GARETH SOUTHGATE has confirmed his 26-man England squad for Euro 2020.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has made the cut, but it’s heartbreak for Aaron Ramsdale, Ollie Watkins, Ben White and Ben Godfrey.
Bizarrely though, Jesse Lingard, who has not made the squad, will START against Austria according to Gareth Southgate.
And Kevin de Bruyne has been declared fit for Belgium in Euro 2020.
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Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
ALARM BELS
A number of Belgium players have reportedly rejected the chance to receive a Covid-19 vaccination before Euro 2020.
Belgian outlet HLN claim some of Roberto Martinez’s players turned down the chance to take the Pfizer jab over fears it will wreck their chances.
The country’s government had given the green light for the Red Devils – the number one international team in football – to receive their vaccination.
Yet some players are worried about the potential side effects – tiredness, headaches, muscle and joint pain, chills and fever – that affects more than one in ten people.
COVID SHOCK
Scotland’s plans for tonight’s friendly with Holland are in chaos after SIX players were ruled out over Covid-19 fears.
Midfielder John Fleck was KO’d yesterday after testing positive for Coronavirus.
Now another half-dozen players have been taken out of the squad as a precaution.
Stars David Marshall, John McGinn, Che Adams, Stephen O’Donnell, Grant Hanley and Nathan Patterson will miss the clash.
They have stayed at the Scotland camp in Spain while the rest of the group flew to Portugal for tonight’s bounce game with the Dutch.
LION HEARTS
Gareth Southgate will have a limited squad to choose from when England face Austria tonight.
Stars from Chelsea, Man United and Man City are set to be given the evening off after their European exploits.
And that could see West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard start – despite missing out on Southgate’s Euros squad.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is also in line to feature tonight.
RIO CRITICISM
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes England boss Gareth Southgate made a mistake when he called up the injured Harry Maguire.
Ferdinand said in his FIVE YouTube channel: “England needed another centre-back. This tells me he [Southgate] is definitely playing three at the back.
“Harry Maguire’s not even fit, I wouldn’t even take Maguire. You’re not fit, you’re not going to be fit for ages, it doesn’t make sense. I’ve been in squads with players who haven’t been fit and they don’t perform when they’re not themselves.
“It happened with Becks [David Beckham] and Wazza [Wayne Rooney]. As good as Maguire is, he’s not a Becks or a Wazza. I don’t think you should take someone who’s not 100 per cent fit. It’s hard to come back and get into a rhythm.
“That narrative ends up taking over the squad and it becomes the conversation and a distraction. Do we really need that? It’s pointless I think. Hopefully he proves me wrong, I would love it if he did”
MAGUIRE UPDATE
Manchester United and England ace Harry Maguire has issued a promising injury update ahead of Euro 2020.
Maguire told SunSport: “The fear that I had was missing everything.
“I knew it was quite a bad injury. When I got the results of the scan, I knew it would be unlikely I would made the Europa League final — but we also never ruled it out.
“I would jump out of bed and put weight on my ankle, which I probably should not have done, and test it to see if the pain was still there. Every morning, I woke up wishing the pain would be gone.
“Unfortunately, it was not to be. I knew for me to start the Europa League final was very unlikely but I hoped to play some part. However it was out of reach and just not possible. Ahead of the final, I could still not run on the ankle.
“But it is now improving and getting better, so I am just looking forward to the Euros”
SANCHO REPLACEMENT
Borussia Dortmund are preparing for life after Jadon Sancho, according to reports in Germany.
According to SportBild, Dortmund consider PSV Eindhoven ace Donyell Malen as Sancho’s replacement.
The England international is likely to join Manchester United, who have been keeping tabs on the star forward ever since last year.
However, the 21-year-old is currently focused on this summer’s Euro 2020 with the Three Lions
GETTY IMAGES BACK IN THE RAN
Manchester United have revived their interest in Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier.
According to Manchester Evening News, United are keeping tabs on Trippier ahead of this summer’s Euro 2020 finals.
The Red Devils were set to make a move in January but the full-back’s betting suspension ended their plans.
The former Tottenham player is out of contract with Atletico next summer and has reportedly made arrangements to return to England
BACK IN THE RAN
Manchester United have revived their interest in Atletico Madrid full-back Kieran Trippier.
According to Manchester Evening News, United are keeping tabs on Trippier ahead of Euro 2020 this summer.
The Red Devils planned to make a move in the January transfer window but the full-back’s betting suspension halted their plans.
The former Tottenham ace is out of contract with Atleti next summer and has reportedly made arrangements to return to England
RASH DECISION
Darren Anderton has advised England manager Gareth Southgate to start the following players in Euro 2020.
Anderton told BritishGambler.co.uk: “Rashford has that pace, Sterling has that pace, Foden for me is the player that we just have to get the best out of.
“Play him wherever you think you’ll get the best out of him whether that’s playing him deeper or starting him a little bit further up the pitch.
“For me I’d probably play him a little bit deeper and play Rashford and Sterling up top. If not one of those two then maybe Sancho”
PFA AWARDS
Some of England’s most talented youngsters have been nominated for the Men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award.
Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold, West Ham star Declan Rice, Chelsea player Mason Mount, Manchester City wonderkid Phil Foden, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Manchester United player Mason Greenwood made the shortlist.
All of them will be playing in Euro 2020 except for Greenwood, who has been sidelined due to an underlying injury problem.
WALK THE LINE
Gary Lineker believes Tottenham star striker Harry Kane could join Manchester United after Euro 2020, where he will captain England.
Lineker told Goal: “I would love to see him at Barcelona but they are going for [Sergio] Aguero and are short on cash at the moment.
“I think it is between Manchester City, Manchester United and maybe PSG.
“They have [Mauricio] Pochettino and he would win things, guaranteed. I think it is more likely that one of the Manchester clubs can afford him outside of Chelsea.
“I don’t think he would go to Chelsea and do that to the Tottenham fans but who knows
SOUTHGATE ON TRENT
England boss Gareth Southgate blasted recent reports suggesting Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold would be axed from his Euro 2020 squad after including the talented right-back to his final group.
Southgate said: “I spoke to Trent three weeks ago. There were stories over the last couple of weeks with lots of strange headlines, I have no idea where they have come from.
“I felt that there were stories that ran that were so far off the truth. I read stories about me that aren’t true but when it’s a player they may feel like they’re reading it so it may be true.
“Last night we were dealing with that, in the morning he’s taking set pieces preparing for tomorrow and then he’s reading that he is not going to the Euros.
“That’s the world I live in but I want to protect my players. I spoke to Trent last night to say ‘don’t know where this is coming from, it’s nonsense’. People jump on it and say I have an agenda or don’t like the kid. It is an incredible situation”
GETTY IMAGES SOUTHGATE IMPROVING
England boss Gareth Southgate insists he is still improving at the national team’s helm.
Southgate said: “Then I was a 17-year-old apprentice like I was at Crystal Palace and now I’m probably a 23-year-old player.
“I’ve only managed 200 games so in terms of experience, I’ve got a lot of experience now of as higher-pressured job as you can have experience of big matches with the national team.
“I still know that I’ll be better again in two years’ time and I’ll be better again in four years’ time because I’ve got the desire to improve, learn, reflect, get better and I want to be the best possible coach and manager that I can be.”
DE-FFICULT COMPETITION
Barcelona are also interested in signing Sevilla star defender Jules Kounde in this summer transfer window.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca are looking to compete against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal over Kounde in the coming months.
The centre-back stood out this season in LaLiga with some stunning performances in defence.
The France international is now set to compete in Euro 2020 for his nation
NOT THE SEM THING
England manager Gareth Southgate has conceded that anything other than a semi-final finish in Euro 2020 would be deemed a failure.
Southgate said when asked if anything other than a final-four qualification would be considered a let-down: “Yeah, it probably will.
“I think we’re realistic about that, we have to live with that expectation. We know the excitement around the team and it’s great, we’re now relevant.
“Expectations were lower [in the 2018 World Cup]. We’ve got some exciting players and I don’t think these players are at their peak by any means. I think when I look at some of the players working with us it’s so exciting for England in the future.
“I’ve got to try to manage the expectations for the players. I accept the situation as a manager, there’s expectation, I have to deliver”
YOUNG BUK
England boss Gareth Southgate has praised Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka for his impressive performances and character despite a difficult campaign at the Emirates.
Southgate said: “Firstly he’s performed exceptionally well for us and performed well in a team that’s had a difficult season.
“Sometimes young players can go into teams that are playing well and flourish. He’s gone into a team that have had a tough season and have really played with character as well as skill.
“Again we saw when he had to come on in Belgium [last autumn] real personality in his performance. His adaptability, the fact he can play four or five different positions is a real plus for us”
CAN’T GO SOUTH
England manager Gareth Southgate understands the enormity of the task ahead at Euro 2020.
Southgate said: “We have to deliver as a group of staff, it’s not about me in terms of if we can be successful. But, of course, it’s about me if we fail. No problem, that’s the gig.
“But for the players, I’ve still got to bear in mind they are a young group, they have still got a lot of progression to make, some are now learning how to win things, being involved in big matches. It’s brilliant for their progress and opportunities for England, that’s what we want.
“Are we ready to win? Well, we’ve been to two semi-finals so the next step is to try to go further”
GETTY IMAGES RONALDO BOOST
Juventus star forward Cristiano Ronaldo is highly unlikely to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window.
That is according to The Athletic, who claim Ronaldo may not be moving to Paris despite his uncertain future with the Bianconeri.
The legendary forward has been linked with a sensational comeback to Manchester United in the summer.
However, the Portugal international is currently focused on Euro 2020
HEY JUDE
England boss Gareth Southgate insists Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham is not just joining his Euro 2020 squad for experience.
Southgate said: “Jude is phenomenal.
“Just in training in the last couple of days, to have a 17-year-old, who wants to compete with senior players, not only has the technique, but the competitiveness and maturity. He’s a hugely exciting player.
“He’s going to be an important player for England. We’re not just taking him for the experience. The experience is going to be enormous for him and for future England managers because I don’t see anything in his character that means he won’t succeed.
“But his performance levels with Dortmund in the big Champions League games were the things that really struck us. He stood up in those big moments. They are the moments we’re really assessing the players on”
BE RIGHT BACK
England manager Gareth Southgate has opted for four right-backs ahead of Euro 2020.
Specifically, Southgate chose Manchester City ace Kyle Walker, Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold, Atletico Madrid player Kieran Trippier and Chelsea’s Reece James.
The Three Lions boss also called up two left-backs in Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw.
His defensive options also include Conor Coady, Tyrone Mings, Harry Maguire and John Stones
KANE STOP HIM
Tottenham star striker Harry Kane won’t change his mind about leaving even if Mauricio Pochettino returns to Spurs.
The north Londoners are in talks to bring Pochettino back to the helm where he enjoyed tremendous success and played a major part in Kane’s incredible development.
The England captain, who is set for action in Euro 2020, had a wonderful relationship with the Argentinean manager but seems so determined to leave and challenge for silverware that a reunion won’t make him think twice, according to The Times.
Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea lead the race to sign the 27-year-old centre-forward
NO GREEN LIGHT
Manchester United ace Mason Greenwood has withdrawn from the England squad for this summer’s Euro 2020 due to an underlying injury.
Greenwood had been named in Gareth Southgate’s provisional, 33-man squad for this summer’s delayed competition.
But the forward has been forced to pull out due to a pre-existing knock and thus failed to make Southgate’s final 26-man group.
United confirmed the 19-year-old would be withdrawn for his own safety, unwilling to risk pushing him any further after a gruelling campaign
GETTY IMAGES SAN-THING’S COOKING
Manchester United have ‘mostly agreed’ personal terms with Borussia Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho.
Sancho’s representatives are ‘expecting’ a £77million transfer to get over the line in the summer transfer window.
According to Sport1, Dortmund have dropped their previous £108m release clause.
However, a formal transfer offer is yet to be lodged by United
COME AND GET HEEM
Arsenal are leading the race to sign Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling in the summer.
Sterling has dropped down the pecking order at City after the emergence of 21-year-old Phil Foden.
Manager Pep Guardiola is looking to sign a top centre-forward, such as Tottenham superstar Harry Kane, that will help the Citizens finally win the Champions League trophy.
However, City will have to raise funds after losing Sergio Aguero on a free transfer to Barcelona and thus the likes of Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Riyad Mahrez look set to be let go in the summer
CUT OUT
England manager Gareth Southgate announced his final 26-man squad for this summer’s delayed Euro 2020.
Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Godfrey, Jesse Lingard, Ollie Watkins, Ben White, James Ward-Prowse and Mason Greenwood didn’t make the cut.
Manchester United ace Mason Greenwood pulled out due to an injury.
Reminding you that Southgate opted for four right-backs
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
