Euro 2024

PHIL FODEN knows and England fans know, that there’s still another gear or two to come from him.I can see why the comparison with Paul Scholes is made in terms of players who have not consistently reproduced their incredible club form when they represent their country.Phil Foden was criticised for his performance against SerbiaCredit: GettyFoden’s international career has been compared to Paul Scholes’ time with EnglandCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdI think you can make an argument that Foden has already had a more successful international career than Scholes.Don’t get me wrong. I loved Scholes as a player and looked up to him when I was young.His achievements with Manchester United were amazing and he was part of one of the greatest teams in history.But Foden has already reached the final of a major tournament with England, with some nice moments along the way at Euro 2020, and he had a decent World Cup.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Scholes would probably admit it is a slightly better record than his.In turn, Foden would himself accept there is another step for him to take.That might be winning something with England.Or if we don’t win something, I still think he can show us more.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSThe most difficult thing for Foden is that when he is at Man City, they play a positional game.They are all so well drilled, they understand so well what their position requires and where everyone else is, that Foden could do it with his eyes shut.Three reasons why Phil Foden is world-classComing away with England, it’s a different style of play with different team-mates.It is inevitable that two players who want to get on the ball so much, like Foden and Jude Bellingham, will get in each other’s way sometimes.I’ve heard people say that maybe Jude was doing too much against ­Serbia — which potentially had an effect on Foden.It’s not as mad as it might sound.Bellingham dropped deep like a No 6 at times, he was a No 8 at other moments, sometimes further forward as a No 10, and, for his goal, heading it in like a No 9!But I believe the opposite is true — that Bellingham’s ability to excel in all those roles should actually help Foden and England.Why I love Bellingham, and why I think the whole country loves Bellingham, is the way he takes hold of games.Jude Bellingham’s dominance in the midfield may have hindered Foden on the pitchCredit: AlamyHe probably sensed that’s what was needed. If he comes low, that leaves space in the No 10 position for Foden.They didn’t combine against Serbia as much as you would like. But you could see that they were looking for each other.That’s what happens when two players with a really high understanding of the game play together.When Bellingham gets the ball, even if he is only lending it to Foden to get it back, or vice versa, they want to combine and make something happen. We have to get them between the lines and receiving on the half turn, playing forward.As I said before the tournament, I believe they can play in the same team, as two No 10s, with Declan Rice as the only holding player — especially in the group games.Gareth Southgate almost certainly won’t do that and Foden will probably start on the left wing again against Denmark.Going back to Scholes, he was never a left winger, his only position was in the middle, but he could not or did not play there for England because of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.Foden CAN play on the left. But ­circumstances at Euro 2024 are making it harder.In order for him to cause the opposition full-back problems, he needs a left back behind him who is going to overlap.But Kieran Trippier is right-footed. He’s not going to take on a player on the outside like Josko Gvardiol does for City, for instance.The opposition know that and it changes how they press. Foden is marked all the time, especially against a back five like Serbia had. Even if the wing-back or full-back doesn’t follow him, he’s going into another centre-back.Luke Shaw is still training alone as he recovers from injuryCredit: GettyTrent showed he’s a central character for England… he deserves to keep spot, says Wilshere

THIS game felt a bit like an audition for Trent Alexander-Arnold in centre midfield, writes SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere.
I think he passed it and deserves another chance to show all the qualities that he can bring to the role.
I was pleased when I saw Trent in the starting line-up.
It’s a little bit braver than we have normally seen from Gareth Southgate and I like that.
It was: ‘Go on, go and play!’ It didn’t necessarily work out like that but that wasn’t Trent’s fault.
Southgate was experimenting with him in there, seeing if it worked.
If we get later in the tournament against the big teams, you will need someone who has played in there a few times and understands the position a bit.
The combination between Trent, Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka is a promising one.
You see Trent naturally drift over to that right side and receive it almost like a full-back.
It’s interesting what happens then with Walker.
He was still getting involved in and around the outside, which was good to see, and it was Walker who got forward to help create the Jude Bellingham goal.
That link-up is something we need to exploit more. We should probably have used it more last night as well.
At the start, he was a little bit shaky. He gave the ball away a couple of times, and one of them led to that decent chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic.
When he plays for Liverpool he comes inside. But it’s different when you’re in there from the start. It’s 360 degree pressure, from all sides.
I always found international football that bit quicker. You’ll often receive it with your back to the game and you’ve scanned, but you need to get more on the half turn to see what’s coming.
But it was difficult for Trent, especially in the first half, for him to show his range of passing. When you’re playing against a back five, with four in front, and they’re stubborn and just waiting . . . it is very hard.
There’s no space in behind, they’re very tight and organised.
And when the ball is going over your head, your job then becomes jumping on second balls, disrupting and trying to shield the big two up front.
Trent’s positioning was good and he made some good interceptions. I think he can — and should — hold on to the ball a bit more, draw the pressure, and then play the ball forward.
If someone comes to him, that frees up space for  someone else. And he and Declan Rice have the ability to find Bellingham and Phil Foden through the lines. I would like to have seen more of that. As the game opens up, Trent is a player who can pick the right pass.
Especially in transition, like he did with a lovely one down the side for Saka in the first half and another early in the second.
It was also good to see him get forward for a decent long-range shot.
But Trent was not helped by England’s performance in the  second half. We weren’t aggressive enough, we didn’t press well enough.
Trent’s audition lasted just under 70 minutes in the end. I believe  it is something Gareth should  persist with.
He is more than intelligent enough to work it out. And as the tournament goes on, I’m sure he will be fine in there.

The set-up has worked for Gareth Southgate before but it functions so much better with a left-footed left-back.Luke Shaw scored in the Euro 2020 final by getting round the outside. It gives you a different dimension in attack.Even if our left-back doesn’t go around the outside, the opposing full-back is thinking about it and can end up over-covering by a foot or two feet. And that creates a crucial extra bit of space for Foden.It will make such a difference if Shaw returns to fitness and is able to play.But we don’t know if and when that will be, so Foden and England will have to get on with it.And he will know himself that he wasn’t at his best against Serbia. Giving the ball away will have annoyed him.He’s used to completing probably 90 to 95 per cent of his passes in every game, including those decisive passes.He is good at dribbling and combining but he can also make that final ball, or the one before the final ball.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYThe weight and timing of the pass is usually perfect.But Foden was not the only one to be below par, especially in the second half.England ended up defending with a midfield five and even when we won the ball back, Serbia still had three men back there.In those circumstances it probably would have been better to put Anthony Gordon or Eberechi Eze on as left winger. Foden is not the  biggest or strongest. He’s not your typical winger, who is going to take someone on down the line, which is what we probably needed.The Denmark game today should be a bit different.Denmark will go into a block at some points of the game, but they will try to play out from the back and be more expansive.That will suit Foden and England.In the last two seasons, especially the one just gone, you’ve seen him step up in big moments for City and take responsibility. I am convinced he is trying to do that for England, too.Foden and Scholes are different types of player from different eras.Foden has plenty of time to make his mark in this ­tournament.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd at only 24, he could go on to become a true England legend.He is a generational talent so it would be a shame if he didn’t.Foden’s form at Man City has been electricCredit: GettyGareth Southgate can find a way to make it all click for EnglandCredit: Getty More

AHEAD of England’s Euros Group C clash with Denmark, SunSport’s Jordan Davies sat down with goalkeeping royalty from both nations: Three Lions hero David Seaman, 60, and Danish legend Peter Schmeichel, 60.There was plenty to talk about, from their Arsenal vs Manchester United rivalry, each playing a part in Schmeichel’s son Kasper’s development and whether it really is coming home this summer…Peter Schmeichel and David Seaman were battling at the top of the Premier LeagueCredit: ReutersJORDAN DAVIES: So guys, you met up recently. What has it been like reminiscing after so many years competing against each other at the top of the Prem?DAVID SEAMAN: It was great. Now, our relationship is better. As a player, I would just see him down the other end of the pitch and give a little wave, but we were rivals. I wanted to be better than him and he wanted to be better than me. We were both pretty decent!PETER SCHMEICHEL: I always looked at David and was so impressed with how calm he was all the time. read more footballIt was rivalry but we had some camaraderie as well. We’ve only ever been friendly and very respectful. We have now become friends.JD: David, you actually mentored a very young apprentice keeper in Kasper Schmeichel during your brief spell at Manchester City in 2003, and 21 years on he is still playing at the top level for Denmark at major tournaments.DS: He was training with us and used to catch the ball by cupping his hands up to his chest. I would tell him: ‘You can’t catch like that!’ but then it dawned on me that his dad also did it like that, so I said: ‘Carry on!’ Now he is playing at the Euros at 37, which shows you how old I am! Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSI said to Peter: ‘You must feel so proud watching your son play at something like that’.PS: For David to do that, it just speaks to his character. When someone like that tells you stuff, you actually listen, and listening to somebody who is not your dad, somebody who has been there and done it, that’s great. And now, I don’t think there’s anyone in the team who loves playing for Denmark more. It has been with him all his life, so this tournament can’t get any better. Play Foden & Bellingham centrally & go for it! | Jack Wilshere’s plan to win the EurosThis sort of thing goes away at some point, at the end of your career, so you’ve got to enjoy it while you can.DS: To stay at that level, especially as an international, is so tough. I did it for 15 straight years with England and you always have others competing with you, trying to take your spot and you then get criticised. For Kasper to have done what he has for that long shows you just how good he is.JD: Speaking of keepers, Schmeichel’s opposite man will be Jordan Pickford. For all the doubt over England’s line-up, he remains the easiest pick for Gareth Southgate?PS: It’s great that there is no debate over that position, no side issues. Gareth will feel relaxed in that sense.DS: There is no talk about who the No.1 will be, and that’s great going into a major tournament. I remember when Terry Venables came up to me just before Euro 96 and pulled me aside in training and said: ‘I want you to know, you are my No.1’ and I was like: ‘Wow’. I was so proud and happy that someone was putting faith in me. Pickford’s standard is so high for England, and when I look back, I can barely think of a mistake he has made. That’s how consistent he has been.PS: But, with this squad that Gareth has, there are so many question marks still. England have probably the strongest forward line in these Euros, but the backline doesn’t match up. That attack smells of goals but you need to keep balls out of your own net.JD: Peter, you won the Euros with Denmark back in 1992, while David was watching on from home…DS: Denmark weren’t exactly well known, were they? They didn’t qualify and got in because Yugoslavia dropped out. It wasn’t until I saw them in that tournament that they were progressing, even John Jensen shone. Arsenal signed him off the back of those Euros because he scored a cracking goal and he went and scored one goal in four years at Arsenal! But they were a quality team that went under the radar so there was no pressure or expectation.PS: It was 32 years ago now. I’ve stopped thinking about it, but it never goes away, I’ll make sure of that for as long as I live. It’s an incredible thing to achieve for our country. What people forget is how well we actually played, especially against Holland in the semi-final.The pair are now good friends after winning seven Prem titles between themSchmeichel and Seaman were debating ahead of England vs DenmarkJD: So, the big question – can England replicate that by going all the way in Germany?DS: Peter is quite confident that Denmark can get something against England, which surprised me. I was like: ‘Really? Have you seen our squad?’ Going forward there is so much talent, which excites me, but England have all the expectation on them. Gareth has got us into that situation and we are contenders to win trophies now. We are favourites alongside France and Germany to win these Euros.PS: Denmark have got a really good squad of players right now. I was in the camp the other day and the atmosphere is fantastic. I am confident, but England have got a good chance of winning the whole thing. England fans will talk about bringing it home, which is the funniest thing in the world because it’s never really been home. READ MORE SUN STORIESHow will the players respond to the kind of pressure that is greater than it has been before?**Visit https://www.franksredhot.com/en-gb for more information and recipes** More

LUKE SHAW is out of England’s clash with Denmark on Thursday.Gareth Southgate has confirmed that the Manchester United’s left-back will miss the Three Lions’ second group game as he continues to nurse an injury.Luke Shaw will miss England vs DenmarkCredit: GettySpeaking ahead of the Group C face off with the Danes, Southgate said: “Luke won’t be involved tomorrow, no.”He’s actually on track for where we thought he would be originally.”We were hoping a couple of days ago we might accelerate that a little bit, but he needs a bit more volume work.”He went on to explain that the Euro 2020 final goalscorer is still training alone to manage his workload.READ MORE IN EURO 2024EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYAdding: “He didn’t train with the rest of the group today because there are days where he needs to do more than the rest of the group and there are days when he needs to recover when the others are pushing.”So he’s still in and out with the others, but operating on his own programme as well.”Shaw is still struggling with a muscular issue he picked up with Man Utd back in February.The defender was sidelined for England’s 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday with Kieran Tripper deployed on the left side instead.Most read in Euro 2024Gareth Southgate has refused to put a timeline on Shaw’s returnCredit: GettyEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSShaw is the only out-and-out left-back in Southgate’s 26-man squad for the tournament.The England boss has still given no schedule for when fans can expect to see Shaw back on the pitch.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesBut Shaw’s club manager, Erik ten Hag, used his knowledge of the injury to predict it wouldn’t be until after the group stages.Speaking on Dutch TV channel NOS on Sunday night, he said: “Luke Shaw will start playing once England get out of the group stages.”Southgate has favoured playing natural right-back Trippier on the left side in Shaw’s absence during his tenure, and it would be safe to assume that will be his plan on Thursday.The England boss defended his decision to bring Shaw to Germany despite his injury woes.Bromances in England squad
CLIQUES that were commonplace in the England camp in tournaments gone by have been well and truly consigned to history.
Declan Rice and Ivan Toney? They have never played together at club level and only a handful of times for England, but are thick as thieves.
Lewis Dunk and Dean Henderson? They play for arch-rivals Brighton and Crystal Palace, but that has not stopped an unlikely alliance from forming.
Phil Foden and Cole Palmer have relished spending time together again, having done so for years for Manchester City before Palmer was sold to Chelsea for £45million last summer.
NFL nuts Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon were chucking an American football to each other ahead of a light training session on Monday.
John Stones and Kieran Trippier gatecrashed Jordan Pickford’s presser to see how their good mate fared, finding it hilarious as he slumped to defeat against talkSPORT.
Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi also have a long-standing friendship and have been besties since they were little playing in the Chelsea academy.
Jude Bellingham and Liverpool man Trent Alexander-Arnold have also become close – evident in the Werewolf celebration they performed against Serbia.

He said: “Luke is obviously an outstanding player. That’s why we’ve taken the decision to bring him although he’s not played for so long. “I don’t want to put a timeline on it right at this moment.“He’s progressing well. The balance he gives, the drive he gives, whoever plays with him down that side of the pitch he gives a different outlet. READ MORE SUN STORIES”We’re adapting to not having him and having to find a different way”.England can book their place in the last-16 with a win over Denmark in Frankfurt.Kieran Trippier has been filling in at left-back for ShawCredit: GettyFour dilemmas for Southgate ahead of England’s second Euro 2024 clash

GARETH SOUTHGATE has plenty to think about ahead of Thursday’s second Group C game against Denmark.
SunSport’s CHARLIE WYETT looks at the major issues facing the England boss…
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
Southgate believes the Liverpool right-back could ultimately be an outstanding partner for Declan Rice in midfield. Alexander-Arnold did OK in the 1-0 win over Serbia but he is a work in progress in this position — to put it mildly. Asked about his display, Southgate said: “It seemed he was great when we were in control but struggled a bit when we lost control.” Conor Gallagher was introduced and he made England more solid. If Alexander-Arnold is dropped for Denmark, the entire experiment is over.
PHIL FODEN
The Manchester City star is becoming an enigma, which is such a shame. Particularly as he has come off an absolutely terrific season for City. Foden has now played 35 times for England and you can count the good games on one hand. Southgate will surely stick with Foden for the Denmark match rather than unleash Anthony Gordon or Eberechi Eze. If Foden struggles on Thursday, Southgate has to make the call and replace him after an hour.
KIERAN TRIPPIER
The Newcastle defender did well against Serbia even though he is not fully fit, having only just returned from a long lay-off. Add the fact he is right-footed and neither is he a perfect fit on the left. Southgate aims to start Luke Shaw when he is 100 per cent but this is unlikely to be against Denmark.
HARRY KANE
The England captain nearly scored his 64th international goal when he hit the bar — but it was still a struggle. He only touched the ball twice in the first half. Kane is certainly not dropping as deeply as he has in the past so the service has to be better. Equally, he does not look totally match sharp. He missed the end of the season with Bayern Munich with a back injury although he returned as a sub for England against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The slight concern over Kane was one reason a third striker, Ivan Toney, was added to the  squad, with both James Maddison and Jack Grealish missing out. More