.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75&w=3840&q=100)
England: Thomas Tuchel explains Dominic Solanke and Adam Wharton snubs for latest squad
'It is the last chance for most of them to be picked in the U21s. From September, they fight for a place in the national team and they fight against big, big players. I think they will embrace it, to now play a Euros with the U21s, and that's what we want for them: to take responsibility. This will play a big part in their development; I am absolutely convinced.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Bukayo Saka feared he wouldn't be the same player after Arsenal injury hell as kind gesture to hospital staff revealed
Saka had surgery at 5am to allow staff to enjoy Christmas BUK TO HIS BEST Bukayo Saka feared he wouldn't be the same player after Arsenal injury hell as kind gesture to hospital staff revealed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BUKAYO SAKA lay in his hospital bed on Christmas Eve, doubting whether he would be as good a player in the future as he had been in the past. But thanks to a self-help book and the mindful joy of a new puppy, the England and Arsenal star has returned from hamstring surgery focused only on the present. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Buyako Saka was 'worried' about his future after having surgery just before Christmas 6 Saka tore his hamstring against Crystal Palace in December And it is that perspective that can help put a frustrating campaign — that began with a Euros final loss for England and ended trophyless for his club — behind him. Saka, 23, said: 'I was not happy with last season — how it went and how it ended. 'But the only thing I can do now is look forward and try to be the best version of myself and help my team-mates be the same.' The Londoner went under the knife on December 24 after sustaining the injury three days prior in a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS NOTT ON Forest 'write to Uefa over Palace Europa League decision' and stand to benefit In typical, kind fashion, he opted to do the procedure 24 hours before Christmas so the surgeons could be with their nearest and dearest the following day. He made it home to spend Christmas with his loved ones but what followed was nearly four months out which he used for self-reflection. The Gunners talisman said: 'I had gone from five years straight playing football, either involved with the team every single day training or playing games. Everything stops. 'You are on crutches, in hospital and need help around the house for the first few weeks. Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge 'I got to spend more time with my family and got to do little things around the house that I wouldn't have even paid attention to when I was playing. 'On that note it was nice and I've come back with a bit more of a balanced head about football and life, and I'm trying to balance them better. It definitely helped me mentally. Arsenal star Bukayo Saka's glam girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the show in daring outfit at The Fashion Awards 6 Saka returned in March and played a starring role in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Real Madrid 'The first two days were the toughest, that realisation that I've got what I've got and I need an operation. 'You start to think, 'Am I going to be the same?' as players came back from this injury and weren't the same. 'After two days my surgery was done, and successful, and you just look forward. I was really positive and put in all the work I needed with my diet, in the gym, on the pitch and the physios would say the same. I feel I've come back in a good place.' Saka is a keen reader of non-fiction and was inspired by a recommendation from Arsenal assistant coach Carlos Cuesta during his time sidelined. It is called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and its message struck a chord with the talented winger. He added: 'It's a really good book. It's about not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future, just being in the moment. You start to think, 'Am I going to be the same?' Saka 'Sometimes I can think, 'Oh, am I going to come back in the best shape?' Or, in the past, 'What could I have done to prevent injury?' 'But all that is not necessary. It's only going to bring bad energy, negativity to your body. 'One of the best things I took from the book is always ask yourself, what's necessary in this moment right now and try to live that way.' Saka spent Christmas Day in a brace and on crutches at his cousin's, having had surgery at 5am the previous day. He claimed it took him 'ten minutes' to get to the dining room for dinner. So when his lively new Cockapoo called Tucker turned up soon after, it was not easy 'to get after him', as Saka put it, even if having the pooch has been a 'good and funny experience'. On Tuesday against Senegal at Nottingham Forest's City Ground, Saka hopes to feature for the first time under Thomas Tuchel, who he describes as 'demanding and intense' on the grass but 'relaxed and nice' off it. Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich chief Tuchel has been brought in with the sole remit of winning the World Cup next year after a series of near-misses under predecessor Gareth Southgate. The German has won all three of his games, without conceding a goal, but underwhelmed with performances, especially in Saturday's drab 1-0 victory over Andorra in Barcelona. And Saka admits England sometimes have a motivation issue against the smaller nations. 6 Saka is eyeing his first England game under Thomas Tuchel 6 Arsenal team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly has been called up to England again But the bottom line — and Saka knows this best after a tough 12 months — is that winning is what matters most. He added: 'Every player is different and I can't answer for every player but naturally in the bigger games everyone is going to give a bit more. 'In these other games we need to find a level where we can maintain that same quality and drive and hunger for the whole game. 'It's not easy at times but we need to find that and get these games over the line. 'The Andorra game, we still won, got another three points on the board and kept a clean sheet. It's job done. 'The expectation is to win, rather than entertain. If you can have both, then perfect. But we feel more the expectation is to win than to entertain.'
Belfast Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
New mural in Belfast pays homage to NI football legends
Situated in Battenburg Street off the Shankhill Road, the mural features 14 of the region's most acclaimed players who featured in finals at the World Cup and European Championships. The footballers pictured go from the 1950s to the present day and include former defender Danny Griffin and forward Norman Whiteside, who is known for his record-breaking World Cup at the age of 17. Funds towards the artwork were gathered by Northern Ireland football supporters clubs across the Greater Shankhill area. The unveiling ceremony also saw a performance from Springfield Primary School Choir. Gary McAllister, Chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs, told the Belfast Telegraph how 'proud' he was to unveil the latest mural to the community. "We're really pleased to have supported our clubs in the Greater Shankill to deliver this artwork, which features 14 senior Northern Ireland internationals dating from the 1950s to the present day,' Gary said. 'There was a really great mural in Battenburg Street until the 1st Shankill NISC premises closed, featuring the Northern Ireland teams which appeared at the finals of the Euros and World Cup, so it's nice to have another one in place. 'The cost of the initiative has been borne by donations from Northern Ireland supporters clubs from across the Greater Shankill and I know how proud we all are to have this artwork in place." It replaces a previous mural on Battenburg Street which paid homage to the World Cup squads of 1958, 82, 86 and 2016's Euros team.
North Wales Chronicle
10 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
James McAtee can use Under-21 Euros as a stepping stone
McAtee will captain England against the Czech Republic on June 12 as Lee Carsley's side attempt to defend their crown in Slovakia. The 22-year-old, who featured 15 times for Pep Guardiola's side in the Premier League last season, has been selected for international duty instead of City's Club World Cup campaign in the United States – a decision Hart believes would have been a collective one. Lee Carsley has confirmed that James McAtee will be our #YoungLions captain for the #U21EURO finals ©️ — England (@England) June 6, 2025 'It would have been a team decision and it wouldn't have been one where he was frustrated and said 'I'm not going to the Club World Cup with Manchester City',' Hart, who will be part of Channel 4's presentation team for the Under-21 Euros, said on Monday about McAtee's absence from club duty. 'There's no doubt that he's putting himself in the window for Manchester City but also potentially putting himself in the window as a stepping stone because he's not at a club where they feed people in, he's at the best of the best and he'll understand that.' Team-mate Rico Lewis and Chelsea's Liam Delap, however, have committed to their clubs and will not play a part for England this summer. With Kevin De Bruyne set to leave the club, City are expected to sign midfielders Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, sparking questions around McAtee's long-term future at the club. 'At the end of the day they (City) want the development of their players and what's best for them,' Hart added. 'That conversation would have been had, I'm sure McAtee would have had (in mind) what's right for him and he's the captain of the Under-21 team and playing real minutes. 'The best thing for him is to play well at the highest level, he can do that and I think that's a great opportunity.' :: England Under-21s opening game vs Czech Republic Under-21s on June 12 is live from 7.30pm on Channel 4, where you can find all England matches throughout the tournament
