Euro 2020 news LIVE: Jack Grealish gives England press conference ahead of opener with Croatia
Follow all the build-up to the Euros ahead of the opening game between Italy and Turkey this Friday
The big kick-off for Euro 2020 is now just two days away with England and Gareth Southgate finalising their preparation for their first group stage game.
While Scotland and Wales, too, look to thrive on the big stage following the tournament’s opener between Italy and Turkey at the Stadio Olimpico.
It has been a week of disruption for the Three Lions with Ben White stepping in late for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold with the Brighton defender providing cover for Harry Maguire, who is contending with an injury just days out from the start of the tournament.
Croatia are up first, but Group D opponents Scotland will face Czech Republic off in the other first round of games on Monday.
Wales will be the first of the home nations to play in Euro 2020 when they kick off against Switzerland on Saturday.
There are now a series of late injuries for a number of contenders to cope with, including the Netherlands, who have lost Donny van de Beek.
Karim Benzema suffered a scare for the favourites and world champions France, limping off against Bulgaria. While there are Covid-19 cases, including Spain’s Sergio Busquets.
England vs Croatia
How will England set up before their first game of Euro 2020 on Sunday against Croatia? Will it be a back three? Is Jack Grealish likely to start? Will Jadon Sancho get the nod? And who will step in for Harry Maguire?
Our England reporter Mark Critchley assesses the options:
Predicting England’s starting line-up against Croatia
Gareth Southgate has big decisions to make with England beginning Euro 2020 against Croatia in just six days’ time
The England press conference with Jack Grealish has been bumped back a bit, to 3.40pm BST, due to England’s training session at St George’s Park overrunning.
The England press conference is scheduled for 3pm and we’ll have all the updates right here. In the meantime, here’s something for all your sweepstake needs:
Euro 2020 sweepstake: Download and print your Euros kit for 2021 tournament
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There will be an England press conference coming up shortly, and we understand Jack Grealish will be up in front of the media.
Henderson adamant he can deliver at Euro 2020
Latest from the England camp and Dean Henderson, England’s back-up goalkeeper who insists he is ready to step on to the international stage:
Dean Henderson is certain he will eventually become England and Manchester United’s number one, with the goalkeeper “born ready” to step in if Jordan Pickford is unable to play during the Euros.
After a string of loan spells away from Old Trafford, including two impressive campaigns with Sheffield United, the 24-year-old this season competed with long-serving star David De Gea for a starting berth.
Henderson was on the bench more often that not at the start of the 2020-21 season, only to establish himself as United’s Premier League goalkeeper towards the end of the campaign.
It will be interesting to see what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does about his goalkeeper situation during a summer when Henderson will be serving as back-up to England’s established first-choice Pickford at the Euros.
“Listen, that’s my job,” the one-cap Three Lions goalkeeper told talkSPORT. “I’m here, I’m ready to play when called upon.
“Jordan deserves this tournament, obviously he was brilliant at the World Cup.
“I’ve got a lot of time for Jordan, obviously he’s a northern boy like me, we get on really well and he’s been fantastic in an England jersey, so he deserves this tournament.
“And I’ll be there ready, like Sam (Johnstone) will be as well, if the opportunity arises and one of us get on the pitch.
“But my aim for this tournament is to help Jordan in the best way I can and really support him for him to perform the best for our country because it’s the team work and hopefully it’ll make the dream work.”
Asked if he would be ready if Pickford, for whatever reason, did not play, Henderson said: “100 per cent. 100 per cent, born ready.”
PA
How Euro 2020 has shifted
Here’s Melissa Reddy on ‘Euro 2020’ in name only:
It’s a Euros by the same name, but with a totally different complexion. France are still tournament favourites - even stronger a year on - and they have welcomed back Karim Benzema into the fold.
That seemed completely implausible last summer, but they now possess a more formidable frontline as the Real Madrid attacker offers a much greater threat than Olivier Giroud.
Germany, who are hard to read and could either be excellent or repeat their horror show of the 2018 World Cup, have also dipped into the talent pool of the past. Obituaries were written for the international careers of Thomas Muller and Mats Hummels, but they’re back and offer been-there-done-that nous to an exciting young group.
Kai Havertz and Timo Werner will possess extra swagger and surety as Champions League winners, the former scoring the goal tocrown Chelsea as European kings at Manchester City’s expense, with the forward’s intelligent run creating the space for the winner.
Werner is a curious case: a player that constantly gets in the right positions without applying the correct finish, but aids his teammates in ways that aren’t often quantifiable. As Thomas Tuchel put it: “the way he works he’s relentless. He gives opponents a hard time with his runs.”
Last summer, Werner was seen as a machine in front of the sticks, slotting 95 goals in 159 appearances for RB Leipzig.
That number sits at 12 in 50 games for Chelsea, but there is a feeling in the Germany camp that he has been hardened by his mixed debut season in England and has sharpened the rest of his attributes.
The delayed tournament has allowed both Florian Neuhaus - tracked by Europe’s powerhouses with Bayern Munich and Liverpool wanting to prise him from Borussia Mönchengladbach - and “ice-cold” teenage sensation Jamal Musiala to force their way into Joachim Low’s blueprint.
Read the full article:
Euro 2020’s name remains but tournament’s landscape is very different
Injuries, recoveries, age and inexperience have reshaped the previously selected squads
Euro 2020 Group D guide
England and Scotland will be a fascinating battle in itself, but they first meet Croatia and Czech Republic respectively, where getting off to a good start will be as crucial as ever in a major tournament. Here’s everything you need to know about Group D:
Everything you need to know about Euro 2020 Group D
England, Croatia, Scotland and Czech Republic make up Group D
Meanwhile in the Premier League...
Premier League fines Super League rebel clubs
The Premier League has issued fines to the six rebel clubs involved in plans for a breakaway European Super League.
Maguire only England player missing
Harry Maguire was the only player absent from England’s training session on Wednesday morning. Here’s the latest:
Harry Maguire only absentee at England training as Euro 2020 approaches
Maguire is set to miss Sunday’s opening group match against World Cup finalists Croatia.
Euro 2020 Group C guide
Group C may be the least likely to produce the tournament’s winner, but it will be no less entertaining or competitive between Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia. Here’s everything you need to know.
Everything you need to know about Euro 2020 Group C
Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia make up Group C
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