Tino Livramento and five or six other England Under-21 players got into a lively debate at the start of training in Samorin today about the rights and wrongs of eating bananas at breakfast. After training in preparation for Saturday’s Euros quarter-final showdown against Spain, Livramento spoke…

On the banana split amongst players… “I don't know why that came up to be honest! When you're away for this time you talk about anything! A lot of players I've grown up with through the youth set-up. A great group to be involved in.”

On being a Band of Brothers… “Definitely. That's what you have to be, whether you've been playing or not playing. It’s about bringing good energy. I've got a lot of close friends here, so when there is some downtime, get on the scooters and go into Bratislava. There's table tennis, darts, golf simulators (at the hotel). There's definitely things to do to take your mind away from being away from home. The people here really do look after us and we do really appreciate it. It can get a little bit tedious and boring at times, but this is a good squad, we're all in it together.”

On taking inspiration as an attacking full-back from Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi…. “You see PSG with their two full-backs. Anyone chipping in with goals and assists is a big thing.”

On the qualities of his Newcastle team-mate Aleksandar Isak, shortlisted for PFA Player of the Year after 23 PL goals… “Alex is an unbelievable player, we definitely saw that a lot this season. You see the level he brings on a Sunday or Saturday as fans, but I see that every single day as a player. Training against him is obviously a privilege. Being at a club like Newcastle and seeing the quality that we have as a team, being involved in that is only going to make me a better player.”

On being linked with other clubs…. “I don't know anything about that. Being away with the Under-21s is my main priority. I like to stay in the moment and just focus on what I can do to help the team now.” Emphasised he’s happy at Newcastle and appreciates class of Eddie Howe. “I'm in constant contact with him. He just said, ‘look, focus on what you're doing now and you're doing so well’. Having that relationship with someone that is obviously such a big figure in what I've done so far is an amazing thing for me.”
#ENG #U21EURO #NUFC

⚫ Mitchell leaves June 30 ➡️
⚪ Andy Howe & Steve Nickson doing deals 🗣️
⚫ Club builder sought 🧱
⚪ CL & multi-club experience? 🌎

🔎 How #NUFC interim transfer team will operate - & what we're hearing about sporting-director search, w/ @GeorgeCaulkin@sportsbots.xyz:
https://nytimes.com/athletic/64344…

The fixtures are out! And it's only the middle of June! God help us all!

Here's how it looks next season for #NUFC, WWIII notwithstanding, featuring the return of Tyne-Wear league derby matches which to be fair, will probably be a bit like WWIII ...

https://nytimes.com/athletic/64184…

⚫ Difficult start - #AVFC (A), #LFC (H) 😯
⚪ #SAFC away derby follows CL fixture 🔴⚪
⚫ Challenging Christmas 🎄
⚪ Ending on the Thames 🛥️

📅 #NUFC 2025-26 Premier League fixtures in full - plus analysis of the schedule: https://nytimes.com/athletic/64184…

🚨📆#SAFC fixtures:

Aug 16: West Ham (H) 3pm ko.
Aug 23: Burnley (A)
Aug 30: Brentford (H)
Sept 13: Crystal Palace (A)
Sept 20: Aston Villa (H)
Sept 27: Nottm Forest (A)

🎄 Dec 20: Brighton (A)
🎅 Dec 27: Leeds (H)
🎄 Dec 30: Man City (H)

⚫️ Dec 13: #NUFC (H)
⚪️ Mar 21: #NUFC (A)

(Only week 1 has been decided for TV oucks).

🚨 📆 #NUFC fixtures:

Aug 16: Villa (A) 12.30ko.
Aug 23: Liverpool (H)
Aug 30: Leeds (A)
Sept 13: Wolves (H)
Sept 20: Bournemouth (A)
Sept 27: Arsenal (H)

🎅 Dec 20: Chelsea (H)
🎄 Dec 27: Man United (A)
🎅 Dec 30: Burnley (A)

🐈‍⬛ Dec 13: #SAFC (A)
🐈‍⬛ Mar 21: #SAFC (H)

(Only games in Week 1 have been picked for TV, so the others are all stated as 3pm Sat preliminary).

Elliot Anderson has senior England ambitions, loves watching Kevin De Bruyne, and cannot wait for European nights at the City Ground. After training at Samorin today, the England Under-21 and Nottingham Forest midfielder spoke well and widely on….

On his best position, 6 or 8. “I do like getting forward in the 8 position and trying to get into the box and score. I enjoy the 6 as well because you get more of the ball and feel you have more control. They both bring good things out of my game. With the double pivot we (U21s) play, it allows a 6 to join the attack, which I like doing. The manager (Lee Carsley) wants me to take control of games.

“I love being able to bring different attributes to the team. Playing lower in the 6, I can try and pass forward, start the attacks and try to join them. At Forest, I am a box-to-box 8. It’s about adapting to what the coach wants. Trying to split defences is a big part of my game. It’s something we might lack in football now. That’s what I’m trying to do, create attacks and try and catch the eye.”

On the debate about who should play 6 alongside Declan Rice for England. “I haven’t seen much of the debate. I’m just trying to focus on myself and get up as high as I can. I believe I can get to the senior team. I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing and try and get on his (Thomas Tuchel’s) radar. I’ll be trying to get in the World Cup squad, that’s for sure.”

On frustration at Forest slipping from Champions League positions into European Conference League. “Everyone was pretty disappointed. We fell off towards the end, but we must be proud of what we’ve done. Chelsea won it (Conference) and if we play the way we did last season, then we could have a really good chance of getting towards the end. It would be incredible (to win a European trophy). All the (Forest) boys have been saying how good it would be. The city deserves it. We have an incredible fanbase. I enjoy playing at the City Ground, so if we can repay the fans with a trophy, it would be great. The nights under the lights at the City Ground with the European clubs coming is what I’m most looking forward to.”

On his popularity at Bristol Rovers (on loan), Newcastle United and now Forest. “I try and get fans off their seats and will do everything for the team. I work hard all game and fight for the team. All the fans enjoy that, so I’ll keep doing that.”

On which player gets him off his seat. “I love watching Kevin De Bruyne. He creates things and is so good to watch.”

On leadership. “I feel I’ve always been vocal. I can be quiet off the pitch, but once I’m on it, I change.”

On the challenge of facing Germany in Nitra on Wednesday. “The lads show their quality every day in training; it’s about being brave and expressing ourselves.”

#ENG #GER #U21EURO #BRFC #UTG, #NUFC #NFFC #UCL #UECL

#Newcastle have shown interest in #Brighton’s forward #JoaoPedro. #BHAFC ask €65-70M to sell the brazilian. #transfers #NUFC

⚫ Pedro's versatility seen as ideal 🔎
⚪ Illia Zabarnyi admired 🇺🇦
⚫ Elanga/Semenyo/Kudus discussed & market being assessed ⚖️
⚪ Is Howe getting frustrated at lack of incomings? 🤔

📝 New weekly @TheAthleticFC@sportsbots.xyz DealSheet, w/ #NUFC section:
https://nytimes.com/athletic/64286…

How will Newcastle approach this transfer window?
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cdxkxwzer4wo
After the club's greatest season in modern history, BBC Sport looks at how Newcastle United could strengthen in this transfer window. #NUFC

⚫ #NUFC (known) targets PL-based 🇬🇧
⚪ But active internal discussions for overseas targets 🇪🇺
⚫ 4 of 6 most-expensive signings from Europe 💶

🤔 Howe, Premier League vs Europe, & how he truly feels about perception of his supposed transfer preferences:
https://nytimes.com/athletic/64209…