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      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Roy Keane snubbed return to management with Sunderland due to the length of the contract offered

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      ROY KEANE rejected a return to management with old club Sunderland because of the length of the contract.The Black Cats would only guarantee the Sky Sports pundit a position for the season.
      Keane was not happy with the length of contract he was offered by SunderlandCredit: Getty
      Keane, 50, would have needed to shelve his lucrative TV deal to risk it all on gaining League One promotion.
      The Irishman was not concerned about the drop in wages but there was no chance for him to plan ahead with the initial suggestion of a short-term stay.
      Grant McCann was also offered a similar short deal, likewise stalwart Neil Warnock.
      In the end Alex Neil took the post on a reported one-year rolling contract.
      Keane initially looked set to agree a move to Sunderland when he appeared on ITV amid speculation over a Black Cats return.
      But when asked why a deal fell through, he told The Overlap Live in Manchester: “The deal has to be right for everyone.  It didn’t fall into place last week. It wasn’t meant to be. 
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      “Everything has to be right – the right challenge, the right contract. You have to fancy it.
      “I’ve not had the opportunity the last few years. There has not been a club where I think, ‘I’m the right fit for that club’.
      He also insisted he is happy to continue as a pundit if the right managerial move does not become available.
      “If I don’t get another chance, it’s no big deal,” he added.
      “You need a bit of luck. The right club has to give you the call. That hasn’t happened. It’s no big deal.” More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Roy Keane snubbed return to management with Sunderland because of the length of the contract

      by

      ROY KEANE snubbed a return to management with old club Sunderland because of the length of the contract.The Black Cats would only guarantee the Sky Sports pundit a position for the season.
      Keane was not happy with the length of contract he was offered by SunderlandCredit: Getty
      Keane, 50, would have needed to shelve his lucrative TV deal to risk it all on gaining League One promotion.
      The Irishman was not concerned about the drop in wages but there was no chance for him to plan ahead with the initial suggestion of a short-term stay.
      Grant McCann was also offered a similar short deal, likewise stalwart Neil Warnock.
      In the end Alex Neil took the post on a reported one-year rolling contract.
      Keane initially looked set to agree a move to Sunderland when he appeared on ITV amid speculation over a Black Cats return.
      But when asked why a deal fell through, he told The Overlap Live in Manchester: “The deal has to be right for everyone.  It didn’t fall into place last week. It wasn’t meant to be. 
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      “Everything has to be right – the right challenge, the right contract. You have to fancy it.
      “I’ve not had the opportunity the last few years. There has not been a club where I think, ‘I’m the right fit for that club’.
      He also insisted he is happy to continue as a pundit if the right managerial move does not become available.
      “If I don’t get another chance, it’s no big deal,” he added.
      “You need a bit of luck. The right club has to give you the call. That hasn’t happened. It’s no big deal.” More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Dion Charles backing himself to become new Jamie Vardy and go from non-league to Premier League after great Bolton start

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      DION CHARLES is backing himself to become the next Jamie Vardy.Less than three years ago, the  forward, 26, was playing in National League North with Southport.
      Dion Charles (centre) celebrates his first goal for Bolton, the winner at ShrewsburyCredit: Rex
      Charles would like to emulate Jamie Vardy’s rise from non-league to Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Now he is an established Northern Ireland international with six caps while also  banging them in for new club Bolton.
      Vardy became the most expensive signing from  non-league  when Leicester  bought him for £1million from Fleetwood Town when they were still in the  Conference Premier in 2012.
      He has long since made his name as an England hitman with the Foxes.
      A decade on, Charles still sees  veteran  Vardy, 35, as his inspiration and  seeing is believing.
      Charles even spent two years at Fleetwood after signing in 2016 — but never made a League One appearance and found himself back down in tier six at Halifax Town before switching to Southport.
      Yet he joined Accrington  in 2019 and, last summer,  was wanted by Championship sides Bristol City, Barnsley and  Huddersfield.
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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      After  20 goals last season, Charles joined the Trotters for £320,000 in January and has five in nine games.
      Ahead of hosting AFC Wimbledon today, he vowed: “The journey is only  beginning for me  and I’m determined that if Jamie Vardy could  make it to the top, then so can I.
      “I’ve  got plenty of mates back at Southport and   always told them  I’d end up in the Championship — at least.
      “Well, I’m not in the Championship, yet. But  I play international football  for Northern Ireland — I’ve played in World Cup qualifiers.
      NINTCHDBPICT000712744950Credit: Rex
      “So, that’s got to be higher. Right?  I keep saying to my girlfriend Alex that I’m going  all the way — that I’ll play in the Championship at least with Bolton and she’s like my pals at Southport.
      “She keeps saying I’m asking for the impossible, but I’ve got tunnel vision.
      “For me, nothing’s impossible and you only have to look at the example Jamie set to all non–league players.
      “If you try hard enough and work hard enough, you can live your dream.
      “I’ve always admired him for his focus, his work ethic, his refusal  to accept that he was ‘only’ from  non-league football.
      “He showed not only what can  be done, but how it can be done — his attitude is an example to us all who started in humble beginnings.”
      If you try hard enough and work hard enough, you can live your dreamDion Charles
      Charles scored the first of his five goals with a brilliant volley to clinch a 1–0 win over Shrewsbury, earning  him the Sky Bet goal of the month award for January.
      The striker and his missus  celebrated the birth of their  second child, Hattie, a month ago.
      He explained: “For all Alex keeps telling me not to get too carried away, she’s been brilliant.
      “When I’m not training I’m spending hours in the gym and she’s been  doing all the night feeds to let me  concentrate on making it.
      “I keep telling her that anything can happen if you want it bad enough and I’m not letting up on my ambitions.
      Charles’ strike against Shrewsbury won him SkyBet’s League One goal of the month award for JanuaryCredit: Kevin Hayden
      “The first target is to get this massive club back into the Championship where it at least belongs.
      “That’s where I believe I can and will be — at least. Then we’ll go again.
      “Jamie  proved anything can happen. All you have to do is believe.” More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Barrow manager Mark Cooper banned for eight games for ‘abusive or insulting reference to female assistant ref’s gender’

      by

      BARROW manager Mark Cooper has been handed an EIGHT-GAME touchline ban for referring to an assistant referee’s gender.The incident took place during Barrow’s League Two clash with Exeter on August 17.
      Cooper has been handed an eight-game ban by the FACredit: Alamy
      Cooper, 53, was sent off late in the game by the referee for alleged comments made to assistant Helen Edwards.
      The Bluebirds boss denies the allegations, but was found guilty by an independent regulatory commission.
      As well as the eight-game touchline ban, Cooper has also been fined £3,000 and ordered to attend a face-to-face education course.
      An FA statement read: “It was alleged that the manager used abusive and/or insulting words in the 91st minute, which are contrary to FA Rule E3.1.
      “These words constitute an ‘aggravated breach’, as defined in FA Rule E3.2 as they included a reference, whether express or implied, to gender.
      “Mark Cooper denied these allegations, which remain subject to appeal, after reviewing the available evidence. The written reasons for their decisions will be published in due course.”
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in EFL.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      Barrow are set to visit Exeter for the return fixture on Saturday.
      A Barrow statement read: “The club is aware of the decision made by the FA Regulatory Commission in the case of our manager, Mark Cooper.
      “Mark is obviously disappointed by the decision. Neither he nor the club have yet received the reasons for the decision, which will be considered with a view to appeal.”
      Cooper’s assistant Richard Dryden spoke to the media following the 0-0 draw back in August.
      He said: “I honestly didn’t hear what he said or what went on. I looked round and all of a sudden there was a red card out.” More

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      in Soccer

      England set to be beaten by Wales for 15-year-old starlet Freddie Issaka after becoming Plymouth’s youngest ever player

      by

      WALES are confident of winning the race over England for 15-year-old whizkid Freddie Issaka.The Plymouth striker, who became the club’s youngest ever player earlier this season, has played for both countries at Under-16 level.
      Plymouth starlet Freddie Issaka is likelier to play for Wales rather than England in the futureCredit: Getty
      Freddie Issaka became Plymouth’s youngest ever player this seasonCredit: Getty
      But Issaka was called up for a five-day Wales Under-17 training camp this week as the Dragons prepare for the Euro Championship elite round, which is due to be played in Slovenia next month.
      It is believed Truro-born Issaka, who isn’t 16 until July, qualifies for Wales through a grandparent as well as England and Ghana.
      Issaka made his Plymouth debut – at the age of 15 years and 34 days – as a substitute in the EFL Trophy loss to Newport on August 31.
      The forward has already agreed to sign a professional contract with the League One club when he turns 17.
      Wales have a decent track record of identifying and nurturing dual-nationality talent.
      The likes of English-born Dan James, Ethan Ampadu, David Brooks, Chris Mepham, Ben Woodburn and Brennan Johnson all coming through the system.
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      Issaka has made two appearances for Plymouth this season as he has played in the EFL Trophy and the FA Youth Cup.
      The youngster spent 21 minutes on the pitch at Newport but couldn’t help his team avoid a 2-0 loss.
      He was on the bench for the competition’s other two games against Arsenal’s Under-23s and Swindon. More

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      in Soccer

      Watch hilarious moment ballboy walks on pitch and stops Luton attack during Birmingham fans’ bizarre tennis ball protest

      by

      LUTON were stopped in their tracks during a promising attack as a ballboy strolled onto the pitch and stopped play at St Andrews.The Birmingham fans were lobbing tennis balls onto the pitch to protest against the club’s owners.

      Luton forward Elijah Adebayo brought the ball down inside the home box before twisting and turning the Brum defender.
      A hooded ballboy stalled for a moment but then casually walked across the ongoing play.
      The helper then bent down to pick up the tennis ball and throw it back into the crowd as the referee stopped proceedings.
      The Blues faithful have been holding furious protests against the club’s parent company, Hong Kong-based Birmingham Sports Holdings Ltd ‘BSHL’.
      Birmingham went on to win the game 3-0 through goals from Juninho Bacuna, Lyle Taylor and Onel Hernandez.
      It was a big win for City, who now sit in seventeenth place in the Championship.
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      Boss Lee Bowyer spoke to the Birmingham Mail about the tennis ball protest and how his team came out fighting afterwards.
      He said: “I don’t know but I do know that Gary Gardner, captain, got us going.
      “I thought our fans were great, we are all going home with a smile on our face, three new signings all scored.”
      Previous protests have attempted to encourage BSHL to sell up.
      Last month, fans set off flares outside the stadium ahead of their 2-1 victory over Barnsley. More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      The rise of humble ‘no bull***’ Fulham star Fabio Carvalho, from Benfica to Balham and nearly signing for Liverpool

      by

      GREG CRUTTWELL says there is “absolutely no bull****” when it comes to humble Fulham star Fabio Carvalho.Some fans have accused the Portuguese whizkid of being too big for his boots when he rejected a contract extension with the club in November.
      Balham chairman Cruttwell (back middle) helped Fabio Carvalho and his family amid his move to Fulham
      Carvalho has been superb for the Cottagers this season
      But that couldn’t be further from the truth for the 19-year-old.
      His collapsed £8million Deadline Day Liverpool move became one of the most talked about transfers of the season. 
      But he came off social media during that time so he could “block out the noise” and focus on helping Fulham.
      His refusal to sign a new deal with the Whites is still met with the odd spatter of boos and chants of “sign the contract”.
      But as the spotlight continues to blare down on Carvalho, he is still the same boy who Balham chairman Cruttwell met on Clapham Common ten-years ago. 
      He was only eleven-years-old, barely spoke a word of English but let his feet do the talking when he joined Balham’s youth set up.
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      Carvalho (bottom left) had Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea after him during his three-years at Balham
      Carvalho (second from right) “liked Fulham best” amid the transfer circus surround him as a kid
      Cruttwell told SunSport: “He will have handled the pressure of Deadline Day very well. 
      “I saw him two weeks ago, he was at Motspur Park watching some of his mates play in the under 23s.
      “I had a chat with him and just said ‘how are you finding it with all the noise that surrounds you?’
      “Obviously that noise increased with Deadling Day and he just said ‘I’m not looking at social media.’ 
      “He said ‘I’m just blocking everything out, all I’m concentrating on is playing the next game.’
      “I believe him because there’s absolutely no bull**** with him.
      “He’s like the Seven Up kid. Whatever happens to him, if he ends up at Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, he will always be the same kid because he hasn’t got a big headed bone in his body.”
      ARRIVAL IN LONDON
      Carvalho moved to Elephant and Castle with his family when he first arrived in the UK from Portugal, having risen through the Benfica youth ranks. 
      Training with Balham on Clapham Common was a stark contrast to the breezy sea views, glossy tiled facades and red roofs of Lisbon.
      But it proved the perfect fit for the dynamic playmaker who stayed there for three-years. 
      Cruttwell added: “With all that happened on transfer day, it looked like he was going to go. Was he, wasn’t he and then it didn’t happen.
      “I know that he’ll be absolutely fine getting back into training hard. He’s very centred as a person.
      “He’s still the same when he plays for Fulham now as he was a kid, he just wants to play football.
      “He is able to block all the noise out and just play. All he wants is a kick about in the park.”
      PAPERWORK PROBLEM
      Liverpool were hashing out talks with Fulham over a move for Carvalho throughout Deadline Day. 
      After agreeing to their demands for the fee, a sell-on clause and loaning him back for the rest of this season, they failed to get the paperwork in before the 11pm cut off.
      That wasn’t the first-time Carvalho, who has hit eight goals and four assists this term, was in the middle of a transfer tussle. 
      Fulham were the first club to notice him but the big clubs came calling after he lit up a youth tournament in Guilford.
      Cruttwell added: “Scouts from Chelsea were there because they got wind that Fulham were interested.
      “They came in, then Arsenal and Manchester United flew from Carrington to meet me at a secondary school in Balham which was pretty surreal. 
      “Liverpool asked him to visit. It was a circus but from the outset he liked Fulham the best.
      “Fabio and his parents weren’t dazzled by the Disneyland spectacle of Cobham and Manchester United at Carrington. They saw the bigger picture.”

      The youngster once again turned heads on Saturday by grabbing an early goal in the 4-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. 
      AC Milan are now keen to hijack Liverpool’s summer transfer plans when he becomes a free agent at the end of this campaign. 
      But Carvalho’s family have never pushed the starlet into moving to a megabucks club too early in his career. 
      Cruttwell said: “We handled the situation with Fulham for Fabio’s family because their English was pretty poor and they felt under a great deal of pressure.
      “They were loyal, wonderful people. We insisted Balham was part of any deal done with Fabio. We got a deal that I think no grassroots club has got before.
      “Fabio’s parents played a huge part in that. They didn’t want to jump ship immediately, they wanted Fabio to see out the season with us.”
      Carvalho was left frustrated with limited game time under former Whites boss Scott Parker last term.
      He instantly proved his worth by cracking in a goal on only his second Premier League appearance against Southampton in May last year.
      ‘THE HUMBLEST KID’
      Despite him blossoming into one of the world’s hottest young prospects – he hasn’t forgotten his roots. 
      He still watches Balham games at the Mayfield Stadium and catches up with pals who play at the club. 
      Cruttwell continued: “He’s the humblest kid. He’s just a special person who lights up the room. 
      “When he slaps your hand when he arrives anywhere, he is just amazing. And I could tell there was something magical about him immediately.
      “With a kid like him he doesn’t forget where he’s come from. 
      “He comes back to Balham games whenever he can and he knows some of the boys who progressed into the first-team. 
      “He had a cousin who was recently over here on trial with us so he’s still very connected to us.”
      Mitrovic waves and blows kiss to abusive Millwall fans as he boards Fulham team bus after scoring in win at The Den More

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      in Soccer

      Watch Niall Ennis’ cheeky goal for England Under 17s set up by Mason Mount as he gets set to face Chelsea pal in FA Cup

      by

      NIALL ENNIS has been inspired by how old pals Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah rose to stardom at Chelsea.And the Plymouth striker believes he will join his former England youth team-mates in the Premier League.
      Plymouth star Niall Ennis is looking forward to facing his old England youth pal Mason Mount
      Mount is a key player now for Chelsea
      [embedded content]
      Ennis, 22, is looking forward to seeing the pair on Saturday as his League One side travel to Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup.
      Chalobah used to be his room-mate while Mount set up a memorable goal for Ennis – a classy back-heel in England Under-17s’ 2-1 win over Germany in November 2015. 
      The Pilgrims ace said: “It was the first time a game I was involved in was televised live. Mason scored the first goal and I got the second.
      “Mason was always good – mentally driven and, coming from Chelsea, of course technically sound.
      “But you could tell that if he was given a chance in a top team he’d take it. He has done that – and a lot of that is down to himself.
      “Before Frank Lampard came along as manager, not many youngsters were getting an opportunity at Chelsea – so he decided to drop into the Championship for a season’s loan at Derby.
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      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS FOR THE AFCON
      “And that gave him a platform to show how good he was in one of the most demanding divisions in the world.”
      Ennis bucks the trend among many in his age group who are obsessed with social media – instead believing it paints a false picture that making it to the top is easy and instant.
      The Pilgrims striker insists not only did Mount and Chalobah have to work ridiculously hard to break into a Chelsea first-team full of internationals, they had to drop out of the glamour surroundings of the West London club to make their case.
      While Mount went to Derby, Chalobah also dropped into the EFL with loan spells at Ipswich and Huddersfield.
      That is why Ennis decided to bite the bullet last summer to leave Wolves and join Plymouth – having previously had loan spells at Shrewsbury, Doncaster and Burton.
      He said: “Not everyone goes straight to the top and it’s about being honest with yourself. We’re in this day and age where you go on social media and it looks so simple – but it’s not.
      Ennis hopes to join Mount one day in the Premier League
      “When you’re about 15, you just think the path is going to be straight up without bumps on the road.
      “But sometimes you must take a step down into the Championship or League One or Two to prove yourself and work your way up.
      “In England’s starting XI for last year’s Euro final, only Declan Rice and Raheem Sterling had not dropped into the EFL. 
      “So many people aren’t aware of the backgrounds of our top players and how they’ve had to work their way up.
      “Not everyone is going to be like Phil Foden, who went straight into the Premier League at Manchester City.
      Not everyone goes straight to the top and it’s about being honest with yourselfNiall Ennis
      “At Wolves, I knew I wasn’t yet Prem standard so needed to play at a level where I could develop and prove myself – rather than just lurking about in the under-23s.
      “For me, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I know all about my ability and it’s going to happen. I must remain patient.”
      Ennis has fond memories of Chalobah, who captained the England teams in his age group.
      He said: “I shared a room with Trevoh at St George’s Park on a few camps. He’s a good guy, a superb player.
      “He was our captain. He played centre-back, sometimes right back and centre-midfield. He was a leader and coming from Chelsea he was technically always going to be good on the ball and defensively was excellent.
      “Mason and Trevoh play the exact same as they did then but have a lot more know-how with all the games under their belts.”
      Ennis is a realist and knows Argyle face an enormous task against the European champions, who will be heading out to Abu Dhabi after the game to compete at the Club World Cup.
      Ennis celebrates scoring against Fleetwood this seasonCredit: Rex
      But the striker is a great lover of the FA Cup and grew up inspired by some of the giant killings that took place.
      He said: “I remember five years ago Wolves were a lower mid-table Championship team going to Liverpool and beating them. 
      “That result gave the whole club a boost and the next season they won promotion to the Premier League.
      “The FA Cup has been dying down a bit at the top level for some reason but for me it’s still important and a great competition.”  More