Old hasn't been starting games at club level, has he got 90 (or even 60) minutes in him? Even if he does I don't expect he will start in the first game given he has spent so little time in the AWs environment. Also am expecting Tuiloma to start at RB due to his general AWs seniority. I'd pick Elliot myself, he has looked far more solid defensively at Auckland than he did for the Nix.
Stamenic was deployed as the 10 in that USA game, it wasn't a traditional 4-3-3 three man midfield. I expect if Singh is fit and firing in training that he will play as the 10 and we will see the 4-2-3-1 shape again, even though I'd like to see Rufer join Bell & Stamenic in the lineup.
I want to see Cacace at LW where he has been playing at club level and FdV at left back, and would personally prefer Kosta at RW to McCowatt or Just, but expect McCowatt & Just start as the two wingers and Cacace at LB because Baze generally undervalues A-League players.
Old hasn't been starting games at club level, has he got 90 (or even 60) minutes in him? Even if he does I don't expect he will start in the first game given he has spent so little time in the AWs environment. Also am expecting Tuiloma to start at RB due to his general AWs seniority. I'd pick Elliot myself, he has looked far more solid defensively at Auckland than he did for the Nix.
Stamenic was deployed as the 10 in that USA game, it wasn't a traditional 4-3-3 three man midfield. I expect if Singh is fit and firing in training that he will play as the 10 and we will see the 4-2-3-1 shape again, even though I'd like to see Rufer join Bell & Stamenic in the lineup.
I want to see Cacace at LW where he has been playing at club level and FdV at left back, and would personally prefer Kosta at RW to McCowatt or Just, but expect McCowatt & Just start as the two wingers and Cacace at LB because Baze generally undervalues A-League players.
Who you not starting to allow cacae to move into midfield?
Said it before, we have quality in the mids not in the wing backs.. so while on paper this looks good. Overall you are just making the team weaker.
Do we really have that much quality in midfield? Singh and Garbett and Stamenic can't get a game in Europe. Just is playing in the Austrian second division, a far inferior league to the A-League. McCowatt served up utter dogshark in the last window, dragged at halftime against New Caledonia and should have been off the pitch long before that. Why are these guys so untouchable to you?
Do we really have that much quality in midfield? Singh and Garbett and Stamenic can't get a game in Europe. Just is playing in the Austrian second division, a far inferior league to the A-League. McCowatt served up utter dogshark in the last window, dragged at halftime against New Caledonia and should have been off the pitch long before that. Why are these guys so untouchable to you?
'Quality' is relative isn't it. Relative to a) the midfield players we've had to pick in the recent past and b) quality and depth on other areas of the park.
As a national team we've got to a point we're not talking about an aging pro vs unattached FC, which is great, really. In terms of potential, our midfield is young and actually has potential. But it's football, so many things can go wrong before they go right. Look at Wood's years before his breakout year in the Championship. Thomas (who I think we all agree could have been a world-class player) and his injuries. Don't know where I'm going with this exactly, but I've not seen this quality in the midfield in the national team since I've been watching the game at least.
Do we really have that much quality in midfield? Singh and Garbett and Stamenic can't get a game in Europe. Just is playing in the Austrian second division, a far inferior league to the A-League. McCowatt served up utter dogshark in the last window, dragged at halftime against New Caledonia and should have been off the pitch long before that. Why are these guys so untouchable to you?
Now that the Nix's season is over, looks like you have moved on from slating Piper & LBS to McCowatt. Who cares how he played arriving late into camp, and rusty as hell against NC two months ago. He's in great form currently in The Danish Superliga. Goals & assists. He deserves to start.
You are right it's questionable whether Old will be match fit enough to commence a game, next month. We wait to find out. But he is (well was) in a top 5 league. Plus he's a very exciting prospect, for a team that as I bang on about, in reality creates or scores fudge all against bigger nations. He needs an extended run in the side to see if he can be an answer to changing that.
I imagine Elliot will start. Tuiloma hasn't played much at all the last 18 months, much less in that gut busting up & down full back role. He starts and he could be spent after 25 mins. I'd imagine he'll sub on at 60-70 mins for Callan E.
Hopefully Bazeley can stay true to a back 4. That's apparently what the team wants. But with 3 high quality inform CBs, and a potential big weakness at RB, there will be temptation to go back 3/5.
Côte d’Ivoire squad is out: IMG_6825.png5.44 MB Lots of absent defenders: Ousmane Diomandé, Boly, Agbadou, Ndicka, Kamara and Doué.
None of the MLS players. But that’s close to the midfield and front line they used against Gambia so it’s not that weak of a side either. I know Pépé and Adingra should cause us a lot of headaches.
[edit] apparently I missed Diallo’s name in the tweet. Kind of a big name to miss. 🤦🏻♂️
Regarding the weather. It looks like it should be in the low 20s, but it was mid-30s three weeks ago so who knows what we might get on match day…
I'll write off McCowatt's TWO terrible performances (not just one off day) the next time he plays well for us, not before. Don't really care how well he plays in Denmark personally.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) has confirmed that head coach Emerse Faé will reveal his latest squad selection on Friday, 23 May, during a press conference to be broadcast via the federation’s official Facebook page.
The announcement comes ahead of a key international window during which the Elephants are set to participate in a friendly tournament in Toronto. Ivory Coast will face New Zealand and hosts Canada at BMO Field on 7 and 10 June, respectively.
The matches are part of the team’s strategic preparations ahead of critical fixtures later this year, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the defence of their continental title at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
As anticipation builds, focus has turned to several players whose recent club performances have sparked debate among fans and analysts. Chief among them is Oumar Diakité, the young forward currently with Stade de Reims.
Despite being viewed as a personal favourite of Faé, Diakité’s form has come under scrutiny. Since November, he has struggled to secure consistent playing time and has failed to find the back of the net, raising questions over his inclusion in the upcoming squad.
Diakité’s situation exemplifies the broader selection dilemma facing Faé as he balances loyalty, form, and future planning. With public expectations high following Ivory Coast’s successful campaign earlier this year, the pressure is mounting on the national team coach to assemble a squad capable of building on recent triumphs while laying a solid foundation for upcoming challenges.
The friendly matches in Canada offer Faé a valuable opportunity to test combinations, evaluate fringe players, and sharpen tactical cohesion ahead of the more competitive fixtures to follow.
For some, it may be a final chance to prove their worth before the resumption of World Cup qualification matches later this year.
The upcoming squad announcement is also expected to shed light on the future roles of several other players currently in uncertain situations.
As Faé shapes his core group for what will be a demanding period of international football, his decisions on Friday may set the tone for the months ahead.
Ivory Coast, crowned African champions earlier this year on home soil, are determined to maintain momentum as they prepare to defend their title in Morocco in 2025.
The Toronto friendlies will serve as both a testing ground and a showcase, giving fans and observers alike a glimpse of what the next chapter under Faé’s leadership might look like.
With just days remaining until the official reveal, speculation continues to swirl regarding new faces, possible returns, and who may be left out. One thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the journey toward further glory begins with the choices made this week.
Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé unveiled this Friday the list of 23 players called up for the friendlies against New Zealand and Canada, scheduled for June 7 and 10 in Toronto as part of The Canadian Shield tournament.
On this occasion, the 41-year-old tactician has opted for a clever blend of established players, returning stars, and fresh faces. The goal: to broaden his options ahead of the upcoming qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and AFCON 2025.
Among the newcomers is Luck Zogbé, the 20-year-old right-back from Brest, who receives his first call-up, as well as Parfait Guiagon, a pacey winger from Charleroi.
This squad also marks the return of Jérémie Boga, Amad Diallo, Cédric Kipré, and Ghislain Konan.
Several key players missing On the other hand, several regulars are absent, such as Evan Ndicka, Seko Fofana, Oumar Diakité, and Hamed Traoré. These absences are due to either tactical decisions or medical reasons.
Among the mainstays still present are Wilfried Singo, Franck Kessié, Simon Adingra, and Sébastien Haller, who provide balance to this experimental squad.
I'll write off McCowatt's TWO terrible performances (not just one off day) the next time he plays well for us, not before. Don't really care how well he plays in Denmark personally.
Crazy attitude. We're not going to be playing amateurs at the World Cup, doesn't it matter more how our guys play against other pros?
If he is so good, we should be expecting him to have a good performance for us between now and the World Cup that proves it, shouldn't we? But as a result of those extremely recent All Whites performances, I'd rather see someone else in the lineup right now. See how he goes from the bench.
Selecting players off international form and international form only is complete nonsense, especially when those performances were during a recovery from injury on an absolute paddock. We know how good he is outside of that, he still deserves to start.
Have you been personally watching the Danish Superliga to see how he is getting on? I haven't but I also haven't see him play well for our team using our team's system in quite some time. I don't want to see our side picked solely on club performances. It is a factor, but not the only factor.
Have you been personally watching the Danish Superliga to see how he is getting on? I haven't but I also haven't see him play well for our team using our team's system in quite some time. I don't want to see our side picked solely on club performances. It is a factor, but not the only factor.
No but I've been watching highlights, and he's clearly been on fire over there with goals and assists. MOTM against Brondby Danish Cup semi final, 2nd leg. The final against FCK will be a potential nice shop window.
Sounds like it's his most impressive playing stretch in Denmark, in the 5-6 years he's been there.
He has been at Silkeborg 2 full seasons, so maybe it's just that he fits really well into their system now, and has some quality team mates around him, who all know each other's games inside out after 100s of hours on the training paddock. A sums of the parts type outfit? You never get that much time together in international football. He doesn't have the class of a Singh, or even the magic left peg of a Just. But he's currently in better club form than either.
McCowatt could be on the radar of clubs at a higher level, aka The Championship. Now 26 so coming towards his prime years. I think Jazzy said the Danish Superliga is definitely scouted by UK clubs.
McCowatt also has a good by AWs standards, scoring record against bigger teams. Goals verus Ireland (2019) & Sweden (2023). Just & Singh have only scored against OFC teams, or other bunnies like Malaysia (Just) & Kenya (Singh). Flat track bullies? We all yes hope Sarpreet can consistently recover some of that magic dust we know he has.
Edit - The guy who really should be in every AWs squad, regardless of his club form is Garbett. The dude just makes things happen. It doesn't always come off, but so often when nothing is happening with him it does. Goals China & Ireland. Assist for McC in Stockholm. Goals & assists at the Olympics. So nearly an assist for Wood against Costa Rica. I wouldn't start him in Toronto but I'd be giving him mins for sure, especially if chasing a goal. In an AWs squad full of nice guys, he brings a bit of mongrel and never say die attitude.
Yeh it depends what you’re asking McCowatt to do. But Bazeley isn’t as complicated as Chief in his tactical plans. Likely to be as a winger or as a strike partnership or an advanced midfield role.
But yeh you’d hope they’d watch games and see how much defensive work he’s doing and so on and how much he’s being asked to sprint etc etc.
He’s always been hard to quite figure out. He’s never been a lone 9 imo, but he scored a bunch in the NPC and now in Denmark, but never really found where he fitted in Uffie’s system.
🤷♂️It’s why the selectors get paid the big bucks!
I am surprised by Garbetts selection. He was bang average last time and the rile of the AWs isnt to give game time to guys in between clubs. Sure hes been one if the better performers over 2022-2024 but if anything he’d be worse than he was in the last window as its been even longer since hes played a proper game (ie playing reserve games with kids doesn’t count).
I am surprised by Garbetts selection. He was bang average last time and the rile of the AWs isnt to give game time to guys in between clubs. Sure hes been one if the better performers over 2022-2024 but if anything he’d be worse than he was in the last window as its been even longer since hes played a proper game (ie playing reserve games with kids doesn’t count).
Yeah it's pretty shark he hasn't played for so long. But it's not like there are other high quality candidates seriously demanding selection ahead of him.
Thomas still unavailable, and others say Rogerson, ADJ, Dyer and Mata (though not like for like) really still on the fringes.
High chance Garbett will be in the World Cup squad bar an injury. I'd be confident he will find a club at a decent level, as his next gig. But it's important yes he does.
To date, he has had a better national team career, compared to his club career. But again the guy makes things happen, and his niggly in your face attitude is often a good thing against the bigger teams. I remember him having a great 2nd half against Peru at Barcelona in 2022. Gave the AWs real self belief as they finally competed in that match. I'd back him to come off the pine and actually create something, ahead of Waine.
But yeah Garbett's next club move needs to be a good one, and he needs to show he can grind it out if need be. As Bazeley has commentated he's still young, and maybe made some mistakes at Breda that didn't help him there.
Agree with you JN, must be a kick in the teeth for Rogerson to see Garbett (and even arguably players like Waine, Just and Singh) in the squad instead of him. Garbett did indeed look like he had a lost a step in March after not playing for months and doubt he will be looking any better now.
The message is loud and clear to Kiwi footballers, you can be playing extremely well in the A-League, which is not a bad level of football at all, entertaining audiences and keeping the public engaged with football, giving youngsters heroes they can see with their own eyes, but if you want an All Whites career that isn't good enough, you have to go struggle and grind in (likely) middling European leagues where the quality is arguably no better. Doesn't even matter if you are getting game time over there.
Agree with you JN, must be a kick in the teeth for Rogerson to see Garbett (and even arguably players like Waine, Just and Singh) in the squad instead of him. Garbett did indeed look like he had a lost a step in March after not playing for months and doubt he will be looking any better now.
The message is loud and clear to Kiwi footballers, you can be playing extremely well in the A-League, which is not a bad level of football at all, entertaining audiences and keeping the public engaged with football, giving youngsters heroes they can see with their own eyes, but if you want an All Whites career that isn't good enough, you have to go struggle and grind in (likely) middling European leagues where the quality is arguably no better. Doesn't even matter if you are getting game time over there.
Totally agree with what you guys are saying. BUT I think those players in Europe have obviously quality but are not having the best luck at club level.
I think Rogerson should have been there over Garbett - Garbett hasn't played for 6+ months now. Singh is holding on by a thread and needs to move to a better club or we are just picking him based on what he did years ago.
Waine, Garbett, Just, Singh all need to make big moves this summer or risk losing their spots. Plus we need then playing and playing well leading up to the cup.
Agree with you JN, must be a kick in the teeth for Rogerson to see Garbett (and even arguably players like Waine, Just and Singh) in the squad instead of him. Garbett did indeed look like he had a lost a step in March after not playing for months and doubt he will be looking any better now.
The message is loud and clear to Kiwi footballers, you can be playing extremely well in the A-League, which is not a bad level of football at all, entertaining audiences and keeping the public engaged with football, giving youngsters heroes they can see with their own eyes, but if you want an All Whites career that isn't good enough, you have to go struggle and grind in (likely) middling European leagues where the quality is arguably no better. Doesn't even matter if you are getting game time over there.
So similar level players would play extremely well in A-League yet struggle and grind in middling European leagues, but the quality is arguably no better?
Agree with you JN, must be a kick in the teeth for Rogerson to see Garbett (and even arguably players like Waine, Just and Singh) in the squad instead of him. Garbett did indeed look like he had a lost a step in March after not playing for months and doubt he will be looking any better now.
The message is loud and clear to Kiwi footballers, you can be playing extremely well in the A-League, which is not a bad level of football at all, entertaining audiences and keeping the public engaged with football, giving youngsters heroes they can see with their own eyes, but if you want an All Whites career that isn't good enough, you have to go struggle and grind in (likely) middling European leagues where the quality is arguably no better. Doesn't even matter if you are getting game time over there.
Or perhaps Bazeley has told him he’s seen what he can do and he’s on the plane? And that he needs to see these other guys, Tuiloma too and give them the message about playing and places? Though, yeh I’d prefer a merit based selection system, best currently available squad, which would have to be Rogerson on his performances and the context of his goals too.
There are lots of reasons why players might do much worse in foreign contexts than in the A-League, even if the level of football is not a significant step up. Language, culture shock, distance from family and friends, etc.
And I'd also clarify that I don't think that playing in the A-League should be enough to get you into the All Whites like it was back in Ricki's day, but if you are clearly amongst the best in your position in the league like Rogerson is then i think that should be enough currently, because we have very few players getting regular gametime in leagues that are undeniably better than the A-League. Bell, McCowatt, Thomas, Cacace, Wood, Bindon, Surman, Boxall. That's it. LT01
imanixsupporter
Agree with you JN, must be a kick in the teeth for Rogerson to see Garbett (and even arguably players like Waine, Just and Singh) in the squad instead of him. Garbett did indeed look like he had a lost a step in March after not playing for months and doubt he will be looking any better now.
The message is loud and clear to Kiwi footballers, you can be playing extremely well in the A-League, which is not a bad level of football at all, entertaining audiences and keeping the public engaged with football, giving youngsters heroes they can see with their own eyes, but if you want an All Whites career that isn't good enough, you have to go struggle and grind in (likely) middling European leagues where the quality is arguably no better. Doesn't even matter if you are getting game time over there.
So similar level players would play extremely well in A-League yet struggle and grind in middling European leagues, but the quality is arguably no better?
I think you also have to consider things a bit in terms of cohesion too. FdV and Rogerson have been on the money as a goal scoring duo. That’s a case for him more so than say, Howieson.
Ricki’s team benefited from players that knew each other’s game well, rather than it being any particular level. You could then integrate new players after the playoffs. As well we’d had Seatt’s magical tours, so the All Whites had played together a lot and gone through a lot together leading up to the playoff and birth of the Phoenix. As well I think fortune gave us a relatively clear best 11 we could base our tactics around. Ideal tournament and knockout stuff. I think the 11 best players are rather unclear for us currently. Garbett has been great but when did he last play football? Sarpreet can be special, but has been a frustrated figure for a while. Confidence and momentum are important to a tournament team. Can’t hope someone comes right by Christmas etc.
I think the case for guys like Garbett, Singh, Just etc to not be in squads is pathetic.
I understand that they’re probably not having the best time at their respective clubs whether it’s due to game time or quality of league etc.
But these guys have shown me more than enough and obviously Bazeley that they’ve got enough credit in the bank to justify their selections regardless of their situations.
We need to understand these players haven’t even hit their prime years and will go through adversity during their careers. Fingers crossed just not heading into a World Cup year.
Rogerson absolutely should be in the squad.
But the same argument can be made that where was he the last 5/6 years prior to joining Auckland? Playing in a pub league in Finland and 4th division in Germany. He’s definitely had a good season but then again he’s also gone missing in a good amount of games too.
Point is It’s very easy to have short memory in football and I think we need to understand a lot of these players are still so young and haven’t even scratched the surface in the big football world. The captain of our National Team is a great example for that.
and mccowatt. i think he's well ahead of most of our other forward options.
i felt that we were quite disconnected up front in the first half vs new caledonia, which impacted his output. no doubt a disappointing performance, but he's good enough to be given time to find his rhythm in the team.
he showed what he was capable of vs sweden. and by the sounds he has kicked on a lot in club football since.
I think, even with everyone fit it’s not clear who our best team is.
On the one hand that is wonderful- we have a bunch of players who are technical. We used to have McGlinchey, Bertos and Smeltzy. And Elliot, but he wasn’t in his prime though he played well.
It’s a bit tricky for me to figure out who to build a team around. And also who is going to score the goals. No point playing a bunch of guys who can play brilliant balls in behind if we only play Wood up front.
McCowatt, Garbett and Just have a sprinkling of international goals but wouldn’t be scaring any team.
Kosta is A league fast, not international level fast.
Cacace potentially shakes things up. He’s a real wildcard.
De Vries being more involved is also a potential game changer, but then you need players arriving late…McCowatt, Rogerson, Garbett, Stamenic (?) which is tricky to defend against.
The problem is after Wood I don’t think anyone is undroppable. No one has performed so definitively for club or country that they have to start. In the case of Bindon, Surman, Boxall and Pijnaker that’s a positive. With Smith and Hughes not far behind. Similarly with Crocombe and Paulsen, and a host of other youngsters at good clubs, a positive.
But in the midfield and forward line and down the flanks, I think it’s confusing.
This is what makes having bad management difficult. You think of Ricki Herbert and mostly the squad auto-selected, he almost couldn't fudge it up. Would Herbert have done anything with the current crop, who knows. We have lots of different selection headaches and formations we can play. There will be a right one, a world class manager would know. But when I see someone like Rogerson miss out, I worry that the tactical flexibility to play the best line up with the best form players isn't there.
This is what makes having bad management difficult. You think of Ricki Herbert and mostly the squad auto-selected, he almost couldn't fudge it up. Would Herbert have done anything with the current crop, who knows. We have lots of different selection headaches and formations we can play. There will be a right one, a world class manager would know. But when I see someone like Rogerson miss out, I worry that the tactical flexibility to play the best line up with the best form players isn't there.
Yeh I agree in a way- Ricki was lucky.
But also I think, like a number of good managers, he knew when to get out of the way. When a player or team is cooking, sometimes it’s good to let them get on with it. Cloughie did it a few times when a game went to extra time, though the last time he did that it didn’t work.
Feel like Ricki was on the cusp of the old fashioned management where man management, even taking the squad out for a booze up to get morale up after a loss-cough Allardyce- was as important as micromanaging runs into the half spaces to gain overloads or whatever! Certainly a few of his defenders at the Nix had an agricultural mindset. Throw in the vagaries of some import recruitment processes in those days too! George, Toto, Cleberson…but also Ifill and Greenacre…
There will be an element of that same 2010 pattern with this 2026 WC team. Like Herbert, Bazeley ain't no master tactician.
Alot of power with some senior guys like Wood and Boxall. From the mid age range brigade Libby and Bell. At different times these guys have all captained the AWs. And all are pretty close to first choice selections. Though will soon be a toss up between Surman & Boxy (if it's a back 4). But these guys will set the culture and drive the gameplan.
Also throw in Thomas when he hopefully becomes available. Plus Smith who will likely go as some sort of defensive coach/mentor, if not as a player.
Baze's role to make sure all the off field organisation and training is high standard, push NZF to spend some money when needed, but keep out of the way somewhat. Let the players drive alot of it.
I think the very settled squads (not many changes each window) he's picking sort of lets that happen. Sounds playing a back 4, is player driven.
Where Dazza does need to be the boss, is in making a hard call like dropping Wood's best mate Smith down to a non playing role. Plus the nous to make the right tactical changes during a game, when subs need to be made. Simon Elliott might be a big sounding board with that.
The All Whites have done the expected thing of qualifying for the next World Cup, now they've got a year to whip themselves into shape so they can earn a few results when they get there... starting with these games against Côte d'Ivoire and Ukrainehttps://t.co/G9yJfTQDeS
I expect Elliot will start. Tuiloma has just had some little football lately, and the full back role can be the most gut busting to play.
However I wouldn't be shocked if Bazeley started with a back 3/5. He's got 3 high quality CBs. It's a strength of the team, and sans Payne (and even Roux) the right flank looks potentially a major concern.
Boxall plays with 3 CBs at Minny. Surman has with Portland - though Neville mixes it up.
Though longer term we want the AWs with 3 midfielders I think for these games, I'd excuse Dazza, if he started with only 2. Then early 2nd half (or even HT) review how it's going, and take off a CB in need.
I liked the midfield trio of Roofs, Bell and Stamenic against the US, but Rufer hasn't been at his best since getting glandular fever. And lastly the weather will be far cooler than the hot conditions for the Mexico & US games last September, so Bell and Stamenic shouldn't be as spent as they looked against the Mexicans
I also suspect as per Tuiloma (ie so little football lately), Garbett won't start. Old to slip in on the left. I think very soon Old could be an almost certain starter. Hopefully him and Wood can form a combo, half as good as Elanga & the Woodsman.
Plus Juneof86's comments on their team (based off March games) - before this June squad was picked - so it mentions some guys who won't be in Toronto.
Sounds like their attack wll be dangerous, another reason why Bazeley may start the game cautiously with a back 3/5.
If Simon Adingra (Brighton) is their left winger he will be a handful.
However their Serie A left back, Kamara (injured?) at Udinese wasn't picked, which likely helps lessen the AWs weakness on the right flank. Either Konan (with Burgos in the Spanish 2nd tier), Opéri (İstanbul Başakşehir, Turkish Superliga) or Akpa (with Auxerre in Ligue One) will likely be the starting left back.
They may play a bit of more of a 2nd XI against us, resting a few for their 2nd game against bigger fish Canada.
It’s the attacking line ahead of them that I think is the strength of the (Ivory Coast) team. Pépé played very well, Adingra is really quick and tricky, Diakité was decent. I’ve seen a lot of Guessand at Nice and on his day I think he’s class, but he wasn’t at his best against Burundi. They played Ranger’s Mo Diomande as a 10 as well. But add Diallo and possibly Zaha (though he hasn’t played since 2023 and is scoring, but not overly impressing, in MLS) or Jonathan Bamba (a starter on Lille’s Ligue 1 title team a few years ago, he’s in MLS with Chicago and hasn’t been great, but he’s only 29 and it would be a convenient chance to give him a look) and they have a lot of options for three spots.
Emannuel Latte Lath is the most expensive signing in MLS history and I am curious if he gets recalled too. They used Haller at the 9 in both matches and he combined pretty well with the fluid attackers. They had really nice play from the front four in both matches… and yet they only scored once in each against pretty average opposition.
Gbamin is listed as a midfielder, but he started in the back in both matches. He was the libero against Burundi and was beside Ousmane Diomandé from Sporting who is very good. I have to assume if Boly had been fit he would have started, but they have a lot of options in the centre of defence (Agbadou at Wolves, Evan Ndicka at Roma), I didn’t see anything from Gbamin to make me think why he would be the best option, but what do I know?
They got stretched on the counter a few times and didn’t have great pace along the back, but I don’t think I saw the best version of their backline. I'm not sure they will be as aggressive with their fullbacks either, but I guess we'll see. What will they bring in June? You’d think it would be a good squad. I think one of the reasons you come to Canada is to get some experience in North America before the World Cup and you would think you’d bring some of the players that might be in the World Cup squad if that’s the case.
Spanning the last two cycles, this is what the All Whites have mustered against the various tiers (including Oceania)...
vs Top-48 Ranked Nations:
9 GM | 0 W | 1 D | 8 L | 2 GF | 17 GA | -15 GD
vs Nations Ranked 49-100:
11 GM | 3 W | 5 D | 3 L | 9 GF | 11 GA | -2 GD
vs Nations Ranked 101+:
17 GM | 16 W | 0 D | 1 L | 68 GF | 3 GA | +65 GD
That’s all based on the current FIFA Rankings and there may have been some fluctuation since the games actually took place. But the rankings are very loose guides anyway so no need to overthink it. The lone loss against the triple-figure crew was against Lithuania in 2019 (Danny Hay’s second game in charge).
Quick question on FIFA+ . Has anyone noticed a marked difference in the app they can download on their TV vs watching through the website? To me the former mainly shows docos and old games whereas with the latter you can watch all the live action. Is it only me?
