Wilmots has stated that he never intended for Hazard to play anything close to 90 minutes in our friendly (in response to Mourinho's plea to rest him). The consensus now seems to be that Hazard will play for one half.
Ram on for Oscar, Dante for DL4, Willian for Hulk. ... and the Seleção have switched from their yellow kits the first half to blue for the second.
Belgium is otherwise pretty much full-strength excepting Hazard Credit to Wimots for not starting him. I consider that a big favor
Oscar and Salah on the scoresheet http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation....-international-duty-roundup-wednesday-march-5
Jut not enough creative players & not a good set of center forwards in there. How come Gustavo is in there & not Coutinho? And Maxwell? Really? Out of 7 midfield options, 4 are defensive minded.
Definitely not as talented as old Brazil WC squads, but in all the games I've watched them play from the Confederations Cup onwards they've used predominantly this same group of players. Seems to be a good balance and cohesiveness to the group, and a lot of the players appear to play on a noticeably higher level when playing for the national team as opposed to their clubs. Striker is definitely their weakest spot, but from what I've seen, the Neymar + Fred/Jo partnership seems to work out well enough. Playing in Brazil will give them a boost as well; think they'll make at least the semis to be honest
Brazil has a good team, just not filled with all the more or less "legendary" types of past squads. They're definitely favorites.
falling into media pressure allegedly no Carrick but Lampard included which is another head scratcher for me
Ashley Cole @TheRealAC3 17m I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players. I think it best I retire from England team now. Ashley Cole @TheRealAC3 16m We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan. Thanks to everyone for everything Ashley Cole @TheRealAC3 12m #Baines and #shaw are great players, proved this season, and are the future of this country, it was a pleasure to get #107 caps #eng # Ashley Cole @TheRealAC3 3m Like me or not, trust me it's hurt me to stop playing for my country #proud and #honoured twats like Rio Ferdinand could learn a thing or two from Ash above
Personally I'm not a fan of the English NT but always tough to see a player have to end his international career Ashley Cole @TheRealAC3 3m Like me or not, trust me it's hurt me to stop playing for my country #proud and #honoured Ashley Cole @TheRealAC3 13m #Baines and #shaw are great players, proved this season, and are the future of this country, it was a pleasure to get #107 caps #eng # Ashley Cole @TheRealAC3 18m We have a great manager and team and I wish them only success. I will be supporting them like a true fan. Thanks to everyone for everything Ashley Cole @TheRealAC3 19m I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players. I think it best I retire from England team now.
I know that the 'neutrals' and the journos really like Leighton Baines - and he seems like a a nice bloke that Leighton - but - BUT - I think [in fact, I know] that Ashley Cole is a better defender than Baines. Simple as that. I hear Baines can cross a ball better - but that is job for the midfield imho - Ashley Cole is a vastly superior defender. Makes sense to take the young lad Luke Shaw though - he'll be the future no doubt. The current England squad is not soo great. . . we all know that right?
yea, scratching my head on the no AC in the WC. Roy is trying to be bold in his selection, but in this case its just foolish. AC has done nothing but prove he's still ready when called upon. you've got to move on, i get that, but this is a position he wouldn't have had to do that and could keep some continuity. Lamps last WC.....