SAYS HERO TRIPPIER
manager, with these players, the team are only going to progress.”
Southgate has had praise lavished on him for the way he has introduced a new playing philosophy to the national team.
But perhaps his biggest success has been to defuse the combustible club rivalries that the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard all admitted caused England’s so-called Golden Generation to self-destruct.
Trippier insists that reporting for England duty is a pleasure rather than a pain. And as the team spirit has grown, new firm friendships have been forged.
“There is great chemistry in the squad,” said the defender. “I really think we will go far in the next tournament because we have got a great team spirit and a very young team that wants to succeed.
“I don’t know how it was in the past, but I made my debut last year and didn’t see one bit of club rivalry.
“The manager has little things that make us communicate and understand each other. Things like no phones at the dinner tables and all the staff eating with the players.
“Everybody interacts. I can also speak on behalf of every one of the players and say that every time they get called up for England, they all love coming here.
“I love representing England. There are no egos, everybody wants to play for England, to win for each other and, most importantly, to win for the manager.
“It’s a great future going forward with this team, trust me.”