GARETH’S CULTURE CLASH
Rare test against African side will do England world of good
ENGLAND’S friendly against Ivory Coast tonight will serve several useful purposes – not least that of a rehabilitation opportunity for Harry Maguire but it also to bring a welcome taste of something different to Wembley.
African footballers may have become commonplace around the Premier League but African national teams remain infrequent visitors.
This will be only the seventh time England have played host to one and after 39 successive games against European nations it will bring an interesting change of pace.
“I think a lot of European football is homogenised but I don’t think world football is yet,” said England manager Gareth Southgate. “There are definite tactical criteria that transfer across but there are definite attributes, traits and styles that do have cultural differences – South American football, the way it’s played, African football.
“In an ideal world we’d like to have exposed our players to more of that.We’ve always wanted to do that but we’ve missed that opportunity.
“When I talk to coaches from South America they’re regretting not having that opportunity as well in the last couple of years with the difficulties we’ve all faced.”
Covid may have narrowed horizons but England have faced African opposition only twice in the past decade with one of those occasions, against Tunisia at Russia 2018, required by a World Cup draw.
There have been more duels off the pitch for dual-qualified players than on it. The latest surrounds Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who made his England debut against Switzerland on Saturday but who remains on Ivory Coast’s radar.
“He can still choose Ivory Coast so we are working on that,” said coach Patrice Beaumelle. “When I saw him in the English lists I understood that at the moment he wants to try with the Three Lions.
“But the choice has to come from the heart. He did well in his first cap
but maybe we will try for the Ivory Coast – you never know. I’ll wait a few weeks and try to contact him to know if he is interested to come and try for the friendlies next time.”
Southgate is unlikely to start
Guehi tonight with Maguire set to be restored instead to the defence. After a harrowing season at Manchester United, Southgate wants the England fans behind him rather than on top of him tonight.
“He’s been a cult hero for England and he’s been a critical part of us getting to a World Cup semi-final and the Euros final,” said Southgate. “I recognise that at his own club, he’s perhaps not feeling that full support of the fans. But I never think that is going to help a player perform at his very best.”
England have never lost against African opposition in 19 matches and it would be a surprise if they did tonight, faced with opponents who were knocked out of the Africa Cup of Nations at the last-16 stage.
Still, as far as friendlies go, this first meeting with Ivory
Coast should be a valuable exercise.