Euro 2024

ALAN SHEARER has called on Gareth Southgate to drop Phil Foden for England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.Reports have emerged the Three Lions boss could switch to a back three for Saturday’s clash, with Kyle Walker joining John Stones in central defence and Ezri Konsa replacing the suspended Marc Guehi.Alan Shearer wants Gareth Southgate to drop Phil FodenCredit: GettyFodenhas struggled in England’s four Euros games so farCredit: ReutersFoden is yet to register a goal contribution at the tournamentBut Shearer believes a 4-3-3 shape can still produce a positive England display, despite their insipid performance against Slovakia.However, he feels it is time to drop Premier League Player of the Season Foden, 24, after four underwhelming games on the left-hand side.And the Newcastle legend, 53, feels Anthony Gordon should come in for the Manchester City man – who had a goal disallowed in the 2-1 win over Slovakia.Speaking to Betfair, he said: “I can see what Gareth Southgate is trying to do, but I would much prefer if we were more balanced on the left-hand side, hence me wanting Anthony Gordon on that side because I don’t think the Phil Foden thing has worked there.READ MORE ON EUROS”I understand they are unbalanced because of Kieran Trippier having to play at left-back, he’s going to have to change again because Guehi is suspended.”Whether he thinks it is right then to change the system we don’t know. I would be surprised if he did.”I think Phil Foden has been unlucky, he hasn’t looked comfortable in the system England want to play.”That left hand side hasn’t looked right, we haven’t got in behind anywhere near enough on that side.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSShearer also wants Bukayo Saka to be replaced by Cole PalmerCredit: GettyShearer wants Anthony Gordon in for Foden against SwitzerlandSouthgate needs Mainoo to help cure England’s fear, says Jack WilshereKOBBIE MAINOO has shown he is the player that England need to build their midfield ­— and their team — around, writes Jack Wilshere.That’s what I felt as it looked like we were slipping to defeat against Slovakia.I know he was not on the pitch when our goals went in.But until that unbelievable comeback, Mainoo was our best player.He has a fearlessness and an instinct to do the right things at the right times that seemed to be lacking for so much of the game.Mainoo alongside Declan Rice gives England better structure. In theory, at least, because for so long it didn’t look like that.You can have any structure you like but if a team, individually and collectively, lacks confidence, you cannot use that structure effectively.A fear can creep in. A fear of failing. A fear of losing the ball.It is partly because of his age that Mainoo does not have that, or appears not to have it.This was his first start in a major tournament. He does not know what it is like to have a bad one.If we want to win this tournament, starting with the quarter-final against Switzerland, we will need to control games better.Mainoo is the kind of midfielder England have been crying out for for a long time.He can be the glue that holds together this team for the rest of the tournament and well into the future.Read Jack Wilshere’s column in full.Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 opinions.”His game is he wants to come inside and someone comes on the overlap. That’s been difficult for England to do with the lack of a left footer in Trippier. So, he has been unlucky.”But he is going to have to make changes because they haven’t played well. I know they’ve won and they’ve got through but they were lucky.The Sun’s Tom Barclay gives England squad update from training ahead of quarter final clash with SwitzerlandEngland must go old-school to shock Switzerland… this formation would be perfect, says Jurgen KlinsmannIT might be time for England to try something different at these Euros, writes Jurgen Klinsmann.Maybe Gareth Southgate will want to start the quarter-final against Switzerland in a 4-4-2 formation, with Ivan Toney alongside Harry Kane up front.I think it might work, and if Gareth feels the same, he should do it.This is the time when, as a manager at a tournament, you have to trust your gut instinct and never hold back from unpopular decisions.The quarter-finals are make-or-break time. Win and you’re in the last four and everyone respects you.Lose and it’s not acceptable for big nations like England, Germany, France and Spain.England are facing the best Swiss team of all time on Saturday – and it is certain to be another rollercoaster.I understand there can be snobbery about playing a 4-4-2 but sometimes you have to do something different. It can still be a fantastic system — two hard-working frontmen like Kane and Toney can be a real threat to the opposition.I think England need to surprise the Swiss, to try something different.And that just might be a good old-fashioned 4-4-2.Read Jurgen Klinsmann’s column in full.Or check out all of Jurgen’s Euro 2024 opinions.”England got lucky the other night, they are into the quarter-finals, they haven’t played well. That has to be a positive because I’m sure that things can only get better.”Shearer, 53, also wants Cole Palmer to play on the right ahead of Bukayo Saka.Saka was moved to left-back in the extra-time win over Slovenia, while Chelsea talisman Palmer impressed on the right flank. More

ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate is prepared to radically change his starting line-up ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.Despite reaching the last eight, the Three Lions have struggled to impress so far this summer.Gareth Southgate could completely change his starting XI this weekendCredit: AFPJude Bellingham and Phil Foden could start together in midfieldCredit: AFPThey topped Group C after picking up five points from a possible nine and scraped through a last-16 meeting with Slovakia thanks to late heroics from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.In an attempt to improve things on the pitch, Southgate is prepared to make a significant change to his starting line-up.He will “likely” switch from a back four to a back three, according to Sky Sports.The “radical” change was “not on the agenda” when England first arrived in Germany.Read More in FootballBut due to the team’s unprecedented run of poor form Southgate has been forced to try something different.The proposed switch could see Phil Foden move inside from the left to join Jude Bellingham in the centre of midfield.Marc Guehi will be suspended for the match after picking up two yellow cards, so Ezri Konsa could step in to replace him.To complete a potential England back three, Kyle Walker could move inside from the right.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHow England could line up against SwitzerlandAnother way England could line upAlternative XI England could use against SwitzerlandTrent Alexander-Arnold, who started two of three group games in midfield, could play as a right wing-back.On the other side of the pitch, Kieran Trippier will likely keep his place in the line-up.SunSport’s Latest Euro 2024 headlinesThat would leave Bukayo Saka as the odd man out and set for a spot on the bench.However, the Arsenal star could easily slot into either wing-back role.There’s also a chance Anthony Gordon could be handed his first start on the left side.Southgate could also decide to start two strikers with Ivan Toney, who impressed after coming on against Slovakia, joining Harry Kane in attack. More

RAFAEL GARCIA has played alongside some of the very best in football.As a teenager he represented England on the international stage with the likes of “special players” Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and Cole Palmer among his team-mates.Rafael Garcia left Everton in January 2023 after five years at the clubCredit: GettyGarcia was a member of England’s talented U15s squad back in 2017Credit: SuppliedHe starred alongside some incredible players including Jamal MusialaCredit: SuppliedBut two devastating ACL injuries stopped him from taking the same path.A gifted striker, Garcia spent the earliest days of his career at Fulham before completing a move to Everton’s academy.He appeared for both the Under 18s and the U23s during his time at Goodison Park, but suffered a huge setback when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.”At Everton when I did it I was out for nearly two years with that one,” the 21-year-old tells SunSport.Read More in Football”I had surgery twice so it put me a long way back in terms of development, everything really. It just put me back a long time.”The injury stopped him from breaking into the first team – then managed by Frank Lampard – and he subsequently moved to Spain in search of regular football.Garcia signed for Alcorcon B, a team competing in the fourth tier of Spanish football.It was meant to be a fresh start following an unfortunate setback, but disaster struck again on his debut.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGarcia has praised his former team-mates, including Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and MusialaCredit: SuppliedWho played for England U15s in 2017 and where are they now?Serine Sanneh – Currently plays for non-league side Rusthall FC. Suffered a long-term injury which kept him out for a significant period of time.Matthew Dennis – Currently plays as a forward for MK Dons in League Two.Malachi Fagan-Walcott – Currently plays as a centre-back for Cardiff City in the Championship. Left Tottenham in 2023.Harry Williams – Currently plays for Walsall in League Two.Armstrong Okoflex – Currently plays for FC Zurich. Has also played for West Ham, West Ham U21s, Swansea, Celtic and Arsenal U18. Switched international allegiance to Ireland and now plays for Ireland U21s.Lewis Fiorini – Left Man City this week to join Stockport for an undisclosed fee. Switched international allegiance to Scotland and currently plays for the U21s.Yunus Musah – Currently plays for AC Milan as a midfielder. Switched international allegiance to USA.Cole Palmer – Enjoyed an outstanding breakthrough season with Chelsea after completing a £42.5million move from Man City. Scored 25 goals and provided 15 assists in 45 appearances for the Blues.Noni Madueke – Completed a £35m move to Chelsea from PSV in January 2023 and has since made 46 appearances. Also plays for England U21s.Rafael Garcia – Currently plays for JJK Jyväskylä in the third tier of Finnish football.Tristan Cover – Currently without a club. Left TFA Dubai on January 1. Tom Smith – Currently plays for League Two side Colchester United. Has also played for Bromley, Dover Athletic, Welling, Arsenal U18s & U23s.Samson Robinson – Currently a free agent after leaving Kidderminster last month. Also played for Port Vale and Man City youth teams. Played for England U15s, U16s and U17s.Karamoko Dembele – Currently plays for Ligue 1 side Brest. Spent last season on loan at Blackpool. Spent three years at Celtic after coming through the club’s academy. Last featured for England U21s in 2021.Jude Bellingham – Established himself as Real Madrid’s star man last season after completing a huge £115m move from Real Madrid. Currently starring for England at Euro 2024.Jamal Musiala – Switched international allegiance to Germany in 2021 and is now one of the top stars at Euro 2024. He also plays for Bayern Munich.Teddy Hoare – Teddy Jenks. Currently plays for Forest Green Rovers in the National League. Previously came through Brighton’s academy before spending loan spells with Crawly and Aberdeen. Only played for England U16 and U17.Morgan Rogers – Currently plays for Aston Villa having joined in an £8m transfer in January from Middlesbrough. England U21s international. Also played for Man City and West Brom with loan spells at Blackpool, Bournemouth and Lincoln.Dynel Simeu – Currently a free agent. Released by Southampton last month. Played youth football with Chelsea before joining Southampton. Last played for England U18s in 2019.Amadou Diallo – Currently a free agent. Released by Newcastle last month. Played for U21s and made one senior appearance. Last played for England U17s in 2020. Played youth football for West Ham before joining Newcastle.The same injury, but his other knee.”Just as I’m getting back and feeling good again I’ve done the other one, the other leg this time,” he continues.Jude Bellingham reacts to match winning England display in euro 2024 opener against Serbia”Mentally it’s more. It’s harder mentally more than anything because the physical side of the rehab I know I can do. But it’s the mental part that’s hardest for me.”Having recovered from the gruelling injury once again, he completed another move – this time to Finnish third division side JJK Jyväskylä.”More than anything it was a thing where I didn’t really care where it was, where I was playing, I didn’t really care. Whether it was in Finland, England, anywhere because I just knew that I’ve got more than enough ability to impress anywhere I go, I’ve always backed myself when it comes to that.”The manager here in Finland, he’s put a lot of faith in me and he’s believed in me which is something that no one really did at the time. He gave me something that not many other managers did – he trusted me, he believed in me.”That’s the reason why I came out here. It might not be the most attractive to a lot of players but for me, I just wanted to play football again and he gave me the chance to do that.”Garcia is still enjoying his football – even though his career took a slightly different turn due to injury.Before moving abroad he was an England international at youth level, deemed one of the best young players in the country.Among his team-mates were Euro 2024 stars Musiala, Bellingham and Palmer as well as Chelsea’s Noni Madueke, AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah and Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.Recalling his time in the Three Lions set-up, he reveals: “All special players really.”All the talent that you see now shining in the Prem and all over the world, at the Euros, things like that. It’s the same thing, even from back then.”I think the likes of Jamal (Musiala), Jude (Bellingham), all of these players always were special, special players and you always knew that, even in that England set-up.Garcia ruptured his ACL during his time at Everton which sidelined him for almost two yearsCredit: Getty”I can’t say that one person stood out because everyone was special, everyone was good and everyone stood out in their own way.”One player in particular from that list has arguably become England’s golden boy.Bellingham single-handedly saved Gareth Southgate’s side from a shock Euro 2024 last-16 exit on Sunday.The Real Madrid superstar scored a stunning bicycle kick with less than 30 seconds to play in added time to level the game at 1-1 before Harry Kane went on to net the winner.It doesn’t surprise Garcia to see the former Birmingham boy shining on the big stage: “More than anything now is that he’s got a lot of confidence. It’s a confidence thing.”Confidence is a footballer’s biggest weapon and I think that’s what he’s got now.”Back then, I wouldn’t say he was as like he is now, but he’s definitely confident in his ability and now he’s more mature. Now he shows it off in a more mature way.”But he’s always had that confidence and he always knew that he was a good player on his day.”The striker is also pleased to see former England team-mate Musiala shining – even though he now plays for Germany.Musiala switched international allegiance in February 2021 and made his debut the following month.The 21-year-old has since been capped 33 times and scored five goals.But Garcia insists he wasn’t surprised to see his team-mate join Nationalelf: “I saw it coming to be honest. Obviously he was at Chelsea and then when he made that move to Germany, it made sense.”He was living in Germany, he was brought up German so it made sense as to why he would switch. It wasn’t a shock.”READ MORE SUN STORIESDespite heaping praise on his former team-mates, the striker is not so sure England will go on to win the European Championship this summer.He concludes: “No. They have what it takes but I think Spain’s winning it. I’ve got to stick to my Spanish roots.”EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

CRISTIANO RONALDO has risked a Euros BAN after being accused of “ambush marketing” following the release of his heart rate data. The Portuguese legend, 39, has endured a poor tournament so far, failing to score in each of his country’s four games.Cristiano Ronaldo could face a ban for ‘ambush marketing’Credit: GettyWhen you’re @Cristiano, there’s no fear in football. See how CR7 entered a flow state and dropped his heart rate moments before changing momentum of the match against Slovenia. See you in the quarterfinals, Portugal! pic.twitter.com/E9kLLTdFjt— WHOOP (@WHOOP) July 2, 2024

He missed a penalty and was reduced to tears in the last 16 as Roberto Martinez’s men scraped through against Slovenia on spot kicks following a goalless 120 minutes.But things could yet get worse for the Real Madrid and Manchester United legend.This relates to Ronaldo’s partnership with fitness company WHOOP – who published his heart rate data from the Slovenia game on Tuesday.In response, former head of global sponsorships at Visa and Coca Cola, Ricardo Fort, has claimed this is an example of ambush marketing.READ MORE ON EUROSThis is when a company looks to associate their product or services with an event that already has official sponsors.Previously, ex-Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner broke these rules when he celebrated a goal for Denmark at Euro 2012 by showing off his Paddy Power underwear.Bendtner received a one-match ban and an £80,000 fine.And Fort believes Ronaldo should be handed a similar punishment that would see him miss Portugal’s quarter-final clash with France on Friday.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNicklas Bendtner was punished for ‘ambush marketing’ when he showed off his Paddy Power pants after scoring for Denmark at Euro 2012Credit: AP:Associated PressSpeaking on X, he said: “This chart has been circulating today.”Cristiano and WHOOP is ambush marketing to Euro 2024. It is illegal and both the player and the company should be fined.”Dietmar Hamann slams Cristiano Ronaldo for ‘utterly embarrassing’ reaction at Euro 2024He then went on to add: “The post is about a UEFA match, uses the names of the two national teams playing, score, and a player on the field. “They are implying an association with the event and that is illegal. Not having ‘a competitor as a sponsor’ isn’t a reason to tolerate infringements.”WHOOP design various devices that track heart rate, athletic performance and quality of sleep.Fort understands if Ronaldo’s data had been taken from a home workout – rather than during a Euros match – it would not have been an infringement.The data showed Ronaldo “entered a flow state and dropped his heart rate” before he scored the first of Portugal’s three penalties in the shoot-out.It then soared to 180 beats per minute when Bernardo Silva bagged the decisive spot kick.Fans praised Ronaldo for his composure during the shoot-out after WHOOP published their data on X.One fan said: “Shows why he’s one of the best!!”While another simply replied: “Legend.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd a third responded: “That’s why he’s the best in pressure situations.”Portugal will face Germany or Spain in the semi-finals if they come through their last-eight tie with France. More