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      Anyone with an ounce of spirit should want Bournemouth to beat Man City to keep romance of the FA Cup alive

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      THERE are no Premier League fixtures this weekend — but don’t feel ashamed if you haven’t even realised.It’s hardly been a bumper year for the so-called greatest league  in the world.Bournemouth could offer a massive FA Cup miracle for the romanticsCredit: GettyBournemouth take on Manchester City in the FA CupCredit: GettyNewcastle broke a monotonous run by winning the Carabao CupCredit: RexThe last time a club outside the Big Six won a cup was in 2013 with Wigan in the FA Cup and Swansea in the League CupCredit: GettyLiverpool have fast-walked the title race and Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton have been hell-bent on relegation since last August.So who would have thought the two cup competitions would be left to stop the entire nation switching off altogether and doing something less boring instead?The cups have been bulldozed and bullied to make way for expanding European competition.Boiled down with second legs and replays scrapped to relieve the heavy legs of players grinding it out to satisfy the demands of clubs looking beyond two relatively tiny trophies offering a few quid in prize money. Read More on FootballNewcastle’s victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final this month was a spectacular bloody nose for the Big Six.It’s five down and one to go in the FA Cup, which means “little” Bournemouth have the opportunity to finish the job. Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham  all have a surprise weekend off as we reach the quarter-final stage.Anyone with an ounce of romance, spirit and  sporting fun should be willing the Cherries on against Manchester City. If not, you should never again pass an “I am not a robot” test.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA winner from Bournemouth, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Fulham, Crystal Palace or Preston North End is a rarity.And not since 2013 have both our domestic trophies been won by teams from outside the “elite” in the same season. That’s when Swansea won the League Cup and Wigan beat City in the FA Cup final. Prior to that, it was 1988 with Luton and Wimbledon.Erling Haaland reveals bizarre bedtime habit including special glasses and taping mouth SHUT on Logan Paul podcastIn between, it is the same old names and the same old finals. Prior to this year, the previous nine Carabao Cups were shared between Liverpool and the Manchester clubs.For one year only, Leicester broke the FA Cup stranglehold of Arsenal, City, Chelsea, United and Liverpool that has existed since 2014.What we are seeing now is football’s equivalent of Halley’s Comet entering our solar system.Come May, screw up your eyes and you may be able to visualise the glowing tail of glory for a team which doesn’t treat Wembley as a second home.The Cherries have never won  a major trophy, nor Palace, nor Fulham, nor Brighton.Preston, synonymous with the great Sir Tom Finney, have had big stars but no significant silverware since the 1938 FA Cup.Breaking traditionVilla and Forest are shaking up the establishment in the league but you must rewind to the 1990s to find either winning a cup of note.What it will mean for the  supporters of these seven clubs to reach the FA Cup semi-finals or beyond fires the imagination.And it serves as a beacon of hope for anyone wishing to salvage a crumb of interest in a mundane season in the league. Players love the cups, the fans adore them.Attendances throughout this year’s Carabao Cup were 20 per cent up on last year and their highest for almost a quarter of a century.If Bournemouth beat City on Sunday it’s a huge shot in the arm for the much-maligned cups, for fans and for fun. So what if it’s bad for business and for the big boys?Fans ticked off with ToddTODD BOEHLY is feeling the heat from Chelsea fans over his 41 per cent stake in US ticket resale outlet Vivid Seats.To the extent the supporters’ trust has written to the Premier League demanding they probe their club chairman over a  potential conflict of interest. Fair enough. No trip to Stamford Bridge is complete without the sight and sound of several shady characters loitering by Fulham Broadway Tube station offering tickets for the coming game at inflated prices.So much so that the London club emailed fans last week to trumpet their actions targeting this criminal scourge. They claim to have stopped more than 1,000 people entering the ground with dodgy tickets, cancelled more than 1,500 memberships linked to dodgy tickets and arrested dozens of people through matchday operations.Meanwhile, Boehly, the man at the top of the club, is raking it in via his investment in what the Premier League label an “unauthorised” ticket website.They urge fans to “exercise extreme caution” when dealing with firms like Vivid Seats.It’s almost as if it’s one rule for one and one for another. In football? Surely not?A bore’s no drawEVERYTHING about England’s recent two matches was highly interesting — apart from the two matches. Thomas Tuchel, Dan Burn, the build-up, the team selection, the hope.But as usual the ties were as flat as a pancake and sparked a debate about the entertainment value of qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.Don’t think the boredom level of these insipid games hasn’t been  discussed at the top level.Not that long ago a plan was hatched to expand the Euros to 32 teams.The continent’s top-ranked countries would face each other in an extended Nations League to leave 16 sides. Lesser-ranked nations would do similar, eventually leaving 32 teams.Almost everyone was up for it apart from Europe’s rights-holding broadcasters, who seem to think England v Albania on a Friday night is just what the nation wants to see on their TVs.London bawlin’AS domestic football returns, a plea. Can London-based clubs stop playing London Calling by The Clash, fronted by Joe Strummer, during every pre-match build-up?Yes, we know the song is about the city — it’s in the title — and your club is in that city. But that’s it. It’s not that big a deal.And by endlessly forcing this irony upon fans, you have worn out what should be cherished as a post-punk classic by one of the greatest rock bands of all time.Just stop it. Please.FA party Ful of itIF you have £120 to spare you too can enjoy a night out at Fulham’s 1975 FA Cup final celebration dinner come May.A selection of team members from the day will entertain guests with memories of the showpiece — which they LOST 2-0 to West Ham.READ MORE SUN STORIESSounds like a silly idea —  then again, Newcastle held open-top bus parades after losing the 1974 FA Cup final and 1976 League Cup final.Even more daft, someone I know actually went to BOTH. More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson’s classy gesture to Danny Welbeck revealed 12 years after striker last played for Man Utd legend

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      DANNY WELBECK has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson still calls him after games.The Brighton star, 34, came through the ranks at Manchester United under the legendary Scot.Danny Welbeck recently scored a brilliant goal against NewcastleCredit: GettySir Alex Ferguson remains in contact with his ex-playersCredit: ReutersWelbeck won a Premier League title with the Red Devils, but was sold to Arsenal just 12 months after Ferguson’s 2013 departure.Ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-finals, the striker revealed that his old boss, 83, contacted him after his goal against Newcastle in the last round.Speaking to the BBC, Welbeck said: “[Sir Alex Ferguson] actually phoned me after the Newcastle goal.”He talked about the goal and the performance.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”He was buzzing and to have that sort of connection, he is a manager who is always looking out for his players, always wants the best for them, and still to this day is in contact.”Welbeck’s brilliant extra time winner against Newcastle set up this Saturday’s quarter-final between Brighton and Nottingham Forest.The former England star has had a productive season on the South Coast, scoring seven Premier League goals in just 17 starts.His Toon strike even prompted former Man Utd team-mate Wayne Rooney to make a big claim.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWelbeck played under Sir Alex at Man UtdCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe Red Devils’ all-time leading goalscorer, 39, said: “Danny’s great to play alongside.”If I’m completely honest I’d probably like to still see him here, playing for Manchester United.Danny Welbeck lifts lid on ex-Man Utd players’ WhatsApp group including one huge star who just ‘chats and chats’ “He’s scored goals throughout his career. He had injuries in the early part of his career but he seems to have got over them and he’s having a fantastic season.”Welbeck recently revealed that he is part of a WhatsApp group full of former Man Utd stars.He told Sky Sports: “Everybody plays a part. It’s a lot of banter, chatting about football and a lot of banter.”Asked who the admin is, Welbeck replied: “I think it might be Rio [Ferdinand].”He just chats doesn’t he. You know what he’s like he just chats and chats.”He loves it. He’s making a career out of talking now so… we give me a lot of stick too.” More

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      Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 29: Eberechi Eze and other FA Cup specialists

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      DREAM TEAM managers have until 10:45am on Saturday morning to confirm their transfers for Gameweek 29.Just seven teams will be in action this weekend, those involved in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with a full round of Premier League games scheduled for midweek.Eze does itCredit: Dream TeamThree of the seven teams set to pull double duty are due to face relegation-bound opposition on Wednesday night, creating some juicy double headers that could yield heaps of points.With that in mind, allow us to put forth some transfer recommendations…Eberechi Eze (£4.5m)Crystal Palace face Fulham in the cup before an extremely favourable league meeting with Southampton at St Mary’s.Saints have earned fewer points and conceded more goals at home than away this season.Eze owners are well within their rights to expect a double-digit return in Gameweek 29 given he averages 6.8 points-per-game.The silky midfielder, who scored for England during the break, averages a goal involvement every 169.1 minutes in all competitions for the Eagles in 2024/25 and he currently ranks joint-sixth for bonus points among all players.We’ve suggested Daniel Munoz (£5.4m) several times over this season and so there’s no need to detail his attributes again but needless to say the Colombian wing-back is also an excellent option at this moment in time.Morgan Rogers (£3.9m)Popular for a reasonCredit: GettyAston Villa blanked in Gameweek 28 and so many Dream Team bosses were forced to ditch Unai Emery’s troops.Most read in FootballThe outlook is entirely different this side of the international break, however, as the Villains are the only team with six fixtures to fulfil across the next three Gameweeks.This busy period starts with the most favourable FA Cup quarter-final available in the form of bottom-half Championship side Preston.A trip to in-form Brighton in midweek promises to be a competitive affair but the overall conclusion is that Villa players look well set for the next few weeks.Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) is the club’s top performer in Dream Team right now and he will be a popular recruit if deemed fit but gaffers should wait for an update on his troublesome knee before committing.It’s not yet clear whether Watkins is available for Gameweek 29Credit: GettyHence why Rogers, Villa’s second-best asset, is currently the most transferred-in player ahead of Saturday’s deadline by a wide margin.The affordable midfielder looked bright for the Three Lions against Latvia on Monday night.Much of the same logic applies to Marco Asensio (£4.1m), who has scored seven goals in eight games since his January loan switch from PSG.The Spaniard is eligible to face his parent club in the upcoming Champions League quarter-finals.Jeremy Doku (£4.8m)Catch him if you can!Credit: APManchester City travel to Bournemouth this weekend with memories of defeat from their last visit to the Vitality Stadium.However, this deceptively difficult fixture is offset by a hugely favourable match-up with Leicester at the Etihad in midweek.The Foxes are the top flight’s worst team on current form having lost their last six league games.In fact, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s beleaguered men haven’t even scored a league goal since late Janaury.Incredibly, Doku has earned 16 bonus points (and 29 total points) across his last four outings.The tricky Belgian winger completed 15 successful dribbles against Brighton in Gameweek 28 – for comparison, Phil Foden (£6m) has registered 24 successful dribbles for the season!At the risk of stating the blindingly obvious, going without Erling Haaland (£7.8m) this coming Gameweek is a very risky move.The big No9 will be licking his lips at the prospect of taking on Wout Faes (£0.9m) and friends on Wednesday night.Justin Kluivert (£4m)Cherry pickingCredit: ReutersOnce the Cherries are done with Man City, they too have a favourable league game to fulfil as Ipswich are due to visit the south coast in midweek.The Tractor Boys have conceded 12 goals in their last four league games and so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were overwhelmed by Andoni Iraola’s dynamic side.Only Liverpool and Man City have registered more shots on target than Bournemouth in the top flight this campaign.READ MORE SUN STORIESKluivert has scored 13 goals and provided seven assists this season – it helps being first-choice penalty taker.Milos Kerkez (£3.7m), Antoine Semenyo (£4.2m) and Evanilson (£4.2m) are also strong options.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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      ‘Of course, it’s difficult’ – Ben Chilwell opens up on being bombed out by Chelsea before Crystal Palace lifeline

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      BEN CHILWELL refused to let membership of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ drag him down.The defender was frozen out completely by boss Enzo Maresca this season but kept his head up high in order to secure a move away.Ben Chilwell is enjoying a fresh start at Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyHe was frozen out of the squad at ChelseaCredit: GettyFull-back Chilwell is now on loan at Crystal Palace and one win away from Wembley in the FA Cup semi finals – a huge turnaround from the dark days in isolation at Stamford Bridge.Chilwell said to ITV: “Between the start of the season and January I was training by myself a lot of the days. “You’re not involved in the matchday squads and you kind of just wait for the opportunity when you’re going to go somewhere.“If you go somewhere in January and you’re miles off the pace or you’ve not put the work in, the only person that’s losing out is you.READ MORE ON CHELSEA“Of course, it’s difficult. Training by yourself a lot for a number of months isn’t easy. But the only person that was going to lose out if I wasn’t ready was myself. “So these past four or five months have given me an opportunity to mentally and physically just realign, refocus, reset. To go again.“There were a lot of circumstances and things going on at Chelsea that weren’t in my control, which I completely respect.“The things I could control was how I came into training every day and how I trained, whether by myself or with the group.Most read in FA CupJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“That’s just a reflection of myself and I wasn’t going to let myself down in those moments you can control you just control as best as you can.”Maresca bluntly told Chilwell that he simply did not fit into his tactical plans. It was nothing personal but it will have hurt.Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell completes loan transfer to Crystal PalaceChilwell, 28, is big on the mental side of professional sports and kept his chin up, finally bagging a loan move to Palace in January.Whether or not a permanent deal is struck at the end of the season, there is no way back for him at Chelsea while Maresca is manager.He held a Zoom call with Eagles boss Oliver Glasner about a temporary switch and knew straightaway he fancied moving to South London for a fresh start.Chilwell has played five times at Wembley at club level. With only one win so far.The Champions League winning left-back made his Palace debut as a sub in the FA Cup fourth round win over Doncaster Rovers. He has featured in the two rounds since.The fifth round win over Millwall was overshadowed by serious injury to Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who needed 25 stitches to a cut ear after a collision with keeper Liam Roberts.The Frenchman is declared fit to play at Fulham on Saturday and Chilwell says it is a huge boost both physically and mentally.He said: “He’s the glue of the place. He’s the loudest one in the changing room. The loudest one around here. You need a few of those don’t you?“You need those characters around the place always cracking jokes making people laugh. They’re the loudest ones when their team loses or their team wins.“They’re the most important figures in the changing room, so it’s definitely noticeable when he’s not in the building. Having him back this weekend will be a massive boost.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Before coming here I knew a lot of the players previously through the national team, through playing against them in the league. It seemed a pretty easy choice. I spoke to the manager also.“We had a talk over Zoom and kind of agreed on lots of lots of different things. So I think with the manager and the people that I knew here previously It was a pretty easy decision to come.” More

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      FA Cup quarter-finals create unusual double Gameweek 29 but Dream Team bosses can take advantage

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      AS the international break draws to a close, Dream Team demands the spotlight once again.And gaffers will need their wits about them as Gameweek 29 is a unique one to navigate.Domestic football resumes with FA Cup action this weekendCredit: Dream TeamFor starters, Dream Team managers should be aware that the deadline falls at the unusual time of 10:45pm on Saturday morning.This weekend plays host to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a full round of Premier League games to follow in midweek.Consequently, the seven top-flight sides in action this weekend are the only teams with TWO fixtures to fulfil in Gameweek 29.And since more games generally equals more points, Dream Team bosses should be focused on these double headers.Marmoush averages 6.8 points-per-game this seasonCredit: PAGAMEWEEK 29 DOUBLE HEADERSMANCHESTER CITY vs Bournemouth (a) & Leicester (h)ASTON VILLA vs Preston (a) & Brighton (a)CRYSTAL PALACE vs Fulham (a) & Southampton (a)BOURNEMOUTH vs Man City (h) & Ipswich (h)FULHAM vs Crystal Palace (h) & Arsenal (a)BRIGHTON vs Nottingham Forest (h) & Aston Villa (h)NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs Brighton (a) & Man Utd (h)Pep Guardiola’s side have dropped several levels this season and a trip to the Vitality Stadium is certainly no easy task – the Cherries won the same match-up in the league earlier this season.However, City’s second fixture is one of the most favourable the top flight has to offer as the Foxes have conceded more goals on the road than any other team in 2024/25.Forwards Erling Haaland (£7.8m) and Omar Marmoush (£4.3m) have to be considered strong options.Most read in FootballVilla will be busy in the coming weeksCredit: GettyThe Villains are the only team due to face lower-league opposition in the FA Cup quarter-finals.Unai Emery’s troops travel to Deepdale to face a Preston side currently in the bottom half of the Championship.Predicting Villa’s starting line-up on Sunday isn’t all that easy but the likes of Morgan Rogers (£3.9m), Ollie Watkins (£5.2m) and Marco Asensio (£4.1m) could feast if given the opportunity.Looking further ahead, Villa are the only team still active in the FA Cup with a European quarter-final in the diary for April.Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are in the same position as Man City in that their midweek league match-up looks very appealing on paper.The Eagles will visit relegation-bound Southampton next Wednesday.Daniel Munoz (£5.4m), Eberechi Eze (£4.5m) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (£4.5m) are all viable selections – the latter is expected to be available following his ear injury.Palace will start as heavy favourites against SaintsCredit: GettyAs for the Cherries, they will host 18th-placed Ipswich in midweek.READ MORE SUN STORIESJustin Kluivert (£4m), Antoine Semenyo (£4.2m) and Milos Kerkez (£3.7m) are Bournemouth’s top performers this season and all three could take advantage of the Tractor Boys’ increasingly poor form.Gaffers hoping to benefit from the Magic of the Cup™ have several tempting options to mull over before the Gameweek 29 deadline.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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      Matheus Cunha has ban EXTENDED and slapped with £50,000 fine after Wolves star ‘punched and headbutted’ Milos Kerkez

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      WOLVES striker Matheus Cunha has had his three-match red card ban extended by an FA commission.Brazilian Cunha was dismissed after a tear-up with Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez in the final minute of extra-time in the FA Cup fifth round tie.Matheus Cunha was sent off for a headbutt on Milos Kerkez earlier this monthCredit: GettyThe two players came to blows in the FA CupCredit: GettyThe volatile South American was dismissed by ref Sam Barrott for kicking out at Cherries’ left back Kerkez when the defender was on the ground following a skirmish between them.Cunha, who had earlier scored a brilliant long-range equaliser, then aimed a headbutt at Kerkez after both had got to their feet, before seemingly ignoring the red card as he refused to leave the pitch.It was the latter behaviour that saw him charged with misconduct and an independent disciplinary commission ordered him to serve an extra match suspension with a fine of £50,000 on top.The FA said the full written reasons behind the sanction would be published “in due course” while Cunha, who admitted the charge, will miss upcoming games against West Ham and Ipswich before being available to face Spurs on April 13.Read More in FootballBut the punishment was something of an escape given it was the second time this season that Cunha has fallen foul of Wembley disciplinary beaks.In December he was charged with misconduct following the flare-up at the end of Wolves’ home defeat by Ipswich when he got into a ruckus with one of the visitors’ security staff.While the commission which sat on that case found he deserved a three-match ban and £120,000 fine, both punishments were reduced by a third – to two matches and £80,000 – after it emerged he had offered to buy the Ipswich steward a new pair of glasses.Cunha has been heavily linked with a move away from Wolves in recent months.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSArsenal and Manchester United were understood to be among the clubs interested.But he instead revealed that he is happy at Molineux and penned a new contract.Wolves forward Matheus Cunha faces trial over ‘driving blunder’ More

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      Everton move to make peace with club legend, 64, after two-year exile from Goodison Park

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      EVERTON have moved to make peace with club icon Graeme Sharp by inviting him to attend one of the last matches at Goodison Park.The former director, who won two league titles, the FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup as the star striker for Howard Kendall’s all-conquering side in the 1980s, has not been to an Everton game for over two years due to safety fears.Graeme Sharp had been advised to stay away from Goodison ParkCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThe club legend won two titles, an FA Cup and a Cup Winners’ CupCredit: PA:Empics SportSharp and the entire Everton Board were advised to stay away from Goodison due to a “real and credible threats” received before a home game against Southampton in January 2023.Sharp resigned from the Board at the end of that season, along with chief executive Denise Barret-Baxendale and strategy officer Grant Ingles, and has not been back to Everton since.The former Scotland international was criticised by some Everton fans for defending the unpopular ownership of Farhad Moshiri, who finally sold the club to the Friedkin Group last year.Banners featuring the words “Sharp Out” were brought by fans to several matches and he stood down after just 18 months on the Board.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSharp was unpaid non-executive director with no real influence over the club’s decision making however, with many at Everton feeling he was treated unfairly.Everton’s new owners are aware of the situation and have reached out to Sharp, making it clear he is welcome back as a guest at Goodison at any time.David Moyes’ side have just four matches left at their 137-year-old home before moving to their new £800million stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.Moyes is thought to be particularly keen to welcome Sharp back to the club as the pair got to know each other well during his previous spell in charge.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIn an interview with the Scotsman last year Sharp said “I don’t see myself going back” as “the stick that I got was totally underserved,” although he had not been invited at that stage.The 64-year-old has also attended a number of Everton fan events in recent months and been well received, which friends of his say may prompt a change of heart.’Normally a bottle of red wine down’ – Moyes unhappy at unusual kick-off time More

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      ‘My daughter thought I was a referee’ says England legend Ashley Cole as he’s inducted into football Hall of Fame

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      ASHLEY COLE was an Arsenal Invincible, a European champion at Chelsea, a record seven-time FA Cup winner and a member of England’s exclusive 100 Club, once recognised as the best left-back on the planet. But ask him to reflect on that glorious career, after being inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame, and Cole highlights his regret at the “silly bitterness” which overshadowed a large part of his career.Ashley Cole was inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of FameCredit: PAEngland Under-21 assistant boss Cole won major awards with Arsenal and ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – GettyCole, now a well-respected assistant to England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley, insists he is a very different person now to the hot-headed player who left Arsenal under a cloud after being tapped up by Chelsea.Back then he infamously wrote in his autobiography that he “almost swerved off the road” when being informed that Arsenal were offering “only £55,000 a week”.And Cole, 44, admits: “I’ve grown up since then, from making silly mistakes, silly words, bitter words, feuds – I’m so grown and so over that now.“I respect the both clubs I was at, they gave me a lot, they gave me opportunities.Read More on Arsenal “There isn’t one memory that sticks out, I’ve won Premier Leagues, Champions League, created history in the FA Cup, I look back and say, ‘Yeah you’ve done well and they were your rewards’.“And competing for my country at World Cups and Euros was really important to me.”Cole’s career was one of English football’s finest but after his tumultuous high-profile marriage to pop star Cheryl Tweedy and the controversy over his move to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, he shied away from speaking to the media.As a result he is often under-appreciated and it turns out that even extends to his own home.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeCole, who won 107 England caps, said: “I’ve got two young kids who are always asking me, ‘Was I a good player?’ My daughter thought I was a referee!“Getting this award did open my eyes as to what an achievement it was to get to the level I got to.Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI… but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars?“Working with these young [England Under-21] lads, I can see a lot of me in them. They are a very humble, hard-working group. It’s inspirational for me to watch these players grow and hopefully get into the senior team.“I look back at the journey from where I was as a 14, 15, 16-year-old, all the hard work and sacrifice. Then to make my debut for my boyhood club [Arsenal] and to win trophies and to grow as a player is something I won’t take lightly.“I really enjoyed the journey. There’s a message for the kids – keep working hard on the training pitch, keep persevering and hopefully you have a career like me.”Cole has urged patience with Arsenal’s teenage duo, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.I’ve grown up since then, from making silly mistakes, silly words, bitter words, feuds – I’m so grown and so over that now.Ashley ColeLeft-back MLS has gone straight into the England senior squad, while Nwaneri will make his Under-21 debut away to France under Carsley and Cole on his 18th birthday on Friday.Cole said: “I’ve seen Myles in the last year and a half. I’ve seen it with Ethan too. When you have so much talent, there is sometimes an urge to play them and do they sometimes fall short? These two haven’t.“Now he [Lewis-Skelly] is in the seniors, he has just got to continue to play well for Arsenal and continue to get himself in the senior squad.“But you’ve got to be careful with these young players. They are special and precious so you have to take your time sometimes.”After winning the last Under-21 Euros two years ago, Cole believes England are capable of retaining their crown in Slovakia this summer.Cole said: “That group two years ago, they had real pride in playing for the Three Lions, working for the badge.I’ve got two young kids who are always asking me, ‘Was I a good player?’ My daughter thought I was a referee!Ashley Cole“They were a great bunch and what they did in the last Euros showed a great team spirit and belief.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’ve told this group that they have left a legacy for you and we want to continue that and hopefully do well in the Euros and leave a legacy for the next generation.“Every day I watch them train, I see the hunger and desire and if we don’t win the Euros, I know they will have given everything.” More