MANAUS, June 14, 2014 (Xinhua) -- England's coach Roy Hodgson is seen before a Group D match between England and Italy of 2014 FIFA World Cup in the Arena Amazonia Stadium in Manaus, Brazil, June 14, 2014. (Photo: Xinhua/Wang Lili/IANS)
Chantilly (France), June 7 (IANS) England manager Roy Hodgson has urged star striker Jamie Vardy to put his possible move to Arsenal on the backburner and focus on the national football team's campaign in the upcoming European Championships.
Arsenal approached Vardy with a 20 million pounds offer following the striker's fairytale run to the English Premier League (EPL) trophy with Leicester City.
But Hodgson insisted that the 29-year-old, who moved into England's team hotel here on Monday afternoon along with the rest of the squad, must focus on his upcoming engagements with the national team rather than dwell on the possible transfer.
"We are not trying to block players' futures or transfers. But as far as we are concerned, our ongoing theme is that England is England, your club is your club. While you are with England, we want you to stay focused on us," Hodgson was quoted as saying by the Independent on Tuesday.
Hodgson has already given Vardy time out of England's preparations to attend his own wedding two weeks ago. But it has now been made clear to the squad that all attention must now turn to Saturday's Group B opener against Russia in Marseilles.
"Whether they (agents) come to the hotel or not is a moot point. They will be talking to the players face to face, on the phone or via Skype or Facebook, who the hell knows?" the 68-year-old said.
"But one thing this group of players know and have accepted is that when you are on England duty, you are on England duty."
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