Inside England stars’ shocking start to the season including Pickford horror shows, Rice red card and transfer turmoil
THE final of Euro 2024 was 53 days ago in Berlin but England’s stars are still suffering from the hangover.
SunSport’s CHARLIE WYETT looks at how fitness issues, poor form or a lack of game time are affecting an alarming number of players who featured in the Three Lions’ final loss to Spain.
No 1 JORDAN PICKFORD has had a shocking start to the season.
The Everton keeper apologised to team-mates for gifting Son Heung-min a goal in Everton’s 4-0 loss at Tottenham and was among players who suffered abuse from fans when boarding a train at London Euston.
Things did not get any better for Pickford at home to Bournemouth on Saturday when Everton collapsed to a 3-2 loss.
As for England’s defence in Berlin, KYLE WALKER has played just three minutes for Manchester City this season, so is not in interim boss Lee Carsley’s squad.
JOHN STONES scraped in this week despite managing just 40 minutes of action this term.
MARC GUEHI impressed at the Euros but, after a transfer saga involving Newcastle, had a tough start with Crystal Palace.
Injury-jinxed LUKE SHAW missed the start of Manchester United’s campaign with a calf problem.
And Red Devils midfielder KOBBIE MAINOO made a howler during Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
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BUKAYO SAKA is one in superb form for Arsenal and TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, helped Liverpool win their first three.
COLE PALMER had a hand in all six of Chelsea’s goals as they thrashed Wolves 6-2 away but he has withdrawn due to an injury.
At Euro 2024, DECLAN RICE ran further than any other player and now he looks knackered for Arsenal — he is about to serve a one-match ban for his Brighton red card.
JUDE BELLINGHAM still suffers from a shoulder issue and the Real Madrid star is now out for a month with a leg injury.
Manchester City’s PHIL FODEN has a stomach issue which stopped him linking up with England.
HARRY KANE boasts two goals in three games for Bayern Munich but is still not at his sharpest.
As for the subs who featured in the July 14 final, other than Palmer, IVAN TONEY pressed the self-destruct button on his England career, moving to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli from Brentford.
Aston Villa’s OLLIE WATKINS is struggling with form and on Tuesday left the St George’s Park group with an injury.
Of those who remained on the bench KIERAN TRIPPIER, 33, has retired from internationals and ADAM WHARTON joined the Under-21s but withdrew with a groin issue.
LEWIS DUNK, JOE GOMEZ and AARON RAMSDALE have all been axed for Carsley’s squad.
But DEAN HENDERSON, EZRI KONSA, EBERECHI EZE, CONOR GALLAGHER, ANTHONY GORDON and JARROD BOWEN are in.