Update:

I'm aware that there's a problem viewing the bottom paragraph of this blog on mobile devices. I can't seem to fix it so my apologies, hopefully my next post is fine.





Mo' wins...mo' problems:

After annihilating Panama 6-1 on Sunday, England have an unusual decision to make- whether they WANT TO LOSE a game or not. Should the Three Lions lose to Belgium tonight or draw and receive a lot of yellow cards, they would finish 2nd in Group G and face Colombia in the Round of 16. This side of the knockout draw appears a lot "easier" on paper with Spain playing Russia, Croatia playing Denmark, and Sweden playing Switzerland. Now, IN THEORY England should be able to at least reach the semi-finals if they opt to take the

easy route.





*ROAR* THREE LIONS ON THE SHIRT

But of course in practise England don't tend to find knockout games as simple. We've won just one in the last 12 years (1-0 vs Ecuador, 2006 World Cup), so the counter to England choosing to under-perform tonight is that even if we do get a run of "weaker" sides, there's no guarantee that we won't crumble and crash out in the last 16. We're England, it's what we're good at! Also, it can be argued that losing would ruin the mentality of the fresh Lions side. Winning would spur the boys on and give them great momentum going into the knockouts, but losing? It could result in catastrophe and make this very youthful team question their ability.





To summarise, it would be AMAZING to see England reach a World Cup semi-final, so obviously I want England to get as easy a run as possible in order to achieve this. However, we still need to be wary about getting our hopes up. Just take each game as it comes and if we end up with a harder run then those teams better be scared because IT'S COMING HOME!





TRANSFER FACTFILE





Name: Ever Banega

Date of Birth: 29th June 1988 (29 years old)

Nationality: Argentinian

Place of Birth:

Rosario





Height: 1.74m

Position: Central midfielder

Preferred foot: Right





Club: Sevilla

League: La Liga

144/17/15





Club Appearances/Goals 2017/18: 50/5

League Goals 2017/18: 3

Club Assists 2017/18:





Average Key Passes 2017/18: 2.4

Average Pass Success 2017/18: 87%





National Team Appearances: 64





Strengths: Passing, Set Pieces, Dribbling, Vision

Weaknesses: Aerial Ability, can lack concentration





Summary: Banega has impressed me when I've watched him for Argentina, he's able to pick

out key passes and seems very calm and skilled on the ball. He's a little bit old (as I'm writing

this, his

30th birthday is tomorrow), but I don't think we're looking for long term players at the

moment.

Our aim is to get back into the Champions League and we can build from there. Like

I mentioned

in my last blog, Wilshere and Cazorla have both left the club this summer, so

we're in need of a

similar kind of centre midfielder. Banega already has a good relationship

with Big Unai from his

time as Sevilla manager, which could mean he's more willing to join us.

The signs are that he

will be leaving Spain, with Sevilla signing a replacement in Mesa. I think

we should snap him up, and with a £17.6 million release clause it wouldn't be too expensive.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!