NATIONS LEAGUE
Gareth’s a guru for Spanish FA
SERGIO RAMOS believes that Harry Kane is one of the few England players with the technical skill to play in Spain.
The Spanish captain will tonight attempt to lead his side to consecutive victories over Kane and England when they clash in the Nations League here in Seville.
Spain won 2-1 at Wembley last month in the opening game of both countries’ campaigns, with goals from Saul and Rodrigo after Marcus Rashford had given Gareth Southgate’s team an early lead. England kept their Nations League hopes alive with a goalless draw in Croatia on Friday night, a match that marked Kane’s sixth straight international without a goal.
Ramos though is a fan of the Tottenham striker and thinks Kane, who will again lead the England attack tonight at the FORMER World Cup winners Spain have paid Gareth Southgate the massive compliment of asking him for advice on how to organise a successful major tournament mission. Spain, the 2010 champions, were a disaster in Russia in the summer. They bowed out to the hosts in the round of 16 after their manager Julen Lopetegui was axed two days before the tournament. In the past, the FA have sought access to the methodology of both the Spanish and German FAs in an attempt to find the solution to their own historical struggles. Now, after just one summer, it seems the tables have turned. The Spanish FA contacted their England counterparts after the World Cup to find out details about the use of St George’s Park and the logistical organisation of the finals themselves, which were heralded a triumph off the pitch as well as on it.
England gave their best performance for 28 years. The Three Lions could still learn something from the Spaniards about the production of home talent suitable for the international stage.
But Southgate’s holistic approach to the international set-up since taking over has certainly drawn their attention.
A Spain source said: “The English FA have asked us for help in the past, that’s on record, but this time we spoke to them after the World Cup.
“They had a very impressive campaign and are running things very well.”