World Cup
Euro 2020: Gareth Southgate invites Bukayo Saka, 24 others
Gareth Southgate hit back at the critics after selecting Trent Alexander-Arnold for England’s Euro 2020 squad as the Three Lions boss admitted Harry Maguire is a doubt for the opener against Croatia. Alexander-Arnold had to endure a nervous wait before learning he had made the cut after spending much of the season out of favour with Southgate. The 22-year-old was left out of Southgate’s England squad for their World Cup qualifiers in March. But Alexander-Arnold’s strong end to the season with Liverpool convinced Southgate to restore the right-back to his squad. Alexander-Arnold responded to his selection by tweeting: “Always believe in yourself. Silence the doubters.” Irritated by the inaccurate pre-announcement reports that he would drop Alexander-Arnold, Southgate insisted he never lost ...
Paul Pogba: N’Golo Kante star is a ‘smart kid’ and a ‘cunning’ player
N’Golo Kante “cheats a lot”, according to Paul Pogba, who has described the Chelsea star as a “smart kid” and a “cunning” player. Kante has established himself as one of the top midfielders in Europe since joining Leicester City from Caen in 2015, helping the Foxes win the Premier League title before also going on to lift the trophy with Chelsea. The 30-year-old has a World Cup winners’ medal to his name too, having been part of the triumphant 2018 France squad alongside Pogba, who has now revealed that his compatriot will do whatever it takes to win, even if it means bending the rules. The Manchester United talisman told beIN Sports of his international colleague: “He cheats a lot. A lot. At card games, board games. Honestly, I’m telling the truth. He cheats. “He says he doesn’t cheat, bu...
FIFA supremo urges restraint in punishing Super League clubs
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is not in favour of sanctions against the 12 clubs that tried to launch a European Super League, preferring “dialogue” on football reform. The plan to create a closed competition was “unacceptable” and “unimaginable”, the world football boss told French sports daily L’Equipe in an interview published on Wednesday. “Certain actions should have consequences, and everyone must assume their responsibilities,” said Infantino, who has publically joined the opposition to the project. “But you always have to be careful when you talk about sanctions. “It’s said quickly that you have to punish. It’s even popular — or populist — sometimes. “By punishing a club, for example, you are also punishing players, coaches and fans, who have nothing to do with it.” He sa...
Florentino Perez: Cristiano Ronaldo will not come back to Real Madrid
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has ruled out a return to Santiago Bernabeu for Cristiano Ronaldo and claims to have had no contact with Paris Saint-Germain regarding a move for Kylian Mbappe. Movement in the Spanish capital is being mooted ahead of the summer transfer window, with Perez – who is famed for his ‘Galactico’ recruitment model – being re-elected to remain at the helm of the Liga giants. It has been suggested that efforts will be made to re-sign a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, with Ronaldo having left Real for Juventus as the club’s all-time leading scorer in 2018, but no bid is being lined up to land the 36-year-old Portuguese. Perez has told El Chiringuito: “Cristiano Ronaldo will not come back to Real Madrid. “It does not make sense, he has a contract with Juventus. I...
UEFA exco member: Super League clubs will be thrown out of Champions League
Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid could be kicked out of this season’s Champions League this week, according to the Danish FA chairman Jesper Moller. Moller, who is a member of UEFA’s Executive Committee, says the teams involved in the new Super League could face sanctions following Sunday’s groundbreaking announcement. One team that wasn’t part of the Super League’s unveiling was Paris Saint-Germain, who are the only semi-finalists currently not involved in the new competition. “The clubs are going out, and I expect that to happen on Friday, and then you have to see how to finish the Champions League,” Moller told DR Sport. He added: “There must be one extraordinary executive committee meeting on Friday. I have an expectation that the 12 clubs will be thrown out.” As things stand, ...
Zinedine Zidane: I don’t think I’m a disaster of a coach
Zinedine Zidane has responded to more questions of his future at Real Madrid by pointing out that he is not “a disaster of a coach”, but is also unable to speculate on how long he will be sticking around at Santiago Bernabeu. The Frenchman has secured two titles in La Liga and three Champions League crowns across two spells as Blancos boss, and remains in the hunt for more glory down both of those avenues this season. Questions have, however, been asked of whether he will remain in his current post through to the end of his current contract in 2022, with calls for change at various intervals being added to a pot that also includes links to Serie A giants Juventus. Asked at a pre-match conference about those who continue to suggest that his success is down to good fortune, the World Cup win...
Ike Shorunmu applauds Ahmed Musa’s courage to return to local league
Former Super Eagles assistant coach Ike Shorunmu has lauded Ahmed Musa’s decision to return to the Nigeria professional football league after 18 years. Musa joined four-time Nigerian champions, Kano Pillars, ahead of the second stanza of the 2020-2021 Nigeria professional football league campaign. The Super Eagles Captain is expected to remain with the Sai Masu Gida until the end of the current campaign and will allow a move should he receive an offer from Europe. Reacting to the transfer, Shorunmu who also made name for himself in the domestic league before going to Europe, applauded Musa’s courage to return home and sign for a team. “His return to the league is a welcome development and it’s a great one for our football and Musa himself,” he told brila.net “We have to applaud his courage...
March International Break Round-Up – Manchester City
With the March international break reaching its conclusion, players only have a short amount of time before they’re expected to be back in action with their club sides over the Easter weekend. Manchester City visit Leicester City on Saturday, and we’re going to look at how the 15 internationals in Pep Guardiola’s squad fared during their respective national duties ahead of that game. ENGLAND Four of City’s squad were called up to Gareth Southgate’s national team squad for their World Cup qualifiers, and all four will be at least reasonably happy with their playing time across the three matches – all of which were victories. Centre-back John Stones was back in the national team setup for the first time since November 2019 and played the first half of a 5-0 victory over San Marino at Wembley...
March International Break Round-Up – Manchester United
With the March international break reaching its conclusion, players only have a short amount of time before they’re expected to be back in action with their club sides over the Easter weekend. Ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, we’re going to take a look at how the 15 internationals in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad fared during their respective national duties. ENGLAND What started as four call-ups from Old Trafford to Gareth Southgate’s squad ended in four and a loanee as Marcus Rashford was forced to withdraw from international duty before a ball had been kicked, opting to focus on rehabilitation from an injury instead. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson joined the Three Lions squad but failed to make an appearance across the three World Cup qualification v...
England’s real test: Can Kane and Sterling lead them to a win over Poland?
England and Poland will square off at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday in an exciting World Cup qualifier. Authors of a blistering start to their Group I adventure, England will be looking to improve their impressive international record against weakened Poland. The Three Lions have won 11 of their 19 showdowns against this opponent (D7, L1), with their lone defeat across that spread of encounters dating back to June 1973. Severely crippled by the absence of their headline performer Robert Lewandowski, the visitors will need to stay compact to avoid defeat here. As ever, Bayern Munich star has carried much of the scoring burden by himself, notably scoring nine goals in his last nine starts for the national team. England Preview Impressively, 19 consecutive home victories in World Cup/Euro qual...
Daniel Sturridge on the verge of MLS move
Daniel Sturridge could be set to move to the MLS, according to the Daily Mirror. Sturridge has been without a club since being released from Trabzonspor back in March 2020. The striker had just received a four-month ban and a £150,000 fine after a breach of betting rules. It’s been a difficult few years for the Englishman, who was once one of the Premier League’s deadliest strikers. In his first season-and-a-half at Liverpool, he scored 31 league goals in just 43 appearances, finishing as runner up in the 2013/14 Golden Boot race behind strike partner Luis Suarez. However, he suffered numerous injury problems which severely limited his game time over the next few years. Suarez’s departure and the replacement of manager Brendan Rodgers with Jurgen Klopp also impacted his form, and he found ...
Two wins from two in World Cup qualification for England
England made it six points from a possible six in 2022 World Cup qualification with a 2-0 victory away in Albania. A second-half strike from Mason Mount added to a first-half header by captain Harry Kane to secure a second win in three days for Gareth Southgate’s side. Following on from Thursday night’s 5-0 triumph over San Marino at Wembley, Southgate made six changes upon arrival in Albania, including the return of Kane, looking to maintain an unbeaten record in World Cup qualification which has lasted since 2009. England – playing in their all-white home kit – lined up as follows: England: Pope, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Foden, Mount, Sterling, Kane Meanwhile, hosts Albania came into the encounter on the back of their best form in 11 years, unbeaten in ...
