Mitroglou is 250/1 to be the World Cup top scorer and win the Golden Boot. This would be so ironic it will probably come true. If it does, it will be known as the Carlos Salcido effect (catp*ss at Fulham and World Class on the international stage).
At Under-21 level, Lasse Vigen Christensen has been called up to represent Denmark in their friendly match against Switzerland on Tuesday, while Jesse Joronen is in the Finland squad for their Qualifier against Moldova at the start of June. Moussa Dembélé has joined up with France Under-18s for a training camp at Clairefontaine, during which time they will take on Croatia in a friendly match on Wednesday 21st May.
Yup, the secret is out. Mitroglou is in the Greek squad, as is Karagounis: "Fulham striker Kostas Mitroglou has been included in Greece's provisional 29-man World Cup squad despite his faltering form with the Cottagers this season. However, Greece head coach Fernando Santos has still found room in his squad for Mitroglou, who will be hoping to make the final 23-man list of players which has to be submitted by June 2. Mitroglou's Fulham team-mate Giorgos Karagounis, Greece captain and their most-capped player of all time with 132 appearances, is included despite featuring sporadically for the west London side this season." Source: http://www.itv.com/worldcup/mitroglou-included-in-greece-squad
Faltering form? He didn't play in any meaningful way so displayed no form whatsoever really. The report makes it sound like Mitroglou appeared more often than Karagounis.
Others are in no doubt who is the key player of the two. please log in to view this image "The fighting spirit of Giorgos Karagounis has helped long suffering Greeks seek solace from financial crisis in the exploits of their national team. To the outsider their style may not be aesthetically pleasing. But to Greeks their grit and determination has set an example for the daily grind, and none more so than iconic captain Karagounis. The 37-year-old midfielder -- Greece's most capped player -- will tackle his last campaign in the World Cup finals in a group that offers his team a chance to achieve another exploit in taking them into the second round for the first time. While Kostas Mitroglou will be the player they look to to provide goals, it is his Fulham team-mate Karagounis -- who has also played for Panathinaikos, Inter Milan and Benfica -- who is the soul of the team." Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/409639/
That's a little harsh. He was a poor signing, due to injuries, but that's not the same as saying that he was poor - he was just absent. Let's judge him on next season, if he's still here. If he has a good World Cup it will either give us reasons to be optimistic about next season or push his price up if we let him go - good news either way. What would be ironic would be for him to have a blinding World Cup, then pick up an injury in Greece's last game, putting him out for several months.
Captain, on reading back my post, it was indeed very harsh. Once again you're right, the blinder-injury scenario would be ridiculously ironic!
Just watched Pat Roberts slalom his way through 3 or 4 Portugese defenders to score and book England U17s place in the European final. The kid had serious skills.
Here's a link to Pat's goal. Unbelievable!!! [video]https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/43BC7985201079862630929309696_29da7676c25.0.3.1800 3585553469037477.mp4?versionId=qvX1U0A9CNb3d6Phmf0 NGUP.4wTD7nBK[/video] PS England won the game 2-0 against a very good Portuguese side and have therefore qualified for the U17 European Championship Final 2014.
Can't we just offer him a 30 year contract, just to make sure no one comes in and whisks him away from us, ever?
Wow - this is some step up for the young man. "Liam Donnelly has been called up to the full Northern Ireland squad for international friendlies against Uruguay and Chile. The commanding centre-back, who captained Fulham’s Under-18s to this season’s FA Youth Cup Final, is named in Michael O’Neill’s 22-man squad. Northern Ireland play Uruguay on Friday 30th May at the Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, with the game against Chile taking place on Wednesday 4th June at the Estadio Playa Ancha Stadium in Valparaiso. Donnelly made 27 appearances in all competitions for Fulham’s Under-18s last term. He also featured four times for Kit Symons’ Under-21s. The 18-year-old joined Fulham last summer from IFA Premiership side Dungannon Swifts."
Realistically, is he anywhere near a first team place in the Championship next season? Not necessarily as a regular, but as a squad player? Those who have watched him a lot (I'm thinking of Cottager and Kunye, but anyone else who feels qualified to comment too), please let us know what you think.
I feel that he and another couple of the under 18/21, should be given their chances next season, but not if it means that the club is solely relying on our youngsters, and not opening the purse in the transfer market.
Don't think he's quite ready yet rosc, even for the Championship. Heâs a very cultured player. Iâm convinced Cameron Burgess has come on leaps and bounds this season because he knows that he if commits to a header or tackle, Liam has his back covered. Donnelly is the sweeper kind of centre back. In that respect heâs similar to Jack Grimmer; both have good positional sense, unflustered and can make sensible/constructive clearances from defence. At the moment though, I think Jack has the edge, probably down to that extra bit of experience. As Iâve said on more than one occasion I believe our CB pairing at the senior level before long will be Grimmer and Burn. Itâs more likely that Donnelly will get a step up to the U21s with Arthurworrey going out on loan or maybe moving on. So far as Liamâs International call upâs concerned wouldnât it be strange if he lined up with Chris Baird and Aaron Hughes? In truth, itâs more likely that heâs in the squad for the experience of training and being around the full team. And that wonât do him any harm.
Cottager Should have thought a little longer before I posted, totally agree, and from the times I have watched our youngsters Jack Grimmer & Cameron Burgess at the moment have the edge on Liam Donnelly.
