NEW BREED OF LIONS OUTSHINE BECKHAM’S ‘GOLDEN’ BOYS
KYLE WALKER reckons this current England team is better than David Beckham’s ‘Golden Generation’.
England’s team of the Noughties which included the likes of Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand was once hailed the most talented for decades.
But Beckham & Co failed to deliver on the biggest stages, with their best effort being a World Cup quarter-final. Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions have reached a World Cup semi-final and a Euros final in their last two major tournaments.
Southgate has also overtaken Sir Alf Ramsey as the most successful England boss in history in terms of winning games in finals – having notched up nine triumphs.
The Three Lions are one of the favourites to go on and lift the World Cup in Qatar next month.
And Walker believes the talent now at Southgate’s disposal leaves the ‘Golden Generation’ in the shade.
He said: “You see the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount, Jack Grealish and Declan Rice in the current England squad.
“These players are not like what we’ve seen growing up from the England teams before, where it’s about you wear your heart on your sleeve and you go out and your hard work gets you through the games.
“Obviously that’s no disrespect to any of the players like Wayne Rooney, Joe Cole and David Beckham.
“These players had an array of talent, but probably not as much talent as what the current players have got.
“It’s a joy that the English game is actually developing in that way.”