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      Kevin De Bruyne is Dream Team World Cup’s most-expensive midfielder… and for good reason

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      IT’S very early days but Kevin De Bruyne is currently the most-popular player in Dream Team World Cup.40.6% of gaffers with provisional team have selected the brilliant Belgian despite the fact he’s the most-expensive asset in his position.
      The 31-year-old has been assigned a price bracket of £6.5m – £7m and even if he ends up at the lower end of that range he’ll still be the most-costly midfielder in the game.

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      Worth every pennyCredit: getty/DREAM TEAM
      No football fan needs to be convinced of De Bruyne’s talent.
      He is one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history and among the very best of his generation on a global scale.
      And while some supporters in Belgium have been frustrated by their national team’s inability to convert a golden generation of players into tournament glory, it can’t be said that De Bruyne hasn’t pulled his weight.
      A veteran of 93 senior caps, he’s scored 25 goals and provided 46 assists on the international stage.
      That breaks down further to a goal involvement every 104 minutes, an astonishing record for a career spanning 12 years.
      It’s De Bruyne’s combination of style and substance that makes him such a formidable Dream Team asset – he passes the eye test every time and his stats are incredible too.
      Belgium’s hopes rest of De Bruyne’s shouldersCredit: getty
      He’s currently the outright best midfielder in Dream Team’s classic Season game, by a comfortable distance too.
      With 95 points to his name he’s got a 17-point cushion over his closest midfield rival, team-mate Phil Foden (£5.5m).
      No doubt his current domestic and continental form for City has contributed to his sizeable Dream Team World Cup ownership.
      He’s already running away with the Playmaker of the Year award having provided nine assists in the Premier League – nobody else has more than five.
      Add in three Champions League assists and he boasts a tally of 12 in all competitions – an incredible tally for early November.
      De Bruyne has also scored three goals, his most recent being the inch-perfect free-kick at Leicester that ensured Pep Guardiola’s side left with all three points.
      And of course, he’s never far away from a Star Man award.
      De Bruyne’s individual quality is not in question but Dream Team World Cup gaffers should also consider Belgium’s prospects as a collective when selecting their provisional teams.
      Roberto Martinez’s men are set to face Canada, Morocco and Croatia in Group E – the bookies’ have them as favourites to the top the group ahead of Luka Modric’s mob.
      De Bruyne’s 2022/23 numbers are indicative of a world-class playerCredit: getty
      However, it has to be said that Belgium are not as strong on paper as they were at the least two major tournaments.
      Eden Hazard’s dramatic decline (caused by injury setbacks) has rendered the winger a shadow the player he was in 2018, when he was among the brightest stars on display in Russia.
      Romelu Lukaku’s return to Chelsea resulted in a significant drop-off in form among injury frustrations – although the hulking striker’s record of 68 goals in 102 international caps speaks for itself.
      And perhaps most notably, their defence still relies on Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, two centre-backs whose best days are behind them.
      Still, they have De Bruyne and that counts for plenty.
      Acquiring the strawberry-blonde playmaker will take up a significant chunk of budget but Dream Team World Cup managers should ask themselves whether they can afford not to have in midfield?

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      Chelsea flop Timo Werner OUT of the World Cup with ankle injury in blow to Germany

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      TIMO WERNER has been ruled out of the World Cup with an ankle injury, RB Leipzig have confirmed.The ex-Chelsea ace limped off injured in Wednesday night’s 4-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk.
      Timo Werner has been ruled out of the World CupCredit: Reuters
      Werner came off injured in RB Leipzig’s game against Shakhtar Donetsk on WednesdayCredit: Getty
      In a huge blow for Germany first-choice striker Werner, 26, has been diagnosed with torn ligaments after a scan on his left ankle.
      The former Stamford Bridge flop has been ruled out for the rest of 2022.
      An RB Leipzig statement said: “Timo Werner suffered an ankle injury last night in the win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
      “Scans today in Leipzig showed that he has unfortunately torn the syndesmosis ligament in his left ankle and will therefore be out for the rest of 2022.”
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      Werner lasted just 17 minutes of Leipzig’s win over Shakhtar before limping off injured.
      He fell to the ground after an innocuous pass but managed to walk off the pitch unaided.
      Scans have now confirmed four-time world champions Germany will be without the striker in Qatar.
      Hansi Flick’s side kick off their campaign in just 20 days against Japan.
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      And Werner was well-placed to lead the line for his country after an impressive nine goals in 15 games since ending his Chelsea hell and rejoining Leipzig.
      The forward has started Germany’s last eight games.
      In total Werner has been capped 55 times by the national team, scoring 24 goals.
      His old Chelsea pal Ben Chilwell is also out of the World Cup, as exclusively revealed today by SunSport.
      Blues left-back Chilwell will not play for England in Qatar after leaving Stamford Bridge on crutches last night.
      The Three Lions star is being sent for scans on his left leg but there is a suspicion he may have torn his hamstring.
      Chilwell is out of the World Cup after injuring his left leg on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty More

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      FIFA introduces new concussion protocol ahead of 2022 World Cup to avoid repeat of horror of 2014

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      FIFA have introduced a new concussion protocol ahead of the 2022 World Cup – to avoid a repeat of the horror in 2014. Should a concussion occur, protocol now allows for a single additional permanent concussion substitution (APCS).
      Christoph Kramer receives a medical treatment during the 2014 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      This sub allows a team to withdraw a player who has suffered a head injury but does not impact the five permitted substitutions.
      The opposing team is granted an additional substitution with each APCS to avoid any advantage.
      Two additional permanent concussion substitutions (APCS) have been allowed in the Premier League since February 2021, after a trial period.
      The Premier League, FA and EFL have since adopted the rule permanently.
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      But it will be the first time featuring at a World Cup.
      In 2014, Christoph Kramer suffered a horror clash with Argentina’s Ezequiel Garay.
      It was later revealed Kramer suffered a concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury that affects the brain’s function.
      Recently, Aston Villa keeper Emi Martinez suffered a head injury against Newcastle.
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      But the Argentine stopper remained on the pitch, causing Villa to come under scrutiny.
      Villa’s caretaker boss Aaron Danks said after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat: “We’ve got a very professional medical staff who assessed him and he was OK to continue.
      “Obviously things changed and there was a delayed onset of something that meant he had to come off.”
      Emi Martinez of Aston Villa goes down with an injuryCredit: Getty More

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      Harry Kane to be awarded FREEDOM OF LONDON as he prepares to lead England at the World Cup

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      TOTTENHAM striker and England captain Harry Kane will be awarded  freedom of the City of London.The 29-year-old will be awarded with the honour at a special ceremony in January in recognition of his “outstanding sporting achievements”.
      Kane will be awarded  freedom of the City of LondonCredit: Reuters
      Kane is two goals shy of Wayne Rooney’s record Three Lions haul of 53 and will skipper his country at the World Cup in Qatar this month.
      The Tottenham striker, born in Walthamstow, north London, said: “I am extremely proud and grateful to be awarded the Freedom of the City of London award. 
      “This is a proud moment for myself and my family.
      “It is a real honour to be recognised by the city I grew up in and love, and I am looking forward to meeting those who nominated me at the award ceremony.”
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      England kick-off their group stage campaign against Iran on November 21.
      A date with the USA follows four days later, and they will close the group against Wales on the 29th.
      The Freedom is one of the City of London’s ancient traditions, believed to have begun in 1237 and enabling recipients to carry out their trade.
      It is also offered by the City of London Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
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      The entire England women’s team were announced in August as being given the honour after their Euros triumph.
      While other recent high-profile recipients include former England cricketer Sajid Mahmood, Nobel Prize-winning mathematical physicist professor Sir Roger Penrose and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.
      City of London Corporation Policy chairman Chris Hayward said: “We are delighted that Harry will be awarded the Freedom of the City. It is richly deserved.
      “Harry is a superstar for so many football fans. He has made a massive contribution to sport and London.” More

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      Premier League urged to CANCEL last round of fixtures as England injuries pile up ahead of World Cup

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs have been urged to CANCEL the last round of fixtures before the World Cup.Injuries are beginning to pile up for Gareth Southgate’s England and other nations.
      Calls have been made for the last round of Prem games before the World Cup to be axedCredit: Alamy
      Injuries are starting to pile up with the tournament just weeks away
      Ben Chilwell became the latest Three Lions star to see his dreams in ruins ahead of this month’s tournament in Qatar after suffering a hamstring injury at the end of Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
      Premier League teams still have two matches to play, with the final round taking place on November 12 and 13 – just a week before the World Cup starts.
      Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara reckons one way to avoid further injury woe is for the final round of Prem fixtures to be axed.
      O’Hara told talkSPORT: “Cancel the last round of games in the Premier League, give them a bit of breathing space.
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      “The Premier League should do it, or the players should get involved.
      “This is the problem with the Premier League. It’s all about money, all about getting the revenue in. The players are not being protected.
      “It’s as simple as that. There are too many games and too many injuries and England are going to suffer.”
      There are also Carabao Cup ties to be played in between the league fixtures.
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      England begin their World Cup campaign in under two weeks

      SunSport has exclusively revealed Chilwell’s hope of playing at the World Cup is over after he left Stamford Bridge on crutches.
      Blues team-mate Reece James is already set to miss out on Southgate’s squad.
      And Man City duo Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips are racing to be fit.
      Meanwhile, Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also unlikely to recover in time.
      There are too many games and too many injuriesJamie O’Hara
      Southgate will now be sweating on the rest of England’s stars as he prepares to name his final squad.
      There are issues for other countries too, with South Korea potentially without captain and talisman Son Heung-min due to a fractured eye.
      France have also been dealt a blow this week with the news that Juventus star Paul Pogba is out of the tournament.
      Argentina’s FA hope the Prem go for O’Hara’s idea, as they are hoping English clubs will let South American stars depart for World Cup duty before the final league games.
      But England captain Harry Kane insists he is looking forward to playing all the matches, as it will give him and team-mates confidence heading into Qatar 2022.
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      Tottenham star Kane said after Spurs beat Marseille this week: “We’ve got three games before the World Cup and hopefully we can use tonight to finish strongly.
      “If we can be there or thereabouts in the Premier League and get through in the Carabao Cup, it’ll be a really good start to the season.” More

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      Ben Chilwell in World Cup heartbreak with England star OUT after hamstring ‘pops’ and missing most of season for Chelsea

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      BEN CHILWELL is OUT of the World Cup – and will miss a large chunk of the season.The Chelsea and England left-back is undergoing scans on the injury which he picked up in the final moments of his club’s 2-1 Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
      Ben Chilwell went down injured after hearing a ‘pop’ in his hamstring last nightCredit: Alamy
      Stricken Chilwell is being sent for scans on his crocked left leg but there is a suspicion he may have torn the hamstring muscle – which is more serious than a routine pull.
      The player even told pals he heard a ‘pop’ as he felt pain in his leg while chasing the ball in the dying moments of the Group E game at Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea boss Graham Potter revealed immediately after the match that Chilwell’s hopes of making the 26-man England squad for the World Cup later this month are grim.
      Potter said: “When a player pulls up like that it is never positive.”
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      A full diagnosis is expected within the next 24 hours but Chilwell looks destined for a long spell on the treatment table alongside club and country team-mate Reece James.
      James damaged knee ligaments at AC Milan last month and, while insisting he can still make it to Qatar, faces an uphill battle.
      England boss Gareth Southgate names his 26-man squad for the tournament next Thursday. Chilwell was part of the Euro 2020 squad but did not play a minute.
      He then ruptured ligaments in his knee in November last year and spent a long period of the summer this year getting himself in top shape.
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      The awful news comes with Southgate seeing a number of his top Three Lions defenders become doubts for the World Cup.
      Kyle Walker is fighting to be fit along with James and Kyle Walker-Peters.
      John Stones has been struggling and Harry Maguire has had a lack of game time at Manchester United.
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      Midfielder Kalvin Phillips is almost certainly out as he struggles to recover from a recurring shoulder problem.
      Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has only just come back from injury, and is trying to find his form again – although he did score his first goal of the season in Everton’s recent 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace. More

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      Watch Lionel Messi ‘lose his mind’ in incredible speech before Argentina’s Copa America final win over Brazil

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      LIONEL MESSI “lost his mind” in a passionate speech before Argentina’s Copa America final win over Brazil last year.The legendary Argentine, 35, hadn’t had the best of luck on the international stage until then.
      Messi ‘lost his mind’ in a pre-game speech, Di Maria said
      Di Maria scored the winnerCredit: Getty
      Messi won his first international trophy with ArgentinaCredit: AFP
      He racked up a World Cup final loss to Germany in 2014 and finished runner-up on three different occasions in the Copa America.
      But ahead of playing Brazil in their own back yard at the Maracana in the final of the 2021 Copa America, Messi “lost his mind” in a passionate speech.
      Ex-Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain ace Angel Di Maria said of the moment: “Before the start of each game, he (Messi) spoke.
      “But this last speech was different, he lost his mind.”
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      Messi said as the group huddled together: “We already know what Argentina and Brazil mean.
      “I don’t want to say anything today, just thank you guys.
      “Thank you very much for these 45 days.
      “I told you on my birthday, we have made a beautiful group, and I enjoyed it very much.
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      “Forty-five days where we traveled, ate, were locked up in hotels.
      “Forty-five days without seeing our families guys.
      “Dibu (Emiliano Martinez) had a daughter and he couldn’t even see her, he couldn’t hold her in his arms.
      “Chino also had a son, and he only got to see him for a little while.
      “All for what? For this moment. Because we had a goal, and we are very close to achieving that.
      “And you know what the best of all is? That this depends on us.
      “That’s why we’re going out on the pitch, and we’re going to raise the cup.
      “We’re going to take it to Argentina to enjoy it with our family and friends, and with those who have always supported us.
      “The last thing, with this I finish. There are no coincidences guys.
      “This cup was going to be played in Argentina, but God wanted it to be played in Brazil, so that we can win it at the Maracana, and make it more beautiful for all of us.
      “So go out to the pitch confident and calm, we’ll take this cup home.”
      FINALLY MESSI WINS
      And take it home they did, winning 1-0 with a Messi-inspired Di Maria getting the goal, inside the ground where they lost the 2014 World Cup final.
      Argentina carried that momentum on, beating Euro 2020 winners Italy in the Finalissima.
      The South American champs won 3-0 at Wembley.
      Messi and Co are on a 35-game unbeaten run heading into next month’s winter World Cup, which will be the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s last.
      He has also returned to form at club level after a poor first season at PSG.
      Messi has 12 goals and 14 assists in 18 games played this season for PSG, heading into Qatar in frightening form.
      Argentina will fancy their chances, with European champions Italy not at the tournament.
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      France, Germany and England aren’t having the best of times either.
      Their main rivals could be Brazil, who are looking for their sixth world crown.
      Messi and Argentina are in frightening form heading into the World CupCredit: AFP More

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      Which teams should Dream Team World Cup gaffers back and who should they avoid?

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      DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP is live and one of the very first things you’ll need to consider before selecting your XI is which teams will be in the best shape in Qatar.The logic is simple: the better a team performs, the more likely they are to score goals and keep clean sheets, meaning plenty of Dream Team points.
      So who are the favourites to lift the prestigious trophy on December 18th?

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      The South American giants are favourites with the bookies with Brazil generally priced at 4/1 and Argentina at 11/2.
      Tite’s side have won their last seven games in row, scoring 26 goals and conceding just two.
      The Selecao have only lost one game in the last two years and eleven months and their attacking pedigree is virtually unmatched on the world stage.
      With the likes of Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha and Richarlison having impressed on the international stage so convincingly in recent times, quality forwards like Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino may not even make the squad.
      Richarlison has been a regular goalscorer for Brazil in recent months
      Argentina are widely fancied because, as reigning Copa America champions, they easily defeated Euro 2020 winners Italy in the first ever Finalissima.
      Lionel Scaloni’s men haven’t tasted defeat in over three years and while the squad may not be as star-studded as previous generations, they are as galvanised and disciplined as they have been in years.
      The Albiceleste will once again be heavily dependent on the brilliance of Lionel Messi, who has recaptured something close to his best form this season at the age of 35.
      Argentina’s iconic No10 has scored 19 goals in his last 22 international appearances – he bagged five in one game against Estonia earlier this year to send out something of a warning to the world’s defenders.
      France are third favourites, closely followed by England, though both teams have suffered disappointing results this year.
      The defending world champions have just won of their last six games, a run that includes three defeats.
      Les Bleus will also be without injured absentees N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, two midfielders who have been regulars during Didier Deschamps’ reign.
      France will be without Pogba and Kante this winterCredit: getty
      Similarly, the Three Lions have lost to Hungary twice this year and went five games without a goal from open play before an entertaining 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley in their last outing.
      However, France and England both boast talented squads that have performed well in recent major tournaments.
      Spain and Germany are next in line according to the bookmakers though again, both sides have found wins harder to come by than they would have liked this year.
      What may surprise some casual fans is that Netherlands (12/1) are shorter odds than Portugal (14/1) and Belgium (16/1).
      Louis van Gaal has done a good job at the helm of the Oranje so far, registering two wins over Belgium and a 4-2 victory over an organised Denmark side this year.
      Memphis Depay has scored 21 international goals in the last two years and should be a popular selection in Dream Team World Cup, despite the fact he’s not getting many minutes for Barcelona this season.
      Netherlands have reached the World Cup semi-finals five timesCredit: getty
      If you’re looking for a dark horse then Denmark may fit the bill.
      No European team earned more points when qualifying for the tournament and they beat France home and away in the Nations League earlier this year.
      As luck would have it, they’ve been drawn alongside Kylian Mbappe and co in Group D and will secretly fancy their chances of causing an upset or two in Qatar.
      Croatia, Uruguay and Senegal follow in the odds with the rest of the participants all 100/1 or more.
      So what can we gauge from this overlook?
      Dream Team World Cup bosses should definitely be thinking of backing at least two assets each from Brazil and Argentina – although be aware that neither have faced many European opponents recently.
      Brazil and Argentina are the two favourites for the 2022 World CupCredit: getty/DREAM TEAM
      It may not be wise to overinvest in the likes of France and Germany – perhaps England too although Gareth Southgate’s team have been gifted a relatively friendly group.
      You should probably give appropriate consideration to both Netherlands and Denmark as both nations should offer decent value for money if you do a bit of research.
      Remember, you can make as many changes to your XI as you want before the tournament gets underway so there’s no reason to shy away from getting involved right now!

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