Gareth Southgate salutes England’s young creative stars after San Marino stroll

Dan Kilpatrick @Dan_KP26 March 2021

Gareth Southgate says the days of “stodgy” international qualifiers can be a thing of the past, thanks to England’s young creative talent.

England began the road to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with a 5-0 win over San Marino at Wembley.

Qualifying matches for World Cups and European Championships have tended to be drab affairs but Southgate was able to further showcase the depth of England’s attacking options against the minnows.

With captain Harry Kane given the night off, Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice, with James Ward-Prowse, Raheem Sterling and debutant Ollie Watkins also on the scoresheet.

Mason Mount, Jesse Lingard and half-time substitutes Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden were eye-catching too, leaving Southgate excited by the depth in his squad.

“Sometimes these games have been stodgy for us but this team can play slightly differently,” Southgate said.

“We have some creative players who can open teams up and a lot of chances were created by the good pressing and winning the ball high up the pitch.

“But also by some of the interchange of positions and the vision of the players. If we were to be ultra-critical, we probably should have scored more but their goalkeeper had a fantastic game.

“We’ve got lots of good competition for places and there are a couple of different ways we can play. That flexibility will be important. But the most pleasing thing is the depth. We’ve got youngsters like Jude coming on and playing with confidence.

“We’ve got so many good, young players. It’s lovely to see them wearing an England shirt and feeling free enough to express themselves.”

Sterling, Mount, Reece James and John Stones were replaced at half-time, with Sunday’s qualifier in Albania and the visit of Poland next Wednesday to come.

The game against Albania is expected to go ahead after a security issue was resolved.

The Albanian FA said yesterday that local police had raised concerns over the safety of the teams. However, the county’s state police later issued a statement to say they had “taken all measures to guarantee order and security”.

West Ham loanee Lingard will be on of the players hoping for another chance to impress Southgate when England play in Tirana.

Lingard was heavily involved on his first England appearance since June 2019 but repeatedly frustrated by San Marino’s inspired goalkeeper Elia Benedettini, who denied him with a string of fine saves.

“I thought Jesse was excellent,” said Southgate, who was celebrating his 50th game in charge of the Three Lions. “It’s really pleasing to see him playing football, enjoying his football, playing with a smile on his face.

“We know his qualities. He’s a player that technically is good, passes and moves, has intelligence and works incredibly hard without the ball.”

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