Arsenal and Germany's Kai Havertz suggests Gary Lineker is IRRELEVANT
Germany star Kai Havertz has hit back at Gary Lineker after the England legend brutally criticised his side.
Germany face Paraguay in their World Cup round of 32 match this evening after topping Group E.
However, although they beat minnows Curacao 7-1, they only defeated Ivory Coast with an injury-time winner and were then beaten 2-1 by Ecuador, with Julian Nagelsmann's side having struggled to convince so far.
And Lineker, who is out at the tournament hosting The Rest is Football podcast show on Netflix, was withering in his assessment of Germany.
In an interview with French outlet L'Equipe, Lineker said: 'I think this is one of the weakest Germany sides I have ever seen.
'Germany are living off their past. Just remember that they didn't even make it out of the group stage at the last two World Cups.'
Gary Lineker described Germany as 'one of the weakest Germany sides I have ever seen'
Germany star Kai Havertz hit back and insisted he is not bothered by outside criticism
If Germany do beat Paraguay and France defeat Sweden in their own round of 32 match on Tuesday, the two nations will meet in the last-16.
Speaking about that potential tie, Lineker added: 'France should reach the quarter-finals without any trouble. So I think you can all sleep easy.'
When pressed on these comments at Germany's pre-match press conference, Havertz insisted he was not bothered by Lineker's words.
'Everyone is entitled to their opinion,' Havertz said. 'I didn't even notice it myself. Of course, during a tournament like this, a lot of people start talking about you.
'But I don't think anyone in the squad pays much attention to it. We already have plenty of experts in our own country – if people in other countries start as well, then at some point enough is enough.
'It’s always easy to criticise us from the outside. But it honestly doesn't interest me at all.'
Julian Nagelsmann's side have failed to convince at the World Cup despite topping their group
Lineker's comments are in sharp contrast to his famous words after England lost to West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semi-final.
Lineker had played that day, but the Three Lions were defeated on penalties, after which he said: 'Football is a simple game. 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes, and in the end, the Germans always win.'
Meanwhile, Lineker made a one-off guest appearance on ITV's World Cup coverage earlier this month, but has otherwise been hosting daily editions of The Rest Is Football.
However, despite Netflix paying £14million for the rights to broadcast the podcast, it is only averaging a peak audience of around 140,000, much lower than the BBC's Football Daily show, which attracts up to 250,000 streams.
Have you paid attention to the action so far? Try our World Cup quiz HERE
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
