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      Jack Grealish reckons England call-up will help lift him to the next level

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      JACK GREALISH has seen first-hand how good Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold are — the hard way.
      Now the Aston Villa ace cannot wait to benefit from having some of the top talent in world football — and the cream of English football — on his side at last.

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      Jack Grealish is ready to star on the international stageCredit: PA

      Grealish had to dig deep to keep his beloved Villa in the Premier League on the final day of a traumatic, Covid-hit season.
      His crucial strike at West Ham on Survival Sunday earned Dean Smith’s side the precious point they craved.
      However, he knows playing for England is a whole new ball game.

      And Grealish is determined to prove he is capable of handling the pressure of having a nation’s hopes on his shoulders — now he has three lions on his shirt instead of one.

      The 24-year-old Villa skipper revealed: “I believe in my own ability and I’m confident I can perform at international level.
      “But I also want to improve and I’m eager to learn what it takes to be a success at this level.
      “If anything, I believe the better the players you play with or against, then the better you will perform yourself. I’ve always believed that.
      “When you look around the England squad, they are not just the best players in the country — they are the best in the world.

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      Grealish believes playing alongside the likes of Kane and Sterling will help raise his gameCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Grealish represented England at Under-21 levelCredit: Rex Features
      “I’ve played against these guys when they’ve been playing for Liverpool, Manchester City and Spurs, with not a lot of success!
      “Now I can’t wait to actually train beside them and, hopefully, team up with the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Trent Alexander-Arnold, rather than trying to stop them.
      “I know I can become an even better player by learning from these amazing players.
      “I want to show the manager what I’m all about, play to the best of my ability and, hopefully, keep my place in the squad.
      “Sure, I had planned and hoped it would happen earlier in my career.
      “Five years ago Roy Hodgson was on the verge of selecting me after I chose to represent England instead of Ireland.
      “But our next games were against the Republic of Ireland and Scotland and it was put on hold. That was frustrating. Now all I want is the chance to show what I can do — it’s the biggest challenge of my career and I can’t wait.
      “Hopefully playing with the best players in the country will bring out the best in me.

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      Grealish starred as he helped Villa ensure Premier League survivalCredit: AFP or licensors

      “Some of the guys in the squad made the breakthrough at 18 and 19 — I’m 24 but I’m desperate to learn and improve.”
      Grealish famously switched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to England at Under-21 level after being voted Ireland’s Under-21 Player of the Year.
      It was a controversial and difficult choice but one the kid from Solihull knew, deep down, he had to make.
      He said: “The first time I walked into the England dressing room and saw my name on the back of my shirt — and the three lions on the front — it was like a dream come true. I’m English, my parents are English. It was a proud moment for me.
      “As a kid I used to look up to Wayne Rooney who was my hero growing up.
      “My first dream was to play for Villa — the next dream was to play for England.
      “The strange thing is, as I played a lot I’ve never actually been to an England game as a fan.
      “I have no idea if I will be selected this time around. But if I am lucky enough to be called on, I’ll give it everything I have and try to learn from the experience.

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      Gareth Southgate initially left Grealish out of his England squadCredit: PA:Press Association

      “It would be nice in a full stadium under different circumstances.
      “But the prospect of walking out at a full Wembley Stadium later in the season is something to hopefully look forward to.”
      Despite operating in midfield at times, Grealish was Villa’s top scorer with eight top-flight goals and romped the club’s and supporters’ player-of-the-season awards last term.
      A national debate has raged about exactly where his best position is and feelings run high on whether Grealish is a left winger, a No 10 or an out-and-out midfielder.
      Yet the Villa star says he is willing to become a Jack of all trades to help England and insists he does not mind where Gareth Southgate wants him to perform — he just wants to play.
      With England facing Iceland on Saturday, Grealish said: “I just want to get my head down and work hard.
      “I’m proud of the fact I can play in different positions — left wing, midfield or No 10. I’ll wait and see what happens.
      “It’s been a long time coming but this is something I’ve always wanted to do — represent my country to the best of my ability.”
      Grealish knows there is one patriotic England fan who will love it when he finally pulls on a senior England shirt — Villa’s most famous fan Prince William!

      The Premier League opening day fixtures for 2020-21 have been revealed

      Fans have joked HRH may have pulled a few strings and Grealish admits he was given a huge lift last year when he received a note from Villa’s top VIP punter.
      He said: “After the incident when I was attacked on the pitch against Birmingham, I received a postcard from Prince William with some kind words of encouragement.
      “It was totally unexpected and hand-written too. I appreciated the gesture and know he will be delighted — like the rest of Villa’s fans — at the prospect of me doing my best for England.”

      Inside Man Utd transfer target Jack Grealish’s Mykonos holiday training camp as he prepares for huge 2020-21 season More

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      Aston Villa set to land Ollie Watkins in £22m transfer as Brentford sign replacement Ivan Toney

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      IVAN TONEY has signed for Brentford in a £4.5million move from Peterborough — paving the way for Ollie Watkins to make a £22m switch to Aston Villa.
      SunSport exclusively revealed the Bees were on the verge of signing 24-year-old Toney last month — a deal which could rise to £9m in bonus-related clauses.

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      Ollie Watkins is set to join Aston Villa after three years with BrentfordCredit: Rex Features

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      Renowned lower-league goal-getter Ivan Toney is stepping up from Peterborough to Championship side BrentfordCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And the striker — who scored 24 goals for Posh last year to win League One player of the season — trained with his team-mates yesterday after clinching a five-year deal.
      Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “He fits what I want in a striker.
      “He is a goalscorer, he gets into good positions in the box, he is good playing on the last line, and will contribute to our link-up play.”

      Toney was linked with numerous top sides, including Celtic, Brighton and Anderlecht — but the promise of consistent first team football at the top of the Championship swayed him.

      Watkins looks likely to move to the Prem with Villa, who are keen to get the deal done in time to prepare for the September 12 start.

      Forward Watkins hit 26 goals to drive Brentford to the play-off finals in the last campaign, but is hoping to score goals in the top flight this month.
      Villa boss Dean Smith is trying to drive through a deal for Watkins who would pick up £70,000 a week in wages.
      Sheffield United and newly-promoted Fulham are also interested in Watkins.

      Aston Villa offer Jack Grealish bumper £100k-a-week new deal More

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      Jack Grealish says ‘I’ve waited 5 years for my call-up.. now I’ll make sure that I stay here’

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      JACK GREALISH finally got his England call-up then vowed to make sure he never misses another squad.
      Gareth Southgate picked the Aston Villa ace for the first time after Marcus Rashford and Harry Winks withdrew from the Nations League double header in Iceland and Denmark.

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      Jack Grealish has earned his first call-up to the England squadCredit: The Mega Agency

      The playmaker, 24, switched his allegiance from Ireland to England five years ago but had been repeatedly snubbed by boss Southgate.
      In an exclusive interview with SunSport, Grealish said: “I don’t want to be on the outside looking in again. But I know for that to be the case I’ve got to make a good impression.
      “It’s been a long time coming but this is something I’ve always wanted to do.

      “I thought it was going to happen five years ago when I took the decision to play for England. I’m so pleased it’s finally happened.

      “My plan has always been to just get in that England squad for the first time, then make sure I do enough to stay in there.
      “The hardest thing is getting your first call-up.
      “Once you are in the squad, it’s up to you to make sure you either do enough in the training sessions or games.”
      Grealish inspired Villa to survival on the final day of the Premier League and only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne created more chances than him last season.

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      Grealish represented England and Ireland at youth levelsCredit: Rex Features

      But the Brummie, due in court in November after crashing his car during lockdown, was omitted from the original 24-man squad and it seemed he had little future under Southgate.
      Wolves defender Conor Coady and Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles were also called up on Saturday.
      Grealish, who played for the Republic of Ireland’s junior sides, added: “Some of the players in the current squad have been around the England camp for many years.
      “You just expect them to be there — and that has got to be the aim for every player.
      “When I was first on the fringes of the Aston Villa team my target was to get in and stay in. So that is now the same with England.
      “I don’t know if I will get the opportunity to show what I can do on the pitch.
      “But if that doesn’t happen then I’ve got to use every training session to show what I’m capable of and I’m confident of doing so.”
      Southgate defended his decision not to initially include Grealish seven days ago.

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      Southgate initially left Grealish out of his England squadCredit: PA:Press Association

      He said: “With Jack, the simple answer is Mason Greenwood. He’s competing against Greenwood, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling.
      “I know Villa have played him as an eight, I don’t see him in that role for us. He could play as a ten but we haven’t played with a ten.”
      Grealish got his chance after Manchester United striker Rashford failed to recover from an ankle problem and Tottenham midfielder Winks was also ruled out.
      Southgate feared he would lose more players as five had tested positive for coronavirus last week. But he was relieved yesterday as players reported at St George’s Park after another round of testing.
      England will spend this week at the Staffordshire base before flying to Iceland on Friday.

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      Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs backs Dan James to bounce back next season after hitting form with Wales

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      RYAN GIGGS is adamant Dan James can rediscover his best form at Manchester United – by shining for Wales this week.
      James, 22, made just one Premier League start following lockdown and that was United’s returning game at Tottenham on June 19.

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      Daniel James slipped down the ranks at Old Trafford as Mason Greenwood enjoyed a stunning breakthrough – but can regain his progressCredit: Reuters

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      Ryan Giggs believes Wales winger Daniel James has the perfect attitude to take big steps forward when he returns to Man UtdCredit: AFP or licensors
      Red Devils’ boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appeared to lose faith in James, whose Old Trafford career started with a bang, scoring three goals in his first four games.
      James has just scored once more in his next 42 club games and he spent most of the season resumption on the bench following the emergence of Mason Greenwood. 
      But Giggs believes Wales’ Nations League double-header against Finland and Bulgaria can be just the tonic for flying winger James to regain his confidence ahead of the new season when United kick-off against Crystal Palace on September 19.
      Giggs said: “Sometimes the players that don’t necessarily play all the time for their clubs, it gives them a chance to get some minutes, try and get some form to go back to their clubs and show them what they can do.

      He was not playing regularly near the end of the season but in the long run that can help and improve you.
      Ryan Giggs on Daniel James

      “Perhaps DJ is in that camp. United start a week later but DJ will turn up fit and raring to go, I’m sure.
      “He’s a player I know well. He had a really good start to his United career but he was not playing regularly towards the end of the season but sometimes in the long run that can help and improve you.
      “DJ has always been great when he has come into camp.”
      Giggs gave ex-team-mate Solskjaer a glowing reference before United signed James in a £15million deal from Swansea last summer.

      The Wales boss had already handed the wideman his international debut in a friendly defeat against Albania in November 2018.
      But the Old Trafford legend believes James has the right mentality to bounce back and showcase his talents at club level once again.
      Giggs will need James to be at his best after the Dragons chief suffered four withdrawals to his squad on Sunday night; Aaron Ramsey, David Brooks, Ashley Williams and Tyler Roberts.

      Giggs added: “His rise has been pretty quick over 18 months, two years.
      “He was out of the team. You might not like it and you might want to be involved. You can have a different perspective of things.
      “Knowing Dan, the way that he is a professional and wants to improve, trains well and his attitude I am sure he will be better for it.” 

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      Harry Maguire was arrested by team of undercover cops drafted from mainland Greece to target organised crime on Mykonos

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      HARRY Maguire was arrested by top undercover cops drafted from mainland Greece in order to target organised crime on Mykonos.
      The detectives were on the holiday island to monitor drug dealing and protection rackets when they were called in to help detain the England defender.
      ⚠️Click here for the latest news on Harry Maguire

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      Harry Maguire was arrested on the Greek island of Mykonos on August 20Credit: BBC supplied by Pixel8000

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      Harry’s pals said two Albanians had injected his sister Daisy, left, with a drugCredit: Refer to Caption
      It emerged on Saturday that they were specially trained in anti-corruption and bribery — an accusation levelled at the Man United skipper, 27.
      Maguire feared he was being kidnapped when the plain clothes men pounced.
      It followed a row sparked when Harry’s pals said two Albanians had injected his sister Daisy, 20, with a drug as they waited for a minibus in the Fabrika area.

      The police, we can reveal, were among a team of 120 sent in to grapple with the seedier side of Mykonos, dubbed the “new Ibiza”.
      The island — population 15,000 — attracts three million tourists a year and organised crime gangs who traffic drugs and offer prostitutes.

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      The Man Utd captain leaves a court building on the island of Syros, Greece, on August 22Credit: EPA

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      Joe Maguire, pictured centre with brothers Laurence, left, and Harry, right, got a suspended sentence

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      Mykonos is known as a party island – but is beset by organised crimeCredit: Instagram @cavoparadisoclub
      Athens police HQ first sent in its best men two years ago when the criminals got “out of control”.
      Veteran Greek crime reporter Giorgos Sombolos said: “Mykonos is a paradise for anyone who wants to spend money. It’s a show-off town, and a perfect place to launder cash.

      “It’s also the place for serious high-end criminals.”

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      Mykonos gangs offer the island’s three million tourists high-class prostitutes

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      Greek cops seized kilos of ‘pink cocaine’ the day before Maguire’s arrest

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      Mykonos is ‘a perfect place to launder cash,’ says veteran Greek crime reporter Giorgos Sombolos
      The day before Maguire’s arrest, cops busted an illegal lockdown party and seized kilos of “pink cocaine”, a synthetic drug similar to MDMA and popular with clubbers.
      Maguire received a 21-month suspended sentence after he was convicted of attempted bribery, assault, verbal assault and attacking cops.
      A source close to the player said: “If these are anti-corruption police, what are they doing being called to an incident outside a bar? 

      The charge sheet in full

      THE full charge sheet against Harry Maguire alleges that he committed “repeated bodily harm”, “repeated verbal abuse”, “violence against employees” and “bribing an employee”.

      The Sun on Sunday has exclusively obtained a copy of the Greek document presented in the case against the footie star. It lists the accused as “MAGUIRE Harry-Jacob of Alan, resident of the United Kingdom” alongside his brother Joe and pal Chris Sharman.
      The document was given to the defence only two hours before the trial in the misdemeanours court on  Syros.
      Usually, defence lawyers are granted adjournments to prepare but Alexis Anagnostakis, for Maguire, was refused.

      “Harry has said these are the cops who were aggressive.
      “The whole thing is a fit-up and this just shows that.”
      Maguire’s brother Joe, 28, and pal Chris Sharman, 29, got 13-month suspended sentences for similar offences.
      All have appealed and are “presumed innocent” until they face a retrial.

      Harry Maguire tells the BBC he is ‘confident that something happened with Daisy, there was a mark on her arm’
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      Wayne Rooney’s neighbours want permission to keep 1,000 genetically modified lambs

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      WAYNE Rooney could soon get a wool-earned night’s sleep by counting sheep — as his neighbours want permission to keep a flock of 1,000 genetically modified lambs.
      Brighouse Farms — next door to the ex-England footballer’s £20million Cheshire mansion — has revealed plans for two sheds with a combined floor size of 1,886 square metres.

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      Brighouse Farms is next door to the ex-England footballer’s £20million Cheshire mansionCredit: BackGrid
      In plans submitted to the council, the expert breeders include a “dark-room laboratory” for artificial insemination to genetically modify their flock to “realise desired traits” for farmers.
      Ironically Rooney — who needs to listen to the sound of a Hoover to get to sleep — is a player-coach at Derby County, known as the Rams.
      Cheshire East Council is to decide on the application next month.
      Wayne’s wife Coleen is preparing for her legal battle against Rebekah Vardy at the High Court.

      When the Wags do eventually go to court, a judge will decide whether Coleen, 34, libelled Becky when she accused her of leaking stories about the Rooneys.
      A source said: “Coleen thinks it’s laughable. She is confident and is certainly not dragging her heels.
      “Coleen changed her legal team and they are compiling the evidence and preparing to put forward the strongest case possible.
      “Coleen has said she won’t be bullied by strong-arm tactics, nor will she back down. Becky’s team are trying to flex their muscles. But they wanted a fight so Coleen’s going to bring them one.”

      A spokesman for Coleen, wife of ex-England skipper Wayne, did not respond to a request for comment.

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      Wayne’s wife Coleen is preparing for her legal battle against Rebekah Vardy at the High CourtCredit: Instagram

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      Wayne’s neighbours want permission to keep a flock of 1,000 genetically modified lambsCredit: Alamy

      The Sun told on Saturday how Becky, wife of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, 33, wants an interim hearing later this year.
      Coleen was nicknamed Wagatha Christie after she went on Twitter to say her investigations proved stories leaked to the Press about her originated from Becky’s Instagram account. Becky vehemently denied it.
      An attempt at mediation failed after Becky asked for a full public apology.

      Wayne Rooney says Messi can win Ballon d’Or at Man Utd or Man City if he joins the Premier League
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      Harry Maguire was treated like ‘just another drunk Brit’, insist Mykonos police

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      POLICE who arrested Harry Maguire in Mykonos insist they treated him like “just another drunk Brit”.
      The Manchester United skipper, 27, says he feared he was being abducted as the plain-clothes officers who grabbed him did not identify themselves.

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      Police who arrested Harry Maguire have insisted he was treated like ‘just another drunk Brit’Credit: BBC supplied by Pixel8000

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      The footballer said he feared he was being abducted when Mykonos police did not identify themselvesCredit: The Mega Agency
      In a BBC interview, he also repeated his claim that the brawl at a bar that led to his arrest began when two Albanian men injected his sister Daisy, 20, with a drug.
      But one of the officers said they always identify themselves and added: “There was no mention of Albanians and nothing about his sister.
      “That issue was never raised. We didn’t treat him differently to other drunk British guys.”
      He said of Maguire’s version of events: “Every time he opens his mouth, he lies. This was just a drunk guy getting in a fight. We deal with it a lot.

      “But it has turned into something else with everything he says.
      “Why would eight police surround him and not identify themselves? We’d lose our jobs.”
      Maguire was last week found guilty of assaulting police and attempted bribery and got a suspended jail sentence.

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      An officer said Maguire, pictured with girlfriend Fern Hawkins, lies ‘every time he opens his mouth’Credit: Instagram

      That verdict was nullified when his lawyers submitted an appeal.

      Prosecutor Ioannis Paradissis has criticised Maguire for not apologising for punching police.
      Maguire told the BBC he does not owe an apology and the cops were only hurt when he tried to flee after they hit him.

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      Maguire claims the brawl began when two Albanian men injected his sister Daisy with a drugCredit: Refer to Caption

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      The footballer had his guilty verdict nullified when his lawyers submitted an appealCredit: PA:Press Association

      Harry Maguire was arrested by undercover cops drafted in from mainland Greece to target organised crime on Mykonos
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      Kai Havertz skips pre-season weigh-in as Chelsea close in on club-record £90m transfer

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      KAI HAVERTZ skipped his pre-season weigh-in as he draws closer to a £90million Chelsea move.
      The forward was the only member of Bayer Leverkusen’s squad absent as they reported back for duty yesterday.

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      Kai Havertz is closing in on a club-record move to ChelseaCredit: AFP
      Chelsea have agreed a club-record fee to sign the German ace after months of haggling.
      He is set to become boss Frank Lampard’s FIFTH signing of a summer spree shaking English football.
      Havertz, 21, is set to pen a five-year contract worth more than £300,000 a week to catapult him into the top earnings league.
      And he will join Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva as a legion of new players being bought to transform the Blues into title challengers.

      Striker Werner scored in his first appearance on Saturday in a 1-1 friendly draw at Brighton having joined from RB Leipzig for £48m.
      Chelsea clinched £50m left-back Chilwell last Thursday and centre-half Silva joined on a free transfer the same day.
      Lampard, though, is cursing the return of international football for disrupting his preparations.

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      Frank Lampard is making serious moves in the transfer marketCredit: Andy Hooper

      Many of his squad are already scattered around Europe to report for their countries.

      And he said: “This international break is not a positive for us at all, most clubs will tell you that.
      “It is very difficult to try to put our team together to work on the things we need to.”

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