Marc – Football World Cup Blog

Bournemouth confirm signing of Dominic Solanke from Liverpool

Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of Dominic Solanke from Liverpool on a permanent deal. The England international had failed to make a single appearance for the Reds during the first half of the season and this has eventually witnessed him pursue a fresh challenge away to enhance his prospects of gametime.

“FC Bournemouth is delighted to have confirmed the signing of Dominic Solanke on a permanent basis from Liverpool. Arriving in Dorset on Thursday morning, the striker was shown around the facilities at Vitality Stadium, before putting pen to paper to finalise a long-term deal. Solanke arrives having previously been at Chelsea and Liverpool, also with one England cap to his name. Additionally, the 21-year-old has won the under-20s World Cup for the Young Lions, alongside current Cherries man Lewis Cook,” a statement on the club’s website read.
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England legend slams Manchester United after Liverpool defeat

England legend Alan Shearer believes Manchester United have no chance of making the top four following a below-par display against Liverpool on Sunday. The Red Devils went into the weekend Premier League clash as genuine underdogs and they failed to overcome Jurgen Klopp’s side as they struggled to a 3-1 defeat.

Following the game, Shearer was far from pleased with the performance from Jose Mourinho’s men and suggested that the club need to either back the Portuguese in the transfer market or relieve him from his head coach duties, he told The Sun: “It’s nowhere near good enough. Get in the top four?They’ve got no chance. No chance. Manchester United have a big decision to make. They could come out and back the manager – and back him big – in January. If they don’t, that would be very telling as to the direction things are heading. That’s if he makes it to January. It’s tough going to Anfield, no one is denying that. Especially against this superb Liverpool team. But they were set up to be beaten, set up at best to hang on against Liverpool.”
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Former Coventry coach praises Callum Wilson’s development

Former Coventry head coach Mark Robins has praised the progress of Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson, who recently earned his maiden cap with the England national side. The striker has been plagued with a number of injuries over the course of his professional career but Robins is pleased that the Englishman has overcome his troubles to earn international recognition.

In a report covered by Sky Sports News, Robins highlighted that the striker did not have a great fitness record right from the beginning of his career and is pleased that he has shown the character and determination to reach the current phase of his career, he said: “When I was here the first time around Callum had quite a few lengthy injuries and to come through that and get back to playing, never mind to the level he’s performing at, shows character and determination.
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Chelsea boss hails Ross Barkley as the ‘complete’ midfielder

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has hailed Ross Barkley as the ‘complete’ midfielder following his excellent contribution in the thumping 4-0 win over Burnley on the road. The Blues had come into the game without the presence of Eden Hazard through injury and Barkley took up the responsibility with a goal and two assists to his name.

Following the game, Sarri said that he has impressed with how Barkley has improved defensively since the opening weeks of the campaign. He added that the England international can now be considered as the complete player after also improving on his physical condition which was a concern when he first joined the Blues.
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Ross Barkley urges Eden Hazard to stay put with Chelsea

England international Ross Barkley has urged Eden Hazard to stay put with Chelsea for the long-term. The Belgium attacker has been constantly linked with a move to Real Madrid since the summer and the speculation has grown over the past few days with the 27-year-old personally admitting that it would be a dream to join the European champions.

Amidst this, Barkley has been full of praise for the former Lille man who recently tipped him to be one of the best in the world. Speaking to reporters, he said: “He’s a magnificent player. You can see how he started the season and the World Cup that he had, you don’t get many players like him. He’s capable of magic at any moment and to hear the things that he’s said, it’s great for me get to hear a player like that say so many great things about myself. It’s important [he stays] because he’s been at Chelsea for a long time. He’s achieved so much. But I can’t speak for Eden. He knows in his mind what he wants but I’d love to play with him for many more years.”
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England manager Gareth Southgate heaps praise on Harry Maguire

England manager Gareth Southgate has praised the qualities of Harry Maguire ahead of the Three Lions friendly against Switzerland at the King Power Stadium. The Leicester City centre-back has been a huge revelation for the national team since making his debut last year and Southgate believes the 25-year-old is one of the best in the business at the moment.

Speaking to reporters, he said: “I was first and foremost delighted he was fit and available. The reason for that being when I was watching him during last season I knew that on the biggest stage he’d be able to perform and excel.I was so pleased he was going to have the opportunity to do that and he delivered.He’s a superb defender, he’s really effective in both penalty boxes and the way that he brings the ball forward and can use the ball is as good as anything in Europe, in my opinion.”
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Jurgen Klopp keen on working with Daniel Sturridge next season

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dropped a huge hint that Daniel Sturridge could stay put with the club for the upcoming season. The England international’s future has come under question after an underwhelming loan stint with West Bromwich Albion last term but Klopp has been impressed with the forward’s influence during the ongoing pre-season.

Speaking to reporters, Klopp revealed his ambition to keep hold of Sturridge and he believes that the 28-year-old could play a decisive role for the Reds during the 2018/19 campaign. He added that talks are underway over a probable extension with his current deal due to expire in less than 12 months’ time.
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Tottenham Hotspur legend praises Gareth Southgate after World Cup showing

Tottenham Hotspur favourite Ledley King has praised Gareth Southgate for the work he has done with the England national side. The Three Lions managed to exceed expectations as they reach the semi-final stage of the recent World Cup and there has since been plenty of praise for Southgate who has formed a strong bond with the national team players.

In a report covered by The Mail, King highlighted the same regarding Southgate and believes the former Middlesbrough defender is the right person to propel the Three Lions towards trophy success. He said: “You never know how someone is going to take to coaching. He’s an intelligent man and he’s worked with England players at the younger ages.
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Gary Neville: Harry Kane is England’s only truly world-class player

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has highlighted Harry Kane as the sole world-class player in the England squad and believes would get into any other team at the World Cup. The Tottenham Hotspur star has improved leaps and bounds over the past few seasons and he is presently leading the line for the Three Lions in Russia.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville was full of praise for Kane, who bagged a match-winning brace in the 2-1 triumph over Tunisia, he said: “World class for me is defined by the question: would he get into any other team in the tournament? And I think he would. Other teams would have to find a place for him, he’s that good. There will be those who say: ‘You’ve got to do more, how do you define world class?’ But his performances in the last two years in the Premier League and performances for England, his stature, and the fact if he was made available for sale, every club in Europe would want him.”
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Danny Murphy believes Phil Jones is fortunate to make World Cup squad

Former Liverpool and Fulham star Danny Murphy believes Phil Jones is lucky to have made the World Cup with England this summer. The centre-back has been error-prone on a multiple occasions this campaign and he was guilty of conceding a penalty against Chelsea on Saturday which cost Manchester United the FA Cup title.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Murphy was critical about the selection of both Jones and Danny Rose, though he believes that James Tarkowski has deserved his spot after impressing for Burnley in the top-flight, he said: “Overall I think Gareth has done the right thing, but Phil Jones is fortunate to get in. I like James Tarkowski, I think he’s had an unbelievable season and maybe he should have been in the squads earlier. “The other one I was a little bit surprised at was Danny Rose – he’s hardly played and when I’ve seen him play recently he hasn’t looked fit.”
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