Laughing at England’s forward options compared to Argentina’s embarrassment of riches

Dream Team FC

Laughing at England’s forward options compared to Argentina’s embarrassment of riches

Jorge Sampaoli has admitted that both Paulo Dybala and Mauro Icardi may not make Argentina’s World Cup.

Let that sink in for a moment.

The Serie A pair have 39 league goals between them so far this season — if they were born in any other country, their seats on the plane to Russia would already be reserved.

Comparing Argentina’s embarrassment of riches in the forward department to England’s options makes for hilarious (and depressing) reading…

Lionel Messi v Harry Kane

They call him the Argentine Kane…EPA

Both players will shoulder the weight of expectation of their respective nations once the tournament is underway.

Messi and Kane are currently level on 35 club goals this season and both scored the goal(s) that secured World Cup qualification for their countries.

England’s talismanic forward is a world-class goalscorer but Messi is, well… Messi.

1-0 Argentina

Sergio Aguero v Jamie Vardy

Give him a knighthood alreadyTimes Newspapers Ltd

The Three Lions’ chief party boy has scored as many league goals as Romelu Lukaku and Roberto Firmino this season.

Two of which deserve to be nominated for Goal of the Season (vs Spurs and West Brom).

But alas, with Man City coasting to the title, Aguero has bagged 21 Premier League goals — the fourth season in a row he’s scored 20+ in the league.

2-0 Argentina

Gonzalo Higuain v Marcus Rashford

He gets a hard time…USA Today Sports

Higuain isn’t particularly popular with Argentina fans.

Many of them hold the Juventus No9 forward responsible for their recent failures in major international finals.

However, his goal record is impressive by any measure — in the last decade he’s scored 255 goals in 447 club games.

Rashford is a sparkling young talent and he may well reach or surpass Higuain’s level, but as it stands, you have to side with the proven goalscorer.

3-0 Argentina

Paulo Dybala v Danny Welbeck

HahahahahaPA:Press Association

Here’s where it starts to get embarrassing.

Dat Guy Welbz has scored 24 goals for Arsenal. In total.

Four seasons, 100 games, 24 goals.

In contrast, Dybala has 21 goals for Juventus just this season.

4-0 Argentina

Mauro Icardi v Glenn Murray

The Argies really are taking the p*ssEPA

You’ve got to laugh, otherwise you’ll cry.

Five strikers deep and Argentina boast a man with 100 goals in 172 games for Inter Milan.

Having joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah in bagging four goals last weekend, Icardi is now set to challenge Ciro Immobile for the Capocannoniere (Serie A’s equivalent of the Golden Boot).

And England? They’re considering a 34-year-old back-post bully.

Murray’s efforts for Brighton this campaign have been admirable but come on, there’s no contest.

5-0 Argentina

You can see the pain deep behind his eyesReuters

And that’s why we should all be praying three times a day for Harry Kane’s fitness.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver

READ MORE:

Only seven of the current England crop would have made the 2006 World Cup squad How well do you remember Darius Vassell’s madness on England debut against Holland? How do the 2018 World Cup kits compare to last tournament’s?

more info...

Read More

Portugal have all the attributes to win the World Cup this year and then there’s the Cristiano Ronaldo factor

Dream Team FC

Portugal have all the attributes to win the World Cup this year and then there’s the Cristiano Ronaldo factor

All the excitement is almost too much.

The Panini World Cup sticker album was released yesterday and that means we are exactly 83 days until the first ball is kicked in Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.

The only downside is it’s going to be Russia v Saudi Arabia.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver Samuel Eto’o taking a selfie with a fanGetty - Contributor

But fear not, the following day we are treated to one of the tastiest clashes of the group stage containing a side with a real chance of winning the tournament.

Yes it’s Portugal v Spain and as good as the Spaniards are, we’re talking about their Iberian rivals Portugal.

Coming off the back of their first ever victory in an international tournament at Euro 2016 the Portuguese have got everything it takes to walk away winners in Russia.

It’s not ALL about you CristianoGetty - Contributor

But they are nothing without Cristiano Ronaldo, aren’t they?

We’re going in pretty big from the beginning here so strap in.

Trust us, there will be plenty on Ronaldo’s influence to come but it’s important to remember Portugal are more than just CR7.

Portugal’s captain had to go off during the final against the home side France at the Euros and his side were without him for over 95 minutes with the game going into extra time.

PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win £10k! Are they tears Ronny?AFP or licensors

But they are resilient if nothing else. 

With Ronaldo moving into a player-manager role on the sidelines, Portugal contained the fancied France team and nicked in it thanks to an Eder goal in the 109th minute.

There is talent across the rest of the squad and the most important thing? They know how to play tournament football.

Is there no end to this man’s skills?AFP or licensors

Nobody fancied Portugal before the Euros and they didn’t impress throughout the tournament.

They finished third in a group containing Hungary, Iceland and Austria with three draw and progressed as one of the best losers.

An extra-time winner got them through against everyone’s second favourite team Croatia before they overcame Poland on penalties.

Portugal’s most convincing performance came in a 2-0 win over high-flying Wales before we were back to the defensive but opportunistic final win over France.

No frills and no spills – like I said, tournament football at it’s best.

Portugal’s most unlikely Euro heroPA:Press Association

Then of course, there’s the Ronaldo factor.

After a sluggish start to the season there were whispers that Ronaldo was finished.

Until mid-January Ronaldo had scored just four league goals and people were wondering if he would ever rediscover his form.

But he continued to provide the goods for the national side and since Real’s 7-1 crushing of Deportivo on January 21 Ronny has been on fire.

Is he levitating?AFP OR LICENSORS

Team mates have reported third degree burns he’s been so hot.

Becoming highest scorer in all competitions in Europe’s top five leagues in 2018, Ronaldo has scored 21 goals in 11 games.

If he can carry this form into the World Cup there could be no stopping Portugal.

The Portuguese have adapted to Ronaldo’s late-career position to make sure everything is geared towards serving him and when you have one of the best goalscorers in the history of the game, why not?

Hes way too good for the ChampionshipGetty - Contributor

Let’s not forget what could be one of the most remarkable stories of the whole tournament is with Portugal.

Championship side Wolves could supply a potential World Cup winner in the shape of 21-year-old Ruben Neves.

The youngster, signed from from Porto for a league record, has been a revelation in England’s second division and his creativity in midfield is exactly what Portugal were missing at the Euros.

Other unlikely stars include former West Ham centre back Jose Fonte who left for China’s riches after finding life at the London stadium unbearable and West Ham’s new signing Joao Mario.

Remember when one fan turned up to the airport to meet Fonte in China?Getty - Contributor

If Portugal do go all the way I can tell you now it won’t be pretty, but the combination of tournament nous, hard as nails defenders, Ronaldo’s blistering goalscoring ability and a wee bit of luck could be a lethal concoction.

Remember this article when Ronaldo coaches Portugal to beat Germany in the final come July.

READ MORE WORLD CUP GOODNESS:

Only seven of the current England crop would have made the 2006 World Cup squad Why Pep Guardiola could be the reason Argentina win the World Cup Egypt are the World Cup dark horse everyone should be talking about

more info...

Read More

World Cup 2018 kits: Each home and away strip rated — now vote on your favourite

The Independent - Football

World Cup 2018 kits: Each home and away strip rated — now vote on your favourite

From Belgium (brilliant) to Brazil (bright), from Egypt (basic) to England (boring), vote on your favourite international kit

more info...

Read More

Raul is to become a coach

English // marca

Raul is to become a coach

  Leer

more info...

Read More

Ngezi battle past new boys Herentals

Sport – The Standard

Ngezi battle past new boys Herentals

Ngezi Platinum began yet another title onslaught with a victory over promoted Herentals in their opening match of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro/ […]

The post Ngezi battle past new boys Herentals appeared first on The Standard.

more info...

Read More

How Tottenham turned playing at Wembley from a weakness to a strength ahead of Manchester United semi final

The Independent - Football

How Tottenham turned playing at Wembley from a weakness to a strength ahead of Manchester United semi final

After initially struggling at Wembley, Spurs are now excellent there, having improved their passing game. 'Our possession has gone from good to even better', as Christian Eriksen explains

more info...

Read More

Man United handed nightmare FA Cup semi-final draw

Dream Team FC

Man United handed nightmare FA Cup semi-final draw

Now it is really heating up.

After the FA Cup quarter-final weekend where all the favourites won, we now have two delicious ties for the semi finals.

Pedro’s extra-time winner secured Chelsea’s spot in the last four and they were rewarded with a tie against Southampton, but Man United will play Spurs.

Take that Olivier GiroudReuters

Spurs were the first team to make it into the last four as they swept past Swansea on Saturday afternoon quieting all fears that they are useless without Harry Kane.

The England striker is out for the next month at least but in the shape of Christian Eriksen, Heung-Min Son and Erik Lamela this could be the year Spurs finally don’t bottle it.

They’ve beat United this season already and even though Mauricio Pochettino assures everyone he doesn’t need to win a trophy to be proved right, he would love an FA Cup triumph.

CLAIM YOUR FREE £20 BET Sun Bets have this brilliant offer when you sign up and bet a fiver “We’re fine without him boss”Getty - Contributor

Jose Mourinho was still somehow furious with his team after they beat Brighton at Old Trafford in the snow.

Romelu Lukaku scored his sixth goal in seven games as he appears to be picking up form at exactly the right time, although I guess it would’ve been good against Sevilla in mid-week instead.

PLAY DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER Pick seven players to win £10k! Ironically Lingard has been carrying Lukaku for most of the seasonGetty Images - Getty

Southampton beat giant-killers Wigan, who dumped out Man City in the last round, earlier today in Mark Hughes first game in charge.

Despite missing a penalty and not playing well, the Saints beat the League One outfit 2-0 and now Hughes can look forward to the distraction of an FA Cup semi final while dealing with all the struggles of a relegation battle.

It will be the Saints first appearance at this stage of the tournament for 15 years.

would it still be a good appointment if he wins the cup but gets relegated?Reuters

The ties will be played on the weekend of April 21/22 and if you hadn’t already heard, all of Spurs’ game from now on will be at home.

If this isn’t Spurs’ year, I don’t know when is.

FA Cup semi-final draw in full Man United v Spurs Southampton v Chelsea

READ MORE:

Nobody can tell if Leicester’s pitch design is completely mesmerising or absolutely awful Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg kicked his own team mates in the balls while celebrating Salah apologised to the Watford keeper after scoring four past him

 

more info...

Read More