Prince William sounds the rallying cry for England ahead of crunch Slovenia clash as Pickford defends Southgate
PRINCE WILLIAM told England’s stars: Keep calm and carry on believing in your Euro 2024 dream.
The heir to the throne spoke to Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions after the lifeless 1-1 draw with Denmark in Frankfurt.
He raised spirits as England legends Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand ripped into Southgate’s side.
England bid to bounce back against Slovenia on Tuesday and midfielder Adam Wharton said: “He was just trying to keep us all positive.
“He was saying, ‘it’s not the end of the world’.
“We were thinking that we’re still top of the group, we didn’t lose, we got a draw.
We’ve just got to reflect on the game, see how we can get better and look forward to the next game.
“That’s all you can do in tournament football.”
Keeper Jordan Pickford insists England will not panic despite their sluggish start in Germany.
Boss Southgate admitted his pre-Euros favourites are “falling short” of expectations after scraping past Serbia 1-0 and drawing with the Danes.
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Pundits are demanding changes against Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday.
But Everton No 1 Pickford insisted: “Everyone is behind the manager.
“We weren’t perfect against Denmark but that is a good feeling because we know we can improve.
“We are fine and chilled. We know we can do a lot better in the games but we haven’t been beaten.
“If you can’t win them don’t lose them.
“Portugal in 2016 drew every group game and then won the tournament.
“The manager always says you are going to have a rollercoaster in tournament football.
“We haven’t peaked yet. The narrative is going to change when we start peaking but for now it’s all about Tuesday.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be dropped after his midfield experiment in the first two games.
Southgate had said the right-back had played in the centre because he had not found a natural replacement for Euro 2020 star Kalvin Phillips.
Meet England's Euro 2024 Wags
England Wags range from childhood sweethearts to recently blossoming love stories.
Katie Goodland (Harry Kane’s wife)
The fitness instructor has been married to the England captain since 2019 and joined him in Germany with their four children after he joined Bayern Munich.
Laura Celia Valk (Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend)
The stunning Dutch model, 25, has more than half a million Instagram followers and is said to be absolutely smitten with the Real Madrid star.
Rebecca Cooke (Phil Foden’s girlfriend)
Foden’s childhood sweetheart and the mother of his two kids tends to keep out of the spotlight, but is a regular at England games.
Dani Dyer (Jarrod Bowen’s girlfriend)
England’s most famous Wag, former Love Island winner and daughter of Eastenders’ Danny Dyer.
Iris Law (Trent Alexander-Arnold’s girlfriend)
Dani Dyer isn’t the only actor’s daughter dating an England star. Iris’ dad is Hollywood legend Jude Law.
Megan Davison (Jordan Pickford’s wife)
Megan has been with Pickford since he was 14 years old. The couple married in 2022 and have one son.
Olivia Naylor (John Stones’ girlfriend)
The 33-year-old former beautician has stepped back from her role after giving birth to a baby son.
Read more about the Wags who will be supporting England at Euro 2024 here
But ex-England striker Lineker told his Rest is Football podcast: “It’s insulting to some of the players that are there.
“There are players in that squad that could do it — even the young players he’s brought in, Adam Wharton could do it.
“Kobbie Mainoo could probably do it. Jude Bellingham could play.
“The players just need instructions, players need to understand what their jobs are.”
Defender Kieran Trippier says his team-mates will stick together ahead of the final Group C clash.
Trippier said: “We could be more happy but the dressing room was calm, relaxed. Gareth and Harry Kane had a few words.
“There’s a lot of noise but internally we stick together — as Harry and Gareth said.”