I’m surprised the Heat is on me
Tom Heaton is shocked to be in Germany’s as England’s training goalkeeper – but is ready to push Gareth Southgate’s three stoppers all the way at Euro 2024.
Manchester United’s No 3 keeper last season, Heaton, 38, was part of England’s 2016 Euros squad which saw them dumped out by Iceland.
Heaton has three England caps with two of them under Gareth Southgate. He will work alongside Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson.
Heaton said: “It feels very special. Gareth rang me a couple weeks ago, floated the idea and I jumped at the opportunity.
“To come and be a part of it, at another major championship, is an honour and a privilege. I’m delighted to be here.
“It’s different, but I think it’s just a different challenge for me. I’ve come to support the boys, the goalkeepers, the outfielders, push them in training, try and offer them a different perspective and support in that manner.
“Of course, I’d love to be playing. I’m a football player that wants to play football matches, but it’s not that role. It’s a different role.
“But any opportunity to come and represent your country in some form. As I say, it was an amazing phone call and it didn’t take long for me to say yes.”
Chelsea ‘winning Prem race for Olise’
Crystal Palace’s winger Michael Olise could be heading for Chelsea.
Manchester United and City, plus Arsenal and Liverpool, have been linked with the 22-year-old, who surprisingly missed out on a place in France’s Euro 2024 squad.
But GiveMeSport say Chelsea are posed to clinch a£60million deal for one of the Eagles’ much-attacking starlets.
United baulk at Jarrad asking price
Manchester United are tipped to cool interest in Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite if the asking price stays at £70million-plus.
Old Trafford minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly unwilling to spend so big on the England 21-year-old.
United have been assessing a range of cheaper options in central defence – one of their transfer options.
And Branthwaite is focused on the Euros for now.
A littler sprinkler magic… to avoid Utd repeat
UEFA have implemented rules around watering of pitches at Euro 2024 to avoid a repeat of Manchester United’s clash with Bournemouth.
In April, a Premier League game between the two sides led to mocking on social media after fans spotted one penalty area being noticeably water-logged at the Vitality Stadium.
Viewers described the match, which ended 2-2, as taking place on a “swimming pool”.
The incident was caused by over-watering before the game.
But no such problems are expected in Germany this summer as a result of regulations put in place by Uefa.
The governing body insist pitch-watering must be announced at the pre-match meeting and has to be distributed evenly across the turf.
Viewers described the match, which ended 2-2, as taking place on a “swimming pool”.
The incident was caused by over-watering before the game.
But no such problems are expected in Germany this summer as a result of regulations put in place by Uefa.
The governing body insist pitch-watering must be announced at the pre-match meeting and has to be distributed evenly across the turf.
Forson completes Monza move
Omari Forson has completed a free transfer to Italian side Monza from Manchester United.
The 19-year-old midfielder had been part of the Red Devils’ academy since January 2019 following a move from Tottenham.
Forson’s displays for the Under-21s saw Erik ten Hag reward him with four first-team appearances last season.
United were eager to retain Forson’s services, offering him a bumper new deal.
But the teenager has now decided to move on to pastures new.
On Tuesday evening, the England Under-20 international completed his move to Italy to play for AC Monzo.
Forson has penned a contract until 2028.
But given his age, United will receive compensation from Monza for the free transfer.
Rang out of order
Ex-Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has the hump after England beat his Austria squad to their five-star Euro2024 base in Blankenhain, writes CHARLIE WYETT.
The Three Lions arrived at the Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land yesterday and they will tomorrow train on the pitches for the first time.
Today, they trained in front of youngsters at a German fourth division ground in the city of Jena. But they will be based in Blankenhain for the rest of the time and Rangnick failed in his bid to have Austria stay there – as England got there first.
In his four years as Leipzig coach, Rangnick used to play golf at the resort as it was his favourite course in the region – so he wanted to remain there all the time during Euro2024.
Germany also trained in Blankenhain last week but they were always set to return to their normal base which is near adidas HQ outside Nuremberg.
England will train in Blankenhain for the next four days before flying to Gelsenkirchen on Saturday afternoon for Sunday’s Euro2024 opener with Serbia.