Lions need Jack and a goal or two

FOOTBALL is entering a brave new world when you can win an England cap before you’ve even started a game in the Premier League.

I’ve got no problem with Gareth Southgate handing Dominic Solanke his debut from the bench against Brazil.

Good luck to the kid – Solanke’s potential is exciting, just as Joe Gomez was excellent and Ruben LoftusCheek’s debut was bursting with promise against the Germans four days earlier.

I like Southgate’s message to young players: If you’re good enough, you’re old enough to play international football.

And I approve of an England coach who is prepared to look beyond the so-called ‘big six’ clubs for his players, picking a team on merit and not just reputation.

Loftus-Cheek’s talent has not been diminished by playing for Crystal Palace, rock-bottom of the Premier League, and that should give hope to every youngster in the top flight.

But in his determination to shed the inhibitions and conservative traits which have constrained so many Three Lions bosses, I wonder if Southgate has gone too far the other way.

Where, for example, does this leave Jack Wilshere (left)? When he’s fit, surely England’s depth of talent is not so great they can wash their hands of him at 25.

And let’s not go overboard about two goalless draws.

In friendlies, where results are less important than the performance, 80,000-plus crowds need to see GOALS.

Well done to Southgate for keeping clean sheets against the two best international teams in the world, but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.

To win football matches, you have to score.