GARETH SOUTHGATE is ensuring his players live in luxury when they stay at their plush HQ for the Euros.
England will set up camp at their usual base of St George’s Park in Burton, using the Hilton hotel on the FA campus.
And the stars will be there throughout the duration of the tournament and then make the 140-mile, two-and-a-half-hour trip down the M1 to Wembley for matches.
The digs are kitted out with an indoor pool, a spa and even a bar called Crossbar.
Team chef Omar Meziane – who used to cook for the Spice Girls – is going to be on site to serve up dishes for the squad, including barbeques.
A giant marquee is set up outside to host ‘limited access’ media briefings and virtual press conferences.
And the 26-man squad, including late replacement Ben White, will be put up to the media together just as they were before the World Cup three years ago but in a Covid-safe version.
However, there are also some other changes Southgate has kept secret so far, even from his coaching staff, according to the Mirror.
The Three Lions boss said: “St George’s is an environment we are familiar with.
“We are hoping to change that a little bit so when the players walk through the door it is not quite as they have seen it before. I am looking forward to that.”
BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play
A source added to the Mirror: “Gareth wants to recreate the atmosphere there was in Russia. He wants the team spirit everyone saw.”
But there won’t be any Wags or family allowed in the camp which must remain as a bio-secure bubble.
It remains to be confirmed whether there will be chances for players to meet up with loved ones during rest days or go off site to relax together.
Speaking in May, Southgate said: “We’re not going to be able to let people in.
“There’s a clear edict from Uefa on what the bubbles need to look like to be as secure as we can make them.
“It’s never going to be 100 per cent failsafe but we’ve got to comply with as much as we can.
“We’re hoping that we might at some point be able to let the players have a little bit of time at home.
“But that’s constantly being assessed. It’d be a preference for us if we can.
“We hope to do that and we’re working towards that, but it is going to be limited access which we have to accept is going to be harder for some players to cope with than for others.”
England begin their Euro 2020 campaign on Sunday at Wembley against 2018 nemeses Croatia.
They then face Scotland before taking on Czech Republic in their final Group D match.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
