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      England should build team around Jack Grealish – he reminds me of the great Alan Hudson

      by

      HERE’S one for the older readers . . . what do Alan Hudson, Rodney Marsh, Tony Currie and Stan Bowles have in common?
      All of them marvellously gifted players — and all of them ignored by England while others with a fraction of their talent racked up the caps.

      England should build their team around Jack Grealish Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Grealish is a similar player to Chelsea legend Alan HudsonCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Well, watching Thursday’s game against the Republic of Ireland, my mind went back to those days in the 1970s. Or at least it did whenever Jack Grealish was on the ball.
      Grealish is a young player who divides opinion like few others. Some don’t think he’s inter national class, others think he should be the main man.
      And the more I see of him, the more I am convinced he’s a guy England should be building the team around. I really think he’s that good.
      I tell you what, if he was playing for any other country, the only argument would be how to stop him, not whether he should be in the side in the first place.

      The problem is, when Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane are all available, will Grealish get in? I’m not so certain.
      But even with a fully-fit squad, Jack would still be one of the first names on any England teamsheet of mine.
      I’m not saying that should be at the expense of Sterling or Rashford. There’s no reason why all three can’t be in the same team.
      It would mean playing with a back four — and I know Gareth Southgate likes a back three at the moment — but that’s how I’d fit him in.

      A back four, two holding midfielders, Raheem and Marcus out wide, Kane up top . . . and Jack on the ball floating around as a No 10.
      You want to see players who excite you — and Grealish does that better than most. He’s someone who can change a game in an instant.

      Grealish has an eye for a pass and loves running with the ballCredit: Rex Features
      Rather like Hudson used to do. A couple of passes Jack made against Ireland were out of this world because he sees things others don’t. Again, very similar to Hudson.
      When he’s got the ball at his feet, his head is always up, he’s looking at opponents. He is in complete control, he just glides along and actually runs at people.
      That may sound obvious but these days it’s almost a dying breed. You hear coaches screaming: “Pass, pass, pass.”
      I want to see dribble, dribble, dribble. One-on-one, there are few better than Grealish at beating a man. He’s strong as an ox, too. Have you seen the size of his calves?
      He has three caps for England now, which is already one more than Hudson got in his whole career.
      I just hope that in years to come Jack isn’t another fantastic talent we look back on and scratch our head over why he never truly got the recognition he deserves.
      But I don’t want to see him playing in friendlies against opponents who aren’t in our class — and let’s be honest, England v Ireland was like Tyson Fury against the 20th- ranked boxer.
      I want to see Grealish playing against the best, in the biggest games of all. And I would love to see him playing against Belgium today for a start.
      With so many great young players coming through, it’s certainly a great time for Gareth to be England manager and I love how he is giving them a chance at this level.
      We saw the latest of them on Thursday, when Jude Bellingham came on. What a player he looks.

      Jude Bellingham impressed for England against IrelandCredit: Rex Features
      I’ve always said that if they’re good enough, then pick them and put them in your first team, not in an Under-21 game at a training ground.
      They learn more by playing “real” football, league football, and that often means sending them out on loan.
      That’s what I did with Rio Ferdinand and Jermain Defoe, who both went to Bournemouth. Michael Carrick went to Swindon and Frank Lampard was at Swansea.
      I don’t know if Jude thought he wouldn’t get a chance in the Premier League because Manchester United were supposed to be interested but he went to Borussia Dortmund.
      He’s getting more games than he probably would with United. It will be great for his development as a person too. It’s certainly paying off.
      With the likes of Jadon Sancho, Reece James, Phil Foden, Ashley Maitland-Niles, Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka, the future is definitely rosy for England.
      I just hope Grealish plays as big a part in it as he should.
      DANGERS OF TRIVIAL MATCHES
      YOU don’t need to be  a genius to know  what Jurgen Klopp is thinking right now — and I’ve got every  sympathy for him.
      He was already without Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and then Joe Gomez gets a serious injury training with England.

      The international break has not been kind to Liverpool boss Jurgen KloppCredit: PA:Press Association
      Chris Wilder — already missing a load at Sheffield United — will have been just as angry as Jurgen, too, after Irishman John Egan went off at Wembley.
      Having a three-game international break now made no sense when the demands on players in the current climate are so great.

      I could understand bringing them together to give countries a chance to work on shape and patterns but these games were meaningless, pointless and dangerous.
      Of all the matches last week and this week, basically the only ones that matter are the Euro play-offs and the South American World Cup qualifiers.
      No one loves watching football more than me but on this occasion it did more harm than good.

      Aston Villa fans fume with Gareth Southgate after interview about Jack Grealish More

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      in Motorsport

      The inside track on F1’s ‘Rashford on wheels’ Hamilton as he stands on the cusp of history from those who know him best

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON can equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula One titles today at the Turkish Grand Prix.
      Having already passed the German’s record of race victories, he can rightly lay claim to being F1 greatest-ever racing driver.

      Hamilton has led the way in F1 in promoting racial equalityCredit: AFP or licensors

      His on-track achievements aside, he has juggled them with his quest to promote diversity, challenge racism and raise awareness to environmental issues – and has consequently been dubbed “Marcus Rashford on wheels”.
      Here, SunSPORT quizzes those people who have worked closest with the 35-year-old to discover his extreme competitiveness that has helped him win all those titles – plus we can reveal a compassionate side that few people get to witness.
      We go back to his debut F1 season in 2007 with McLaren where on a team bonding exercise at the Finnish Olympic Institute, he showed his determination to be a champ.
      McLaren’s Number One Chief Mechanic at the time, Marc Priestley, was on that week-long team building exercise where Hamilton surprised the team by taking part.

      Priestley said: “We went away for a team building week at the Finnish Olympic Institute, which was a thing we did with the race team and the drivers used to come.
      “But on this occasion, we knew that Fernando Alonso, who was the other driver, was not scheduled to attend and we did not know who the other driver was going to be.
      “So we went to Finland but the next day after the announcement was made Lewis surprised us to turn up in Finland.
      “He had taken it upon himself to integrate himself in the team. It was an important thing to do but it was also brave, because we were a well-established group of pretty boisterous, macho guys and he was just a young boy.

      Lewis Hamilton has used his platform to highlight issuesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “So to step into that world was a brave thing. I remember him being very polite. He went around shaking everyone’s hand and introducing himself.”But the one thing that stuck out on that trip was just how competitive he was and how desperate he was to win.
      “We went tenpin bowling and Lewis was just incredible. He was getting strike after strike, spinning it down the lane, and we were like ‘have you done this before?’ and he was like ‘nope’.
      “However, as it turns out, the night before we did the bowling, he had gone in for some private lessons.”He had taped up this expert and had been having one-on-one coaching. It was all in an effort to ensure he was the best and the next day he smashed everyone.”
      Matt Bishop, currently Communications Director at W Series, held the same title at McLaren from 2008 to 2017 and worked closely with Hamilton.He is able to pick out many standout achievements on track, pointing to his nine successive podiums in his debut season, as one.
      But it was two phone calls 12 months apart that Bishop recalls that give his truest insight into what Hamilton is really like.

      Hamilton won his Formula 1 Championship with McLaren in 2008 before making the difficult decision to leave a few years laterCredit: AP:Associated Press
      He added: “Some people think Lewis is a wannabe rapper. Rich as croesus but he is a good human. These stories don’t get told, but they show what a great heart he has.
      “In 2012 my mother was dying of terminal cancer and I was giving Lewis a media briefing. I was called away but left my phone on the table.
      “While I was out of the room, my mum called my mobile and he saw it flash up that she was calling me.”He took it upon himself to answer the phone and said “hello Mrs Bishop, this is Lewis, you son’s away from the phone at the moment”.
      “He then went on to say, ‘you know you should be very proud of him, he does a great job and I know you are not well and I am saying, stay strong, keep fighting and that we are thinking of you here’, and put the phone down.
      “I came back and I did  not even know he’d done that. It was not until I spoke to my mum some days later that she told me that story.”Part two is that in 2013, when he was not even at McLaren anymore, so there was nothing to be gained with me, and my mother died.
      “It was 10pm, Lewis was at the German GP so 11pm where he was, and my phone rang.

      Hamilton struggled in a chaotic and wet qualifying session ahead of the Turkish Grand PrixCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “It was Lewis and he said, ‘I have just heard this moment your mother had passed away and I wanted to call you immediately to say that if you are with your family, please pass on my condolences to all of them. I will remember your mother in my prayers tonight’.
      “He didn’t need to do that but it shows what a thoroughly decent person he is.” Bishop admits that there were times when he was difficult to manage.His relationship with pop-star Nicole Scherzinger made him front and back page news either side of the Atlantic.
      But Bishop says those days were all part of his growing up process to the figure he is today.He said: “It is since those days we have seen him grow into this statesman like man who stands for Black Lives Matter and is Marcus Rashford on wheels.
      “Lewis’s maturation from sports boy to statesman was an unstoppable evolution.”I think not only the sport but the world should be grateful for what Lewis does and what he stands for and for what he is yet to achieve.”It has now got to a stage where F1 needs Lewis Hamilton more than Lewis Hamilton needs F1.
      “When he does retire, the sport will miss him and we won’t realise how much we miss him until he has gone.”

      Hamilton enjoys – and then quickly regrets – a ‘shooey’ with Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo after his latest win at Imola two weeks ago Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Hamilton, of course, has yet to sign a new deal with Mercedes, but he is loving his life with the Silver Arrows.
      And while he might always come across in a positive light when he has not won a race, he is a different character when he is away from the race track.
      Mercedes’ Trackside Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin, who also worked with Schuamcher, said: “For any famous drivers – when you look at Michael he was exactly the same – the reason they can appear a bit standoff-ish or rushing and not having time for people is because they cannot get away from this constant pressure to sign autographs and pose for a selfie.

      “But Lewis has a very compassionate side to him and when you see the real Lewis, which with all drivers, when you see them at the circuit it is not what they are really like as a person.
      “You can see it is not out of any sense of obligation it is just that he enjoys their stories and speaking to them and if he can inspire him, then he will.”At the circuit, that’s the time you really see him fully relax because all other times he has a job to do as an elite sportsman.” More

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      in Soccer

      England manager Gareth Southgate, 50, secretly battled coronavirus last month with players none the wiser

      by

      ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has been secretly battling Covid.
      The 50-year-old tested positive for the virus late last month after developing symptoms.

      ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      Gareth Southgate secretly battled Covid last monthCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He didn’t tell his players about his diagnosis as he wanted to ‘just get on with it’Credit: AFP or licensors

      After self-isolating for ten days, the superfit England manager was straight back to workCredit: Rex Features
      He was forced to self-isolate for ten days before further checks came back negative.
      Concern was heightened due to his age but his fitness helped him fight off the deadly virus — with his England stars none the wiser.
      One source said: “He’s a professional, he just got on with it. Fortunately he’s very fit for his age.”

      Southgate tested positive around October 25, derailing his preparations for the current international matches.
      He self-isolated at home in North Yorkshire, abandoning plans to attend Premier League games in person.
      Like Prince William, who was diagnosed back in April with coronavirus, he kept the news quiet with only a handful of people knowing.
      A subsequent test came back negative by November 5, enabling him to host a press conference on Zoom announcing his latest squad.

      Concern was heightened due to Southgate’s age but his fitness helped him fight off the virusCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He was in good spirits during the press conference ahead of the Nations League clash in BelgiumCredit: PA:Press Association
      England staff and players are regularly tested and Southgate, capped 57 times before becoming boss in 2016, has had several negative checks since.
      He works out and jogs daily — once dislocating his shoulder on a run ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

      He’s a professional, he just got on with it.

      The same year he showed his stamina and fitness on Bear Grylls’ ITV wilderness survival show.
      Grylls said: “The wild always rewards commitment and courage, and Gareth has both of these qualities in spades.”
      Southgate showed no after-effects of the virus during Thursday’s win over Ireland at Wembley.
      He was also in good spirits in yesterday’s press conference ahead of tonight’s Nations League clash in Belgium.
      Southgate has been a staunch admirer of the NHS throughout the Covid pandemic.

      Southgate has opened up about his rise to the top in his new book

      My fight to get to the top

      By Jane Atkinson

      ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has opened up about the setbacks that nearly made him turn down the top job and once left him feeling such “humiliation” he felt embarrassed picking his children up from school.
      Gareth shares his life lessons in an inspirational book written in conjunction with The Prince’s Trust that aims to advise youngsters who lack the confidence to achieve their full potential.
      He reveals: “After three years in my role as manager at Middlesbrough, I was sacked. It wasn’t a pleasant experience. It just felt like a humiliation.
      “On the school pick-up run, I felt like everyone was looking at me, and then I had to tell my kids. It was hard not to take it personally, and my self-esteem took a hit. It felt like I had failed in the job.
      “Then again, I reminded myself, I had been in a similar situation as a player. I knew that I could come through this.
      “As a schoolboy, I started training one evening a week with Southampton.
      “A lot of the apprentice players were brimming with confidence. Being the quiet one, it meant I really stood out. I didn’t help myself on my first day of training. I wore my school shirt and trousers, only to find that everyone else was in a tracksuit or jeans. It felt like a disaster before I’d even started.
      “The coach, Alan Smith, called me in and said, ‘You’re a lovely bloke but as a footballer you’ve got no chance’.
      “If I can go from a skinny, introverted teenager who was told he wouldn’t make it as a player to someone who played and managed his country then I’m a clear example that ‘anything is possible’.”
      Anything is Possible by Gareth Southgate is published by Century on Nov 26 at £16.99. Gareth will donate all proceeds from the book to the Prince’s Trust Future Leaders initiative.

      In March he urged fans to stay at home to help our hospitals.
      He said: “Life is very different for us all at the moment and sport rightfully stands aside to support a more important cause during these unprecedented times.’’
      In May he agreed to a 30 per cent cut in his £5million salary to help the NHS.
      Southgate also delighted two frontline workers by calling them personally to thank them.
      Southgate said: “It’s important the nation gets behind those playing their part in helping to return society to a sense of normality.”
      Last month, his preparations for the Wales game were thrown into chaos after Three Lions stars Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho breached Covid rules.

      His key tips

      BE brave. It takes courage to admit aspects of our personality need to shape up. Addressing our weaknesses can be a challenging but rewarding process.
      BE kind. Our conduct is key. We can fight our way to the top or play fairly to our strengths.
      FOLLOW your dreams. Breaking down a challenge makes it manageable. Take one step at a time making every step count.

      They attended a party with dozens of other guests, forcing furious Southgate to drop them.
      He said rules were being broken across the nation, adding: “There is a lot of disharmony now. We are all in this situation together.’’
      England will play Iceland at Wembley on Wednesday after the visitors got permission to fly from Denmark – where they play today.

      Gareth Southgate announces England squad for Ireland, Belgium and Iceland clashes
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      in Soccer

      Gareth Bale loses battle to watch Masters as Welsh team-mates pull rank and put rugby on TV

      by

      GARETH BALE lost the battle for the TV remote — forcing Wales’ talisman to watch The Masters on his iPad!
      Golf nut Bale appeared to view the first round at Augusta on a  laptop during the Dragons’ goalless draw with USA  in an international friendly on Thursday night.

      Pals Gareth Bale and Ben Davies enjoy each other’s company on international and club duty Credit: Alamy Live News

      Bale, 31, wanted to watch the golf again on the big screen in Wales’ team hotel in Cardiff on Friday evening.
      But his team-mates ignored his pleas and picked the nation’s rugby union defeat to Ireland instead.
      Bale’s Wales and Spurs pal Ben Davies, preparing to face the Irish at the Cardiff City Stadium today, said: “Gareth had his iPad out watching the golf and the rugby was on the TV. The boys pulled rank there.”
      Bale’s love of golf has been well-documented — and he is not the only Tottenham player who has a passion for the sport.

      England skipper Harry Kane tweeted on Friday: “Running off to watch the Masters”.Davies added: “Those two are some of the biggest golf fans I’ve seen. Those two love it.”So who is the best golfer? Davies joked: “Me.” He added: “I’ve played with both of them but I can’t say I’m the best judge as to who is better because I’m not the best.”
      Wales aim to cheer up a sporting-mad nation after their rugby counterparts lost 32-9 to Ireland in the Autumn Nations Cup in Dublin.

      Bale was spotted appeared to be enjoying The Masters while sat in the stands during Wales’ 0-0 draw with the USACredit: PA:Press Association
      Davies said: “It was a tough game and it will be the same for us. We have to keep the momentum up and keep going in this Nations League.“It’s about winning habits and sometimes it doesn’t matter how it comes. If you keep winning games that’s the most important thing.“I don’t think we’ve been at our best in this Nations League, but we’ve got three wins and we’re top of the group. We want to continue that run.”
      Caretaker boss Rob Page has captain Bale fit to start after his midweek rest.Asked if Wales can inflict revenge on Ireland, Page said: “Let’s hope so. We had a meeting and then we all had our evening meal together and it was on in the background, so we saw bits of it.“Of course a disappointing result but we’re looking forward to our game on Sunday.“We’re ready for the challenge.”

      Meanwhile, defender Tom Lockyer wants to prove he is a key man for Wales — and nail down his Euro 2020 spot to emulate idols Ashley Williams and James Chester.

      Bale was rested for the friendly last week but is expected to feature against Ireland Credit: PA:Press Association
      The Luton centre-back, 25, has been a first-choice pick for the Dragons when fit over the last 12 months.
      And Lockyer, back from an ankle injury, would love to follow in the footsteps of Williams and Chester, who were rock solid in defence when the Dragons reached the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
      He said: “They were my idols when I was watching the Euros. I was watching in a fan park with my mates with a couple of beers.
      “To actually get involved with all that is something I never thought was possible.
      “It didn’t even cross my mind. I was just a fan and enjoying it.”

      Lockyer was injured for last month’s Nations League games against Ireland and Bulgaria.
      But, after completing 90 minutes against USA, he could line-up versus Ireland, then Finland on Wednesday.
      He added: “There is competition for places all over. No player wants to be sitting on the bench watching it.”

      Tottenham boss Mourinho admits he feels ‘uncomfortable’ about Bale playing for Wales because assistant manager works for Arsenal More

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      in Soccer

      England skipper Harry Kane’s £100,000 Range Rover stolen by thieves in brazen daylight raid

      by

      ENGLAND star Harry Kane’s £100,000 Range Rover was stolen by thieves in a brazen daylight raid.
      A gang is believed to have targeted the vehicle after being filmed driving past it several times.

      Harry Kane is believed to be targeted by a gang after his £100,000 Range Rover was stolen by thievesCredit: Reuters

      The thieves sped off with it from outside an upmarket address in Chingford, East LondonCredit: WENN

      They sped off with it from outside an upmarket address in Chingford, East London.
      Kane, 27, is the third Spurs player to be robbed in recent months after his team-mates Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen were attacked by armed raiders.
      CCTV shows a car driving past Kane’s luxury motor several times last month.
      Thieves then used an electronic device to open it before stealing the car from outside an address in Chingford, East London.

      A source close to the £200,000-a-week striker said: “Harry feels he has been targeted by a gang who focus on footballers. The way the robbery played out didn’t feel like a coincidence.”
      A Metropolitan Police spokesman said in a statement: “On Sunday, 25 October police received a report of a theft of a vehicle from outside a residential property in the Chingford area.
      “Officers contacted the victim and carried out enquiries. No suspects were identified.
      “The investigation has been closed. If any further investigative or evidential opportunities are established this will be reviewed.”

      Harry is expecting his third child with childhood sweetheart wife KateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Dad-to-be Harry got hold of CCTV film of the theft.
      The insider added: “The footage shows a car driving past his motor a number of times. They were clearly doing a recce.
      “The road is in an upmarket residential area so it’s not hard to see why Harry and those around him think his car has been targeted.
      “Luckily he’d left no personal effects in the car or it could have been more distressing.”
      Sources close to Harry, who is expecting his third child with childhood sweetheart wife Kate Goodland, 27, say he was warned by police that the stolen car is unlikely to be recovered.
      The insider added: “The police told Harry that basically there was little chance of them recovering his motor because of how sophisticated these kinds of thieves are.
      “Obviously Harry is just happy no one was harmed and that they didn’t get away with anything irreplaceable or personal to him and his family.”

      CCTV shows a car driving past Kane’s car several times last monthCredit: PA:Press Association

      Kane was warned by police that the luxury motor is unlikely to be recoveredCredit: Reuters

      He is the third Spurs player to be robbed in recent monthsCredit: AFP or licensors
      Kane is the third Spurs ace to be targeted by criminals in recent months.
      In May his Tottenham pal Dele, 24, was held at ­knifepoint during a raid in lockdown at his home in North London.
      The robbers punched him in the mouth and threatened his girlfriend Ruby Mae, his adopted brother Harry Hickford and his partner.

      They made off with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and watches from the £2million property in North London.
      In March Belgium defender Jan’s North London pad was broken into by armed robbers while he was away playing in a Champions League fixture in Germany.
      They terrorised his wife and young family before fleeing with valuables.

      Top goal for villains

      RANGE Rovers are a dream choice for organised crime gangs to target and they dominate the list of most ­stolen vehicles in the UK.
      Villains waste little time in shipping them abroad to Eastern Europe and North Africa.
      That gives them the opportunity to move them to places such as Dubai, where they are a particular favourite.
      Experts say Range Rovers and other premium vehicles are stolen to order by the gangs, who track their movements before choosing the right time to strike.
      The Sport model topped the list for thefts in 2019, according to latest analysis.
      It has replaced the BMW X5, which is now number two.
      The data, from stolen vehicle recovery service Tracker, reveals the Range Rover Vogue as the fourth most stolen car, the Range Rover Evoque as the seventh and Harry Kane’s model the Autobiography as the ninth.
      The data also revealed an increase in the number of cars stolen without the keys.
      Between January and July last year, 96 per cent of cars recovered by Tracker had been taken in keyless thefts, compared to 92 per cent during the same period last year.
      In the past few months, police forces all over the UK have issued warnings about the rise in thefts of Range Rovers and Land Rovers.
      Thieves have often succeeded by hacking the electronics to get in them.
      It has fuelled a huge spike in rural crime.

      Harry Kane smashes goals in during England training
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      in Soccer

      England vs Scotland WILL have fans, Government reckon thanks to coronavirus vaccine

      by

      THE Government are confident the Euro 2020 clash between England and Scotland WILL be played in front of fans, thanks to the Covid vaccine.
      The Auld Enemy face off in a group game at Wembley on June 18 — and under current restrictions supporters would not be allowed in.

      England manager Gareth Southgate salutes the fansCredit: AFP or licensors

      England and Scotland are expected to be able to play with fans in the delayed Euro 2020 tournamentCredit: Getty – Contributor

      But SunSport has been told the Pfizer vaccine breakthrough — with an AstraZeneca version to follow this month — has given ministers belief crowds will be able to attend games.
      Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We want fans back in stadia as quickly as is safe to do so.
      “And the real progress we are making on testing and vaccines means that next year’s Euros are firmly in our sights.”
      Up until as recently as last month, there were real fears in Whitehall that Euro 2020 matches would be behind closed doors as the country battles to keep a lid on the virus.

      But the impending arrival of vaccines has changed the landscape.
      Uefa has confirmed the Scots will get 14,400 tickets for Wembley.
      But the Tartan Army is likely to be bolstered by thousands more who bagged seats in last year’s Uefa general ballot.
      Steve Clarke’s team won their spot after a thrilling penalty shoot-out win in Serbia.

      Keeper David Marshall was the hero saving Fulham ace Aleksandar Mitrovic’s effort.
      Mitrovic had to score after after all nine previous spot-kicks were converted successfully by both sides.
      And the Scottish players celebrated ending 22 years of hurt with a proper dressing room boogie.

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      Watch ecstatic Scotland heroes BOOGIE in dressing room as wild Euro 2020 party kicks off More

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      in Soccer

      Project Big Picture is all about money and power – I don’t get why certain big clubs want to fix what isn’t broken

      by

      VAR technology may be baffling — but it is pretty simple when compared to this week’s parliamentary discussion on the game. 
      The main news coming out of it was FA chairman Greg Clarke’s resignation following unacceptable comments which do not reflect football’s community. 

      Karren Brady writes exclusively for Sun SportCredit: PA

      She says Project Big Picture is all about money and power for the bigger clubsCredit: EPA

      Personally, I was amazed Clarke survived his first grilling by ministers, so no surprise with the outcome this time around.
      But this wasn’t the only significant issue at play. The future of the Premier League as we know it was also discussed.
      The dynamic was that everyone has been fighting for their corner like caged boxers.
      But perhaps the upper cut that hit home hardest was when chief executive Richard Masters said that the “status quo is very unlikely to be unifying” in the top flight.

      In bold letters that means the so-called Big Six are thinking more Barcelona, less Burnley, more Bernabeu, less Bramall Lane.
      Without singling out any one team, so much for ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
      The Prem is by a distance the most successful domestic football on earth. 
      Fans from Singapore to Cincinnati, Bengal to Barbados follow it passionately.

      It is a product at the top of its game, generating huge interest and revenues across the globe.
      Yet some of our biggest clubs seem keen to throw it all away. I just don’t get it.
      The Champions League already does what it says on the tin. It is another massively popular and historic competition that rewards clubs on merit — on the pitch, where it counts.  
      OK, it was rebranded in 1992, but it goes back 65 years to when football really became the world’s game.
      It has history and real  significance. And real money, with the winners getting €19,000,000 in prize money alone.
      There’s an old saying which I shall paraphrase — don’t fix what isn’t broken.

      It’s not exactly a saying from philosopher Confucius, just good old common sense.
      And just as  rule-makers mucked around with the handball laws, with the result that  no-one has the foggiest what is going on, so the same can be said for this.
      So maybe this is a lesson to the Big Six and all those who want to change the Prem, just for the sake of it.
       Clarke said in the  meeting that Project Big Picture was all about “money and power”.  And ain’t that the truth.  
      One of the worst features of Project Big Picture was not only to consign the money to the top six, but to also change the voting system to give those clubs the ability to make all the decisions.
      So, as a Premier League review gets underway, you don’t have to view the VAR video screen to know there will be trouble ahead.
      As for Clarke, I wrote to  him before he resigned to point out the FA’s new code of  conduct made no mention at all of disability or sexuality.
      These are two huge concerns in the game and in society  and  at the core of diversity.
      He told me I had made “an excellent point” — but didn’t tell me what was to be done about it.
      So, who knows, maybe the new chair of the FA will actually care about diversity and inclusion? More

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      Gareth Bale will NOT be the only player glued to the Masters this weekend, jokes Wales team-mate Chris Gunter

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      GARETH BALE will not be the only Wales player glued to The Masters this weekend.
      TV cameras spotted golf-loving Bale with a laptop in his hands during the Dragons’ goalless draw with USA on Thursday  — and he appeared to have one eye on Augusta.

      Chris Gunter will tune into The Masters with Gareth BaleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Fans joked Bale was watching the golf on his MacBook in the stands against the USACredit: Sky Sports

      But team-mate Chris Gunter will join the Wales captain, who was rested for the friendly, at their Cardiff team hotel to watch all the action unfold.
      He said: “Who doesn’t keep an eye on The Masters? It’s one of the best sporting events of the year.
      “It’s something really good to watch in the hotel over the next few days.”
      Wales’ crunch Nations League clash with Republic of Ireland in Cardiff kicks off at 5pm on Sunday and will clash with The Masters’ final round.

      Tee times on Sunday have been brought forward due to light issues after the tournament was moved to autumn because of Covid-19.
      Charlton defender Gunter, 31, added: “It would certainly be nice if we can get a good result at the weekend.
      “And then if anybody has a pound or two on any of the players then hopefully they can do well too.
      “Most important thing for us is the football — but it is something nice to watch in the next few days in the hotel.”

      Caretaker manager Robert Page is filling in for boss Ryan Giggs, who is on bail following an alleged assault on his on-off girlfriend.
      And Page believes Bale, 31, is in the best shape for some time following his loan move from Real Madrid to Tottenham.
      Gunter added: “The way he’s been this week is the way he’s been any time I’ve been with Wales. He’s the exact same, regardless of any situation. He just loves coming away and is fully excited.
      “He’s always in good shape, that’s your job as a footballer.
      “It would be disrespectful to say he’s in the best shape now, because of his professionalism since he started breaking in for club and country.
      “Whenever he comes away with Wales he performs to an extremely high level.
      “I haven’t noticed any different. He’s the exact same guy when we started playing together in the Under-17s.
      “We’re lucky to have him and hopefully he can do over the next week what he’s been doing for many years for us.”

      Gareth Bale filmed with laptop as Wales face USA with fans joking he’s watching the Masters More