ENGLAND'S starting line-up is the strongest across the continent and the principal reason Gareth Southgate's side are favourites to win Euro 2024.
Goalscorer? None better than Harry Kane. Elite wide players? Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka. Chief creator? Jude Bellingham. Midfield engine room? Declan Rice.
But there is one significant piece missing from this rather lavish jigsaw.
To provide a platform for that dazzling front four, Rice needs a metronomic partner who can anchor himself to the middle of the park and keep things ticking over.
At Euro 2020, that calming influence was Kalvin Phillips. But Phillips is not an option this summer, his West Ham loan spell a disaster and his confidence shot.
Step forward Adam Wharton. The 20-year-old already looks like the perfect third piece in England's midfield.
Since his £22million January move from Blackburn to Crystal Palace and an error on his debut that led to a Brighton goal, he has seldom put a foot wrong.
Esta historia es de la edición May 08, 2024 de Evening Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 08, 2024 de Evening Standard.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Kylie Minogue loves the bar at Louie, startling Beefeaters and snooping in The Conran Shop
Currently it’s largely suitcase-based as I’ve been doing so much travel for work, but Melbourne, Australia, is home.
Are Spurs willing to invest what it takes to win trophies?
Criticism of the manager for the club's struggles misses the point-whatever he says, he's not been given a squad ready to push for the biggest honours
Crowning glory awaits Britain's golden girl
Odds-on favourite to win BBC Sports Personality, Keely Hodgkinson never doubted she was ready to conquer the world
Residents at war over £10 billion 'Shanghai-style' Earl's Court plan
Controversial proposals are causing a huge furore in west London
The secrets of selling the capital's £40m homes
Armed security, NDAs, a gold temple...inside the world of ultra high-end property deals
Jenny Packham on Amsterdam why is truly magical at Christmas time
The designer gets lost in the cobbled streets and is entranced by the city’s twinkling lights and unique spirit
Alfies Antique Market
Here is a place to blindly lose oneself in a labyrinth of staircases and thresholds.
Decline and fall: what comes after peak wellness?
The social elite are obsessed with devices that track their health but the backlash is building
The newest AI can arrange your holiday- but will it be a strictly woke one?
A lightning-quick artificial megabrain with an appetite for social justice? WILLIAM HOSIE has a chat with Claude Al
'Fame just isn't healthy
Mercury Prize-winning band English Teacher on the pressure of success, trying not to burn out and the challenges black women face in indie music
