|
Phil Jagielka accepts Everton could lose key midfielder Marouane Fellaini this summer - if the price is right.
Jagielka was impressed with the performance of Fellaini when in action for England against Belgium in Saturday's friendly international at Wembley.
The central defender knows how crucial Fellaini is to the Toffees but is realistic about their chances of keeping him.
Midfield maestro: Marouane Fellaini (right)n could leave Everton this summer
He said: 'Unfortunately, with the way the club is, if somebody comes in with a 20million-plus offer, the chances are he's going to be sold.
'We love Felli and we'd love him to stay. There's not been that much transfer talk but we know the situation we're in.
'We bought him for 16 million and I don't think the club would take a loss.
'He's developed in that time, especially in the last few games of the season, just behind the front one, and he's destroyed teams.'
Jagielka added: 'In terms of marking Felli, he's faster than I remember. He must have put a yard on. I can't stop laughing when I see him and it's not just his hair.
'He's a fantastic player. Belgium have got a few players for the future and, once they kick, on they'll be a team to watch.'
Eye on the ball: Fellaini impressed for Everton against England at Wembley
Jagielka is relishing the prospect of his first tournament at Euro 2012 and admits to feeling comfortable alongside former Everton team-mate Joleon Lescott.
The pair were reunited against Belgium after John Terry (hamstring) and Gary Cahill (jaw) were both substituted.
He said: 'Gary went down early and we made one defensive substitution so I wasn't expecting to get on but JT (Terry) had a little niggle so it was nice to get another cap.
'Myself and Joleon have played together a lot, we know each other, we get on well off the pitch. When you play together it does feel comfortable.
'We had some good seasons at Everton. Joleon moved on and has done well for himself since. But when you've played with someone 100 times or so, it makes it that little bit easier.'
Raring to go: Phil Jagielka (centre) will travel to Ukraine with England
Jagielka added: 'Two clean sheets against Norway and Belgium is brilliant. I wouldn't say we played amazing but we created one or two decent chances and Welbs (Welbeck) had a fantastic finish.
'We've a week or so before the France game and we'll be looking to sharpen up at the other end of the pitch and hopefully put in a good performance against France.
'We will go home now and spend time with the family and when we're back, it's all ready to go for the Euros.
'We'll get suited and booted on Wednesday, fly out there and that's when it will feel a little bit more real.
'I've never experienced this. I'm looking forward to meeting up on Tuesday, a training session on Wednesday and then we fly out.'
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Euro 2012: England suffer huge blow as Gary Cahill ruled out of European Championship with jaw fracture - Daily Telegraph
The one piece of good news for Hodgson is that John Terry should be available after scans showed he had suffered no serious damage to his hamstring.
An FA statement released this afternoon read: "Gary Cahill has been withdrawn from England's Euro 2012 squad following the injury he suffered in the match against Belgium.
"The Chelsea defender has two fractures of his jaw, one either side. The England medical team have been in close contact overnight with Cahill's club doctors who will treat him moving forward.
"Liverpool defender Martin Kelly will be called into the squad - subject to agreement from Uefa's medical team. Kelly trained with the England players last week and was part of the group that travelled to Norway.
"John Terry has been scanned this morning and given the all-clear. He will be re-assessed on Tuesday when the team regroup."
It is understood Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand was not contacted as a potential replacement, with Hodgson believing Kelly, who last week travelled with the England party to Norway, where he made his international debut as a late substitute, would need less time to get fully fit.
The wisdom of that decision is bound to be questioned, particularly as Hodgson has lost so much experience.
Certainly it is even less likely than before that Ferdinand will play for his country again, something Sir Alex Ferguson might welcome if no one else.
It also means England will have to revise their plans for the Group D opener against France in Donetsk on June 11, when Cahill was expected to partner Terry.
The former Bolton man was replaced at Wembley yesterday by Joleon Lescott, who many felt was deserving of a starting berth anyway thanks to his superb performances in Manchester City's title-winning campaign.
Phil Jagielka, himself called up from the standby list after Barry was ruled out with a stomach strain, is the alternative, with Phil Jones presumably now acting as fourth choice in his favoured central position.
The headache emphasises why Hodgson was astute in his assessment of the Cahill incident, which was triggered by a needless push from Belgium winger Dries Mertens.
"I wasn't too happy about it (the challenge)," said Hodgson after last night's game. "Unfortunate is too kind a word.
"When a striker is chasing a defender who is feeding a ball to the goalkeeper, those nudges and pushes take the defender into the goalkeeper.
"It is something if you have been a goalkeeper you take very unkindly to.
"The referee gave him a yellow card, which he deserved. Unfortunately for us, the consequences might be a lot more than a yellow card because a fracture is a distinct possibility."
Including Norwich keeper John Ruddy, who broke a finger on only the second day of training, Hodgson has now lost almost a fifth of his original squad.
It is hardly the best backdrop to his first major tournament as England manager, for which he was given only six weeks' notice in the first place.
Hodgson probably will not breathe easily until Terry, Danny Welbeck, Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker have been assessed on Tuesday for minor niggles, although it is not envisaged England will have to make any further changes before they leave for their tournament base in Krakow on Wednesday afternoon.
On the evidence of the past fortnight, Hodgson's main hope is making his team difficult to beat.
Danny Welbeck's well-taken winner, a couple of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain efforts and a first-half penalty box scramble apart, England created little yesterday until Jermain Defoe hit a post in the final stages.
Belgium dominated possession and for the second week running, England seemed to have difficulty keeping hold of the ball.
Yet Hodgson said he was largely satisfied with his side's efforts thus far, even if France represent a significant step up in standard.
"I couldn't have asked any more of them," he said. "We haven't picked easy fixtures but we have got through it.
"The players put their bodies on the line and, as a coach, you can't ask any more than that.
"We can play better and we will play better. But the most important thing is that we got two victories and, as any coach will tell you, victories are what you need."
Lescott reacted to the news of Cahill's fitness blow, condemning the challenge from Dries Mertens that led to the injury.
Lescott wrote on Twitter: "Gutted to hear Gaz is ruled out. The challenge that caused it was more reckless and dangerous than most 2 footed tackles so why only yellow."
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Two years ago I was watching England in the pub... now I can be a Euro star - Daily Mail
By Matt Barlow
|
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was back home on the coast last week, enjoying the sea air, when he suffered a World Cup flashback which demanded a pause for thought.
‘I went home to see my friends in Southsea,’ he explained. ‘We drove past the pub where we watched the England-Germany game when Frank Lampard scored the goal which was disallowed.
‘I was sat there with my best friend and he said: ‘‘It’s unbelievable. Two years ago, we were in there watching it and now it’s the next tournament and you’re there with all the boys”. This puts it into perspective.
Burst of pace: Alex Oxlade Chamberlain impressed against Belgium
‘It’s been an amazing journey; a whirlwind.’
Last summer, Oxlade-Chamberlain was in demand among Barclays Premier League clubs having broken into Southampton’s first team with a supporting role in the Saints’ promotion from League One.
As he unwound in Portugal at the end of the season, and a 15million transfer to Arsenal began to unfold, he discovered strangers were starting to recognise him.
Little more than a year on, he is still only 18 but has played in the Champions League, and a holiday in Spain had to be cancelled to make way for his England debut in Norway and his first international start against Belgium at Wembley on Saturday.
‘I remember playing in games for Southampton like Dagenham and Redbridge away on a cold Tuesday night and I’m grateful for these experiences,’ said Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Well played, son: Roy Hodgson congratulates Oxlade-Chamberlain
‘You have to work in those environments and it makes you strive to want to play in places like Wembley for your country. I want to work hard and make my future bright.’
Roy Hodgson hailed him as a ‘precocious talent’ when he first selected Oxlade-Chamberlain for the Euro 2012 squad and has shown faith in him since. In Oslo, Hodgson sent the teenager on to play as a second striker, behind Andy Carroll. His first touch in an England shirt was exquisite, caressing a long pass on the volley with the inside of his right foot into the path of Theo Walcott.
His second touch was less impressive, screwing a shot wildly off target after Walcott had returned the ball to his Arsenal team-mate with a low cross.
It was a similar pattern at Wembley on Saturday. There were shades of Paul Gascoigne when he squeezed through an improbable gap between Axel Witsel and Marouane Fellaini with an explosive burst of speed.
Ouch! Oxlade-Chamberlain battles with Kevin Mirallas and Moussa Dembele
There was also a well-hit effort that flashed narrowly wide, followed by a slip and an ugly finish when James Milner created a good chance for him but his presence on the pitch lessens the predictability of Hodgson’s team.
When the young Gunner emerged from the England dressing room, however, he was composed and assured; not fazed by the experience. His confidence is striking and there is a fierce competitive edge, perhaps inherited from his father Mark Chamberlain who won eight England caps.
Hampshire wanted Alex to play cricket and London Irish were keen for him to adopt rugby union, but he was always set on football and is determined to contribute in Ukraine.
‘It is a start in my England career, I guess, and hopefully the first of many,’ said Oxlade-Chamberlain. ‘It is nice to win as well. We played some good stuff at times and it was against a good Belgium team. I enjoyed every minute.
‘It was a bit of a shock when I was told I was starting, but I had to remember I was one of the players put in the initial squad. I am here to do that and I have to be able to step up and perform when the manager wants me.
Now you see him: Oxlade-Chamberlain escapes from Marouane Fellaini
‘I was delighted to get the call and obviously very excited but this is football; this is what I do every day. I train and I play. It is about stepping up on the biggest occasions.
‘Playing in games for your country, you have to take it in your stride, and I think I did. I wanted to prove something. I showed glimpses of what I can do, but there’s a lot more to come from me.’
Despite the incredible rise from League One to Euro 2012, he is at ease in illustrious company. An 8-2 defeat at Manchester United on his Arsenal debut failed to rattle him, so two wins with England should be a breeze.
‘A few of the lads — Stevie G, Scott Parker, the experienced boys — had a word with me,’ he said. ‘They told me to go and enjoy it. When someone says that, you realise it’s a game of football.
‘I’ve been playing for a number of years with a professional club, and you are tuned to perform in moments like this. If you go out and relax, it comes to you.
Parting gift: England celebrate victory over Belgium at Wembley on Saturday
‘If you don’t believe you should be there, you’ll struggle. At first it’s daunting to see and train with players who were my heroes, but you soon realise they’re human beings, here to do a job.’
So is Oxlade-Chamberlain. ‘I definitely feel I can make an impact on the tournament,’ he said. ‘If you don’t think that, you won’t go far. You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.
‘You have to believe the manager has faith in your ability, and I believe in myself. One step at a time. I keep learning every day in training, as I am with great players. If I get a chance again, I will do everything I can to impress.’
That game in Dagenham was in January 2011, played before 3,585. After his impact on England, his next appearance may well be in Donetsk, against France, with the eyes of the world on him.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Cash trapped: Everton fear Fellaini MUST GO in summer if big clubs waggle money - Daily Mirror
Everton boss David Moyes fears he could lose Marouane Fellaini in a £20m move this summer.
Belgian midfield powerhouse Fellaini showed his quality against England at Wembley and was a big money target for clubs last season, including Arsenal.
Everton sold Mikel Arteta to Arsenal and kept Fellaini but a big deal may force them into selling this summer because they are strapped for cash.
Everton defender Phil Jagielka said: "Unfortunately, the way the club is, if somebody comes in with a £20million-plus offer the chances are he's going to be sold.
"We love Felli and we'd love him to stay. There's not been that much transfer talk but we know the situation we're in.
"We bought him for £16m and I don't think the club would take a loss. He's developed in that time, especially in the last few games of the season, just behind the front one, he destroyed teams."
Jagielka admits his Everton team mate is going from strength to strength and is helping Belgium become a major force.
He added: "He's faster than I remember, he must've put a yard on. I can't stop laughing when I see him and it's not just his hair.
"He's a fantastic player. Belgium have got a few players for the future and once they kick on they'll be a team to watch."
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment