GARETH SOUTHGATE accused England’s rule-breaking players of turning the national team into a CIRCUS.
The angry Three Lions boss also believes the five shamed stars have wasted his time causing extra hassle.
Gareth Southgate has slammed England’s rule-breaking players for causing him extra hassleCredit: Rex Features
Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho will miss the Wales game after breaking the rule of six
Ben Chilwell, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham are out of tonight’s friendly with Wales at Wembley for attending a large party on Saturday.
They may also miss Sunday’s home Nations League clash with Belgium.
Already axed are Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood who broke lockdown rules in Iceland.
Southgate said: “We have to recognise that things like this affect the team. They affect the energy. They take time to deal with.
“And that time would be better spent being able to focus on preparing for training, having coaching conversations with players.
“So it draws you away from where you really want to be. You want an environment with the players that the pressure on the team is not made higher than it already is by having this circus going around it.”
England are still checking on the events of the weekend involving the three who attended the bash which was a surprise party for Abraham.
The gathering was more than the law of six people socialising.
England are without FIVE players for the Wales friendlyCredit: Rex Features
Chilwell, Sancho and Abraham could also miss the weekend game against BelgiumCredit: Rex Features
Southgate added: “The players have already accepted that they were in the wrong.
“They have broken those lockdown guidelines that were there and I have to be very careful about being on my moral high horse about things that happened when we are not in camp with the team.
“We do have an issue in terms of Covid guidelines and making sure that any player comes in is as low risk as possible in terms of the whole group so we are having to monitor the players.
“They will have been tested and we have to check for any further symptoms.
Southgate believes rule-breakers are turning England into a circusCredit: Rex Features
Southgate admits he does not know when Chilwell, Abraham and Sancho will be backCredit: Rex Features
“They obviously miss the game with Wales and if they are not able to be with us before Friday morning then they would also miss the game with Belgium.
“We cannot give a definitive answer as to when they will be in because of all the things we are having to track but that is the basic timeline.
“In terms of a few days off, I’m not sure that’s what any of those players wanted. They are missing the opportunity to play for England.”
As for tonight’s behind-closed doors friendly, Nick Pope will start in goal for England.
There could also be debuts for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton.
Bukayo Saka is set to make his Three Lions debut alongside Dominic Cavert-LewinCredit: Rex Features
England will be looking for a strong showing against WalesCredit: Rex Features
England footballers Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho filmed at surprise birthday party for Tammy Abraham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
