Neil Ashton: Thierry Henry’s Monaco nightmare could be about to get WORSE with killer fixture pile-up
SunSport's Chief Football Reporter believes England's friendly with USA has been devalued due to Wayne Rooney's return, while Mauricio Pochettino should stick with Tottenham
THE FA have done a grand job of devaluing England’s friendly with the USA by putting Wayne Rooney in the squad.
Under the ludicrous plan hatched by the country's football chiefs, head coach Gareth Southgate and former England captain Rooney will trot on for the final minutes to say farewell to the Wembley crowd.
Doubtless he will get a good reception, but the idea of having a mascot in the squad will take some explaining.
Southgate is not the type to agree to something like this, especially after effectively ending Rooney’s international career after he gatecrashed a wedding at their Hertfordshire Hotel base on his watch.
Instead, for some reason, he has endorsed the charade that will take place under the Wembley lights.
THIERRY HENRY is having a terrible time of it at Monaco.
The Arsenal legend lost again at the weekend, beaten at Reims on Saturday to leave them second bottom of Ligue 1.
Henry does not have a lot to work with, struggling to make any sort of impact after picking up a disjointed, disinterested squad of footballers from Leonardo Jardim.
This week they face Bruges in the Champions League before they take on a blood-thirsty Paris Saint-Germain side at home next weekend.
Good luck with that, Thierry.
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IN the coming weeks and months, it will not be easy for the city of Leicester to move on from the death of their inspirational owner Vichai Srivadhannaprabha.
As the scars heal, everybody who came into contact with the Thai billionaire will be able to call on the precious memories of days following that tragic helicopter accident outside the KingPower.
Cardiff City played their part in it, capturing the moment with their considerate and mournful tone in advance of their Premier League fixture against the Foxes.
In years to come, whatever divisions these two clubs play in, Saturday’s respectful approach will always be remembered by Leicester City.
THE pull of Real Madrid is strong, but Mauricio Pochettino is right to stick with Tottenham this time.
Spurs offers stability and support, something lacking at the Bernabeu after the decision to fire Juan Lopetegui after a handful of games.
Poch was first choice last summer to replace Zizou and he was top of the list this time around, but he is on to a good thing with Spurs.
He has adulation and respect in North London – something which only takes coaches so far in the uncertain world of life with Los Blancos.
THE football world ran around shrieking when Jose Mourinho’s 2005 title-winning side conceded just 15 goals in the entire season.
Manchester City, almost a third of the way into their Premier League defence, have a shot at beating that record under Pep Guardiola.
After yesterday’s thumping 6-1 win over Southampton, they have conceded just four times – three at home and one away.
They are scoring goals for fun, with 33 in their opening 11 games as they set the pace at the top of the Premier League.
Keep this up and they will be breaking all kinds of records.
