England boys must now build on their success.. and beware the pitfalls

ENGLAND’S Under-20s did themselves and the nation proud by winning the World Cup.

They deserve their time in the sun that physically and metaphorically is now sure to follow.

But there are two things I don’t want to see from any of them in the coming days, weeks and months.

Because either would tarnish or perhaps even destroy the legacy they have created this summer.

Firstly, I don’t want to see pictures of any of the Lion Cubs sniffing balloons, passing out drunk on pavements or, just as bad, appearing in rap videos to promote their transfers. Any of those would be a major worry, a sign they had already fallen into the “made it” trap.

Secondly, I don’t want to see any of them resting on their laurels because they now have a wonderful opportunity to build on their achievements in South Korea.

The under-17s and 19s will be looking up to them, and the 21s will now be feeling the pressure to make the step up and win their Euro Championship, which starts in Poland this week.

That is a good thing all round but particularly, and most importantly, for Gareth Southgate.

The boys from the under-20s squad will be 21 next summer when the senior World Cup finals come round and I’d love to see two or three of them giving the Three Lions boss something to think about between now and then.

It’s still a massive jump but there’s nothing to stop him giving a chance to someone who has earned it if they kick on and play well next season.

If they’re not quite ready there’s no harm in dropping them back down to their age group.

But as they jet off on their holidays this week there isn’t just one sun-filled vista on the horizon but another big, wide one from which Harry Kane & Co are waving and saying, ‘Boys, come and join us’.

To get there, they will have to be playing regular first-team football and I would be a massive advocate of any of them going out on loan, even to the Championship. When I was 19, I joined Crystal Palace but after a couple of years dropped down to the second tier and my time there with Southend was invaluable.

The automatic assumption if you’re at one of the Big Six clubs and not playing is you should go on loan to a side in the bottom half of the Premier League. But why not go to a top-six team in the Championship? Kyle Walker went to Aston Villa, Sheffield United and QPR in his early years at Tottenham and it didn’t do him any harm.

If you’re outstanding next season in either division then, having been successful in this Under-20s World Cup, you’re at least going to be considered for a call-up.

The last thing England’s World Cup winners need now is to play three or four cup games next term and for the public to forget what they have achieved.

So go on, lads, grab your opportunities and build on your success.