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TREBLE
by players in training to
measure data – and to get back
stronger.
Boss Gareth Southgate stayed
in regular touch and last week
said Oxlade-Chamberlain
would have started for England
at the World Cup which is a
clear sign that there is a place in
the Euros up for grabs.
He added: “I kind of had an
inkling that was the case which
made it even more heart-
breaking to miss out.
“It was tough but nice to
hear again. It gives me a
challenge to get back to that
level and I am on the way.”and maybe miss a few things.
That was really helpful.
“I did things throughout, like
hospital visits, seeing kids who
were really ill. I saw the kids at
Zoe’s Place, did a Christmas
visit. You do get times when you
do feel sorry for yourself, feeling,
‘I can’t play, I’m on my crutches’
but there are people so much
worse off and I kept reminding
myself of those little things.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain also
used the time to pursue his
interest in business – he and
close pal Sterling have invested
in a tech company Stat Sports
which provides the vests wornhis knee had to be rebuilt. There
were injury problems at Arsenal
when the fans would get
frustrated but he was full of
praise for Liverpool supporters
when news emerged of just how
long it would take to come back.
“I guess a lot of them weren’t
expecting it to be that bad, they
could have got frustrated, but
the amount of support through
that was breathtaking. I wasn’t
expecting that at all,” he said.
“I can’t thank the fans enough.
Little things like that really
helped me to carry on and take
my time and get myself right
instead of having to rush backDISGUISE
by players in training to
measure data – and to get back
stronger.
Boss Gareth Southgate stayed
in regular touch and last week
said Oxlade-Chamberlain
would have started for England
at the World Cup which is a
clear sign that there is a place in
the Euros up for grabs.
He added: “I kind of had an
inkling that was the case which
made it even more heart-
breaking to miss out.
“It was tough but nice to
hear again. It gives me a
challenge toget back to that
level and I am on the way.”ngs.like
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you
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uch
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ornEURO 2020 QUALIFYING GROUP A
WEMBLEY, TOMORROW, KO 5PMEngland team for Euro 2020.
Mount, four days older than
Rice – both are 20, believes it
is a real possibility. “We’ve
always spoken about that
opportunity of maybe playing
with each other again,” he said.
“Playing at Chelsea, at that
young age, it was something
special between us, so we’ve
always kept that hope of it
maybe happening again.”
Last October, Mount (with
Rice, above) was part of the
squad for the Nations League
trips to Croatia and Spain.
He was an unused sub but
said: “For me, coming into the
senior team for the first time,
that was something I gained so
much experience from – two
very, very good games to come
in and learn from.
“It’s all just happened so
quickly for myself. I haven’t
really had the time to look back
at what’s happened so far.”one of the host nations, by
being top seeds they would
avoid the likes of France and
Belgium in the group stage of
the tournament.
It could also help
ensure they play all
three group matches at
Wembley.
Under Southgate (left),
England won eight and drew
two of their World Cup
qualifiers.
With Roy Hodgson in charge
they won all 10 qualifiers for
Euro 2016.BY DARREN LEWIS
IN-FORM Mason Mount is
enjoying Friends Reunited this
week after linking up with
Declan Rice.
The pair met in Chelsea’s
academy 12 years ago,
beginning an alliance that has
stayed strong as they have
risen through the ranks.
Rice, now at West
Ham after being
released by the
Blues at 14, has
three England
caps to his name
after making the controversial
switch from representing the
Republic of Ireland.
Mount has exploded onto the
Premier League scene at
Chelsea this term after a
promising breakthrough
campaign under Frank
Lampard at Derby last season.
Both men have been tipped to
make it into Gareth Southgate’sOld mates
Mount and
Rice target
Euro spots
BY JOHN CROSS
GARETH SOUTHGATE has set
his players the target of a
perfect record in their Euro
qualifiers.
Winning all eight
Group A matches could
be vital to hopes of
success in the “home
tournament” next year.
That is because of a
change to the seeding system,
with points in qualifying
helping decide the top-ranked
nations.
Even though England are‘WE NEED PERFECTION’
thee
tt
WEngla