EURO 2020 is finally here!
Kylian Mbappe was reportedly left fuming after Olivier Giroud publicly criticised him for failing to pass.
The PSG star was so angry with the Champions League winner’s comments after the friendly with Bulgaria that he reportedly wanted to call a press conference to explain his point of view.
And things didn’t turn out much better for France’s other striker Karim Benzema, who went off injured.
Meanwhile Denmark and Romania are set to announce an increase in the number of fans that can attend their Euro 2020 games – to 65 and 50 per cent respectively.
And we’ve got the very latest on star defender Harry Maguire’s injury comeback for England.
Follow all of the latest news, build up and updates below…
NOT KEANE
Manchester United hero Roy Keane doesn’t believe Tottenham star Harry Kane possesses the necessary traits to be the England captain.
Keane told SkyBet: “The only thing I’d hold against Kane – there’s a big negative I have towards Kane.
“I think Kane is an amazing player. I think every club should be trying to sign him. Man United have got to sign him, I don’t care if it’s £120million – sign him.
“But I don’t think he’s a good leader. I never see him digging anyone out when he was at Spurs. I know people might go, ‘Well that’s not in his personality’, or ‘He might do it in the dressing room’. I don’t think he does, and that’s a big problem.
“OK, you can lead with your brilliant play, but sometimes I think I want to see another side to Kane.
“I’d love to see him get hold of somebody, and I’m on about Spurs – some players have been really poor or downing tools for certain managers. I never saw Kane digging them out. So that’s my only hang-up with Kane as a leader and a captain”
HE KAN GO
Tottenham hero Glenn Hoddle believes his former club may decide to cash in on England captain Harry Kane but doesn’t expect anyone to “cough up” £150million.
Kane is likely to leave Spurs in the summer and has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Hoddle told the Daily Mirror: “I don’t think anyone’s going to cough up £150million, I think they could cough up £100million plus two players, if it’s Manchester City, Manchester United, whoever.
“That deal isn’t an easy done and dusted deal when you’ve got three years left on your contract; he might still be at Tottenham.
“Then again, Tottenham may feel he’s 28 in the summer and might think, ‘We’ve got to cash in now’, because when he’s 29 and going to the World Cup [next year], they’re not going to have that kind of offer.
“As a Spurs man, I hope he doesn’t go, but if he does go, I wish him well”
JUST A COLE AWAY
Chelsea and England ace Reece James revealed that he speaks with legendary full-back Ashley Cole “nearly every week” as the former Blues and Arsenal defender helps in his progress.
James said: “When I was young I wasn’t always a right back.
“I was a striker. But I’ve always looked up to Frank Lampard because he played for the club I supported, Ashley Cole similar.
“So I’ve always supported the boys who played for the team I supported.
“[With Cole], we speak nearly every week. He’s probably one of the best left-backs to play the game.
“Even though he was a left-back the position is basically the same, just on the opposite side. He helps me a lot progressing”
SUPER IDOL
England international Ben White admits he looks up to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, amid reports suggesting he is being targeted by the Red Devils as well as Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool.
White said during the Three Lions’ media day: “I think it is a little bit of everyone, trying to pick little bits out of each defender.
“Obviously watching the Premier League every week you can see the different types of players and pick different things out of each player.
“Rio Ferdinand, that was the one for me”
GO FOR IT
Former Scotland manager Gordon Strachan believes his national team will be tough to beat at Euro 2020 and can go into the tournament with plenty of confidence.
Strachan wrote in his column at the Daily Mail: “Scotland can approach this tournament with confidence. Yes, we are all thrilled to be there after waiting so long but that doesn’t mean we are just there to be brushed aside.
“This is a good group of Scottish players. Good attitude, good personality and they have courage too. Most importantly, there are some very good players in there.
“We don’t have loads of goals up front so Steve Clarke will make us hard to beat. I am sure of that and it will be our biggest asset”
GETTY IMAGES BARNES MESSAGE
Liverpool and England legend John Barnes claims Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate “doesn’t understand how complex racism is” as he responded to the head coach’s recent comments about taking the knee.
Barnes tweeted: “Of course he should support his players… but what does HE think… forget the players… that’s what an ally is… someone who believes HE’S doing the right thing, not one who follows the crowd, as the crowd may change direction.”
In another comment, the former midfielder said: “I’m 100% behind Gareth to try to win the euros but he doesn’t understand how complex racism is and solutions are even more complicated and he and the team are being used by the system to DEFLECT from REAL inequality in the inner cities by SOLELY focusing and concentrating on football.”
England have decided to take the knee before all of their matches in Euro 2020
SANCHO REACTS
Borussia Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho claims he doesn’t pay attention to transfer rumours amid reports suggesting Manchester United are trying to sign him.
Sancho is currently preparing for Euro 2020 with England and suggested he doesn’t worry about which club he will be playing for after the tournament.
Sancho told talkSPORT: “I don’t really look at it [the speculation]. During the season, I always focus on myself & the team.
“That’s the most important thing we can do and every time I’m on the pitch I always give it my all, obviously trying to create what I do on the pitch and that’s with goals and assists. That’s what I really try to do, work hard for the team.
“[The noise] is part of the game. Fans are always going to be excited for major tournaments, so that’s normal. As a young kid growing up and watching these major tournaments, I was excited as well.
“All the lads should be excited, these tournaments don’t come around often, so you have to take your moment and when you do get your opportunity on the pitch, you have to take it”
NO KNEE-D
Scotland have decided against taking the knee during the upcoming Euro 2020 competition but will continue to stand up to racism.
Steve Clarke’s squad, and England’s Group D opponents, switched from kneeling before kick-off to standing before their World Cup qualifiers in March.
Clarke claimed the impact of the kneeling gesture had become “maybe a little bit diluted”.
Scotland captain and Liverpool star Andy Robertson, however, insists the team’s effort to helping eradicate discrimination is in no way diminished.
Robertson said: “It is important we continue to tackle the issue of racism and raise awareness of the need to change people’s mindsets but also their behaviours.
“Prior to our World Cup qualifiers in March we spoke as a group and felt that taking a stand was the best way for us to show solidarity and also to reinforce the need for meaningful change in society”
GREAT SCOTT
Manchester City great Joleon Lescott believes Manchester United star Harry Maguire is very important for England as “the gap between his level and the other defenders is quite a lot”.
Lescott told 101 Great Goals: “I think he is really important to be fair.
“I think the gap between his level and the other defenders is quite a lot. In terms of consistency, he’s up there with anyone in the league.
“He has an air of confidence that you should have when you play for a top team. He will also have a good partnership with Luke Shaw”
MAGUIRE BOOST
Manchester United ace Harry Maguire has returned to England training on the eve of Euro 2020 and has given the Three Lions a major boost before their tournament opener.
Maguire linked up with the rest of the team for practice as he continues his recovery from an ankle ligament injury.
The centre-back missed United’s Europa League Final against Villarreal, who won on penalties, due to his ongoing knock.
However, the 28-year-old defender has handed Southgate a significant injury boost ahead of Sunday’s opener with Croatia
WEMBLEY UPDATE
Wembley could be half full for the Euro 2020 knockout stages, according to plans being discussed by the Football Association and the government.
That is according to BBC Sport, who report that talks are ongoing regarding 40,000 fans being allowed in regardless of whether the easing of current restrictions is delayed.
The historic stadium will host all of England’s matches in the group stage against Croatia, Scotland and the Czech Republic as well as two last-16 ties, both semi-finals and the final
Fans attending The Three Lions’ group stage games at Wembley will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test before entry.
ENGLAND OPTIMISM
Chelsea ace Reece James believes England have what it takes to go all the way.
James told PA: “I think now is probably the best chance we’ve ever had to achieve something so big in the tournament.
“We’ve got so many great players and so many players that have won titles and won many major honours.
“I think we definitely have a good enough team to go all the way in this tournament and I don’t see why we can’t.”
SOUTHGATE PLANS
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon said he’s been in direct contact with England manager Gareth Southgate and claims he may start four full-backs in defence against Croatia on Sunday.
Dixon believes Southgate will play with a 3-4-3 formation that would see Ben Chilwell on the left and Kieran Trippier on the right flank, while Luke Shaw and Kyle Walker will team up with John Stones at the back.
The Gunners hero told talkSPORT: “He wants to be protective of the goal a little bit more.
“Luke Shaw on that side has popped up a couple of times and he’s played there for Man United.
“I know he’s not been playing with a three at the back because he’s trying to give people minutes but I think he will go down that road – Shaw is certainly in the mix for that”
TOP POG
Manchester United have opened talks with Paul Pogba’s representatives over a new deal.
According to Sky Sports, United are keen on holding on to Pogba with a fresh contract.
The star midfielder’s deal with the Red Devils expires next year in June and thus he will be allowed to negotiate with clubs outside the Premier League from January.
The 28-year-old is currently gearing up for Euro 2020 with France
GETTY IMAGES FAN-TASTIC
Euro co-hosts Denmark will allow up to 65 per cent capacity for their matches at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium.
Romania’s National Arena in Bucharest will also be 50 per cent full in the summer’s competition.
To be more specific, Parken in Copenhagen will let in 25,000 spectators up from 15,900 that was initially planned.
And there will be up to 27,000 fans in attendance for games in Bucharest
FRENCH AFFAIR
France stars Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud appear to have been embroiled in a public spat just a day before Euro 2020 kicks off.
It all started in the Tricolores’ last warm-up game against Bulgaria where Giroud was not impressed with his service after coming on as a substitute, particularly from Mbappe.
The Chelsea striker said after the game: “Sometimes you make the runs and the ball is not arriving. Perhaps we could have found each other better, there it is.”
According to L’Equipe, the ex-Arsenal ace’s comments angered the Paris Saint-Germain superstar so much that he was ready to issue a public response to clear the air
BENZ IT LIKE KARIM
Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema looks likely to compete at Euro 2020 despite the knock he suffered against Bulgaria.
Benzema picked up a knee injury and hobbled off the pitch in tears, which raised concern over his fitness ahead of the summer’s Euros.
However, France boss Didier Deschamps is confident the star striker is going to be fit in time for Tuesday’s opener against Germany.
Journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi backed Deschamps’ claims as he said there is ‘no worry ‘for Benzema who will return to training in 72 hours at the latest.
Bouhafsi tweeted: “No worries for KB9! Karim’s muscle deflated that night and the pain was less.
“Nevertheless, the star of #Real was not scheduled to train this Wednesday. He will resume his training path within 48 to 72 hours maximum”
ENGLAND SCHEDULE
As we get ready for tomorrow’s Euro 2020 premiere, let’s have a look at England’s fixtures.
The Three Lions kick off their campaign on Sunday against 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia at Wembley.
Then they will face off against Scotland in London on June 18.
Their final match of the group stage takes place on June 22 against the Czech Republic at Wembley
PADDY POWER’S ENGLAND FAN CENTRE
Who’s ready for another traumatic tournament experience?
You might need a visit to this place afterwards…
EUR THE ONE
Almost a quarter of England fans think the Three Lions will win Euro 2020, a YouGov survey has revealed.
More than 2000 fans were questioned about the upcoming Euros on behalf of Betfair, with 23 per cent of England fans backing Gareth Southgate’s side to go all the way.
Scotland and Wales fans also took part in the survey, but just 5 per cent of Scots and 7 per cent of Welsh fans backed England to win their first Euros.
However, 35 per cent of Scotland fans and 47 per cent of Wales fans will cheer on England, and former Three Lions boss Glenn Hoddle is pleased by the level of support.
He told Betfair: “I’m quite happy with that percentage, I thought it would be far less cheering England on. It’s always been this way, and I doubt it will change for this tournament.
“23 per cent seems a fair number, right on the money. We have a chance without any shadow of a doubt, with some good players – it’s never going to be 80 per cent of the country thinking we’ll win, is it?”
PADDY POWER’S GIANT FLAG
Paddy Power have unveiled a giant England flag at the home of Irish side Bray Wanderers – covering the entire pitch!
The Irish bookie is calling on everyone in the nation to back England this summer.
They’re promising to donate €10,000 for every England goal at the tournament.
And they’ll double the amount if Ireland’s former international Declan Rice or ex-youth star Jack Grealish score.
Here’s the flag…
EARNED IT
Robert Earnshaw is a cult hero on Twitter due to his fascinating insight into a range of topics, including aliens and the person who discovered milk.
The former Wales international will join ITV as part of their Euros coverage and if he is as entertaining on TV as he is on social media then viewers are in for a treat.
Several footballers have grabbed attention for their odd opinions and tweets, such as Louis Saha being grateful for the ‘good banter’ he had with his son over dinner instead of watching TV.
None compare to Earnshaw however, who has become the master of pondering the more obscure aspects of life, almost like a Welsh Karl Pilkington.
Perhaps his most brilliant ‘eureka’ moment came during the first lockdown last year, when he stated: “There is zero evidence that today is Sunday.
“We are all kind of relying on the fact somebody has kept an accurate count since the first one ever.”
Click here to read more
MAG RACE
England were boosted by the return of Harry Maguire in training today ahead of their Euros bid.
And Jordan Henderson was also seen sprinting at the Three Lions base in a major boost for boss Gareth Southgate.
The Man Utd centre-back and Liverpool midfielder both had injury doubts hanging over them heading into the tournament.
It’s too early to tell whether either man could feature in Sunday’s opener against Croatia at Wembley.
But seeing two senior men and leaders back among the rest of the group is a shot in the arm for Southgate.
England face Scotland next Friday at Wembley before taking on Czech Republic in their final group game on June 22.
RON WAY ROUND
Cristiano Ronaldo was mocked for the ‘worst free-kick’ of his entire career during Portugal’s friendly with Israel.
The Juventus superstar was renowned for his set-piece taking, especially earlier in his career with Manchester United and Real Madrid.
But he woefully dropped his standards in Portugal’s final game before the delayed European Championships.
The legendary forward, 36, completed his iconic run up to the ball but riffled one right into the empty stands.
Ronaldo was ruthlessly slammed by fans online, who called for him to stop taking free-kicks all together.
FEELING ATTACKED
Kylian Mbappe was reportedly left feeling ‘attacked’ and ‘angry’ after team-mate Olivier Giroud’s comments that he doesn’t receive enough service while playing for France.
And such was his ‘fury’ at the Chelsea forward’s opinion, that he wanted to release a statement in order to hit back.
After coming on to score twice against Bulgaria on Tuesday night, ‘degraded’ Giroud, 34, appeared to accuse his team-mates of not picking out his runs enough.
He told L’Equipe du Soir: “I was a little quiet because, sometimes, I make runs and the balls aren’t forthcoming.
“I am not saying that I always make the best runs, but I am seeking to offer solutions in the box.”
According to L’Equipe, Mbappe was angered by Giroud’s comments – and wanted to call an impromptu press conference in order to hit back with some of his own.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
