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      England 0 Iceland 1: Lightning strikes twice as Three Lions head to Euro 2024 haunted by ghost of Euros past

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      JUST as England were dreaming about emulating 1966 and all that, here was a horrific reprise of 2016 instead. Gareth Southgate’s men, favourites to win the Euros with all good bookmakers, suffered the worst possible send-off to Germany as they were humiliated by their bogeymen from a volcanic island in the North Atlantic. Jon Dagur Thornsteinsson opened the scoring for IcelandCredit: GettyHis goal silenced the Wembley crowdCredit: ReutersRamsdale should have done betterCredit: AlamyHere was a result and a performance which exposed Southgate’s youthful squad selection as a high-risk folly.Forget all the ‘football’s coming home’ and ‘this time we’ll get it right’ malarkey, this was an absolute shocker at Wembley, which poured ridicule on ideas that England are ready to win their first major trophy in 58 years.England were not just beaten by Iceland – just as they had been in the match which toasted Roy Hodgson at Euro 2016 – they were lucky to avoid a hiding.The Iceland side of eight years ago were actually half-decent. The current lot are ranked 71st in the world and have not qualified for the Euros, yet they threatened to tear England to ribbons in the second half.READ MORE ON ENGLANDJon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s early strike, courtesy of blunders from Kyle Walker and Aaron Ramsdale, earned Iceland their win.But it was the way in which Iceland continually threatened the England goal in the second half which was most worrying of all.Southgate chose eight of the eleven who are likely to face Serbia in the Euros opener in Gelsenkirchen next Sunday – and they were woeful.The defence is naive and unbalanced, the midfield lacked spark and the forwards were completely devoid of composure.Most read in Euro 2024Kane should have scored from close rangeCredit: GettyBut England generally struggled to createCredit: AFPEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSIt can only be hoped that Jude Bellingham – rested after his Champions League triumph here last weekend – can spark England into life because this display made a mockery of their status as contenders for this crown.Harry Kane, who missed a glorious first-half chance here, has not played with Bellingham since October and England’s two main men need to rediscover their understanding for the clash with the dangerous Serbs.England line up for Euro 2024 announced in Three Lions squad video Phil Foden was given the chance to play centrally but faded badly after a bright start.Southgate can wear all the cream knitwear he likes in a bid to look cuddly, but he has been utterly ruthless in his treatment of established players in the build-up to this tournament.Jordan Henderson, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire have all been ditched, following on from Raheem Sterling being jettisoned after the World Cup.It is almost as if, for what is almost certain to be his last stand as England manager, Southgate is determined to torpedo the most common criticisms against him – too much loyalty, too much caution.The handbrakes-and-shackles brigade have found a different line of attack.Suddenly, it’s reckless Southgate, a man who has thrown caution to the wind and ending up having his house blown down.There was a horrible early scare when John Stones fell awkwardly under a challenge from Thorsteinsson and appeared to injure his ankle.With Maguire already out, Stones has now taken on ravens in the Tower status. If he goes, Southgate’s kingdom collapses.Southgate will be left with more questions than answers after this gameCredit: RexBut after a minute’s panic, Stones was back on his feet.England were playing some lovely stuff, especially Foden who was revelling in centre stages, and yet suddenly after only 12 minutes, Iceland were ahead.Played onside by Marc Guehi, Thorsteinsson cut inside Kyle Walker and drilled a shot which beat Aaron Ramsdale at his near post.It was poor from the Manchester City captain but even worse from Arsenal’s reserve keeper. For the indispensability of Stones, read the indispensability of Jordan Pickford.Still, Southgate’s men continued to do most of the attacking, although a wayward shot and then a poor cross from Anthony Gordon stopped them in their tracks and left some pining for super Jackie Grealish.Declan Rice closed down keeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, forcing him to pass straight to Cole Palmer, whose shot was blocked.Next, Palmer delivered a sweet centre from the right but Kane shinned over a volley from six yards.It was time for the Viking Thunderclap to ring out from the away supporters’ section, causing anyone who was in Nice eight years ago to break out in a cold sweat.And before half-time, it was almost 2-0 when Palmer lost possession on the edge of his own box and Amor Ingvi Traustason was brilliantly blocked by Guehi.England fans made paper planes to deal with their boredomCredit: GettyJohn Stones was forced off with injuryCredit: EPAStones was cotton-woolled at half-time, replaced by Ezri Konsa and England twice went close to an equaliser.First Foden dragged a shot wide from a Gordon cut-back then Palmer fired into the side-netting.But soon Iceland were breaking in a two-on-one, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson squaring for Thorsteinsson, who fell on his backside when he ought to have scored.Southgate made a quadruple substitution bringing Ivan Toney and Bukayo Saka on for Kane and Gordon in attack – but again, Iceland almost doubled their lead – Svenir Ingason given a free header from a corner but Ramsdale smothering his effort.Suddenly Iceland were in complete control, continually getting behind England’s naive defence and a scrambling Ramsdale was forced to push a long-ranger over his bar.READ MORE SUN STORIESEngland scrambled around aimlessly in scenes spookily reminiscent of their Euro 2016 exit.It’s time for the tub-thumping optimism to stop. England are going to have to work their socks off to get out of the group stage.What Southgate said about axed England stars
      WHAT Gareth Southgate said about his axed England stars after confirming his 26-man England squad for Euro 2024.
      Harry Maguire
      “The decision on Harry [Maguire] is totally about his physical condition and his recovery from the injury. There is no other reason as he is one of our strongest centre-backs.
      “Harry has made some progress, but it’s been complicated and we wouldn’t have had him in the group stages. There were too many hurdles to get through without being clear where we might get to.
      “Knowing we haven’t got a clean bill of health across the rest of the backline, we need players who are fit and ready to go from the start.
      “It was a really difficult call, you know how I feel about Harry, what he’s done for England and for me as a manager. ”
      Jack Grealish
      “I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated.
      “I think the world of him as a kid.“It certainly doesn’t get any easier.
      “You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent. You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment.
      “We knew we had a couple of really difficult days coming up.”
      James Maddison
      “Madders [Maddison] and Jack [Grealish] would have provided us with something different as well and they’ve been tough calls.
      “They’re calls we’ve gone over and over and over as a group of staff to try to be fair and to try to use the right rationale.
      “We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. The boys are big characters, fabulous team-mates and great boys to work with.
      “It’s sad to have to deliver that news to them.”
      Jarrad Branthwaite
      “It’s a bit early for Jarrad [Branthwaite]. He has had a fabulous season, it was good to get him on the pitch the other night.
      “But of course, in an ideal world, you’d like that balance of left-footers. For him to be in ahead of the others, I don’t think it would have been the right call at this stage.”
      Jarell Quansah
      “Jarell Quansah has stayed with us. He’s not had the experience of an England international at Wembley. It’ll be great for him to be us for the game.
      “Hopefully we’re not needing to call anyone else in.” More

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      ‘We may as well not even go’ – England injury worry as key Euro 2024 star subbed off at half time after taking knock

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      JOHN STONES handed England another big injury scare in defence.The centre-back went off at half-time in Friday’s 1-0 Wembley defeat against Iceland ahead of Euro 2024.John Stones only lasted 45 minutes in the Wembley friendlyCredit: ReutersFans reacted with despair and disbelief after the Manchester City hero was replaced by Ezri Konsa.Three Lions’ chief Gareth Southgate attempted to quell fears afterwards.He said: “We think he’s probably OK but we didn’t want to takechances given what’s coming up.”But fellow central defender Harry Maguire missed the cut for Southgate’s 26-man squad 24 hours earlier due to his calf problem.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSAnd Lewis Dunk was forced to sit out Friday’s friendly as the Brighton skipper is still a week off full fitness.Meanwhile, left-back Luke Shaw will also be sidelined from main action for several more days.England open their Euros bid against Serbia a week on Sunday.And one supporter posted: “If John Stones is injured as well, we may as well not even go.”Most read in Euro 2024PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.

      A reporter for Channel 4, who broadcast the match live, suggested the 30-year-old “looked to be walking ok in the tunnel”.But the last thing Southgate needed was another injury niggle. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSStones appeared to get hurt when he was hauled to the ground in an ungainly tangle with Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson.And in fact he was one of the England defenders slightly exposed when the same Iceland winger stole inside to drill the visitors’ surprise winner on 12 minutes.A laboured Three Lions’ display only got more disjointed as the second-half replacements racked up, ending in a tame loss.Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024Southgate has put Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah on standby at the back.Quansah was one of seven players omitted on Thursday when England’s squad was pruned from 33 to its final size for the Euros.Southgate must take tactical gamble to save Euros dreamGARETH SOUTHGATE needs to go back to the future in Germany, writes SunSport’s Charlie Wyett.
      It certainly worked in Russia at the 2018 World Cup. And due to various issues with the defence – as illustrated in this dismal and embarrassing performance at Wembley – Southgate needs to look at playing with five at the back.
      We can talk all night about England’s power-packed attack and how they should definitely be getting out the cigars in Berlin on July 14.
      Yet there is now a genuine cause for panic as we are now just eight days away from the first game against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen and the defence is a total mess.
      England have kept just two clean sheets in the last seven games. If Southgate’s team are to play seven games at Germany – and that would mean an appearance in the final – there must be a bloody great improvement.
      The Three Lions will get out of their group because it is virtually impossible not to. But if England do not improve, they will end up getting knocked out in the last 16, like they did against Iceland in Euro 2016.
      Speaking at Middlesbrough’s training ground on Sunday, Southgate was asked about whether he has thought about a back five which in Russia, saw his team reach the semi-finals.
      He said: “We haven’t as yet. Clearly we could. We know all the strengths and weaknesses of doing that. It’s interesting to read about it being proposed, because I think we were pretty much killed for doing it for quite a long period. 
      “But given our tactical flexibility, we’d look at everything and it would be silly to rule something out. You can play a three in different ways.
      “You build with a three now anyway, so some aspects of our game could have a three involved.
      “But for me, it’s less about shoehorning players into the team, it’s about having the best team and players to come into it, because you need that at tournaments.”
      It was only after the World Cup in 2018 that Southgate revealed the reason why he played with three central defenders. This was because he was worried about the inexperience of Harry Maguire who had played just five times before going to Russia.
      Due to Maguire’s omission from the squad due to his fitness, Marc Guehi will take his position and this was only his 11th cap.
      Guehi was England’s best defender but against better opposition in a more pressured environment, he will be tested more. Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he did not play particularly well.
      Yet last night, John Stones – having started just 12 Premier League games for Manchester City in his worst season for the club –  really struggled before being replaced by Ezri Konsa at half-time.
      It did not help that Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson fell on him early on but Stones did not cover himself in glory when the same Icelandic player scored the winner.
      Luke Shaw, sidelined since February with a thigh injury, will not be fit until the second game at the earliest.
      And with Ben Chilwell not even making the provisional 33, Southgate currently only has right-footed defenders.
      Kyle Walker is arguably the best right-back in Europe but his form dipped in the last two months of the season for Manchester City.
      He was caught out for the first goal as he appeared to have left his turbo boosters at Tottenham’s training ground. He then blamed Phil Foden for not covering properly.
      After making his mass changes for the final quarter,  England’s back four was Trent Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guehi and Joe Gomez. That is not a defence you would want to see in the latter stages
      So, Southgate needs to look at having a back three with Walker switching into the central three like he did in Russia, alongside Stones and Guehi.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold would be more comfortable at right-wing back with Trippier on the other side before the return of Shaw.
      With a five-man defence, Southgate would partner Declan Rice with Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton but you would lose an offensive player.
      Bukayo Saka would have to make way and you would have Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as the offensive midfielders playing behind Harry Kane.
      Southgate also played with a back five against Italy in the final of Euro 2020 although since then, has discarded it.
      But regardless, if he sticks with a back four, he will want his players to do the basics better. And then, we can think about maybe winning a match in the last 16.
      As for reaching the final, let’s put that one on the back-burner. More

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      Fans left baffled by England vs Iceland graphic as they ‘forget which country Three Lions are playing’

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      FANS were left baffled by the abbreviation used for Iceland in England’s final warm-up match before the Euros.Channel 4’s broadcast abbreviated the two names to ‘ENG’ and ‘ISL’.England fans were left confused by the abbreviation used during the gameCredit: XIt led to many England fans to take to X to ask why the name of the nation was abbreviated in the way that it was.One fan wrote: “Why is Iceland abbreviated as ‘ISL’?”Another said: “Why is Iceland abbreviated to ISL?”A third wrote: “Why is Iceland abbreviated to ISL, there isn’t an S in the spelling?”READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSA fourth wrote: “My main focus of the opening 20 minutes is trying to figure out why Iceland is abbreviated to ISL.”While a fifth said: “Why is the TV abbreviation for Iceland….ISL on the football? ⚽️”The explanation as to why the graphic was show that way was a simple one.Channel 4 use a global feed to show their games, which uses nations’ native spelling to abbreviate their names.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTo say Iceland in Icelandic, it is said and spelt as ‘Ísland’.That’s why the graphic shows Iceland abbreviated to ‘ISL’.The meteoric rise of England star Adam WhartonIt’s also why England is abbreviated to ‘ENG’.Gareth Southgate will take the handbrake off at Euro 2024… because he has no choiceBy Charlie Wyett
      GARETH SOUTHGATE will have no choice but to take the handbrake off his England team at Euro 2024.
      The defensive crisis gripping the Three Lions means the only option in Germany, within ­reason, will be outright attack.
      Southgate has often been lambasted for his safety-first approach — even if he points out you must go back to Walter Winterbottom’s sides in the 1950s to find an England manager with a better scoring record.
      But with the crocked Harry Maguire left out, Luke Shaw not fit enough to start the tournament and John Stones having made just 12 ­Premier League starts this season, this is not a defence you would stake your life on.
      The last time England went to a major tournament in Germany — the 2006 World Cup — the four centre-backs selected were Sol Campbell (68 caps), Rio Ferdinand (47), Jamie Carragher (25) and John Terry (24).
      This time, when England fly out on Monday, the quartet will be Lewis Dunk (six), Joe Gomez (14), Marc Guehi (ten) and Ezri Konsa (three).
      It makes Southgate’s decision not to recall the 49-cap Eric Dier for his ­provisional squad even stranger — especially considering his strong end to the season with Bayern Munich.
      The elder statesman in his defence — and the one who absolutely has to stay fit — is 71-cap Stones. More

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      Luke Littler makes surprise appearance in ‘class’ England announcement vid as he reveals Man Utd star is in squad

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      LUKE LITTLER delighted fans after making a surprise appearance in England’s Euro 2024 squad announcement.The 17-year-old darts ace shot to fame after reaching the final of the PDC World Darts Championship in January.Littler looked sharp as he helped announce the England squadCredit: Instagram lukethenukelittlerHis part of the announcement saw him wear the new England shirtCredit: Instagram lukethenukelittlerHis darts revealed Mainoo had made the squadCredit: X @EnglandHe then went one better by winning the Premier League Darts final last month.He featured in England’s video announcement of the squad, which shows fans and celebrities revealing who made the cut in a creative way.Littler pops up in the second half of the announcement video playing darts in an old pub.The camera then cuts to a man writing his score on a blackboard and spelling out “Mainoo” to show that the Manchester United youngster had been included by Gareth Southgate.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLIt was no doubt a special moment for Littler, who is a proud Man Utd fan.Taking to Instagram after the announcement was released, he wrote: “Euros squad✅ class being a part of the announcement vid🙏🏻 time to back the boys c’monnnn @england🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #itscominghome”The darts superstar posted four snaps from behind the scenes on the shoot featuring the new England kit.Fans flooded Littler’s comment section to praise his role in the announcement.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSOne fan wrote: “Is this the Harry Maguire replacement?🔥” After it was confirmed that Maguire would miss the tournament with a calf injury.Luke Littler leaves World No1 Humphries speechless with ‘greatest moment ever witnessed’ in Premier League Darts finalAnother said: “I bet Luke could do a better Job than Southgate.”While a third said: “Legend, go on Luke 👌” More

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      France World Cup winner claims five England players would get in French team with MBAPPE missing out

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      HE’s the world’s best footballer in the eyes of many, approaching his peak and has just completed a dream move.Yet according to a French World Cup winner, Real Madrid new boy Kylian Mbappe might not get in a combined England-France team.Kylian Mbappe wouldn’t walk into a combined XI, says a French iconCredit: GettyPhil Foden, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka could keep Mbappe outCredit: PAEmmanuel Petit is well qualified to deliver such a shock verdict on strikers.The ex-Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder played alongside Premier League all-time great attackers Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry in his three years at Arsenal.And he believes England’s current front three can be so effective together that they might ALL be good enough for France ahead of 25-year-old Mbappe.Three Lions’ skipper and record scorer Harry Kane is being nursed back to full fitness just days before Euro 2024 – in which the Three Lions could meet Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus in the semi-finals.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, Phil Foden is flying after his finest season so far for champions Manchester City.And although Bukayo Sako has arguably been less consistent this season, the winger remains Arsenal’s stand-out talent going forward.In all, Petit believes five Englishmen could get in a French side who are favourites alongside Gareth Southgate’s men to win the Euros.Mbappe’s hat-trick couldn’t save France from World Cup final anguish against Argentina two years ago.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPetit wishes France had midfielders like Jude Bellingham and Phil FodenCredit: RexAnd his pacy brilliance also might not be enough to displace Saka or Foden if the French could include England stars – at least according to Petit.The 53-year-old told bestonlinepokersites.ltd: “Harry Kane would get in the France team because he’s a great goal scorer. Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024″I have huge respect for Olivier Giroud but Kane is one of the best strikers of the last 10 years.”Even if we have Kylian Mbappe on the left or Ousmane Dembele on the right, that doesn’t mean that Phil Foden cannot play instead of Mbappe. “Foden has been amazing this season. He has become the boss of Manchester City. “And on the other side, you have Bukayo Saka who has been tremendous for the last four years for Arsenal.”Petit is less surprising in his assessment of where you’ll find the other players worthy of going from Lions to Les Bleus.The 64-cap former anchorman, who doesn;t have an English player in any of the defensive slots or in goal, said: “I think in the midfield area there are more positions that England players can take. “This is where we have talented players, but not enough in my opinion. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice can play, no problem at all.”Gareth Southgate will take the handbrake off at Euro 2024… because he has no choiceBy Charlie Wyett
      GARETH SOUTHGATE will have no choice but to take the handbrake off his England team at Euro 2024.
      The defensive crisis gripping the Three Lions means the only option in Germany, within ­reason, will be outright attack.
      Southgate has often been lambasted for his safety-first approach — even if he points out you must go back to Walter Winterbottom’s sides in the 1950s to find an England manager with a better scoring record.
      But with the crocked Harry Maguire left out, Luke Shaw not fit enough to start the tournament and John Stones having made just 12 ­Premier League starts this season, this is not a defence you would stake your life on.
      The last time England went to a major tournament in Germany — the 2006 World Cup — the four centre-backs selected were Sol Campbell (68 caps), Rio Ferdinand (47), Jamie Carragher (25) and John Terry (24).
      This time, when England fly out on Monday, the quartet will be Lewis Dunk (six), Joe Gomez (14), Marc Guehi (ten) and Ezri Konsa (three).
      It makes Southgate’s decision not to recall the 49-cap Eric Dier for his ­provisional squad even stranger — especially considering his strong end to the season with Bayern Munich.
      The elder statesman in his defence — and the one who absolutely has to stay fit — is 71-cap Stones. More

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      Iceland’s trip to England comes under a cloud with star banned due to ongoing sexual assault case  

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      ICELAND come to Wembley under a cloud with star player Albert Gudmundsson suspended again because of an ongoing sexual assault case.The attacking midfielder, 26, was the fifth top-scorer in Serie A last season with 14 goals for Genoa.Albert Gudmundsson is one of two Iceland stars missingCredit: GettyHe has been a target for West Ham and Spurs, as well as a host of Italian clubs.But under Iceland FA rules he was banned from playing for his country when the allegations — which he denies — first emerged in 2023.The case was dropped earlier this year and the recalled Gudmundsson scored in both Euro 2024 play-off games. But the alleged victim has successfully appealed.READ MORE ON EURO 2024So Iceland boss Age Hareide will have to do without his star player — as well as key defender Victor Palsson — for the game against England.Hareide, the former Norway, Manchester City and Norwich defender, said: “It’s always bad to lose players.”But we have to talk about the players who are there. We have a lot of talent here. “I think it’s every player’s dream — and it was mine as well in 1980 — to play against England at Wembley.”Most read in Euro 2024Friday’s clash is England’s final warm-up ahead of the Euros.Gareth Southgate’s men then launch their campaign in Germany against Serbia on June 16.Jack Wilshere, Gordon Strachan and Jurgen Klinsmann answer quickfire questions ahead of Euro 2024The Three Lions will complete their group action by taking on Denmark four days later and Slovenia on June 25.Southgate hopes defenders Luke Shaw and Lewis Dunk will be back to full fitness within a week.The duo made England’s final 26-man squad despite not yet being ready.In contrast, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire is “devastated” to miss out – as his calf problem would rule him out for out at least the group matches. More

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      Jack Grealish offered ‘four-week loan transfer’ to Wayne Lineker’s Ibiza bar after missing out on England’s Euros squad

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      WAYNE LINEKER has reached out to party animal Jack Grealish and offered him a “four-week loan transfer” to his Ibiza nightclub after he failed to make the England squad.Wayne, the brother of Three Lions icon Gary, is the owner of Ocean Beach and has opened his doors for England & Man City legend Grealish to get over his Euros disappointment.Southgate said Grealish was ‘devastated’ after missing out on the Euros squadCredit: GettyWayne Lineker has offered fun-loving Grealish a lifeline this summerCredit: InstagramPopular party animal Grealish leaves Man City’s title-winning party at 5amCredit: SplashGrealish has enjoyed his summer breaks at the O Bar beforeCredit: BackgridThe devastated star could be back there this year after his shock England snubCredit: BackgridThe offer came after a popular sports page posted on Instagram saying: “BREAKING NEWS. Jack Grealish agrees 4-week loan deal to Ocean Beach – HERE WE GO.”  – with the post racking up 25,000 likes.After The Mirror approached Lineker for comment on the proposed “transfer”, the Ibiza supremo and former Celebs Go Dating star said: “Gareth’s loss is our gain. We love hosting Jack at O Beach Ibiza, he’s a great lad!”Grealish frequented Ocean Beach last year, as he revelled in Manchester City’s historic treble season – with the City winger and Wayne sharing snaps together on social media.Gareth Southgate opened up yesterday on the difficult conversation he had with a “devastated” Grealish – who went on an epic month-long bender after Man City won the treble last year – after cutting him from his initial 33-man squad.READ MORE ON GREALISHThe England boss said: “I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated. I think the world of him as a kid.“It certainly doesn’t get any easier. You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent. You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment.”England’s players were said to have reacted with surprise at Grealish’s exclusion, with one senior player said to have approached Southgate to ask for an explanation about the decision.Grealish was determined to make the final cut for the squad after a season that saw him in and out of the City team.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSWhat Southgate said about axed England stars
      WHAT Gareth Southgate said about his axed England stars after confirming his 26-man England squad for Euro 2024.
      Harry Maguire
      “The decision on Harry [Maguire] is totally about his physical condition and his recovery from the injury. There is no other reason as he is one of our strongest centre-backs.
      “Harry has made some progress, but it’s been complicated and we wouldn’t have had him in the group stages. There were too many hurdles to get through without being clear where we might get to.
      “Knowing we haven’t got a clean bill of health across the rest of the backline, we need players who are fit and ready to go from the start.
      “It was a really difficult call, you know how I feel about Harry, what he’s done for England and for me as a manager. ”
      Jack Grealish
      “I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated.
      “I think the world of him as a kid.“It certainly doesn’t get any easier.
      “You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent. You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment.
      “We knew we had a couple of really difficult days coming up.”
      James Maddison
      “Madders [Maddison] and Jack [Grealish] would have provided us with something different as well and they’ve been tough calls.
      “They’re calls we’ve gone over and over and over as a group of staff to try to be fair and to try to use the right rationale.
      “We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. The boys are big characters, fabulous team-mates and great boys to work with.
      “It’s sad to have to deliver that news to them.”
      Jarrad Branthwaite
      “It’s a bit early for Jarrad [Branthwaite]. He has had a fabulous season, it was good to get him on the pitch the other night.
      “But of course, in an ideal world, you’d like that balance of left-footers. For him to be in ahead of the others, I don’t think it would have been the right call at this stage.”
      Jarell Quansah
      “Jarell Quansah has stayed with us. He’s not had the experience of an England international at Wembley. It’ll be great for him to be us for the game.
      “Hopefully we’re not needing to call anyone else in.”

      Last month he even cut short his post-season summer holiday with girlfriend Sasha Atwood as he tried to get to fully fit for England’s tournament in Germany.He has earned 36 caps for England, and appeared at both the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2020 for the Three Lions.England make their official Euros 2024 squad announcement His most recent appearance for England came on Monday as a substitute against Bosnia.Grealish’s surprise exclusion was revealed yesterday ahead of Southgate’s official squad announcement, which also saw Harry Maguire miss out with a calf injury.The two stars are joined by James Maddison, Curtis Jones, James Trafford, Jarrel Quansah and Jarrad Branthwaite in missing out.Grealish went on a month-long bender after winning the treble with CityCredit: Instagram
      The popular forward knows how to let his hair down – after getting a soaking by team-mate Erling Haaland on the Man City bus parade last yearCredit: TwitterPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More

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      Who is Marco Guida? Meet the Italian referee officiating at Euro 2024

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      MARCO Guida is an elite level referee who usually plies his trade in Serie A.He has been selected to officiate at Euro 2024 — here’s everything you need to know about the Italian.Guida has averaged 4.41 yellow cards per game in his career so farCredit: GettyWho is Marco Guida?Marco Guida was born in Pompeii on June 7, 1981, and currently lives in Torre Annunziata, located on the gulf of Naples. Although he started refereeing in 1996 as a teenager, he didn’t become a Fifa official until 2014.He made his first league appearance on January 31, 2010 when he took charge of the Serie A clash between Chevio and Bologna, which ended in a 1-1 draw.During his debut, he only handed out one yellow card, while throughout his career so far Guida has averaged 4.41 yellow cards per game.READ MORE ON EURO 2024He also averages 0.24 red cards and 0.33 penalties every match.Has Marco Guida officiated at major tournaments before?Although Guida is 42, yet he has never refereed at a major international tournament.Despite this, he has impressed Uefa enough to be selected for Euro 2024 this summer.However, Guida was at the helm for two international friendlies last year — Slovenia v Northern Ireland and Austria v Sweden.Most read in Euro 2024England make their official Euros 2024 squad announcement He has also taken charge of five Champions League matches, the biggest of which being the quarter-final between Atletico and Dortmund on April 10, 2024, which the Spanish giants won 2-1.What else has Marco Guida done before?Aston Villa fans might not be too happy to hear that Guida has been selected to referee at Euro 2024.The Italian refereed the first leg of Villa’s 6-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Olympiakos in the Europa Conference League semi-final on May 2, 2024.A number of Villains supporters took to social media after the match to complain about Guida disallowing Leon Bailey’s first half goal — a decision held up by VAR.One posted: “Crazy, how was that ruled out?!”While another wrote: “Why didn’t VAR take a proper look at that?”And a third said: “Absolutely no idea why that’s been disallowed.”Has Marco Guida used VAR before?VAR was introduced into Serie A during the 2017-18 season — a year earlier than it was incorporated into the Premier League.READ MORE SUN STORIESOut of his 200 appearances in Italy’s top league, 80 have been since VAR’s introduction.So it’s fair to say that Guida is somewhat of a veteran of the technology.How England will line up after big names axed from Euros More