Southgate is the one to guide our cubs... he was a big help to me
ENGLAND should stick with Gareth Southgate for at least four more years. That is according to former Three Lions striker Emile Heskey, who believes his former international team-mate needs to be given time in charge, no matter what happens at the World Cup. “It would be nice if someone was given a chance to actually grow,” said Heskey, who was speaking at the launch of the William Hill Arms Pub. “Especially when you are talking about playing young kids who are 22 or 23 and in four years’ time they are a bit more mature and, as a unit, a bit more solid. “But do we give people that chance? “I believe we should, but we don’t really get that opportunity. “I think Gareth should be given that chance, especially for the next four years, and should be told: ‘Look, take this group of lads and progress with them’. “He has taken that step, actually having young lads in the squad, and keeping them there. He is producing a group that’s solid enough to go and play in a tournament.”
Since taking charge of England, Southgate has earned praise for the way he has promoted young talent to the senior set-up.
Surprise
At the World Cup, only Nigeria and France have a younger average age than England among the 23 players they have selected for the tournament.
That includes Dele Alli and Ruben Loftus-cheek, both 22, Marcus Rashford, 20, and the youngest of all, Trent Alexander-arnold (left), who is just 19. But this has come as no surprise to Heskey, who has revealed how Southgate helped him settle into life in the England camp as a young player, 20 years ago.
The former Leicester and Liverpool front runner added: “He was different to how he is as a manager, but he was very good for young players.
“Him and Martin Keown were great for the young guys coming through. Always helping, always being there as a shoulder to lean on, always giving advice.
“As young players you were usually told to shut up and stay in the background – especially in my time. It was the era where youngsters were seen but not heard. But Gareth and Martin were brilliant – they allowed us to be ourselves.
“If we ever needed advice, they were the first people that you would speak to.
“It was good to have senior players like Gareth that you could talk to. You could sit down and have a conversation with them rather than staying within your own little clique.”
Having witnessed how Southgate helped him and other youngsters when he was a player, Heskey always thought his former team-mate had the makings of a manager. And he was convinced that Southgate would give youth a chance after landing the England job.
“I thought that, if anyone was going to do it, Gareth was more inclined to do it than others because he has worked with them through the age groups,” added Heskey.
“He knows their ability, their traits, whether they are good or bad, and what they bring to the squad – whereas generally other senior coaches don’t.”
Going into this summer’s World Cup expectations were low, given the young squad selected by Southgate.
Success
But, after defeating Tunisia in their opening game, supporters are starting to believe England could go deep into the knockout stages.
However, Heskey thinks success for the Three Lions should not be judged on how far they go at this World Cup but the style of football they play.
“Success is winning, isn’t it?” he said.
“But what would be a good tournament?
“We always say semi-finals, quarter-finals, but you want to see good football. I think that will be success.
“If you see good football, fluent football, players playing with no fear, I think that is success because, generally, we haven’t seen that.” »