Getting nation back onside will be lasting legacy
England leave the competition as one of the last four teams standing. And few people could have foreseen that two months ago, let alone at the start of a low-key qualification campaign.
There have been definite signs of progress in performances and results, but it is what it has done in terms of bringing people together that will be the lasting legacy of Gareth Southgate’s team in Russia.
The television viewing figures have gone through the roof, the impact has been immense on the country. There is real fervour and a feelgood factor back in English international football, however ephemeral that might be. Do not underestimate the significance of that because in some quarters there was indifference towards the England team for some time. That has changed after this World Cup.
If I can draw an analogy from my own experience of international football. When I was part of the Northern Ireland team that reached the quarter-finals in 1982, to great fanfare back home, it seemed to bring a sense of togetherness, and while the analogy might not exactly fit, England has been experiencing a great sense of camaraderie.
The England supporters have put renewed faith into the national team, enthusiasm for international football and admiration for the players. There is pride in the shirt again, both from those who wear it and those who follow it.
Southgate deserves credit for events in Russia, with his reputation enhanced. His message to his players after the semi-final defeat will be simple. A benchmark has been set. Compliments have been pouring in but there has never been a better time to kick on.
They have to push on because, like all talented sides, they still have things to improve upon. They will have learnt a great deal over the last few weeks, not least when you have the opposition on the ropes, you have to finish them off. In reality, if England had scored a second goal before half-time it would have been a long way back for Croatia. Southgate’s team should have then been able to manage affairs in the second half.
They have established their reputations on the international stage nonetheless, but now they have to come back and cement them at the next tournament, the Euros in two years’ time. I am sure after the disappointment of not making the final has subsided, they cannot wait to pull on an England shirt and play at Wembley again.
There is a different attitude to the team, the public will be right behind this young, proficient group. That is a huge shift in perception and that is important.
We have also seen a number of players enhance their reputations, particularly Kieran Trippier, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Jordan Pickford and Jordan Henderson. But I was particularly pleased for Ashley Young. I signed him as a young winger from Watford and he was instrumental for us at Aston Villa, becoming a top-class player. When the dust settles, a World Cup semi-final appearance will be an incredible memory for him.
Harry Kane can point to his goals, he is the top scorer going into the weekend and has had a decent tournament, even if he did look a little tired and discomforted against Sweden and Croatia.
I would not be at all surprised if it transpires he was carrying some sort of injury, but he captained his country extremely well.
All of these players, they are household names now. People like Trippier, who has been England’s breakout star of this tournament, coming in under the radar and Maguire and Pickford, who were superb, their lives will be changed forever. Having said that, England will definitely feel a sense of regret because this was an opportunity, in a semi-final against Croatia, that they felt they were good enough to take. It was within their grasp.
Had Kane scored to make it 2-0, it would have been very hard to see Croatia getting back into the game – but it is all ifs and buts. Southgate has said they will not be at their peak until the next World Cup, but that is four years away and some of the players may not get a better chance. Four years is such a long time in a player’s career and even younger ones may come through in that time. There will also be players on the fringes of this squad who are determined to push on.
Germany and Spain will go back to the drawing board. Brazil will improve again and who knows, France and Belgium’s strength in depth may become more profound, but one thing is certain. Life will be different for everyone at the next World Cup in Qatar.
Having said that, England have got the nation strongly behind them again. In the aftermath of being knocked out, it hurts at the time, but they can reflect positively on things. I am sure they will do.
Now the challenge is to build on this and get even better. The foundations are in place and the conspicuous talent exists for England to have a really successful period in future tournaments.