All Things Footie | Sunday, May 20 | Jordan
Todays News
I might as well start with the biggest news of the day - the England squad to face Mexico on Friday (friendly) and Greece on June 6th (WC Qual) is as follows....
Goalkeepers
- David Seaman (Arsenal)
- Nigel Martyn (Leeds)
- David James (Aston Villa)
Defence
- Ashley Cole (Arsenal)
- Martin Keown (Arsenal)
- Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa)
- Wes Brown (Man Utd)
- Chris Powell (Charlton)
- Rio Ferdinand (Leeds)
- Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
- Phil Neville (Man Utd)
Midfield
- Ray Parlour (Arsenal)
- Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
- David Beckham (Man Utd)
- Nicky Butt (Man Utd)
- Paul Scholes (Man Utd)
- Steve McManaman (Real Madrid)
- Michael Carrick (West Ham)
- Joe Cole (West Ham)
Strikers
- Alan Smith (Leeds)
- Robbie Fowler (Liverpool)
- Michael Owen (Liverpool)
- Emile Heskey (Liverpool)
- Teddy Sheringham (Man Utd)
Not really any surprises there, a call up for Alan 'Psycho' Smith and recalls for Martin Keown and Gareth Southgate the only real talking points. No place for Gavin McCann or Kevin Phillips and Ugo Ehiogu's excellent performances in recent weeks have not been enough to get him in the squad.
(Seemingly) Random Transfer Talk
Arsene Wenger has denied recent rumours of a 'done deal' involving Roma's Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, when asked about the move he responded "I'm not especially interested in him, no."
Still with Arsenal Sylvain Wiltord has apparently gone walkies to Paris, suggesting he's played his last game for the gunners. Just about every striker in Europe is being linked with a move to replace the Ian Wright lookalike with strong whisperings regarding PSV's Mateja Kezman and Juve's unhappy forward David Trezeguet.
Alaves' Romainian right back Cosmin Contra is being linked with a score of clubs from Liverpool to Real Madrid - a move to the Bernebeu looks most likely though with Real's general manager Jorge Valdano sorting out the move the night before the UEFA cup final.
Finally, Chelsea are apparently in for Giovanni Van Bronkhurst offering a big �9m after upping their original �6m offer and Man Utd have offered Bayern Munich a substantial sum for French left back Bixente Lizerazu (if I've spelt that right it's a miracle).