Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale says Manchester City pair Kyle Walker and John Stones have been playfully critiquing England’s keepers during training sessions.
Walker has actually played in goal for the Cityzens, having taken the gloves in a Champions League match against AC Milan. Ramsdale says the fullback and Stones have been giving the goalkeepers an earful in training every day:
“Him and John Stones. Them two every morning they’ll be on the goalies, when they’re walking out to warm up. ‘Catch it, should have done this, should have done that.”
Ramsdale also says at a previous training camp, Walker even mocked him, Jordan Pickford and Sam Johnstone by asking if any of them had “kept a clean sheet at the San Siro?”
It was all in good fun of course, but Walker and his England teammates will need to improve if they are to progress further in the European Championships after two disappointing performances against Serbia and Denmark.
City stars will play in the round of 16
The Three Lions have actually qualified for the knockout rounds without kicking a ball. If they lose to Slovenia on Tuesday night, they will still qualify, even if they finish third in their group.
It means the likes of Walker, Stones and Phil Foden will likely return to pre-season later than some of their club teammates.
Questions about Foden’s form persist
Despite an outstanding campaign for his club, which has seen him pick up the FWA Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season awards, Foden has struggled to replicate that form for his country in Germany.
Some have suggested that Gareth Southgate’s decision to play him on the left flank is the main cause for his poor performances so we shall see if he is switched positions in upcoming fixtures.