Month: April 2018

A visit to talkSPORT’s Copacabana studios from German football expert Rafi Honigstein set the tone for the day. He’s supremely knowledgeable of course, and he’s good company – I loved working with him all those years ago on talkSPORT’s cult classic “Football First In Europe” Monday night show.But he’s the very definition of a smug German football fan. It made even harder to bear later that day.The regulars on that Monday show were – who I was with when Italy won the World Cup in 2006; , who I was with when Spain won the World Cup in 2010; and . Please don’t let this happen again! Or does that mean it’s England’s turn? After all I was the host of that shoez has been named new coach of Brescia.He replaces Eugenio Corini, who was fired after a run of just two points from the last six games.Corini had already been dismissed on November 3, but he was recalled on December 2 because replacement Fabio Grossw. I’m being ridiculous now.Thomas Muller’s hat-trick led to people tweeting me about , and that technically he’s lacking the excellence of, say, Mesut Ozil. Of course, my in depth analysis of Muller’s talents was translated by football bozos as me saying he’s rubbish. Some of those people even suggested the Portugal game proved Muller is better than Ronaldo. I kid you not. Did they even see the hat-trick? A penalty and two tap-ins that the ‘keeper messed up?I love a good football chatart of the season.Bruce says his first aim is to survive through the October and November international breaks, when clubs often wield the axe if their side under-performs. Newcastle host Bournemouth today looking for back-to-back wins to lift them t, but most of the time Twitter isn’t the place for intelligent football debate. is.There are a lot of football bloggers and tweeters who are thoughtful and insightful. There are others who can’t be bothered to work hard at a career in sports journalism, so decide the best way to get ahead is to try and bring down those who have.Reassuringly, the majority of emails and messages I get ask for advice on how to get into sports media. I am only too happy to take the time to reply to those. “Work hard to make opportunities happen,” is my fundamental piece of advice. Or sit in your bedroom on social media all day and abuse people whose job you’d love to have until your mum calls you down for tea. See how that goes, yeah?Football is tribal I guess, and in this game you’re bound to get abuse. But when those who have aspirations to get into sports journalism get abusive, it makes me wonder how they think that’s a good idea!Then there are the hilarious ones, like the guy who tweeted me complaining that this diary is too self-indulgent.Today was another day I didn’t leave the studio. Mondays are busy – there’s a show to prepare and present, a diary to write and another weekly column to write. And today there was a problem to sort out: at the weekend my email account completely locked down, which work-wise has been a nightmare. So I spent most of the morning tackling that. A long, expensive phone call to the USA finally resolved the problem. Technomare.In the middle of all that I found time to Skype my woman. And the rumours are true – she is an Arsenal fan. And she is an AKB. I’ve learned to deal with this situation. So has she.Back to the World Cup: even before Shola Ameobi came on. He played well actually, and nearly scored with a header. That would have given him a better World Cup scoring record than Wayne Rooney. If that doesn’t spark Rooney into action on Thursday, I don’t know what will.And then the . Another German victory – Jurgen KIinsmann in charge of the Americans, of course.I’m still typing at 4.36am UK time, we’re four hours behind here in Rio de Janeiro and everyone else has gone to bed. Just seen highlights of Messi’s goal at the Maracana and still smile about having been there for that moment.England, Thursday. Nerves have already kicked in.BREAKING NEWS – just came out of his bedroom to have a go at me because he heard my phone ringing. I suspect he’s sleepwalking because my phone is on silent as always. He didn’t hang around for an explanation, he just went back to bed. Love that guy!! Stuart Pearce (it still feels like he’s going to hit me) came up with a great point after watching Germany and, by the time you read this, he may have mentioned it on this morning. Pearce’s under 21s lost in the final of the Euros in 2009 to Germany. Six of that German side that night in Malmo were in the starting line up against Portugal at this World Cup. That’s how seriously the Germans take the under 21s – the progression is clear.None of the England under 21 side from five years ago started against Italy in Manaus. The only one in the squad here in Brazil is James Milner. That’s embarrassing for the Football Association.In fairness, Theo Walcott was in the under 21s line up back then, but is injured for this World Cup, and Joe Hart is our number one, but he was suspended for that 2009 final.So two of our under 21s from five years ago are regulars in the starting line up for the seniors now, compared to six for the Germans.Read into that what you will.

Schalke to a return to London at West Ham.After his six-month loan with Chelsea, Higuain has kicked off preseason with Juve where he is working under new coach Maurizio Sarri.Tuttosport says Higuain is happy with West Ham's interest, but they need to get se star Julian Draxler admits he wants to play abroad – but has ruled out a move away from the Bundesliga side this summer.Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all keen on the 19-year-old, who only signed a contract extension until 2018 at the end of last season.But, while the youngster has committed himself to another season in Gelsenkirchen, he claims the situation could change in a year's time."I've still got to work a lot on myself and improve," he told the club website. "I'm staying here because I see the chance of playing frequently. I'm going to try to do that as much as possible and then we can reconsider in the new year."A move to Spain or England could then be on the agenda again after the player confirmed the offers he had received this summer came from those two countries."I don't want to nas potential at Old Trafford.Berbatov, who played for United from 2008-2012, played with Martial at Monaco in the 2014-15 season when the Frenchman first made his mark in Ligue 1.Berbatov told the Express, "I am slightly bias, but I think Martial can me any clubs, but the countries are correct," he said. "And I don't think any country but these two would make sense for me anyhow."Draxler last season became the youngest Schalke player to reach 50 top-flight appearances and had no hesitation in deciding to stay on."To be honest, there was not too much to consider," he said. "It was never my primary consideration how much money I could earn."I may have turned down a great deal of money, but it's not as if I am only living off bread and water at Schalke."It would have been an attractive challenge and you never know if such a chance will come around again, but I am certain I've made the right choice."On the one hand, it was from the heart and a gut feeling – I have everything I need at Schalke."This is my club and it always has been. I went through everything in my mind and am very pleased with my decision."