I Love England

TalkSPORT pundit Micky Gray has said that John Stones is a better defender when compared to Harry Maguire. The duo have formed an impressive partnership at the heart of the England defence over the past year and Maguire has been touted to secure a big-money move this summer after impressing for Leicester City in recent seasons.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, former Sunderland ace Gray said that both Stones and Maguire are vulnerable to making mistakes on the playing field, but the former is technically the better defender when compared to his compatriot, he quipped: "John Stones makes mistakes, so does harry Maguire. Is he quicker? Yes. John Stones is a better centre half than Harry Maguire. Look what John Stones has won? It doesn't matter who is playing in the team."

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has acknowledged that he has been left embarrassed after England were ousted at the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship. The Young Lions suffered back-to-back losses against France and Romania, and that ensured that they were eliminated before the final group stage game against Croatia.

Speaking to reporters, Henderson said that the team can have no excuses over the performance and they need to come stronger in future tournaments. He added that six goals conceded from the opening two games remains unacceptable and the same remains embarrassing for him on the personal scale.

England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed that it was not a tough decision to choose Ben Chilwell and Danny Rose in the squad for the Nations League finals. The duo have been consistent performers for their respective clubs in the Premier League this term and this has helped them get the nod over Manchester United’s Luke Shaw.

Speaking to reporters, Southgate said that the Three Lions are blessed to have numerous options when it comes to occupying the left side of the defence. He added that there were no doubts regarding the selection of Chilwell and Rose ahead of Shaw for the forthcoming internationals, he said: “We are blessed with so much talent in that department. Both Chilwell and Rose have been committed for England. No [when asked whether it was a difficult decision]. Ben Chilwell and Danny Rose have been excellent for us so they are ahead in the pecking order. But it gives us a lot of good options.”

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has said that he is not optimistic regarding the potential return of Harry Kane before the end of the campaign. The England international is currently sidelined with an ankle problem, but there have been suggestions that he could be available for the Champions League final, should Spurs get there.

When asked about the same, Pochettino said that he can offer no assurances regarding the fitness of Kane and the chances are very slim that he will return before the season concludes, he said: “Still we can’t say. We are going to assess him day by day. We are not optimistic but you know Harry Kane – with Harry Kane, all is possible.”

BBC reporter David Ornstein believes Chelsea could seek to end the tradition of sacking managers on a regular basis in the Roman Abramovich era. The west London giants have preferred to chop and change managers whenever they have struggled to compete with the title challengers but Ornstein suggests that the policy may change in the summer with a transfer ban bestowed upon them.

Speaking on Premier League Today, Ornstein said that the Blues have experienced an extraordinary campaign where they have witnessed both highs and lows. He added that the club have regularly switched managers to secure success, although that formula may not work out during the summer, should their transfer ban remain upheld.

Sky Sports pundit Robbie Savage believes Raheem Sterling deserves to win the PFA Player of the Year award following his outstanding run of form for Manchester City. The England international has been one of the most consistent attackers in the Premier League over the past 21 months and in the current season alone, he has amassed 15 goals and nine assists while plying his trade from a wider position.

In a report covered by Sky Sports, Savage highlighted the effectiveness of the former Liverpool man, who has built his reputation under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, he said: "He has become one of the most effective players in world football. In all competitions for City this season, he has scored 19 goals and supplied 16 assists – an extraordinary individual contribution in a team so breath-taking to watch all over the park."

England manager Gareth Southgate has heaped praise on Raheem Sterling, who was the star performer during the country’s 5-0 rout of the Czech Republic in the opening game of their Euro 2020 qualification. The attacker has looked lively for club and country over the course of the campaign and he continued his good run of form with a stunning hat-trick at the Wembley Stadium.

Speaking after the game, Southgate hailed the performance of the Manchester City star, who has begun realising his potential with the national team after a few years of struggle, he said: "I thought Raheem was electric all night. He has looked like that all week in training. I'm pleased for him, it is a special night for him. I think Raheem has really matured as a person and a footballer. He's hungry for goals and hitting things instinctively without thinking too much."

Speaking to Goal.com, Moura praised the qualities of the England captain and hailed him as the complete forward, he said: "Look, I would say he is in the top three [strikers in the world]. He has so much quality, it's impressive because of his age, he’s still young. He scores a lot, has technique, a lot of power, a good sense of positioning... He’s a complete forward and a great striker."

In the same interview, Moura acknowledged that the supporters are disappointed with the lack of spending in the transfer market but won’t change their focus of competing for potential silverware, he added: "The fans always want the club to buy new players. Sometimes, when we don’t win, they think it’s because of a lack of spending. Tottenham has a philosophy that's a bit different to other clubs, and that doesn’t stop us from fighting for titles."

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has said that Harry Kane has made a quicker recovery than expected from an ankle injury but he is unlikely to rush him back to first-team action. The England international sustained the problem during the 1-0 league defeat at the hands of United last month and it had thereafter been predicted that he could return to action in mid-March.

However, the Spurs graduate has made a swift recovery from his recent injury setback and he appears primed to make his bow before the end of the ongoing month. Speaking to reporters, Pochettino admitted that Kane is going fantastically well in terms of the recovery process and he is determined to play as soon as possible.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Marcus Rashford has the potential required to reach the heights of England captain Harry Kane. The 21-year-old had been in-and-out of the starting lineup under ex-boss Jose Mourinho but his position has changed under Ole, who has offered him the chance to regularly lead the line.

Speaking to reporters, Ole talked up the qualities of the United graduate and stressed that the youngster has the attributes required to become a ‘top, top’ striker, he told MUTV: “He can become a top, top striker. We can talk about Harry Kane and his class, I’m sure Marcus has got the potential to get up there.