06 June 2024 , 23:01
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Here's Declan Rice trying to take and keep a lead against his England teammates in some canine capers.
The Arsenal star, 25, was taking on Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, 24, and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, 23, all trying to be top dog. Fans can judge the trio’s pooch-handling skills when England vs Crufts airs on Channel 4 ahead of tonight’s final pre-Euros friendly against Iceland.
The players were given a dog for the contest but admitted their control of their own pooches was not perfect. Rice said his knows some tricks and gets rewarded with treats. Gordon admires his pets’ energy but said: “My dogs do not listen to me at all, unless I’ve got food.” And brutally honest Gallagher said: “He’s not the smartest dog.”
England V Crufts (Channel 4 / Lee Brown)Rice believes England’s midfield has a bright future as Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton joined him in the squad for Euro 2024. At 25, the Arsenal midfielder is the oldest midfield option in Gareth Southgate’s ranks and will pick up his 51st cap in Friday’s final warm-up game against Iceland.
Mainoo, 19, impressed on his senior debut during the March international break having enjoyed a fine breakthrough season at Manchester United that culminated in a goal in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Wharton worked his way into Southgate’s squad having hit the ground running at Crystal Palace following a January move from Blackburn.
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He came off the bench to make his debut for the Three Lions in Monday’s 3-0 friendly win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and made enough of an impression that he survived Thursday’s cull to make Southgate’s 26-man squad.
The dogs and the footballers battled it out on the pitch (Channel 4 / Lee Brown)“I think we saw in the last camp against Belgium and Brazil what Kobbie could do,” said Rice. “Obviously the last six months, all season really, what he’s done at Man United and he clearly deserves his place in the squad. Adam played his first half of the season in the Championship, came to Crystal Palace and has been outstanding.
“I think in training he’s impressed a lot of players – he is so composed and calm on the ball. He’s got a beautiful left foot, just a really down to earth boy, wants to learn. He still is obviously only 20 years old but to be on the plane to go to his first European Championships, what a moment for him and his family.”
“I know he’s one who won’t take it for granted, who’ll be ready when called upon and I think you saw the other night how composed he is and he’s ready for the big stage. I think he’s one of those that doesn’t get fazed by big things. So they are two great additions and the future’s looking bright in midfield.”