I watched the first half which according to reports was the better of the two. Quite impressed with Leshabela who was the creative midfielder. Had a couple of good digs at goal and didn't look out of place. Perez looked sharp while Vardy not quite there. Soyuncu got pushed off the ball rather easily at one point and a better team would have punished us.
Also impressed with Leshabela - always looked to find space whether playing deep or moving forward. YT gave the ball away a couple of times early on but then moved up 2 or 3 gears. The goal was a beauty - Albrighton on the left found Ricardo on the right who looked up and side footed for Perez to hit it first time past their keeper. Vardy was in second gear and with fitness and reactions sharper would have had a couple of goals. James Justin came on for the second half and looked completely overwhelmed and had a bit of a mare. First half was quick one touch footie, second half was pretty dire. (leshabela was supposed to play the full 90 but came off injured within the hour).
Tbf New Zealand had an amazing tournament and Kane Williamson comes out with alot of credit. If England dont win the 2023 world cup I will be cheering on NZ
Started on the right of front 3 but licence to roam. Swopped at one time with Albrighton and had a go on the left. Linked up well with Ricardo who was excellent.
Looks like a few squad number changes if pre season numbers carry over Iheanacho 14 Ricardo 21 Tielemans 8
Reason why Matty James is nowhere to be seen so far is he is injured.... again Feel for the lad but his body just isnt upto it and after missing so much football huge question marks if he can compete at this level anymore. Even if he gets back to where he was he would only be back up
I remember about 2 years ago he came into the team - a bit like Dean Hammond when he played for us in the premiership(?) - and whilst he didn’t excel the team just played so well and looked so balanced. Genuinely really rate him if we can get him fit.
He was useless then. Our midfield was slow and lacked creativity. Just like it did with Mendy and Ndidi Ed I admire your faith in James but we have moved on from players like him. He is/was similar ability to Andy King who is deemed surplus now. We need more from our midfield then just balance, we need creativity and flair which is what Maddison and Tielemans bring to it If James is still going to have a career he needs to find a new club probably down a league where they will look after him. Giving him a new contract when Drinkwater left was an appalling decision
Gallagher still banging in pens https://www.skysports.com/football/...stle-beaten-in-first-match-everton-lose-twice
He was so so good at free kicks and penalties but pretty useless during normal play. Though there was one game where I remember him scoring an unbelievable hat trick
Andy King: If Claude could have had everyone from the title-winning team out, he would have done This is from an interview with Andy King from Henry Winter