Gareth Zooming around the stars to stay in touch
GARETH SOUTHGATE has been holding Zoom calls to stay in touch with his England players.
The Three Lions manager has been talking to them on a regular basis throughout the lockdown, which has been well received by his stars.
He kept a respectful distance at first during the coronavirus pandemic with the country gripped by a national disaster and players also worried about the Premier League and their own futures.
But in the past few weeks, as the situation has improved, Southgate has been talking to different players, the established stars, but also with the fringe players, and offering a few of them hope for the future.
Southgate has always been a good communicator and his personal approach – often talking about families and society in general, rather than just
PROFESSOR Jonathan Van-tam earned praise for his speech and honesty during the Downing Street briefing last Saturday.
That probably did not come as much of a surprise to people in football as Van-tam has, by all accounts, been outstanding on various conference calls.
Van-tam took part in a players’ call with the PFA and also with BAME players and representatives.
His reassurance and remarks were “a game changer,” according to a source on both calls. football – has ensured he has stayed in touch.
The worry for the FA has been that no one really knows yet when international fixtures will be back up and running again.
UEFA are adamant that the Nations League is still in their plans and, even though their next Exco meeting on June 17 will focus on club football, things are looking much more positive for that tournament.
The feeling is that UEFA have gone out of their way to help club football, so would hope that if games are played in the autumn then players will be released to get internationals started again.
Therefore, Southgate has done his best to stay in tune with his players, even if it is done on a virtual basis rather than in the flesh, as Euro
2020 should have been kicking off next week – before the coronavirus shut-down world sport.
ANDREW FLINTOFF will co-host his last TALKSPORT breakfast show on Wednesday, June 10.
This column revealed last month the cricket legend (left) was ending his role alongside main host Laura Woods.
Flintoff has been a big success but his Top Gear show is preparing to resume filming – although the plan was that he would be involved until football comes back.
Watford striker Troy Deeney is discussing a regular arrangement to co-host with Woods.
LEAGUE ONE players will be offered coronavirus tests today with the EFL still facing a major dilemma.
Clearly, it will be up to the players as to whether they take up the offer but League One clubs are at least going through the motions in case it restarts.
A final decision on League One is now expected to be taken next Tuesday, June 9 and in all likelihood the season will be curtailed and only play-offs will remain. But there is still disquiet and it would seem some clubs will be unhappy whatever the outcome.