England World Cup Blog 2010

Maradona to get naked

England World Cup Blog

Written by Kris Mole Thursday, 27 May 2010 10:26

Dirty Argentinian drugs cheat Diego Maradona has made a quite disgusting promise should Argentina go all the way next month and lift the World Cup.

He'll run completely naked through the streets of Buenos Aires.

Now, I've already seen Maradona's tiny bit of manhood (back in 1998 on Skinner and Baddiel's Fantasy World Cup show, I think), and it's certainly not something I wish to see again, unless I'm in need of a good chuckle. But that hasn't stopped the fat man making the promise.

"If we win the World Cup, I'll get naked and run around the Obelisk in the centre of the city," said Maradona. And when explaining to star player Messi why he'd left him out of the friendly win over Canada earlier in the week, Maradona said, "If something would've happened to you in that match, I'd have been kicked. You can imagine where."

Argentina have an easy group of Nigeria, Greece and South Korea, but after that hopefully things will become a lot more difficult and we won't have to see Maradona's promise fulfilled.

 

Interview with Slovene manager

England World Cup Blog

Written by Kris Mole Thursday, 27 May 2010 10:08

Slovenia manager Matjaž Kek has given an interesting interview to Fifa.com in which he talks about qualification to the World Cup, team spirit, hopes and expectations for the finals, and being grouped with England, amongst other topics. 

Enjoy......

Mr Kek, your team’s qualification was one of the great triumphs of the South Africa 2010 preliminaries. What was the secret to your success?
Matjaz Kek: It was down to the amazing self-confidence, bravery and decisiveness of our team. We qualified, not because we had luck or anything like that, but simply because of our performances on the field.

Read more: Interview with Slovene manager

Rooney: "That story's a load of rubbish."

England World Cup Blog

Written by Kris Mole Wednesday, 26 May 2010 11:19

 England's hope this summer Wayne Rooney has dismissed rumours he's struggling with injuries ahead of next month's big kick-off. 

The 24-year old suffered with ankle and groin problems throughout last season and then got a stiff neck in the Monday night win over Mexico, but he quashed rumours he was struggling, saying,  "Fitness-wise I feel good. I have been in every training session with England since we got together."

Read more: Rooney: "That story's a load of rubbish."

Oops, that's embarrassing

England World Cup Blog

Written by Kris Mole Wednesday, 26 May 2010 09:22

 My confidence that Slovenia will be the Group C team joining England in the second round ahead of either Algeria or America was boosted last night as the Yanks were soundly humiliated on home soil be an ageing Czech Republic side that failed to qualify for this summer's finals. 

A number of defensive errors were what proved the major difference last night, and after the game USA coach Bob Bradley admitted his side hadn't played well at all. 

Read more: Oops, that's embarrassing

If not England, which national team would you pick?

England World Cup Blog

Written by Kris Mole Tuesday, 25 May 2010 16:30

 England manager Fabio Capello has told reporters that he would much rather be in his position as boss of the Three Lions than of his native Italy, and would stand proudly to represent his adopted country even if they were up against the Azzuri in the World Cup final. 

"I hope to play against Italy in the final or semi-final, but at that moment my shirt would be an England shirt. I would not swap my position with Marcello Lippi. I prefer to be England manager," said the Italian. 

Read more: If not England, which national team would you pick?

Ferdinand wants King in South Africa

England World Cup Blog

Written by Kris Mole Tuesday, 25 May 2010 16:15

 After last night's highly impressive return to international action for Deadly Ledley, the Tottenham man is sure he can play an important part in the upcoming World Cup. 

The machine King hadn't played for England for three years thanks to his knee problem that means he can't train or play more than twice in a week, but last night's return to the scene was impressive and you could be forgiven for thinking he was a regular international if you hadn't seen any of the games over the past few years.

Read more: Ferdinand wants King in South Africa

Winners and Losers from the England vs Mexico score

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Monday, 24 May 2010 23:07

While England ran out comfortable 3-1 winners over an impressive Mexican side in their last game at home before they travel to South Africa. While a win is always good, perhaps more importantly for Fabio Capello was the performance of several squad hopefuls. But who might have done enough to book their ticket to the World Cup?

Well it was Ledley King that opened the scoring at Wembley, after he headed in Peter Crouch's knock down, and the Tottenham man will probably be the man most happy with his performance. While he started off a little shaky, King improved as the game went on, and produced a commanding display. The fact that he got 90 minutes under his belt will also be a huge bonus for Capello.

There were also a decent performance from Leighton Baines and yet another solid, if unspectacular display from James Milner. Theo Walcott also showed that he can be a threat down the right, and Adam Johnson showed class during his brief run out.

Elsewhere Robert Green and Joe Hart both produced solid displays in goal, most notably Green who had to be on hand twice in the first half to produce two super saves. Glen Johnson once again showed that he is an excellent attacking full back scoring a brilliant goal, and Steven Gerrard and Wayne produced some encouraging interchanges in the second half.

However if there was man who might feel he could of done more it will be Michael Carrick. Carrick produced yet another disappointing performance in the heart of the England midfield, and will need to produce something special to be included in the final 23 now, after been replaced by Tom Huddlestone midway through the second half.

Huddlestone himself didn't do much during his outing and may have left himself with to much to do to earn a place in the final 23. While the exclusion of Darren Bent, Scott Parker, Stephen Warnock and Shaun Wright Phillips from tonight's game might suggest they won't make it to South Africa, although you would expect them to feature against Japan on Sunday.

So all in all a fairly satisfactory night for Capello. England were far from at their best, but they got the job done, and if they can win without playing well in South Africa, we will all be happy.

Gerrard likes Johnson

England World Cup Blog

Written by Kris Mole Monday, 24 May 2010 13:32

Steven Gerrard strongly believes that Fabio Capello should include Man City's Adam Johnson in his final 23-man squad for South Africa.

The England boys have been undergoing altitude training in Austria over the past few days, and Gerrard feels that Johnson has impressed enough to warrant a place on the plane.

Read more: Gerrard likes Johnson

Bent hopes to impress

England World Cup Blog

Written by Kris Mole Monday, 24 May 2010 10:54

Darren Bent hopes to use the two upcoming England friendlies against Mexico tonight and Japan to prove to Capello that he's the right man to partner Wayne Rooney up front in South Africa, telling reporters, "It would top off a fantastic season for me, to go to the World Cup and play in probably the best sporting event in the world."

Read more: Bent hopes to impress

We need you for England!

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Sunday, 23 May 2010 12:54

Every tournament I find my self sat in front of the box saying, if only he was English, what a difference he would make to us. But If you could bring any player into the England side, who would it be?

There are obvious contenders of course, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would probably be a choice from most. You have to say that side with Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi would be a bit tasty.

Then you could go for somebody like Fernando Torres. What a strike partner he would be for Rooney. Torres would go long and take the defenders away, and give Rooney the space to be at his destructive best.

Read more: We need you for England!

Pedro Rodriguez - Players to star in South Africa

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Sunday, 23 May 2010 10:55

Any player that can keep Thierry Henry out of a side must have some quality, and that is exactly what Pedro has done this season. Scoring 23 goals for Barcelona in all competitions, Pedro has burst on to the scene in Spain, and despite having no international experience, has been called up in to the Spanish World Cup squad.

Playing alongside Lionel Messi, Pedro is very much in the Messi mould. He is only 5ft 6, but is quick and skilful with an eye for a goal, and his performances at club level have earned him a place in the Spanish squad, which with the quality that Spain have is already a great achievement for the 22 year old.

Read more: Pedro Rodriguez - Players to star in South Africa

When and at what times do England kick off in the World Cup

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Friday, 21 May 2010 20:55

Here is a complete list of the times and dates of when and at what time England play during the World Cup.

Read more: When and at what times do England kick off in the World Cup

What would be a good World Cup for England?

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Friday, 21 May 2010 18:19

 With just three weeks to go before the attention of the world turns to South Africa, and the greatest football show on the planet, excitement amongst England fans is beginning to pick up. But just how far can England go this summer, and more importantly can we really win the World Cup?

Read more: What would be a good World Cup for England?

The man in demand

England World Cup Blog

Written by James Beckett Thursday, 20 May 2010 12:58

 Manchester City have once again flexed their mighty financial muscles with a £20 million bid for England midfielder James Milner. The Aston Villa man has been in superb form for club and country this season, and could just be a star man for England this summer.

Read more: The man in demand

Three Lions 2010 - It's freaking awful

England World Cup Blog

Written by Dave Allan Thursday, 20 May 2010 11:26

Are you excited about the 2010 version of the classic Three Lions with Robbie Williams and the unfunny fella? Well, calm down. The result of the remix of the classic 1996 version of Three Lions is more an embarrassment than an abomination.

Read more: Three Lions 2010 - It's freaking awful