England head into the Under-17 World Cup with Phil Foden’s words for inspiration.
The Young Lions are aiming to become just the third England side to win a World Cup.
They touched down in Indonesia last week and face New Caledonia at the Jakarta International Stadium on Saturday.
Six years ago, Manchester City’s Foden was part of the squad which included Conor Gallagher, Jadon Sancho and Morgan Gibbs-White to lift the World Cup in India. He scored twice in a 5-2 final win over Spain and won player of the tournament.
Now he is part of a montage which includes the Under-17 victory and this summer’s Under-21 Euro 2023 triumph, which the current crop have been shown across their qualification campaign.
“We heard from players like Phil, his recollections of that tournament in 2017, and how he felt it helped and developed him on his journey,” boss Ryan Garry tells the PA news agency from England’s base in Jakarta.
“It’s a huge achievement winning the World Cup at any level. The fantastic work done by the players and staff is a real reference point, not just for this age group but for a lot of people at St. George’s Park.
“You’re never going to be too far away from hearing or speaking about success. That age group have then gone on to repeat their success in the Euros this summer.
“It’s something our group aspires to do. The message was about being together.”
England also face Iran on Tuesday and defending champions Brazil next Friday in Group C.
The squad includes Ethan Nwaneri, who became Arsenal’s and the Premier League’s youngest ever player when he made his debut aged 15 and 181 days in 2022, Chelsea’s Ted Curd, on loan at Hashtag United, and Chris Rigg who scored on his Sunderland debut in September.
For Garry, it is the latest step in his own coaching career after he was forced to retire at 27 due to a nerve issue in his leg, related to several injuries including a broken leg and shin splints.
The former defender is an Invincible, even if he will not class himself as one, after making his only Arsenal start in the 6-1 win at Southampton which kicked off the Gunners’ 49-game unbeaten run in 2003.
After retirement, following four years and 86 games at Bournemouth, he coached at Poole College and Wimborne Town while working with the Cherries first-team under Eddie Howe before returning to Arsenal’s academy in 2013.
“I wouldn’t say there was a hole to fill. For any person who has to retire at a young age there’s a period of adjustment and I was very lucky I was coaching before I had to retire,” he says, having worked with an 11-year-old Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe when he was in his early teens.
“My passion has continued, but just down a different route. You have aspirations as a player and then when you’re a coach, you see it slightly differently.”
Barcelona 4-2 Valencia: Lewandowski hat-trick leads Barca to 4-2 win over 10-man Valencia
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski scored a second-half hat-trick to help his side fight back to claim a hard-fought 4-2 win over Valencia, who were leading 2-1 when they were reduced to 10 men just before the break.
Fermin Lopez's header from a Raphinha cross put Barca in front after 22 minutes, but Valencia's Hugo Duro struck in the 27th and Pepelu scored from the spot after a foul by Ronald Araujo 11 minutes later to give the visitors the lead.
But after Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saw red for a handball outside the box before the break, Xavi's side dominated and Lewandowski scored with two headers from corners in the 49th and 82nd minutes before getting his treble with a free-kick in added time.
The win postponed Real Madrid's almost inevitable LaLiga title celebrations for a couple of weeks as Carlo Ancelotti's side sit atop the standings on 84 points.
Barcelona moved back to second in LaLiga on Monday with 73 points as they leapfrogged surprise package Girona, who are third with 71. Those two teams will meet in a Catalonia derby on Saturday.
Data debrief
Barcelona conceded two goals in the first half of a home game for the second time this season, after also doing so against Girona in LaLiga in December 2023.
However, Lewandowski's goals have been invaluable to La Blaugrana this season as he's earned 17 points with his 16 goals in the league.
Kimmich ready to open Bayern Munich talks amid Barcelona speculation
Joshua Kimmich is ready to open talks with Bayern Munich over his future at the club amid speculation linking him with Barcelona.
The Germany international has spent nine years at the Allianz Arena, but he is due to become a free agent at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
Barca have been repeatedly linked with Kimmich in recent transfer windows and are said to retain an interest ahead of next season.
Speaking to Spanish outlet AS, the midfielder talked up Barca - as well as fierce rivals Real Madrid - but fell short of saying he is open to a move.
"I want to talk to Bayern. When I do that, I won't go out and talk to the press about it," he said.
"I'm not thinking about this. I will speak to Bayern first. But of course, Barcelona and Real Madrid are amazing clubs with an amazing history."
Kimmich has played 37 times in all competitions this season for Bayern, whose last remaining hope of silverware is in the Champions League.
Bayern will face Real Madrid over two legs for a place in the final, with the first match in that double-header taking place in Bavaria on Tuesday.
Thomas Tuchel will depart the dethroned Bundesliga champions at the end of the season, with Ralf Rangnick the favourite to succeed him.
The managerial uncertainty is not helping with regards to the Kimmich rumours, but he insists that will not be a deciding factor on his future.
"It's not the most important thing right now," he said. "I know that when you sign a contract you don't sign it with the coach.
"You sign it with the club. For me, the most important thing is the club, not just the coach.
"But it's also important to know what the coach thinks about you and the team. Other people in the club can worry about choosing the coach."
Desailly calls on LaLiga to do more to protect Vinicius Junior
Marcel Desailly has called on LaLiga to do more to protect Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior and other players who have been targeted by racist abuse.
Vinicius broke down at a press conference earlier this month as he opened up about the abuse he has received from the stands while representing Madrid.
The Brazil international is not alone in that regard, with team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni another example, and World Cup winner Desailly wants more to be done.
"Vinicius has spoken out, but it's not about him - it's about LaLiga and the people who can take action," he told Stats Perform.
"We have the power to change things, but we are not doing enough. Samuel Eto'o had the same issue before.
"Vinicius is one of those who is suffering because the administrative people in charge are not willing to hit harder than they are."
Vinicius has been a key player for LaLiga champions-elect Madrid once again this season with 13 goals and five assists in 23 outings.
Desailly regards Vinicius, who scored the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final, as one of the finest players of his generation.
"He's a very ambitious player," Desailly said. "I think he's improved a lot because he is now clinical in assisting and finishing.
"When you look at someone like Ousmane Dembele, his stats are not as good.
"Then you look at Jadon Sancho, Bukayo Saka, another who has improved - there is potential for each of those to get close to Vinicius."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
