It May Not Erase 51 Years of Hurt, but England Have a New Golden Generation
June 12, 2017
Fifty-one years after Bobby Moore
lifted the World Cup at Wembley, England can boast again that they are world
champions.
England's youngsters, drenched in
sweat from Suwon's stifling heat, made history on Sunday as Dominic
Calvert-Lewin's goal and a penalty save from Freddie Woodman — Gareth
Southgate's godson — ensured victory in the Under 20 World Cup final.
Paul Simpson's side are now the
world's best in their age group. This generation of England stars are off to
the best possible start.
England captain Lewis Cook lifts the World
Cup trophy above his head after the Young Lions beat Venezuela on Sunday
When Venezuela threw the kitchen
sink at Woodman's goal in the final 10 minutes, England didn't buckle. Instead,
they found a way to win.
Dominic Solanke, who must have
felt he was suffocating in the intense South Korean humidity, somehow found the
energy, twice, to chase the ball into the corner to run down the clock in
injury time.
Captain Lewis Cook looked to be
running on empty after covering every blade of grass, but found something extra
to make an excellent tackle in the closing stages.
This generation of England players
are sick of losing. And this crop look equipped to alter the wider perception
of English football.
Ask yourself this question: would
Marcus Rashford have gained more from playing in Sunday's final in Suwon or the
65 minutes he spent out of position against Scotland on Saturday?
Perhaps the Football Association
should have stuck to their original plan to name the Manchester United teenager
in the Under 21 squad for the European Championship later this month.
But they deserve enormous credit
for their commitment to England's junior teams. Not just for the investment,
but for their resolve to ensure the youngsters are not just an afterthought.
Often, though, the FA's hands are
tied. The daily development of young players remains in the hands of their clubs.
With that in mind, English football must not let them down.
Give them a chance. Let them
breathe, let them play in the Premier League.
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