Southgate: No spot safe in squad for Russia

THE 2018 World Cup is fast approaching but Gareth Southgate yesterday warned his England players that nobody’s position in his 23-man squad is safe, and that he is willing to continue promoting youngsters into his first team.

With just seven months to go until the start of the tournament in Russia, many international managers are starting to settle on their strongest starting XIs as they move into the final stage of their preparations.

But Southgate, whose short England reign has been characterised by a willingness to hand young players their international debuts, has told his senior stars not to get too comfortable, as well as claiming he is ready to face the consequences if his idealistic approach backfires.

“I like some tension in the squad,” Southgate said, ahead of tonight’s friendly against Brazil at Wembley.

“If you are going to be a good team there has always got to be that tension there, because it is a high motivator.

“Somebody said to me recently that all of these new players have given me a selection headache. But it hasn’t, these are opportunities, which are brilliant if you want real competition for places.

“The best way to get the maximum out of a player is if there is competition for the place and absolutely no opportunity to take the foot off the gas in training or any of the matches.”

It just so happens that the players providing that much longed for competition for places are all young players, with England U-20 World Cup winners Dominic Solanke and Lewis Cook called up to the senior side, along with Manchester City’s 21-year-old goalkeeper Angus Gunn, currently on loan with Norwich.

Southgate may have been minded to select more established Premier League players such as West Ham’s Mark Noble or Newcastle’s Jonjo Shelvey, but is instead determined to blood as many youngsters as possible before next summer.

“Ultimately I think we are making the right decision for England. My job is not just to do things that get me a bit of praise, it is what is the right decision for England and involving players that we have involved this week is the right thing for England,” Southgate said.

For a man frequently seen as little more than a safe pair of hands, at a time when interest in the national side is arguably at an all-time low, it is a remarkably bold stance.

And there are evident risks to his blue-sky thinking. The nation may well come to thank Southgate if the likes of Harry Winks, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Solanke go on to enjoy long and fruitful international careers — but if they are selected and fail to deliver in Russia next summer, Southgate will likely be out of a job.

“The reason I came into the FA was because I care about young English players and England,” Southgate added.

“I believe in the cause. I came back to the U-21s because I wanted young English players to play in a way I think they can. There’s something bigger I’m working for than just getting results in the short-term.”

With England set to retain a three-man defence, Brazil are likely to name a strong line-up, with a formidable front-line consisting of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho. Willian, who captained the side in their recent 3-1 win over Japan in France, will drop to the bench. (© Independent News Service) England v Brazil, Live, ITV, 8.0