Adam Lallana is learning from the England Under-21s backroom staff this month as the Brighton attacking midfielder considers moving into coaching one day.
Lee Carsley’s Young Lions were crowned continental champions over the summer and kick off qualification for the next edition at Luxembourg on Monday.
Under-21s boss Carsley is assisted by former England star Ashley Cole and goalkeeping coach Tim Dittmer, with Lallana joining the coaching staff for this month’s camp.
The 35-year-old is still plying his trade for high-flying Brighton, with the 2016 England Player of the Year coming off the bench in three of their opening four league games.
Lallana has now temporarily turned attentions to the Under-21s, heading to St George’s Park in a bid to learn from the set-up, while acting in a mentorship role for players.
This is not the 34-cap former international’s first dalliance with coaching.
Lallana assisted Andrew Crofts during his time as interim Brighton boss after Graham Potter joined Chelsea last September.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill was on loan at Albion last season and, speaking after his first England senior call-up, was full of praise for Lallana’s impact on his career.
Asked for the biggest influences on his career, the England new boy said: “Last year Adam Lallana.
“I am someone who is a chilled person and sometimes I need someone to give me a bit of a push. And at first I did not really understand why he was always on me, trying to help me.
“But then once it clicked in my head, I realised that he was only trying to help me.
“I was happy and lucky to play alongside him and he definitely helped me.
“There were times when I was having an off day or not really feeling like myself and he was there, no matter what, pushing me.
“It has definitely made me wake up a bit and realise the opportunity I have got and that I cannot waste it.
“Just in training. Giving me compliments, if I needed them. If I was struggling a bit, asked me if I was alright. If I am doing well, he would push me to make sure I was still doing well. Communication.
“He was always putting his arm around me, the same as Lewis Dunk.
“At Chelsea, I have Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva, leaders in the team for a reason. That is their job to help the young ones and I have had that. I have had the best.”
'If they want me, I will stay' - Fernandes on Man Utd future
Bruno Fernandes says he will stay at Manchester United if the club wants him to be part of their future.
As the transfer window draws closer, the United captain is reportedly attracting interest from several Saudi Pro League clubs and Bayern Munich.
Fernandes, who joined the Red Devils from Sporting CP in January 2020, has two years left on his current contract after signing an extension in 2022.
Speaking to Sky Sports after their 3-2 win over Newcastle United on Wednesday, Fernandes stated his commitment to the club.
"If they want me, I will stay," he said. "I will be here until... I said the club needs to want me.
"I feel that the club wants me to be a part of the future, so, as I said always, I don't want to be a player that the club doesn't want to have."
Fernandes has scored 15 goals in all competitions this season and got his 12th assist when he picked out Rasmus Hojlund for United’s third goal against Newcastle.
Erik ten Hag had already expressed his confidence that the Portugal international would stay at the club, and he reiterated that upon hearing about Fernandes’ post-match comments.
"Absolutely the club wants to keep Bruno. There's no question, I think," Ten Hag said.
"He gives always his best. He's an example, even with injuries he's playing. He loves football, but he wants to win.
"I'm very pleased with his performances across the season because for him, it's not easy when so many players are injured around him and every time, he has to carry the team."
Winning is in Juventus' DNA, says Allegri after Coppa Italia triumph
Massimiliano Allegri said that winning is in Juventus' DNA after the Bianconeri clinched the Coppa Italia title.
Dusan Vlahovic's goal proved enough for Juve to overcome Atalanta in Wednesday's final.
It marks Juve's first trophy since they won the Coppa in the 2020-21 season, when Cristiano Ronaldo was still at the club.
Juve still need one more win from their last two Serie A fixtures to guarantee Champions League qualification, but Allegri believes he has laid solid foundations this season, with his future still up in the air.
"Very happy for the boys, they brought joy to the club, to the fans and to me. Winning is never easy, but it is in our DNA," said Allegri, who became the first coach in history to win the Coppa Italia five times.
"If I am no longer the Juventus coach next year, I will leave a strong team. The club will make its evaluations."
Goalscorer Vlahovic says the target for next season is clear.
"I find it difficult to speak, I can only thank everyone," he told Mediaset.
"We know the difficulties we faced, in the end we achieved the objectives set at the beginning of the year. I'm sorry for the Scudetto, but Inter deservedly won it.
"We are very happy, but next year we must aim to win everything. Juventus' DNA requires this."
Juve have won six of the last eight Coppa Italia finals they have featured in, including their last two, both against Atalanta.
Ten Hag sees positives from Man Utd's season as he vows to bring FA Cup back to Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag is taking the positives from Manchester United's season, as he aims to win the FA Cup.
United have endured a difficult campaign, though they kept their European qualification hopes alive by beating Newcastle United 3-2 on Wednesday at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag took the microphone to speak to the fans after full-time, saying: "You are the best supporters in the world. Thanks for your support.
"I promise you that those players will give everything to get the cup and bring it to Old Trafford."
United face rivals Manchester City at Wembley on May 25, and speaking to reporters, Ten Hag – whose future is uncertain – sees no reason not to take some positives from the campaign.
"I see the positives, I see that this team is developing, I know the reasons why we are not performing," Ten Hag said.
"No team will perform when the whole back four is not available, across the season.
"Even striker Rasmus Hojlund, three times injured, [Marcus] Rashford, also injured, so we have had our problems across the season and that has a negative impact on the results.
"You see players performing and you see players progressing like the youngsters and that is very positive, there is a high potential in this club.
"So, there are also many positives in this season, but I can't mention this. You know why. At the end of the day, we have to win trophies. And in the Premier League, and in the Champions League, we didn't perform what people expect from us."
United sit eighth on 57 points, level with Newcastle but three behind sixth-placed Chelsea. The Red Devils face Brighton in their final game of the season on Sunday.
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