Declan Rice remembers feeling anxious while joining the England team, as he gets ready to lead his nation as captain.
Tonight, at Wembley, England will play against Belgium in hopes of bouncing back from their loss to Brazil on Saturday. Endrick’s last-minute goal ended England’s undefeated streak and the team’s injury concerns have only increased as they prepare for Euro 2024.
Southgate is dealing with an “incredible number” of absent players, with captain Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka joined on the sidelines by Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker, who pulled out of the England squad following the 1-0 defeat to Brazil.
However, it has created chances for other players to make an impression on Southgate. This evening’s game is England’s last one before the squad for the European Championship is announced in May. Kobbie Mainoo may have his first start for England after making his first appearance as a substitute over the weekend, and Ivan Toney is expected to also participate tonight.
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Stay updated on the England vs Belgium match in our live blog tonight, where you can also find the latest odds and tips for the game.
Which players are included in England’s Euro 2024 team? Who is being considered and who still needs to improve?
The window for England players to impress Gareth Southgate and secure a spot in his 23-person roster for Euro 2024 is closing.
When they start their journey to win the tournament in Germany this summer, England will face Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia in Group C.
Southgate’s side topped their qualifying group without defeat and are one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Germany on 14 July, given their recent record in major tournaments and the outstanding form of attacking duo Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham this season.
This is the players’ final opportunity before the 21st of May, when he will determine his provisional squad.
By Lawrence Ostlere
An examination of the English players who will be traveling to Germany for the 2024 Euro tournament and which ones may not make the cut for the final roster of 23.
Declan Rice was left speechless after being given the incredible honour of captaining the England national team.
Declan Rice reflects on the honor of leading the England team for the first time.
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“To be completely honest, I am at a loss for words and speechless.”
“When Gareth informed me last night that I was going to be captain, I expressed my gratitude by giving him a hug and shaking his hand.”
I am indebted to him ever since I joined the team. He has consistently created a welcoming and comfortable environment for me to play in, boosting my confidence and allowing me to grow.
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“It is truly an honor to have my 50th cap and to have the opportunity to walk out at Wembley in front of my loved ones and friends.”
“I’m sure my expression reveals my surprise, to be completely honest with you.”
England’s first-time captain is Declan Rice.
This will be a significant event for Arsenal’s midfielder Declan Rice, as he will be donning the captain’s armband for the first time in tonight’s match against Belgium.
Rice already boasts captaincy experienced at club level, having been West Ham’s skipper as they won the Europa Conference League last season – his final game before a club-record £105million move to the Gunners followed.
He has solidified his position as one of the top players in the Premier League this season, while Mikel Arteta’s team strives for the Premier League championship and readies for a Champions League quarter-final match against Bayern Munich.
In the tradition of England’s World Cup victor, Bobby Moore, who was also a former player for West Ham United, Rice will surely have many teammates on his mind as he leads England onto the field.
Rice will not only reach a milestone of 50 caps but also have the honor of wearing the captain’s armband at Wembley.
Henderson’s availability is uncertain, but Bellingham is prepared to play.
We have some improved injury updates to share with you.
Neither Jordan Henderson nor Cole Palmer were available for last weekend’s match against Brazil. While Henderson is not expected to play against Belgium, Gareth Southgate is optimistic about Palmer’s potential appearance tonight.
The coach for England is confident that Jude Bellingham is prepared to participate in a complete game, after undergoing nearly two months of recovery for a sprained ankle.
During his press conference on Monday, Southgate mentioned that Hendo most likely won’t be able to play, but Cole has returned to training, so he may be an option.
Jude is able to play the entire duration of the game without any issues. However, he experienced cramps recently. Due to his recent lack of playing time, he is prepared to participate in matches.
Images provided by FA through Getty Images.
Gareth Southgate finds the positive side to the injuries affecting England.
Gareth Southgate comments on the injuries of the England team.
This number is unattainable to us, which is something I have never encountered before.
“But it means there’s opportunities for other people. We saw against Brazil players step up and take those opportunities which is great for us as well.
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Given the current circumstances, the initial concept or schedule for the week has slightly changed.
“We are likely discovering new players, which is beneficial. Observing these players against top-level opponents will aid us in making more informed decisions for the future.”
The injury situation intensifies as four players come back to their respective clubs.
As Euro 2024 approaches, Gareth Southgate faces the challenge of having 15 key players out due to injuries as he prepares for the tournament.
After England’s 1-0 loss to Brazil on Saturday, a crisis worsened which resulted in Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Sam Johnstone, and Harry Maguire all having fitness issues upon returning to their respective clubs.
Bukayo Saka is now accompanied by a quartet of recently injured English players, one of whom is the Arsenal winger who withdrew from the squad before the weekend.
In addition to a long list of absentees such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nick Pope, Luke Shaw, Mark Ghehi, and Callum Wilson, Southgate has expressed frustration over the misfortune his team has faced, calling it the most severe injury crisis he has ever encountered.
Predictions for England vs Belgium: Tips for betting on football, odds and free bet offers.
England win: 7/9
Draw: 11/4
Belgium win: 7/2
Prediction
Based on both teams’ injuries, it seems most likely that the home team will win by a small margin. The predicted score is England 2-1 Belgium.
What is the predicted starting line-up for the match between England and Belgium?
Can you provide the expected starting line-up for the England vs Belgium match?
Revised: The chosen players for England’s team are Pickford, Walker, Stones, Branthwaite, Gomez, Mainoo, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Toney, and Rashford.
The line-up for Belgium’s team consists of Sels as the goalkeeper, Castagne, De Winter, Faes, and Deman as defenders, Vranckx, Onana, and Tielemans in midfield, and Bakayoko, Lukaku, and Trossard as forwards.
What is the latest news about the Belgium team?
In the case of Belgium, the most noteworthy players who won’t be present are Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois. De Bruyne has been removed from the lineup while Courtois is still recovering from a knee injury. Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, and Amadou Onana may have the opportunity to start after being given a break during the match against the Republic of Ireland.
What are the latest updates on the England team?
The English team is currently facing difficulties due to injuries. In addition to already missing Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker have also had to withdraw from the squad after the loss to Brazil. Good news, however, is that Cole Palmer has recovered from a minor injury that kept him out of the Brazil game. Unfortunately, Jordan Henderson will not be able to play due to injury.
Therefore, 18-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will be making his full England debut, having earned his first cap on Saturday when he entered the game as a substitute against Brazil. He impressed with his performance in the limited time he was given, and now has the opportunity to build on his successful breakthrough season for Manchester United.
Gareth Southgate announced that Ivan Toney will participate, with Declan Rice serving as captain and starting in his 50th game. Jude Bellingham has been given medical clearance after experiencing cramping in the second half of the Brazil match.
Mainoo will be making his first full appearance.
(The Football Association via Getty Images)
Source: independent.co.uk
