Players must put the team first in Euros, not their personal ambition
THE expanded 26-man squad size for the Euros will spare Gareth Southgate a few awkward Eric Dier-style conversations but he fears it could end up causing him more problems than it solves.
He knows from experience what it feels like to be one of the forgotten men – having come home from the 2002World Cup without playing a minute.
The saintly Southgate being Southgate, he saw the bigger picture as one of the 23 in Japan but not all of his team-mates did and he is realistic enough to know he could end up babysitting some frustrated dummy spitters.
“The challenge we have actually comes now as we have to keep 15 who aren’t on the team sheet happy,” said Southgate. “And that’s impossible, by the way. If everybody is available and fit for each match we could end up with people not even on the bench, so that’s not great for the team dynamic.
“The dynamic of the group is something I can’t emphasise enough. It’s England first and ‘name on the back’ second because we could really fall down if we don’t get that right.
“The disappointment of not getting in has derailed teams in the past. I have seen it with other countries.When I left
Japan I knew I hadn’t kicked a ball but felt I had played a part for the team.
“I had provided strong opposition for the forwards, I had stopped Martin Keown from kicking them as he had the hump. I had enjoyed learning about the experiences of being away.
“It’s difficult.They are young players, they are driven, they want to play, they are ambitious. So we recognise we have to be emotionally intelligent to deal with that.”
Spain manager Luis Enrique opted to pick only 24 players in his squad to head off any potential splits before they have a chance to develop.
Southgate, despite his reservations over UEFA’s expansion for this tournament, has chosen not to.
“I suspect he’s also got back-up knowing their 21s are in the European finals and if they have any issues in the first 10 days or so he will be able to call in some very good quality players from that group,” said Southgate.
“With us, we’d be calling players back off the beach after a fortnight and that wouldn’t work.
“The risk of not taking 26, especially if we’ve got injury doubts and we just don’t know what could happen with Covid, is too great.”