Daily Star

GARETH GETS HIS CHOPPER OUT

England boss takes axe to squad today

- By JOHN CROSS

GARETH SOUTHGATE will play heartbreak­er today when he is forced to chop seven players from his Euros squad.

Southgate has to finalise his 26man squad and inform UEFA today.

And he has pushed back preparatio­ns for tomorrow’s friendly with Austria so he can break the news to the unlucky players.

Liverpool’s Trent Alexandera­rnold (inset) is at risk and Southampto­n’s James Wardprowse is also sweating on his spot.

Alexander-arnold is vulnerable because four right-backs were

insisted they agreed on one thing.

“When we won the Premier League we had lunch and I remember he said to me, ‘You are going to the best club in the world,’” said Aguero.

“Those were the last words. I think I made a great decision to be here and of course it is a step forward in my career.”

City fans who have seen the best of Aguero – with 260 goals, five Premier League titles and 15 trophies in the last 10 years – will forgive him a parting shot or two.

The striker, 33 tomorrow, will move to the Nou Camp on a free transfer on July 1 but the La Liga club have effectivel­y valued him at £86m by inserting a €100m buyout clause in his contract.

The chance to link up with Argentina team-mate and close friend Lionel Messi was a key factor in his decision, although the latter has yet to finalise his own contract situation.

Aguero added: “It would make me very proud to play together.

“I have played with him in the national team since we were kids and I know him quite well.”

 ??  ??
 ??  ??
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? EUR IN CHARGE: But Gareth Southgate faces some tough choices
EUR IN CHARGE: But Gareth Southgate faces some tough choices
 ??  ?? LINK-UP: Lionel Messi
LINK-UP: Lionel Messi

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom