Our Internationals 2018/19

[Stadt]

7 minutes ago, FIF said:

I think the English team will come unstuck. They are not as good as their final position in the World Cup indicated. 

Kane can't score when the pressure is on and the midfield is meh. On top of that Southgate is a stick in the mud coach who doesn't know how to change. Sonner he's replaced the better and that'll probably happen after a miserable performance in the Euro finals.

Come on.

Southgate has said that we overachieved, it’s part of longer term process. We’re still behind the top nations but the important thing is we’re getting there. 

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Stadt said:

Come on.

Southgate has said that we overachieved, it’s part of longer term process. We’re still behind the top nations but the important thing is we’re getting there. 

You can fool yourself too if you want.

We beat a few second rate teams. We have a big problem creating and scoring and southgate hasn't changed his squad or approach.

[lgfualol]

Nice. I can do something else with my time instead of watching that boring squad.

[Edingleyfox]

Thought Chilwell might have a chance for the Ashley Young spot

Probably a bit too early for him or Maddison but I think one or both will get there in the next 12 months

 

 

 

Edited 30 August 2018 by Edingleyfox

[Ric Flair]

Too early for all of them, the only reason we thought Maddison had a chance was he was due to train with the full squad before his injury and it may have got people thinking he was being considered for a world cup place. Plenty of time for them to get a call up, they need to deliver for us first though.

[brucey]

1 hour ago, Jimmy said:

do the U21s have competitive games? He has in the past not picked a player as the U21s need them for that reason

U21 Qualifiers next week, expecting to see all 3 of our lads start. Maybe room for Barnes as well?

[NaijaFox]

Nigeria squad for AFCON 2019 qualifier
https://guardian.ng/sport/rohr-names-24-man-squad-for-afcon-qualifier-against-seychelles/

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (RC Deportivo), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba).

Defenders: Ola Aina (Torino) Bryan Idowu (Locomotiv Moscow) Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto) Leon Balogun (Bright and Hove Albion) William Ekong (Udinese), Collins Jamilu (Padeborn) Semi Ajayi (Rotherham).

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City) Joel Obi (Chievo Verona) John Ogu (Hapoel Beer’Sheva) Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor) Alex Iwobi (Arsenal) Kelechi Nwakali (FC Porto).

Attackers: Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr) Simy Nwankwo (Crotone) Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai) Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux) Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray).

Edited 30 August 2018 by NaijaFox

[davieG]

Leicester City trio called into England's Under-21 squad for European Championship qualifiers
England face two key games next month in their bid to qualify for the 2019 European Championships

ByBarry Cooper
10:13, 31 AUG 2018

Leicester City trio Ben Chilwell, James Maddison and Demarai Gray have been called up to England’s Under-21 squad for two key games next month.

Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions face Holland and Latvia, and after an impressive start to the Premier League campaign, the three Foxes players will hope to be involved in the double header.

England take on Holland at Norwich City's Carrow Road on September 6 before travelling to Jelgava to face Latvia the following Tuesday, and Boothroyd admits the squad has been a particularly tough one to select.

“This squad has been particularly difficult to select, in a good way, as there are so many players who are in contention for a place,” he said.

Ben Chilwell and Demarai Gray are in Aidy Boothroyd's squad
“We’ve got the group that’s been with us for the qualifying campaign and put us in a really good position, along with some of the younger players who did so well at the Toulon Tournament or were part of the 2017 Under-20 World Cup-winning team.

“We have a lot of strength in depth and some really exciting players coming through the system. Our job, across the whole England pathway, is to recognise when is the best time to move them up – the right time, right games and right competitions."

England are currently top of Group 4 and know a win over the Dutch would take them eight points clear of their rivals with just three games to play, but Boothroyd is taking nothing for granted.

“We know both games will be tough. We played the Netherlands away in our first game last season as well, it was very even and we’re expecting more of the same this time round.

"It’s a great opportunity to put some more distance between us and them.

Leicester City target James Maddison in action for England Under-21s (Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
“We’re also expecting a difficult game against Latvia. They have got good form at home and we’ll need to play well to break them down. We have four games left, we’re in a good position and we need to make sure we’re professional and finish the job off.

“I’m really looking forward to being back after a great Toulon Tournament and personally, a great learning experience being out in Russia with our senior team this summer where they did so well and there are exciting times ahead for all of our squads.”

The squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Southampton), Dean Henderson (Sheffield United, on loan from Manchester United), Freddie Woodman (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Jake Clarke-Salter (Vitesse Arnhem, on loan from Chelsea), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), Ezri Konsa (Brentford), Fikayo Tomori (Derby County, on loan from Chelsea), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace), Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Lewis Cook (AFC Bournemouth), Tom Davies (Everton), Kieran Dowell (Everton), Mason Mount (Derby County, on loan from Chelsea), Josh Onomah (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)

Forwards: Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Demarai Gray (Leicester City), Ademola Lookman (Everton), James Maddison (Leicester City), Dominic Solanke (Liverpool).

[davieG]

Thirteen Leicester City stars head off for international duty
Six City players are set to feature in the new Uefa Nations League

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/thirteen-leicester-city-stars-head-1963879
ByJordan Blackwell
12:00, 3 SEP 2018

Thirteen members of Leicester City’s first-team squad will join up with their countries this week for the first international break of the campaign.

The new season is just four weeks old but City’s international stars are already heading away, with six involved in the new Uefa Nations League.

England and Harry Maguire, but not the recently-retired Jamie Vardy, take on Spain in the new competition on Saturday before coming to Leicester as the King Power Stadium hosts the Three Lions’ friendly against Switzerland next Tuesday.

There’s a City head-to-head as Danny Ward and Andy King’s Wales take on Kasper Schmeichel’s Denmark, while Jonny Evans (Northern Ireland) and new signing Caglar Soyuncu (Turkey) have also been called up.

Elsewhere, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho (both Nigeria), Daniel Amartey (Ghana) and Rachid Ghezzal (Algeria) resume their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns.

City also have a trio of England Under-21s bidding for European Championship qualification: Ben Chilwell, James Maddison and Demarai Gray. If they defeat both the Netherlands and Latvia, they will book their spot at the tournament in Italy next summer.

Five of City’s loanees are in international action too. Islam Slimani, fresh from scoring his first Fenerbahce goal, joins Ghezzal in the Algeria squad, while Filip Benkovic (Croatia Under-21s), Daniel Iversen (Denmark Under-21s), George Thomas (Wales Under-21s) and Bartosz Kapustka (Poland Under-21s) will also hope for game-time over the next fortnight.

While Vardy has stepped down from England duties, there are four other World Cup stars who have been dropped from their national teams for the upcoming matches. Neither Ricardo Pereira nor Adrien Silva are in the Portugal side, Yohan Benalouane has failed to make the cut for Tunisia, while Shinji Okazaki is absent from the Japan’s squad with new manager Hajime Moriyasu selecting just six players that were in Russia.

 

Full list of internationals
Wednesday, September 5

Kasper Schmeichel, Slovakia v Denmark, friendly, 7.45pm

 

Thursday, September 6

Ben Chilwell, Demarai Gray and James Maddison, England U21 v Netherlands U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 7.45pm, BT Sport 1

Andy King and Danny Ward, Wales v Republic of Ireland, Uefa Nations League, 7.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event

Friday, September 7

Daniel Iversen, Denmark U21 v Finland U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 5pm

Bartosz Kapustka, Poland U21 v Faroe Islands U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 5pm

George Thomas, Wales U21 v Liechtenstein U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 6pm, BBC red button

Caglar Soyuncu, Turkey v Russia, Uefa Nations League, 7.45pm, Sky Sports red button

 

Saturday, September 8

Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, Seychelles v Nigeria, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, 1.30pm

Jonny Evans, Northern Ireland v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Uefa Nations League, 2pm, Sky Sports Football

Daniel Amartey, Kenya v Ghana, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, 2pm

Rachid Ghezzal and Islam Slimani, Gambia v Algeria, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, 5.30pm

Harry Maguire, England v Spain, Uefa Nations League, 7.45pm, Sky Sports Football

 

Sunday, September 9

Kasper Schmeichel, Denmark v Wales, Uefa Nations League, 5pm, Sky Sports Football

Andy King and Danny Ward, Denmark v Wales, Uefa Nations League, 5pm, Sky Sports Football

Leicester City goalkeeper Danny Ward has four caps for Wales
Leicester City goalkeeper Danny Ward has four caps for Wales (Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

 

Monday, September 10

Filip Benkovic, Belarus U21 v Croatia U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 5pm

Caglar Soyuncu, Sweden v Turkey, Uefa Nations League, 7.45pm, Sky Sports red button

 

Tuesday, September 11

Ben Chilwell, Demarai Gray and James Maddison, Latvia U21 v England U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 3pm

Bartosz Kapustka, Finland U21 v Poland U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 4.30pm

Daniel Iversen, Lithuania U21 v Denmark U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 5pm

George Thomas, Wales U21 v Portugal U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 6pm

Jonny Evans, Northern Ireland v Israel, friendly, 7.45pm, Sky Sports Football

Harry Maguire, England v Switzerland, friendly, 8pm, Sky Sports Main Event

[spacemunky]

That U21 squad looks like they'll be fun to watch. 

 

Bit surprised Sancho isn't on it though.

[davieG]

https://www.lcfc.com/news/840284/eighteen-foxes-called-up-for-international-action

 

Eighteen Foxes Called Up For International Action
INTERNATIONALS
Published 27 mins ago
3 MinutesReading time
A total of 18 Leicester City stars are set for duty in UEFA Nations League, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying or international friendly fixtures over the upcoming fortnight.
Following a successful FIFA World Cup for Foxes representatives, three of those who impressed in Russia return to action for their nations over the coming fortnight.

England’s Harry Maguire will hope to star for the Three Lions in their international friendly against Switzerland at City's King Power Stadium on Tuesday 11 September (8pm BST kick-off).

Beforehand, Gareth Southgate’s World Cup semi-finalists commence their UEFA Nations League campaign against Spain at Wembley next Saturday (7:45pm BST kick-off).

The Club’s English representation continues at Under-21s level with James Maddison, Ben Chilwell and Demarai Gray being named among Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions squad.

On Thursday, England's youngsters host the Netherlands at Norwich City’s Carrow Road (7:45pm BST kick-off) before travelling to Latvia on Tuesday (3pm BST kick-off).

 

Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho may also appear, with Nigeria meeting Seychelles in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday (1:30pm BST kick-off).

While Ndidi has started all four of the Foxes' Premier League fixtures so far this term, Iheanacho impressed against Liverpool last time out, as he came off the bench to set up Rachid Ghezzal.

Ghana's qualification hopes are also at stake when they travel to Kenya on Saturday (2pm BST kick-off) - with Daniel Amartey a member of their squad.

Amartey has featured in all five of City's fixtures in all competitions this term, helping them to three victories in the process. 

A trip to Gambia, on the other hand, is what awaits Algerian winger Ghezzal on Saturday in the AFCON qualifiers (5:30pm BST kick-off).

 

The former AS Monaco man has scored twice in his last two outings for the Foxes, including a superb curling effort against Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup.

Andy King and Danny Ward, meanwhile, could play a role in Wales' Nations League curtain-raiser against Ireland on Thursday (7:45pm BST kick-off).

Then, three days later, Ryan Giggs' men face Denmark at the Aarhus Idrætspark.

Furthermore, new signings Çağlar Söyüncü and Filip Benković, both central defenders, are in line for action.

 

Söyüncü’s Turkey entertain Russia in the Nations League on Friday before travelling to Sweden the following Monday (both 7:45pm BST kick-offs).

Croatia’s Under-21s squad, of which Benković - on loan at Scottish champions Celtic for the 2018/19 season - is a member, face Belarus on Monday for a 5pm BST kick-off in Grodno.

Northern Ireland's Jonny Evans may make his 71st appearance in his country’s colours in a Nations League clash with Bosnia & Herzegovina next Saturday at Windsor Park (2pm BST kick-off).

That match is followed by a home friendly against Israel at Windsor Park on Tuesday (7:45pm BST kick-off).

James Maddison is one of three Foxes away with England Under-21s this international break.

Poland Under-21s, who have Bartosz Kapustka among their ranks, will host Faroe Islands in Lubin on Friday (5pm BST kick-off).

The 2016 summer recruit is currently spending the 2018/19 season on loan at Belgium Proximus League outfit OH Leuven. 

Finally, Development Squad stars Alex Pascanu (Romania U21s), George Thomas (Wales U21s), Faiq Bolkiah (Brunei) and Daniel Iversen (Denmark U21s) could also be in action. 

[Chocolate Teapot]

Perreira hasnt even made the portugal squad. Harsh. However probably highlights where hes at - ive seen some morons describe him as 'elite' which is the usual OTT description of any of our young player.

 

Hes decent yes but dont think we can worry about him being poached yet. A lot of work to improve his defensive ability.

[brucey]

Denmark's players have sort of gone on strike it seems 

 

--

 

Wales could play an amateur side in the Uefa Nations League on Sunday after Denmark released their entire squad over a dispute about commercial rights, appearances fees and bonuses.

 

Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel have been at the forefront of fighting for an improved deal and better facilities for the squad but talks broke down without an agreement last night. They have been allowed to return to Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, respectively.

 

The Denmark FA has written to players in the Superliga requesting that they step in but that idea was rejected by the Danish players’ association, who have been conducting the talks on behalf of the squad. The FA has since written to players in the second and third tier, some of whom are amateur players, to consider playing. It is unclear whether the players will break ranks.

 

“We feel a lot of support,” Eriksen said in comments published by the players’ union. “We know that all players understand that we are looking for a collective agreement for Danish football. We are fighting in our negotiations for our fundamental rights, also for future national team players — and not for more money.”

 

Denmark are desperate to avoid the friendly against Slovakia on Wednesday and the match against Wales on Sunday being called off because the association received a four-year suspended ban from Uefa in similar circumstances in November last year.

Denmark’s women refused to play a World Cup qualifying game with Sweden over pay and conditions. If either of their next two games are called off, Denmark could be excluded from the qualifying campaigns for Euro 2020 and World Cup in 2022.

 

The Danish FA has written to Slovakia and Wales to say that the games will go ahead but it is unclear which players it will be able to field.

The association had an agreement with the players that ran out recently. The players offered to play the upcoming games based on that deal signed a year ago, which was rejected by the association. The players are paid about £700 each in appearances fees and received about £100,000 for reaching the World Cup finals in Russia.

 

However the talks have broken down over the rights of players to make individual sponsorship agreements with companies competing with national team sponsors and, in addition, over facilities. The players wanted a private aircraft to take them to matches, which would exclude among others, the media, who contribute to costs. There was an incident in Russia when the team plane was delayed because it was not big enough to carry the luggage.

 

Age Hareide, the manager, as well as his assistant coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, have been sent on holiday by the Denmark FA and will not attend the two games.

[egg_fried_rice]

Rumours that Denmark will be fielding their futsal team for the next two games. Could be interesting! Just chucked a few quid on a trouncing for Slovakia - can't see this dispute being ironed out in the next 24 hours.

[Xen]

The whole Danish FA thing is bizarre.

 

Apparently, it's standard practice for a player to have an individual sponsorship (e.g. with Nike), and their club/NT might have a different deal (e.g. with Adidas). The player in which case is not allowed to do individual adverts for the club/NT sponsor, but can do publicity if its part of a group of 3+ players, which is probably why kit release photos and the like are typically in groups of 3. Most clubs/NTs are absolutely fine with this arrangement, but the Danish FA for some reason has made the decision to ban any player who has a different sponsor.

 

I read somewhere on Reddit that a few years back the Danish FA was restructured and is essentially now being run by businessmen rather than football people, which explains a lot of the cost-cutting mentioned above. Even that doesn't make sense though as its not a for-profit business...

 

 

Baffling.

[Stinkenzo]

Do all the age groups get together at St George's Park before they go away and play or has Maddison replaced Sterling in the main team? He's with Maguire in his Instagram story

[UniFox21]

The amount of withdrawals from the England squad for knocks is getting ridiculous. Lallana had a knock and was called up for the WC reserve, called up again and has pulled out again. 

[shen]

22 hours ago, Xen said:

The whole Danish FA thing is bizarre.

 

Apparently, it's standard practice for a player to have an individual sponsorship (e.g. with Nike), and their club/NT might have a different deal (e.g. with Adidas). The player in which case is not allowed to do individual adverts for the club/NT sponsor, but can do publicity if its part of a group of 3+ players, which is probably why kit release photos and the like are typically in groups of 3. Most clubs/NTs are absolutely fine with this arrangement, but the Danish FA for some reason has made the decision to ban any player who has a different sponsor.

 

I read somewhere on Reddit that a few years back the Danish FA was restructured and is essentially now being run by businessmen rather than football people, which explains a lot of the cost-cutting mentioned above. Even that doesn't make sense though as its not a for-profit business...

 

 

Baffling.

The whole thing is rather complex and new things come to light daily, while both parties are claiming opposite things. The lack of transparency makes it very difficult as a bystander to know and understand what the main choking points are.

All I can say from my perspective is that both sides have persuasive arguments, but I'm leaning on the side of the DBU (Danish FA) currently. The latest claim (from DBU) is that the Players' Union want the players to be covered by employment terms while on national team duty and they also want DBU to not lend their support to the League Union in dispute cases - but the League Union is one of two constituent members of the Danish FA, making these demands quite outlandish frankly.

Sponsorship issues must be the biggest issue though, which proves once more that football franchise is destructive for the sport and threatens the idea of unions.

[UniFox21]

20 hours ago, Walkers said:

Do all the age groups get together at St George's Park before they go away and play or has Maddison replaced Sterling in the main team? He's with Maguire in his Instagram story

All the England teams are based at St George's Park and all train there. It makes it easier for players from u21s (for example) to train with/be around the senior squad whilst still being in the u21s and building relationships with the senior players making the step up easier. 

[davieG]

Bump

 

Thursday, September 6

Ben Chilwell, Demarai Gray and James Maddison, England U21 v Netherlands U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 7.45pm, BT Sport 1

Andy King and Danny Ward, Wales v Republic of Ireland, Uefa Nations League, 7.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event

[Nickfosse]

10 hours ago, davieG said:

Bump

 

Thursday, September 6

Ben Chilwell, Demarai Gray and James Maddison, England U21 v Netherlands U21, European U21 Championship qualifying, 7.45pm, BT Sport 1

Andy King and Danny Ward, Wales v Republic of Ireland, Uefa Nations League, 7.45pm, Sky Sports Main Event

All three starting for England under 21s

Edited 6 September 2018 by Nickfosse

[AjcW]

Interesting seeing Chilwell at left centre back. Very comfortable on the ball of course so started well. 

[Babylon]

13 minutes ago, AjcW said:

Interesting seeing Chilwell at left centre back. Very comfortable on the ball of course so started well. 

A waste of his energy, looks better then Sessegnon, I'd push him forward. Our three look good.

 

[urban.spaceman]

Tom Lawrence has scored for Wales.

 

How long before there's a "Tom Lawrence - should we have kept him?" thread?

Edited 6 September 2018 by urban.spaceman

[AjcW]

4 minutes ago, Babylon said:

A waste of his energy, looks better then Sessegnon, I'd push him forward. Our three look good.

 

Indeed... although James looks desperate to keep drifting in to the ten  doesn’t want to be a winger