England kick-off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday and Brighton defender Lewis Dunk could yet make the starting XI as John Stones has been struck down with illness
Lewis Dunk admits he feared his chance of playing in a major tournament had gone.
But now the Brighton captain is determined to make the most of the Euros with his whole family flying out to Germany to support him. It was in 2018 when Kieran Trippier revealed his dad put a flag of St George in the window of the family home and you get the sense the Dunks would do the same for their boy.
Dunk, 32, says he is a passionate England fan himself and would be watching and cheering them on if he had not been picked for the Euros. When asked whether he feared his chance had gone, Dunk said: “Of course, this was probably my last chance of getting to a tournament realistically. Now I am here enjoying the moment.
“I’ve watched a few tournaments all over the place. The last tournament was in my friend’s garden in Eastbourne, I watched one abroad when I was younger, Portugal. I’ve chucked my beer in the air before – many times.
“I probably wouldn’t have gone out as a fan, but I would have watched every game in a pub or my mates’ house. My wife and kids are coming over. My mum and my dad will be at every game and then brothers and sisters, everyone like that, will be flying in and out for certain games.
“It’s a proud moment for them. My kids are getting older now and starting to understand. My eldest is nine now and loves football. But I’m just his dad and I’m just doing what he does and playing football. It’s nice to put a smile on my kid’s face. Hopefully they have a good time.”
Dunk is one of 12 players in the squad without tournament experience but insists he will be ready if called upon – which could be in Sunday’s opener against Serbia. His inclusion caused some debate but Brighton fans are passionate about their centre-half and leader. He would be clear favourite to start if John Stones – who is struggling with illness – is not fit.
But that lack of experience plus the absence of Harry Maguire and also the lingering fitness doubts over Luke Shaw does raise concerns about the defence being a weak link. Dunk also says that the treatment of Maguire has been a valuable life lesson about dealing with criticism.
“It was incredible how he dealt with it all. Harshly treated I would say personally and the treatment he was getting from everyone was out of order. He took it on the chin and carried on like he always does and he has fought through it and that is all he can do,” said Dunk who also claimed the players are dismissing any notion that the defence is a weak link.
“Of course we are dismissing that. That is your opinion and you are entitled to it, but inside the dressing room and inside the camp we are as confident as ever. We wouldn’t be here if the manager didn’t think we could play for England. I don’t see why that would be the case.
“Football is a game of opinions and the one that matters is the manager of England and he has picked me to be here. I am thankful to him for giving me this opportunity and hopefully I can help the team win the trophy.”
England have been dealt another defensive blow ahead of their opener against Serbia with Stones now in a race to be fit after being confined to his bed with a sickness bug. Stones missed training on Wednesday and is a doubt for Sunday’s game.
Dunk said he would be ready to step in for Stones and said: “I would hope so. Of course. But you never know. There are a few days until Sunday and we’ll see what happens.
“We’ve only trained twice this week. Today [Wednesday] was a defensive session. I guess [Thursday] might be more attacking and it will balance it out on both sides as we go through the week.”
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