England World Cup: Gareth Southgate rewarded for Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool decisions
England are no longer the England of old. Southgate’s team, last night, proved it. The Three Lions never win penalty shootouts. Ever, barring one time back in 1996. Last night, after Harry Kane and Yerry Mina had traded blows, every fan in the country feared the worst. Here we go again, seemed to be the consensus. And when Jordan Henderson’s penalty was saved by David Ospina, England supporters had their head in their hands. They had been down this road before. But then came two moments of brilliance. Colombia missed and then, courtesy of the magnificent Jordan Pickford, they were denied again. Eric Dier, vilified for his poor substitute showing, then dispatched the winner. And the sky is the limit now. Because England, this new England, can stun the world. They can, genuinely, bring the World Cup home. With a side that are unlike any team we have ever seen before.
GETTY England World Cup: Gareth Southgate no longer relies on Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool players
England players react to beating Colombia in the World Cup Round of 16 Wed, July 4, 2018 England players reacted to beating Colombia in the World Cup Round of 16 Play slideshow Twitter 1 of 14
The golden generation, who were managed by Sven Goran-Eriksson, was a squad of superstars but team with turbulence. Manchester United formed the crux of it. Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney often got the nod. But they didn’t link up well with their Liverpool team-mates - because they played for Liverpool. Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher never clicked and it was a similar story with Chelsea players too, with John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole unable to find their best form. Rio Ferdinand has spoken about cliques in the old England camps, where players from the same clubs would cling together in training, on the bus and in the hotel. This England, though, is different. A mixed bag - and a reliance on one Premier League team is non-existent. Sure, there are Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea players in Southgate’s squad. But, unlike the players of 10-15 years ago, they are at peace, rather than war.
GETTY England World Cup: Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool players used to make squad
Now, you get the lot. Manchester City players, Leicester players, Tottenham players. Everton, Stoke and Burnley goalkeepers. One Arsenal star - Danny Welbeck. The England camp is a place of harmony and it takes just one look at the FA’s behind-the-scenes videos to prove it. In one, Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli can be seen messing around. United and Tottenham players who, despite the rivalry between their two respective clubs, are not letting it get in the way of England duty. In another, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling joke together. City and United players, coming together, for the good of the team.
GETTY England World Cup: Everton star Jordan Pickford was the hero
GETTY England World Cup: Harry Kane leads from the front for Gareth Southgate