Everton hold the strongest interest in Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, although Leeds United, Aston Villa, Brentford and Brighton have the 26-year-old France international on their radar. (Teamtalk, external)
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Arsenal: "Gutted for my lads because they showed an excellent performance today. I'm heartbroken that we didn't take anything away. But also proud because we played excellent in the first half.
"I said at half-time, if we have more clarity and belief in our situations then we can win this game. We went for it, even to score the second goal, we had the momentum on our side but Arsenal are the reigning champions. One of the best teams, if not the best team in Europe - this means one of the best teams in the world. Even with little details they are able to capitalise. All credit goes to them, they found a way to turn this game."
On the momentum switch after the equaliser: "For 65 minutes we were dominant but they have quality players from the bench, with a little bit of luck - out of not much - they equalised and they are all of a sudden back in the game.
"We tried everything to the final whistle but we couldn't find the answer so today we have to accept the loss."
On the international break: "Most of my players just arrived two days ago and we just had one proper training session. That's difficult when you are facing Arsenal but no complaints, it's the same for Mikel [Arteta] and his side. We showed an excellent away performance. It's just a bit annoying we didn't take anything away from this.
"You have to feel a bit heartbroken after a loss, but after the dust settles we know what we have done against one of the best teams in the world."
Listen to Farke above and on BBC Sounds here
Did you know?
Leeds have lost their first Premier League game of the season, while their winless run against Arsenal in all competitions now stands at 17 games (D2 L15).
Leeds lost a Premier League game in which they opened the scoring in the second half for the first time since October 1992 (1-2 vs QPR).
Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesIt has been an excellent start to the season for Leeds, and the positive feeling around the team will not be harmed by this defeat against Arsenal.
While there will be disappointment at the result, a five-game unbeaten league start - the club's first in the top flight since 2001 - has given Daniel Farke's side the perfect platform from which to press on from their 14th-place finish last season.
Fortified in defence by the summer arrivals of goalkeeper James Trafford and centre-back Tarik Muharemovic, they had still conceded a joint-league low of three goals after a first hour in which they had bettered the champions.
The Gunners were caught offside four times in the first 16 minutes, with Ben White twice guilty of mistiming his run in attempting to beat a well-drilled Leeds back line.
Leeds' tenacity in defence was personified by midfielder Ao Tanaka's refusal to yield to Bukayo Saka's trickery before ending an Arsenal attack with a disciplined tackle during the first half.
Having been denied on several occasions by David Raya, including close-range strikes by marauding wing-backs Jayden Bogle and Gudmundsson, Leeds looked well-placed to end their long wait for a win at Arsenal following their breakthrough.
But Farke's side ultimately could not reassert themselves once the momentum flipped.
Leeds starting XI:
James Trafford: Will be disappointed with how he conceded the Arsenal equaliser. Showed his passing range as he tried to pick out target man Dominic Calvert-Lewin. 6
Jayden Bogle: Forced David Raya into a save with a good half chance in the first half. Provided an attacking outlet and defended well. 6
James Justin: Scored the very well-worked opener. Made a couple of important clearances and worked well with Bogle in both attack and defence. 7
Tarik Muharemovic: The imposing centre-back dealt with most things that came his way. 7
Nico Elvedi: Part of a Leeds backline that almost caused an upset. 6
Gabriel Gudmundsson: Provided an excellent assist for Justin's goal. Had to deal with the threat of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz who pulled over to Gudmundsson's side too. 7
Ao Tanaka: Very good on the ball and worked hard alongside Ethan Ampadu in the middle of the pitch. 7
Ethan Ampadu: Worked very hard in the middle of the pitch with Tanaka and gave Leeds a solid platform to build from. 6
Anton Stach: The midfielder made his physical presence felt in the middle of the pitch. 6
Noah Okafor: Went close in the first half with an early Leeds chance. Overhit a pass when he had a great chance to play Stach through. 6
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Held the ball up very well and gave Ezri Konsa and Gabriel a physical battle. 6
Leeds substitutes:
Harry Wilson (on 71, Tanaka): Came on as Leeds chased a way back into the match. 6
Brenden Aaronson (on 71, Okafor): Tried to make something happen. 6
Jean-Matteo Bahoya (on 86, Bogle): Not given many minutes. 5
Jaka Bijol (on 86, Elvedi): Not much time to make an impact. 5
Subs not used: Zetterer, Bard, Gruev, Nmecha, Longstaff.
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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Arsenal's performance
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Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.
There are six games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Arsenal v Leeds United (12:30)
Aston Villa v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Chelsea v Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Ipswich Town v Fulham
Sunderland v Brighton
Manchester United v Tottenham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.
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Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist
Having had three weeks to stew on their loss to Brighton, Arsenal will be itching to get going in the Premier League again. Unbeaten Leeds United are their opponents in the Premier League on Saturday (12:30 BST) at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners were uncharacteristically out of sorts at Amex Stadium before the international break, as their perfect start to the season was ended in spectacular fashion by a 3-0 defeat. Mikel Arteta, who signed a new contract this week, will want to see his side bounce back like champions.
Leeds will pose a big challenge, though. After a summer of solid transfer business, they have started the campaign well, winning two and drawing three of their first five fixtures. Daniel Farke's side have the joint-best defensive record in the league too and will fancy their chances of springing a surprise.
Gunners to get back at it?
The 3-0 reverse at Brighton was Arsenal's biggest Premier League defeat since May 2023 against the same opposition. Arteta said it was a "big lesson", so supporters will be expecting a response.
In fairness to the Gunners, the nature of the defeat was out of sync with the defensive standards they have set under the current head coach. They only lost by more than one goal once in the whole of last season, against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
So how do they do it? They need to take more care in possession to start. Against the Seagulls, the Gunners lost possession in their own final third nine times, which was the most for them since December 2023. Leeds are second for pressed sequences in the Premier League so far this season, with 63, and will fancy their chances of potentially pinching possession back in dangerous areas too.
While so far this season teams with less than 50% of possession have won more games than teams with 50% of the ball, Arsenal have pivoted towards a controlled style of play with the ball.
In Leeds, they do at least have historically accommodating opponents. Arsenal have won nine of their past 10 Premier League games against the Whites, including the past seven by an aggregate score of 24-5.
Whites keeping it tight
Farke's side can go to the Emirates with nothing to fear, though, and will take confidence from the robustness of the squad they have assembled.
They have been superb at the back, with goalkeeper James Trafford and defender Tarik Muharemovic adding extra steel since their summer arrivals. As a team, they have limited their opponents to just 0.09 xG per shot, a tally only the Gunners can better with 0.08.
Where Leeds may also be able to match Arsenal is from attacking set-pieces. They lead the Premier League for the percentage of their shots (46.7%) and xG (41.0%) which have come from non-penalty set-pieces, with three of their seven goals coming from dead-ball situations.
Arsenal scored a massive 29 goals from set-pieces on their way to the title last season, with their inswinging corners a defining feature of their play. But five games in, Arteta's side have yet to score from a dead-ball situation.
Brighton were brilliant when they beat Arsenal before the international break - the Seagulls really harried and hassled the champions and went toe-to-toe with them.
I don't think Leeds will go about things the same way, but they will still provide a stern test.
Daniel Farke's side are really solid but also carry a big threat too, and they are a very different proposition to the side Arsenal thumped 5-0 at Emirates Stadium at the start of last season.
So, this game will tell us a lot about where Arsenal are and how they have recovered from that Brighton defeat.
I'd still back the Gunners to find a way to win, especially because they are at home, but it will be a lot closer than last time. Leeds don't concede goals as freely any more.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Noah Okafor has been explaining explained why Leeds United feels like home to him after making an impressive start to his second season at Elland Road.
The forward told BBC Radio Leeds: "I like to score and assist and to help the team. Goals are the most important thing. This feeling is something I can't describe. It is incredible to score at home games."
Since joining Leeds in August 2025, the Switzerland international has forged a partnership and friendship with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
"I love him so much as a friend. To play with him makes me so happy. Dom gives me good advice in life. Really happy to have him in my side and in my private life," added Okafor.
So far this season, the 26-year-old has featured in seven games for Leeds, scoring one goal.
"We have good energy and atmosphere in the team. It is special on and off the pitch.
"I am really happy to have a coach like him [Daniel Farke]. He gives me freedom up front."
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds
Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has described boss Daniel Farke as "fantastic for the club" and told fans they can "look forward to many more games with him" as the Whites look to extend the German's contract beyond the end of this season.
Farke guided the club to a 14th-place finish in the Premier League last season alongside a run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Marathe said: "Daniel has been tremendous for us. I think the club and the city and everyone in Yorkshire has embraced him."
Leeds travel to champions Arsenal on Saturday (12:30 BST) looking to build on their unbeaten start, and certainly for improvement on last season's 5-0 defeat at Emirates Stadium.
Listen to the full chat above or on BBC Sounds here
Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician
Just five games in, it might seem a bit early to pay much attention to the Premier League table - but it's probably more settled than you think.
If we look at the Premier League after five games last season and where teams ultimately ended up, the final table was already starting to take shape as 13 of the 20 sides finished within four places of where they sat even at this early stage (65%).
Eventual champions Arsenal were second, Sunderland were already seventh - where they finished eight months later - and two of the three sides that were relegated were already in the bottom three.
The eventual champions have been in the top two at this point in the past four campaigns, suggesting - potential punishments aside - it will be Manchester City or Arsenal that lifts the trophy.
The top end of the table overall has sometimes settled surprisingly quickly in recent years. The top eight after five games in 2024-25 finished as the top eight at the end of that season (although not in the same order), while the top six in 2019-20 and top seven in 2016-17 were also in place at this early stage.
While being top after five games has not meant much in recent seasons, being bottom certainly has.
Tottenham could well be in trouble once again as the side bottom of the Premier League after five games has been relegated in six of the past seven seasons.
Being bottom this early did not used to be such a bad omen. Between 2013-14 and 2018-19, only one of the six sides that were propping up the table after five games ended up going down - Newcastle in 2015-16 - while Crystal Palace finished as high as 11th in 2017-18.
Looking at the relegation battle more broadly, at least one of the teams in the bottom three at this stage has been relegated in the past eight seasons - so one of Tottenham, Fulham and Coventry City are very likely to be heading to the Championship in May.
The pool of contestants for this season's relegation battle may already be decided too because the three sides that ultimately went down in the past three seasons were all in the bottom six after five games, which would add Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace to the mix.
The last sides to be outside the bottom six at this point but relegated were Leeds United and Southampton in 2022-23, who were both in the top half (seventh and ninth). With their teams currently in eighth and 11th place, Hull City and Ipswich Town fans will hope that is still the case at the end of this campaign.
While the season may well have barely begun, the Premier League table is already starting to take shape.
Sophie Trifonoff
BBC Sport journalist
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 12:20 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On the Manchester City verdict, Farke said: "Not my topic. My topic is football. There are more qualified people to speak on this. It makes no sense if right now everyone wants to have an opinion about this topic. There are more qualified people to talk about this. It's nothing to do with me, I was not involved in the title race during those years."
On James Trafford's performances for England during the international break, the German manager said: "Two games, two wins, delighted for him. He's had an impressive and terrific start in the Premier League for us, and he fully deserved to get another call-up and delighted for him to have two more appearances under his belt. I was desperate to sign him, not just this summer, I'd tried before, because I'm fully convinced of his qualities as a goalkeeper and as a human being."
Farke confirmed defender Joe Rodon is on his way back from injury after individual training sessions but will be unavailable for Saturday's match against Arsenal.
Fellow Welshman Daniel James will also be out for Saturday's game after sustaining a back injury during the international break with Wales.
Jean-Matteo Bahoya returned from the France camp with an ankle strain, but "looks way better" the Leeds boss said. "We have to wait now to see how his body reacts but it seems like there is a chance that he's available, at least there's some progress," he added.
Harry Wilson has returned to team training after his muscle injury but will also be monitored before the weekend.
Farke has said his side are the "underdogs" going into Saturday's fixture but he says it will be a "good chance to show how far Leeds have come".
On Leeds' league position, Farke said: "It's not coincidence that in the last 10-11 months we are the fifth best team in the Premier League in terms of points. We haven't won the lottery to be in fifth, it's not coincidence that we are unbeaten after a very impressive start to the Premier League."
Hit play above to hear more from Farke or listen on BBC Sounds here
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.
Image source, Getty ImagesA number of Premier League clubs want Manchester City to be hit with both "retrospective punishments" and sanctions for the future for their mass financial rule-breaking, sources have told BBC Sport.
An independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.
City have appealed against the verdict, while the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is poised to look at the findings to see if there may be any suggestions of potential misconduct.
However, there is said to be a consensus among a group of top-flight club executives that if City's appeal is unsuccessful, the sanctions should make reparations for the period when they broke the rules, while also limiting their powers in future.
There is also a feeling from at least four Premier League boardrooms that a "one-hit" points deduction resulting in relegation to the Championship would be an insufficient punishment given the severity of City's wrongdoing.
Image source, Getty ImagesOn the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet episode, BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope answer more of your questions on the Whites.
Harry Gray is the next in line to make waves in a Leeds shirt as he tries to continue the Gray dynasty at the west Yorkshire club.
However, one fan on the podcast believes the Whites should let the 17-year-old leave.
"I have seen this before when players have been brought into a certain point of a club's evolution and it is a massive leap," Pope responded.
"It is almost immeasurable the leap up from being good in the Championship, to then staying in the Premier League."
Unlike his brother Archie, who developed with Leeds in the second tier, the younger sibling - who is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday - has got to work his way into a competitive Premier League side at his parent club.
"I understand the fear there. If you have got the talent and the drive, which I think Harry has, then I think there is every possibility he comes back and he is a part of Leeds United going forward. He is really, really young," added Pope.
Gray has featured in six games for the Owls this season, but has yet to get on the scoresheet.
The young forward made his first senior debut under Daniel Farke during the 2024-25 campaign, when the German boss substituted on the then 16-year-old in Leeds' 6-0 win over Stoke City in the Championship.
"I think it is great that he has had this time at Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday," Pope continued.
"Carrying the weight of the Gray name, he is fine, he has got big shoulders. It is absolutely fine.
"They have grown up around it all with the Gray name, which is a positive thing. I don't think it is an issue. Harry has got a lot of personality as a young guy.
"That is why he wanted to go out and play football. Fair play, back your talent. He will come good."
Listen by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds
After three weeks without a game Leeds United are counting down to being back in Premier League action.
On the latest Don't Go Back To Bed Just Yet podcast, Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope still have some unanswered questions to go through before the trip to the Emirates.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds
Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist
Unbeaten Leeds United look every inch an established Premier League team in their second season since promotion, with boss Daniel Farke sticking to the formula that took them to an impressive 14th-place finish last term.
The Yorkshire side have prioritised recruiting players with outstanding physical attributes since going up, and that approach has continued to pay dividends in the early weeks of the campaign. Farke's side have won more duels, made more interceptions and completed more headed clearances than any other team.
They have also been one of the league's most direct sides and the most reliant on dead-ball situations, with more than 40% of Leeds' expected goals total this term coming from set pieces - the highest proportion in the top flight.
When Leeds do threaten from open play, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is usually at the heart of it. The rejuvenated striker ranks third in the league for open-play xG, and signing him on a free transfer in August 2025 increasingly appears to be a masterstroke.
He has scored 17 Premier League goals since the start of last season - a tally bettered by only four players, none of them English. The 29-year-old has also won 24 aerial duels this term, the league's third-highest total, and ranks third for pressures applied in the final third.
Barcelona and Inter Milan are two of the top European clubs tracking 23-year-old Bosnia defender Tarik Muharemovic, but Leeds United have no intention of selling their £34m summer signing from Sassuolo. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
In the final part our Q&A with BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope, he addresses the Whites' attack, as well as Farke's contract and substitutions.
John asked: Do you feel we have identified a back-up striker to either bring in during the January window or as a free agent?
Adam: It is a niche market as far as the club are concerned.
Managing director Robbie Evans confirmed this to us: "The number of players who are good enough to play in the league, willing to fight for their spot or be a back-up, a good fit to our target profile and style of play, and worth a long-term commitment financially, is a very, very small list."
So, if they could have landed someone, I think they would have, but I do not see it as being an essential element of the strategy going into January. If something did happen to either Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Lukas Nmecha, then the emphasis switches, but then you would be looking at a main striker again.
Image source, Getty ImagesJohn asked: Will Farke's contract be finalised soon?
Adam: I remain confident an agreement will be reached. I believe time pressure is not as much of an issue as many feel.
Ultimately, both parties are in strong positions. Farke's stock is high and the club is performing well on many fronts with him at the helm of the football side.
There seems to be an alignment, including working together for a decent expenditure on players over the summer.
Andrew asked: Do you understand the frustration of how long it takes Farke to change things? It's not just this season, we've left so many points on the pitch during his tenure.
Adam: When we've asked about this in the past, Farke has said there is a science or methodology behind what he does with his substitutions.
Sometimes it's not to break up the rhythm of what he feels is going well. I can think back to several occasions when he has been very adventurous from the bench in going for the win.
Also, towards the end of last season, in March, Farke's average time for the first substitution (not forced by injury) was 66 minutes, which was six minutes sooner than the Premier League's average of about 72 at that time. So perception is not always accurate.
However, I know at Chelsea it felt frustrating when players were on the sidelines waiting to come on and the opponent scored.
Listen to West Yorkshire Sport Daily, weeknights at 18:00, and subscribe to BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds
In the second part of a special Q&A, BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope looks at potential next homegrown Elland Road stars and why Daniel Farke doesn't use academy players consistently in his team.
Gary asked: Out of the under-21s, who do you think will be the breakthrough player in the first team?
Adam: I was impressed with Rory Mahady, Freddie Lane, Harvey Vincent and Callum Mills at Barnsley in the 4-3 EFL Trophy win.
In most cases I would expect a loan spell before any sort of progress towards the first team squad where Alfie Cresswell, Rhys Chadwick and Jayden Lienou have at least appeared on the bench.
Chadwick, I thought, performed really well filling in at left-back in the pre-season friendly against Manchester United at Croke Park when Lienou was ill.
Image source, Getty ImagesDavid asked: Why do we not use our young talent? The academy players are not getting a chance and are looking elsewhere for game time. If we're not going to use these players, why are we wasting money on the academy?
Adam: The academy is there to supply and develop players for the first team, but the leap to the Premier League is huge from that level of football.
Generational talents like Archie Gray are rare, so I think its sensible to send youngsters on loan with a view to coming back.
Also, by giving them EFL experience and real competitive football, they are also more valuable if they are to be sold and not assimilated back into the fold.
Come back to this page later on Friday for the third and final part of the Q&A, which will focus on Leeds' attack and Farke's substitutions.
We asked you to send in your questions for BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope to answer. In the first of a three-part Q&A, he addresses Wilfried Gnonto's future under Daniel Farke and squad depth.
Stuart asked: What's happening with Gnonto? Is he still in Farke's plans?
Adam: It's hard to see where Gnonto fits into Farke's set-up any more, especially with him going back to Italy to play for Fiorentina on loan.
He had started to make an impact off the bench during pre-season, but in terms of the starting pecking order, Gnonto seems way down the list.
First, Harry Wilson is the star attacking signing, then Brenden Aaronson has regularly played ahead of him and, more recently, Dan James is being adapted to a wing-back role.
When you also consider Noah Okafor occupies the left side too, with Jean-Matteo Bahoya now on board as well, that's a lot of players to climb over.
Also, if Gnonto plays regularly in Serie A, then he has a chance of reclaiming his place with Italy under Roberto Mancini, who gave Gnonto his senior international debut four years ago.
Image source, Getty ImagesLuke asked: Does the club feel comfortable with squad options if Dominic Calvert-Lewin or James Trafford get long-term injuries?
Adam: When we spoke to managing director Robbie Evans recently, he was clear about the policy surrounding Calvert-Lewin.
"There was no desire at all this summer to find a striker who was going to compete with or take over for Dominic's spot," he said.
"It was never going to be a number-one striker this summer for us. I know there was talk about adding a striker back in January, and that's a different topic. But as of this summer, it would have been a supporting role only."
Evans added that Leeds are "two deep at striker depth with the guys we have" - Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.
He also mentioned how hard it is to find a supporting striker, especially when the team is designed around a focal number nine.
Come back to this page on Friday for parts two and three of the Q&A, which will look at subjects including Leeds' breakthrough players, Farke's use of academy products and the German's contract situation.
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Premier League has opened a Pandora's box of problems which cannot be closed. However well-intentioned, however morally upright they mean to be, the way the product is perceived around the planet by fans will be negatively affected.
This looks like a gigantic mess, but could also become a bit of a joke, especially if they attempt to rewrite history, and change the winners' names on the Premier League and cup trophies over these past 15 years. I wouldn't want the engraver's job.
I believe financial rules brought in to prioritise financial sustainability were also aimed at limiting the money being spent by the clubs, especially the staggering, ever-inflating sums spent on sometimes fairly average players. It could lead to a de facto salary cap, which many fans would approve of.
The long-term problem for the league is easy to see here: if the top players are then offered significantly more money to play elsewhere, they will be off before you can say 'man on'.
I always thought the Premier League had taken a huge risk going down this regulatory road. As with Manchester City's future, nobody knows what the real long-term ramifications will be.
I have a suspicion it could end up being the greatest own goal in the sport's entire history.
The big take: If City are cast out of England's top leagues, what might the owners do – hang around the lower reaches, or find something else? Wasn't there the idea of a Super League? Keep that thought in the back of your mind.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesMost of the time it is not that big a deal if you go into the international break having just lost a club game if I am honest, as teams lose games frequently.
That is just the life of a professional footballer. You have to be able to cope with disappointment as an individual and as a team.
Admittedly, players will sometimes say that they want another domestic game quickly, but it is almost always specifically after a 'bad' defeat as opposed to just a run-of-the-mill loss.
However, if the team has genuinely played terribly, or lost a game they were expected to win comfortably, you will commonly hear the phrase "we want to have a chance to get back out there and put it right quickly".
Players who have had a stinker, even if their team won, might also want to get out again as soon as possible to put it right in front of their fans, or 'reset'. The 'reset' argument is just current football jargon to say, "we will try to get it right next time, and we blew it this week, sorry".
The international break can also have the beneficial effect of taking your mind away from a bad defeat. This is not to say that you don't care, it is just that you must compartmentalise your thoughts and feelings. Footballers are among the best at this.
You simply cannot go to play for your national team and spend the time brooding about what happened against Brentford last week. That way lies madness and another poor performance, only this time in front of the entire nation.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
