England have responsibility in adult environment: Southgate
LONDON: Gareth Southgate is ready to give England’s players the responsibility to look after themselves at the World Cup in Russia, saying they will not be treated “like children”.
The England boss confirmed his 23-man group for the finals this week, including rookies such as Nick Pope and Trent Alexander-arnold alongside more experienced heads like Gary Cahill and Ashley Young.
And as preparations continue for Russia, Southgate is willing and trusting enough to let the players off the leash in an “adult environment”.
“There is the environment we create - people take the lead from the leader,” he told reporters. “How I am around it, how relaxed I am in terms of them being given opportunities to go out of the hotel, to go sightseeing, just to escape the bubble.
“It can’t just be 24 hours a day football. OK, they might do a cou- ple of things that get criticised on the back of that, but I have to be brave enough to say I am prepared for them to go into St Petersburg to sightsee or see families or whatever.
“Obviously there is some trust in that which has to be respected but I think they know where that sits.
“You are creating an adult environment. Most of them have young children. I am not going to treat them like children. It’s important you give them responsibility.”
This relaxed setting fits with Southgate’s mood heading into the tournament, with the England manager so far comfortable in a hot seat that has scorched previous coaches. semifinals.
The round of 16 and the quarter-final were marred with wrong refereeing decisions with Italy and Spain both complaining that referees favoured the hosts. By the end of it, the South Korean players earned themselves iconic status and many used it as a launchpad towards successful careers abroad.
Manager Guss Hiddink went on to become a national treasure, was afforded honorary citizenship and Gwangju Stadium was renamed the Guus Hiddink Stadium. PARIS: Defenders: Midfielders:
Forwards: Andre Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gelson Martins, Goncalo Guedes, Ricardo Quaresma.
from Paris Saint-germain this season, having struggled in France last term.
Andre Silva, 22, scored eight goals in 14 games during AC Milan’s Europa League campaign, which proved enough to see him called up despite only starting seven Serie A matches.
Santos called up 21-year-old Benfica defender Ruben Dias for the first time, but Monaco’s Rony Lopes missed out despite a breakthrough season in Ligue 1 with 13 goals from midfield.
Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves also failed to make the final list, despite starting a friendly win in March over Egypt.
Portugal are in Group B at the World Cup, which starts in Russia on June 14, along with former champions Spain, Morocco and Iran. Before the finals, they will play friendlies against Tunisia, Belgium and Algeria.
Defenders: Midfielders: Forwards:
available to Deschamps, who did call up Payet’s Marseille teammate Florian Thauvin and Lyon captain Nabil Fekir.
Elsewhere, Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy was called up despite having hardly featured for Pep Guardiola’s side since returning from a serious knee injury. “It always seems impossible until it’s done”, wrote Mendy on Twitter.