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      ‘Student’ James Maddison credits watching Man Utd ace Bruno Fernandes for his England recall for World Cup 2022

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      JAMES MADDISON has credited Bruno Fernandes for his World Cup call-up.The 25-year-old midfielder hasn’t played for England since his debut in the 7-0 win over Montenegro in 2019.
      Maddison watched Man Utd’s Fernandes closely when he was trying to get back in the England squadCredit: Reuters
      He missed out at Euro 2020 and was snubbed in the last two international breaks.
      But the all-important Three Lions call-up came for the world’s biggest football showcase.
      Many were demanding Maddison’s inclusion in the Qatar-bound squad after he played a part in 27 of Leicester’s goals in 2022.
      And the Foxes playmaker has credited a Premier League rival for giving him the inspiration to succeed.
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      Maddison said: “A couple of seasons ago, when I wasn’t in the England squad, Bruno Fernandes was playing very well for Manchester United and putting up ridiculous numbers in terms of goals and assists.
      “So I probably watched him a bit closer at that time. ‘How is he scoring so many goals? What runs is he making that I’m not?’.
      “If that makes me a student of the game, then that’s what I am.”
      The former Norwich dynamo explained that his partner goes mad at him for watching studying so many matches.
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      He added: “I watch every game. My house is football mad.
      “My girlfriend goes crazy because I watch so much. During the lockdown, when there were four games a day, I had them all on.
      “I don’t think that there is a player now that I model my game on – maybe when I was younger. I appreciate all the good players in the Premier League.
      “I try and take something from each of the players I watch, whether they are a higher level, the same level or lower. If I’m watching a game on TV, I’m often watching players in my position.
      “I’m a football man. I’ve said that many times. Because I just love the game.
      “In my head, I’m still that little boy who is kicking the ball around in the garden on or with [England] face paint on.” More

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      World Cup 2022 – England vs Iran: Stream FREE, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for Qatar showpiece

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      ENGLAND’S World Cup campaign begins in just a matter of days against Iran.The Three Lions landed in Qatar on Tuesday night and checked into their hotel ahead of next week’s opening clash in Group B.
      England landed in Doha on Tuesday evening ahead of next week’s gameCredit: Getty
      The players were greeted with gifts as they checked into their hotelCredit: Getty
      England’s last World Cup tournament ended in agony as they lost 2-1 to Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 edition in Russia.
      But four years on from then, and with a Euro 2020 final appearance in the bag too, Southgate’s men are looking to finally overcome the very last hurdle.
      It’s been 56 years since England won their first and only World Cup, and expectations of the team continue to grow every four years.
      Iran will be their first test, before further group stage clashes with rivals Wales and 2010 World Cup group rivals USA.
      This tournament could be make or break for Southgate, who may view the Qatar showpiece as his last opportunity to finally win major silverware as England boss.
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      When is England vs Iran?

      England’s 2022 World Cup opener with Iran will get underway from 1pm UK time on Monday, November 21.
      The game will be held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar’s capital Doha.
      The stadium was opened in 1976 and can hold up to 45,000 fans.

      What TV channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      England vs Iran will be shown live on BBC One in the UK.
      You can live stream the action from the BBC iPlayer, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The game is FREE to watch on the BBC, so long as you have a TV licence.

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      Who is in England’s 26-man squad?
      Gareth Southgate has finally announced his 26-man squad for England ahead of the World Cup.

      Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Nick Pope (Newcastle)
      Defenders: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Benjamin White (Arsenal), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), John Stones (Man City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Conor Coady (Everton, on loan from Wolves), Luke Shaw (Man Utd)
      Midfielders: Declan Rice (West Ham), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Man City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Mason Mount (Chelsea)
      Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Callum Wilson (Newcastle), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City), James Maddison (Leicester City)

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      Inside Argentina’s World Cup 2022 digs with Lionel Messi and Co staying in STUDENT HALLS so they can host barbecues

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      LIONEL MESSI and his Argentina team-mates have shunned the five-star hotel treatment for STUDENT ACCOMMODATION at the World Cup. And the reason why? So they can host barbeques.
      Lionel Messi and co have arrived in Qatar as one of the tournament favouritesCredit: AP
      Argentina’s squad will be living a life similar to a Qatari student for the next monthCredit: Qatar University
      The campus has a large canteen and has 90 rooms insideCredit: Qatar University
      An open-air area has already been constructed to suite the team’s needsCredit: Qatar University
      Argentina’s squad arrived in Doha during the early hours of Thursday morning, but rather than head for some of the slicker accommodation options they have headed to Qatar University to stay in the student halls there.
      It’s not to say any of the Argentine team need further education – particularly in football given their Copa America triumph last year.
      Instead, the decision was taken by Argentine officials in order to allow them to have asados, which is one of the country’s traditional culinary dishes.
      A source from the Argentine FA told the Mail: “We visited the campus several times and chose it because not only does it have great facilities but it also has open-air space for asados.
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      “This is very important to the players and Argentines in general, it’s part of our culture.
      “We want to make them feel at home while they are in Qatar and the best way to do this is to make sure that they get a taste of home while focusing on the football.”
      A custom-built barbeque has already been installed to allow the team to enjoy asados, which is typically barbequed meat coated lightly with coarse salt and then paired with a salad and wine.
      While they will likely be told to not overindulge in the latter, the main dish of meat has been brought along for the ride along with a specialist asado chef.
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      The accommodation itself houses start-of-the-art sporting facilities including an Olympic size swimming pool and a 10,000-capacity stadium.
      The 90-room campus located on the edge of Doha is considered to be one of the leading Universities in the region.
      Messi has already confirmed that Qatar will be his final World Cup.
      As a result, he will be hoping to go out on a high after suffering in the 2014 final as Mario Gotze crashed home an extra-time winner for Germany.
      However, a trio of pundits predict that Argentina will at best make it to the quarter-finals, while they also reckon Qatar will beat England in the last 16.
      The campus is equipped with state of the art sports facilitiesCredit: Qatar University
      The Campus is located just outside of DohaCredit: Qatar University
      Messi has previously been pictured trying his hand at barbequeing More

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      Portugal boss Fernando Santos hints Cristiano Ronaldo might NOT play at World Cup 2022 as he questions recent form

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      PORTUGAL boss Fernando Santos says he’s under no obligation to play benched Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo at the World Cup.The 37-year-old is having a tough season both on and off the pitch.
      Santos is under no obligation to play all-time international top scorer Ronaldo at the World CupCredit: Getty
      He has just three goals to his name across all competitions and has started a considerable amount of games from the substitutes bench.
      Ronaldo is also involved in an on-going row with Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag, who he says he does not respect, as well as the club.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has lifted the lid on the goings-on at Old Trafford in a sit-down interview with SunSport columnist and TalkTV main man Piers Morgan.
      But despite his legendary status, Portugal boss Santos says he’s not obligated to play the out-of-form star at the November-December’s World Cup.
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      On the all-time international top scorer, with 117 goals, Santos said on whether he is forced to play CR7: “Forced? This is not about forcing me.
      “This is not a requirement. No one is forced to do anything here.

      “The question could be, you could ask me, based on what Cristiano Ronaldo did [in recent weeks on the pitch] should he start?
      “This is valid for Cristiano Ronaldo and all the players who are with the national team.
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      “If the head coach is forced to put a player in the XI…there aren’t those things here.”
      Portugal play Nigeria in a pre-tournament friendly on Thursday.
      They will then contest World Cup Group H against Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea. More

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      Does ITV World Cup pundit Cesc Fabregas still play football and who does he play for?

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      FORMER Arsenal midfield maestro Cesc Fabregas has seemingly dropped off the radar of top-level football, but it’s not to say he’s hung up his boots.The 35-year-old made 350 Premier League appearances with Arsenal and Chelsea winning the league twice with The Blues and is now a pundit for ITV Sport during major international tournaments.
      Cesc Fabregas joined Chelsea from Barcelona in 2014 after spending the majority of his career at Arsenal.Credit: AFP or licensors
      The Spaniard made 151 appearances for Barcelona and played an impressive 110 games for the Spanish national team winning the European Championships twice and the World Cup once.
      Fabregas spent four seasons with AS Monaco after his departure from Stamford Bridge, but left the club and the end of the 2021/22 season.
      He created an incredible number of goals during his time in the English top flight, amassing 118 assists across 12 seasons.
      Despite his time in Ligue 1 with Monaco coming to a close it wasn’t the end of the playmaker’s career.
      Who does Cesc Fabregas play for now?
      Fabregas now plies his trade in the second division of Italian football for Serie B outfit Como 1907.
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      The midfielder joined the side at the start of the season penning a two-year deal with the club after becoming a free agent in the summer.
      The two time FA Cup winner has made eight appearances this season for his new club with no goals and only one assist to his name.
      Fabregas is not the only familiar face at the Italian side as the club’s president is former Chelsea and England midfielder Dennis Wise.
      Who are Como 1907?
      The Italian club finished 13th in Serie B last season and currently find themselves in down in 18th place.
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      The side was promoted from the Italian third division, Serie C, in the 2020/21 season.
      The outfit is now actually part-owned by Fabregas who has shares in the club as part of his deal he signed back in the summer.
      He is not the only former Gunners star to be a minority shareholder of the club either, after Thierry Henry purchased shares earlier this year.
      Where has Cesc Fabregas played?

      2004 – 2011 – Arsenal
      2011 – 2014 – Barcelona
      2014 – 2019 – Chelsea
      2018 – 2022 – AS Monaco
      2022 – Present – Como 1907
      2006 – 2016 – Spain

      Fabregas started his life as a footballer in the famous Barcelona La Masia academy, but was poached by Arsenal before he could make his debut for the Catalan giants.
      He later returned to Barcelona after an impressive seven seasons with the North London side.
      Few have been as successful on the international stage as Fabregas who has won the the European Championships twice and the World Cup once.Credit: AFP
      What trophies has Cesc Fabregas won?

      World Cup – 2010
      European Championship – 2008, 2012
      La Liga – 2013
      Spanish Cup – 2012
      Spanish Super Cup – 2012, 2014
      UEFA Super Cup – 2012
      FIFA Club World Cup – 2012
      Premier League – 2015, 2017
      Europa League – 2019
      FA Cup – 2005, 2018
      League Cup – 2015
      Community Shield – 2004, 2005

      Fabregas has won almost everything a player would want to, including on the international stage, but is still noticeably without club football’s highest honour, the Champions League.

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      England are trying to disrupt Iran’s preparations ahead of World Cup 2022 opener, claims player Alireza Jahanbakhsh

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      IRAN star Alireza Jahanbakhsh has suggested there is an English effort to disrupt Iran’s preparations ahead of Monday’s World Cup opener.There have been mass anti-government protests in Iran following the death of a 22-year-old woman who had been detained by the country’s so-called ‘morality’ police for allegedly breaking their hijab rules.
      Iran suggest England are trying to disrupt their World Cup preparationsCredit: Reuters
      Human Rights Activists News Agency estimates 15,800 have been detained and 341 killed in the protests.
      Some sports people have shown solidarity with the protestors, including Iran forward Sardar Azmoun.

      Yet when asked about how the political situation back home has affected the squad ahead of their World Cup campaign, Jahanbakhsh hit back, hinting at an ulterior motive from his English inquisitor.
      Speaking ahead of Monday’s group opener against the Three Lions, the former Brighton forward, 29, said: “So first of all to be honest I’m not surprised you are asking this question. 
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      “I think everyone is expecting this sort of question and I assume you’re from the English media probably. 
      “I’m going to start with this that obviously it’s going to come up, similar questions, the next question definitely. 
      “But like everyone of you know we are here for our duty and our duty is to play football. To be honest, I’m not sure if England wasn’t in our group you would have come with this question firstly. 
      “And secondly we have been facing this already for a couple of weeks with all the English media – this was all the headlines as we get closer to the World Cup whatever the reason is.
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      “What I’m trying to say – and I’m sure you’re going to ask Ali (Beiranvand, his team-mate) the same question – is that we are out here to play football and that is the main thing everybody is focused on. 
      “Why are we here? To be honest if you ask this question outside my duty to the national team I would have answered the question with a different view. 
      “But since I was a kid I was always dreaming to play for the national team and Team Melli has always been a big dream for me and I’m sure it’s the same for everyone in the squad. 
      “We always want to respect the jersey and to respect Team Melli no matter what and every single guy who represents the Iran national team has worked so hard to be here and for the last World Cups. 
      “We’ve been through a lot of difficulties and listen, throughout the years there have been a lot of up and downs in every way we can talk about but when football comes together I think we can make joy and we can make happiness for people.
      “That’s all I want to say because listen to bring it this way – ok, play a mental game, ask a question about what’s going on here or there or whatever but we have just four days to go to play one of the biggest games of our lives – every single person involved in Team Melli – and all of us are focusing on that game.”

      Jahanbakhsh was also asked whether he would celebrate a goal if he scored and if the team would sing the national anthem.
      Players in the Iranian league have refused to celebrate goals for months now in a show of solidarity with those protesting against their government.
      When they do net, usually the player brings their hands down – a gesture where the intention appears to be to remind those watching of what is going on in the country.
      While some players in the squad have not sung their national anthem in recent games.
      The ex-Albion ace, who famously netted an overhead kick against Chelsea on New Year’s Day 2020, replied: “You talk about celebrations?
      “Celebrations are something very personal, every single player has different celebrations and you ask about the national anthem that is also something that has to be decided in the team, which we have already talked about and obviously everyone has talked about it. 
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      “But we have never made a big deal out of it because everybody is only thinking and talking about football. 
      “I’m just saying that for everybody who is here in this room, that’s the answer from me and every single player who is representing Team Melli.” More

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      Fans all say same thing as England stars Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka to wear Stone Island boots at World Cup 2022

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      ENGLAND duo Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka are “getting the badge in” at the World Cup with the pair set to wear STONE ISLAND boots.The Three Lions kick off their group stage campaign in Qatar next Monday against Iran.
      New Balance has teamed up with Stone Island to create a kit and bootsCredit: Stone Island
      The boost have the Stoney badge on the backCredit: Stone Island
      Sterling and Saka will be wearing the boots at the World CupCredit: Stone Island
      Sterling was seen in the boots during trainingCredit: Stone Island
      James Maddison and Kyle Walker are expected to miss the game.
      However, two players who will be in the squad, barring any injuries, are Sterling and Saka, who will wear STONE ISLAND football boots at the World Cup.
      And the designer boots, in collaboration with New Balance, has left all fans saying the same thing: Get the badge in.
      If you go to any football match up and down the country, you’ll probably see Stone Island clobber in the form of a jacket, jumper or jeans.
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      And due to the astronomical prices of Stone Island, some feel it’s very, very important to “get the badge in”, as a sign of seriousness.
      One fan quipped on Twitter: “Badge isn’t big enough.”
      There’s even a dedicated Twitter page with 167,000 followers which rate’s people’s “attempts at getting the badge in”.
      Their review and rating of the boots reads: “Class. The badge on the front is a masterpiece, but they’ve missed a trick not including one as a sleeve sponsor.
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      “Defenders will be petrified seeing the lads run at them wearing stoney boots.
      ” Plus-10 all attributes wearing those. Bring it home whilst getting the #badgein lads. 9.9/10.”
      A fan replied: “This is taking #badgein to a whole new level.”
      The boots have a camouflage designCredit: Stone Island
      The Stoney gear will be available on November 21Credit: Stone Island More

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      Marcus Rashford thanks Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag for helping revive his England career just in time for World Cup 2022

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      MARCUS RASHFORD had probably given up hope last summer of being in Qatar as his miserable last season came to a close.Indeed it was questionable whether he should be playing for Manchester United never mind England.
      Marcus Rashford is delighted to be part of the England World Cup squadCredit: Getty
      The forward paid credit to Erik ten Hag for the turnaroundCredit: Getty
      He was used as a sub nearly as many times as he started games in the league – 12 to 13.
      His form and confidence was shot and there were even thoughts in his camp as to whether a move abroad was needed to revive his career.
      Fast forward and just over four months of the Erik ten Hag reign has revived the 25-year-old and got him back in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
      Rashford said: “He’s had a big impact, with a lot of changes. It takes some time to adapt for him and the players as well.
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      “But so far, it’s been good. We’re enjoying working under him and we’re just looking forward to what the future holds.”
      His last kick of a ball for the Three Lions boss came with his missed penalty in the shoot-out in the Euros final against Italy.
      There looked little chance of him adding to his 46 caps and 12 goals as last season ended.
      Ten Hag had belief in him, has had meetings at Carrington with him one-to-one and it has been like having a new player.
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      Last month Rashford celebrated his 100th goal for Manchester United with the only goal at home to West Ham, a thumping header which he marks out as his favourite moment in a Red Devils shirt.
      The forward said: “It was a tight game. We weren’t playing as well as we would have liked to.
      “We’d obviously played a lot of games; we were just coming to the end of that block of tough games in a short space of time.
      “So I felt we were maybe a bit tired and not 100 per cent at it, but we were in the game, we were creating chances. We could have scored one or two goals before; I could have scored one before as well.
      “But I just felt like I was getting in good positions you know? I felt like it was going to come.
      “I just had to keep investing my energy in making the box, making the back post, getting across the front post – whatever I felt was needed in the moment… just invest 100 per cent to it.
      “We got the goal, and then we had to defend well after that! It was obviously a nice game to win, and a special day for me to get that goal.”
      Extra special for a player born and bred in Manchester and a fan of the club his whole life.
      Still he admits that passion for the club which comes from being a supporter has had to be channelled on the pitch.
      He said: “Obviously, being a fan, you feel everything that the lads are feeling watching the game.
      “Sometimes you just get carried away – sometimes it’s happiness, sometimes it’s anger. But you just have to try and find a fine line, because it definitely affects your performance and your decision-making.
      “It’s weird. It’s obviously impossible, but I have to try and block the fans out for me to keep my emotions in check.
      “Because if I don’t, automatically it’s just natural for me to feel what they feel. And you can’t be on that rollercoaster.
      “It took me probably a year for me to be able to fully be able to do it.

      “It’s harder than what people might think it is, because there’s 75,000 people there in close proximity.
      “But it was a shock to me: how connected you stay to that feeling of just being a fan.”
      Those same fans who had started to doubt him are now revelling in his revival that has brought eight goals this season.
      While Rashford puts a lot of it down to Ten Hag he also believes he benefitted from a good rest last summer.
      Speaking to MUTV he said: “I didn’t know that I needed it.
      “But when I’ve had it and when I came back, even towards the end of holidays, I was just eager to get back on the pre-season tour and just start playing games.
      “There was a lot of things to look forward to. I just wanted to start the process and I probably needed (the break for) the mental side of things more than the physical, really.”
      Southgate knows he has a player who can switch to number nine, play wide left, or as a number ten.
      He can tear through defences with his pace again, link with his teammates and find the back of the net.
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      While he may not start the big kick-off for the country next week, he could be key coming from the bench.
      Rashford is most certainly back, and ready.
      Rashford is back in form for Manchester United againCredit: AFP
      He trained with fellow England strikers Harry Kane and Callum Wilson in QatarCredit: PA More