Kyle Walker’s Pace Is A Tremendous Asset – Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate has claimed his England players rediscovered the enjoyment of playing for their country on the way to defeating Netherlands.

“There were a lot of individual positives and perhaps the most pleasing thing is that the players looked like they enjoyed their football tonight and enjoyed having the ball,” Southgate said.

“We have a different type of player coming through now compared to those we have had in the past and I want them to play with freedom.

“They are capable of playing in a composed way and want to do so. They can play with angles, some of it was outstanding, and they are intelligent footballers.

“I shouldn’t be inhibiting the way they play. Sometimes they will concede possession, and there will be a ‘woah’ moment, but playing with freedom it is the way I want to play my football.

“I was really pleased with the composure. A bit more quality in the final third was probably needed at times, but we deserved the win and it was a well-taken goal by Jesse, started by our goalkeeper.”

“In a back three, we knew the position would suit Joe Gomez and it’s the same for Kyle,” he said. “You need to be comfortable defending in wide areas, but being a full-back means you are composed on the ball in those areas.

“Kyle’s pace is a tremendous asset, but if you watch City play, the left-back projects into midfield and Kyle doesn’t maraud forward as he did at Spurs.

“He stays behind and the added bonus is his club relationship with John Stones.

“When you pick a squad for a World Cup, you sometimes take two for one position, but I don’t want to take six centre-backs. So if Eric Dier or Kyle can play in central defence, I could take more attacking players.”