WE REALLY DID IT MUM
Emotional Calvert-Lewin shows what it should mean to be picked for England on first call-up
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN provided a timely reminder of what it means to wear the England shirt.
An emotional phone call to his parents – his mum broke down in tears – and the Everton striker said it was a “dream come true”. “If you play football as a kid, you dream of playing for your country. I’m no different,” he said. “I’m a very, very proud man to get this first England call. It’s something we’ve spoken about since I was a young boy. To get here now and get the call-up is a dream come true. I’m very happy.” That is what it should mean to play for your country, the pinnacle of any footballer’s career and in stark contrast to what happened last month with Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood.
They were sent home from Iceland in disgrace after breaking strict lockdown and quarantine rules after meeting up with girls in the England team hotel.
“In terms of talking to the boys there was nothing to add, really,” said Southgate. “I had a chat with both of them before we left Iceland to go to Denmark and explained how difficult the next few days would be for them, so tried to offer some support there.
“But also I was pretty clear then that it was going to be impossible to pick them for October. So, at the moment, there’s nothing to add to that, but I’ll definitely speak to them before the next camp as we were never going to consider them for this one. We will discuss the shirt, what it means to wear the shirt.”
Southgate has recalled Harry Maguire, despite the Manchester United captain being found guilty of assault in a Greek court. Maguire is determined to clear his name and Southgate clearly believes in his defender.
There were also new call-ups to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Leicester winger Harvey Barnes.
HE’S THE TOAST Calvert-Lewin enjoying a goal for Everton and junior football title glory in 2007
GRIN THE MOOD Ace Calvert-Lewin with his parents Karlda and Rachel
basis for Solskjaer, but he will need the same spirit among his players again after being handed a nightmare draw.
As well as PSG, United were drawn against RB Leipzig, last season’s beaten semi-finalists.
Completing Group H with United are Istanbul Basaksehir, which means a gruelling eight- hour round trip to Turkey for Solskjaer’s squad.
Neighbours Manchester City had a more favourable draw in Group C with Porto,
Olympiakos and Marseille, with progress likely for Pep Guardiola’s side.
City’s Kevin De Bruyne was voted UEFA midfielder of the season at the draw ceremony.
Asked why City kept missing out on the top prize, De Bruyne said: “Just making errors. I think the individual mistakes we made last year were the reasons we failed to win the big competitions.”
Premier League champions Liverpool were also handed a