Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway believes Wilfried Zaha will make the most of his shock England call-up.
The Championship winger has been drafted into the Three Lions’ squad ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Sweden following a series of impressive performances for the London club.
Despite many suggesting that the 20-year-old may not be ready to represent England at senior level, Holloway feels his man will make the most of the opportunity:
“He’s an untouched, pure talent and everyone knows the more serious you get the harder it is to want take people on.” He told SkySports.
“But he’s so unique, I’ve never worked with anyone like him, he just wants to get the ball and beat people, however many there are, he can do it.
“Before I got to Palace I thought ‘yeah, but is he any better than anyone else?’ Now I’ve seen him, good gracious me, it’s quite unbelievable what he can do.
“Hopefully, if he does play on Wednesday, people will see that and I believe he can do it at the very top level.”
Although he has been impressive for his club, it has been speculated that Zaha’s call-up is merely a method of ensuring he will be eligible for future England squads.
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Born in the Ivory Coast, the winger could represent the African nation so long as he does not play for England at senior level.
These rumours are fuelled further by the inclusions of Raheem Sterling and Carl Jenkinson, who are eligible for Jamaica and Finland respectively.
More often than not, throwing away the chance to sign a World Cup hero would be ludicrous, but in this case, West Ham United should take time to assess whether a move for Mario Gotze is worth it or not.
Sky Sports News reported on Thursday that the Hammers are among a number of clubs interested in the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.
Arsenal, Everton, Marseille and Valencia are also believed to be potential suitors for the 26-year-old, who scored the winning goal for Germany to clinch the World Cup in 2014.
Gotze’s situation has changed dramatically in recent seasons, as he spent five months on the sidelines with a metabolic illness and failed to make the international team for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Despite this, the midfielder managed to show glimpses of his quality during the 2017-18 campaign.
Across 32 appearances in all competitions, the former Bayern Munich star played a hand in vital attacking plays and created 31 shots on goal.
West Ham are screaming out for more creativity from the middle of the park, and even when not at his optimum best, Gotze – who Transfermarkt value at £16.2million – still delivered for his teammates last season.
One thing that he should have done more of, though, was score goals, as he only mustered two for his tally throughout the campaign.
Gotze’s fitness concerns should not be ignored by the Hammers, and due to previous problems with injury-plagued players at the East London outfit like Andy Carroll, they should be more cautious than most.
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However, the German World Cup winner has the quality to thrive in the Premier League, and that should outweigh the risk.
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Under-fire Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has been speaking to Sky Sports about his side’s battle to stay in the Premier League this season, and he will leave the club’s fans furious after almost excusing his disappointing record this term by claiming that the fight against relegation in the English top flight gains more worldwide interest than the title race.
Saints slipped back into the bottom three following their 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at St Mary’s last weekend, with the likes of Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Swansea City all putting in impressive performances to pick up three points.
Pellegrino has been talking about what his side need to do to ensure they stay up in the remaining 11 fixtures of the season, but has also hinted that the supporters should relish being in the relegation scrap even though they have secured four top-eight finishes in a row before the current campaign.
The Argentine boss told Sky Sports: “In this moment you need to be really brave and you have to show your character, to be strong enough to challenge in this situation.
“It’s difficult [to be brave], it’s not easy. But, also it’s a really nice challenge because the most beautiful thing in football is that we are competitive people. If not it’s impossible to be at this level.
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“It’s more difficult the situation in the bottom of the table than in the top, because Manchester City is away [with] a lot of points. But in the bottom of the table, every person that I know from different countries, it’s about watching the game from the relegation.”
Southampton have a break from the Premier League this weekend when they face West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Arguably the most enchanting story of the 2014 World Cup so far has been the journey of the U.S. Men’s National Team as they defied the odds, escaped their ‘group of death’, and were narrowly edged out in 120 brutal minutes against a fancied Belgium side.
Amongst a team of national heroes, Everton’s Tim Howard is the biggest. The ex-Man United stopper put in a World Cup record performance, making 16 saves as the U.S.A. fell down 2-1 to goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in a gallant effort.
The groundswell of support for the #USMNT across the pond has been overwhelming, and the response to the Everton man has been one of hero worship.
Immediately after the encounter, Twitter ejaculated with countless #ThingsTimeHowardCouldSave tweets, as the world praised the newest all-American hero.
Take a look at just a few of the feats that the world believes Howard could achieve:
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Martin O’Neill has revealed that he may need to alter his Sunderland side for tomorrow’s League Cup tie with Middlesbrough because of injuries.
Boss O’Neill has not named names, but says that some players are having problems.
He said: “We might have to make some changes to our side – a couple of them forced. We’ll see how the injuries are later on, but we’ve got a couple of players with a few problems. We’ll go as strongly as we possibly can and try to win the game. I’m hoping that one (player) can come through, but if not then too bad.
The manager does have options for tomorrow’s fixture, and he could bring in some fringe players.
O’Neill talked about how it is difficult to choose who to play in the fixture, with the manager wanting to progress to the next stage of the competition.
He said: “It’s a difficult call. You want to try and get through. Of course, you want some less players who’ve had less time in the last few weeks to get onto the field of play, but it’s a tough balancing act. The most important issue is to try and win the game.”
Sunderland’s last game was a goalless draw with Stoke in the Premier League this Saturday. This was Sunderland’s sixth draw so far this season and O’Neill talked about this to BBC Sport after the match. He said: “We have drawn a lot of games this season and we are just unable at the moment to turn one or two of those draws into victories.”
If any Sunderland fans are heading to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, then don’t forget to download the FREE Screach App – enter code 8 – and vote for your ‘Man of the Match’
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Liverpool fans will slowly be getting over the disappointment of losing the Champions League final and will begin looking ahead to the new season.
Jurgen Klopp has already attempted to improve the midfield by recruiting Fabinho from Monaco, while Naby Keita will finalise his switch from RB Leipzig.
As well as the transfer window, Liverpool fans will be keeping their eye on the World Cup in Russia.
The Merseyside outfit will have a number of representatives, including Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Simon Mignolet, Dejan Lovren and Sadio Mane.
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Liverpool supporters will be keen to see their stars perform well on the global stage, but there will also be keeping everything crossed that none of their favourites suffer injuries.
Despite the star quality of Salah and Mane, their respective nations Egypt and Senegal do not necessarily match up for quality, which is reflected in the betting on the World Cup.
Mignolet has an opportunity to progress far in the competition with a high-profile Belgium squad, but it is Firmino – valued at £72m by Transfermarkt – who most fans think will be the most successful in the tournament.
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The forward will be part of a star-studded Brazil squad that boasts the likes of Neymar and ex-Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
Twitter account Anfield Edition asked fans to pick who they think will progress the furthest, and one name stood out.
A little over two months ago, Mo Diame was an outcast at St. James’s Park. In fact, the Senegalese star had made just one Premier League appearance for the club during the first three months of the season.
However, Rafael Benitez gave the experienced midfielder a chance in the first team in December and the former West Ham player has been immovable since.
Diame, who is valued at £4.5million by Transfermarkt, was the subject of much condemnation from Newcastle fans prior to his upturn in form over the Christmas period.
In fact, a number of the Toon faithful wanted the 30-year-old to leave the club, after links with a move to Aston Villa surfaced;
However, Diame’s remarkable turn around in form has been rewarded; the midfielder winning the club’s Player of the Month award for January.
Upon hearing the news of Diame’s award, Newcastle fans took to Twitter to congratulate their player…
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Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has praised his side’s character after coming back from 2-0 down to beat Southampton 3-2 at White Hart Lane, Telegraph reports.
The Saints scored two early goals courtesy of Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana, but Spurs bounced back with a Christian Eriksen brace before Gylfi Sigurdsson fired an injury time winner.
And Sherwood said that he delivered a measured half-time speech in hopes of inspiring his side, and the players responded in spectacular fashion.
Denmark’s Christian Eriksen, who put the game level for the Lilywhites, said: ““I think we showed we are playing for the manager.
“We got a little speech at half-time and in the second half we were new guys.
“We try to play like the manager wanted, we showed it way more in the second half than the first half.”
When prompted what Sherwood told his players, he replied: “I can’t tell you everything, but it wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t ranting and raving, it was considered. It was measured, what I had to say to them.
“A lot of people said ‘now see his players, see what they want to do now, see if they’re going to turn it in.
“They ain’t turned it in, have they? You have to admit that against Arsenal we deserved to win the game or at least get a point. Then we go away against all odds, against Benfica, and we’re gutted that we haven’t progressed to the next stage. We should have done, but we never.
“Let me tell you, it’s harder to come from 2-0 down at home, than it is to come from 2-0 down away from home. Unless you’ve played the game, you don’t understand that.
“It’s an expectancy. It takes guts, character, spirit, to be able to do that and we showed that today. Brilliant.”
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Southampton’s Mauricio Pochettino however believes his side should have been given a free-kick when Nacer Chadli tackled Dejan Lovren in the build up to Eriksen’s first goal for Tottenham.
“We went up 2-0, were controlling the first half and their first goal came from a clear foul, which should not have stood,” said Pochettino. “There were some refereeing decisions which did not go our way and we deserved more from the game.
“It’s clear we made some mistakes that are difficult to accept and we need to improve individually.”
Finally, after five games of bad results and even worse football, the Seasiders took a big step in the right direction on Tuesday night, only for Dexter Blackstock to take the shine away with a last minute equaliser.
No, it wasn’t the best performance of the season and yes, it was only a draw, but the way in which Blackpool went about the game against Forest finally looked like the Blackpool team we have come to love so much. It is a massive step forwards and a giant leap away from the hopeless displays lately.
Holloway tinkered again, understandably after an abject showing at Turf Moor. Gomes and Sylvestre came into the midfield alongside Osbourne, and Taylor-Fletcher moved to a forward role between Matt Phillips and Ince. Due to there being no other options, the back four and keeper stayed the same, but there now looked to be a balance to the team. A midfield that can pass and create, and a forward line with a mix of pace, power and intelligence. Could this be the game where Holloway finally remembered his passing philosophy? We could only hope so after watching opposition centre halves heading out aimless long balls for the last few weeks.
Again, the pitch looked quite heavy and even seemed to have patches of water on it, but then there is simply not a lot that can be done about the recent weather. Thankfully though, it didn’t affect the game in the slightest and we witnessed a good, fast paced match between two talented attacking sides.
Blackpool started the game brightly with Ludovic Sylvestre showing why he had been rewarded with a start. Moving the ball around nicely and never letting it settle before trying to pick out an incisive pass, which he did more than once. It is play like this that has been missing recently for Blackpool.
A pass that misses out a few men and cuts through the opposition. But with Sylvestre on the pitch, Blackpool had an early chance after a lovely move put Crainey through against the keeper only for the left-back to put it wide, possibly hitting the post. The Seasiders were probably the better side for the opening 20 minutes as the game had a nice ebb and flow to it.
At this point, unfortunately, we have to introduce Mr Ilderton who put in an exceptionally bad refereeing display that managed to upset and anger both sets of fans, players and managers, to the point where every decision that was given was cheered like a goal. He took leniency beyond belief where you actually begun to wonder if he had genuinely forgotten his glasses or his whistle.
Billy Sharp raced through into the Blackpool box only to be bundled over by Osbourne. Perhaps it would have been soft, but it was certainly a decision you see given and was a clumsy challenge by Osbourne. Then, to continue his bizarre approach to refereeing, Mr Ilderton allowed play to go on after a blatant foul on Osbourne in the middle of the park. The resulting move ended in a corner for the visitors and we all know what happens when you get a corner against Blackpool. Some poor marking, and some poorly attempted clearances led to Billy Sharp flicking the ball past a hopeless Matt Gilkes.
Blackpool reacted well and kept knocking on the door, and seemed to have carved open the Forest defence when Sylvestre sent Ince through on goal, only for the winger to be brought down. Mr Hopeless though simply waved his hands and played on when it could and maybe should have put Forest down to 10 men. Some more nice play, but nothing of note happened before the referee found his whistle just in time to blow for the break.
The message at half time must have been more of the same, but take a few more shots, as the Tangerines came out and continued to pass, but this time unleashing wild shots from outside the area.
The match lost it’s spark during the second half and really needed a change. On the hour mark Elliot Grandin made a return in place of Gomes and really changed the game. In spite of the fact Holloway said his attitude in training isn’t right, the Frenchman certainly looked up for the match, injecting some pace into the middle of the pitch and causing problems. And, deservedly, it was him who made a good run to get on the end of a fantastic Matt Phillips cross and head home an equaliser.
With the crowd encouraged and a spring in the players’ step, Blackpool continued to press and Grandin was involved again as the ball was bouncing around the Forest box and fell to Taylor-Fletcher who bumbled a shot which beat the keeper.
It really looked as if Blackpool were going to hold on to all three points until panic struck at the back. The ball was floated over and Blackstock latched onto it. The whole back line stood still with their hand in the air, more in desperation than anything, as the sub slotted home a last minute heartbreaker. The panic was understandable considering the defensive record of late. Add to that Matt Phillips slotting in at right back for the final 20 minutes and it’s no wonder there was a little confusion.
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A final little touch from the referee came as he gave Blackpool a throw-in because the Forest right back took the initial throw from a yard too far up the pitch. It’s nice to see that despite missing almost everything during the game, he was still up to the job, making sure he got the big decisions correct.
As horrible as it is conceding in the last minute, it will be encouraging to most Blackpool fans to have their team back. A good, passing, attacking side who create chances but can’t defend a cross. In all honesty, there is no shame in drawing with this Forest side, who played a great counter attacking game. When you looked through their team there was quality all the way through it and in Cox and Sharp they have one of the best strike partnerships in the division.
So, at last, we saw a good game of football at Bloomfield Road. Played with the ball on the floor. And now we can get back to trying to impose our style of play on the opposition and get back to winning ways. Next step, defending crosses. Then there will be no stopping us.
Southampton announced via their official Twitter account last Thursday that their new kit would be revealed on June 16, but images of the home shirt have already leaked and been shown on sale in Australia, and Saints fans have been quick to react to that and the design ahead of the big club announcement on Saturday.
In what has seemed to be a big mix-up between the south coast outfit and kit manufacturer Under Armour, the red-and-white striped strip has already been sold in Brisbane, as well as in Asia.
The design is certainly very different to the 2017/18 effort, with the narrow stripes replacing the large white column with red sides that made up the one that was worn as Mark Hughes’ men narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship.
Southampton supporters, who have delivered their verdict on the club’s potential double transfer swoop, were quick to have their say on the appearance of the home shirt and the fact that is already on sale in other countries days before its official release via social media, and while one described the kit as an “absolute horror show”, another described the whole situation as “embarrassing”.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
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