England boss thrilled with impact made by Saka and Smith Rowe
GARETH SOUTHGATE today hailed Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka as a “huge breath of fresh air” as he prepares to whittle down his abundance of attacking talent.
The England manager will name his squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers — the final international break before Euro 2020 — on March 18. England face San Marino (March 25, home), Albania (March 28, away) and Poland (March 31, home).
Saka, 19, has four senior caps while 20-year-old Smith Rowe is yet to be included in a squad and faces stiff competition from Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Mason Mount among others. The percentage of England-qualified players in the top flight has grown in recent years and Southgate says the Gunners are setting a trend.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Emile Smith Rowe getting his opportunity at Arsenal… we know those kids are there and we know talent is there, but when the buying and spending power of the clubs is greater than anything around Europe and the pressure is on to have immediate success it is easier to go and buy the finished product from abroad.
“There was always this blockage for young English players, now they’re getting their chance. Those two boys at Arsenal, Saka and Smith Rowe, have been a huge breath of fresh air in their team and there are more across the country if they get their opportunity.”
As well as picking in-form players, Southgate knows experience is required at the highest level, which could boost West Ham’s Jesse Lingard, who was a trusted member of the World Cup squad in 2018 and is reviving his career in east London.
“There is a lot of talent,” said Southgate. “It is a case of who is playing the best, who do we think has the pedigree, who has performed at a high level before, coupled with who is in form and who fits into the way we want to play.
“The squad has to evolve all the time. If there is ever complacency, the young players have provided that competition and energy.
“You need experienced players who have got to those latter stages of tournaments, who are used to winning and have maybe won trophies.
We’ve got to get the balance right.”