Gareth Southgate tells England players to put transfer talk to back of minds

England manager Gareth Southgate has encouraged his players to put transfer talk to the back of their minds ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia.

Southgate's side have made a flying start to their qualification campaign with Friday's 4-0 win over Malta making in three wins from three games so far.

Next up will be the Macedonians at a sold-out Old Trafford on Monday that will finally bring what has been a relentless playing schedule this season to a close.

But there are members of Southgate's squad whose club futures are far from clear going into the summer break.

Captain Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Kyle Walker are the subjects of transfer talk, while Harry Maguire, Conor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips have decisions to make over their lack of game time at club level.

There is also speculation about Jordan Pickford and James Maddison, but Southgate has not spoken to players about it – even though the former defender does have some advice.

“I haven't felt the need to say anything,” Southgate said. “I mean, the players are tapping each other up anyway on the quiet, so I can't do anything about that!

“What I have said is that these things run their course, they happen in their own time, you can't force it as a player.

“Don't get frustrated, don't be asking all summer. You don't need to be updated on every call that happens.

“There's a lot of negotiation that goes on. I remember as a player getting too wrapped up in every detail of that.

“In the end, there's only a small amount that you can actually control.

“I think all of those things will happen later on in the summer and I think the players understand that, really.

“And they know the focus for the next 36 hours is this game, finishing the season well,