Uber cautious England boss Gareth Southgate has ordered his players to wear safety helmets when using exercise bikes during warm-ups.
It’s all part of the 53-year-old’s ‘safety first’ approach to England’s Euro 2024 campaign, which includes players triple-tying their boot laces and wearing safety goggles while making half-time cups of tea.
The Three Lions got their campaign off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Serbia following a great defensive performance from their back 9 in Gelsenkirchen.
However, Southgate was left unimpressed by what he described as ‘reckless behaviour’ from some of his squad during the pre-match warm-up.
“Some of the lads have been riding exercise bikes without wearing the appropriate head protection equipment,” Southgate told Paddy Power News.
It’s the kind of devil-may-care approach to life I try to coach out of my players.
“I mean, exercise bikes without helmets? What next?
“Driving past a petrol station with only half a tank full of petrol? Leaving your phone screen on full brightness with only 75% battery? Looking for a second goal to kill off a game when you’re 1-0 up against Serbia? Total chaos.”
When pressed on how he might solve the Phil Foden conundrum following a lacklustre showing from the Manchester City star, Southgate added: “My staff and I believe we’ve found Phil’s best position… on the bench beside Cole Palmer.
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“Also, benching Phil would free up a space in my team for another defensive minded player.
“I hear there’s a lad by the name of Jordan Henderson in Holland who’s trying to grow the sport of football there.
“I wonder if it’s too late for a call-up?.”
Meanwhile, Antonio Rüdiger has been awarded the Freedom of the City of Aberdeen after becoming Scotland’s joint top goal scorer ever at the Euros.
Rüdiger’s own goal during Germany’s 5-1 victory over the Scots puts him level with the likes of Ally McCoist and Paul McStay.
*Paddy Power’s football coverage is pure fantasy – don’t believe it for a second.
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