SAMBA GREAT WHO HAS SEEN THE HIGHS AND LOWS

BE PROUD OF YOUNG LIONS

I’M SURE the semi-final defeat to Croatia was painful, but England should be proud of how well they did at this World Cup.

Manager Gareth Southgate did a great job, building an team that played modern football.

And you look through the squad and see so many young players who stepped up and performed.

I spoke about Kieran Trippier and Jesse Lingard last week, but the guy who really stood out on Wednesday night was Jordan Pickford (below).

He’s only 24, but he’s got so much personality. He made some stunning saves and you can tell that he’s a leader, organising his defence in front of him.

Pickford is a safe pair of hands and has been one of the best goalkeepers at this World Cup.

He looked gutted after the Croatia match, but England have to remember that every defeat teaches you a lesson.

The disappointment will help the team grow, even if it’s hard to focus on the positives right now.

Some people have said that England paid for their inexperience against a streetwise team, but I don’t see it like that.

The physical side was more important: the energy levels just dropped in the second half.

A lot of the players had long, testing seasons – they ran and ran, but just couldn’t give any more in extra time. That’s what made the difference in the end.

But if guys like Pickford, Harry Kane and Dele Alli continue to improve, England will be even stronger by 2022. Gareth Southgate can build on this and they’ll be a force in Qatar.