Morning.
We’re right in that spot now where it’s quietened down after the Interlull, but things haven’t picked up yet ahead of Sunday’s big game. Mikel Arteta’s press conference takes place tomorrow, and I think more than ever the club will try and keep a lid on any injury/availability issues before this one.
The stories right now about Man City players suggest doubts over Akanji, Stones, Walker, a couple of others, but they’ll get back to the training ground and get a served a giant helping of ‘Uncle Pep’s revitalising tonic, with his special blend of 115 ‘erbs and vegetables – sure to put the Pep back in your step!’, and they’ll be right as rain for Sunday. Just you watch.
One man who should feeling nice and recharged, is Ben White who had the Interlull off, but remains the focus of news stories about his England situation. Gareth Southgate says:
It’s really for Ben now,. As I’ve said, the door is open for us. That’s clearly difficult ahead of the Euros, when he’s missed all of the qualifying campaign and you’ve got players that have played all the way through.
But we have no idea of knowing who’s going to be available in that area of the pitch. We’ve lost four to injury this camp. So, as I said, for me, it’s open. I have absolutely no issue.
Again, the framing of it is just a bit weird. Everyone knows the issue is not Southgate himself, and even the way he talks about how Ben White hasn’t been part of the qualifiers suggests he’d be there to make up the numbers. So why would he row back on his decision and go spend a summer sitting on the bench while Southgate picks his favourites?
If he was the kind of manager who showed he was open to giving players a chance, you could perhaps understand if White was tempted, but look at the two friendlies in the last week. Why play Jordan Pickford in two games rather than give your number 2 keeper a chance? Regardless of what’s going on at club level with Aaron Ramsdale, a…
Source link : https://arseblog.com/2024/03/more-southgate-nonsense-jorginhos-future/
Author : arseblog
Publish date : 2024-03-28 07:59:47
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