LALLANA SHOWS SOUTHGATE’S BIG GUNS CARE, TOO

A COMMON misconception about players at elite clubs is that they do not care enough for international football. Gareth Southgate would get greater levels of commitment, we are told, if he selected his players from smaller concerns, primarily those in the bottom half of the table. Yet this week, James Tarkowski of Burnley withdrew from Southgate’s standby list to have hernia surgery, while Adam Lallana of Liverpool reported early for duty in the hope of proving his World Cup fitness, in case of an injury. Nothing against Tarkowski. No doubt his operation was necessary and no one would blame him for prioritising his club career over the off-chance of a late call-up. He might even think the nagging hernia would have prevented him performing to his best had the opportunity arisen. That is his choice. But it does rather challenge the idea that players at unsung clubs would run through brick walls to represent England, while the elite would cry off with a hangnail. Liverpool players involved in the Champions League final were not expected on England duty until after tomorrow’s game with Nigeria. Lallana reported to St George’s Park on Wednesday. It’s the person, not the club, that is important.