Heskey: Give Gareth 4 years to build Lions
Emile Heskey says England should stick with Gareth Southgate for at least four more years – regardless of what happens in Russia.
The former Three Lions striker insists it’s the only way to build continuity with such a young team.
Southgate’s England can book their place in the World Cup last 16 today if they beat Panama.
And Heskey insists the manager is only starting to put his stamp on the side.
The former Liverpool star said: “It would be nice if someone was given a chance to actually grow in the job.
“Especially when you are talking about young players who are 22 or 23.
“In four years’ time they will be a bit more mature and as a unit they will be a bit more solid.
“But do we give people that chance? I believe we should but we don’t really see that opportunity given.
“I believe Gareth should probably get the chance, especially for the next four years. We should say, ‘ Take this group of lads and progress with them.’
“He has already taken that step of actually having young lads in, keeping them in and producing a squad that’s solid enough to play in a tournament.”
Since taking charge of England, Southgate has earned plenty of praise for the way he has brought through youngsters such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ruben Loftus- Cheek into the senior set-up.
Only the Nigeria and France squads have a younger average age than the 23 players England have selected for the tournament.
That has come as no surprise to Heskey, who has revealed how Southgate helped him to settle into life in the England camp when he was a young player 20 years ago. Heskey said: “He was good for young players.
“Him and Martin Keown were great for the young players coming through.
“They were a lways helping, always there as a shoulder to lean on, always giving advice.
“As young players you are told to shut up and stay in the background – especially in the era we grew up in. That was the era where you were seen but not heard.
“But Gareth and Martin were brilliant. They allowed you to be yourself.
“If you ever needed advice or anything, they were the first that you spoke to. It was good to have senior players like that.
“You could sit down and have a conversation with them, rather than with someone inside your usual little clique.”
Expectations were always low for England success at this World Cup due to the young squad selected by Southgate.
But after victory over Tunisia in their opening game, England fans are starting to bel ieve this squad could go deep into the knockout stages.
Heskey thinks success for the Three Lions should not be judged on how far they go at the World Cup – but on the style of football they play along the way.
“Success is winning, isn’t it?” he said.
“But what would be a good tournament for this England team?
“We always say semif inals, quarters, but you want to see good football. That would be success.
“If you see good football, f luent footbal l, players playing with no fear, I think that is success because generally we haven’t seen that in the past.”