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Tag: England

  • I didn’t do my research before moving to England – Okocha

    I didn’t do my research before moving to England – Okocha

    Super Eagles legend, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, has insisted that he didn’t do his research before moving to England to join Bolton Wanderers from Paris Saint-Germain in 2002.

    Okocha shocked many football fans when he left French Ligue 1 giants PSG for Bolton in the Premier League nineteen years ago.

    Though PSG was not a top club then when Okocha left, it was still a surprise to see the former Super Eagles captain leave for Bolton, who were battling relegation in the Premier League then.

    But Okocha has now revealed he did not know Bolton’s status in the Premier League before signing, adding that it took him a lot of time before he settled in the club.

    “Well, I will say that it’s obvious I didn’t do my research before signing for Bolton,” Okocha told Ally McCoist and Gabriel Agbonlahor on their Talksport breakfast show.

    “But as a football person, you know football comes first, not the city, not the lifestyle that comes with the City.”

    “But one thing was clear, the training ground was different. The attitudes towards the games were different.

    “And I also think the mentality, you know the football style was difficult.”

    Okocha added, “It took me a while to really understand what Sam’s philosophy was.”

    But despite his early struggles at Bolton, Okocha went on to earn a legendary status at the club.

    The former midfield maestro helped Bolton to avoid relegation in his first season, winning the goal of the season.

    He was also made the captain in his second season, and as a captain, he led Bolton to a league cup final in 2004, where they lost to Middlesbrough.

    Okocha eventually made 144 appearances for Bolton, scoring 18 goals and providing three assists before leaving for Qatar in 2006.

  • Why I decided to play for Germany over Nigeria, England – Nmecha

    Why I decided to play for Germany over Nigeria, England – Nmecha

    Former Manchester City forward, Lucas Nmecha, has said that he chose to represent Germany ahead of Nigeria and England because he was born in the country.

    Nmecha, who currently plays for Wolfsburg, was born in Hamburg to a Nigerian father before moving to England at the age of seven.

    The 22-year-old is eligible to play for any of the three countries as a result of this.

    Nmecha represented England at the youth level before he decided to switch international allegiance to Germany.

    He recently received his first call-up to the Germany national team in the latest international break.

    “I was born here, I just have more of a connection with the German national team,” Nmecha told the Bundesliga media channel.

    He added, “Also, at the time, the coach Stefan Kuntz really convinced me and showed me that there is a path for me.

    “I think that has really come to show. You see players like Adeyemi and guys like that, who are managing to get into that first-team squad.”

    “And doing well at that level. I have played with those guys, and I know where I stand in terms of quality compared to those players.”

    He added, “Yeah, my dad has got a lot of family out there. It’s been a really long time since I have been there. I think I was seven years old the last time I went.

    “But it’s definitely a thing on the bucket list when I do get a good amount of time off. That will definitely be somewhere I will be going soon.”

  • You’re a disgrace and embarrassing – Roy Keane blasts Maguire

    You’re a disgrace and embarrassing – Roy Keane blasts Maguire

    Manchester United great Roy Keane has slammed club captain Harry Maguire over his handling of criticism.

    Maguire scored in England’s World Cup qualifying win against Albania on Friday night.

    He was naturally delighted to get on the scoresheet amid his disappointing spell, but his celebration attracted fury from ITV pundit Keane, who delivered a scathing assessment at half-time.

    “He puts his hands to his ears like he’s shutting his critics up… it’s embarrassing,” Keane blasted.

    “He’s been a disgrace last few months for Manchester United, he scores and he thinks he’s going to shut his critics up, it’s embarrassing.”

  • Tuchel reacts as Hudson-Odoi snubs England call-up

    Tuchel reacts as Hudson-Odoi snubs England call-up

    Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel, has reacted to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s decision to snub the call up to the England U21 team.

    Tuchel said he did not play any role in Hudson-Odoi’s decision to reject the chance to play for the England

    Callum turned down the opportunity to represent England’s Under-21 side because the 20-year-old was rather expecting a call up to the senior national team.

    England coach, Gareth Southgate had complained bitterly over the player’s action, adding that Callum had missed the opportunity to convince the senior team coaches to monitor his growth.

    He was said to have rejected that chance in a bid to solidify his place in Tuchel’s Chelsea plans during the international break.

    He said: “I can understand if people don’t understand it. I don’t read judgements from outside. Callum is aware that if he takes a decision, not everyone will be happy,” Tuchel told reporters during his press conference on Friday.

    “You should ask Callum about it and he probably has a good reason why he is not joining and why personally it’s better to stay and be in training. It is easy to judge from outside. We should hear both sides if you want his case to be solved.

    “I am not involved and I am happy because I don’t think I am here to convince players to join when they don’t feel they want to join.

    “We do the best of the situation and if there are consequences then I’m sure he’ll take them because he is a young adult.”

  • Former England midfielder to undergo liver transplant

    Former England midfielder to undergo liver transplant

    Former England midfielder Kieron Dyer needs to have a liver transplant, his club Ipswich have confirmed.

    Dyer, who coaches Ipswich’s under-23 side, has primary sclerosing cholangitis and was admitted to hospital on Wednesday for tests.

    According to BBC, the 42-year-old former Newcastle, West Ham, QPR and Middlesbrough player has been in his current role for a year.

    “Kieron has been managing problems with his liver for the past couple of years,” an Ipswich statement said.

    Dyer, who won 33 England caps between 1999 and 2007, is now awaiting test results to discover when he will have to undergo his transplant.

    “Unfortunately, I was (previously) diagnosed with a condition of the liver that would lead to me one day needing a transplant,” he said.

    “I see myself as a very positive person that will overcome this minor setback.

    “I’m very grateful to the club, supporters and the general public for their messages of support over the past week.

    “I would like to ask everyone now to respect my privacy, and my family’s privacy.”

  • I commit a crime with every selection – Gareth Southgate

    I commit a crime with every selection – Gareth Southgate

    England manager Gareth Southgate admits he is unable to please everyone with his team selections.

    The Three Lions boss consistently comes in for criticism for picking a specific player or excluding another, especially in the attacking positions.

    Following a 5-0 win over Andorra away from home, England only need to win two of their last three qualifiers to reach the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    Southgate was asked about how he juggles selection issues with such a deep and talented squad.

    “We want the squad to feel involved,” Southgate told reporters.

    He added: “It is important they know their value and can contribute; it wasn’t a friendly [against Andorra], there were qualification points at stake and I was really pleased with the quality of the performance as well as the application,” Southgate added.

    “I have a headache and commit a crime every time I pick a team. We have such strong competition for places; there were lots of players who did their own confidence and reputation the world of good the other day and that is pleasing to see.

    “We can’t be a team that has a day off. We want to keep consistency, and we’ve had that throughout this calendar year. Everyone has pride in putting the shirt on.”

  • My time in England is over – Jack Wilshere

    My time in England is over – Jack Wilshere

    Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere says his time in English football is over.

    Having come off contract with Bournemouth last summer, Wilshere has been training with Serie B Como.

    He told La Gazzette dello Sport: “I had an important career and some fantastic moments, but my time in England is over. I have a bad reputation there due to injuries. I am looking for new challenges, people who have faith in me and another chance to prove what I can do, which is what all players ultimately want.

    “I would happily go to an Italian club immediately if I got the chance. The experience in Como is positive, so I think I would adapt quickly. It is admittedly very different, because here you work more with tactics and all players have good technique. In England there is not much quality, it’s more about playing tough.”

  • Jadon Sancho completes move to Manchester United

    Jadon Sancho completes move to Manchester United

    England winger Jadon Sancho has completed his transfer to Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund, both clubs said on Friday.

    Agreement in principle for the 21-year-old Sancho’s move was reached on July 1 and Borussia Dortmund said “both clubs have now clarified all of the contractual details with the player.”

    Borussia Dortmund will receive a fixed transfer fee of 85 million euros (100.7 million dollars) once the English and German federations confirm the deal with world football governing body FIFA.

    “I’ll always be grateful to Borussia Dortmund for giving me the opportunity to play first team football, although I always knew that I would return to England one day,” said Sancho.

    “The chance to join Manchester United is a dream come true and I just cannot wait to perform in the (English) Premier League.”

    Manchester United said Sancho has agreed a deal to 2026 with the option for a further season.

    “It was Jadon’s express desire to return to his home country and the Premier League, and his behaviour was absolutely flawless at all times,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Borussia Dortmund.

    Sancho joined Borussia Dortmund from Manchester City aged 17 in 2017 and scored 49 goals in 136 matches for the team, winning the German Cup last season.

    “I can’t thank the people in charge at Borussia Dortmund enough for the chance they gave me as a very young player,” said Sancho. “At Borussia Dortmund I was able to mature into the player I am today.

    “The German Cup win last season was a great end to my time at BVB. But I will always remember the support and love of the incredible fans as something special.”

    Sancho was part of England’s Euro 2020 squad but rarely played before missing a penalty kick in the final match shootout loss to Italy.

    Nonetheless, he was long considered a top candidate for Manchester United who finished runners-up last season to Manchester City and are chasing a first Premier League title since 2013.

    “Jadon epitomises the type of player I want to bring to the club. He is a forward player in the best traditions of Manchester United,” said manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

    “He will form an integral part of my squad for years to come and we look forward to seeing him blossom. His goals and assists records speak for themselves and he will also bring tremendous pace, flair and creativity to the team.”

    Meanwhile Borussia Dortmund, according to media reports, are on the verge of signing Dutch international Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven as Sancho’s replacement.

  • Southgate proved critics wrong – Gary Neville

    Southgate proved critics wrong – Gary Neville

    Gary Neville insists England manager Gareth Southgate proved many detractors wrong during Euro 2020.

    The former Aston Villa and Crystal Palace defender guided England to their first major tournament final since 1996, eventually losing to Italy on penalties.

    Neville told Sky Sports: “I saw after the game people saying Southgate should have made more substitutions, these players should have taken the penalties; these are the same people who have been saying that he should have played a different system against Germany, that he should not have played Kieran Trippier against Croatia, that he should have played a more attacking system.

    “I genuinely believe that Southgate and his players navigated their way to this final in the only way they could and that was to be a little more pragmatic – put the two holding midfield players in front of defence; if it needed to be a back five, it was because of the shape or quality of the other team.

    “He found a way to get to the final. Sometimes we all like to be purists at times and want him to find a way to play all those attacking players but I don’t think England would have got to the final if they had gone punch to punch with some of the nations they came across along the way.

    “I think Gareth knew he had to play a certain way to get to the final and he did that. At the end, it comes down to small margins, details like penalties. This is not the time to be criticising tactics and substitutions.

    “The reality is that Southgate has proved so many of us wrong – not just in this tournament but over the last two years – about decisions he has made – it would be a nonsense now to start suggesting we are right about substitutions and penalty takers when most of us have not seen this in our lifetimes.”

  • Euro 2020: What Paul Pogba told England penalty flops

    Euro 2020: What Paul Pogba told England penalty flops

    Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has sent his support to England trio Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka.

    Arsenal youngster Saka missed the decisive penalty in England’s shootout lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

    It came after Rashford and Sancho also failed to convert from the spot.

    Taking to Instagram, Pogba said: “I am PROUD OF YOU. You win some, you lose some.

    “You took the courage to take the penalties and you showed your worth to help your country reach the final.

    “We cannot tolerate or stand for racism anymore and we will never stop combatting it. You boys should hold your heads high and be proud of your confidence. You are examples of this beautiful game. Never forget that. Be proud of yourselves, the World of football is proud of you!”