Regardless of how far they go, I think it's possible that this England team is the classiest bunch of players to wear the shirt.
That's partly due to the manager, but also because the kids are alright. No matter what papers or politicians occasionally try to insist otherwise.
That's partly due to the manager, but also because the kids are alright. No matter what papers or politicians occasionally try to insist otherwise.
https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1411439226630119425
I think it's partly because this isn't the first generation of players to get the big contracts from a very young age.
But they ARE the first generation to grow up knowing it will happen, to be given extra support by the clubs, and to be more comfortable with social media.
But they ARE the first generation to grow up knowing it will happen, to be given extra support by the clubs, and to be more comfortable with social media.
Doesn't mean they don't go too far sometimes or make mistakes.
But it does mean they're better prepared to deal with the shit that gets thrown at them, and better supported when it does.
See Rashford and Sterling for examples there.
But it does mean they're better prepared to deal with the shit that gets thrown at them, and better supported when it does.
See Rashford and Sterling for examples there.
And, on top of that, in the England setup they have Gareth Southgate and people like Jordan Henderson there to support and encourage them. They have humble role models.
It's weird to think that if Big Sam hadn't stuck his hand in the gravy boat, Southgate wouldn't be there now.
It's weird to think that if Big Sam hadn't stuck his hand in the gravy boat, Southgate wouldn't be there now.
Basically, this England team: from young players, through veterans, to the manager, is EVERYTHING that the jingoistic nastiness often attached to English football hates.
And because they're WINNING, that side of the fandom can't hate on them either.
They're legit role models.
And because they're WINNING, that side of the fandom can't hate on them either.
They're legit role models.
And it's worth acknowledging they're not afraid to be vocal, or visible about it either. Witness the continued taking of the knee, Henderson's tweets, Saka talking about poverty and education, Southgate's columns on what Englishness is and more.
https://twitter.com/JHenderson/status/1410294934083620869
Their performances, and their victories are their primary source of social capital. That's a HUGELY valuable resource to them as young footballers. It's what gives them the benefit of the doubt on the pitch, in the press, when things don't go as well.
Social capital is almost the only currency they have to earn, in a world where they pull in HUGE wages.
Almost to a man, they're instead spending that capital on just being decent people right now.
That team is one of the few things making me proud to be English right now.
Almost to a man, they're instead spending that capital on just being decent people right now.
That team is one of the few things making me proud to be English right now.
So to finish this thread:
IT'S
COMING
HOME.
🏴
IT'S
COMING
HOME.
🏴
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