WHITE OUT OF ENGLAND SQUAD

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E9-7C6HWUAQNQe3.jpg

New Arsenal signing Ben White has been left out of the England squad for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after failing to recover from Covid-19. The utility defender was a major absentee following the squad announcement towards the end of last week.The latest England squad will prosecute the World Cup qualifiers against Hungary (away), Andorra (home) and Poland (away) later this month.

 

White was one of the few players to miss out from the latest squad in comparison to the squad that prosecuted the Euro 2020 tournament. From the England squad to Euro 2020, Arsenal star White and three others miss out on the latest squad due to various reasons. The other players to miss out include Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, Manchester City playmaker Phil Foden and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. Continue reading “WHITE OUT OF ENGLAND SQUAD”

XHAKA OFFERED NEW ARSENAL CONTRACT

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has been offered a new deal at the club in what’s one of the most surprising twists this summer. The Swiss international was thought to be edging closer to a move to AS Roma but that transfer is now unlikely after the Italians failed to meet the valuation for the player.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7irUUtXoAAmPUk.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7irUUtXoAAmPUk.jpg

AS Roma appointed Jose Mourinho as their manager earlier this summer and the Portuguese tactician identified Xhaka as a key midfield component in his rebuild at the Italian capital club but he has not been able to land his target thanks to the financial state of the club.
Continue reading “XHAKA OFFERED NEW ARSENAL CONTRACT”

BELGIUM, OTHERS INTO EURO LAST 16

Belgium are the number one ranked teamin the world and it’s not a surprise that they are one of the first teams to book their place in the first knockout stage at the Euro 2020 tournament this summer. The Red Devils of Belgium came from a goal down to beat hosts Denmark 2-1 in their Group B encounter in Copenhagen thereby becoming the second team into the round of 16 after Italy.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E4GjbdoWUAAugKn.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E4GjbdoWUAAugKn.jpg

The Belgians had to work for the slender victory over the Danes who impressed in the first half especially. RB Leipzig forward YussufPoulsengave Denmark the lead inside two minutes for the third fastest goal in the history of the competition. The Danes could have scored more than one goal in the first half which they dominated in an impressive manner. In the end, their inability to score a second goal in the first 45 minutes came back to haunt them in the second half.
Continue reading “BELGIUM, OTHERS INTO EURO LAST 16”

ENGLAND: WHITE REPLACES ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ben White has been selected as the final member of the 26-man England squad for the Euro 2020 tournament which begins later this week. White was confirmed as the 26th and final player on the England contingent earlier on Monday.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3OEdmzXwBEndJq.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3OEdmzXwBEndJq.jpg

England national team manager Gareth Southgate named his squad last week before the injury to Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold opened up a slot for the players excluded from the first list.
Continue reading “ENGLAND: WHITE REPLACES ALEXANDER-ARNOLD”

EURO: TRENT NOT A CERTAINTY

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is not a certainty for the England national team ahead of the upcoming European Championship this summer according to the publication from The Athletic. It was reported that the Reds right-back could still miss Euro 2020 despite UEFA changing the number of players in each team from 23 to 26.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E1TEQ7GWUAMeGZJ.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E1TEQ7GWUAMeGZJ.jpg

England manager Gareth Southgate courted controversy ahead of the March international break when he left out the aforementioned Trent from his squad for the start of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Liverpool man was absent from the England squad for the games against San Marino,Albania and Poland at the start of the qualifiers for Qatar 2022.
Continue reading “EURO: TRENT NOT A CERTAINTY”

SHEARER SUGGESTS ENGLAND’S OPENING STARTING 11

Premier League and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has been busy lately with some in-depth assessments of the current crop of players who were called up to link up with the England squad in preparation for the upcoming Euros tournament.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKo6pwrWkAIInEt.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKo6pwrWkAIInEt.jpg

Shearer has been trying to uncover some hidden strengths and weaknesses of the entire squad while also making tactical suggestions to the Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate as per the players he should use for specific games based on their ability and core competencies.
Continue reading “SHEARER SUGGESTS ENGLAND’S OPENING STARTING 11”

MADDISON FACING EURO 2020 HEARTBREAK

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison is facing a heartbreak as far as the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament is concerned after he pickeda hip injury in a recent game for his club. James Maddison picked up the hip injury last weekend during the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park. James Maddison scored the opening goal of the game off an assist from fellow England national team player Harvey Barnes. Harvey Barnes then moved from goal provider to scorer when he scored the second Leicester City goal in as many minutes to give the Foxes a 2-0 lead at the halftime interval. Leicester City went on to concede to the hosts at the start of the second half but they were able to hold on for the remainder of the game to strengthen their place in the top three of the Premier League. Burkina Faso international attacker Bertrand Traore scored for Aston Villa two minutes into the second half. Leicester City had to hold on to that advantage for over 43 minutes to get the result. The win was overshadowed by the hip injury to James Maddison. He is now a big doubt for Euro 2020 in the summer.


Continue reading “MADDISON FACING EURO 2020 HEARTBREAK”

UEFA EUROS 2020 CONTENDERS IN FOCUS: RUSSIA

With the UEFA Euro 2020 just around the corner and taking place at a later time this year, we take a look at one of the competition’s favorite, and also the 1960 winners of the tournament Russia. Russia are already gearing up preparations as they continue to try to appear ready for the tournament, they have failed to lay their hands on since last winning it back in 1960. Here is an analysis of the team as they head into the competition later this year as one of the favorites.


EURO Pedigree:

Previous Final Tournaments: 11

Best Euro Record: Winners (1960)

The maiden European Nations’ Cup was won by the Soviet team which had legendary goalkeeper Lev Yashin as the man between the sticks. They are yet to enjoy success in the competition ever since and continue to try to make a statement as serious Contenders. Continue reading “UEFA EUROS 2020 CONTENDERS IN FOCUS: RUSSIA”

STONES BACK IN CONTENTION FOR ENGLAND

Manchester City defender John Stones is back in contention for the Three Lions of England ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020 later this year. The Daily Mail revealed that the ex-Barnsley and Everton centre back is in England contention ahead of Euro 2020 which kicks off in various countries later this year. Euro 2020 was initially scheduled to take place last summer before the tournament was postponed as a result of the effects of the dreaded Coronavirus Pandemic. Euro 2020 became Euro 2021 as a result of the postponement though organising body, UEFA confirmed that the tournament will retain Euro 2020 rather than Euro 2021.


John Stones won’t have played at Euro 2020 if the tournament had taken place last summer but the postponement has allowed him to play his way into England contention for the tournament this summer as a result of his form for Manchester City in the last two months.
Continue reading “STONES BACK IN CONTENTION FOR ENGLAND”

HOW MANY TEAMS FOR EURO 2020?

The 2020 European Championship is a unique edition in many ways than one. The tournament was shifted by one year due to the impact of the dreaded Covid-19. It will still retain its name EURO 2020 despite the shift till next year. Euro 2020/2021 is a precise representation of the tournament which is also unique for being the 60th year from the maiden edition in 1960 in France and the old Soviet Union emerged winners from that edition.


European football’s governing body, UEFA announced a change in the number of teams participating at the European Championship from 16 to 24 ahead of the last edition known as Euro 2016 hosted by France and won by Portugal. The 24-team format from the last edition on French soil will be retained for Euro 2020/2021 and the 24 teams have already been drawn into six groups of four teams. Euro 2020 is also a unique edition of the European Championship as it would be hosted by 12 countries. Until now, more than two countries have not hosted the tournament at once. Continue reading “HOW MANY TEAMS FOR EURO 2020?”