Chris Sutton expects Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur target Jonathan David will be key for Canada at the World Cup. He feels the LOSC Lille striker can help cause a ‘shock’ in Qatar.
The one-cap England star has named David and Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies as the Maple Leafs stars to watch out for. Sutton believes the pair will have to be vital at either end of the pitch for John Herdman’s side to challenge for the top spots in Group F.
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FIFA has drawn Canada beside Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. The Maple Leafs start their tournament with the Red Devils in Al-Rayyan on November 23 and play again on the 27th and December 1 respectively. It is their first appearance at a World Cup since back in 1986.
Sutton tips David and Davies to help Canada ‘shock’ the World Cup in Group F
Canada are one of the co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup with the United States of America and Mexico. Yet Sutton is not holding out much hope for Herdman’s men at Qatar 2022 as he has tipped them to finish bottom of Group F in a pre-tournament column for BBC Sport.
But if David and Davies can deliver in Qatar, Sutton can see Canada pulling off a surprise or two at the World Cup this winter. He is also thrilled to see them end their 36-year absence.
“Forget Morocco because Canada are the hipster team at this tournament, and it is good to see them back at a World Cup for the first time since Mexico 1986,” Sutton wrote.
“I have got them down as finishing fourth in Group F but I am not ruling them out of causing a shock or two if Alphonso Davies is fit and Jonathan David can get among the goals.”
The Lille star is a target for Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham before Qatar 2022
David played a prominent role in Canada sealing their place at the World Cup in Qatar. The 35-cap striker scored five of his 22 career international goals and laid on four of 13 assists in their 14 CONCACAF qualifiers. The Maple Leafs finished top of the standings to Mexico.
The Brooklyn, New York native also flew to the Middle East amid a nine-goal campaign for Lille this term. David is also a target for an array of Premier League teams with Dean Jones citing the Switzerland star as a possible option for Arsenal, Everton and Tottenham to sign.
Jones also expects Manchester United to take a greater interest in the 5 ft 9 forward next year if he has an electric World Cup. Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has also cited Everton’s interest but adds that Lille will value David at in excess of €50m (£42.5m).
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