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.
That’s all from Jack Grealish. He seemed very relaxed and very happy to just be part of the England setup. He spoke of feeling appreciative for the chance to play with the best players in the country and learning from experienced figures in the squad like Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane. An Italian reporter asked Grealish whether he like being compared to Francesco Totti, which seemed to catch him off guard, but otherwise he seemed to enjoy talking about England and his football in general.
Grealish on the one player he’s learnt from while playing for England:
“I’d probably say Harry Kane. I think it’s good to come away with England to see what other people do, but when you come here there’s no better person to look at than Harry Kane, to see the way he looks after himself. I think he’s had one of the best Premier League seasons ever and I’m surprised he hasn’t won a few more awards.”
Grealish on training with talented players:
“There’s so much strength all around the squad. It’s a pleasure for me to come here and play and train with these guys. You come and train with Harry Kane who’s just had one of the best seasons ever as Premier League footballer – I don’t know how he didn’t get more awards: most goals, most assists – so it’s just a pleasure for me to come and play with these types of players.”
Grealish on Paul Gascoigne’s admiration for his style:
“I saw that last night. It made me happy that Gazza likes me as a player. I think every English person adores him, he was unbelievable. Obviously when he burst on to the scene at Italia 90 it was a bit before my time but I grew up watching highlights and if I could get any performances as close to what he did I’d be over the moon.”
Grealish on his first England memories:
“I remember Euro 2004, when Wayne Rooney burst on to the scene. I think he may have been 18 at the time. That’s one that sticks in the memory. You growing thinking about these things and dreaming of them so it’s obviously a pleasure to be here now.”
Grealish on regularly getting fouled:
“I got a few kicks in the last two games, but if I’m doing something to help the team then I’ll do that. You look around the team and you see the set-piece takers especially Trips, it was unfortunate that Trent went home, so if I’m getting fouled I’ll take the hits for the team.”
Grealish on whether he’s done enough to start vs Croatia:
“You only you have to look at the players playing in my position. Most have them have just come back from playing in the Champions League final and the Europa League final whereas I’ve been injured for a while so the competition’s there, but it’s nice competition to have.”
Here’s Jack Grealish, on his love for travelling with the England squad:
Former goalkeeper David James believes youth and inexperience can play a big part in the success of England at Euro 2020.
Gareth Southgate’s squad contains nine players who are 23 or under - including teenagers Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka - with a total of 15 making their debuts at a major tournament.
While some critics may argue a lack of exposure to high-pressure events is a negative, James - who won 53 England caps between 1997 and 2010 - thinks it will work in their favour.
“I think these guys can handle what is expected of them,” James told the PA news agency.
“We have the beauty of youth and naivety in quite a number of players: the likes of Jude Bellingham, who is 17, Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount, Phil Foden - these are young players.
“They are on the crest of a wave now and they only need another month of it from an England perspective for us to get success.
“They don’t have to regurgitate years and years of past experiences from a national perspective which have been not so positive.”
Southgate’s squad also contains nine players who reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia in 2018 before losing to Croatia.
While defeat in the last four was a crushing blow, the former Liverpool, Manchester City and Portsmouth player thinks those senior players will return motivated to do better.
“There are players who will use that experience as a motivation to go two steps further to get to the final and actually win it,” added James, speaking on behalf of Dettol, hygiene partner of the FA, who have published a fan survey on matchday rituals.
“The expectation of fans is always going to be the same. I am encouraged by how confident I feel about what we have got in the squad.
“Seven players in the Champions League final, a couple of players in the Europa League final, Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho winning trophies in Germany, Kieran Trippier winning the league in Spain.
“I am encouraged by how confident I feel about what we have got in the squad.”
James also spoke out about some fans’ opposition to England players taking the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the continued online abuse directed at footballers.
“I don’t know why these guys are booing. There wasn’t any racial abuse linked to it but sometimes you would like people just to accept the players are trying to get things changed and it is something that needs to be done,” he said.
“I think the efforts by the England players, the Premier League, the EFL, to try to get these things changed or stopped is obviously important.
“Freedom of speech is fine, if you dislike someone you are entitled to that but in regards to racist abuse, sexist abuse, homophobic abuse it shouldn’t be tolerated and if social media companies can do something about it they should do.”
:: Dettol are encouraging fans to make good hygiene habits part of their matchday ritual this summer, so we can all play on. Search Dettol-UK for more information.
Euro 2020 venues
Grealish up shortly. In the meantime, here’s a reminder of where this pan-continental Euros will be hosted:
Where are Euro 2020 games taking place? Every city and stadium
The tournament takes place across Europe
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