CriticXI

The critical eye on football. Analysis • Transfers • Tactics • Opinions ⚽️

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@Tgarratt10 People act like Southgate did nothing because he didn’t win a trophy. The reality is he changed England's mentality and made them serious tournament contenders again. Tuchel'sjob is to finish the job, not erase the progress.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@JacobsBen @MagentaTV That wasn’t a transfer meeting, it was a luxury vacation sponsored by Liverpool. 😂😂

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

20 goals in 20 World Cup games at his age is outrageous. We're witnessing one of the greatest World Cup careers ever.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@brfootball For an hour, Morocco executed their game plan almost perfectly. Then six minutes of French quality ended the contest. Elite teams punish the smallest lapses.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@InvertTheWing 😪😪

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@markgoldbridge VAR is supposed to reduce debates, not create new ones. If there’s a potential handball, show every angle and let people understand the decision.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@MadridXtra The scary part is that Mbappé doesn’t need to dominate touches. He can stay quiet for 80 minutes and still decide the game with one run or one finish.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@EBL2017 That's what separates Mbappé from pure No. 9s. He can finish like a striker, create like a winger, and carry the ball like a playmaker, all in the same game.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

That's why you never write off world-class players. Mbappé missed the penalty, took the criticism, then stepped up with the goal that could send France through. Elite mentality.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@JacobsBen Penalty shootouts aren't luck when it comes to Bounou anymore. There's a clear pattern, he reads body language exceptionally well.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@IsaacMi78414092 @GainPlugSource Done

[Isaac ()united @IsaacMi78414092]

If you have 0 followers please connect and grow up together

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

What an awful free kick from Hakimi

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@Tgarratt10 Glad Mbappé missed it

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

Prediction markets reflect probability, not certainty. Three knockout games can change the entire Golden Ball race overnight.

[Polymarket Sports @PolymarketSport]

🚨Official World Cup Golden Ball chances ahead of the Quarter Finals, per Polymarket:

37% - 🇫🇷Kylian Mbappé
30% - 🇦🇷Lionel Messi
9% - 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Harry Kane
8% - 🇳🇴Erling Haaland
7% - 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Jude Bellingham
5% - 🇫🇷Michael Olise
2% - 🇪🇸Lamine Yamal
2% - 🇫🇷Ousmane Dembélé

Comment who you think should win👇

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@AaronHRamiro A high defensive line without pace is asking for trouble. Lacroix solves one of the biggest risks in Alonso’s style of play.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

Looking sharp 💪

[DAZN Football @DAZNFootball]

Back to club football for a little bit to see Xabi Alonso on his first day as the new Chelsea head coach 👏

(📹 via chelseafc/IG)

#PremierLeague

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@Blue_Footy People will laugh now, but Morocco is good enough to upset any nation on their day.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@MadridXtra @ActuFoot_ France better not underestimate this team. Morocco have enough quality to punish anyone.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@premierleague @ChelseaFC People focus on the 3-4-3, but Alonso’s teams often change shape in possession. It can look like a back three when building up and a back four when defending. The fluidity is what makes it difficult to stop.

[CriticXI @CriticXI]

@FabrizioRomano Chelsea may have just strengthened a direct rival. Time will tell whether this becomes one of those transfers everyone looks back on. United’s midfield has lacked balance for a while. Santos won’t solve everything, but he could become the foundation the next rebuild is built on