Klopp and Guardiola boost England hopes
The globalisation of the Premier League is often blamed for hampering home-grown players but the likes of Pep Guardiola and Juergen Klopp have played a key role in boosting England’s World Cup chances.
Of Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad in Russia, 15 finished in the top four under star managers Guardiola, Klopp, Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino.
Manchester City smashed a host of Premier League records during their romp to the title, with Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, John Stones and Fabian Delph visibly improving under Guardiola’s leadership.
“Absolutely,” Delph said when asked if the Catalan was the key to his selection for the England squad. “For me he’s a genius.”
Southgate believes Guardiola was even influencing the game before arriving in England thanks to his great Barcelona team that won two Champions Leagues in four glorious years between 2008 and 2012.
“The impact of seeing that Barcelona team five to seven years ago was enormous,” said Southgate.
“He’s been an innovator. When I watch kids’ football now, when they can get on pitches that aren’t flooded or frozen, I see them playing out from the back.”
However, Guardiola is not the only coach who has helped England’s cause. Stones, Walker and Sterling were already internationals before being taken to the next level by the former Barca and Bayern Munich boss.
By contrast, Tottenham’s Pochettino has developed stars such as Harry Kane and Dele Alli, transforming them from relative unknowns to big-name players.
Danny Rose, Eric Dier and Kieran Trippier complete England’s five-strong Spurs contingent in Russia and have been drilled in many of the same principles of possession football and pressing that Guardiola preaches.
Trent Alexander-Arnold made his England debut in Thursday’s 2-0 friendly win over Costa Rica after a breakthrough season under Klopp that ended in a Champions League final against Real Madrid alongside Liverpool captain and England team-mate Jordan Henderson. –