WHATEVER you do, don’t refer to Gareth Southgate’s England squad as a ‘Golden Generation’.
Except that they clearly and obviously are a Golden Generation.
GettyIt is time to accept England have a new Golden Generation[/caption]
GettyJude Bellingham was named as 2023 Young Player of the Year[/caption]
GettyJames Maddison and Bukayo Saka have been tearing it up in the Premier League[/caption]
GettyJohn Stones is one of the best centre-backs in the world[/caption]
Take this weekend as a snapshot and marvel at Jude Bellingham winning El Clasico for Real Madrid in Barcelona with two goals on his debut in world football’s greatest club fixture.
Witness Harry Kane’s audacious strike from inside his own half for Bayern Munich.
And then notice Phil Foden, John Stones, captain Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish all shining for the finest club team in the world as Manchester City wiped the floor with United at Old Trafford.
There are two North London clubs above City in the table and who are their most creative stars? James Maddison and Bukayo Saka.
Take all that in and ask why England shouldn’t embrace expectations.
After all, Bellingham, Kane and Declan Rice are thriving at clubs with greater ambition after upwardly mobile transfers.
It’s agreed that Southgate’s side could win the Euros in Germany next summer but why not just say they SHOULD win it?
That is a hangover from the failed ‘Golden Generation’ of the early 2000s.
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And the idea that if we talk up England’s chances, Scottish and Welsh people might snigger and other nations might declare us arrogant because of a misunderstood pop song Frank Skinner and David Baddiel sang before any of these players were born.
But it’s not mindless jingoism to appreciate Bellingham — 13 goals in as many games for the world’s biggest club — or Kane — 14 in 13 for mighty Bayern — and ask if there will be a better combination at nine and ten at the Euros.
Nor to witness Maddison, Foden and Grealish tearing it up and realising that none of them are in Southgate’s first-choice XI.
In the recent Champions League match between Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund, Nick Pope and Anthony Gordon were outstanding, yet neither are in England’s squad.
And while Chelsea are underperforming, there are eight Englishmen featuring under Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino.
This is not designed to pile undue pressure on Southgate, more to recognise the quality of his work.
Compare the previous ‘Golden Generation’ with the current crop and there was just as much world-class talent — Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry.
But they under-achieved because England’s squad culture was celebrity-obsessed, cliquey, paranoid and fearful of expectation at tournaments.
Southgate has reversed all that. And his is not just a lucky inheritance.
He played a key role in the revolution in English youth football small-sided matches and increased focus on technique.
The Three Lions have done well at three consecutive tournaments, while England’s Under-21s, Under-20s and Under-17s have all won them.
Everything is pointing to England triumphing in Germany.
If England are anywhere near full strength and playing to their potential, it’s difficult to imagine them losing to any European team other than France.
Last year’s World Cup quarter-final against Les Bleus was very tight.
And Bellingham’s elevation into Ballon d’Or contention should shift the balance in England’s favour there.
It’s probably time to admit the cosmopolitan nature of the Prem — with English participation at around 30 per cent — might not be such a hindrance.
The argument that the cream of homegrown talent would rise to the top is gaining credence.
Southgate has strength in depth in most areas.
Maddison is Bellingham’s deputy, Foden is understudy to Saka. He has more world-class right-backs than you can shake a stick at. What about the ‘nightmare’ prospect of Kane being injured?
Well, Ollie Watkins has ten goal involvements in as many games for Aston Villa, Callum Wilson boasts the best goals-per-minute ratio in the top flight, while Eddie Nketiah blasted a hat-trick on Saturday.
If there are ‘holes’ in Southgate’s starting line-up, then they are a partner for Stones in central defence and Rice in central midfield.
Southgate may stick with Harry Maguire and either Jordan Henderson or Kalvin Phillips.
But Levi Colwill, one of Poch’s gems, and Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton are two emerging left-footed centre-backs.
And it would be intriguing to see Trent Alexander-Arnold or James Ward-Prowse alongside Rice in midfield.
Everywhere you look, there is elite English talent.
Everywhere you look they are embracing expectations.
So why not just admit that this Golden Generation ought to be champions of Europe?
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