GARETH WAITS FOR WAN-BISSAKA
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate is waiting to discover how seriously Aaron Wan-Bissaka is taking DR Congo’s attempts to make him switch allegiance. He is convinced the England Under 21 star can have a big future with the seniors but is wary of losing him if he continues to delay promoting him. Wan-Bissaka has one cap for DR Congo’s Under 20s. Even though Southgate already has right backs Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold in his squad, it seems only a matter of time before the Palace defender breaks through. Wan-Bissaka is likely to be in the squad for the European Under 21 Championship in Italy this summer. Meanwhile, England have climbed one place to fourth in FIFA’s latest world rankings. Belgium are first, France second with Brazil in third spot.
HIS team’s quest for a trophy at the World Cup ended in failure. But yesterday England manager Gareth Southgate did get a medal – as he collected his OBE at Buckingham Palace. And he wore one of his famous waistcoats as he received his honour from Prince Charles. Southgate, 48, made waistcoats fashionable as England reached the World Cup semi-finals in Russia last summer. After sporting his ‘lucky’ one on the touchline during games, he joked that he would never wear them again.
But yesterday he swapped his M&S version for a beige model teamed with black tails, blue tie and grey trousers.
Southgate, whose OBE was for services to football, said: ‘I’ve been involved in football for 30 years. Of course I’m aware that the recognition is as much for last summer and the work with the team, so I’m very grateful to all of the players and all the support team that work with me.’