Darwin theory evolves, and provokes reactions elsewhere

The Independent’s football newsletter [View in browser]( [The Independent]( June 10, 2022 [The Independent]( Miguel Delaney's Reading the Game Written by Miguel Delaney   Darwin theory evolves, and provokes reactions elsewhere   Liverpool aim to get their man amid wider changes The name dominating these first weeks of the [transfer window is Darwin Nunez](, and the dominant thinking is that he is a virtual certainty to sign for [Liverpool](. That is the club the player wants. That is the reality undercutting any Benfica ideas about a bidding war or maybe even a price of £85m. Manchester United, who had been talking to the Portuguese club for a month, do not want to go so high. They still have interest in the 22-year-old, but are already surveying other options, and are prepared to pull out. Liverpool’s interest shows that Jurgen Klopp is prepared to reshape his attack, although partly through the forces of circumstances. It also points to something else that’s interesting at the top of the game right now. Despite their relentless title race, and both clubs going so far in the Champions League, Liverpool and Manchester City are undergoing Sir Alex Ferguson-style overhauls. They are willing to change the approach of their teams, and the chemistry. City have again made a number of recent league winners available for transfer, just as they did last summer. They include Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, the Portuguese now the subject of interest from Barcelona. Kalvin Phillips is now widely expected to join Pep Guardiola’s side. Ferguson long showed such changes were necessary to remain title challengers for so long, but they do bring temporary risks. Bayern put the pressure on, but also feel it The signing of Darwin is linked to the future of [Sadio Mane](, but Liverpool are encountering frustration there. The Anfield hierarchy are resigned to the Senagelese going, but find themselves being lowballed by Bayern Munich in every new development. That, some in the game have noted, is similar to what Liverpool did to the German champions in 2020 with Thiago Alcantara. It only emphasises the new power that prime players have over the clubs in these situations, with their contracts running down. Bayern themselves want to replace Robert Lewandowski, who will almost certainly go to Spain. It is a test of the hierarchy at the Allianz Arena, since there are real concerns that the club have needlessly squandered a position of strength as European champions two years ago. Huge questions are being asked of Hasan Salihamidzic and Oliver Kahn. High-profile plans but not the highest targets yet Newcastle United would be willing to spend on Darwin, but it is a sign of their remaining status that a strand of player still doesn’t want to join them. As it is, the Saudi Arabian project are looking at Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Ward-Prowse. PSG look to who has beaten them to join them There was a flurry of excitement as it was leaked last week that Paris Saint-Germain are interested in Jose Mourinho, and he was certainly on new director of football Luis Campos’ short list. They have a longstanding relationship, and Campos is an admirer. He will also be aware of some of Mourinho’s machinations. The reports certainly suited the Portuguese’s attempts to gain more leverage as regards transfers at Roma, assurances that have already gone some way to ensuring the 59-year-old promises to stay on for next season. It’s also true that PSG are looking at a number of options. Leading the race right now is said to be Christophe Galtier, who beat Mauricio Pochettino to the French title with Lille in 2020-21. From a good idea to a bad one There have been so many complaints from players about this four-game Nations League break, at the end of a long season, that there is now widespread expectation the Professional Footballers Association will get involved. It is of course down to accommodating Qatar in the calendar, but also the expanded Nations League, which went from three-team groups to four in the last cycle. It has consequently become a bit of a farce, with some managers even thinking they would prefer friendlies, as they could experiment cost-free. As it is, despite the veneer of competitiveness, the major nations have been forced into widescale changes for each game. Some in the game have remarked at how it has helped to dilute interest in the popular Nations League, and that in a [World Cup year](, when international football usually takes prominence.   Top stories [Will football ever have its own LIV Golf? It’s already here]( [Italy pose regular reminder that England have yet to find midfielder to truly control possession](   Miguel's Dispatches It is not just players that are moaning about this Nations League schedule. So are some of us in the media, something I appreciate will not gather much sympathy among readers. It should be stressed that a double-header of a trip to Budapest and Munich is of course a bonus of the job, but even by the end of that most of us had already spoken to Gareth Southgate four times in five days. By Tuesday, and two games in Wolverhampton, it’ll be eight times in 12 days due to press conferences before and after matches. That has been longer than some of England’s tournament campaigns before Southgate, but without the developments and consequences of tournaments, since these are clearly being used as World Cup preparation. So much time with the manager is of course great when the games mean so much. When they don’t, you could understand if he is sick of the sight of us - although that’s probably true of one press conference!   Quote of the day "It was [Ed] Woodward now it's Richard Arnold, and that can make the difference so we have to wait and see. He [Ten Hag] has a lot of confidence, so who am I to say something about that?" Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal talks about his old boss at Manchester United, and the club’s new manager, in his own inimitable way.   Reading the game quiz Since taking over as England manager, Gareth Southgate has used seven players who have not been playing for an English club at the time of their call-up. Name the seven. ([You can find out the answers here](. The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)   [The new Independent app]( [The new Independent app](   Essential reading [Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ missing out on revenue by failing to ‘understand’ their own fans](   [Five things we learned as Harry Kane penalty earns Nations League point](   If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's football newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's football newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Football_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. 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