June 4th, 2024

My new post.

Southgate 'spinning plates' before Euros selection

England manager Gareth Southgate said he is "spinning a lot of plates" as the deadline to finalise his squad for Euro 2024 nears.

England play Iceland at Wembley on Friday (19:45 BST) in their final friendly before the tournament, after which Southgate will confirm the 26-man group he will take to Germany.

Speaking about his upcoming selection after Monday's 3-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, he said: "We understand the significance for all of the players so we're giving it the respect and attention it deserves to make fair, right decisions.

"Of course, it's always going to be subjective.

"It's not just getting the best individuals in, there's a positional element to that as well.

"We've got really good options and I think we've come through tonight without any physical issues, which is really important."

The England boss continued: "Some players needed the game, they needed the minutes and they need the minutes again on Friday. That's why we brought Harry Kane on. He needed some match time today and then to back that up.

"We're spinning a lot of plates trying to get individuals into things, manage minutes, perform well and everything else, but I think it was a good night for us."

At Euro 2024, England are in Group C with Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia - their first opponents in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, 16 June.

'Unique' Eze shines as Palmer scores first England goal

Chelsea's Cole Palmer marked his full England debut with his first international goal in the 3-0 win at St James' Park.

He and Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze started as part of an inexperienced Three Lions line-up before being withdrawn after an hour.

"Cole linked the game well for us," Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I thought he tried to be a little too precise a couple of times on finishes that, if he'd taken a little bit earlier, he might have got his shot away. But it was lovely for him to get his first goal.

"Eze played with that freedom and swagger that he plays for his club with. It's great to see a young player come into our environment and be able to do that.

"You saw that ability to glide past people in the middle of the pitch and the power he has as well."

Meanwhile, Adam Wharton made a promising debut from the bench and Southgate said of the Palace midfielder: "He played as he's trained. He receives well, he's very composed and he plays forward, which sounds simple but is not a simple thing to do.

"He plays a lot of one-touch football and can see a picture when the ball arrives with him. He's had a really good few days with us."

Ex-Everton midfielder Leon Osman, working as a pundit on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "That is why they [Eze and Wharton] have got into the squad, because of what they have done for their club.

"Eze is unique. He can glide with the ball and he can beat four players at a time. There are not many players that can do that, they are the types of players you need to unlock the door.

"Wharton played with such confidence in a vital area of the pitch."

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