Jadon Sancho brings the example of Raheem Sterling to young English people | Soccer

Of the smiles that followed the beautiful dissection of the Czech Republic by England on Friday night, few were larger than those of Jadon Sancho when asked whether Raheem Sterling was now one of the dads of the team. "Yeah," said the 18-year-old. His face lit up as he began his eulogy. "His numbers are crazy this year and he shows all the kids what he's talking about. I'm just happy to share a lot with him. "

It was not so long ago, it would have been unusual for a 24-year-old man like Sterling to be considered an elderly statesman. In the new England of Gareth Southgate, all sorts of sober conventions are being torn with joy. The Manchester City striker has the second highest number of selections in the team with 48 – just one behind Jordan Henderson – and nine players have fewer than 10 appearances. Increasingly, the focus is on speed and youthfulness.

"We have seen very young players from other countries around the world try their luck, perhaps because they have limited resources and manpower, and we are a little in this situation now," he said. Southgate during the preparation of the next euro in England Qualification 2020 in Montenegro on Monday. "We have a smaller pool to choose from, so you need to think more creatively. You can not wait 40 or 50 league games, but that does not mean that the players do not have the quality they need to do well. "

This was evident in the 5-0 fight of the Czech Republic. Sancho, who became England's third-youngest beginner in a competitive match, scored Sterling's first goal, ahead of Callum Hudson-Odoi, who left the bench to break Duncan's 64-year record. Edwards becoming the youngest at 18. years and 135 days, made a brilliant cameo of 20 minutes that foreshadowed a dazzling future.

Southgate has always been one of the deepest thinkers in football, and he believes his team's makeup reflects broader cultural changes.

"I think young people from all walks of life have a bit more conviction," he said. "I think bosses in all sectors are less draconian in their way of working and I think it helps young people to come in, to be more creative and to believe that they can make a difference. They fear nothing. I think that in general, if they have the opportunity, they will surprise people. "

As Southgate conceded, the situation was different in his day, when young players had to know their place and gradually win their stripes. "You've been told:" Do not get carried away, you have to earn your right to play, you have to earn your right to do it, "he said." Has that made the most of us? "Probably not." We have acquired great qualities, and we must make sure not to lose that, because respect is important, as is the appreciation of what you have, but we also want to let the talents get caught in hand. . "

As Southgate acknowledges, part of the challenge now is to make sure these players keep their feet on the ground as their careers progress and find the right balance of gaming opportunities and business opportunities with England. Quoting Sir Alex Ferguson's behavior towards Ryan Giggs, he added: "Although they are not our players every day, I think we have the responsibility to ensure that we get the right balance for the club, but the more important for the player. "

Still, the English coach clearly believes that he has another star on Hudson-Odoi, promoted under 21 due to an injury to Marcus Rashford. "We found another player that we really like," he said.

"We were not sure he would be able to adapt to this level and we probably would have left him a little longer in the under 21s, but he has already proven in this environment that he can do more than adapt. He is a very confident boy, he is mature and the week will be fantastic for him. I'm really happy he showed people what he showed us all week in training. "

Southgate also made warm remarks to Sancho, which hopes to retain its place against Montenegro for its 19th anniversary. It is not that the Dortmund winger was completely satisfied with his performance against the Czech Republic, despite Sterling's badistance to England's first goal and to excite the crowd with nutmeg and draws. . "I think it could have worked better," he admitted. "My one-v-one were not so clean. But I was just happy to have participated in my first competitive game and to help the first goal. "

England should name a team similar to the one that beat the Czech Republic with only Eric Dier, who returned to Tottenham after suffering a hip injury, absent. Unsurprisingly, Southgate is waiting again for Harry Kane and Sterling to have a vital impact on the ground – and beyond. "To have such a prestigious striker, like Harry, who has such humility and such a weak ego, impresses the entire group because he is currently the star player," he added. "You would not know how it behaves, how it is applied to training, and how it is disciplined with its preparation and purpose.

"It's the same for Raheem. You see his concentration in the training, his preparation for these things, so for the young players who arrive, the equation is simple: if I do what these two do, there is High chances for me to realize the performances that they put. And if that happens, Sancho and Southgate will not be the only ones to smile.