Jones and Henderson focus on England
ENGLAND Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce insists Phil Jones and Jordan Henderson have not been distracted by their big-money moves to Manchester United and Liverpool, respectively. England begin their European Championship campaign on Sunday against Spain and Pearce said: “They’re fantastically focused players and pleasures to work with.”
EURO STARLETS | ONES TO WATCH
THIAGO ALCANTARA (Spa):
He’s the son of former Brazil star Mazinho and has all the hallmarks you’d associate with a La Masia graduate who makes it into the Barca first team.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN (Den):
Comes with a recommendation from Dennis Bergkamp, now a coach at Ajax, but his low centre of gravity has seen him compared to German Mesut Ozil.
XHEDRAN SHAQIRI (Swi):
Short, stocky, able to play left-back and left midfield and the owner of a cannonball shot. Comparisons with Brazil legend Roberto Carlos are slightly fanciful but plausible.