JUVE CLOSING IN ON RONALDO?
Away from the World Cup just for a mo and big news regarding Cristiano Ronaldo in the last few minutes
Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has landed in Greece and taken a helicopter to the hotel where the Real Madrid forward is on holiday.
We understand Madrid and Juventus are close to agreeing a deal.
Ronaldo is expected to cost Juve around 88 million pounds.
SOUTHGATE’S WAISTCOAT WANTED
Football may not be the only thing ‘coming home’ as Gareth Southgate’s World Cup waistcoat is being sought by the Museum of London for its permanent collection!
“Waistcoats were born in London in 1666, promoted by King Charles II,” says the museum’s senior fashion curator Beatrice Behlen.
“The new fashion soon spread and for at least 300 years a three-piece suit soon formed a key part of every man’s wardrobe.
“Now Watford-born Gareth Southgate is reviving that London tradition and bringing waistcoats home to the forefront of fashion.
“This acquisition would be a fantastic addition to our holdings.”
Fair enough!
GAME ON!
Justin Timberlake arranges for England v Croatia to be shown on the big screens at the O2 tomorrow evening before his show.
Sounds a plan!
ENGLAND MOSCOW BOUND
Okay, fast moving developments folks – the England squad have had lunch and are now on their way to St Petersburg airport to catch the flight to Moscow.
Excited? You should be!
‘ENGLAND SHOWING NO FEAR’
That’s the view of our man Ashley Young who is sounding pretty bullish ahead of the Croatia game.
Have a listen!
BRUCE CONSIDERS WAISTCOAT
Now, it could so easily have been Steve Bruce managing England at the World Cup.
The Aston Villa manager was interviewed for the job after Euro 2016.
He eventually missed out to his friend Sam Allardyce and is now thinking of taking fashion tips from Mr Southgate!!
‘BELGIUM CAN WIN WORLD CUP’
Just when we were all beginning to convince ourselves that England can win the World Cup up pops Kevin De Bruyne who reckons Belgium will lift the trophy!
BACK FOR LUNCH
The Three Lions have finished training and have arrived back at their hotel in Repino for lunch.
Something light probably ahead of the flight to Moscow this afternoon.
‘BELGIUM A COMPLETE TEAM’
Let’s catch up with Hugo Lloris now.
The France keeper has got total respect for Belgium ahead of their semi this evening.
HENDERSON TO MEET MEDIA
Word coming out of the England camp in the last moments – Jordan Henderson will join Gareth Southgate at today’s England news conference.
‘KANE WILL CAUSE LOVREN PROBLEMS’
We spoke a little earlier about the potential ‘Key Battle’ between Harry Kane and Dejan Lovren.
Check out Jamie Redknapp who reckons there’s only one winner!
ALL ENGLAND PLAYERS TRAIN
So injury concerns over Jordan Henderson and Jamie Vardy have eased after all 23 players trained in full for England this morning and watch out for the beleaguered (rubber) chicken that took a bit of a battering before training got started.
FRANCE v BELGIUM PREVIEW
All eyes will be on St Petersburg Stadium this evening as France and Belgium go head-to-head in the first of the semi-finals.
ON THEIR WAY!
Hundreds of England fans are jetting out to Moscow today
Three flights are leaving Heathrow alone and apparently one well known carrier is using bigger planes than usual to get more fans out there.
Internet searches for flights to Moscow have gone up 2,000% since the quarter-final win!
VARDY MAKING PROGRESS
Rob also reports that Jamie Vardy – who has been suffering with a groin strain – trained yesterday although it’s not clear to what extent he was involved.
The Leicester man is expected to step things up this morning meaning Gareth Southgate will be able to work with his entire squad on the eve of the match.
HENDERSON LOOKING FINE
Encouraging news from Rob Dorsett, our man on the ground with England.
He reports that Jordan Henderson – who has been suffering with a tight hamstring – played a full part in training yesterday and he fully expects him to be equally involved today.
So a very good morning to you all as that match tomorrow night gets ever closer.
There’s so much going on today but let’s hear first from former England captain Wayne Rooney who believes Gareth Southgate’s team are in good shape to reach the World Cup final.
Have a listen!
GOOD MORNING!
Starting to feel a tad nervous or just plain excited?
It’s feeling very real now – England v Croatia in a World Cup semi-final.
Let’s just say that again – England v Croatia in a World Cup semi-final. Wow!
The countdown to kick-off in Moscow tomorrow night is well and truly on. England have one final full day to put the finishing touches to their game plan and then it’s game on!
We’ll hear from Gareth Southgate himself a little later.
In the meantime let’s get stuck into all the news and views around England’s biggest game in years.
Oh, and by the way there’s another semi-final taking place this evening.
We’ll have all the build up to France against Belgium.
What a day in store!
So a tight schedule in store for England today.
They will hold an open training session from 8.00am (UK time) for about an hour and a half – expect huge numbers of cameramen from around the world for that one.
Then they will return to their hotel in Repino for some lunch before driven to St Petersburg airport for the flight to Moscow.
Gareth Southgate will hold a news conference this evening when they have settled in.