Russia is considering a switch away from UEFA in order to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The Russian Football Union (RFU) has already supposedly scheduled a meeting to discuss the potential move. Sources at <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/russia-rus/story/4839617/russia-considering-uefa-exitmoving-to-afc-sources" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESPN</a> claim that the summit will take place on Friday.



The Russia national soccer team, as well as all clubs inside the country, are currently suspended by FIFA and UEFA. Sanctions by the sport’s governing bodies were handed down following February’s invasion of Ukraine. And as the war continues, so does the suspension.



UEFA selected St. Petersburg as the host of the 2022 UEFA <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> Final in May until the governing body switched the match to Paris due to the invasion.



<h5>Official calls UEFA countries ‘unfriendly’ </h5>



Russia remains banned from playing. However, it believes a return to action can happen sooner with a switch to Asia. Yet, a ban from FIFA persists. There is no clear end on that indefinite ban, nor is there a foreseen conclusion on Russia’s military advances in Ukraine. 



“In the current geopolitical realities, the presence of the RFU in UEFA contradicts the national interests of Russia,” Roman Teryushkov, the deputy of the State Duma, <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/russia-rus/story/4839617/russia-considering-uefa-exitmoving-to-afc-sources" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> sports.ru. “It is impossible to build sports friendship with countries unfriendly to us and with constant poking from the collective West.”



<h2>Russia final decision on UEFA switch to AFC could occur Friday</h2>



Also, the aforementioned report claims a previous meeting occurred prior to Christmas about the switch. Friday’s forum could lead to a final decision on the move to Asia. Most of Russia’s landmass is technically in Asia. Although a majority of their citizens <a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/is-russia-in-europe-or-asia.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">live in the European section</a> of the nation.



UEFA is monitoring the situation and will certainly ask for clarification on Russia’s intensions. No team has ever left Europe’s governing body of the sport before.



However, the Asian federation has allowed countries from outside of the continent to join the group. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/australia-national-team-tv-schedule/">Australia</a> previously left the Oceania confederation to play in Asia in 2006. 



PHOTO: IMAGO / Russian Look

Russia soccer contemplates leaving UEFA to join AFC

The Russia Football Union is considering moving from UEFA to AFC. A meeting is set for Friday, December 30th to make the bold decision.

Russia soccer contemplates leaving UEFA to join AFC - World Soccer Talk

FIFA President Gianni Infantino asked for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine throughout the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/">2022 World Cup</a> in Qatar. The FIFA president made the plea during a G20 summit in Indonesia. An annual meeting involving 19 different countries and the European Union, the G20 gathering typically discusses global issues such as economy, climate change, and other financial concerns. 



Speaking at the summit, Infantino claimed that the sport could be used to unite people together. “Football is a force for good,” <a href="https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/president/news/president-infantino-addresses-g20-and-calls-for-ceasefire-during-fifa-world-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">began</a> Infantino. “We are not naïve to believe that football can solve the world’s problems. We know that our main focus as a sports organization is and should be sports, but because Football Unites the World, this particular FIFA World Cup, with five billion people watching it, can be a trigger for a positive gesture, for a sign or a message of hope.”



FIFA just recently launched their <a href="https://www.fifa.com/social-impact/campaigns/football-unites-the-world/media-releases/global-stars-join-fifa-in-launching-football-unites-the-world-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Football Unites the World</a> program. The initiative will essentially help shed a light on issues such as discrimination, education, and sustainability. Superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, and Neymar have all signed on to help promote the program.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">"My plea to all of you is to think on a temporary ceasefire for one month, for the duration of the World Cup." Fifa&apos;s president Gianni Infantino asks world leaders at the G20 to temporarily put an end to all conflicts during the tournament that begins on Sunday in Qatar. <a href="https://t.co/SoxKHYrenv">pic.twitter.com/SoxKHYrenv</a>— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) <a href="https://twitter.com/Channel4News/status/1592486389668773888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Infantino also acknowledged both of the nations roles in the World Cup. “Russia hosted the last World Cup in 2018, and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/ukraine-join-bid-2030-world-cup-report-2022-10-03/">Ukraine is bidding</a> to host the World Cup in 2030,” stated the FIFA President. “Maybe, the current World Cup, starting in five days, can really be that positive trigger.”



<h2>FIFA president asks for temporary ceasefire</h2>



“So my plea, to all of you, is to think on a temporary ceasefire, for one month, for the duration of the FIFA World Cup, or at least the implementation of humanitarian corridors, or anything that could lead to the resumption of dialogue as a first step to peace. You are the world leaders; you have the ability to influence the course of history.”



“Football and the FIFA World Cup are offering you and the world a unique platform of unity and peace all over the world,” President Infantino also added. “So let’s take this opportunity to do everything we can to start putting an end to all conflicts.”



The latest G20 meeting was the first since Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year. Infantino was certainly not the only speaker to talk about the conflict. The war dominated conversations during the summit. However, it remains to be seen if the speeches will make an effect on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.



PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images

FIFA President calls for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire at G20 meeting

FIFA President Gianni Infantino asked for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine just days before the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-401166" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/2022/09/Russia-Euro-2024-1200x725.webp" alt="Russia Euro 2024" width="1200" height="725" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div>
As a result of UEFA’s ban following <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/03/03/russian-invasion-impacts-global-soccer/">the invasion of Ukraine</a>, Russia remains forbidden to compete in Euro 2024 qualifying. Russia’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/02/28/ioc-calls-for-russia-sports-ban-fifa-throws-team-out-of-world-cup/">exclusion from major tournaments started in February</a>.
Consequently, the senior men’s national team has not played a match in over 10 months. However, Russia is set to play a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan this weekend.
A qualifying draw for the 2024 Euros will take place on Oct. 9. In 2024, Germany hosts Europe’s premier international competition.
Russia was previously banned by UEFA’s executive committee in late February. They went on to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport; however, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/07/15/court-of-arbitration-for-sport-upholds-bans-on-russian-clubs/">the original decision was upheld</a> by the courts in July.
<h3>Russia banned from Euro 2024 qualification</h3>
In an official statement released on Tuesday, UEFA confirmed the decision to extend Russia’s ban. “All Russian teams are currently suspended following the decision of the UEFA Executive Committee of 28 February 2022, which was further confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 15 July 2022,” read the <a href="https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/news/0279-1628176b348f-4ef8c4c59e6b-1000--uefa-euro-2024-qualifying-draw-procedure-approved/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “Russia is therefore not included in the UEFA European Football Championship 2022-24 qualifying draw.”
The ban also obviously means that the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/02/28/russia-expelled-from-world-cup-as-fifa-and-uefa-hand-down-bans/">Russians will not take part</a> of the upcoming <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/world-cup-2022/">World Cup in Qatar</a>. When punished in February, they were removed from the qualification phase with immediate effect. Russia was scheduled to face Poland in Moscow back in March, but <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/02/26/poland-refuses-to-play-2022-world-cup-play-off-against-russia/">the game was canceled</a>. Poland advanced in the qualification on a walkover.
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
OFFICIAL: Russia will not compete in Euro 2024 qualifiers as the nation&apos;s ban from UEFA competitions remains active following its military invasion of Ukraine <a href="https://t.co/TBBwZURmrO">pic.twitter.com/TBBwZURmrO</a>
— B/R Football (@brfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1572240487352008704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2022</a></blockquote></div>
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Russia’s soccer embargo did not, however, only affect the men’s team. The women’s national team was also banned and expelled from this summer’s Women’s Euro tournament. Portugal took Russia’s place in the competition.
The 2022 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/05/02/russian-clubs-banned-from-next-seasons-champions-league/">Champions League</a> final was affected by Russia’s actions as well. Although initially supposed to be held in St. Petersburg, a decision was made to move the match to Paris just a day after the invasion.
It remains to be seen when Russia will be <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2022/09/10/bosnia-condemned-for-planning-friendly-with-russia/">allowed to play</a> in another tournament in the future.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Sportfoto Rudel

Russia banned from Euro 2024 tournament qualification

With a qualifying draw set for early October, UEFA released a statement confirming that Russia remains banned from Euro 2024 qualification.

Russia banned from Euro 2024 tournament qualification - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_707" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-707" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-707" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/7/files/2009/12/38463113_bellamy2_getty300.jpg" alt="A game i&apos;m sure did nothing good for my health" width="300" height="180"></figure></div>A game i&apos;m sure did nothing good for my health</div>
I was looking around a few sites, particularly reading all the articles on <a href="http://epltalk.com">epltalk.com</a> that have recently been posted and they have been looking back over what has been an amazing decade for football. You can go to any sports related website and you will have an abundance of critics and experts telling you what their favourite moment of the past ten years was. And what is so great about reading them is that everyone has a different opinion as different moments in football can mean different things to people. It could be easy of me to make a countdown of what I think are the X greatest Y’s of the decade but no one can ever agree on different things. And that is why instead I decided I’d just write about what for me was my favourite moment of the decade as I realised everyone has their own say. I know this is a Championship related website and I try to filter through news and opinion related to the league but here at Championship talk we value any sort of opinion and any article people want to write. And if everyone else can do it then so can I!
November 13th 2002 – Champions League Group Stage One – Feyenoord 2-3 Newcastle United:
This was one of those games that can only back up any claim that football is the most exciting sport in the world. Sir Bobby Robson helped Newcastle climb back to the top of the table and make it into the Champions league once again, but unlike our woeful efforts in Europe under Keegan, this time we were up to the challenge. When having a bit of a search to see if I could bring back even more memories of the match, I found <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2002/nov/13/minutebyminute.sport">the Guardian’s minute by minute updates </a>of the match and just reading through that gives me goose bumps.
This was such in important game in a very open group between Juventus, Dynamo Kiev, Feyenoord and Newcastle. Juventus looked comfortable at the top but the other three teams most certainly had something to play for and they were ready to give it their all. It was a packed house on a cold night in Holland and Newcastle were hoping to become the first team in history to qualify for the next stage after losing their first three group games and it wasn’t easy considering that we were relying on a Juventus win against Kiev in Ukraine as well as winning our own game. Even more hairs were standing on the back of my neck as the players walked out to a cauldron of flares, streamers, flags and an electric continental atmosphere.
The first half had a few chances and most of them were Newcastle. We were dominating the game and the pace of our team seemed to be catching Feyenoord out every time. But I watched on, as our 2-0 lead all of a sudden became 2-2. In the middle of Newcastle and Feyenoord goals, it was all kicking off at Kiev as Dynamo had went 1-0 up only to be pegged back to 2-1. The game in Rotterdam had turned and Newcastle were starting to get over run by a heart-pounding atmosphere and the new found Feyenoord confidence. If things stayed the way they were in Kiev, the winner would be through to the second group phase.
Clive Tyldesley was commentating on the match and I remember him saying something along the lines of ‘a goal here is so important for either of these teams, especially when you consider it could be worth £10 million pounds’. That was what was at stake here, but more importantly for me it was for the chance to play in the next round, stay in the greatest competition in club football and meet more of Europe’s elite.
Feyenoord were pressing and it just seemed like it wasn’t going to be Newcastle’s night. We were 2-0 up and in control and had thrown it all away. But in the 92nd minute we thumped the ball forward where Shearer managed to head the ball to Dyer who shot was saved. Craig Bellamy latched onto the ball and could of held it up, but instead shot from a difficult angle and the keeper could do nothing about it. It was absolutely amazing and what football was all about. A pure battle which had a blockbuster ending and I think it was a couple of days before I stopped bouncing off the walls in my house after that one. One of my favourite games ever.
I had someone ask me a few months ago, obviously not trying to be offensive, why do Newcastle fans chant Sir Bobby Robson’s name all the time and why was there such a monument for a manager that didn’t win anything for Newcastle. Well apart from being from the local area, it is moments like this that we love Bobby for. He brought excitement to the team and moments like what I’ve mentioned above. He made us into a side that did amazing things and we had some great games with him at the helm. Sacking Bobby was a terrible mistake, but the fans will always love him and its games like our 3-2 victory against Feyenoord that we will remember him best for.
So there you have it! That was my personal favourite moment of the decade. And here at Championship Talk we would love to hear your opinion on what was your favourite moment. And also as a new year (and decade) looms, we are looking for new writers to help add their opinion on all matters Championship and Football League! If you are interested in writing for the site and would love to have your say, please send an e-mail to:
thegaffer[at]epltalk[dot]com
We hope to hear from you!

My Favourite Football Moment Of The Decade

My Favourite Football Moment Of The Decade - World Soccer Talk

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For every Ronaldo, there’s a Shevchenko. Sometimes, great reputations come at a great cost yet fail to deliver. Shevchenko is a great player to start with. Feared throughout Europe, his performances for Dynamo Kiev and A.C. Milan saw him become one of the most lethal strikers in the world. Once he arrived at Stamford Bridge, his reputation began to fall apart.
Yet these things happen. Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, some players cannot settle. Yet others flourish when they were expected to fail. Now we look at some of the worst signings in the last ten years and ask ourselves, did Juan Sebastian Veron really cost £43 million for English clubs alone!!

Well over the years, especially as the Premiership’s international appeal has grown, we now find ourselves in a situation were probably as case can be made for a large chunk of the best players in the world currently ply their trade in England. From Rooney to Torres, Essien to Mascherano, every team offers us a plethora of international flavour. Now let’s cast our eyes over some of my selections for the worst signings this decade in no particular order.
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1. Juan Sebastian Veron £43.6 million
Now Veron’s failure to cope with the Premiership is something I still can’t get to grips with. His international pedigree was assured, he’d pulled the strings for Lazio and Parma during a 5 year spell in Italy, he was a top player. The failure of the Little Witch to adapt to the Premiership still astounds me. Manchester United paid £28.1 million for him, but off loaded him 2 years later to Chelsea, were he continued to under-perform. A return to Italy at Inter Milan never saw him recapture his form and he has now returned to Argentinian football.
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2. Andrey Shevchenko £30.8 million
As I’ve mentioned earlier, a striker with one of the most feared reputations in Europe caused Chelsea to change their system and lose their way a little under Jose Mourinho. Rumours abound that the Special One never wanted him at Stamford Bridge but since he joined Chelsea, his career has taken a nose dive. Even a return to A.C. Milan couldn’t recapture his glory days and he has now returned to Kiev. It was like watching a different player when he was at Chelsea, he just couldn’t cope with the game.
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3. Sergei Rebrov £11 million
Oddly, Shevchenko’s strike partner failed to adapt to the English game also, but his refusal to accept black players as team mates meant that he was always going to struggle. Perhaps a little more digging in to his personal life would have avoided an £11 million mistake for Tottenham Hotspur in 2000.&nbsp; Made a return to publicity when Spurs signed Roman Pavlychenko, warning him about the amount of “Non-whites” in the Tottenham area. A thoroughly horrible man, the Premiership is better for his absence.
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4. Fernando Morientes £6.5 million
Another striker with a fearsome reputation who looked as if he’d been kidnapped and replaced by a stand in when he joined Liverpool in January 2005. It was especially strange as the season before, he’d had a marvelous campaign in the Champions League with Monaco and a solid reputation forged for Real Madrid and Spain. He just never got going at Anfield and returned to Spain after just 18 months.
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5. David Bentley £15 million
Bentley had forged an excellent reputation under Mark Hughes at Blackburn Rovers but his spell at Tottenham has seen him under perform constantly. That goal against Arsenal was expected to be the catalyst but Aaron Lennon’s continued excellent form has seen him become a peripheral player at his beloved Tottenham. It’s simply not worked for him and the problem is no one can work out why.
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6. Jean Alain Boumsong £8.2 million
This transfer still makes me laugh, as it was a ludicrous amount of money for a centre half who struggled to cope with Scottish football during his spell at Rangers. Yet, if you want someone to pay over the odds, who better than Graeme Souness to come to your rescue. Never coped while he was at St James’ Park, he was moved on to Juventus and struggled in Serie B before joining Lyon.
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 7. Albert Luque £9.5 million
Another one of Souness’ signings during his awful spell as Newcastle manager, Luque came highly rated but never saw his career take off at all in the North East. He’d had three excellent seasons at Deportivo but since his two year hell at Newcastle his career has collapsed. Another dreadful Souness signing that never recovered to show his early potential.
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8. Bosko Balaban £6 million
Was highly rated when John Gregory signed him for Aston Villa but in his 30 month spell he never started a game or scored a goal. The long running joke amongst Villa fans was that they’d actually signed the wrong player but he was signed as a goal getting striker. On leaving Villa he continued to score goals but will always be remembered for the goalless spell at Villa Park.
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9. Steve Marlet £11.5 million
The signing that brought the end to Jean Tigana’s reign as Fulham manager and caused a legal battle with the chairman of Fulham, Marlet was an unmitigated disaster. 11 goals in 4 years says it all and he is currently without a club. Though how he was ever valued at £11.5 million after scoring just 13 goals in 2 seasons at Lyon still mystifies me.
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10. Robbie Keane £20 million
Poor old Robbie Keane thought he’d gone to heaven when Spurs grudgingly accepted a hefty bid for the Liverpool supporting Irishman. Yet, unbeknown to Keane, Benitez didn’t want him and he became a pawn in an internal battle between Rick Parry and Rafa Benitez. 6 months later he was on his way back to White Hart Lane for the remainder of the fee that Liverpool owed Spurs, so effectively the Reds paid £8 million for a 6 month loan deal. Has never looked the same player since he returned either.
<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/3.bp.blogspot.com/francisjeffers/bi_francis_jeffers.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300"></figure></div>
11. Francis Jeffers £8 million
Arsene Wengers most expensive mistake, Jeffers was supposedly the fox in the box the Gunners needed as the long term replacement for Ian Wright. Yet Jeffers’ attitude had caused him to be gladly sold by Everton and his career has seen him fall down the leagues, failing to score or stay fit for than a month a time. A shining example of wasted potential, he scored on his England debut in 2001 and it was all down hill from there. Is frighteningly still 28, currently injured at Sheffield Wednesday.
So, any thoughts on who you feel was the worst Premiership signing of the last 10 years? Please leave your comments below.

The Worst Premiership Signings Of The Noughties

The Worst Premiership Signings Of The Noughties - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_10709" style="width: 213px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-10709" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-10709" src="/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/fwclogo1.gif" alt="South Africa 2010" width="203" height="127"></figure></div>South Africa 2010</div>
Almost twenty years ago England went to Poland knowing that a draw would qualify them for Italia 90. A backs-to-the wall performance and the magnificence of Peter Shilton ensured they had their point and the team then went onto reach the semi-finals of the tournament that arguably saved English football from itself and ultimately elevated it to today’s dizzy heights.
Were it not for the&nbsp;crossbar however that Poland hit in the last minute with the superlative Shilton well beaten, England would have&nbsp;lost that night and not have qualified for Italia 90.&nbsp; &nbsp;There would have been no glorious <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH_Yt0K3tZA">semi-final defeat</a>, no tears from Gazza and the EPL might never have been born. Yet lady luck was smiling on England that night and here we are some 20 years on with England once again on the brink of the finals of the World Cup.&nbsp; Like Bobby Robson’s team, England remain unbeaten throughout their qualifying campaign but there is unlikely to be a repeat of that night in Chorzow where England had to get a result as their campaign for South Africa draws to a close.
Should England fail on Wednesday they have a second and a third stab at qualification against the Ukraine and Belarus respectively in October although in all likelihood their passage to South Africa next summer will be sealed with those two games to spare.

There’s something about a do-or-die game however that somehow makes it all seem worthwhile. All those weekends where the EPL comes to a grinding halt and all eyes are fixed firmly on the England camp seem to frustrate fans and managers alike but when it all comes&nbsp;down to one night, it&nbsp;serves up a starter that wets our appetite for the main course of the Finals themselves next summer.
In years’ gone by, as well as the nail-biter in Poland, England supporters have endured the catastrophe in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Us6K9HLhcs">Rotterdam in 1993</a>, the miracle of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_10WqWZ3qds">Rome in 1997</a>, David Beckhams <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRMa0285d4I">finest hour </a>in 2001 although last time around in 2005 it was something of a damp squib as Sven’s men actually qualified for Germany on the back of a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4319660.stm">Dutch victory</a> over the Czech Republic.
Of course the misery of failing to qualify for Euro 2008 is still relatively fresh in people’s minds and whilst you could argue that England have come on in leaps and bounds since that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaBvsqUlMsU">horror show </a>in 2007 – ironically also against Wednesday’s opponents Croatia – it could be argued that international football is steadily falling down the interest radar. Of course everyone loves the World Up but the whole qualification process? It just seems inconvenient particularly to fans of the Bloated Four although it must be said but when it is their teams that are pretty much decimated by international call ups you can maybe see their point. 
There was a time when England games seemed to really matter and they&nbsp;would capture the imagination of the English public in as much as they seemed to unite the football world but now they seem nothing more than a little sideshow than needs to be gotten out of the way before everyone can back to the real deal of the EPL.
With two huge games coming up on September 12th (Man City v Arsenal; Spurs v Man Utd) when the league resumes it is sometimes hard to get too excited about the international scene&nbsp;but come next summer no doubt even England’s biggest critics will be on the bandwagon&nbsp;although it is fair to say that the EPL has become the be all and end all of football in England and sadly that seems to include international football as well.
As far as Capello is concerned, well all he has done really is take the same group of players and taught them how to win again in a not too dissimilar way that one of his predecessors Sven Goran Erickson had England playing. It’s not pretty but it is effective – albeit against mediocre opposition it must be said. &nbsp;Indeed, perhaps one of the biggest reasons for England’s recent winning streak is not necessarily the new manager but the standard of opposition in their group. You can only beat what’s in front of you and England has obviously done that but without really making anyone sit up and take notice. There’s still questions about the left side of midfield, there’s still doubts about Gerrard and Lampard in the same team and whilst those issues have been part and parcel of the England set up for years it seems there’s now doubts about just who is the first choice goalkeeper and just who should partner Rooney up front if there is to be a partner for him at all.
The warm up game against Slovania on Saturday will merely be a taster for the big event on Wednesday with Capello hoping above all to avoid any injuries to his squad so he may play his first team.&nbsp; Looking at the team that faced Poland in 1989 what Capello wouldn’t give for the likes of Shilton, Bryan Robson and Gary Lineker to be lining up for him.&nbsp; Indeed it makes the mouth water doesn’t it?&nbsp; Gerrard and Robson together in the middle of the park?&nbsp; Rooney and Lineker up front?&nbsp; Maybe England would even progress beyond the Quarter Final stage and maybe even…nah, it wouldn’t be the same without&nbsp;a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss would it?
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8kOsi51Sf0">Poland</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8kOsi51Sf0"> 0-0 England 
</a>11 October,1989 
Stadion Slaski, Chorzow 

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Shilton" target="_blank">Peter Shilton [Derby County]</a> 
G<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Stevens" target="_blank">ary Stevens [Glasgow Rangers]</a> 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Pearce" target="_blank">Stuart Pearce [Nottingham Forest]</a> 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Walker" target="_blank">Desmond Walker [Nottingham Forest]</a> 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Butcher" target="_blank">Terence Butcher [Glasgow Rangers]</a> 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rocastle" target="_blank">David Rocastle [Arsenal]</a> 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryan_Robson" target="_blank">Bryan Robson [Manchester United]</a> 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_McMahon" target="_blank">Stephen McMahon [Liverpool]</a> 
C<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Waddle" target="_blank">hristopher Waddle [Marseille]</a> 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Beardsley" target="_blank">Peter Beardsley [Liverpool]</a> 
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Lineker" target="_blank">Gary Lineker [Tottenham Hotspur]</a>

England On The Brink Of 2010 World Cup

England On The Brink Of 2010 World Cup - World Soccer Talk

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Since the turn of the year, Aaron Lennon has been in outstanding form. His club exploits have been rewarded with not just an international call up, but a place in the starting eleven in England’s last two matches, the latter being a competitive qualifier. This is just rewards for Lennon as he has been absolutely sensational recently and much credit must go to Harry Redknapp who has made the youngster begin to realise his potential.
For Tottenham he has been consistently terrorising full backs this season, most notably giving Patrice Evra (arguably the world’s best left back) a torrid time in the Carling Cup final last month. Lennon too has added goals on a more regular basis and, perhaps more importantly for a winger, an end product in terms of crossing. It’s never been doubted that Lennon possesses the ability to take on players but what has let him down in seasons’ past is that he has frequently failed to produce a telling cross. However, he has upped his game in that department and proved that he could realistically become a top class winger.
Maybe the signing of David Bentley was a stark warning to him that his place at Spurs was in jeopardy. Possibly he needed a manager like Redknapp who will put an arm round him and tell him that he is the best, instilling much needed confidence in the young man. Lennon has been the subject of some harsh criticism for someone so young; he is still only 21. Because Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have set such exceptional standards, it seems to be that all other wide players are compared and therefore deemed not good enough in comparison. These players are rare commodities and it simply isn’t feasible for Lennon or most others for that matter to be thought of under the same rules.
Lennon’s two recent international caps have defined for me why he has come such a long way and although still a raw talent to an extent, showed why he has plenty more to come. Neither the Slovakian nor Ukrainian left side could handle him. He caused panic and chaos amongst both defences and particularly in the Ukraine game, his withdrawal killed any tempo or dynamism to England’s attacks.&nbsp; It was also apparent that he can pick players out more methodically when in crossing positions, rather than just hitting across the box in hope.
Although his finishing has also improved, Theo Walcott would still have the edge in that department but in terms of all round game I think Lennon is the best option for England on the right wing. He stretches defences and has better control when on the ball as well as having the odd trick up his sleeve, something that Walcott doesn’t seem to possess. It would be nice to see Lennon retain his place in the side but I get the impression that he is just keeping it warm for Walcott. The best Lennon can do is maintain his good form and take it from there. It could be worse though, he could be in the international wilderness like Ashley Young.

Aaron Lennon: Potential Starting To Pay Dividends

Aaron Lennon: Potential Starting To Pay Dividends - World Soccer Talk

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Well, there’s one thing you can’t hold against Fabio Capello and that’s that he keeps his cards close to his chest. Today he’s announced that Peter Crouch will lead the England attack against Ukraine tomorrow night and deservedly so. Crouch has been the victim of some vicious criticism over the last few seasons, undeservedly so in some respects.
Crouch is one of the nicest footballers in the game and a damn fine player to boot. Sure, he has an unorthodox style and gait but hell, doesn’t everyone differ somewhat from each other. His height seemed to attract unwarranted criticism during his time at Portsmouth and Aston Villa, but at Southampton he began to put his critics to bed. On joining Liverpool, he showed that he wasn’t just a tall player but a bloody good footballer too and Portsmouth fans welcomed him with open arms when he rejoined them last summer.He’s got a lovely touch and a range of passing that puts some players to shame.
Yet, there is one thing lacking from his game for me that he needs to start rectifying and soon. Crouch has 14 goals for England, but none of them have been against top quality sides with the exception of a goal against Croatia in November 2007. The other 13 have come against Jamaica, Estonia, Andorra, Austria, Macedonia, Greece, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Hungary, none of whom you could honestly say are a top quality international side.
Crouch really need to find the net against the better sides when he plays for his country to put the negativity of his goal record to bed. Looking at some of the other strikers that have played for England over the years, International football really finds out the real top quality players. Kevin Phillips, Andrew Cole, Ian Wright and James Beattie to name four excellent domestic strikers who failed to cut the mustard at international level, in fact Crouch has scored 4 more goals than that quartet put together in an England shirt. Does that diminish the domestic records of those strikers? Of course not, but its interesting nonetheless.
Crouch has a chance to start adding goals against quality sides tomorrow night at Wembley, Ukraine are certainly one of Europe’s top 20 sides currently. A strong domestic and European club scene has allowed some of their sides to become household names over the years and the money currently flowing into some of Ukraine’s top sides has seen them attract better players to Dynimo Kiev and Shaktar Donetsk over the last few years.
A goal tomorrow would begin to rectify the negativity surrounding Crouch’s International record and allow the likeable lad to begin cementing his squad place in Capello’s plans for South Africa 2010. There is no doubt in my mind that a win tomorrow night will almost assure England of participation in the next World Cup and banish the nightmare McClaren period to bed, as Venables did in Euro 96 and Greenwood in Euro 80 and Spain 82.
Crouch can give England an option only Serbia’s Nikola Zigic can match in current football and it shouldn’t be underestimated. His skill with the ball at his feet is probably his most potent weapon and would allow Capello to have a variety of striking options available at his disposal. Here’s hoping Crouch can nick a goal tomorrow and build from there. It’s good to see the nice guys do well.

Can Peter Crouch Deliver Against Top International Sides

Can Peter Crouch Deliver Against Top International Sides - World Soccer Talk

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