BREAKING NEWS …
Not much of a shock, but Wolves have just appointed Middlesbrough’s Rob Edwards as their new head coach.
A MESSI BUSINESS
Despite captaining an Argentina side that looked more like a Black Sabbath tribute band than an international football team capable of roaring to 1978 World Cup glory, Daniel Passarella – as La Albiceleste‘s manager in the late-1990s – banned his players from having long hair in the buildup to the 1998 World Cup (also banned: homosexuality and earrings). Despite his excellent form for Fiorentina, Gabriel Batistuta was remarkably left out for much of Argentina’s qualifying campaign, only rejoining his teammates when he agreed to a mild trim. Fernando Redondo, fresh from anchoring Real Madrid’s midfield in their victorious Big Cup triumph, and Claudio Caniggia refused to cut their lovely locks and were subsequently omitted from Passarella’s squad at France 98. “He had particular ideas about discipline and wanted me to have my hair cut,” Redondo later explained. “I didn’t see what that had to do with playing football so I said no.”
It’s heartening to know that, despite the Messification of Argentina and the whole Human Rights World Cup success thing, La Albiceleste’s team selection in the run-in to next year’s Geopolitics World Cup seems just as chaotic as 27 years ago. The sole fixture currently scheduled before the defence of Argentina’s title is this Friday’s friendly against Angola, in Angola. The hosts are much improved, soaring into the top 100 Fifa rankings, but still seem an odd choice for Lionel Scaloni to test and hone his squad, particularly as Angola has a problem with yellow fever, a viral infection spread by mosquitoes that typically causes flu-like symptoms but can, in severe cases, lead to jaundice, bleeding and organ failure. And owing to them not having the required vaccine, three leading players – Julián Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone and Nahuel Molina – have pulled out. “The three Atlético Madrid footballers are left out because they have not arrived in time with the health procedures related to the yellow fever vaccine that they must have to enter Angola,” bristled a statement.
Enzo Fernández, another vital cog for Scaloni, has also withdrawn after citing knack but there are at least some fresh faces to replace the absentees. Centre-back Kevin Mac Allister has been enjoying a pre-Christmas run of form (shock) and joins his brother Alexis in the squad for the first time after protecting Union Saint-Gilloise’s goal with all the tenacity of a young abandoned child defending the family house against two hapless criminals. Emi Buendía has been rewarded for recently morphing into a young Pablo Aimar for Aston Villa and looks set to add to his solitary cap from over three years ago. But arguably the most surprising addition is Lisandro Martínez, who hasn’t played a minute of first-team football for Manchester United since February owing to knee-gah but joined Argentina’s squad in Spain this week for training before the team fly out on Thursday.
Another concern is whether Lionel Messi will even be at the GWC. Speaking in Barcelona before heading to Africa, the national team’s little totem blabbed: “It’s a special World Cup. It’s special to play with the national team, and to be in other important, official competitions, especially considering what a World Cup means … but I don’t want to be a burden, so to speak. I want to feel good physically, to be sure that I can help and contribute to the group, to the squad.” Oh dear. If the friendly get-together sounds like a logistical nightmare attended by a set of questionable characters all hoping to just get through 90 minutes (and the subsequent day) without getting seriously ill, just wait until you hear about the plans for Football Daily’s Christmas party, attendance to which is banned unless you are dressed like a festive Sabbath tribute band.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Taha Hashim from 5.45pm GMT for minute-by-minute coverage of Bayern Munich 1-1 Arsenal in Women’s Bigger Cup, while Michael Butler will be on deck for Mary Earps’ return in Manchester United 1-2 PSG at 8pm.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“There are still some preconceptions because football has long been a man’s world, but I think things are changing. Women can bring a different point of view, an added value even in this field … I want to prove that women can lead in football just as they do in any other field” – as the first female president in Ternana’s 100-year history, the 23-year-old Claudia Rizzo has ambitions to change the game. She gets her chat on with Emanuele Giulianelli.
Re: Wythenshawe FC’s current league dominance and talent mismatches (yesterday’s Football Daily, full email edition). For a time, our conspicuously mixed-ability Wednesday lunchtime five-a-side matches were graced by a couple of lads we had encountered chatting in their training kit in the pitchside car park. Being sociable types, we asked if they wanted to join us. While one was quite handy, his mate was quite a lot handier: it transpired he was a pro on Reading’s books. That he had by far the best motor in the car park might have given us a clue. Initially we simply marvelled at his pace and skill, but after a few Wednesdays it became clear he just couldn’t change down a gear to accommodate us, and it soon became a joyless experience for most. But it’s difficult to tell someone to leave because they’re too good. Fortunately the next EFL transfer window sent him off to warm a bench somewhere in the Midlands” – Steve Allen.
The advent of the international break means football snow (Monday’s Football Daily, full email edition) can lead the way. I watched Caversham (Dunedin-based) play Mt Wellington (Auckland league leaders) in the 1970s at the Caledonian ground, Dunedin. Caversham was full of retired imports from the Scottish First Division and Mt Wellington full of Kiwis. The snow was nearly at blizzard stage when the game commenced and Caversham came out in short-sleeved shirts and the ubiquitous short shorts of the era. Final score: Scots 5-0 Kiwis. This was international football at its best” – Alex Cameron.
Your suggestions of who goes where on the managerial merry-go-round (yesterday’s Football Daily) mentioned Bryan Robson, but missed the most obvious destination. Namely Raith Rovers, where he could replace the sacked Barry Robson without even needing a new nameplate on the office door” – Glyn Berrington.
Can I, along with 1,056 others, please point out that to travel from Portsmouth to Southampton would involve going across the country on the M27, not down (yesterday’s Football Daily). If you must use either up or down then it would surely be up, because Southampton is higher than Portsmouth when I twist Google Maps on my phone so the little arrow points northwards. A more scientific approach using Google proper reveals Portsmouth to be 50.8198 degrees latitude and Southampton 50.9105, which sounds higher but I don’t know how that works so I’m not relying on it” – John Newcombe (and no others).
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day winner is … Glyn Berrington. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here.
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FUN AND GAMES ON MERSEYSIDE DEPT
To Prenton Park then, where torrential rain on Tuesday night had busy ground staff fighting a losing battle to make the pitch playable for the Sherpa Vans Trophy tie against Blackpool. With the playing surface still resembling the banks of the river Mersey at 7.15pm, an announcement declared that the game was off. “Boooooo!” went the cry from those who had braved the downpour to take their seats. Blackpool’s players then came out to thank their travelling supporters, who’d made the trip down from Lancashire. But then, as fans made their way to the exits and the rain eased, it was decided that a further pitch inspection was to be made at 7.30pm and a Tannoy announcement subsequently declared it was game on! Cue whoops and cheers from the paying public …. who hadn’t already done one. Tranmere went on to win the game 2-1 and it was a first for one fan, who posted on their social media disgraces: “Been going the game for 17 years. But the ref calling the game off, going back in the pub for a pint with my mates before heading home, but then seeing the game is in fact on and going back into the ground is officially a new one.”
RECOMMENDED PLAYING
The Guardian has kicked off a new chapter in puzzles with the launch of its first daily football game, On the ball. It is now live in the app for both iOS and Android … so what are you waiting for? Get stuck in!
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar has been hospitalised after the Brazilian suffered cardiac complications during pre-season tests, his club São Paulo have said. They added: “In accordance with standard procedure and respecting the player’s privacy, new information will be released as soon as there is an update from the medical team, in agreement with Oscar.”
Two fans who wore hi-vis jackets and posed as stewards in an attempt to watch last September’s derby between Southampton and Portsmouth have been banned from matches for three years. The brothers Kane and Dale Green also carried radio equipment as part of their disguise to get into St Mary’s. “This was a ridiculous plot to try and see the game,” tooted assistant chief constable Tony Rowlinson. “What they didn’t bank on was the professionalism and vigilance of the club’s security team and our officers, who quickly spotted they weren’t wearing any accreditation and worked together to eject them.”
Barcelona are already sniffing around Bayern’s Harry Kane as their planned replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Chelsea’s Women’s Bigger Cup campaign is very much chugging along after a 6-0 whooping of St Pölten in Austria, which featured Sam Kerr grabbing a double on her first club start in 692 days.
It’s days later but hey, the discourse! Howard Webb reckons officials didn’t act unreasonably in denying Liverpool an equaliser against Manchester City, but stopped short of calling the controversial decision correct.
And in more heartwarming capitalism news, GWC ticket holders can expect to spend big just to get to next year’s tournament, with prices on Fifa’s official website reaching as much as $175 per parking pass.
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STILL WANT MORE?
Which is the lowliest team to score against England? The Knowledge knows this, along with other ranking disparities.
Son Heung-min may have moved on after a decade at Spurs, but the South Korean fans he drew to the club are staying put. Frances Mao has more.
Katie Reid is the third Arsenal player sidelined with long-term knee-knack this season amid fears over scheduling, reports Suzanne Wrack.
He may no longer be the “Guernsey Grealish” but, as David Hytner explains, a deeper role at Bournemouth has earned Alex Scott a first England call.
And Ed Aarons has you covered about the when, the how and who needs what in European qualifying for the GWC.
MEMORY LANE
Peru have never before played Russia in international men’s football, but travel to St Petersburg on Wednesday for a friendly, with the hosts still banned from international competition by Fifa and Uefa. Peru, however, have played in Russia before, at the 2018 Ethics World Cup, in which they failed to get out of a group containing France, Denmark and Australia despite beating the latter 2-0 in Sochi. Peru’s first World Cup finals win in 40 years was sparked by an outrageous opener from former Watford winger André Carrillo, a brilliant volley into the far corner in the 18th minute. Paolo Guerrero scored a second to seal the victory in the second half, sparking wild scenes among the South Americans in the stands that had made the long trip to Russia. Football Daily suspects there will not be so many away fans in attendance on Wednesday.
