafford’s Anakin Skywalker, or if Pep will pin all hopes on someone who in goalkeeping terms, is still extremely young, but the competition can only bolster City’s hopes to win back a Premier League they feel entitled to. Although we’ve not seen Trafford in a City shirt yet, the deal is reported to be as good as complete, with a medical expected to take place this week. 

Luís Diaz ➡️ Bayern Munich ($88 million) 

Liverpool and Luís Diaz have taken on the world together and won; many, many times. That’s why this impending departure feels sad, especially as the rapidly transitioning club still lives in the shadow of the death of Diogo Jota. Liverpool fans love Diaz because he embodies the spirit that all football supporters want to see represent them on the pitch, and that love is fully reciprocated by the 28-year-old Colombian winger, who seemed reluctant to leave the club until Bayern Munich came in with a solid $88 million bid. If these two behemoths come up against each other in the Champions League, Diaz will not be booed or jeered by Liverpool’s fans, and there will be no physical or figurative signs of dissent towards a player who’s lifted the Premier League for the club they adore. He will be celebrated as a legend who selflessly left the team at a time that was appropriate for all parties, and after the tears have dried, Bundesliga defenders will be the only ones left crying. 

📬 Enjoying The Raven? Check out our other Men in Blazers newsletters:

☀️ The Women’s Game: Everything you need to know about women’s football, straight to your inbox every Tuesday.

🇺🇸 USMNT Only: Your weekly update on the most important topics in the U.S. men’s game, all leading up to next year’s World Cup.

More Great Football from Around the World 🌍

Women’s Euros Final 🇪🇺

England 1-1 Spain (England win 3-1 on penalties) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇪🇸

When Austin Powers said “why won’t you die?” to Robin Swallows, he could have been referencing Sarina Wiegman’s England team. “They don’t know when they’re beaten” has become their thing now, but never has a footballing cliché been more appropriate, because these Lionesses simply refuse to lose, evidenced in this final and their previous two knockout games, all of which went to extra time. After lifting this trophy in 2022, last night they became both the first England team to defend a title, and the first to win a trophy on foreign soil, putting the senior men’s team, who haven’t lifted a trophy since 1966, in their shadow.

Wiegman’s Vengeance

This was cold revenge for Wiegman, whose side were schooled in a masterclass of beautifully Spanish passing football in the World Cup final two years ago. Even though the world champions had 65% possession and 22 shots to England’s eight in Basel’s St. Jakob-Park yesterday, it always felt like the Lionesses could take it all the way. The teams went punch for punch early on, with both sides having meaningful chances, but when a slick Spanish move headed away by Mariona Caldentey was followed by the injury of Chelsea’s world class operator, Lauren James, it began to feel like World Cup final Déjà vu. But that was before Chloe “Clutch” Kelly typically decided to, once again, make her mark on the match when it mattered most. She bent it like Beckham in the 57th minute, and Alessia Russo, much like Lionel Messi in the 2009 Champions League final, ignored physics to leap almost backwards to head in the equalizer. 

Super Hannah Hampton

Extra time saw heavy legs drag, so it felt appropriate for this tournament of weird and wonderful penalty shootouts, that a game with so much riding on it was to be decided by this cruel method. England’s Hannah Hampton crystallized her performance and tournament by stepping out of Mary Earps’ shadow and into her own stratosphere, saving two Spanish penalties, giving the girl born with ice in her veins, Kelly, the winning spotkick. This team under Wiegman have transformed the complexion of a whole sport in England, overcoming adversity, fulfilling destiny and cementing a legacy that has immeasurably improved the health of the women’s game, not just in their own country, but across the globe.

For more women’s football coverage, sign up for our weekly newsletter dedicated to The Women’s Game here and subscribe to our TWG podcast here.

Some Absolute Weekend Worldies 🚀 🥅

There were a lot of great goals this weekend, but these three get top marks:

Mid-Week Matches Worth Faking a Meeting for 📺

West Ham vs. Everton (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. ET, Peacock)

The David Moyes revenge tour resumes here, as he faces the club who sacked him not long after winning them their first ever European trophy, the Europa Conference League, in 2023. It is, of course, only a friendly, and Moyes will now likely be thankful for a twist of fate that has seen him return to Everton, a club he was destined to manage again, leading them into a new stadium and era. As of yet, neither club has massively dented the transfer market this summer, and Graham Potter has a point to prove after a poor start to his reign as West Ham’s manager last season. These are the games where he’s supposed to build a shape and forge an identity for the coming season, so although ultimately inconsequential, a match against Premier League opposition in front of a big crowd in the USA, will still feel important to the Hammers. 

Manchester United vs. Bournemouth (Wednesday, 9.30 p.m. ET, Peacock) 

Manchester United proved they’re still a pretty big deal by outselling the Club World Cup final at the MetLife stadium this weekend in a promising 2-1 victory against West Ham. It’s dangerous to get excited by progress shown in pre-season, but it’s to no one’s surprise that Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha are both still very good footballers, who along with Bryan Mbeumo, will have United fans probably getting a little bit too excited ahead of the season. Chicago’s 61,500 seated Soldier Field will host this all-Premier League tie as part of the same summer series West Ham and Everton are competing in, and after Andoni Iraola’s side easily dismantled the Toffees 3-0 in the MetLife on Saturday, they’ll be looking to continue building the foundations that saw them soar so high last season. 

Tottenham vs. Arsenal (Thursday, 7:30 a.m. ET, Arsenal/Tottenham websites)

Is it possible for the North London derby to ever be friendly, even if it’s happening in Hong Kong, the first time it’s ever took place outside the UK? Well technically, yes, but there is very real hate here, and the way new manager Thomas Frank sets his team up and navigates this fixture, will be widely studied by Spurs fans globally. We should also see Arsenal’s new marquee signing, Viktor Gyökeres, finally adorn the number 14 shirt worn by Thierry Henry and strap on his cleats for the Gunners, who in their sixth season under Mikel Arteta, will be defined by whether they’re holding silverware at the end of it or not. 

Some Non-Football to Start the Week Off 📖

Shooter McGavin Is Forever. Marty from Hacks IS FOREVER. 

Check-ered past: When Fact-Checking Meant Something.

There was only ever going to be one winner...Turn the parody up to 11: the best spoof movies – ranked!

What the Cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” Means. TLDR: Nothing good!

It’s MiB Trivia Time 🤔

This week’s question: The attendance for Manchester United's 2-1 win over West Ham at the MetLife this weekend was 82,566, surpassing the Club World Cup final's 81,118. What is the highest attended football match in US history? Bonus points if you can guess the crowd by the nearest thousand…

Email us with your answer for a chance to win a much-coveted MiB patch!

Last week’s winner: No one correctly identified the most expensive ever transfer between Premier League clubs. The answer was Jack Grealish from Aston Villa to Manchester City for $139 million in 2021. Better luck next time, guys!