Jordan Pickford got the nod for the 1-0 win over Holland on Friday, but Southgate said it had always been the plan for both goalkeepers to get a game each.
Advertisement
Of course, many were joking about England’s predicament, making light of their chances ahead of the tournament in Russian Federation this summer…
Eric Dier will captain the Three Lions, while Ashley Young will make his first global start in five years after a resurgent campaign with Manchester United.
Gareth Southgate’s players only have one more chance to prove their World Cup worth, but the England manager insists Jack Wilshere’s absence against Italy is not necessarily the death knell for his hopes of heading to Russian Federation.
Leading football magazine FourFourTwo has ranked the 19 worst moments in England national team history, with Croatia contributing to the pain twice.
“At the beginning of the week we made a decision to give both a game for the experience”, Southgate said in a press conference.
The home side began to see much more of the ball and spend more time in Italy’s half following the goal, probing the Azzurri’s back line with pace and direct running.
Gary Lineker tweeted: “If VAR is going to turn us over, it’s better to happen now”.
“If you want your country to do well, as everyone says, bring a positive light into it. Make the boys go off to the World Cup with clear heads, knowing everyone’s behind them, everyone’s with them”.
Southgate handed a debut to Burnley central defender James Tarkowski, who started alongside John Stones and Kyle Walker in a back three.
“Trust me, I think you’ll definitely see a better England”.
It has been a unusual year or so for England’s talented young goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Gareth Southgate has told England’s World Cup hopefuls there are still places up for grabs as he prepares to finalise his squad for the tournament in Russian Federation.
England will look to continue their momentum as they face an Italy side that have initiated their rebuilding phase at Wembley on Tuesday.
“It’s not too late for anybody”, Southgate said.
“We’ve got to get the balance of those things, you know?” We have a much younger team at the moment with not much global experience.
Lorenzo Insigne made no mistake from the spot, rifling past goalkeeper Jack Butland three minutes from time to ensure honours even and leave Southgate bemused at the technology’s continuing issues.
It was Gray’s sixth goal in 17 appearances for the England U-21s, and the Leicester City youngster would now like to add to that tally with the senior England team, as he believes that he has got the ability to succeed at the highest level.
Jack Wilshere will play no part in Tuesday’s game as he returned to Arsenal due to injury.
Advertisement
“It is not a problem I consider so far”, Di Biagio said.
