Jude Bellingham is the game-changer as England beat Italy to qualify for Euro 2024


Gareth Southgate believes he has become better at ignoring outside opinions over the course of his career and has once again warned England’s boo boys that he will not allow selection for the national team to become a popularity contest.

Just as he did ahead of last month’s game in Ukraine, Southgate has insisted that he will not let criticism stop him picking Jordan Henderson, who was booed by a section of England fans in last Friday night’s victory over Australia.

Southgate is expected to replace Henderson with Kalvin Phillips on tonight, but has stressed that his decision will be his own.

“I’ll always pick the players that I think are the best players to represent the team, that give us the best chance of winning, unless there’s something that I feel is not appropriate,” said the England manager.

“In this instance, people may disagree with Jordan’s stance or decision given the stance he’s taken in the past to support the LGBT community. But I don’t think that’s a reason to not select him. I don’t actually think that’s a reason to boo him.

“We’ll assess Jordan like every other player. But if I just select on a popularity contest, then our team would look very, very different.”

Hinting heavily on Monday that Phillips will start ahead of Henderson against Italy, Southgate explained why the midfielder’s lack of action at Manchester City has not cost him his England place.

“In my view, he’s still a very important player for us,” said Southgate. “He is a big player. He’s behind some world-class players at his club, so the challenge for him of getting in his team is completely different to players who have a lesser challenge at their clubs to get in. 

“So those are the assessments you’ve always got to make. Is it a player who isn’t as good as Phillips but is playing regularly? Or is it a player like Kalvin, who is an outstanding player – and that’s why he’s playing at the club he’s at – but can’t get games because Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Kovacic are some of the best midfield players in the world?”

Southgate was similarly supportive of Marcus Rashford, who is in line to start on the left despite scoring just once for Manchester United this season.

“Well, his form with us is excellent,” said Southgate. “His last game at Hampden [against Scotland] was top level. His running in behind, his link play, his defensive work for the team was excellent. 

“He’s had a smile on his face all week with us. I can’t comment on his club. He’s obviously not getting the goals this year that he did last year. But with us, we’re really happy. He’s been really electric in training and we’re looking forward to seeing him play.”

Probable England team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Rice, Phillips; Foden, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.



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