“In my head he’s one of the few English sportsmen that I felt could impact them [the players], make them think,” Southgate – himself a keen village cricketer said.
“He’s authentic, he talked brilliantly about getting the right balance of fearlessness but recognising that anybody’s going to have nerves. It’s still making good decisions under pressure. He was able to talk to them about some leadership aspects, the culture he’d tried to create.
“I think that backed up some of the things we’re doing so we were pleased that it reaffirmed some ideas as well. I just think he’s a hugely impressive guy that’s relatable to their age.”
The use of the word “fearlessness” will be music to the ears of England fans. Too often in the past caution has been the watchword but, having restored confidence and having steadily brought back belief in previous tournaments, starting that rehab job with the 2018 World Cup, Southgate accepts what the next step entails.
It does not necessarily mean being ‘gung-ho’ with England tactics, not least because there is always a logical acknowledgement that defensively well-organised teams win tournaments: Argentina in the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Italy in the last Euros, France in 2018 and Portugal in 2016 to name the last four major finals, alone.
But it is a step towards acknowledging that for this England squad there is an array of attacking weapons that are the envy of the rest of Europe. And Southgate knows he must utilise that strength to ward off criticism – not that he is too concerned about that – but, more importantly, to provide England with the best chance of winning. There needs to be no regrets or inhibitions.
“Seven or eight years ago we were trying to protect the team from the pressure,” Southgate explained, having taken over in 2016 after the trauma of exiting the Euros to Iceland and the Sam Allardyce fiasco following Roy Hodgson leaving.
“The pressure was too much and the level and experience of the team weren’t ready to cope with that. Now we know that we are and we know we are one of the teams that can go there and win. There are several but we are absolutely in that group and we have to embrace that challenge.”
Southgate has selected a 33-man provisional squad – more than any other coach at the Euros – which will be whittled down to 26 by midnight on Friday, Uefa’s deadline, after the Iceland game has ended at Wembley.
Southgate’s reasoning is because there are so many injury doubts, some quite serious, and players at varying levels of fitness and preparedness. However he admitted he had already spoken to the young uncapped players in the squad to let them know they are unlikely to make it.