Saka is prepared to take another England Penalty despite Euro 2020 waves of abuse

Bukayo Saka will step up and take another penalty for the England national team at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup despite being abused by English fans over missing one in the final of Euro 2020. The youngster has been one of England’s finest players since he broke into the national team and was in inspiring form at the Euros. However, he missed the decisive spot-kick against Italy in the final which made England lose the competition and he suffered from so much abuse afterwards. They have selected him in their squad for this year’s World Cup and the youngster is keen to impress at that stage as well. England teammate Aaron Ramsdale says he has the character to take another spot-kick if he has to. He said via Matchplug: ‘ I think he has realised it was just something that happened to him and he would not shy away — he is that type of person. ‘He knows the feeling now and, hopefully, next time he steps up he’ll put the ball in the back of the net.’

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Klinsmann tips England to win the World Cup

Former Germany international, Jurgen Klinsmann has tipped England to win the World Cup in Qatar after their performance at the 2018 edition and Euro 2020. The Three Lions remain one of the favourites considering the squad they have and the progress they have made under Gareth Southgate, but there are so many other countries who can beat them to win the competition. Klinsmann was at Tottenham for one season and he was a fans’ favourite to most in the Premier League. He would be on punditry duty during the competition and insists England can do great things. The former USA coach said via Matchplug: ‘If I look at England, the squad knows it is strong. It has proved it over many years. There is a progression in place. ‘They played a fantastic tournament in Russia. Then they played a fantastic Euros but didn’t win it, unfortunately. So now if you are a player or manager with England, your expectation is: ‘We have to go to Qatar and win this thing’. ‘The same thing exists with Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Spain. They go to World Cups to win. England are in that company now.’

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Pogba is blamed for missing the World Cup

Juventus manager Max Allegri has blamed Paul Pogba for the injury that will force him to miss the World Cup and says the midfielder’s decision not to have surgery earlier always ruined his chances of a quick return. Pogba was injured in preseason but refused to undergo surgery for a month, which affected his chances of returning to fitness in time for the World Cup. The midfielder is now set to miss the competition after he suffered a setback in his recovery and will now face extra weeks on the sideline. His new injury effectively rules him out of a return for the World Cup and Allegri believes his decision-making cost him the chance to help France. He said via Matchplug: ‘I spoke to him earlier. It’s pointless repeating what has already been said:  ‘Once the decision was made not to have surgery at the start of the season, it was normal that hopes that he could return with Juventus and France were slim.’

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Varane left in tears as he could miss the World Cup

Manchester United defender Raphael Varane was in tears last night after he injured himself in the game between United and Chelsea. The Frenchman has been injury-prone since he moved to United and suffered what appeared to be another severe injury in the game against the Blues. The defender was trying to cut out a pass to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when he leg snapped and he was in tears afterwards. The defender seems to have suffered a serious injury and now his chances of making the World Cup is slim, with the competition just four weeks away. The defender’s injury will also be a blow to Manchester United who have used him as their first choice centre back alongside Lisandro Martinez so far.

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Lucas Paqueta could miss the World Cup through injury

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta is set to miss the World Cup for Brazil after suffering what appears to be a serious injury, weeks away from the international competition. The Brazilian only joined the Hammers in the summer after showing great form on the books of Olympique Lyon and he has just started getting used to how they play. However, he is now injured and missed their 1-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool last night to confirm he is still not fit enough. West Ham manager, David Moyes has admitted he does not know when the midfielder will be fit again and this has raise alarm over his chances of playing at the World Cup. ‘He has an injury, it’s quite serious at the moment. I am not sure how long it will keep him out,’ said Moyes via Matchplug.  ‘He has been a huge player for us recently, he was coming into form and giving us a different type of dynamic in the team. We are really disappointed to lose him.’

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Neville says Foden must start at the World Cup

Gary Neville beleives Phil Foden must start for England at the World Cup in Qatar even though he struggles in the national team. The Manchester City man has started this season very well after stunning in some matches including a derby day hat-trick against Manchester United at the weekend. He does well in the sky blue shirt of City, but he is yet to take that form to the international stage for England and that has baffled many fans. Foden is one of the finest talents in the world, yet the England national team managers cannot find a place for him on their team, like Trent Alexander-Arnold. Neville insists Foden is a generational talent and there is a problem if there is no space for him on the national team. He said via Matchplug: ‘I feel really strongly on the forward options. ‘I love a lot of those players but if we can’t find a starting position for Phil Foden in our national team I think that’s a real problem.  ‘He is a generational talent. He is a different level in that sense. That feels more wrong to me than Trent Alexander-Arnold.’

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Paul Pogba could still make the World Cup

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba could still make the France squad for the Qatar 2022 World after he underwent surgery for a knee problem. The former Manchester United man suffered the issue in pre-season with Juventus and wasted a month when he opted not to undergo surgery. The alternative treatment method he chose worsened the injury, but it has been operated on now and he is expected to be out for around two months. If everything goes to plan, he will be back around 10 days before the World Cup begins. He would not have played enough club matches before then. However, he is one of the important players at his national team and his manager, Didier Deschamp will pick him for the competition, Matchplug understands. This is because he is considered for the core members of the squad and an important inspirational leader.

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Brazil call-up Juventus defender before Italy

Brazil has handed a first international call-up to Gleison Bremer as they prepare for the World Cup later this year. The Selecao have been watching the 25-year-old who only just moved to Juve from Torino, where he has been since 2018. Bremer was the best defender in Serie A last season and that earned him his big-money move to Juve and he has been on the radar of the Italian national team. Through his wife, he could earn Italian citizenship next year and the Azzurri had been hopeful Brazil will overlook him before that time. He has insisted in the past that he prefers to play for Brazil but kept the door open for Italy and the Italians had to act on the hint. Their failure to do so could make them miss out on him to Brazil, but the next games are just friendlies, so he can still play for the Italian national team.

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MLS clubs wants Aaron Ramsey

Charlotte FC is prepared to give Aaron Ramsey another chance to play football after his Juventus contract was terminated. The Welsh midfielder had a bad spell in Italy, but he is now a free agent and he needs a new club to keep him fit for the World Cup in Qatar later this year. European clubs know the struggles of the midfielder and they are likely to snub any interest in his signature, which could force him to join Gareth Bale in the MLS. Matchplug understands that The Crown is looking for a popular player to boost their profile in this inaugural campaign and it could be Ramsey. They are prepared to offer the former Arsenal man a two-year deal to join them and he will become their most expensive player. This would come as a huge boost to the midfielder whose last three campaigns have all be plagued by different injuries.

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