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      Christian Eriksen’s remarkable comeback from heart attack, starring for Man Utd against Arsenal and destroying France

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      AS comebacks go, this one could make a Hollywood movie.It was only 15 months ago that Christian Eriksen was fighting for his life after collapsing on the pitch at Euro 2020.
      Christian Eriksen has enjoyed a remarkable return to the game after his heart attackCredit: Getty
      Just 15 months ago, Eriksen fought for his life following a cardiac arrestCredit: AFP
      The Denmark playmaker, 30, then saw his contract at Inter Milan terminated, after he was fitted with a heart defibrillator and banned from playing in Italian football.
      Brentford gave him a second opportunity on a six-month contract in January, where he managed to impress.
      That prompted Manchester United to offer him a deal, and this season he starred in a 3-1 win over Arsenal.
      Now he appears ready for the World Cup – coming off an incredible performance against France over the weekend and breaking a Nations League record.
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      ‘I was gone for five whole minutes’
      Eriksen’s renaissance is even more remarkable considering his plight on the Parken Stadium pitch on June 12, 2021.
      Off the ball, he fell to the ground and immediately the game was stopped. Viewers around the world looked on in horror as the midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest.
      Captain Simon Kjaer rushed to his aid, before admirably organising his team to make a circle around the star who was fighting to stay alive and getting treatment.
      He was given CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator was used to get his heart working again.
      “I was gone for five whole minutes,” he told the BBC.
      Denmark’s stars famously surrounded team mate Eriksen as he was receiving treatmentCredit: AFP
      Eriksen revealed he was ‘gone for five whole minutes’ before an Automated External Defibrillator got his heart working againCredit: Reuters
      Ready for the challenge
      Three days later, Eriksen posted a picture giving the thumbs up from a Copenhagen hospital bed and reassuring fans he was doing “fine under the circumstances.”
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      He vowed not to give up. He promised it would not be the end.
      To give him a chance at playing in the future – Eriksen was fitted with a revolutionary Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, which can reset the heart after a cardiac arrest.
      It’s a device half the size of a mobile phone that has wires leading to areas of the heart.
      But, Italian rules stipulate that players playing with heart starting devices are not allowed to play in the league again.
      It left Eriksen in a dilemma.
      A revolutionary Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator was fitted in Eriksen’s heart
      Contract termination
      Under the guidelines, Inter Milan had no option but to terminate Eriksen’s contract.
      They came to a mutual consent – with Inter apologetic over the circumstance.
      “The club and the entire Nerazzurri family wish Christian all the very best for his future,” Inter said in a statement.
      “Although Inter and Christian are now parting ways, the bond shall never be broken. The good times, the goals, the victories, those Scudetto celebrations with fans outside San Siro – all this will remain forever in Nerazzurri history.”
      It left Eriksen planning his future.
      Inter Milan were forced to terminate Eriksen’s contract after his ICD fitting broke Italian rulesCredit: Getty
      To Hounslow
      In January, Eriksen returned to our shores with Brentford.
      Thomas Frank, who worked with him at youth level with the Danes, revealed the former Spurs star was eager to impress and enjoyed being back in a football environment.
      “I must say he’s bubbling,” Frank told Sky Sports.
      “We are having him seven months after the incident so he missed badly being part of the group, being part of a club and hopefully we can add new chapters to the Brentford story.”
      27 days after it was announced the Bees had given him a short-term deal, Eriksen was back on a football pitch again.
      Replacing Mathias Jensen in 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, he was given a standing ovation as he ran onto the pitch.
      Just over two weeks later, he recorded his first assist in a 2-0 win over Burnley.
      Then in April, he was instrumental in Brentford stunning Chelsea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge – scoring his first goal since his return.
      Astonishingly, between the date of Eriksen’s Bees debut to the end of last campaign only Kevin De Bruyne and Martin Ødegaard created more chances in the Premier League.
      Back in January, Brentford offered Eriksen a route back to footballCredit: AFP
      Eriksen was instrumental in Brentford’s 4-1 win over ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The story continues
      After his heroic return, Eriksen was a reported target for old club Spurs, while Brentford were hopeful he would stay in West London.
      It was the opportunity to work under Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag, though, that swayed his decision to sign for the Red Devils.
      At first, the decision seemed to backfire. A humbling at home to Brighton was followed by a 4-0 thrashing against Brentford. Worse still, Eriksen was caught on the ball for one of the goals as United and their new boy struggled.
      They got their season back on track with a morale-boosting win over Liverpool, then narrow wins over Southampton and Leicester. Eriksen was beginning to find his feet.
      And that came just in time for the home visit of league leaders Arsenal, a game that Eriksen had a major say in deciding.
      His passing during a crucial moment in the match helped United restore their lead against the Gunners – earning him the man-of-the-match award from Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.
      The opportunity to work with Erik ten Hag was too good to turn down for EriksenCredit: Reuters
      Eriksen was man of the match against Arsenal this seasonCredit: Reuters
      Taking his form onto international duty
      This week, on international duty, Eriksen has continued to show his resurgence is no fluke.
      Playing against world champions France, he dominated the midfield against the much-younger and dynamic Real Madrid pair Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
      His stats backed up his performance.
      Eriksen had 80 touches of the ball, completed eight key passes and over half of the crosses he attempted.
      He did not lose the ball while dribbling with it, came out on top in over half of the tackles he made, and his passes found their mark 84 per cent of the time.
      That is not to mention his raking ball forward in the build-up for Kasper Dolberg’s opening goal, or his corner which led to the second from Andreas Skov Olsen.
      Those eight key passes completed were a Nations League record, and his performance drew huge praise from France boss Didier Deschamps.
      “He has always been someone who has a remarkable technical ability,” Deschamps said.
      Eriksen bossed Aurelien Tchouameni off the park for Denmark against FranceCredit: Getty
      Eriksen celebrates a famous victory over the world championsCredit: Reuters
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      “But to play so frequently for his club in the midfield, to see the volume of games he plays, this ability to recover is impressive.”
      Impressive is an understatement. Let’s go with a miracle, instead. More

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      Under-pressure Gareth Southgate gets show of support from USA boss, who says it’s ‘scary’ thinking about playing England

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      OPINION may be turning on Gareth Southgate at home but for those preparing to face his side in Qatar, England still carry a huge fear factor.USA coach Gregg Berhalter, whose side face the Three Lions in the second of three group stage games this winter, is confident his squad can beat anyone at the World Cup but admits England are still a “scary” prospect.
      Gareth Southgate has received support from World Cup opponents USACredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      After a dismal summer continued into this month’s final games before England head off to the Middle East in November, pressure on Southgate is ramping up.
      Fans are quickly losing faith that the Three Lions can make a big impact in the knockout stages, despite reaching the Euro 2020 final and the last four in Russia four years ago.
      But those outside the England bubble see things differently, and when asked what sort of challenge England pose, Berhalter said: “Scary… scary thinking about how we’re going to beat them. When he [Southgate] has his best team, he performs well with them.
      “They came in fourth and last World Cup, they came in second in the European Championship.
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      “The depth chart is crazy. Every international manager would want England’s squad just because of how deep they are.
      “You can go in some positions, you can go five or six deep, and be happy with the player in that position. It’s unbelievable looking at their right backs.
      “I think that [poor form] was a blip on the radar. They’re going to be one of the favourites to win the World Cup – if not the favourite.”
      One main criticism of Southgate heading into the World Cup is that the England boss is far too cautious and doesn’t allow his brightest talent the chance to shine – but there again Berhalter has a different view.
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      He said: “We all agree they have a squad that can win the World Cup.
      “Gareth has done a great job of helping the players cope with that pressure, actually using the jersey as a cape rather than a straitjacket and really giving them the freedom to play on the field.
      “Giving them the idea that they can represent their country in a positive way and make the country proud.”
      Despite their tag as one of the favourites heading into the winter World Cup, Three Lions fans will still feel a certain shudder ahead of the USA meeting.
      It was the opening game of the 2010 World Cup when Rob Green’s howler cancelled out Steven Gerrard’s goal and led to a limp opener against the States.
      England are a much better side now, but so are the Americans.
      Their top talent is spread across the globe, forged in the ever improving Major League Soccer before moving on to some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
      Berhalter can call on the likes of Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie or Borussia Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna in Qatar.
      Their improvement, ahead of a home World Cup in 2026, means this emerging footballing power heads to the tournament confident they can take anyone on.

      Berhalter said: “We’re looking at this in two distinct tournaments. It’s not one World Cup, it’s basically two World Cups for us.
      “The first World Cup is made up of four teams and the top two teams advance.
      “What I know about our group is if we can get to the knockout phase, we believe we have a team that on any given day can beat anyone in the world.
      “You don’t have to be the best team in the world to win the World Cup. You just have to be better than your opponent on that given day.”
      While Berhalter describes England as a “scary” prospect, the rise of American players in the Premier League will be a help to the USA coach.
      Tyler Adams and Brendan Aaronson are both playing under Jesse Marsch at Leeds United, with Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Tim Ream and Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner also getting a close look at Southgate’s squad on a weekly basis.
      Berhalter said: “It helps with that insight and with that idea that they’re familiar with the players.
      “When you think about Christian, he’s teammates with a bunch of the players.
      “The familiarity really helps. It helps with the intimidation factor for us.” More

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      Sven-Goran Eriksson names Harry Kane as only England player he’d take in his Golden Generation team

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      SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON has declared England captain Harry Kane is the only player he would take in the golden generation team. Kane is close to overtaking Wayne Rooney’s record as England’s all-time leading goalscorer and his other attributes mean Eriksson would have loved to have him during the golden generation era.
      Sven Goran Eriksson managed the England national team between 2001 and 2006Credit: Getty
      Harry Kane is the only player who would get into the golden generation according to ErikssonCredit: Rex
      Each of Eriksson’s attempts to win an international trophy ended at the quarter-final stageCredit: AFP
      Speaking to BoyleSports, Eriksson said: “If there was one player I’d love to have playing for me from this current England team, it’s very easy, Harry Kane.
      “He is a golden goalscorer, wherever he plays and you always need that.
      “He’s not only a goalscorer, he’s a target player, he can make assists, he’s big, he’s a good header, good feet, he’s strong, not the quickest in the world but he’s quick.
      “He has everything and he could be the one who wins the World Cup for England and maybe he’ll be the top goalscorer at this World Cup. Every team needs a player like that.
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      “It’s only one of them, he’s very special. I like him and I suppose he will be one of the most important players for England.” 
      Eriksson, 74, managed England for five years between 2001 and 2006.
      At his disposal, he had what many believe to be the most talented set of players England have ever produced.
      But the Three Lions never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in any of the three tournaments they participated in under the Swede.
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      The likes of Rooney, Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Joe Cole and Michael Owen among others were not enough for England to clinch international glory again.
      Erikkson went on to explain Kane would add much-needed depth to his star-studded squad.
      Ahead of tonight’s game against Germany, Eriksson also added: “To lose against Germany, for England, is always a little bit dramatic.
      “But I think for England it’s a very, very good game just before the World Cup, a very good test.” More

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      France World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard bravely opens up on battle with depression during lockdown

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      BAYERN MUNICH and France star Benjamin Pavard has bravely opened up on his battle with depression.The 26-year-old first began to struggle mentally during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Benjamin Pavard has bravely opened up on his struggles with depressionCredit: Getty
      Pavard lifted the World Cup with France in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      At the time Pavard was still in his first season at Bayern, and being stuck on his own away from his home country saw him became “not well”.
      The Bundesliga was first halted in late February due to the pandemic, and did not return until May.
      And the 2018 World Cup winner, who won goal of the tournament for his famous strike against Argentina, has detailed his struggles in an interview with French newspaper Le Parisien.
      Pavard revealed that he knew something had to be done when he headed to training without a smile on his face.
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      He said: “It was difficult for everyone, for me too. To be alone, in a country other than mine, I was really not well. In my head, something was wrong.
      “At the beginning, you tell yourself that it’s nothing, that it will pass, but when you see that it persists, that you go to training and that you don’t have a smile on your face, you have to react.”
      Pavard admitted that maintaining contact with family and friends was crucial during the lonely periods of lockdown.
      He added: “I am human like everyone else, and even if I have a super nice house with a weight room, I needed contact with others.
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      If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
      “I got up, I had no appetite. I tried to keep busy, to cook, to watch series. But Netflix is ​​fine for two minutes… I don’t like the word depressive, but that was the case.”
      Fortunately Pavard’s mental struggles have improved as the world has grown used to living with Covid.
      He concluded: “I came out of all this as a man, it changed me. I was on my own like many football players and I had to surround myself well to raise my head.
      “I managed to bounce back from difficult times.”
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      On the pitch the right-back has continued to be an important player for club and country, despite his mental struggles.
      And he will be hoping to help France to more World Cup glory when the tournament kicks off in Qatar later this year.
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      If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, contact The Samaritans on 116 123. They are available for free at anytime.
      Or email https://www.samaritans.org/

      Pavard joined Bayern Munich from Stuttgart in 2019Credit: Getty More

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      Germany squad’s World Cup bonuses revealed with each player in line to take home what Cristiano Ronaldo earns in a week

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      GERMANY players will pick up a tidy bonus if they win the nation’s fifth World Cup title this winter.Their football governing body will shell out £360,000 to every squad member if they triumph in Qatar, according to Bild.
      Germany’s Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Mesut Oezil featured in their 2014 World Cup final win over ArgentinaCredit: Getty
      The DFB will also reportedly pay each player just under £45,000 if they win Group E, where they will face Spain, Costa Rica and Japan.
      Progression to the last eight will net them each £90,000 and a semi-final showing is worth £133,000.
      If they go out in the last-four stage but win the third-place play-off – which they have done four times before – they will get £179,000.
      And if they make their ninth final but lose they will be able to console themselves with a £222,000 payday.
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      The bonus structure has been thrashed out by what Bild calls a “long game of poker” between football chiefs and the team.
      DFB president Bernd Neuendorf and national team skipper Manuel Neuer are among those reported to have been in talks over the payments.
      Given Germany’s stellar record at football’s greatest show it seems unlikely they will leave the Middle East with no bonus at all.
      That said, Hansi Flick’s side are currently only sixth favourties with Sky Bet, behind Spain, Argentina, England, France and frontrunners Brazil.
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      And even if they do lift the trophy they will only get a bonus which amounts to the same as Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo’s £360,000 per-week wages.
      The 37-year-old Portugal forward has long been one of the game’s top earners but he did have to accept a 25 percent pay cut in the summer. More

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      When will England’s 2022 World Cup squad be announced?

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE is hoping to finally put his stamp on English football history by winning the biggest prize of them all.And he will name his World Cup squad with plenty of time to go before the tournament starts.
      Harry Kane is one dead cert in England’s World Cup squad, if he avoids injuryCredit: Getty
      England were among the favourites to lift the trophy in Qatar, but a recent horror run of results has seen the Three Lions slide down the reckoning.
      But Harry Kane and Co will still be a strong squad and only a fool would overlook the Euro 2020 finalists going into the tournament.
      Here is all you need to know about when England will name their squad and what to expect…
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      What date will Gareth Southgate name England’s 2022 World Cup squad?
      The England squad will be named on Thursday, October 20.
      This will give Southgate 30 days to prep his squad for the tournament, where they will play Iran, USA and Wales in Group B.
      England are not playing any warm-up games for the tournament, so the matches against Italy and Germany in September’s Nations League ties are the last chance to do so.
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      How many players can be named in a World Cup squad?
      All 32 World Cup managers can name 23 to 26 players in their squads.
      The deadline for the World Cup squad announcements is November 13, 2022. More

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      England fans forced to stay OUTSIDE Qatar in order to afford crazy prices for World Cup

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      ENGLAND fans will be forced into staying OUTSIDE of Qatar during the World Cup due to the extortionate pricing of accommodation. Qatar, who will be hosting this year’s tournament, does not have enough accommodation to put up the 1.2 million expected visitors to the country.
      Fans are being forced to look outside of Qatar due to a lack of reasonably priced accommodation optionsCredit: Reuters
      This has seen room prices go through the roof.
      Consequently, England fans have been forced to look at neighbouring countries for places to stay such as Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman.
      Simon Witney revealed he was staying in Dubai.
      He told the BBC: “Despite the flight cost, I will be saving a substantial amount… for a much better room,” with his outgoings on accommodation racking up to less than £93 a night.
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      Numerous other fans are in the same boat with pricing upwards of £184 per night for refabricated cabins at so-called fan villages, which are being sold as the country’s budget option.
      England fan Paul Clegg also revealed his own issues with accommodation booking, saying: “I’ve just booked a room for the first four nights and I am paying a lot for it.
      “I haven’t found any reasonably priced options, so I am not sure where will I be staying after that.”
      In BBC’s report detailing the crisis fans are facing, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said they would be providing 130,000 rooms by the time the tournament rolls around.
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      However, the country had just 30,000 hotel rooms available in March, with 80 per cent of these already being taken up by the numerous football organisations and partners involved.
      At least 70,000 rooms are expected to have been added thanks to a variety of different options being explored.
      These include shared rooms in villas, apartments, tents and a pair of luxury cruise vessels which will be docked at Doha’s port.
      Qatar looks set to be a somewhat strange and controverisal World Cup for attendees, with fans able to drink alcohol but with a big catch.
      A shocking revelation has also revealed female fans could face jail or flogging if they are raped in the country despite assurances from Qatari and Fifa official’s.
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      The Gulf state has also come under heavy scrutiny for the quality of conditions regarding migrant workers in the country, including stadium builders being paid just 82p per hour.
      England are in action later today against Germany hoping to get a win in their last game before the finals, and cut off a dreadful run of form. More

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      How England lined up last time they lost to Germany at home with Cleverley, Lallana and Andros Townsend

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      THE last time England lost to Germany on home soil was in 2013 with Roy Hodgson as gaffer.The Three Lions will be hoping for a better result when they face Germany tonight in the final build up game before this winter’s World Cup.
      England’s XI last time the Three Lions lost to Germany at home
      Even the nation’s highest ever goalscorer Rooney couldn’t do anything to get past the visitors that night as Germany won 1-0Credit: AFP
      But on 19 November 2013, the visitors came out 1-0 winners in front of 85,000 at Wembley.
      Tom Cleverley, Adam Lallana and Andros Townsend were all involved in the side that evening.
      Joe Hart – now at Celtic – donned the No1 shirt.
      While Ashley Cole lined up at left-back alongside Roma’s Chris Smalling and Phil Jagielka at centre-back.
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      Kyle Walker is the only member of the starting XI that still features in Gareth Southgate’s current team, although Jordan Henderson was on the bench.
      Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard captained Hodgson’s side that day.
      England’s greatest ever goalscorer Wayne Rooney played in attack with Daniel Sturridge.
      While John Ruddy was on the bench with Kieran Gibbs, Rickie Lambert and Jermain Defoe.
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      Since then of course, Southgate’s sweethearts have famously defeated the Germans on their run to the final of Euro 2020.
      At a rocking Wembley post-Covid, late goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane saw England win 2-0.
      England’s full squad vs Germany on 19 November 2013 that night was as follows:
      Hart; Walker, Smalling, Jagielka, Cole; Townsend, Cleverley, Gerrard, Lallana; Rooney, Sturridge
      Subs – Forster, Ruddy, Cahill, Johnson, Gibbs, Henderson, Milner, Baines, Barkley, Lampard, Wilshere, Lambert, Defoe, Rodriguez More