World Cup 2022

A DECADE ago, Steve Holland was hatching a masterplan to snuff out the threat of Lionel Messi in a Champions League semi-final and it worked a treat.Ten years on, Gareth Southgate’s trusted No 2 is working out a scheme to combat Kylian Mbappe in Saturday night’s World Cup quarter-final.
England have a secret weapon up their sleeve to stop France star Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
Gareth Southgate’s No2 Steve Holland has been there and done it all with ChelseaCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Mbappe has been the great individual talent at this World Cup — a ‘devastating’ player with ‘super strengths’ which England must stifle if they are to progress to the semis.
But England are the tournament’s top scorers with 12 goals – level with Portugal after their 6-1 mauling of Switzerland – and arguably, the best team in Qatar so far.
So, while former Chelsea No 2 Holland admits he and Southgate will change tactics specifically to counter Mbappe’s pace, skill and finishing ability, he insists England cannot retreat into their shells.
The Mbappe conundrum reminds Holland of that 2012 semi-final when Messi failed to score over two legs and the Blues progressed courtesy of a 1-0 home win and a 2-2 draw in the Nou Camp, when John Terry was sent off and the great Argentinian missed a penalty.
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Holland said: “In 2012, with the Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Chelsea, there are a handful of players on the planet that you need to consider special attention to.
“Messi has been one and probably still is. You’d have to put Mbappe in that category.
“We do need to look at trying to avoid leaving ourselves in situations where he is as devastating, as we’ve all seen.
“I remember a conversation with Jose Mourinho about it when he was with Real Madrid, they were playing Barcelona and had Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Holland helped the Blues keep Lionel Messi quiet in their 2012 Champions League semisCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Chelsea upset the odds to dump Barca out before winning the final against Bayern MunichCredit: AFP – Getty
“Dani Alves would be the right-back for Barcelona and flying forward in attack, Jose would play a ‘soldier’ against him to try to stop him but then you don’t get any threat from your team from the soldier as you’re just stopping somebody, not actually hurting them.
“Then he would try to play Ronaldo against him, one against one, because Alves was fantastic going forwards but maybe not as good defensively.”
Chelsea had Ashley Cole, one of the best left-backs in the world, directly up against Messi on those nights in 2012.
But it was Brazilian midfielder Ramires who shut down the space in front of Cole to deny Messi the room to drift in field as Alves strode forward from right-back.
Chelsea played a midfield five that night and needed brilliant communication to stop any spaces between them that Messi would drift into.
Holland added: “It’s that cat and mouse of ‘yes, we have still got to try to deal with him’ but we also have to try to exploit weaknesses.
“I’d like to think we won’t just be looking to stop a player but would be looking to do everything possible to limit his super strength whilst still trying to focus on our strengths.
“Because we have good players, as likely to cause France trouble as Mbappe would to us.”
THE CHELSEA WAY
Holland was working under Roberto Di Matteo back in 2012 and also assisted Andre Villas-Boas, Rafa Benitez, Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.
His wealth of experience makes him a perfect sounding board for Southgate — with whom he has worked since 2013, initially with England’s Under-21s.
While Holland is happy to discuss the options, he will not reveal England’s anti-Mbappe plan.
With the Paris Saint-Germain superstar wreaking havoc down the left, it might seem obvious for Southgate and Holland to switch to a back five — with the pacey Kyle Walker on the right of the central three and Kieran Trippier at right wing-back.
But there is a feeling England have become emboldened enough about their own strengths to stick with a back four, with Walker continuing at right-back and Jordan Henderson having added defensive responsibilities.
That has much to do with the emergence of Jude Bellingham and the belief that England have their midfield balance right with the Borussia Dortmund teenager in front of Henderson and Declan Rice.
Henderson’s experience and ability to read the game will be key in getting numbers around Mbappe and stop him being isolated against Walker as often as possible.
BELL TOLLS FOR FRANCE
On 19-year-old Bellingham, Holland said: “He’s unique. When you’re categorising really top players there are physical attributes, technical attributes and we’ve talked about Messi and those techniques that make you special.
“My experience is that what makes the top, top ones is the mentality . . . the self-belief, confidence, drive and ambition to push every day.
“There were a few at Chelsea I felt were always there every time in training — Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, John Terry — players that weren’t super-gifted physically or technically but the mental aspect took them to a different level.
“Jude has those mental attributes and there has been an evolution physically in the last 12 months.
“His impact in this tournament, for a player of 19, is already hugely unusual.
“I’m always balanced, as Gareth is, with the amount of praise you give because we’ve seen so many where so much goes wrong because they believe in their publicity.
“I don’t think that will happen with Jude. His potential is through the roof.
“Provided he keeps working, he has an incredible career at the absolute highest level.
“There’s only three things you can do in football. Stop goals, make goals, score goals. Jude can do all of those things.
“Recently, he’s begun to score, which makes the biggest players big-matchwinning ability.”
SOUTH OF HEAVEN
Holland is adamant he is not ‘the bad cop’ to Southgate’s good cop, although some England players might disagree, but he is an outstanding tactician.
So what about the perception of over-caution under Southgate?
Especially if England switch to a back five, as they did against Germany and Italy at last year’s Euros.
Holland said: “The perception has been that the five is more negative than the four, which I don’t completely agree with.
“Against Germany at the Euros, they played 3-4-3 and we felt if we matched them individually all over the pitch that we could be superior — so it was a good way to win.
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“The final against Italy, we had a choice. They had a way of playing where they get five players high in attack. If you’ve got four at the back, you get overloaded and that can cause a tactical problem.
“But no two tournaments are the same. We have a group that are 18 months further from the Euros — and one or two of our younger forwards have definitely evolved.” More

BERNARDO SILVA did not join in with Portugal celebrations as he feared conceding a goal.Goncalo Ramos fired Portugal in front in their World Cup last-16 clash against Switzerland with a cracking strike.
Bernardo Silva had initially been involved in the celebrations
Bernardo Silva then waited on the pitch as his team-mates celebrated Portugal’s first goal
But Silva waited on the pitch to congratulate the striker while the rest of his team-mates celebrated near the stands.
And quick-thinking fans have pointed out the Manchester City star did so because he wanted to avoid conceding a goal.
It has been suggested that under Fifa laws, play can resume after a goal once all members of the scoring team are no longer in the opposition half.
And the claim is that if players are not on the field of play, that counts as them not being in the opposite half.
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The same fan theory was circulated in the 2018 World Cup, when Kieran Trippier was the only outfield England player who failed to join in the team celebrations after Harry Kane’s late winner against Tunisia.
However, Law 8 states that for play to restart “all players, except the player taking the kick-off, must be in their own half of the field of play.”
That means Silva could have joined in with the celebrations without fearing a Switzerland restart.
But the 28-year-old still won plaudits from viewers who were impressed by his presence of mind.
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One wrote: “Bernardo Silva too smart. Quickly got back onto the pitch during the celebrations, so the game couldn’t restart. 🎩”
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Another added: “Bernardo Silva playing 5D chess and running back onto the pitch so the Swiss can’t restart quickly too.”
And a third said: “Notice Bernando Silva staying alive during the celebrations, running back on to the pitch. Elite mentality.”
Fortunately for Silva he did not miss out on the celebrations for long as Portugal hit six past Switzerland to set-up a quarter-final tie with Morocco.
The England players mob Harry Kane after his dramatic stoppage time winner against Tunisia in 2018 – all except Kieran TrippierCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The England players join Kane in celebration outside the field of play
Kieran Trippier turned his back on the celebrations to make his way back to his position – but stopped just inside the Tunisia half More

GONCALO RAMOS became the World Cup’s latest star with a stunning hat-trick in Tuesday’s 6-1 win over Switzerland.The striker, 21, made headlines before the game when he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal’s striker for the one-sided last-16 tie.
Goncalo Ramos is Portugal’s latest star after scoring a hat-trick against SwitzerlandCredit: Reuters
And Ramos showed the future is bright for his country by scoring an incredible treble to set up a quarter-final battle against Morocco.
But just who is the talented forward leading Portugal’s charge towards world domination?
Ramos, already linked with Manchester United, currently plays in his homeland for Benfica.
He joined them as a kid in 2013, having played for Olhanense and Loule before.
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Rising through the ranks, Ramos netted 16 goals in two years for Benfica’s B team before getting promoted to the senior side.
The fan favourite made a decent impact last term with eight goals in 46 games.
But he has truly exploded this season, scoring 14 times in just 21 appearances.
That saw Ramos land a shock call-up to Portugal’s World Cup squad, having previously been uncapped.
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Ramos’ stats against Switzerland
He made his debut on November 17 in a 4-0 friendly win over Nigeria, helping himself to a goal and an assist.
Ramos then came off the bench in the first two group games against African giants Ghana and South American heavyweight Uruguay.
But he earned his first World Cup start on Tuesday against Switzerland – at the expense of national hero Ronaldo.
Ramos showed no signs of fear though, opening the scoring after 17 minutes before hitting two more in the second half.
Ramos saw plenty of action against Switzerland
He is now sure to keep his place in Friday’s quarter-final tie against Morocco.
And another fine performance could open the door to a stunning transfer in January.
Man United are thought to be interested after losing Ronaldo last month.
Ramos has also been linked with Newcastle, who are aiming for a top four finish this term.
Southampton are also said to be keen, and even more sides could yet join the fray after Ramos’ display of brilliance in Qatar. More