Category News

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite says he gained “motivation” after missing out on an England call-up for last summer’s European Championship.

Branthwaite was a surprise omission from the Three Lions squad and had to watch from home as the national team reached the final of the tournament, where they were edged out by Spain.

On Friday, new manager Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after taking over from Gareth Southgate.

“I think every player does have an eye on it”, Branthwaite told BBC Sport when asked if he is already looking ahead to next year’s tournament.

“I missed out recently with a big squad and I don’t want that feeling again. That gave me motivation to]make sure] every game I play is my best to help my club and then give myself the best possible chance to be in the England squad.

” Once it comes around, that is my main ambition – to be picked in that squad. “

England face Latvia on 21 March and Albania three days later and sources have told BBC Sport over the past few weeks, Tuchel has spoken to more than 55 players individually on the phone.

Everton have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround since David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche as manager in January, currently on a run of eight unbeaten games in the Premier League and losing just twice in all competitions.

The Toffees were just one point above the relegation zone after losing the Scot’s opening game against Aston Villa, but a notable upturn in form has seen them move 16 points clear of the bottom three.

The side scored 15 goals in 19 league games under Dyche this season, but have since found their goalscoring prowess by netting 16 in nine under Moyes.

” When the old manager was here, we had the defensive structure and we still have that now – he brought that to us, “said Branthwaite”. When the new manager came in, he has kept that pretty similar.

“He has maybe added a bit more attacking threat and knowledge, we have kept the ball better as a team. We have built up with a bit more control so it is not as end to end.

Branthwaite has featured in 66 Premier League games since being given his debut by Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti in the 2019-20 campaign.

He said his defensive idol growing up was Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid, while also describing his own effortless, elegant style of play as a” Rolls Royce “type centre-half, a term which has also been used for Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Branthwaite spent the 2022-23 season on-loan at PSV Eindhoven under Ruud van Nistelrooy, where he won the Dutch Cup.

His impressive performances has seen his stock grow, with Manchester United seeing two bids rejected last summer, while La Liga giants Real Madrid have reportedly been monitoring the player.

” It is about winning as many trophies as possible throughout your career, “said Branthwaite.

” A career is short so you need to make the most of it and give yourself the best possible chance to pick up trophies.

Veteran jockey Frankie Dettori says he feels “embarrassed” after he filed for bankruptcy having been unable to reach agreement with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over a long-running case of tax avoidance.

The 54-year-old Italian, a mainstay of the British and European flat-racing scene for 37 years, has ridden more than 3, 300 winners during his career.

Dettori’s financial situation became public knowledge in December last year when his plea for anonymity lodged in November was rejected by a High Court judge.

The case was brought against Dettori after he had employed professional specialist tax advisers to oversee his and his family’s financial affairs.

Dettori, who was awarded an MBE in 2001, terminated relations with those advisers last year and subsequently employed the services of a different set of financial experts in attempt to resolve the case.

“For the last six months, my advisors have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation”, Dettori said in a statement.

“I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would advise others to take a stronger rein over their financial matters.

” Bankruptcy is a major decision and its consequences will affect me for many years. “

It is estimated Dettori, now based in California, has earned between £15-£20m from racing alone.

He has also made a name for himself outside racing, having been a captain on BBC programme A Question Of Sport, appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here and opened a series of Italian restaurants.

There has been no indication how much Milan-born Dettori, who partnered 287 Group One winners and rode all seven winners in one meeting at Ascot in September 1996, owed.

A HMRC spokesperson said:” We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and do everything we can to help those who engage with us to get out of debt, such as offering instalment plans. “

Dettori stopped riding in the UK in 2023 but has continued his career in the United States and says he now hopes to be able to concentrate on his day job.

Veteran jockey Frankie Dettori says he feels “embarrassed” after he filed for bankruptcy having been unable to reach agreement with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs over a long-running case of tax avoidance.

The 54-year-old Italian, a mainstay of the British and European flat-racing scene for 37 years, has ridden more than 3, 300 winners during his career.

Dettori’s financial situation became public knowledge in December last year when his plea for anonymity lodged in November was rejected by a High Court judge.

The case was brought against Dettori after he had employed professional specialist tax advisers to oversee his and his family’s financial affairs.

Dettori, who was awarded an MBE in 2001, terminated relations with those advisers last year and subsequently employed the services of a different set of financial experts in attempt to resolve the case.

“For the last six months, my advisors have been working with HMRC in an attempt to find a solution to my financial situation”, Dettori said in a statement.

“I am saddened and embarrassed by this outcome and would advise others to take a stronger rein over their financial matters.

” Bankruptcy is a major decision and its consequences will affect me for many years. “

It is estimated Dettori, now based in California, has earned between £15-£20m from racing alone.

He has also made a name for himself outside racing, having been a captain on BBC programme A Question Of Sport, appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here and opened a series of Italian restaurants.

There has been no indication how much Milan-born Dettori, who partnered 287 Group One winners and rode all seven winners in one meeting at Ascot in September 1996, owed.

A HMRC spokesperson said:” We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts and do everything we can to help those who engage with us to get out of debt, such as offering instalment plans. “

Dettori stopped riding in the UK in 2023 but has continued his career in the United States and says he now hopes to be able to concentrate on his day job.