Joey Barton has taken aim at the England men’s team, insinuating the side are too concerned with their appearances to mount a serious challenge on the international stage.
England are currently in training at St. George’s Park ahead of a round of friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, with Gareth Southgate having named his squad last week for both games.
However, three days before the first game against the South American giants at Wembley, there were four stars missing from the group, although it emerged they were training inside doing some physio and gym work, rather than nursing injuries.
Photos have been released of the side as their preparations continue, however outspoken former Bristol Rovers boss Barton was far from pleased by what he saw.
‘Culture is all wrong. Training in diamond earrings and leggings. Won’t win a sausage!’ he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, reacting to a picture of Kyle Walker.
Joey Barton was far from pleased by pictures that emerged of the England training camp
Barton claimed the squad were too interested in their appearances to win anything
Barton reacted to a picture of Walker from the training session claiming players were trying to look like ‘Drake’
‘Too many weak, disingenuous men in positions of leadership. More a***d about looking like the rapper Drake than the great Bobby Moore.’
Yet there was still effusive praise for Jude Bellingham, who Barton spared no bones in claiming was England’s best shot at success.
‘No earrings, no leggings, proper kid. I hope they all follow him,’ he added.
‘He’s the best best chance we have of winning anything. The rest of them, not worth a carrot. All wanting to be rappers.’
Bellingham was pictured in similar England gear to his team-mates, running what appeared to be a passing drill ahead of Saturday’s game.
The Real Madrid midfielder comes into the squad as one of the leading stars in Europe after an outstanding start to his career in the Spanish capital.
He is the leading goal scorer in LaLiga with 16 strikes plus three assists as he thrives in a young midfield featuring Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, under the watchful eyes of veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
The Three Lions head to Germany this summer as one of the sure-fire favourites to go all the way, alongside rivals France, thanks to the strength in depth they can boast.
Jude Bellingham came in for some praise from the former Bristol Rovers manager
Bellingham has starred in his first season for Real Madrid and is the current top scorer in LaLiga
Kylian Mbappe (right) and France are thought to be favourites alongside England to go all the way
England manager Southgate has seen his squad depleted by injuries and will be crossing his fingers that he can at least call upon his captain for the fixtures.
The games against Brazil and Belgium are Southgate’s final opportunities to assess his players before naming his squad for this summer’s European Championship in Germany.
On Tuesday, Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo was handed his first ever senior England call-up ahead of their upcoming friendlies.
The 18 year old was initially part of the Under-21 squad but has been drafted into Southgate’s group for their matches later this month.
