National Team

On March 21, London time, the European qualifiers for the 2014 Brazil World Cup resumed and England will visit San Marino.

　　Due to the huge disparity in strength between the two sides, England had already booked these three points. Therefore, at the press conference before the game, what everyone talked about most was not the game itself, but the freshly released national team roster.

　　The focus is on one's absence and one's inclusion.

　　Absent is Rio Ferdinand.

　　The Manchester United central defender refused to be called up by the national team due to physical discomfort, but he traveled 15 hours in a helicopter to the Middle East to commentate on the game. He was very active and did not look like he had any physical problems.

　　This incident exploded in the English football world. In an interview, Ferdinand changed his story and said that it was because he did not receive a notification from the Football Association and thought he was not selected. This brought his relationship with Three Lions coach Hodgson to a new level. freezing point.

　　"I've made it very clear that it was Ferdinand who turned down the invitation and we all know why, and frankly I'm not in the business of interfering with the players or the club, but I'm very disappointed by his behavior.

　　Didn't receive the notification? That's an excuse! Everybody knows that I'm only going to inform the players who have just been selected for England, rather than ringing everyone up and telling them: Hey mate, I need you... that's a joke!

　　Ferdinand was chosen because of his merits. He has indeed played well recently, but now it is impossible because he has not maintained sufficient physical fitness through a series of training. From this moment on, my focus is to find someone to replace him! "

　　At the same time, England captain Gerrard also accepted an interview. He said that he would not voluntarily withdraw from the national team like Ferdinand. "I don't know what happened to Ferdinand, but I always think that playing for the national team should be everyone's responsibility. The pinnacle of a famous player's career. If I can't play tomorrow, I will feel worse than death. For a player, there is no bigger stage than the World Cup..."

　　So far this season, Gerrard has never missed any Premier League game, and has started every game and played 90 minutes. For a veteran who is about to turn 33, this kind of physical fitness is simply amazing. envy.

　　Another focus of the press conference was Alexander's selection.

　　He replaces Southampton forward Lambert.

　　Hodgson's face immediately turned cloudy after talking about Alexander, "Yes, I recruited Alexander, there are very few players who can make me so excited. I watched almost all of his games live. I know that he is the kind of player that the England team needs. Believe me, starting from today, England will become the first player in the decade. You don't have to worry about the forward issue anymore!"

　　These words not only made the reporters in the audience look at each other in shock, but even Gerrard next to him was a little stunned.

　　Do you want to be so exaggerated?

　　Someone immediately raised questions.

　　"But is it too early? You know, he is only 17 years old."

　　"Only 17 years old? How old was Owen when he participated in the World Cup for the first time? How old was Messi when he first entered the Argentina national team?" Hodgson laughed. "At the age of 17, Alexander scored 11 goals in 4 official games. , and many people can't do this even at the age of 27, so is age a problem?"

　　"of course not..."

　　One of the biggest hobbies of the English media is to create super talents and then destroy them with their own hands. This is also one of the main reasons why the English Football Association has said that "little is not necessarily good".

　　Alexander, nothing could be more wonderful...

　　"Speaking of Irving, what do you think of his retirement? Do you think Alexander can reach Irving's height?"

　　Just yesterday, the 33-year-old Michael Owen announced that he would hang up his boots and end his career that was both brilliant and regretful.

　　He played 89 times for the national team and scored 40 goals, ranking fourth in the history of the England team.

　　For many fans who were only fans during the World Cup, the so-called England team is actually Beckham + Owen, so it is not an exaggeration to say that this guy is a mark of the England team in a certain historical period.

　　An old man who had made great achievements for the national team retired, and a newcomer who came out of the blue entered the national team almost at the same time, which made many people feel a little emotional.

　　I still remember that Owen was about the same age when he first put on the England shirt...

　　The 17-year-old Owen made a long run in the 1998 World Cup and became famous with one goal. Everyone is full of interest in whether the 17-year-old Alexander can replicate his trajectory and make his own career in the England team.

　　"Michael? It's a pity that he is a great striker, but injuries have prevented him from reaching higher heights. As for whether Alexander can become the second Michael, I can only say that time will give us the answer..."

　　Because of the rush, the national team training lasted only three days.

　　Walcott was not selected for the national team this time. Fortunately, Wilshere, an experienced driver, guided the way. Alexander smoothly arrived at the England team's National Football Center in St. George's Park, Staffordshire.

　　This training base costing up to 105 million pounds was actually put into use last year. It is the headquarters of the Three Lions' international players and coaches of all ages.

　　Reporters and fans had already gathered outside the base. Wilshere had to slow down the car and complained: "Brother, you have to buy your own car. I don't want to be beaten every time.It's a terrible feeling when you have fans blocking the door."

　　"How do you know they are not here for you?"

　　"Come on, it's not my first time here. They weren't so enthusiastic before."

　　In fact, Wilshere's popularity is still very high, but the star flavor has indeed faded a bit.

　　Lowering the window and waving to the fans, Alexander glanced at the national team roster in his hand after entering the base.

　　Goalkeepers: Foster, Joe Hart, John Rudy;

　　Defenders: Baines, Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jones, Smalling, Kyle Walker;

　　Midfielder: Barkley, Carrick, Cleverley, Gerrard, Lampard, Ashley Young, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere;

　　Forwards: Rooney, Defoe, Sturridge, Welbeck, Alexander.

　　Wilshere seemed to know what he was thinking, "Rooney will definitely occupy a position. Defoe and Sturridge are also in good form recently, but I think your biggest opponent is Welbeck."

　　"No," Alexander folded the list and threw it aside, "My biggest opponent is myself."

　　At the moment of entering St. George's Park, the system task came again.

　　"Main mission four: Who in the world doesn't recognize you?"

　　"Task description: Score a hat-trick on your national team debut."

　　"Task difficulty: three and a half stars."

　　"Task reward: Characteristic (unique)*1."

　　The reason why the difficulty is only three and a half stars is because the England team's opponent this time is the belly of the fish.

　　San Marino, ranked 207th in the world…

　　If not, who would you torture?