Here's Declan Rice trying to take and keep a lead against his England teammates in some canine capers. The Arsenal star, 25, was taking on Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher , 24, and Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, 23, all trying to be top dog. Fans can judge the trio’s pooch-handling skills when England vs Crufts airs on Channel 4 ahead of tonight’s final pre-Euros friendly against Iceland.
The players were given a dog for the contest but admitted their control of their own pooches was not perfect. Rice said his knows some tricks and gets rewarded with treats. Gordon admires his pets’ energy but said: “My dogs do not listen to me at all, unless I’ve got food.
” And brutally honest Gallagher said: “He’s not the smartest dog.” Rice believes England’s midfield has a bright future as Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton joined him in the squad for Euro 2024. At 25, the Arsenal midfielder is the oldest midfield option in Gareth Southgate ’s ranks and will pick up his 51st cap in Friday’s final warm-up game against Iceland.
Mainoo, 19, impressed on his senior debut during the March international break having enjoyed a fine breakthrough season at Manchester United that culminated in a goal in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Wharton worked his way into Southgate’s squad having hit the ground running at Crystal Palace following a January move from Blackburn. He came off the bench to make his debut for the Three Lions in Monday’s 3-0 frie.
