FRANCE v ENGLAND International friendly STROLLING STONES
Look’s like Messi and Barkley.. Defender insists: Critics won’t make me change my style
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN stands on the brink of World Cup glory with a little help from Lionel Messi and Neymar – plus Ross Barkley.
The Everton forward, 19, who has scored three goals to help fire England’s Lion Cubs to today’s Under-20s Final against Venezuela, loves watching footage of the Barcelona stars to get hints and tips to boost his game.
But he also keeps a close eye on Toffees pal and midfielder Barkley – himself a veteran of this tournament four years ago.
Lookman said: “My favourite players to watch on TV are Messi and Neymar. And at Everton, I like to look at Ross in training.
“He is just technically fantastic – right foot, left foot, he knows how to shield the ball. It’s just the little details.”
The little details from Messi, who won the competition with Argentina’s young guns in 2005, featured prominently in a video England boss Paul Simpson showed his players before the tournament.
Challenge
Simpson said: “One of the first things we showed them when we got together was the FIFA video promoting the Under-20s World Cup and it has some huge names on it, players who have gone on to have magnificent careers.
“And the challenge I’ve given them is, ‘Can we be on that video in a couple of years’ time? Do something that will put your faces on that film when they update it’.”
Lookman and his pals stand on the brink of reaching their goal and winning a first World Cup title for England in 51 years.
And he is adamant that it was the 3-0 win over Argentina in their opening group game which set the tone for the rest of the finals.
Lookman added: “The first game was so important – we were clinical with our chances and from then on it gave us the confidence to continue in the same way.
“We go into every game wanting to win it, but not putting any pressure on ourselves, just wanting to perform in each game.
“And it’s exactly the same for the final. Everyone is focused and looking forward to it.” JOHN STONES might be the £50million whipping boy every time Manchester City concede a goal.
But the England star has revealed how Premier League rivals have backed him with private messages of support to keep playing his football.
Stones could easily sport his own “Why Always Me?” T-shirt famously worn by Mario Balotelli during his time at the Etihad.
Instead, the maturing City defender is determined to carry on with his play-from-the-back style and silence the critics who have claimed his sophisticated approach is a liability.
Such criticism would crush many young players, but the Yorkshire-born 23-year-old has a steel-edged self-belief – and the constant debate around his risky approach does not drag him down.
He said: “It doesn’t bother me. You have to be single- minded while also listening to what the boss Pep Guardiola and his staff at City want me to do for the team.
“Football has evolved now and you see more teams doing that. I’ve had some nice messages after games from players who I haven’t spoken to before.
“I won’t name people and drop them in it, but I’ve had messages from both strikers and defenders ANTOINE GRIEZMANN has warned France to beware of a “modern” England side that no longer relies on long balls.
The Atletico Madrid striker knows his Les Bleus team-mates will have to be particularly wary of Three Lions frontmen Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane.
He said: “I know English football, and its national team has young people at a high level and with enormous saying that they respect and love the way I play, telling me to keep doing it and not to change.
“To hear that from players in other teams who I have not spoken to before is great for me and has given me a lot of confidence.
“It’s a classy touch from them as well. They don’t have to go out of their way to say that. Hopefully, when I get towards the end of my career, I’ll be able to do the same for up-and-coming players and MANCHESTER CITY star John Stones had to think twice about taking the departed Pablo Zabaleta’s No.5 shirt for next season. The Blues defender wore No.24 last term, but boss Pep Guardiola asked him to be the new No.5. “When I got offered the shirt I had to take time to think about it,” he said. “That’s because it has been worn by some iconic players... and in this instance Pablo. I did not want to dive into it and then regret it. I spoke to Zaba before I took his shirt. I wanted to cover all the bases and, hopefully, do it justice.” people who you can see could become top players. I’d like to be able to have that bit of class.”
On the ball there are few who are classier than the former Everton player – but being English football’s most expensive defender makes him a target.
Stones added: “You’ve got to have a thick skin, not worry about it too much. I’ve got to listen to the gaffer and team-mates. They are the ones that are important. You get their feedback.
“There are a lot of people talking on TV. You go to work and people talk football.
“It’s ultimately down to the manager, team- mates and family who are sticking by you and getting you through situations. And it’s how you learn and make sure they don’t happen again. That’s how I deal with it. “I feel I’ve turned a corner since the start of this year and have been on the rise. I feel confident in my performances for the team and in myself.
“The way we play at City and England is exciting. Pep says, ‘Keep going, keep persevering with it, it’s just how we play, how we want to play’. When you’re on that same page, it’s going to come off in the end.
“It’s the same with England too, we’ve had a great record so far with Gareth Southgate and how we play. We are very lucky to have the pace, skill and mentality to play and adapt to different systems.
“He does his research and knows how we play at club level and is trying to bring that into the England team – which is a great skill in itself.”