Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry believes Marcus Rashford should consider his long-term future with Manchester United after finding himself limited to a bench role in recent months. The England international started the campaign as the preferred attacker in the left-wing position, but this role has now been occupied by Alexis Sanchez with Anthony Martial rivalling him on the other flank.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, he said: “One of the most important things for me is that you have to play. You cannot be on the bench and missing games, missing learning about the game and stopping that momentum, and an example is Rashford.
Continue reading Thierry Henry: Marcos Rashford may have to leave Manchester United
Belgium looking enticing to win the World Cup
There’s perfectly solid reasoning to back a number of nations as World Cup winners but not many are priced as high as Belgium, who currently sit with odds of 12/1 but are arguably just as capable as some of the favourites.
After what felt like a lifetime of waiting, World Cup 2018 is almost finally upon us and one site that have been waiting as anxiously as us are Footy Accumulators, who’ve already put together World Cup odds pages> for every qualified nation, opening the door to recommended bets and tips on every aspect of the highly-anticipated competition. Continue reading Belgium looking enticing to win the World Cup
Gareth Southgate in for the Long Term
Gareth Southgate has been appointed as the permanent manager at the England national team and he has been able to get some positive results. However, there is a sense that he would be judged a lot upon the performances at the World Cup 2018 – a tournament that England have been able to qualify for in style. England have been unable to make much of an impact at major tournaments in the past. Hence, the consensus is that Southgate will be judged on the performances at this World Cup in order to make a decision with regard to his long-term appointment, but FA chief executive Martin Glenn has rejected those suggestions.
He claims that Southgate will be in for the long term irrespective of the results at the World Cup. It is likely that Southgate will be in a similar situation to that of Roy Hodgson, who took over just before the Euro 2012 only for a disappointing tournament. Hodgson went on to last as the England manager until the World Cup 2014 when he was replaced by Sam Allardyce, whose reign at the national team lasted only for the one match. England have long-term issues and Glenn believes that keeping Southgate for the long-term will ensure consistency even after the World Cup. Under the management of Southgate, England have achieved successes at the under-17 and under-20 levels.
Continue reading Gareth Southgate in for the Long Term
Southgate explains Wilshere & Smalling absence
England head coach Gareth Southgate has insisted that Jack Wilshere is unlikely to get a reckoning in his squad unless he earns regular Premier League action with Arsenal. The 25-year-old has earned 13 minutes of top-flight football this term with manager Arsene Wenger preferring to utilise him in the League Cup and Europa League outings.
Wilshere has always been regarded as one of England’s finest midfielders, but his constant injury concerns have hampered his chances of earning a regular call-up. The playmaker last featured for the Three Lions during the European championships in France in 2016, and Southgate has now suggested that he will have to gain more game time to the Premier League to knock on the national team door.
Continue reading Southgate explains Wilshere & Smalling absence
Is Ozil off to Barcelona?
After each transfer window passes by, more and more transfer rumours surface, and more and more are crushed – these rumours just didn’t come true at all, and were probably made up by someone pretending to be ‘in the know’, but then there are others however that do go through and actually happen.
One of the rumours that has come to light in recent times was Mesut Ozil’s possible January transfer to the Spanish outfit Barcelona – whether or not it is indeed true is a whole other debate! Continue reading Is Ozil off to Barcelona?
Phil Neville – Marcus Rashford as good as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele
Manchester United legend-turned-pundit Phil Neville has heaped praise on Marcus Rashford following his man of the match performance against Burton Albion on Wednesday night.
The England international was picked to start in the centre-forward role during the third-round League Cup tie versus Burton, and he did not disappoint as he bagged two goals and an assist.
The Red Devils forward has shown vast improvement since his first-team debut for United back in February 2016, and Neville believes that the 19-year-old is on the same page as Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe, who made the headlines with their moves to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain respectively this summer.
Rashford looked to have faded in his first full season under Jose Mourinho last term as he managed just 11 goals across all competitions. However, the Englishman has since bulked up by a few kilos and he has started the 2017/18 season in prime fashion with five goals in just over a month.
He has also performed with a similar vigour for the national side after he produced a brilliant showing in the 2-1 victory over Slovakia. Rashford was at fault for Slovakia’s opener at the Wembley, but he therein followed to score a goal and provide an assist to cap up a strong performance. Continue reading Phil Neville – Marcus Rashford as good as Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele
Louis Saha backs Wayne Rooney to end Everton’s trophy drought
Former Manchester United and Everton striker Louis Saha feels Wayne Rooney will help the Toffees end their long wait for silverware.
The Merseysiders have gone more than two decades without a trophy with their last recognisable triumph coming in the 1995 FA Cup final. Since then, Everton have come close to securing the famous old trophy but they have fallen short on each occasion, including the final in 2009, where Saha scored in a 2-1 loss to Chelsea.
Speaking exclusively to TalkSPORT, Saha is confident that the Toffees will return to their glory days with Rooney capable of providing a performance despite his trailing age. The former England international has lost some of his physical attributes in recent seasons, but he is nevertheless considered a valuable Premier League player after having netted twice in six outings for Everton this term. Continue reading Louis Saha backs Wayne Rooney to end Everton’s trophy drought
England new boy Nathaniel Chalobah elated with call-up
Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah admits that he holds no grudges with former club Chelsea, where his playing time was marginalised.
The 22-year-old midfielder has been impressive since his debut for the Hornets earlier this month, and his performances have earned him a maiden call-up to the England national side.
Speaking at a press conference, the enforcer refused to get carried away with his first England call-up as he will be in the focus of media, who will look to take advantage of any flaws in his game, he said: “Everyone feels pressure in some way, but for me it’s just about keeping my head down and staying focused. Things are going to be said, you’re going to be praised, the media might try and kill you sometimes, but it’s part and parcel of football.”
Chalobah has become the first Hornets player since John Barnes in 1983 to earn a Three Lions call, and he is determined to stay focused in order to maintain his spot in the national side, he added: “Things are going well at the club for me at the minute. I’m just trying to keep my head down and stay focused and hopefully try and get many more call-ups.” Continue reading England new boy Nathaniel Chalobah elated with call-up
SAMPSON CLEARED OF BULLYING CHARGES
England coach Mark Sampson has been cleared of any wrongdoing after EniolaAluko complained of “bullying and harassment” to the Football Association, according to the BBC.
The 30-year left the team around mid-last year after submitting an official complaint.
Aluko said she was not selected for the team as she was “undermined and belittled.” The Chelsea star complained of the negative bias that affected her while in the team. The FA set up an independent investigation into the matter which has not cleared the staff of any wrongdoing.
The BBC claims the confidentiality agreement that the FA and the player in question agreed earlier this year is higher than the speculated £40,000. The FA claims the settlement was a “mutual resolution” to avoid disruptions to the England squad preparations for the Euro 2017 – which the Lioness lost in the semi-final to hosts the Netherlands – and not a sum thrown to stop the player from speaking about facts of the matter. Continue reading SAMPSON CLEARED OF BULLYING CHARGES
Ronald Koeman Backs Wayne Rooney for England Once Again
Ronald Koeman has given his backing to Wayne Rooney to make a return to the international side, after recently losing his place in the England national team.
Since the appointment of manager Gareth Southgate as the replacement for Sam Allardyce on a permanent basis, Rooney has been sidelined. However, it has largely to do with his lack of regular first-team football with Manchester United, while he also do not score too many goals at the Red Devils last season. Manager Jose Mourinho preferred using Rooney in the midfield, but it is widely expected that he will make the switch back to the striker’s position at Everton.
Rooney joined the Merseyside outfit as part of the deal that took Romelu Lukaku to Old Trafford. The England international joined a free transfer to his former club and he is expected to be the face of the team going forward. Manager Ronald Koeman has expressed his happiness at being able to possess a player like Rooney in the first team. Still only 31 years old, Rooney has the ability to make a difference for several years to come. Rooney’s first major task will be to help Everton progressing to the latter stages of the Europa league, as they take on Ruzomberok in the qualifying rounds.
“First of all, if you play really good football and produce great performances for your club it is possible that he will come back to the national team. But it always starts with the club, his performances for the club and then it’s reasonable that he will go back to the national team,” said Koeman. “The great thing for Rooney is that he will probably be playing more regular football, so it’s as simple as that,” said Southgate when enquired about the possibility of recalling Rooney to the national team.