England fans notice shocking inclusion in Euro 2024 sticker book and ask if Topps ‘knows anything’ about Gareth Southgate’s squad

England fans have been shocked by a surprise inclusion in the official Euro 2024 sticker book.

American trading card company Topps has secured the rights to succeed Panini as UEFA’s exclusive sticker partner for the tournament in Germany in 2022, to expand its portfolio as official Champions League partner and other UEFA club competitions.

Topps brought in legendary manager Jose Mourinho to promote the collectible book, but one of the choices on the England team pages has left fans perplexed.

Leicester City left-back Luke Thomas, 21, has spent the season on loan, first with Sheffield United in the Premier League and then with Middlesbrough in the Championship.

Despite making 15 appearances at England Under-21 level, he never made it into Gareth Southgate’s senior team – but he is in the book, listed as a Blades player despite the mutual termination of his loan at the club on the 12th January.

Second-tier podcast written about X (formerly Twitter): “Why is Middlesbrough left-back Luke Thomas in the new Euro 2024 England sticker album??” with two crying laughing emojis.

Fans responded with their own questions and comments regarding Thomas’ surprise inclusion, with one asking: “Do they know anything?” and another saying “Call waiting”.

One said Thomas was a “better player but I doubt he will go to the Euros”, while another said he was a “better option” than Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, who started both of England’s friendlies in March.

Another fan responded explaining the situation, noting: “Many English players were unable to feature in the album due to licensing issues.”

Manchester City pair Phil Foden and John Stones have been snubbed by the Euro 2024 sticker album, as previously reported by Mail Sport.

Wingers Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka are also missing from the England squad – but Rico Lewis is included despite just one national team cap to his name.

A Topps spokesperson told BBC’s Newsbeat it was “proud” of its first sticker collection, but admitted it was disappointed a “small number of players” were missing, adding: ” This is due to the tournament’s former sticker partner blocking parts of the collection, to the detriment of fans.

Panini has launched its own “tournament edition” album dedicated to the England team, but without the wider rights to the whole of Euro 2024.

Foden’s excellent performances at club level have put him in contention to be named player of the season, and his love of Premier League sticker albums is well documented.

His girlfriend Becca Cooke told the Telegraph in 2021: “He’s obsessed with these stickers right now.

“We were at the zoo this week and I passed Morrison’s on the way home and had to call him because I saw they had a big box of stickers there.

“We’re going to be driving and he says, ‘Stop, they sell stickers there.’ Go ahead Bec, can you come into this store and get me all the packages they have. I don’t want them to know it’s me.”

England will play pre-tournament friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland before the trip to Germany.

At Euro 2024, Southgate’s side will play group stage matches against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia before the start of the round of 16.