PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are the latest club to show interest in Ajax wonderkid Antony according to reports.
Manchester United and Chelsea have been heavily on his tail, but the French giants are eager to swoop him from under their noses.
Meanwhile, Leeds midfield maestro Kalvin Phillips is set to cause a huge blow to admirers having confirmed that he wants to sign a new contract at Elland Road.
Ian Rush has stated his reasoning for rather competing against Scotland or Wales instead of Ukraine.
And make sure to stay tuned because we will have all the latest information as we draw closer to the World Cup draw TODAY.
Get all the latest football news and updates here…
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No Ser
Sergio Aguero was forced to retire from professional football last year due to a heart problem, so he will not be playing at this year’s World Cup.
He recently revealed that he had been offered a staff role with Argentina, however he turned it down as he wants to go to Qatar as a fan.
When speaking to ESPN, he said: “The invitation to be part of Argentina’s staff was on the table.
“I spoke with Chiqui [Tapia, Argentina Football Association president] and I was clear with him about my goal to enjoy my time.
“I’m going to Qatar, but as a fan.
“I have a great relationship with everyone from the national team but I don’t see myself in the coaching staff and with the players on a day-to-day basis. They are asking for a role that isn’t for me right now.
“I had a talk with [Messi], he and Scaloni gave me an idea of what they wanted from me.
“I asked them for some time to think about it and then told Chiqui that I wasn’t ready for that.
“I will be available for any event related to the Argentina national team, as an ambassador but I don’t want a day-to-day responsibility with the team.”
Credit: Getty Pot luck
Here’s a reminder of the pots for this afternoon’s World Cup draw.
- Pot 1: Qatar, Brazil, Belgium, France, Portugal, England, Argentina, Spain.
- Pot 2: Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Mexico, USA, Uruguay, Croatia.
- Pot 3: Japan, Serbia, Iran, Morocco, South Korea, Senegal, Poland, Canada.
- Pot 4: Ecuador, Cameroon, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Peru, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine, Costa Rica/New Zealand, UAE/Australia/Peru
“We’re not going to fear anyone”
When asked about the World Cup draw earlier this week, England midfielder Jack Grealish said:
“As a group we don’t really fear anyone. It’ll show in our performances.
“I think I saw something the other day saying that we haven’t been beat over 90 minutes since November 2020 or something like that so I think, yeah, at the moment we have such a confident group and looking ahead to the draw we’re all going to be excited and we’re not going to fear anyone”
Chelsea injury updates
Boss Thomas Tuchel spoke in the press-conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Brentford.
The German gaffer seemed in high spirits after the international break as he gave the injury updates.
He said: “Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ben Chillwell will miss the game tomorrow.
“Callum still has some lower-back problems.
“Everyone else was in training.”
Spider-mount
Mason Mount has swapped the football pitch for the dance floor – showing off his ‘Spider-Mase’ moves to the Spider-Man theme tune.
The 30-second clip shows the England star, 23, using his famous football skills to perform several kick-ups while donning the famous Spidey suit.
Sharing it with his 2.7 million TikTok followers, Mount ends the clip by performing the famous Spider-Man web shooter pose, as a homage to his favourite superhero character.
The Chelsea midfielder then removes the mask to unveil himself.
The Marvel mega fan teamed up with Sony Pictures to mark the home entertainment release of Spider-Man: No Way Home.
He’s such a fan, Mount is even considering a future move to appear on the big screen if he was offered a role in a future Spider-Man movie.
Maximum effort
Eddie Howe has demanded maximum buy-in from maverick Allan Saint-Maximin, OSCAR PAUL WRITES.
“You will never make Maxi be like another winger, he’s unique, and the team has to work around that uniqueness.
“For a player of his type, consistency will always be an issue … but as long as we get the buy-in from him to the team and he is really committed to the things he finds more difficult – recovery runs and working off the ball – the other things will take care of themselves.
“It’s something I’ve had to learn quite quickly because over-coaching him is a negative.
“Part of the strength of Allan is that you can almost let him do his stuff.
“You don’t want him over-thinking the game because his natural talent is so impulsive.
“So I’ve tried to strike that balance while also giving him guidelines that the team needs him to deliver. It’s quite a delicate thing.”
Saint-Maximin, 25, is back up to speed following the international break and he is in line to start against Tottenham tomorrow.
Howe added: “We are just looking for the best Maxi – when he is at his best there is no one like him.
“I’ve never coached anyone quite like him, and that’s a positive thing.
“But it’s about harnessing that and trying to make that function for the team.”
Fifa president’s Italy heartbreak
Fifa president Gianni Infantino “really wants to cry” after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup again.
He told Rai Sport: “I really want to cry.
“For all the Italians it is sad, it is the second World Cup in a row in which the Azzurri do not participate.
“And if they qualify for the next World Cup it will be 12 years of absence.”
Ten Hag ADMITS United talks
Erik Ten Hag has called Manchester United a “great club” – and admits that talks are “always” ongoing with representatives from other teams.
Speaking to broadcaster Sport1, he said: “People know each other in our business.
“There are always talks with representatives from other clubs, that’s normal.
“Man United is a big club with great fans. But I can only repeat that my full focus is on Ajax.”
Ukraine want friendy with Prem club
Ukraine manager Oleksandr Petrakov wants to play a Premier League side to prepare for his nation’s play-off tie with Scotland.
Petrakov’s got his eyes set on a game at Wembley, preferably with a London club.
He told the Guardian: “We could play at Wembley, for example, against a London club.
“It could be a good exhibition game, a response for the Ukrainian army, as well as preparatory work for the Scotland game.”
Liverpool urged to buy Kane
Ian Wright has urged Liverpool to sign Man United transfer target Harry Kane from Tottenham.
Wright said on his podcast: “Imagine Harry Kane at Liverpool… If I had the capability of getting Kane and putting him in Liverpool’s side with [Mohamed] Salah, or [Sadio] Mane or [Luis] Diaz and playing as the number nine, dropping deep and doing his stuff…
“It won’t be how Firmino does it, those lovely bit of skills and stuff, but Kane can drop in and help create because the two could run behind.”
Antonio gets backing from Carlton Cole
Carlton Cole has backed Michail Antonio to keep his spot in West Ham’s team despite the club being poised to sign a striker this summer.
Speaking to SunSport on West Ham’s complicated striker search ahead of a Masters Football event in association with Bookmakers.com, Cole said: “When you bring someone into the club in the January window, they’re expected to play straight away…
“But they won’t, because we’ve got Antonio.”
Ronaldinho on Messi criticism
Ronaldinho “doesn’t understand” why Lionel Messi is being booed by PSG fans.
The Argentine was jeered by his own supporters during their 3-0 victory over Bordeaux last month.
Fellow Barca and PSG old boy Ronaldinho, however, cannot fathom the reaction of the Parc des Princes.
On the jeering, the Brazilian icon said: “I don’t understand.
“If you whistle Messi, there’s nothing left!
“If you whistle the best in the world, who are you going to applaud?
“I don’t get it.”
Bale to AC Milan?
AC Milan are reportedly plotting a summer transfer swoop for Gareth Bale.
The 32-year-old is out of contract with Real Madrid at the end of the season.
And the £650,000-a-week star seems certain to leave the Bernabeu amid continuing media attacks on him.
Bale will look for a new club in the summer – but could hang up his boots after the World Cup in Qatar.
However, that has not deterred the Serie A giants, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.
He states that Milan’s sporting director Paolo Maldini has been in talks with the Welsh forward’s representatives.
Lanzini’s dramatic crash
Dramatic footage shows the aftermath of West Ham star Manuel Lanzini’s horror smash.
The midfielder, 29, was being driven to training in a Mercedes when the £70,000 people carrier flipped over on the A12.
Miraculously Lanzini walked away from the wreckage unscathed and was even able to carry on training.
Footage now shows the shocking aftermath of yesterday’s crash as emergency crews raced to the scene.
The mangled car can be seen on its side after it left the road and smashed into a tree.
Fire trucks and ambulances can also be seen blocking the road in Romford, East London, near the Hammers’ training ground.
It comes as Argentinian international Lanzini took to Instagram to reassure fans he is OK.
Luxury serivce provider for superstars
When it comes to wanting a booking at the most sought-after restaurant last minute, tickets for the upcoming Tyson Fury fight, or a personal shopper, FirstLuxe are footballers’ first port of call.
A concierge service like no other, they have become the one-stop shop for Arsenal stars Ben White and Emile Smith Rowe, England international Kalvin Phillips, West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, Olympic legend Usain Bolt and more.
The business was conceived by school friends Steven Haziza Metta and former Hull City defender Calaum Jahraldo-Martin around four years ago.
Members can pay £1,080 a year for exclusive experiences in London’s finest hotspot, which can be accessed by the FirstLuxe app.
Or, they can upgrade to a platinum membership for £2,400 a year which includes bespoke travel – with a planned expansion to incorporate sports star havens Marbella, Mykonos and Dubai in the near future.
This also gives them access to a company-hired personal shopper, who takes clientele around the likes of Harrods, Selfridges or Harvey Nichols for Dior trainers at £890 a pop to a full-styling experience which can run into the thousands.
England’s fate to be decided
England secured their World Cup qualifying spot back in November but they finally get to find out their group stage fate TODAY.
The Three Lions comfortably topped Group I – going on an unbeaten 10-game run where they accumulated 26 points.
England will fancy themselves to get far in this edition of the World Cup based on their wide range of talented stars.
And the Three Lions have avoided teams such as Brazil, Portugal and the current holders France in the group stages.
But Gareth Southgate will still be hoping that his side can be put in the easiest group on paper possible.
Best case scenario: USA, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia
Worst case scenario: Germany, Senegal, Canada
World Cup draw looms
Fans across the world are anxiously waiting for the World Cup draw which goes live TODAY.
This will be the final time we witness footballs biggest competition endure 32 teams before it expands to 48 nations in 2026.
And everyone will be nervous to find out their country’s fate will be for the first ever winter World Cup.
The World Cup draw is set to take place on Friday April 1 at 4pm live from Doha.
Group stages for the Qatar World Cup will start on Monday November 21.
The final of this years World Cup will be on December 18, just one week before Christmas.Ronaldo’s career plan
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to continue playing for Portugal beyond 2024 – by which time he will be 39.
And team-mate Jose Fonte reckons there is still plenty left in the tank to see him represent Portugal at Euro 2024 in Germany.
The veteran Lille defender told talkSPORT: “I think he’s left it pretty clear in his last interview, he’s the one who decides his future.
“I think that physically he feels good, he feels great.
“If he had the chance to win it and the chance to keep performing at the highest stages then he’ll keep playing, as he said.
“Nobody knows exactly what he has in his mind, so only he can decide his future.
“He wants to play and keep playing so I would assume that he will be in Qatar, and not only in Qatar but in the next Euros at least.”
Az to be done
Cesar Azpilcueta will reportedly be allowed to join Barcelona by Chelsea this summer despite his contract extension.
The 32-year-old Spaniard is one of several stars at the club who are due to become free agents when their contracts expire in June.
Reports have been building for months that the Chelsea skipper was set to return to his homeland with Barcelona.
However, fears the move would collapse escalated last month due to a clause in his current deal.
An automatic one-year extension in Azpilicueta’s contract was triggered when he made over 30 appearances this season – an achievement he hit a number of weeks ago.
The veteran star was hoping to come to a diplomatic agreement with the crisis-hit West London outfit.
The Blues are currently unable to offer any new deals to their players or sign any new ones due to the sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich.
Now Marca claims that Chelsea will let the defender join Barcelona for nothing anyway in the summer due to the “excellent relationship” between the player and club.
Ian Rush’s World Cup view
Ian Rush has revealed that he would rather Wales play Scotland in the World Cup play-off finals instead of Ukraine who will have the world’s support.
He told gambling.com: “We’ve got one more game to go – either against Scotland or Ukraine – and I know who I’d rather play.
“If we play Ukraine, the whole of Europe will be willing them to win, and I can understand that. I wouldn’t want Wales to have to come up against that tidal wave of support, so I’d rather play Scotland.
“If we meet Scotland again in 2022, hopefully it’ll be third time lucky for Wales.”
England face World Cup boredom
England players face a battle against boredom at the World Cup when they stay in the same hotel for the entire tournament.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has picked the Souq Al-Wakra hotel in the fishing village of Al Wakrah 10 miles south of Doha.
Like the last two World Cup tournaments at the team hotel, players are likely to be kept entertained by a driving simulator, PlayStation, basketball, table tennis, pool and darts.
Normally, teams travel from their base and stay in a different venue the night before a game.
Mike Dean’s golden card
Prem chiefs will mark referee Mike Dean’s retirement by giving him a GOLDEN CARD on the final day of the season.
Wirral whistler Dean, 53, is set for a senior VAR role at Stockley Park next term.
If the title race is settled, his final outing on May 22 could be Liverpool v Wolves or Manchester City v Aston Villa — so he can enjoy the carnival atmosphere.
All other Prem matches that day are to be paused in the 22nd minute for a round of applause to mark Dean’s 22 years as a Select Group referee.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited have commissioned the golden card bust.
Good morning, footy fans
The 2022 World Cup draw is TODAY.
England will find out who they will face in the group stages in Qatar, writes DAVE FRASER.
The Three Lions are still chasing their first major tournament win since 1966.
Silverware-starved fans sense England are getting closer and closer under Gareth Southgate.
England were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup at the semi-final stage, losing to Croatia after extra-time.
And the Three Lions went a step further at Euro 2020, agonisingly losing in the final on penalties to Italy – who have incredibly failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Southgate will be hoping for a favourable draw to kickstart their campaign in Qatar, rather than a group of death.
So what is England’s best – and indeed, worst – case scenario?
USA qualify for Qatar World Cup
The United States of America clinched their place at the World Cup in Qatar after missing out on the last edition, writes ETIENNE FERMIE.
American soccer fans were forced to watch on as the rest of the world enjoyed the globe’s biggest football party last time around in Russia 2018 – but not this time.
Christian Pulisic and Co grabbed the third and final automatic Concacaf spot last night – despite losing 2-0 in Costa Rica.
Credit: INSTAGRAM Due to goal difference, Gregg Berhalter’s side only needed to avoid a six-goal defeat to progress to the finals in Qatar.
So it was fairly safe for the US to plan their celebrations in advance.
The triumphant US stars posed in specially made Nike t-shirts commemorating their qualification.
Players also bizarrely wore ski masks as they celebrated, with some sipping on cans of Budweiser or Bud Light.
Originating from NBA players celebrating Finals victories, some US sports stars wear ski masks to avoid getting booze in their eyes.
‘Ronaldo, donate us your….’
Two Portugal fans took bizarre measures to show off their Cristiano Ronaldo fandom when they watched him play this week, writes ETIENNE FERMIE .
The Manchester United ace lined up for his country against Italy conquerors North Macedonia with a place in this winter’s World Cup on the line.
Porto’s Estadio Dragao was packed with 48,000 fans desperate to help their team get over the line to Qatar.
And two supporters arrived with a weird pre-prepared sign.
The female duo held up a piece of card with a message directed at Ronaldo on it.
It read “Ronaldo doa-nos o teu” in Portuguese – meaning “Ronaldo donate us your…”
After the written message appeared a crudely drawn sperm.
Attached to the banner was a Portuguese flag, as well as a Brazilian one.
It didn’t appear to grab CR7’s attention, as Portugal eased through to the World Cup by winning 2-0.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
