Clubs will need to help in a unique year – Southgate
ENGLAND ALBANIA 5 0
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate is hopeful of getting the full cooperation of clubs as he admits picking the right squad for next year’s World Cup will be vital given the rapid turnaround.
The Three Lions moved to the brink of qualification with victory over Albania on Friday night thanks to a Harry Kane hat-trick and further goals from Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson – all in the first half.
It means England only need to avoid defeat in San Marino tonight to qualify for the World Cup.
The Premier League will pause next season after the weekend of November 12-13 2022, with the World Cup in Qatar kicking off just over a week later. The World Cup final takes place on December 18, with the Premier League campaign restarting on Boxing Day.
Such a tight schedule presents new issues for international bosses such as Southgate, who are usually able to spend plenty of time with their players before major summer tournaments. Indeed, the manager believes the break offered to players at the end of the current season will be crucial and that it will be more difficult to pick anyone who is not fit and ready for action next winter.
“I think there’s a balance because even with the internationals in the summer, there is the opportunity for three or four weeks of rest,” he said.
“What’s important is that there is a break at the end of this season.
“Next season is unique. Normally we go into tournaments picking up the pieces at the end of a season, but this will be during the season.
“The unknown is what will happen with the tight turnaround after the last league matches.
“Sometimes when you pick up any injuries before tournaments, you can have a few weeks to get things right.
“That won’t be possible for any of the countries that qualify, so everybody is going to have to select their squad in a very short period of time. It is going to be key to get those decisions right.”
Southgate admits the goodwill of clubs will be more important to him than ever.
“I think, without a doubt, that medically we will hope to get the help of clubs because you can’t always get the full picture until the players are with us,” he added. “And because the turnaround is so tight, we are going to need more insight.”
Meanwhile, Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw have all withdrawn from the squad ahead of the San Marino game.
Conor Gallagher, the Chelsea midfielder currently on loan at Crystal Palace, will join the group.
Henderson and Grealish return to Liverpool and Manchester City respectively for further assessment on injuries. City forward Sterling is unavailable due to a personal matter while Chelsea’s Mount requires dental surgery and Manchester United leftback Luke Shaw has concussion.
England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, James (Alexander-Arnold 77), Henderson, Phillips (Bellingham 64), Chilwell, Foden (Grealish 63), Kane (Abraham 63), Sterling (Smith-Rowe 77). Not Used: Mings, Ramsdale, Saka, Johnstone, Coady.
Goals: Maguire 9, Kane 18, 33, 45, Henderson 28. Albania: Strakosha, Ismajli, Kumbulla (Dermaku 17), Veseli, Hysaj, Gjasula, Bare (Laci 12), Trashi (Mihaj 46), Uzuni (Roshi 86), Cikalleshi, Bajrami (Ramadani 46). Not Used: Berisha, Lenjani, Cekici, Doka, Hoxhallari, Selmani, Balaj.
Booked: Gjasula, Cikalleshi, Ismajli, Laci. Attendance: 80,366.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany).