KEEP your eyes peeled because the 2022 Qatar World Cup is happening NEXT WEEK.
And Christian Eriksen provided a glimpse of what’s to come in footballs biggest competition by scoring just two minutes into his emotional return for Denmark
Which has come less than a year after the horrendous heart attack that nearly ended his life.
England beat Switzerland in a comeback victory thanks to goals from Luke Shaw and Harry Kane, who is closing in on Wayne Rooney’s record goal haul for the Three Lions.
On the transfer front, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has issued Ousmane Demebele with a paycut warning despite his excellent form of recent.
Laporta informed the Frenchman that he has to adapt to the new salary scare if is to have a future at the Nou Camp.
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Eriksen hit with coin in post-game comeback
A mindless thug threw a coin at Christian Eriksen after the Dane made his first international appearance since his on-pitch heart attack, writes ETIENNE FERMIE.
The now Brentford player was back in action for his country 287 days after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch against Finland at Euro 2020.
Eriksen shook off a recent bout with Covid to be involved and was summoned from the bench at half-time in the friendly clash against Netherlands.
Fittingly taking place at the former Ajax star’s old Amsterdam Arena home, Eriksen made an instant impact.
Introduced with his side trailing 3-1, Eriksen stepped onto a 47th minute Andreas Skov Olsen cutback to fire emphatically beyond Dutch goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
The Netherlands would go on to win 4-2, before the shocking coin throwing incident after the game.
Eriksen, 30, was being interviewed on the pitch following his return, but was struck by a projectile midway through.
The former Tottenham star was momentarily distracted as a coin appeared to strike his side, before carrying on with his answer.
Looking shocked, he said: “Did they just throw a coin? Unbelievable.”
This bizarre incident put a sour note to Eriksen’s big day.
Rudiger ‘new Chiellini’
Antonio Rudiger will be billed as the “new Chiellini” to help lure him to Juventus this summer, writes ANDREW DILLON.
The Chelsea defender is out of contract at the end of this season and the Italian giants want him to lead their defence into a new era.
And their plan for him to ultimately take over from club legend Giorgio Chiellini as the heartbeat of the back line is an added incentive.
Credit: Reuters Rudiger has already been offered a deal worth around £5.5million-a-season over five years to tempt the athletic Germany centre-back.
The 29-year-old is attracting interest from Europe’s leading clubs as he winds down his contract at crisis-torn Chelsea.
Rudiger is one of three senior stars who will become free agents at the end of the season, along with club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Dane Andreas Christensen.
Pogba admits he is ‘sad’ at Man Utd
Paul Pogba has admitted he is “sad” that Manchester United have failed to win a trophy for five years, writes JOSHUA JONES.
Pogba, 29, returned to Old Trafford in 2016 for £89million.
But his only pieces of silverware came in that first season back – the League Cup and Europa League under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
Credit: PA United came close by reaching the Europa League final last year, losing on penalties, but will be left empty handed again this term following their Champions League exit against Atletico Madrid.
It guarantees the Old Trafford giants’ worst trophy drought in 40 YEARS.
And Pogba – who won four consecutive Serie A crowns with Juventus and the World Cup in 2018 – is not happy about the team’s failure to challenge.
He told Telefoot: “I want to win titles, to play for something and this year and the last few years we haven’t won a title. It’s sad.
“The season is not over yet, but almost because we don’t have any more titles to play for.”
Chelsea bidders given April 11 deadline
Chelsea’s takeover saga will drag on for another fortnight with the four remaining bidders given until April 11 to submit their final proposals.
The Raine Group have whittled contenders down to a quartet, with an emphasis placed on committing £1billion in future investment into the West London club.
Each will have until April 11 to potentially up their bids, before the Raine Group will make their final decision.
According to Sky Sports, this deadline could see the Blues taken over by the end of the next month.
After Raine decide on their preferred bid, the takeover will still be subject to government approval.
A key deciding factor could be each bidder’s plans to renovate Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge home.
The 40,834 capacity is dwarfed by that of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal’s homes.
Shaw thing with England
Luke Shaw reveals he feels “wanted” with England, writes JOSHUA JONES.
And the left-back added he can “play with a smile on my face” on international duty.
The defender, 26, started for the Three Lions against Switzerland at Wembley on Saturday evening.
He featured for an hour – blasting in his first goal since the Euro 2020 final – before making way for debutant Tyrick Mitchell.
Credit: Alamy And speaking after the comeback win, he clearly enjoyed the run out under Gareth Southgate after a turbulent season for all at Old Trafford.
Shaw said: “The environment here that Gareth creates, you always enjoy it.
“When I come here it’s about enjoyment and playing games with a smile on my face.
“We all love playing for our country and when we’re here we’re all focused on what’s happening here.”
We all love playing for our country.
Luke Shaw
Qatar World Cup draw 2022
By the end of March, 28 of the 32 participants will be finalised for the Qatar World Cup in November.
The final four places will be decided, three in the intercontinental playoffs in June, and the final European playoff final.
This has been delayed due to the invasion of Ukraine, who Scotland will face in the semi final.
Wales lie in wait after Gareth Bale starred in the Miracle of Wales.
The draw for the tournament takes place on Friday 1 April 2022, in Doha, Qatar at 5pm.
Dembele told to take a pay cut
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has issued Premier League transfer target Ousmane Dembele a blunt warning amid a contract stand-off, writes KOSTAS LIANOS.
Laporta is still holding talks with Dembele, whose deal with Barca runs out in June, and insists he will have to lower his wage demands if he wishes to stay at the Nou Camp.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Barca bigwig has told the winger he will have to adapt to the club’s new salary scale that is set to come into effect next season.
Credit: Rex Laporta also confirmed negotiations are underway with Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Sergi Roberto.
Romano tweeted: “Barcelona president Laporta tells [Mundo Deportivo]: ‘We’ve no news for Ousmane Dembele contract.
‘If he wants to stay, he will have to adapt to our salary scale for next season.
‘Talks are underway with Gavi and Araujo. Sergi Roberto? It’s in the hands of his agent’.”
Not a Rash decision
Arsenal are plotting a shock summer transfer swoop for Marcus Rashford, according to reports.
The Manchester United forward is enduring a rough time at Old Trafford this season.
However, according to the Mirror, Rashford could be offered an escape route out of Old Trafford by Arsenal, as the Gunners look to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goals.
Credit: Getty He has hit a barren run of form and slipped way down the pecking order – with just five goals in 26 appearances across all competitions and two completed 90 minutes.
The England international was dropped by Gareth Southgate for the current Three Lions camp.
Good morning to footy fans
Gareth Southgate claimed England’s stuttering 2-1 comeback win over Switzerland was a “really good exercise” – helped by three debutant defenders.
Keeper Jordan Pickford showed why he is still No1 ahead of in-firm Arsenal stopper Aaron Ramsdale.
And Southgate hailed “composed” Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi after his first call-up.
The other new boys – Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters and Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell as a sub left-back – perhaps have less-clear shots at a World Cup spot this winter.
But now unbeaten for 21 matches, Southgate said of his Three Lions: “I think they’ve got pride in the way they’ve been playing.
“And to see some players who perhaps haven’t played as often for us and some new players as well was a really good exercise for all of them.
“It was a really good test. We went behind, we had tactical problems to solve, we had to defend properly.
“Of course towards the end of the game we were able to get more experience and some top players onto the pitch, which made us finish strongly.”
Breel Embolo’s header deservedly put the Swiss in front before Luke Shaw’s fine drive and Harry Kane’s penalty secured victory.
Skipper Kane is now level with Bobby Charlton’s 49-goal England total – behind only Wayne Rooney’s 53.
Southgate hails new boys
Boss Gareth Southgate claims England’s 2-1 comeback win over Switzerland showed their pride as they went 21 games unbeaten.
Southgate said: “To see some players who perhaps haven’t played as often for us and some new players as well was a really good exercise for all of them.
“I thought it was a really good test. We went behind, we had tactical problems to solve, we had to defend properly.
“Of course towards the end of the game we were able to get more experience and some top players onto the pitch, which made us finish strongly as well and that was important for the team and also for the crowd.”
He added of his squad: “I think they’ve got pride in the way they’ve been playing and we talked last year about that and about their record last year.
“Of course towards the end of the game we were able to get more experience and some top players onto the pitch, which made us finish strongly as well and that was important for the team and also for the crowd.”
Arsenal & Newcastle in Calvert-Lewin boost
Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham are tipped to pursue Dominic Calvert-Lewin after suggestions Everton are ready to sell their England striker.
The Toffees reportedly have worries over Financial Fair Play awards and Calvert-Lewin is arguably their most valuable asset
Credit: Getty Guehi reveals his ‘nervous’ family stayed at home
England’s impressive debutant Marc Guehi revealed his family missed his Wembley joy – as they are too nervous to attend.
The Crystal Palace centre-back, 21, was ‘fantastically proud’ as he helped see off Switzerland 2-1 in today’s friendly.
But he told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Sometimes they get a bit nervous so prefer to watch at home.
“They definitely were tempted, but I know they are watching from afar and supporting me, and I always feel their love in my heart.”
Chelsea hover amid Dembele contract stand-off
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has issued Chelsea transfer target Ousmane Dembele – also linked with Manchester United – a blunt warning amid a contract stand-off.
Laporta is still holding talks with Dembele, whose deal with Barca runs out in June, and insists he will have to lower his wage demands if he wishes to stay at the Nou Camp.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, the Barca bigwig has told the winger he will have to adapt to the club’s new salary scale that is set to come into effect next season.
Christian Eriksen scored with his FIRST TOUCH back in international football after his cardiac arrest last year as Denmark lost 4-2 away to Holland.
The Danes called up the 30-year-old earlier this month following his impressive club comeback with Brentford.
And in a fairytale story the 30-year-old found the back of the net less than two minutes after coming on as a half time substitute in a friendly against the Netherlands.
It was a typically classy finish too, with Eriksen firing into the top corner from 13 yards out after having the ball cut-back into his path by winger Andreas Skov Olsen.
But even if the script wasn’t perfect enough, the goal came at the Johan Cruyff Arena, where Eriksen spent three years as a player for Ajax.
The last time Eriksen represented Denmark was that fateful day in Copenhagen 287 days ago.
He was loudly applauded by the entire stadium as he made his way onto the pitch for the start of the second half.
Spain 2 Albania 1
Dani Olmo snatched Spain’s stoppage-time winner.
Ferran Torres finally put the dominant hosts in front on 75 minutes.
But sub Myrto Uzuni punished a blunder by Spain’s debutant Brentford keeper David Raya with a lucky leveller from Albania’s first effort on goal.
Southampton striker Armando Broja – on loan from Chelsea – shone for Albania.
But Olmo sneaked a narrowly-deserved victory for Spain.
Arsenal, Toon & Hammers in Calvert-Lewin boost
Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham ae tipped to pursue Dominic Calvert-Lewin after suggestions Everton are ready to sell their England striker.
The Toffees reportedly have worries over Financial Fair Play awards and Calvert-Lewin is arguably their most valuable asset
Credit: Getty Cottagers want Pope
EXCLUSIVE: Fulham want Burnley’s Nick Pope to be their No 1 in the Premier League next season, writes ALAN NIXON.
Craven Cottage boss Marco Silva is keen to get recruitment sorted out early with the club eight points clear at the top of the Championship.
And the Portuguese has already lined up a major bid for England keeper Pope, who seems sure to move on this summer if Sean Dyche’s strugglers go down.
Clarets would ask around £20million for Pope, 29, but that could be negotiable if they fail to escape the bottom three.
Pope faces a cut in wages if the club are relegated — another reason why a move would tempt him, alongside staying in the England frame.
And he could grab a lucrative deal at the Cottagers, who are never scared to spend on salaries when they are in the top flight.
No clean get-away after the Italian Sob
Italy stars left the dressing room in terrible condition after their humiliating loss to North Macedonia.
The reigning European champions lost 1-0 to the Balkan minnows on Thursday’s World Cup qualifying semi-final playoff and were shockingly eliminated from Qatar 2022.
Aleksandar Trajkovski’s winner in the second minute of stoppage time stunned the Azzurri at the Renzo Barbera and frustrations boiled over after the referee’s final whistle.
Roberto Mancini’s men were in such a foul mood they took their anger out on the dressing room in Palermo.
Corriere dello Sport shared a damning video showing the locker room in an absolute state. Empty plastic bottles and other type of trash were lying around everywhere.
There was also plenty of food left on the floor by the Euro 2020 winners as the Italian publication described the state of it as a “real shame” and “utter disrespect”.
This is not the first time Italy leave a locker room behind in ruins as they did the same at Wembley after beating England in the final.
Of course, the atmosphere was completely different in London as the Italians celebrated their hearts out backstage. A party broke out and there were beer cans, as well as wine and champagne bottles lying everywhere.
Rest of the England ratings
Harry Kane – 6
Some decent link-ups with Foden was about as good as it got for Kane in the first period.
The England skipper held up the ball to bring others into play but failed to really threaten in the final third – until he won the game from the penalty spot and equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s record in the process.
Looked more Kane-like in the final quarter of an hour, though Southgate will want him much more involved against Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
Subs
Jack Grealish (for Mount on 61 mins) – 7
Injected some much-needed energy into the game when he came on as the crowd favourite brought his X factor quality to the team.
Drifts in and out of the match but the opposition always remains wary, enabling others to pick up pockets of space.
Declan Rice (for Gallagher on 61 mins) – 7
Showed his class on the ball when he came on. Clearly England’s most accomplished player when attempting to dictate the tempo of the match.
The first name on the team sheet for the World Cup.
Raheem Sterling (for Walker-Peters on 61 mins) – 6
Played on the right of a midfield four after coming off the bench.
Didn’t see much of the ball as Grealish received most of the service out on the left. Looked threatening in the closing stages but couldn’t pick anyone out with his back post cross.
Tyrick Mitchell (for Shaw on 61 mins) – 6
Gained valuable experience and did not put a foot wrong at the back when he came on for his debut.
Jude Bellingham (for Phil Foden on 80 mins) – 6
Helped out the defensive effort in the closing stages with an important clearance from a dangerous delivery.
Ollie Watkins (for Kane on 89 mins)
Barely had time for a touch of the ball before the full-time whistle went.
More England ratings
Conor Gallagher – 6
Was full of energy and application but struggled to find his feet in the game in the first half – albeit registering an assist for Shaw’s equaliser.
Clipped a nice ball over the top for Kane in the second period but the striker couldn’t prod beyond Jonas Omlin.
Came off after an hour as Southgate shook things up with four changes.
Jordan Henderson – 7
Evidently England’s best starting midfielder in the match, he consistently won the ball back and snuffed out danger early on.
But when Rice emerged it was clear the West Ham man is by some distance England’s best player when it comes to retaining possession.
Phil Foden – 7
Played as the link between the midfield and Kane very effectively at times – almost acting as a second striker alongside the Tottenham man.
Definitely looked the most likely player to make something happen for the Three Lions.
Seems to be developing a positive understanding with captain Kane.
Mason Mount – 4
Was a passenger for much of the first half as he seemed to be dropping deeper into the midfield to play alongside Gallagher and Henderson.
Never looked a threat going forward – indicative of a player who has only scored one Premier League goal since Christmas.
Replaced by Grealish 15 minutes into the second half after a difficult evening.
England ratings
Jordan Pickford – 8
Made a smart stop down to his left from Xhaka in the first half and followed that up moments later with a sensational reflex parry onto the bar.
With the back five crumbling around him inside the opening 30 minutes, Pickford stood up and made the saves which kept England in the game.
Under pressure from Aaron Ramsdale, Pickford continues to use England as a happy release from his struggles for Everton.
Kyle Walker-Peters – 6
One of two England debutants, Walker-Peters missed a sitter in the first 45 before thankfully seeing the offside flag go up to spare his blushes.
The delivery he is so renowned for at St Mary’s was lacking, but he wasn’t helped out by Foden’s desire to drift into a central role – leaving Walker-Peters isolated on the right.
Would have impressed Southgate when he won the ball back high up the pitch moments before Shaw equalised.
Marc Guehi – 6
Got caught a bit flat-footed a couple of times as the Swiss forward line found space around the back of the England defence.
The left side of England’s back five looked particularly vulnerable – with Switzerland often finding room to create in between Guehi and Shaw.
Grew into the game and finished it strongly – understandable given his lack of experience.
Ben White – 6
Came in for John Stones just minutes before kick-off after the Manchester City man was injured in the warm-up.
The Arsenal defender’s calmness on the ball and pinpoint distribution showed he could be the antidote to Harry Maguire’s shortcomings.
But he also showed his own fragility, losing Embolo when the Swiss striker peeled around the back and nodded home the opener.
Conor Coady – 6
With Stones pulling up moments before the match, Coady suddenly found himself the most experienced international centre-back in England’s starting line-up.
Was commanding from set-pieces at points when England were coming under a little pressure, but does not look capable enough at the heart of an international defence.
Luke Shaw – 6
Shaw was caught out of position when he committed himself high up the pitch – often showing the defensive frailties he has been criticised for while playing for Man Utd in recent months.
But he gave England fans a throwback to his goal in the Euros final by showing them how well he can strike the ball in the final third – bagging his second for his country.
Was hooked on the hour mark to make way for debutant Tyrick Mitchell.
England 2 Switzerland 1
Luke Shaw and Harry Kane’s penalty sealed England’s stuttering comeback win.
Breel Embolo headed Switzerland’s deserved early opener before Fabian Frei and Xherdan Shaqiri hit the Three Lions’ bar.
Read all the reaction on this Wembley friendly with our match blog HERE.
Rep of Ireland 2 Belgium 2
Sub Alan Browne’s bullet header earned Ireland a late draw with the world’s top-ranked side to make it seven games unbeaten in this lively friendly.
Michy Batshuayi and Hans Vanaken put Belgium ahead twice, with Chiedozie Ogbene levelling inbetween with a deflected bicycle kick
Latest: England 2 Switzerland 1
Harry Kane’s 78th minute penalty put England in front for the first time.
Steven Zuber’s handball from a Marc Guehi header was penalised by VAR, enabling Kane to draw level with Bobby Charlton from the spot as the Three Lions’ all-time top scorer on 49 goals.
Click on our match blog HERE for updates from Wembley in this friendly.
Latest: England 1 Switzerland 1
The Three Lions are still spluttering along as they enter the final half-hour with a raft of changes.
But Conor Gallagher is impressing in midfield.
Click on our match blog HERE for updates from Wembley in this friendly.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
