#england-squad

#england-squad

Nemanja Matic spent five years at Manchester United after choosing to be reunited with then manager Jose Mourinho, who had signed the player at Chelsea.The midfielder has now followed Mourinho to Roma and have booked their place in the Europa League semi-final this season.Speaking with Sky Sports, Matic has reflected on what it's like playing for Mourinho.

Self-belief and hard work hoisted Ethan Havard into the England squad for Saturday's crushing 64-0 win over France in Warrington and the Wigan man is intent on keeping his place during the long build-up to the 2025 World Cup.Havard was one of 13 international debutants in Shaun Wane's squad for the one-sided mid-season international, and the 6ft 4ins Wigan forward marked a typically muscular first appearance by touching down for his debut England try midway through the second half.

It may have been a long time coming - but for James Maddison, his full England debut was worth the wait.Three and a half years since his first international appearance as a substitute against Montenegro, Leicester midfielder Maddison started as the Three Lions comfortably beat Ukraine to remain unbeaten in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers says relegation is not "in question" if his players are still "running and fighting".The Foxes, who were Premier League champions in 2016, are outside the bottom three only on goal difference and have lost their last five games.They travel to Brentford on Saturday, with Thomas Frank's side aiming to qualify for Europe next season.

Fernandez was among the goals / Hernan Cortez/GettyImages The international break had a lot to take in for Chelsea.The Blues had plenty of players on show all across the globe, with many taking the chance to get away from their domestic struggles and strut their stuff on the international stage.Here are five takeaways for Chelsea from the March international break.

The forward was forced to pull out of the England squad who beat Italy and Ukraine over the international break to get their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign off to a flying start.Rashford sustained a small injury during United's dramatic FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham earlier this month.Erik ten Hag's side came from behind as their visitors were reduced to nine men at Old Trafford and duly booked a semi-final meeting with Brighton at Wembley next month.

There's one.You can always bet on it, folks.There is always one when an international break hits the midway point and we start to get within a few days of the club game getting going again.This time around, it just so happens to be about one of Juventus ' most reliable players come the turn of the calendar year.

Reece James has left the England camp and returned to Chelsea due to an 'ongoing issue'.The right-back was expected to start Sunday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley after Kyle Walker played all 90 minutes of Thursday's 2-1 win away at Italy.But James has failed to prove his fitness and will reconvene with Chelsea at their Cobham training base.

M anchester United now face a fight to keep their place in the top four after the international break.While Erik ten Hag has secured a trophy during his first season in charge, failing to lead his side back into the Champions League would be a major disappointment.United currently sit in third but lead fifth-placed Newcastle by only three points and travel to St James' Park when domestic football resumes at the start of April.

Manchester United are ready to join the bidding to sign England midfielder Jude Bellingham, 19, from Borussia Dortmund.Newcastle United want to make Leicester midfielder James Maddison a priority this summer with the 26-year-old said to want to play in the Champions League and become a regular in the England squad.