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      Canada’s World Cup star Jonathan Osorio interested in transfer to England in January from Toronto

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      CANADA World Cup star Jonathan Osorio has his sights on a move to England after the tournament.Osorio is a legend for Toronto in the MLS but his contract is up and he aims to impress in Qatar.
      Osorio is eyeing a move to the EFLCredit: AFP
      Even at the age of 30 Osorio has interest both in the EFL and abroad — with his main priority a crack at the English game.
      Osorio has signed up with American-based English agent Matt Higgins in a bid to test the market.
      The midfielder kicked off his professional career with Canadian Soccer League side SC Toronto in 2012.
      During his debut season he became one of the club’s top goalscorers and earned the CSL Rookie of the Year award.
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      In 2013 he joined MLS side Totonto FC after training with the club’s academy.
      He has since scored 57 goals and assisted 34 in 318 appearances for the Reds.
      Toronto finished 13th in the MLS Eastern Conference last season – seven points above Wayne Rooney’s DC United.
      Osorio recorded 13 goal contributions in 23 league games, making him one of Toronto’s most influential players.
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      But, he now has his sights set on a successful World Cup campaign with Canada.
      The Maple Leafs are in Group F along with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. More

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      Chelsea verdict: World Cup break can’t come soon enough for Graham Potter after latest humiliating defeat

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      GRAHAM POTTER must be the only person in football looking forward to a winter World Cup.Saturday’s defeat at Newcastle only served to highlight the fundamental flaws in his squad.
      Graham Potter must go back to the drawing board during the World Cup breakCredit: EPA
      The tactics were off again as unmotivated flops floated out of position around the field.
      But there could be a saving grace for Chelsea’s latest boss, who is now without a win in five league games – four of which have been losses.
      For this was the final game before international stars jet off to Qatar.
      And it finally gives Potter the chance to assess his situation in proper detail.
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      Drafted in from Brighton as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement, Potter was thrust into the heart of Chelsea’s jam-packed schedule.
      His impact was immediately felt as the Blues booked their place in the Champions League knockout stage.
      But wine has turned to vinegar as far as Chelsea’s title hopes are concerned.
      And Potter should be using the upcoming rare break to question his own philosophy, or else risk falling by the wayside like so many before him.
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      To be fair to Potter, he is working with a squad comprised of players signed during the reigns of numerous former managers.
      There has simply not been enough time to gel, let alone decide on a strongest starting XI.
      And let’s not forget there were plenty of positive signs during the first month of his tenure.
      But players are being used out of position while struggling to adjust to a slow style of football.
      And now the results have dried up.
      Potter is clearly a logical manager, who has used hard work and smarts to move up the ladder.
      However, backstories do not fly at top clubs while victories are hard to come by.
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      Less complicated tactics and a real desire to win have to become the order of the day again.
      And Potter needs to go back to the drawing board during the World Cup break to clear his head for the post-Christmas rush. More

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      Reece James and Tammy Abraham react to Ivan Toney scoring twice and not being picked for England’s World Cup squad

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      IVAN Toney responded to his England snub by scoring a late winner against Manchester City – and then received support from Reece James and Tammy Abraham.Behind Harry Kane, the Brentford star is the top scoring English striker this season, netting 10 Prem goals.
      Ivan Toney responded to his England snub by scoring twice against Manchester CityCredit: Rex
      Toney celebrated by putting his fingers in his earsCredit: Reuters
      Reece James responded to Toney’s post on Instagram
      Regardless, Toney was still left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad.
      But he dusted himself down to score twice in a shock win at The Etihad.
      Toney’s first-half header looked to have only earned the Bees just a point after Phil Foden fired home a fine equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
      But he had other ideas, tapping home in the eighth minute of added-time.
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      For his first goal, ex-Peterborough star celebrated by cupping his ears, appearing to be aimed at Southgate, before producing a similar act for the winner.
      He took to Instagram to make his point even further, uploading a photo of himself with his fingers in his ears.
      And two other England players not going to Qatar replied.
      James, who’s missing out through injury, said: “If I speak I’m in big trouble 😂.”
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      Meanwhile, Abraham, who was also overlooked, responded with a death person emoji, replicating Toney’s celebration.
      Adebayo Akinfenwa also replied by calling Toney a “boss” while teammate Rico Henry said “no words needed”. More

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      Wales to take Birmingham whizkid Jordan James to World Cup as ’27th man’ in squad to give 18-year-old experience

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY whizkid Jordan James will be on the plane to Qatar with Wales as the “27th man”.Midfielder James picked the Welsh ahead of England but missed out on Rob Page’s main party that goes to the World Cup.
      Jordan James will be Wales’ 27th man at the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, the 18-year-old is due to travel with the senior group for experience and will be with them rather than taking a break with his Championship club.
      Remarkably, James, who won two Under-20 caps for England, has never even played for Wales’ Under-21s.
      He was however named in their squad to face Austria in September.
      But after Joe Allen withdrew from the squad, he was promoted to the seniors.
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      The teen didn’t get on the pitch, but was on the bench for the Nations League game with Poland.
      James’ role as 27th man comes despite not starting for Birmingham since August.
      He’s instead had to settle for late cameo appearances off the bench.
      But the youngster started Blues’ first six Championship games and has clearly done enough to impress Page.
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      Depending on how far Wales progress, James could end up missing his club’s next match.
      That’s because Birmingham are next in action on 10 December at Blackpool, which is the same weekend as the World Cup quarter-finals. More

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      Raheem Sterling OUT of Chelsea squad to face Newcastle just days before meeting up with England for World Cup

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      RAHEEM STERLING is not in Chelsea’s squad for today’s crunch Premier League clash at Newcastle after suffering from migraines.The England forward has come under fire in recent weeks after a number of below-par performances.
      Raheem Sterling is out of Chelsea’s clash with Newcastle with illnessCredit: Getty
      And just two days after being named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Qatar World Cup, Sterling is not involved at St James’ Park with the Blues due to illness.
      Graham Potter said: “Raheem missed training yesterday with a bit of sickness. It’s nothing serious for Raheem, some migraines and he was unable to travel.”
      The forward, 27, joined Chelsea from rivals Manchester City for £47.5million.
      But he has just five goals in 19 games after being used in a variety of positions by Graham Potter.
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      And Chelsea’s recent poor results led to calls from fans for Sterling to be dropped.
      The attacker now finds himself watching the Blues take on Newcastle from the sideline.
      However, that’s not a tactics-based decision from Potter, as Sterling is in fact too ill to feature.
      His absence has opened the door for Armando Broja to start this evening, with fellow Cobham graduates Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher also in attack.
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      Trevoh Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are also playing.
      And there is even a league debut for Lewis Hall after his impressive showing in the midweek Carabao Cup defeat at Man City.
      Speaking before the game at Newcastle, Chelsea boss Potter insisted Sterling was not being affected by criticism of his recent form.
      Potter said: “It’s part of being a top player.
      “It’s part of being where we are, in terms of there’s always something to prove, especially if things don’t go as well as you’d like in terms of performances and results.
      “You know you’re open to scrutiny and criticism. If you don’t accept that or can’t deal with that then you probably shouldn’t be here.
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      “Raheem is a big boy so he understands that and things can change very quickly. So he’s had enough of a career so far to deal with that.
      “It’s a new opportunity, a new situation, and I’m sure he’ll do really well.” More

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      Gareth Southgate to watch ALL England World Cup 2022 stars from HOME this weekend as he sweats on last-gasp injuries

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE will be watching his England stars from his sofa this weekend.Southgate confirmed his 26-man squad for the World Cup on Friday.
      Gareth Southgate picked his 26-man World Cup squad on FridayCredit: Reuters
      James Maddison injured his hamstring just two days after his call-upCredit: Rex
      But with the final round of Premier League fixtures currently taking place, the Three Lions boss would have been praying for no injuries.
      According to the Daily Mail, instead of watching one game on Saturday, he’ll be able to watch all eight.
      That’s because the report claims a special analysis system will provide him with visual access to every Prem match.
      Southgate has already lost Ben Chilwell and Reece James through injury, while Kyle Walker only recently recovered from a groin problem.
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      So he would have been watching anxiously when James Maddison, fresh from his first call-up for three years, came off with a hamstring injury.
      The Leicester midfielder had given his side the lead at West Ham with an excellent finish.
      But he came off after just 25 minutes, potentially putting his World Cup dream in doubt.
      With Newcastle playing Chelsea later, another six of Southgate’s squad could be in action, including Callum Wilson.
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      England have been drawn in a group alongside Iran, USA and Wales
      Arsenal then travel to Wolves tonight, with trio Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Bukayo Saka all expected to play.
      And Southgate will be hoping for no more bad luck in those two games and then Manchester United’s trip to Fulham on Sunday. More

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      I had to grow up fast bringing up my five siblings, the World Cup won’t be a problem, reveals England star

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      NEWCASTLE striker Callum Wilson has opened up about his difficult upbringing and how it gave him the determination to succeed both in the Premier League and on the international stage.Wilson, 30, was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad for the upcoming Qatar World Cup on Thursday.
      Wilson was named in England’s World Cup squad earlier this weekCredit: PA
      The striker last represented the Three Lions in 2019Credit: Getty
      Although he has not represented the Three Lions since 2019, the Newcastle star has revealed that his drive and hunger – which stemmed from his childhood – kept him pushing for a place on the plane.
      In an interview with The Telegraph, he said: “I’d say quite a lot of my mental strength is to do with my upbringing.
      “Being not very fortunate in life, not having a lot to live on as a kid, having to work for everything you get. 
      “I appreciate that nothing good comes without hard work, so I will be the hardest worker in the room and make sure I do everything I can to give myself the best opportunity to succeed.
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      “Did my parents make sacrifices for me? It’s difficult to talk about that, my childhood… look my past, it’s hard to speak about.
      “My dad wasn’t around. My mum had a difficult task of raising six kids on her own. Yeah, she made sacrifices, but I also had to fend for myself you know, bring myself up… I was the eldest sibling of the six. I was the responsible one.
      “I was the one looking after my brothers and sisters when my mum went out. It’s always been like that. I’ve always been like that.
      “I was the elder brother and I had to help out, I had to look after the family as well, you know… It was a responsibility at a very young age but I’ve always tried to keep myself with that young spirit.
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      “It was a weird set up, I’m not going to lie, I had to grow up fast but it’s brought me where I am today.”
      Wilson has been on top form so far this season having scored six goals in 10 games for Newcastle.
      He has also accumulated a better minutes-per-goal record than Tammy Abraham, Ivan Toney and Dominic Calvert-Lewin since the start of the campaign.
      But, his professional pathway has not always been straightforward.
      He kicked off his career with Coventry City, where he made his first-team debut in 2009 after graduating from the club’s academy.
      Two years later, he was loaned out on two consecutive occasions to Conference Premier clubs Kettering Town and Tamworth respectively.
      But, after impressing upon his return to Coventry he signed for Bournemouth – where he suffered two serious knee injuries within a short space of time.
      After recovering from the devastating setback, he found form once again and caught the attention of Newcastle, who signed him in September 2020.
      He has since scored 26 goals in 56 appearances for the Magpies. More

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      Roberto Firmino sends message to Brazil after World Cup squad axe with early goal for Liverpool against Southampton

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      ROBERTO FIRMINO sent a message to Brazil boss Tite after being dropped for the World Cup.That’s by firing Liverpool to an early lead in Saturday’s Premier League clash against Southampton.
      Roberto Firmino put his World Cup heartache behind with a goal for Liverpool against SouthamptonCredit: EPA
      Firmino, 31, was one of several shock exclusions from Brazil’s 26-man squad for Qatar 2022.
      The Premier League and Champions League winner had been a regular for the Samba boys since his debut in 2014, going on to win 55 caps.
      But Tite brutally axed Firmino from his side in favour of Arsenal starlet Gabriel Martinelli.
      The decision prompted a backlash from several major voices in Brazilian football.
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      Yet Firmino appeared to take Tite’s decision in his stride by hitting the target with a sleek finish today.
      The versatile striker needed just six minutes to hit the target against Saints at Anfield.
      And it took his league tally to seven for the season.
      Liverpool were then pegged back by Southampton just moments later when Che Adams equalised.
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      But the hosts ended up going into the break 3-1 up thanks to a double from Darwin Nunez.
      Firmino also has a decision to make next summer, with his Liverpool deal expiring.
      The Reds are yet to make him a new offer, and Atletico Madrid are thought to be interested.
      As for Firmino’s World Cup snub, boss Jurgen Klopp admits it was difficult for his player to take.
      The German tactician said: “A blow, definitely. It’s clear. You couldn’t see it in training but it’s clear.
      “It was one for me, I’m in between, I’m happy we have Bobby for more time but he deserved it.
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      “I think he deserves everything in the world. It just shows how incredibly good and talented this Brazil squad is if you can leave a player like him out. Madness.
      “We will talk, we did already and maybe do it again. He’s fine but is very disappointed about the fact.” More