So we hear (yawn) from another Barca numpty that Cesc is all but at Barca and it's just a matter of time. Boy, has Cesc got those idiots fooled.

Let's be honest, if Spain could put out the Barca team it'd save them a lot of problems and practice time which they could then devote to their Playstations or playing cards. I suspect that this is their ultimate plan and to hear that Messi is applying for Spanish nationality some time soon. Then there is the embarrassing issue of Cesc. Clearly the difference when he came on as a sub against Paraguay, but regrettably still an Arsenal player. So to get a game what does he have to do? Start talking about how much he wants to play for Barca in the hope he gets more playing time at the World Cup of course. Hasn't worked so good yet, but there are two more matches to go, so who knows.

Think about it. When did the rumours start? Just before the World Cup. And all we have actually heard from Cesc since was how much he loves Arsenal and he that had never said that he would definitely be leaving. Genius. He can now blame Arsenal when he doesn't go to Barca this summer and which doesn't queer the pitch for joining them at some time in the future. The boy's an evil genius, he could have quite a future as a politician when he hangs up his boots! Come join me in denial, the weather's lovely...

Turns out Theo had a lucky escape not being selected for the shambles that became the English World Cup squad. Maybe Arsène had a quiet word in Fabio's shell-like concerning the availability of Young Jack in Fab's future plans and having prescience far in advance of normal men, saw the way the wind was blowing and got Theo excluded. It's a thought. Either way Theo gets to have another chance and what with Messi getting a back-hander to big him up, he now becomes the player England should have taken as he would have made all the difference. Pure gold for the boy as long as he doesn't actually have to play with that rabble at any point.

It's been an amusing diversion with everyone and his dog having an opinion on why England were so rubbish, up to and including a Stoke Neolithic suggesting it's Arsenal's fault. Must be something in the environment in the Potteries which activates the delusional part of the brain. And yes I know it was presented as a  wind-up, but frankly I don't think he was intelligent enough. I think he actually meant it.

I only mention that, not to give the views any credence, but because it's indicative of the deep lying attitudes in the English game. Let's make this abundantly clear. You can have the old fashioned 'committed' English game or you can win international football tournaments. You can't have both, it's your choice. To win international tournaments you have to have  a bunch of players who are technically adept, not rely on the extraordinarily gifted to come up trumps. Technical skills will carry you through when inspiration is lacking.

I blame the FA. Having spent a stupid amount on the national stadium, they cancelled plans to establish a football academy. Good call. Let's have a stadium where the national team captain can make four grand by renting out his box in preference to bringing on a generation of footballers who know how to control a ball, and don't tackle with both feet off the ground and studs up to 'let them know you're there'.

It used to be that the clubs had academies which used to train young players, albeit in the old school disciplines. That's not really happening now as them that can afford just go buy a team, and the rest buy their cast-offs. Or put another way, it's a teensy bit hit or miss. Where is the national development plan to bring on the most gifted English footballers? Whilst the FA refuses to take responsibility and grab the bull by the horns, we can look forward to many more failures on the European and World stage. It's a comforting thought.