Kids are all right, but we need more to pick from
MEET Germany in Russia next summer and Ruben LoftusCheek is unlikely to enjoy the time and space to perform with the swagger he displayed at Wembley last night. Just ask the Brazilians who arrive here next on Tuesday.
But just as Harry Winks so impressed in Vilnius last month, another bright young English midfielder has broken through with almost perfect timing.
This, after all, was fast becoming a problem area for Gareth Southgate and his England side, memories of Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson stagnating as a partnership in that central area all too raw and recent.
Southgate now at least has more options, with the sight of this lad from Lewisham tackling both the opposition and the occasion with such confidence and composure a massive plus for the England manager.
Southgate would have delighted not just in the nutmegs but the manner in which, head up, LoftusCheek was so fearless and positive on his international debut. For the FA, too, it was a further cause for celebration in a week when they have been keen to showcase English talent coming through the ranks.
The Under 17 World Cup was paraded at St George’s Park on Monday and last night here at the national stadium, senior figures in the organisation have been too happy to point out that the ‘pathway is working’.
But a nagging problem remains and it is from where this talent is emerging, and just how difficult it can sometimes remain to navigate the route along that pathway.
Just like Tammy Abraham, who was also making his first senior England appearance, LoftusCheek has had to go out on loan to get this far.
And even then it remains a remarkable rise given that at almost 22 he has made just 12 Premier League starts and has yet to win a game this season.
Compare him to Germany’s Leroy Sane, who is the same age
and has played 57 top-flight games already in Germany and England, and one can see some worrying trends developing.
Take nothing away from this young England side. Given that this was a contest between 101 caps and nearly 300, the most inexperienced England side since 1980 did well — however easy the Germans seemed to take it in the second half.
But the presence of LoftusCheek and Abraham were a clear sign of things to come for an England manager who bemoaned the fact this week that, as well as operating in a European country that does not recognise the wisdom of a winter break, he is selecting a squad of 23 or so from only 70 Premier League players. It certainly will not be lost on Southgate that Loftus-Cheek and Abraham had to leave Chelsea in search of regular football, one moving to Crystal Palace while the other had to load up his car and head down the M4 to Swansea.
Just as Southgate will realise that had he left Loftus-Cheek and Abraham with the Under 21s, Aidy Boothroyd would have had seven loan players in his squad.
It is certainly a concern that the five players who have remained with the junior side are on loan at clubs outside the Premier League. They belong to Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton, but they are playing at Shrewsbury Town, Norwich, Hull, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
This might not be such a concern if Southgate wasn’t becoming increasingly reliant on the English players now coming up through the ranks. He called up goalkeeper Angus Gunn from the Under 21s last night and may recruit more as cover for the game here against Brazil.
The manager has even admitted that it might not be long before he is looking at some of those Under 17 stars. It would be determined by how much involvement they had at their clubs.
Right now Southgate still insists on ignoring players not playing regular first-team football. It was the principal reason, he said, why Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere had not been called up.
But one wonders how long he can maintain such a stance when it is becoming increasingly difficult for English players to populate the top flight.
The solution might be more loan players moving to teams sitting towards the base of the Premier League or lower still. It is understood Southgate would prefer to see Wilshere make another move away from north London rather than have to wait for the Europa League to come around to get a decent run out for Arsenal.
England’s very best continue to stand among the elite, of course. Had they all been fit, Southgate would have been picking players who only last week were here conquering Real Madrid.
But international football is about more than 11 players, particularly at a tournament, and the reality for England’s manager is more of what we witnessed here.
On ITV last night Ryan Giggs was asked how life for young British footballers today compares to a time when he was first emerging at United. ‘It’s a lot tougher now,’ said Giggs.
Tougher for Southgate too when he heads towards next summer’s World Cup trying to create a successful England team from a talent pool that continues to shrink.