I guess Ben White's chances of going to Qatar (and seeing playing time) just went way up tonight, as Chilwell went down with a serious looking hammie at the Bridge.
Ifantino getting a lot of heat for telling WC Countries/Teams to "focus on football" instead of human rights issues. Rightfully so... FIFA Condemned for 'Ignoring' Human Rights to 'Focus on Football' – Amnesty (newsweek.com) This is arguably the best summary of the slavery/abuse to build all the stadiums I've seen to date. The World Cup is no longer an anxiety dream but a looming hot, dry, immoral, ugly reality (football365.com) That FIFA are "rewarding" a country for this behavior alone (leaving out many other egregious rights violations) is appalling.
Now that the European group stages are over and Arsenal avoided the playoff round vs. 3rd place Champions League teams, I would expect the City match to be played on one of those two February weekday slots when this playoff round will fall. On or around either the 15th/22nd of February.
interesting. apparently, gabe jesus made the squad for world cup but big and little gabbies both missed. great for us but i feel for them.
Hmm. GJ making it is no big surprise and I'm happy for him. Martinelli not making it is less surprising as he was always on the fence from what I was hearing, and the competition for forwards on Brasil is over the top. Gabi M missing out... I'm less clear on whether that's surprising or not.
Probably came down to Gabriel or Bremer, who Juve signed in the summer for €41m. Bremer has just one Brazil cap from a couple months ago, Gabriel has yet to officially be capped despite being called up to the first team, so neither has much experience. I think Gabi was the one that dropped out due to the birth of his child, if I'm remembering correctly?
Vini plays LW for Brazil, and if he were injured, they could shift Neymar, so Martinelli was always going to miss out unless Brazil had a big injury to one of Vini or Neymar. Big Gabi is known for having an occasional brain fart, and Bremer might have started slowly with Juve this season, but he was the top CB in Serie A last season. The players will no doubt be disappointed, but hopefully this fires them up for the remainder of the season. I'd also keep an eye on Ben White - I think there is a decent chance he doesn't get called up with Reece close to fitness.
There was a leaked squad list this morning that didn't have Martinelli, turns out it was wrong. The player on the leaked list that isn't on the final list is Firmino, all the other names were correct (which could just mean it was a pretty good guess and not a leak).
Happy for those 2, in particular Little Gabi M who has been playing so well in recent months, presumably really hoping/wanting to go. Sad for Big Gabi M who seems a good dude and being 24YO might be a little envious of the 21YO's call up, albeit in a different position.
Now that the UCL knockout round is set, City plays RB Leipzig on 2/22. I would expect the FA to announce the Arsenal v. City fixture to be scheduled for mid week on or around 2/15. I really just posted that as an excuse to mention yanited and Barca drew eachother for the Europa League playoff round LMFAO !!!!
out of curiosity, if you were running the english squad, would you bring along a ward-prowse? i know he's not great as a midfielder but i wonder if a set piece specialist would be worthwhile for such a tournament.
Its just dumb. He is one of the more in form CBs in the Prem, let alone for Brazil, and they don't take him? Can see this Brazil team copping a nasty loss somewhere along the line...
I guess it depends on who you leave out. The projected squad I found has Bellingham, Phillips, Rice, Gallagher and Henderson. If you assume the play in this WC will be ugly, set pieces might be the way to go.
yeah. and probably a formation that you can hide ward-prowse. but, i mean, it feels like an ugly set piece goal might be a thing to have in your pocket in tournaments.
JWP is bang average except for Set pieces. That is Madison's territory so no need. Of course JWP is more skilled at direct FKs in comparison but Madders is a better all around player who you can build a squad around.