Euro 2020

RIO FERDINAND believes Gareth Southgate should pick Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold as England’s right backs for this summer’s Euros.The 42-year-old and fellow pundits Joe Cole and Glenn Hoddle have picked their squads for the tournament – with the ex-England boss calling for Michail Antonio to be included.
Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier were part of the England team that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018Credit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun
But ex-Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand wants manager Gareth Southgate to pick younger players
Explaining his decision on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “[Kyle] Walker I think would be the unlucky one in my squad – and he’d have really good grounds to ring me up and give me a piece of his mind.
“I like youth, I want to give youth a chance.
“I’m looking ahead as well, not just this tournament. This has been a bit of a weird lead-up – I’m looking at this as almost a free hit for someone like Gareth.
“You can introduce some young players, give them experience, really expose them to what a tournament is like.”
England manager Southgate has a huge call to make on which right backs he selects for the Euros.
Two right backs are usually picked for a major tournament but Southgate opted for three at the 2018 World Cup: Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Alexander-Arnold.
And there’s a good chance he may do the same again as managers are allowed to select 26 players this summer rather than the traditional 23.
But even if Southgate was to pick three right backs, he would still have to disappoint one of Walker, Trippier, James and Alexander-Arnold.
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Chelsea legend Joe Cole has gone for a more predictable squad – but there’s still no room for Trippier
And reports suggest Alexander-Arnold will be the player to miss out.
Ferdinand has also called for Everton defenders Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey to be selected, even though the latter is yet to receive a senior cap.
And the Manchester United legend wants to see Borussia Dortmund youngster Jude Bellingham, Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka make the 26-man squad.
Atletico Madrid star Tripper, who is on the verge of winning LaLiga with the Spanish club, has not been selected by Cole or Hoddle either.
Both pundits have made room for Walker, James and Alexander-Arnold, though.
The biggest shock in Cole’s squad is the inclusion of Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
The 23-year-old has featured 26 times in the Premier League for Dean Smith’s side this season and was part of the U20 squad that won the World Cup in 2017.
Hoddle’s squad, meanwhile, is full of surprising selections – with Dean Henderson left out.
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Ex-England manager Glenn Hoddle thinks Southgate should drop Dean Henderson

The 24-year-old has been in good form this season, displacing David de Gea as Manchester United’s first choice goalkeeper.
The ex-England boss has called for West Brom’s Sam Johnstone to get the nod after impressing for the relegated side.
Hoddle has also asked for West Ham star Antonio to be included, even though the player reportedly wants to play for Jamaica at the next World Cup.
The pundit told BT Sport: “This fella [Antonio] was as good as anyone in the league this year – holding the ball up, turning, getting in behind.
“The last ten minutes of a game, that’s where I’m thinking from. You put him on. You give a totally different scenario to the centre backs you’re playing against.”
Southgate is due to name his squad for the Euros on May 25, two days after the conclusion of the Premier League campaign.
Belgium, Turkey, Russia, Holland, Ukraine and Hungary have already named their selections for the tournament, due to begin on June 11.
All nations must confirm their squad by June 1.
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GERMANY will be without goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for Euro 2020.The Barcelona star, 29, has announced he will miss this summer’s tournament due to a knee injury.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been ruled out of Germany’s Euro 2020 campaignCredit: Getty – Contributor

And the way is now clear for Bayern Munich veteran Manuel Neuer, 35, to start for Germany in their opening Euros group game against France on June 15.
Ter Stegen has been capped 25 times by his country, having established himself as one of world football’s top stoppers at Barca.
He joined the Spanish giants from Gladbach in 2014 and has since played 278 games.
Ter Stegen has won a host of trophies during his time at the Nou Camp, including four LaLiga titles, four Copa del Reys and the 2015 Champions League.
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He looked set to start as Germany’s No1 at the Euros this summer, despite Neuer being the national team captain.
But after playing in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo, which saw Barcelona drop out of the title race, Ter Stegen has announced he will not be taking part in the Euros.
That’s because he needs to undergo crucial knee surgery later this month, requiring the whole summer to recover.
Ter Stegen revealed in an emotional social media post: “I have decided together with the medical team of the club that I will do a complementary intervention on my knee.
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England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations

“I’m sad that I will miss Euro 2020 this summer with Germany. For the first time in many years I will be a fan at home supporting my country, I hope we win it!
“After the summer break, when we are back on the pitch I hope to be able to play with fans once again.
“Thank you for your support throughout a difficult season and stay healthy!”
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LIVERPOOL right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss out on England’s Euro 2020 squad, it’s claimed.The report comes despite his impressive performances during the season run-in.
Alexander-Arnold looks set to miss out on a place in the England squad this summerCredit: PA
Southgate has a plethora of options in the right-back positionCredit: AFP
The 22-year-old defender has scored once and assisted four more in his last seven Premier League games as Jurgen Klopp’s side make a late bid for the top four places.
Among those assists was his delivery for keeper Alisson’s remarkable header against West Brom on the weekend which kept Liverpool’s Champions League hopes alive.
Alexander-Arnold’s upturn in performance has come following his omission from Gareth Southgate’s squad for the three World Cup qualifiers in March.
The Three Lions boss decided instead to go with Kyle Walker, Reece James and Kieran Trippier.
And while Alexander-Arnold has made a strong case to be selected since those games two months ago, The Athletic have reported that it remains ‘improbable’ he will land a place in the 26-man squad.
This is because Southgate is still unsure about his ability to balance his attacking qualities with the defensive solidity required.
The decision is not said to be a reflection of the Liverpool man’s talent or character, more a result of the way Southgate wants his England team to play.
After Alexander-Arnold was left out of the England squad back in March, Reds boss Klopp said: “I don’t understand it because Trent was last season and the season before that the stand-out right-back in world football. That is the truth and at an unbelievably young age too.
“I have no problem if my players get some criticism. They can get it from me, they can get it from other people, but that is the truth.
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How England’s path to Euros glory could look
Alexander-Arnold assisted keeper Alisson’s extraordinary winner against West BromCredit: Getty
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“I am a manager myself. We make decisions that other people probably do not understand.
“I respect Gareth makes his own decisions, of course, but I didn’t understand it.
“If you compare Lionel Messi with his best season ever then he is not performing now like he was in 2005 and 2006.
“But he is still the world’s best player.”
Elsewhere in the England set-up, fringe players Dean Henderson, Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish are all expected to land spots in the Euro 2020 squad.
And so is 17-year-old prodigy Jude Bellingham, who has excelled for Borussia Dortmund this season.
England kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Croatia on June 13 before they face Scotland and Czech Republic in their other Group D matches.
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