The brother of a Love Island star, a budding ‘rocket scientist’ who didn’t have to revise for his GCSEs.. and the forward with the seal of approval from actor Danny Dyer: The non-footballing fans’ guide to England’s Euro 24 squad

England manager Gareth Southgate has divided supporters by leaving out some huge names in his Euro 2024 squad – but his bold omissions have led to an influx of fresh talent that non-footballing fans may know little about. 

Among the 26-man squad is the teenage brother of a Love Island star, a talented young midfielder so intelligent he could have become a ‘rocket scientist’ and a red-hot forward who has won the seal of approval from actor Danny Dyer.

The Three Lions will kick-off their Euros campaign in Germany against Serbia on June 16, with many of the stars likely to be joined by their girlfriends and wives. 

Southgate will be hoping that his England side can build on the success of the last Euros campaign, where they made it to the final at Wembley – only to be defeated on penalties by the Italians. 

Here MailOnline paints a mini profile of each of the Three Lions, who will be looking to go one step further than Euro 2020 and bring it home.

Kobbie Mainoo: The ‘quiet’ England prodigy whose brother is a former Love Island star 

England’s newest prodigy is living every teenage boy’s dream of representing his country on the global stage.

Kobbie Mainoo, 19, has been selected by Gareth Southgate following a sensational breakthrough season with Manchester United.

The humble star is described as a ‘quiet’ lad from Stockport whose favourite food is rice and peas and whose go-to party drink is a water.

Until recently, the limelight was stolen in his household by older brother Jordan Hames, who won hearts on Love Island back in 2019.

The midfielder’s influencer older sibling led the congratulations for his younger sibling with an Instagram post saying, ‘movin on up’, mirroring a similar tweet just three years ago reading, ‘proud big bro moment fr [for real]’ after Mainoo made his debut for United’s under-18s.

In a climate where footballers are often paid hundreds of thousands every week and headlines are filled with stories of car crashes and alleged sex scandals, Mainoo stands out for his humble personality.

The prodigy might have succumbed to the temptations of a BMW 4×4 and Mercedes A-Class this season, standard issue at a club like United, but he leaves them at the front of the training ground in Carrington, away from the elite supercar-filled car park round the back.

The United academy graduate might have made his League Cup debut in January 2023 and his Premier League bow in November but he only got given a locker at Carrington a matter of weeks ago.

He played an integral role in Man United’s FA Cup win this season and was crowned the tournament player of the season. He scored United’s second goal in their 2-1 victory over rivals Man City at Wembley last month.

During United’s celebrations in the changing room, Mainoo was hailed by fans after moving his Muslim team-mate Amad Diallo out of the way of a champagne spray. 

Mainoo has a close friendship with fellow teenage sensation Alejandro Garnacho and the pair are often seen trying out new celebrations together. They were seen partying with YouTuber IShowSpeed following the FA Cup final win.

Adam Wharton: The brainy midfielder who could have become a rocket scientist in another life

The Crystal Palace star has been rewarded for his impressive season with a call-up to Southgate’s England squad.

The 20-year-old has been a standout performer in his first Premier League season after signing from Blackburn for £22.5million in January.

Wharton earned the nickname ‘Messi’ from teachers when he attended Moorland, the private school where Blackburn send their players. 

But Wharton’s intelligence on the pitch is rivalled by his brightness off the pitch. Former teachers have told how he didn’t even have to revise for GCSEs and he was even tipped to become a rocket scientist.

Charlie Jackson, who taught Wharton at Moorland, told The Sun: ‘Oh, he didn’t even have to revise for GCSEs. I use him as an example to the GCSE boys. He was an all-rounder with his head screwed on. Adam could turn himself into anything.

‘He lived near British Aerospace with his parents and I used to say he could be a rocket scientist and work there, that is how bright he was.’

Wharton also overcame the odds to become a professional footballer, having always been the smallest player in his teams. Fortunately, he enjoyed a rapid growth spurt at 17, which has helped him become one of England’s most exciting new prospects.

After joining Palace, Wharton has to leave sleepy Lancashire for life in the bustling capital.  He previously joked about paying expensive rent in London and dealing with busy traffic.

He told The Sun: ‘It’s a big change, living on my own. Sorting out all the bills, that is a lot of work. I am laid back and relaxed.

‘I train, go back. Maybe go for a walk around London, watch football if it’s on – which it is most nights thankfully. Gives me plenty to do.

‘I try to cook some food, that is bang average. My speciality… Pasta.’ 

Jarrod Bowen: The West Ham star who has sealed the approval of Danny Dyer 

The West Ham star’s stellar season has been rewarded with a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad this summer.

But it’s his romance with Love Island star Dani Dyer which has also long been the subject of fans’ attention.

Jarrod has even landed the seal of approval from Dani’s father, actor Danny Dyer, who is a lifelong West Ham supporter.

The actor even once joked that he finds ‘a bit of romance’ in West Ham’s X-rated chant about Bowen and his daughter.

The lyrics sang to the 90s dance classic ‘Freed from Desire’ by Gala go ‘Bowen’s on fire and he’s s******* Dani Dyer.’

But football-mad Danny doesn’t appear to mind the singalong and admitted he thinks the light-hearted humour should be viewed as a ‘compliment’ to his daughter.

Dani and Jarrod began dating in 2021, soon after she split from her boyfriend Sammy Kimmence, with whom she shares her son Santiago.

The reality star rose to fame through her appearance on Love Island in 2018, going onto win the series with her then-boyfriend Jack Fincham.

Sadly the pair’s romance came to an end four months after leaving the villa, and Dani rekindled her romance with former flame Sammy.

They then welcomed their son Santiago together in January 2021, but split when Sammy was jailed for scamming pensioners out of £34,000. He has since been released from prison.

Dani and Jarrod then went public with their romance in December 2021, as they shared a sweet Instagram post together.

The couple have enjoyed plenty of lavish holidays together, including trips to Disneyland, a spa break at The Cave Hotel and a cosy getaway at the Bulgari Hotel Milano.

Dani and Jarrod announced that they had welcomed twin girls, named Summer and Star, in May last year.

A few months beforehand, Dani had announced she was moving into her new home with Jarrod, relocating from her £725,000 five-bedroom property in Essex.

Cole Palmer: The Chelsea star whose family made an extraordinary journey from the Caribbean to English shores

Cole Palmer has set the Premier League alight with his dazzling performances for Chelsea this season – and he continued his fine form with a goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina for England on Monday.

Palmer sensationally left treble-winning Man City and his hometown last summer but it’s fair to say the move has paid off.

He has previously told how he would never have achieved his footballing dreams without the unwavering support of his father Jermaine, 49, and his side of the family who hail from the island of St Kitts in the West Indies. 

In an exclusive interview with MailOnline last November, Palmer’s grandfather Sterry Cole revealed the painful struggles the family endured as part of the Windrush generation.

Palmer’s mother Marie, 48, was a divorcee with two young daughters – Lucy, now 31, and Ashley, 28, – when she married Jermaine in Manchester in February 1994.

Until 2022, the family lived in a modest semi-detached home in Cheadle, Cheshire which they sold for £350,000 last October.

Jermaine, who fixes dental equipment for a living, was a self-proclaimed pub football legend, who spotted the talent in his young son when he was aged around four and quickly instilled in him a love of the game.

Palmer told how he started out using the gates in front of the family home as a makeshift goal before his father began taking him out to the local park across the road every day to practice his skills.

Touching family videos show Palmer as a toddler bouncing and picking a ball round Wythenshawe’s Hollyhedge Park as well as a couple of blistering goals taken during his schooldays.

Palmer himself grew up supporting Manchester United but spent 15 years at rivals City after starting out in the club’s academy. He made the £42.5 million move to Stamford Bridge in September and was later called up by Southgate.

Palmer’s pride in his Caribbean heritage became clear when he was featured showing off his rapping skills in a TikTok video which went viral turning him into a social media sensation. He wears both the England and St Kitts flag on his boots for England.

Harry Kane: England Captain let go by Arsenal as a child because he was ‘chubby’ 

Harry Kane, 30, became the top goal scorer for England last March and will lead the squad into the tournament after a successful first season at Bayern Munich. 

But despite flourishing as a professional footballer his talent was not immediately recognisable at youth level. 

He was even dropped by Arsenal as a youngster branded a ‘bit chubby’ and lacking athleticism but the club’s head of development Liam Brady later admitted: ‘we made a mistake.’

Born in Walthamstow, east London, Kane is now one of the most recognised footballers in the world. 

He married his wife Katie, who he met in school, in 2019 in the Bahamas and the couple have two daughters and a son together. 

Jude Bellingham: England’s midfield motor kept ticking by his devoted parents

His maturity on and off the field are well known. The son of a policeman and a devoted mother he refers to as his ‘Queen’ Jude is now a central part of Real Madrid’s Champion’s League winning side. 

While playing Germany for Borussia Dortmund his mother moved to Germany to look after him and when the time came to join the most successful team in club football, Real Madrid, his father acted as an agent in the deal. 

When he joined Real Madrid for an initial fee of £88.5million, he became the world’s third most-expensive teenager. 

Dad Mark, 48, and mum Denise, 56, whose background is in human resources, also look after Jobe Bellingham, 18, who plays for Championship side Sunderland. 

Jude praising his mother said: ‘The role my mum is playing is massive. I think at the minute it is probably the biggest role of anyone, even probably more than my coaches and managers, to be honest.’

After breaking up with model Asantewa Chitty a year ago, he is now dating Laura Celia Valk, 25, another model. The pair have been spotted enjoying date nights in Brazil staying a hotels costing more than £860 a night.  

Kyle Walker: Defender as famous for his love-life as his rapid pace at right-back 

Manchester City star Kyle Walker has been a regular feature in Gareth Southgate’s side. The right-back, who can also play at centre back, is known for his rapid recovery pace and his ability to take the ball forward.

But while his pace on the pitch will no doubt drive opponents crazy, off the pitch his complicated arrangements with the women in his life have provided no-end of headlines. 

After a scandal hit year when it emerged fathered two children with his mistress Lauryn Goodman despite being married to Annie Kilner, he has spent the last months trying to patch up his relationship.  

Just before the team starts the fight to claim glory in Europe, Walker, 34, decided to treat his wife by spending £160,000 on a holiday- in a caravan in Wales. 

Annie will be joining the defender on England’s campaign – but not the other wives and girlfriends as she is hiring a private jet for each other games. 

Apart from his floundering with other women, Walker is known as a clean freak, which drives Annie crazy. 

He said: ‘I like things to be clean. I don’t like mess. My missus will probably tell you that I drive her insane with all my cleanliness.

‘It’s probably why I’ve got 20 packs of baby wipes in a cupboard down there just so when I come into my sneaker closet, I can keep them clean and fresh.’

Walker, turns out for City, and has won six Premier League titles with the UAE-owned side. He previously starred for Tottenham, playing right back while his childhood best friend Danny Rose, who he knew back from his days in Sheffield, playing left back.

Luke Shaw: Defender who earned first England call-up before he could even drive

South-west London-born Luke Shaw has long been touted as an England star. While playing for Southampton he got his first call-up at 18 – before he had even learned to drive. He wouldn’t pass his driving test for another four years.

He later made a big money move to Manchester United, where he initially fell out with manager Jose Mourinho.

But he has slowly and surely made his way back into the fold, both at club and international level.

His girlfriend is Anouska Santos who he has a daughter and a son.

She is a fashion blogger with more than 70,000 Instagram followers and frequently posted from Paris, Dubai, Mykonos and Marbella.

Stunning Anouska is often spotted in the crowd at Old Trafford cheering on left-back Luke. A proud mother, Anouska and Luke welcome their first child together – a son – Reign London, in November 2019.

Announcing her pregnancy, Anouska shared a picture of her scan along with a snap of her Luke. ‘I hope he’s just like you, with a little bit of me,’ she wrote.

Declan Rice: Midfielder who represented Ireland before switching to England after 2018 World Cup 

The defensive midfielder for Arsenal has become one of the first names on the team sheet under Southgate with a strong international record. 

In recent weeks his long-term girlfriend Lauren Fryer deleted her social media accounts because online bullies made a series of dreadful remarks about her. 

But Rice and Fryer are a devoted couple, with the footballer describing her as ‘love of his life’ in the wake of the abuse.  

Rice grew up in Kingston, south London, to an Irish family and played three friendlies for Ireland in 2018 before controversially switching back to England.

He said it was England’s performance at the 2018 World Cup that convinced him to make the switch, when Southgate’s side lost out to Croatia in the semi-final.

Rice said: ‘Yeah, it was done then. We spoke about it so much but obviously growing up watching England in tournaments as well… You just feel the proper buzz, the effects and the desire of the country for the players to do well.’

The midfielder was released by Chelsea as a youngster before joining West Ham, but remains close friends with Mason Mount.

As well as his exploits on the pitch, Rice has also become reluctantly known for his double scream after being awoken from a deep sleep by Mount during a holiday in Dubai.

John Stones: The tattooed defender with three faces inked on his left thigh

The Barnsley-born Manchester City defender is a regular fixture in England’s starting eleven since becoming an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s seemingly unstoppable side. 

Stones had a child with his childhood sweetheart Millie Savage, and had a large tattoo of her drawn on his arm in December 2016. They split in November 2018 and Stones is now with beautician Olivia Naylor who he has a child with. 

The couple met on a night out through mutual friends in Manchester and the defender is said to have been undergoing work to remove the tattoo of his ex.

Olivia has established a successful business in Manchester and has her own salon near her Cheshire home. 

Stones also has what is believed to be the face of Barnsley legend Norman Rimmington inked on his left thigh along with a further three faces.

Jordan Pickford: Sunderland-born goalkeeper who loves doner kebab pizza and gets ‘free food for life’ at his local pizzeria

England’s No 1, Jordan Pickford will be hungry for yet more success following his penalty heroics at the World Cup in Russia in 2018.

The 28-year-old shot stopper helped England to the semi-finals of the tournament during a penalty shoot-out against Colombia.

And while he will be hungry for shootout success, Pickford is also partial to a doner kebab pizza. The Sunderland-born star once shared an image of the takeaway on his Instagram.

And it prompted one local takeaway owner of Classic Pizza in his hometown of Concord in Washington to declare that he can have ‘free food for life’ after his 2018 World Cup display.

The Everton Number 1 is a father of one, to son Arlo, with his childhood sweetheart Megan Davison. The pair have been dating since she was 14 and he was 16 after meeting at school.

They went out on their first date to the cinema while he was a pupil at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School in their native Washington, Tyne and Wear.

Lewis Dunk: The Brighton defender who felt more nervous proposing to his girlfriend than he does playing football

Lewis Dunk, 32, was a prodigy from a young age working his way up the ranks at Brighton & Hove Albion where he plays now as a defender. 

Before taking up football full time he studied leisure and tourism at GCSE level and was also training as a sports scientist. 

His long-term partner Abi Yaxley, who he has two children with, prefers to stay out of the limelight. 

When Dunk proposed to his partner in the summer of 2019, he said it was more nerve-wracking than playing professional football and they later tied the knot.

Dunk is the son of Mark Dunk, a former Sussex non-league footballer who may well have been the inspiration behind the star’s career. 

As a boy he attended Varndean School in Brighton, which has a number of other celebrity alumni including Olympic gold medal winner Steve Ovett and newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky.

Dunk and three other Brighton players were accused of sexually assaulting a teenage woman in a hotel in July 2011, but they were all cleared.

Dunk made his international debut in November 2018 but would then have to wait five years before he was selected to represent his country again.

Despite being a stalwart in the Brighton defence, he has not played a competitive game for England. With the likes of Harry Maguire ruled out of the Euros with injury, perhaps Dunk will finally make his mark for the Three Lions

Ollie Watkins: The Devon-born striker who swept the floor of the changing rooms before becoming a Premier League star

Watkins played a massive role in securing Champions League football for Aston Villa this season. 

The 28-year-old striker, who has tough competition in Harry Kane for a place in England’s starting line-up, hails from Torquay in Devon.

He made the extraordinary leap from League Two side Exeter to the Premier League with Villa in just three years.

It’s fair to say Watkins has been a late bloomer. He made his first appearance for Exeter on the final day of the 2013-14 season, but he would have to wait for a serious breakthrough.

His first manager at Exeter, Paul Tisdale, hailed his ‘perfect attitude’ but said he ‘never played as well as he should have done’. It meant Watkins made just three appearances before joining National League South side Weston-super-Mare on loan in December 2014, where he spent the rest of the season.

It would turn out to play a pivotal role in the making of Watkins, who swept the floor of the changing room and scored 10 goals in 18 starts. After returning to Exeter, he would later be snapped up by Brentford in 2017.

Here, he improved his nutrition, taking meals home from the Brentford chef. 

Watkins signed for Villa in 2020 from Brentford for a club-record fee and he has not looked back since. His fine form was rewarded with a five-year contract last October.

Watkins is in a long-term relationship with Ellie Alderson, whom he first got together with in 2018. They welcomed their second child last April.

As well as scoring goals week in week out, Watkins is also has an investment in The Edit LDN, which sells rare and limited edition sneakers.

Ivan Toney: The doting father whose career in football was put on hold by an eight-month gambling ban

Toney’s career took a damaging turn when he was banned from the game for eight months after admitting 232 breaches.

The striker has made an impactful return to football and his off-the-field controversies have not hindered his selection for Southgate’s squad.

Toney is a doting father who often shares snaps of his young children on his Instagram.  

 The England star has previously revealed he would love to become an actor when he retires from the game.

As he prepared to make his return to football in January following his ban, Toney posted a simple word to social media: ‘Free.’

During his break, he turned his body into art, with a host of meaningful tattoos. Prior to his ban, Toney’s skin on his back was a blank canvas but now it is covered with images of the people and places he looked to for sanctuary during his time away.

Among the fresh tattoos, he has a picture of his two sisters and his parents. He also has one of his arms around his two young children, Ivan Junior and Ikari.

Another poignant piece of ink is his England legacy number; he became the 1,272nd man to play for England. 

Anthony Gordon: The talented winger who has put summer holiday plans with his girlfriend on hold

When Anthony Gordon made his £45million move from Everton to Newcastle last year, questions were raised over his attitude.

But after racking up 10 Premier League goals and 10 assists in his first season, Gordon has proved his doubters wrong and will be joining the Three Lions in Germany.

Gordon attended Alsop High School before being moved to one of Everton’s partner schools, Wade Deacon in Widnes, when he was 14.

He was part of an exciting England youth side alongside Bukayo Saka, Mason Greenwood, James Garner and Curtis Jones who won the  Limoges Tournament in France in 2018.

Gordon is in a relationship with Annie Keating, who has been cheering him on all the way to the top.

The couple, who are both from Liverpool, have known each other since they were children. 

The winger previously joked about how his partner was desperate for them to book a holiday, but it’s clear this will have to be put on ice for now.

Talking about booking a holiday, he said: ‘I don’t think that I should.

‘My missus has been nagging me, “Can we book a holiday? Places are getting full.”

‘I’ve told her, “Germany is very nice”.’

Eberechi Eze: The skillful winger who overcame multiple setbacks to break into Southgate’s squad

Eberechi Eze has been lighting up the Premier League at Crystal Palace and impressed again in an England shirt on Monday.

But the skillful winger has not always had it so easy.

As a youngster, he was released by Arsenal, Fulham and Reading and he failed to secure a professional contract at Milwall after two years with the club. 

The setbacks did not stop him signing with QPR, where he made his debut in 2017. He spent a season on loan at Wycombe before breaking into the QPR side. 

His Premier League move came last summer and his impressive performances have earned him a well deserved England call-up. 

It’s understood Eze is in a relationship with Izuthe Mulatto, but they appear to keep their relationship private.

Marc Guehi: The musically-gifted defender with a love for the drums

Guehi is another Cyrstal Palace star whose impressive performances have resulted in an England call-up.

The musically-gifted defender has previously opened up about his love for the drums.

Yes, I play the drums,’ confessed the centre-back to Mail Sport in November.

‘When I get time I go to church and play, it is great. (I learned) from going to church from a young age.

‘Loads of singing, loads of dancing. My dad (a pastor) is a musician so you just get on the drum kit and see how well you can do and that just stayed with me.

‘There were definitely times where I wasn’t able to (play football on Sunday’s) just because God first, in my house that was the rule. Luckily some of our games were Saturday, some were Sunday when we were younger.

‘As you get older it becomes your job as well as something you love.’

Luckily for Guehi, his parents understood when football became their son’s priority.

‘They knew where my life was going and they were fine but definitely now if I have the time I still go to church,’ said the 23-year-old.

Guehi –  who is of Ivorian descent – still goes to church when he can and his faith has served him well; as has the guidance of his religious mother and father.
Ezri Konsa: The defender who thanks his brother for stopping him from being led astray

The Aston Villa defender grew up in Newham, east London, but his father is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and his mother is from Angloa.

He has previously revealed that his love for football came from his brother, whom he watched play Sunday League.

He said that this not only inspired him to become a footballer but stopped him from being led astray.

‘The area I grew up in wasn’t the best but having an older brother there to guide me down the right path was very important and very key in where I am right now,’ Konsa told the Premier League in an interview.

‘He was always there, always supporting no matter if we’re playing away or home. He’s been my biggest influence since my career started.’

After his first England call-up, he revealed that he had to cancel a holiday with his girlfriend. His proud partner was in with him when he received the call and she could not hold back tears of joy.

Dean Henderson: The ex-Man United shotstopper who never planned to be a goalkeeper

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson will be on the England plane this summer.

The 27-year-old shotstopper, who now plays for Crystal Palace, grew up with two older brothers who were constantly playing football at home.

Henderson, who grew up in Whitehaven, Cumbria, previously admitted he did not want to be a goalkeeper and actually started outfield.

The goalkeeper married his wife at a romantic wedding in Rome in June 2022, where singer Lewis Capaldi performed for guests.

Little is known about the keeper’s partner as the pair keep the relationship private. He has never revealed her name.

A few months prior, he was forced to publicly deny ‘hurtful’ rumours circulating on social media that he was arrested for attacking his girlfriend. 

Joe Gomez: The Liverpool defender whose partner of almost 10 years is by his side

The Liverpool defender, 27, hails from south London and was a product of Charlton Athletic’s youth academy. 

He made his England debut against Germany at Wembley in November 2017, but a series of injuries has prevented him gaining momentum.

Gomez married his wife Tamara in June 2021. She shared a touching photo of them walking down the aisle hand in hand on their wedding day.

It’s understood the couple have been together for almost a decade. In November, she posted a photo of the pair with the caption: ‘9 years of us… Happy anniversary.’ 

She spoke of her pride at the end of Liverpool’s season, sharing a sweet snap of them on the pitch at Anfield. She wrote: ‘A season to be proud of, my CB, LB, RB,’ – hinting at his versatility on the pitch.

Kieran Trippier: Defender whose family were fined by council after hoisting 25ft England flag at their home

Kieran Trippier has been a constant presence in the Gareth Southgate era and will be hoping his family stay out of trouble at this year’s tournament.

It was during the 2018 World Cup in Russia that killjoy Bury Council chiefs took offence to the defender’s parents erecting, in the front garden of their two-bedroom semi in Ramsbottom, a giant flag of St George bearing their son’s name.

Trippier’s childhood home had become a hub for family and friends to watch England’s journey, with the back garden transformed into a beer garden. 

Ahead of the Qatar World Cup last year, he told the Mail: ‘The council are probably still knocking from last time. They were saying, ‘Flag down!’ It was on a massive pole, about 25-30ft high. Nobody had complained, so I don’t know how they found out. But Dad didn’t take it down, so we had to pay the fine.’

Did he cover the cost? ‘Of course I did! The streets were full – my aunties, uncles, nana. It’s a proud moment for them because I never thought I’d get one cap, never mind nearly 40. And yes, we’ve still got the flag…’   

After growing up on a council estate, Trippier played football at school and went on to train for Manchester City. 

He’s enjoyed a successful England career so far and in 2018 famously scored the semi-final free kick against Croatia that gave England fans momentary hope of reaching a World Cup Final. 

Trippier decided to embark on a career change in 2019 when he left Tottenham for Atletico Madrid. But after three years, including winning La Liga in 2021, he returned to the Premier League and has been playing for Newcastle ever since. 

He captained England against Bosnia on Monday, becoming the first Newcastle star to captain the country since Michael Owen against Poland in October 2005.

Bukayo Saka: The deeply religious A* student who ‘takes everything in his stride’

Bukayo Saka might be a model player, but he was a model student too. 

As a boy he’d have to travel from Greenford High School, Ealing, to Arsenal almost every night to train, but still managed to gain four A*s and three As in his GCSEs.

Former teacher Mark Harvey said he believed Saka had was more likely to become a professional basketball player than a footballer. 

He’s a highly popular figure at Arsenal, and before Covid surprised club staff by volunteering to help out with some of the club’s community activities.

Off his own back, Saka was keen to set up a call with the club and his parents to see how they could be of assistance and aid Arsenal’s work in the local area.

According to the Daily Mail’s Adrian Kajumba: ‘Speak to anyone about Saka and it will not be long before his down-to-earth nature, the fact that he takes everything in his stride, is a great kid and the role his parents have played in his upbringing and instilling the right values, get mentioned.’

Saka is deeply religious and always credits God for any success he achieves. 

He bounced back stronger than ever after suffering vile racist abuse at England’s last Euros campaign. He, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were targeted by racist trolls after missing penalties in the Euro 2020 final against Italy. 

Trent Alexander Arnold: Defender whose maternal grandmother once dated Sir Alex Ferguson

Born in Liverpool and now playing for Liverpool FC, it’s fair to say Trent Alexander Arnold is Scouse through and through. 

But he’s also got an unlikely connection to deadly rivals Man Utd – with his maternal grandmother once going out with the club’s legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson!  

The Scot made the amusing revelation in his autobiography, which was released in 2013 shortly after his retirement. 

Trent has two brothers, Marcel and Tyler, the latter who now serves as his agent. 

He’s previously paid tribute to them and his parents, Michael and Dianne, saying they had sacrificed a lot to get him to where he is now. 

And it’s certainly paid off for the 25-year-old… 

Among many impressive stats, he was in Guinness World Records for 2020 for the most assists by a defender in a Premier League season. 

Phil Foden: The star of the present and future who signed for Manchester City as a four-year-old

He’s one of England’s hottest young talents, gaining the nickname the ‘Stockport Iniesta’ thanks to his technical ability. 

Phil Foden has been at Manchester City since he was four, having been spotted by scouts when they came to his primary school. 

After rising up through the academy, he started for the first team in November 2017 aged just 17 and made his England debut in a 1-0 win in Iceland in September 2020. 

The 24-year-old is married to his childhood sweetheart, Rebecca Cooke, with whom he shares two children, including their eldest Ronnie, who has become somewhat of a social media star.

Most recently, after his dad won the Premier League in May, he was filmed trying to open a champagne bottle – thankfully without success. 

Earlier this year, the couple announced they are expecting their third child together. 

Aaron Ramsdale: Recently-married goalkeeper whose father represented GB as a 400m hurdler

Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale may owe some of his athletic talents to his parents, with his father competing for Great Britain as a 400m hurdler and his mother attending dancing trials for England. 

And his family’s impressive achievements don’t stop there, with his actor brother, Oliver, touring with the musical Dirty Dancing, while his other brother is a prison officer. 

Luckily, Ramsdale’s parents always supported his ambition of becoming a professional footballer – unlike his great-grandfather.

‘My dad’s dad was a goalkeeper and was offered terms by West Brom, Wolves, Aston Villa and Birmingham,’ Ramsdale told the AFC Bournemouth website. ‘But his dad said ‘no, you’ve got to get a proper job’.

‘The money back then wasn’t great and it wasn’t financially stable. He never got to play professionally and became a maths teacher and then a head teacher.’ 

The 26-year-old was born in Staffordshire where he attended Sir Thomas Boughey Academy near Newcastle under Lyme. 

While a schoolboy his potential to go far in the game was noted by his local paper, The Sentinel.

Ramsdale married his long-term partner Georgina Irwin last June in an intimate ceremony. In one snap, he was seen kissing her pregnant stomach. Georgina is a flight attendant for British Airways and met the England keeper in 2019. She is also the co-owner of sportwear brand Gymnetix.

Connor Gallagher: Surrey-born midfielder who went to same school as Harry Potter star

Chelsea’s Connor Gallagher grew up in Epsom as one of three brothers – all of them Chelsea fans. 

Growing up, he went to Howard of Effingham School – which was also attended by Harry Potter star Tom Felton AKA Malfoy.

The 24-year-old has credited much of his grit to the summer of 2018 when he spent two months going through major heart surgery. 

The footballer felt his heart beating eerily fast on his return to pre-season training with Chelsea and later fell ill. 

 ‘It was quite a tough one-v-one session and it was too much for me,’ he told the Guardian.

‘I felt a bit dizzy and had to pull out of training and that’s when I got the checks, scans, and when they saw something was wrong.’