Southgate retains trust in England youth
England manager Gareth Southgate will continue to select younger players who can adapt better to his tactics and preferred formations as he looks to build on the side’s impressive World Cup showing in Russia.
Southgate, who guided a relatively inexperienced squad to the semi-finals in July, told reporters ahead of Saturday’s Nations League match against Spain that he planned to retain a policy of promoting from England’s youth teams.
“We looked through different players over the last couple of years and decided, because of the way we want to play and the type of players we want to work with, that there are some guys who didn’t fit that model,” Southgate told Sky Sports.
Fresh cycle
“We’re into a fresh cycle of probably not going back to players who have been in before and that we’ve had a good look at,” the former England under-21s coach added.
“So the next group that we’re looking at are probably coming through our younger age groups.”
Southgate has also been forced to look for fresher options after the experienced duo of defender Gary Cahill and striker Jamie Vardy ended their international careers last week. uis Suarez believes Paul Pogba should be challenging for more trophies than he is at Manchester United and would always be welcome at Barcelona.
Pogba has endured a turbulent two years since returning to Old Trafford for a then world-record fee of €105 million (Dh447 million) and his relationship with coach Jose Mourinho has become strained.
The 25-year-old rediscovered his best form away from his club, for France in the summer, when he inspired Les Bleus to World Cup glory in Russia, beating Uruguay and Suarez on the way.
But since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, United have failed to go close in either the Premier League or Champions League, while Barca have won three La Ligas in that time and the Champions League once.
“Pogba is an elite player who has won everything and we always want to have the best,” Suarez said.
“He is a player that has a lot of quality and who is one of the key players at United, and I think he would like to compete for more than he is competing for now.
“But that’s how it is, he does not belong to Barcelona but he will always be welcome.”
One Champions League crown in five years, however, represents a disappointing return for Barca, particularly while rivals Real Madrid have dominated the tournament, winning it three times in a row.
‘Team effort’
Lionel Messi, now captain after Andres Iniesta’s departure, has expressed his own desire to make amends, with the striker also coming off the back of a harrowing World Cup with Argentina. “He’s really motivated, even more so after the World Cup and the Champions League,” Suarez said.
“But it’s a really difficult competition to win and Messi can’t win it on his own. It has to be a ■ team effort, as good as he is.
“Obviously it’s infuriating for us because Madrid have won the Champions League in each of the last three years. They have made history and it’s a thorn in our side.”
One criticism levelled at coach Ernesto Valverde last season was that he overworked his players in La Liga, despite Barca enjoying a significant advantage at the top.
Suarez shoulders the blame too, pinpointing a league victory against Leganes when he played 90 minutes, three days before they were beaten in Europe by Roma. “When you pass 30 you begin to realise there are times when you have to rest,” Suarez said.
Bad decision
“I regret a lot the game against Leganes at home when we had a big lead in La Liga and the quarter-final with Roma three days later. I played the whole game and you get a bit tired.
“You have to manage things to be at your best in the big games. I think the coach is seeing those little details.”
Suarez turned 31 in January and scored 25 league goals last term. He would like to finish his career at the Camp Nou but admits it will be difficult.