GARETH BALE is ready to announce his retirement after Euro 2020, according to stunning reports from Spain.
Meanwhile the Spanish national team were held to a 0-0 draw by Portugal in a pre-tournament clash of the Iberian titans.
Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
BACK LINE
EXCLUSIVE – England should follow Chelsea’s blueprint for European glory as they look to cope with the absence of Harry Maguire, says Arsenal legend Martin Keown.
He said: “Maguire is a huge loss for England because he’s very dominant in the air, he’s never ruffled in possession and he has that quality on the ball that you need at international level.
“But if he’s not going to be fit then we are better off playing with a back three because I can barely remember a time when the back-up central defenders had so few international caps.
“Gareth was looking to get more creative players into the team higher up the pitch, which is better suited to 4-3-3.
“But now we should look at what Tuchel has done at Chelsea and ask if it is something which England can copy?
“There are three Chelsea players in the squad who are used to playing that way and I don’t think we’d go far wrong going into a tournament playing like that.
“I’m not saying that guys like Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings aren’t good enough. I think they lack international experience so a back four is a problem for England.”
HEND-GO
Gaerth Southgate has been given a major boost ahead of the Euros as Jordan Henderson has returned to full training.
The Liverpool captain, who’s not played for FOUR months, is in a race to be fit for England’s first group game against Croatia on Sunday, June 13.
The 30-year-old joined in with the bulk of the squad as they continue their preparations for Euro 2020.
Henderson remains a doubt for the opener next weekend having not played since undergoing groin surgery in February.
The midfielder was initially expected to be back within eight weeks but missed Liverpool’s run-in as they finished third in the Premier League.
His absence will have worried England boss Southgate, who was unable to pick him for the warm-up match against Austria on Wednesday after he felt some discomfort hours before kick-off.
Jordan Henderson has resumed full training to give Gareth Southgate a boost MAGUIRE UPDATE
Manchester United star defender Harry Maguire has been training on his own ahead of tomorrow’s friendly with Romania.
England have stated that the reason behind it is to “manage load” ahead of the summer’s delayed Euro 2020.
But Maguire has also been practicing alone due to his ankle injury.
Tottenham superstar Harry Kane and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka have also been doing the same by undergoing a different training routine
MANCHESTER TRIP
Atletico Madrid ace Kieran Trippier has been looking at houses in the north-west of England.
Trippier has been linked with a £10million transfer to Manchester United this summer transfer window.
According to The Athletic, the full-back has been seen trying to find a new house near Old Trafford.
However, the England international may just be looking to buy a property in the area because he’s originally from Bury, a town in Greater Manchester.
SANCHO SITUATION
Manchester United are growing confident of landing Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho in the summer.
According to The Athletic, United continue their pursuit to sign Sancho and negotiations have started with the star winger.
The England international has a “gentlemen’s agreement” to exit Borussia Dortmund this summer if their terms are met.
The 21-year-old is focused on Euro 2020 with his England team-mates
MOUR PRAISE
Jose Mourinho has praised Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of Euro 2020.
Mourinho is impressed with the depth in the roster as Southgate has a lot of players to pick for each position in case there is an injury or suspension.
The new Roma boss told SunSport: “The squad is very good, full of options.
“It’s not like some others where you can field a good starting XI but then during the competition they will be in trouble with an injury or a suspension”
IT’S RON
Cristiano Ronaldo is in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a potential move in the summer transfer window.
That is according to AS, who claim that Ronaldo has “welcomed” PSG’s approach.
The star forward’s future at Juventus has become uncertain following a hapless campaign that saw the Bianconeri giving away their Serie A crown to Inter Milan.
The 36-year-old has also been linked with a major return to Manchester United.
The Real Madrid great is now set to compete in Euro 2020 with Portugal
GETTY IMAGES RICE TOUCH
England boss Gareth Southgate has praised West Ham star Declan Rice’s leadership qualities but warned the midfielder about taking on too much responsibility at such a young age.
Southgate told the High Performance Podcast: “But what I said to him was, ‘Look, these are brilliant experiences for you. I like the fact that you’re standing, you feel the responsibility. You’re not ducking after a bad performance, you’re not looking to push the blame elsewhere. If anything, you’ve actually taken a bit too much on your shoulders. So keep a balance on that.’
“But I think reinforcing that that’s a good thing hopefully encourages him to keep doing it. So it’s easy to pick up when people aren’t doing those things, isn’t it?
“But if you can find them doing it well, I think that’s equally if not more powerful”
TRENT REPLACEMENT
England boss Gareth Southgate will have to choose a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of Euro 2020.
Alexander-Arnold suffered a devastating thigh injury during Wednesday’s friendly against Austria.
Southgate has five players, all axed from the provisional squad, to pick from.
Those are Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse, Ollie Watkins, Ben White and Ben Godfrey
T-A-A UPDATE
Liverpool have confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will have regained fitness in time for pre-season training.
Alexander-Arnold suffered a devastating thigh injury during Wednesday’s friendly against Austria and was ruled out of Euro 2020.
According to the Daily Mirror, however, the England international will be fit to start pre-season training on July 12.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate is set to pick a replacement
SOUTHGATE MESSAGE
England boss Gareth Southgate condemned the section of English fans who booed the players for taking a knee against racism and stated that it feels like they are criticising black players.
Southgate said: “I did hear it. It’s not something on behalf of our black players I wanted to hear because it feels as though it’s a criticism of them.
“I think we have got a situation where some people seem to think it’s a political stand that they don’t agree with. That’s not the reason the players are doing it. We’re supporting each other. I was pleased that was drowned out by the majority of the crowd.
“We can’t deny the fact that it happened. I think the most important thing for our players to know is all their team-mates and all the staff are very supportive. I think the majority of people understand it. I think some people aren’t quite understanding the message. I suppose we’re seeing that across a number of football grounds at the moment”
PFA TOTY
Here’s the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, which includes three England internationals:
Those are Manchester United ace Luke Shaw, Manchester City player John Stones and Tottenham star Harry Kane.
As you can see, six City players are included after a stunning title-winning campaign.
Two United players also made the cut.
The line-up is completed with two representatives from Tottenham and one from Liverpool
ENGLAND SQUAD
Let’s revisit the players England manager Gareth Southgate has called up:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Jordan Pickford
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (injured), Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice
Forwards: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling
MORE FROM PICKFORD
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford admits that he is in a much better place as he prepares for Euro 2020.
Pickford told the Daily Telegraph: “I have to think how lucky I am; all of the work my family put in – from me being six, seven years old with my parents taking me to football all the time.
“The amount they have invested in me. It’s about how can I keep that level of performance and look back to where I have come from.
“It’s crucial and I feel that I have kicked on this year. I feel calmer, I feel in the moment and I feel great”
GETTY IMAGES FORD TO BE RECKONED WITH
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford revealed that he has upped his game by seeing a sports psychologist and is no longer the same hyperactive and bellowing player on the pitch.
Pickford told the Daily Telegraph: “I just feel in a very good place. I began working with a psychologist at the start of the season.
“You know in football, those little one or two per cent gains — just to raise your ability on the pitch and what you can achieve — are crucial.
“Whether it’s nutrition, psychology, extra gym sessions. I think it helps. So why not use it?”
SANCHO BOOST
Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Jadon Sancho are “cautiously optimistic” a deal can be achieved this summer.
That is according to Sky Sports, who claim that discussions over Sancho’s signing are centred around Dortmund’s asking price.
But the Bundesliga side is expected to ask for a fee significantly lower than the star winger’s previous £108million release clause.
Dortmund’s terms haven’t been made public but if any suitor meets them then they won’t stand in the 21-year-old’s way.
Sancho is currently on international duty with England ahead of the summer’s delayed Euro 2020 competition
KOUNDE RACE
Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal have been joined by Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race for Sevilla star Jules Kounde.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca have been monitoring Kounde for two years.
Real are also thought to be keeping a close eye on the star centre-back as they may need to replace Raphael Varane.
The France international is now on international duty ahead of Euro 2020
GOALLESS DRAW
Spain and Portugal drew 0-0 last night at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo started for Fernando Santos’ side but couldn’t help them win.
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes came off the bench after 59 minutes.
Fernandes’ United team-mate David de Gea didn’t get to play in this big friendly match
FOR WHOM THE BALE TOLLS
Gareth Bale is still considering retirement after the summer’s Euro 2020 competition.
That is according to Marca, who claim that Carlo Ancelotti’s return to Real Madrid won’t alter his future plans.
Bale spent the season on loan at Tottenham and is now set to compete for Wales in the summer’s Euros.
The 31-year-old has another year to run on his contract with Real but the club wouldn’t stand in his way, as his departure would see them free up almost £20million
GETTY IMAGES EURO 2020 ROUND-UP
New SunSport columnist Jose Mourinho believes Harry Kane’s Tottenham trophy drought can fire up his and England’s hopes of home glory this summer.
The new Roma boss rates the striker he bossed at Spurs as the Three Lions’ key man, adding “Harry is the one that shoulders a lot.
“The country expects a lot from him. He expects a lot from himself.
“He’s the captain and he wants to win something. He is not doing that with his club, so he’s going to try everything he can to do it with the Three Lions.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has posted on Instagram he is ‘absolutely gutted’ injury has forced him out of England’s 26-man squad.
And Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka insists he can still break into the squad despite fierce opposition from TAA and Co.
He told United’s website: “I feel I’ve done okay. I can feel it in myself, the confidence and excitement of when every game comes up.”
Finally, Uefa are reportedly in discussion with the UK government over easing fan limits for the Euro 2020 knockout stages.
Sky Sports say the talks focus on reducing coronavirus quarantine restrictions on overseas supporters.
BALE OUT
Gareth Bale is ready to call it a day after Euro 2020, according to stunning reports in Spain.
Though the Welshman played his best football under new Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, he is not said to be keen on another season with Los Blancos.
And Marca state that if nothing changes, Bale will announce his retirement from professional football at the age of 31 once the tournament is over.
The Wales captain his one year left of his £19m contract at Real Madrid, but the 13-time Champions League winners are reportedly not likely to stand in his way if he wants to call it quite.
FULL PREM RELEASE LIST
Big names could be on their way out this summer – after Premier League clubs revealed their released list.
Here’s our FULL GUIDE.
MOURINHO’S GUIDE TO EACH TEAM
New SunSport columnist Jose Mourinho has given his expert rundown on all the contenders at this summer’s Euros.
Click HERE to read his detailed analysis.
JOSE: SPURS DROUGHT CAN FIRE UP HARRY
Jose Mourinho has backed Harry Kane to use his Tottenham trophy drought to fire him up for the Euros.
Despite his fine goalscoring form, England skipper Kane has endured another frustrating trophy-less season with Spurs – and is eyeing a move away this summer.
But old boss Mourinho believes the striker’s pain will stand him in good stead to lead the Three Lions on home turf.
Mourinho said: “Harry (Kane) is the one that has on his shoulders a lot.
“The country expects a lot from him. He expects a lot from himself.
“He’s the captain and he wants to win something. He’s not doing that with the club, so, of course, he’s going to try everything he can to do it with the Three Lions.”
SPAIN 0 PORTUGAL 0
Cristiano Ronaldo was booed at every touch to prove he is still the main man at the Euros.
Portugal’s stellar captain is poised to play in a record fifth championship.
The three Group F games alone will give him the most appearances at the tournament with 59 – which includes qualifying.
Now 36, Ronaldo is still leading the line for his country who kick off the defence of their Euro 2016 title against Hungary on June 15.
But the normally lethal finisher will have to wait for his 104th international goal after missing a sitter against local rivals Spain in a warm up.
Frustrated Ronaldo was unmarked but sent a header wide of the post from a 69th minute free kick.
Liverpool’s Diogo Jota also missed a golden chance to score with a diving header that flew over the crossbar in the second half.
Manchester City’s Ferran Torres also headed wide in the 28th minute at the back post when unmarked.
But ex-Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata was most guilty as he fluffed a series of opportunities to give Spain a winning warm up in a lively match which was overseen by Premier League ref Craig Pawson.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
