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    Jack Grealish reveals he’d want to be Tenerife club promoter if he wasn’t footballer starring for England at Euro 2020

    JACK GREALISH says he would be a club promoter in Spain if he was not a professional football player.The England star, 25, played a key role in Tuesday’s win over Germany and produced the assist for Harry Kane’s goal.
    Jack Grealish says he would be a club promoter if not a footballer
    But he is no stranger to the party life, and claims he would be in the pub watching the Euros with friends if he wasn’t a footballer.
    And it seems his dream job away from football would fit into a similar category.
    Asked what he would do for work if he did not become a footballer, Grealish said: “My dad is a plasterer. I dunno if he is any good.
    “I couldn’t be a plasterer. I would be a club promoter.
    “Tenerife. Or Ibiza. I would be getting everyone into the club.”
    So far the Aston Villa captain is doing a brilliant job of keeping spirits high in pubs across the country through his performances on the pitch.
    And though there is a clamour for him to start against Ukraine, with Jose Mourinho amongst those suggesting he would play the attacking midfielder, Gareth Southgate is poised to leave him on the bench in Rome.

    England vs Ukraine betting special

    Mason Mount is expected to return and Jadon Sancho is set to make his first start of the tournament in the quarter-final tie.
    Grealish has two assists at Euro 2020 despite only starting one match, against the Czech Republic in the last match of the group stages.
    Southgate has preferred to use Mount ahead of him and the Chelsea star will likely start having returned to full training this week.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Gareth Southgate wearing £4,800 watch that notifies him of PENALTIES at Euro 2020

    UNLIKELY style-icon Gareth Southgate has been wearing a high-tech limited edition watch at Euro 2020, that among other things notifies him of PENALTIES.The England manager has become something of a trend-setter, tracing back to the 2018 World Cup when his suave waist coat saw sales of the M&S garment rocket.
    Gareth Southgate has been sporting the watch throughout Euro 2020
    For this tournament, he’s been sporting a Hublot watch – one of just 1,000 made – which helps him to follow matches in real time.
    The time-piece allows him to view info on any match at Euro 2020, with info displayed on the large screen face including cards awarded, substitutions and goals.
    There is also the option to view line-ups and player-rankings – potentially helping the Three Lions chief with his substitutions and giving him the lowdown on opponents.
    Perhaps the most notable feature on the Hublot Big Bang e UEFA EURO 2020 for Southgate is the penalty alerts with any awarded in a match flashing up on the watch.
    So far England have avoided any dreaded spot-kicks – but if anyone is aware of the joy and heartbreak a penalty can bring, it’s the England boss.
    The stunning fashion statement features the flags of the biggest European nations around the electronic face.
    There is even the option to download dials in the colours of your favourite nation – red and white for Gareth then surely.
    Hublot also supply the watches for referees which as well as helping them to keep time, are connected to Goal-line technology and VAR to help them make the right calls.

    England vs Ukraine betting special

    The England boss takes charge for tonight’s huge match with Ukraine
    The Hublot watch

    While looking sharp on the touchline during England’s run at Euro 2020, Southgate has always downplayed his status as a fashion icon.
    Speaking at the 2018 World Cup, he said: “I’m no David Beckham.
    “I’m slightly concerned, because as a centre-half who took a lot of knocks to the head I’m not normally synonymous with being a fashion icon.”
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    Aleks Zinchenko admits concern stopping ‘amazing’ Raheem Sterling ahead of crunch England vs Ukraine Euro 2020 clash

    OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO admits he will have his work cut-out trying to stop the ‘amazing’ Raheem Sterling when Ukraine face England tonight.The two Manchester City players have both played key roles in firing their nations in the last eight of Euro 2020.
    Raheem Sterling will be desperate to fire England into the Euro 2020 semisCredit: Rex
    Ukraine’s Zinchenko has revealed his worries over stopping England’s Sterling in RomeCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Full-back Zinchenko, 24, has played a range of positions for Andriy Shevchenko’s team which includes wide on the left.
    And he grabbed a goal and an assist in their last-16 win over Sweden earlier this week to set-up a showdown in Rome against the Three Lions.
    Meanwhile, Sterling has become a national icon after his heroics for Gareth Southgate’s side.
    The 26-year-old forward has scored three goals for England and broke the deadlock against Germany in the epic 2-0 victory in front of a raucous Wembley on Tuesday.
    Zinchenko could also come up against club mates John Stones, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden come 8pm this evening.
    But ahead of kick off, he revealed he and the rest of the Ukrainian side must find a way to stop Sterling to dump England out an advance to the semis.
    He said: “Raheem Sterling is one of the best wingers in the world. Right now, he is in amazing form, he is great. He makes the difference.
    “We obviously need to pay attention and we will need to somehow maybe stop him because he is on a roll now.”

    England vs Ukraine betting special

    Zinchenko and Ukraine will attempt to become the first team to score against the Three Lions during Euro 2020.
    He admits it will take the performance of their careers if they are to upset the odds and secure a semi-final place – but they are planning to do just that.
    The ace added: “Numbers speak for themselves, and the fact that England hasn’t conceded any goals so far shows they play very well in defence.
    “But there are no perfect teams. Every team has weaknesses.

    “Over the last couple of years I’ve been playing with Kyle Walker and John Stones, and they play to a very high level. And last season they played amazing.
    “It will not be easy, we know. But at this stage of the tournament, everything is possible.
    “The coaching team will tell us how score and we will do our best, we will try to surprise them.
    “But we realise that to get through, all the players and the whole team, they will need to play probably the best game of their lives.”
    ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog

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    Arsenal transfer for Ben White all-but complete for £50m from Brighton and will be sealed after Euro 2020

    BEN WHITE’s Arsenal move appears to be reaching its closing stages despite Man City and Everton vying with the Gunners for the centre-back. Football London claims the club’s deal to buy the Brighton ace is all but done with the switch due to be finalised after the Euros. 
    Arsenal’s £50million move for Ben White is reportedly expected to ahead despite interest from EvertonCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
    The Toffees, who confirmed Rafa Benitez as their new manager, are thought to have held negotiations with Albion officials over a possible £50million switch.
    And Football London says the Goodison Park giants were reportedly preparing to make an offer that would have bested the package tabled by Arsenal. 
    It is thought Mikel Arteta’s side are offering £42m guaranteed with a further £6m in add-ons.
    This reportedly follows initial bids of £40m and later £45m plus £5m in add-ons, with Brighton chiefs reportedly eager for a higher bid. 
    And although White, 23, is believed to prefer an Emirates move it is thought the Seagulls player was impressed by the efforts of transfer chiefs at Everton. 
    However, a move to North London after the European Championships is thought to be looking the likeliest option for the England international. 
    And Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate hinted that summer deals involving some of his players could be in line to be completed after the contest. 
    The centre-back, who was born in Poole, made 36 top-flight starts for Graham Potter’s Seagulls helping them to avoid relegation. 

    England vs Ukraine betting special

    Brighton finished thirteenth in the table and 13 points above the drop zone.
    White, who began his senior career at Brighton in 2016, enjoyed loan spells at Newport County, Peterborough and Leeds between 2017 and 2020. 
    The England centre-back was listed in the PFA’s Championship Team of the Year for the 2019-20 season following his successful one-year stint at Leeds. 
    And the player featured in 46 second-flight games that season helping the club to win promotion to the Premier League in July 2020. 
    Reports claim a Ben White move from Brighton to Arsenal could take place after the EurosCredit: AP

    Elsewhere William Saliba is reportedly set to join Marseille on loan following temporary spells with Saint Etienne and Nice
    The France Under 20 centre-back sealed a £27million move to the Gunners in July 2019. 
    However, Saliba has so far struggled to make a breakthrough into Mikel Arteta’s side. 
    Benik Afobe signs for Millwall as ex-Arsenal starlet makes 15TH transfer of career More

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    Which England players are on a yellow card in the Euro 2020 clash vs Ukraine and when do they reset?

    ENGLAND take on Ukraine tonight in Rome with a place in the Euro 2020 semi-final up for grabs.But boss Gareth Southgate faces a selection dilemma with a quartet of players on a yellow card and risking suspension for the semi-final should they pick up another one.
    Harry Maguire heads into the match on the suspension tightrope
    England vs Ukraine betting special

    Which England players are on a yellow card?
    England have four players on a yellow card going into tonight’s match.
    They are Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire.
    Should any of those players pick up a yellow card in Rome they will be suspended for the semi-final should the Three Lions progress.
    When do yellow cards reset?
    Yellow card, however, reset following the conclusion of the quarter-finals.
    This means that the only way to miss the final through suspension would be to receive a red card in the semi-final.

    Who could England play in the semi-final?
    If England reach the semi-final, they could face a reunion with the Czech Republic, who stunned Holland 2-0 in Budapest.
    England secured top spot in Group D with Raheem Sterling scoring the only goal against the Czechs in their final group game at Wembley.
    Alternatively, England could take on Denmark in an emotional semi-final.
    The Danes, who are looking to shock the world and win the tournament for Christian Eriksen, crushed Wales 4-0 in Amsterdam and now face the Czechs in Baku.
    Who could England play in the final?
    England will not play another of the tournament favourites until the final.
    And there, one of the big-hitters will be waiting.
    Spain take on Italy after seeing off Switzerland and Belgium respectively. More

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    England not reaching Euro 2020 final would be a ‘massive failure’, claims Robbie Savage before Ukraine clash

    ROBBIE SAVAGE believes it would be a failure if England do not reach the Euro 2020 final.He also hinted at The Three Lions playing “dull” football, but was impressed with England beating Germany despite Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Jack Grealish not being named in the starting lineup.
    Robbie Savage believes England must make the Euro 2020 finalCredit: Getty
    Savage says Gareth Southgate is his man of the tournamentCredit: Reuters
    Savage also praised the balance Gareth Southgate has struck between defence and attack, but expects the quarter-final against Ukraine to be a tight affair.
    In his column for the Mirror, Savage wrote: “Make no mistake: England have a fantastic chance of lifting the trophy at Wembley next weekend, but it would be a massive failure if they don’t reach the final now.
    “Some people think England’s results have been better than the performances, and it’s true they have sometimes been dull.
    “But Southgate has to strike a balance between staying solid and reckless misadventure, and so far he has walked the line well.
    “I admire Southgate for ignoring the clamour to go gung-ho and opt for all-out attack. He’s stuck to his guns and he’s my man of the tournament for doing it his way.
    “Just don’t expect the game in Rome to be a white-knuckle ride with goals galore. Look what happened to France when they got involved in an end-to-end game of pinball with Switzerland.”
    The BBC pundit also points out that Grealish, Foden, Mount, Jude Belligham, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Jadon Sancho all have the potential to be game-changers, with the latter set to start in Rome.
    As a result, Savage says he would be surprised if England do not make the final, with Denmark or Czech Republic the potential semi-final opponents.

    England vs Ukraine betting special

    A win over Ukraine means England would reach the semi-final of a European Championship for the first time since Euro 96.
    And it would mean back-to-back semi-finals in major tournaments for Southgate.
    Mason Mount is also expected to return to the starting line-up against Ukraine with the team switching to a back four.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Andriy Shevchenko is the Ukraine national hero planning England’s downfall who loves golf and has son in Chelsea academy

    THROUGHOUT his career and beyond, Andriy Shevchenko has had an eye for more than just football.Upon his ill-fated arrival at Chelsea in 2006, he was dubbed “The Assassin” and rightly so.
    Andriy Shevchenko has made himself a Ukrainian national treasureCredit: EPA
    Shevchenko has appeared in modelling shoots with wife Kristen PazikCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
    The 175 goals in 322 games during eight years in two spells at AC Milan will tell you that.
    But just as he was absorbed by goals and success on the pitch, off it the Ukrainian kept busy too.
    Fashion became a huge part of his life. He met his American model wife Kristen Pazik in 2002 at a Giorgio Armani party, and has since regularly modelled for the designer tycoon, as well as opening two branches with him.
    Days after retiring, like compatriot and ex-boxer Vitali Klitschko, he ventured into politics as he stood for election to represent the Ukrainian Social Democratic Party.
    His love for golf is well known, he owns a house near Wentworth and is often seen playing a few rounds with old Blues pals John Terry and Gianfranco Zola.
    Even during his time at Milan — where he won the Champions League in 2003 and Ballon d’Or the following year — he formed lasting relationships that attracted media attention.
    Controversial ex-Milan owner and former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is the godfather to his first-born son and the pair remain in close contact.
    The same can be said for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, with Shevchenko’s move to West London helped by the fact his wife Kristen was pals with Roman’s now ex-wife Irina.

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    Shevchenko’s American wife Kristen Pazik (pictured in 2003) is the daughter of former baseball star Mike PazikCredit: © GIAN PAOLO BARBIERI
    That unlikely Russian-Ukrainian bond still exists to this day as Shevchenko was sat with Abramovich in the stands to watch Chelsea win the Champions League in Porto.
    But for all his connections and hobbies, there was always an inner yearning to push those things aside and return his full focus back to football.
    In particular, football back home, where he is revered as a god. A national hero. An icon.
    That happened after becoming boss of Ukraine in 2016 in his first managerial stint.
    In a way, he has returned to his roots, away from the glitz and the glamour and the golf.
    And now, ahead of an historic first-ever Euros quarter-final against England, Shevchenko’s focus is clearer than ever.
    First and foremost, the 44-year-old — six years younger than Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate –— is a motivator and an inspirational leader.
    Having scored their first ever Euros goal in 2012 and leading them to a World Cup quarter-final in 2006 as captain, Ukraine’s greatest ever player is known to be incredibly demanding of his currently overperforming side.
    After winning just one game in the group stages at Euro 2020 and scraping through in third place, he told the media they did NOT deserve to qualify and needed to wake up.
    They have now and, tactically, Shevchenko is proving to be astute too, switching to a back-three for the first time to beat Sweden 2-1 in the last 16.
    The former striker’s playing career stumbled at ChelseaCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    While he accepts England’s superiority, he will ensure Ukraine turn up knowing what they need to do to pull off an incredible upset.
    He will never admit it, but his time in England at Chelsea left his ego bruised and reputation shattered.
    There were mutterings and rumours over his overly-close relationship with Abramovich, with accusations of being the ‘teacher’s pet’.
    Then-boss Jose Mourinho failed to get the Ukrainian superstar firing on all cylinders.
    He ended up making only 48 Premier League appearances over three years, scoring just nine times.
    Some even suggest that it was against another English opponent that he first showed signs of losing his golden touch a few months before joining Chelsea.
    Shevchenko was part of the infamous Milan side that blew a 3-0 half-time lead to Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final.
    He had the chance to win it in extra time but was denied by a wonder save from Jerzy Dudek, although many claim it was an unforgivable miss.
    And in the penalty shootout, his miss handed the Reds the crown, as he headed to West London with his tail between his legs.
    But despite his Stamford Bridge flop from 2006 to 2009, Shevchenko is fond of London, and has lived there for the past 13 years with his children all attending English schools.
    Shevchenko lifted the Ballon d’Or and three major trophies at AC MilanCredit: AFP
    But he missed against Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final shootoutCredit: AP:Associated Press

    One of his sons Kristian, 14, is in the Chelsea youth academy, and could one day play for England through his residency status.
    Yet any warmth towards England will be put to one side on Saturday in Rome’s footballing colosseum.
    Italy is where his greatest triumphs as a player took place. As a manager, he is eyeing yet another.

    Ahead of it, he said: “England are a great team, they have a deep bench, an outstanding coaching staff and we are fully aware how tough this game is going to be,” the Ukraine boss told reporters after the Sweden win.
    “I saw all their three group matches, not today’s win over Germany because we had to prepare for our own game with Sweden.
    “They are incredibly difficult to score against but their strength shouldn’t scare us.
    “It should motivate us because everything is possible in football as in life and we will play our hearts out to give our fans even more to cheer about.”
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    Shevchenko and Andersson have ugly touchline row as Sweden manager accuses Ukraine stars of diving in Euro 2020 game More

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    Ukraine could have home advantage in Rome Euro 2020 clash against England, Shevchenko’s Milan mate Kaladze insists

    UKRAINE could have a “home advantage” in their Euro 2020 clash against England in Rome – thanks to their manager’s own glittering career in Italy.Andriy Shevchenko spent seven years as a hot-shot striker at AC Milan and is still adored by Italians to this day, a close pal and former team mate of the Ukrainian gaffer revealed.
    Shevchenko, left, during his playing career at AC Milan alongside pal Kakha Kaladze, right
    A high-profile spell at Chelsea did not work out for the Ukrainian
    And with England fans banned from even entering the stadium by Italian authorities tonight, all the noise could come for the Eastern European underdogs.
    Kakha Kaladze, the most successful Georgian footballer of all time, played alongside Ukraine boss Shevchenko at Milan between 2001 and 2006.
    Now a Georgian politician and mayor of capital Tbilisi, Kaladze has remained close friends with the former Chelsea man and predicts most of Italy will be cheering on England’s rivals tonight.
    He told The Sun: “Fan factor is a massive advantage. And I think Ukraine just might have a slight edge in that regard.
    “Shevchenko still enjoys particular respect and adoration from Italian fans and is a hero there from his time at AC Milan.
    The former AC Milan striker has guided Ukraine to their best-ever Euros success
    “We have seen many giants crumble in this tournament, so it is very hard to go about predicting anything.
    “It won’t be an easy game for England, that’s for sure.”
    Kaladze, who won the Champions League twice alongside Shevchenko in Milan, said he called his pal on the phone when Ukraine mustered an extra-time win against Sweden in the first knock-out round.
    Their appearance in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals is their best-ever at a major competition.
    Shevchenko, left, and Kaladze, right, have remained good friends
    Kaladze backs his former colleague to make it big as a club manager
    Kaladze said: “I called Andriy and congratulated him after the final whistle in the Sweden game.
    “We are very close friends but I don’t think anyone could accuse me of a bias if I say that under his leadership, Ukraine has dramatically increased tactical awareness.
    “They play modern, ball playing football while years ago their advantage was down to physical strengths and aerial long balls.
    “This neat ball-playing game that we are seeing from them is a result of Andrey’s and his coaching staff’s tireless work.”
    Kaladze, who captained Georgia 50 times in 84 appearances as a player, reckons Shevchenko will become a hugely successful manager at club level too.

    He went on: “The fact Andriy was a phenomenal striker and had an incredibly successful career doesn’t really warrant that you make it as a manager too.
    “In Andrey’s case though I think he has already demonstrated that he has what it takes to be a top, top manager.
    “I am confident he’ll end up coaching a top club once his tenure with the national team is over.”
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