It was interesting to observe the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw outside the England dressing-room on Saturday night.
Gareth Southgate has personally called up some injured players to check on them and reassure them they are part of his plans, and Alexander-Arnold and Shaw are sure to make the squad for Germany if proving their fitness.
Indeed, their chances of starting at the Euros were enhanced during the defeat by Brazil, given left back Ben Chilwell and midfielder Conor Gallagher did not enjoy the best of nights.
Alexander-Arnold was in the company of former Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson as they headed for the team bus, and he was another whose stock perhaps increased without playing.
Gallagher, in fairness, emerged to speak to the written press and his place in the squad, if not the starting line-up, is almost certain.
Conor Gallagher may not have had the strongest night against Brazil but his place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad seems assured
Kobbie Mainoo was one of three debutants to receive their first cap on Saturday evening
However, sources at rival Premier League clubs tell us that Chelsea are actively trying to sell their academy graduate this summer, with 12 months to run on his contract and any transfer fee booked as ‘pure profit’ in an FFP world.
England debutants receive maiden caps
England debutants Anthony Gordon, Ezri Konsa and Kobbie Mainoo were presented with their first caps by Southgate on Sunday.
Konsa started as a substitute before replacing Kyle Walker after 20 minutes and, as he collected his red cap in front of the squad, Southgate joked: ‘Ez, 20 minutes in, came on and marked Vinicius (Junior), not a bad start!’
But it sounded like the heartiest applause from team-mates and staff was reserved for Mainoo, the 18-year-old who began the week with the Under-21s and ended it dribbling past Brazilians at Wembley.
Man City starlet joins senior training
One player whose involvement in England training last week perhaps went unnoticed was Kian Noble’s elevation from the youth ranks.
He is one year younger than Mainoo but, with the Under-17s on site at St George’s Park, the Manchester City centre-back was asked to join Southgate’s group.
Another promotion to the senior side which has gone under the radar is that of Kian Noble
Noble was suspended when his own age group beat Northern Ireland 5-1 on Wednesday. I watched that game and was particularly taken by the midfield paring of Chris Rigg (Sunderland) and Joshua King (Fulham).
Rigg, the South Tyneside-born captain wearing No.8, has a Bryan Robson-esque quality about him, especially given his bravery, engine and sweet left foot.
Hasselbaink’s fury knew no bounds
England coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink did not hold back in the Wembley tunnel when letting the fourth official know of his displeasure with the first-half officiating, counting out the number of fouls Brazil had made. He even gave defender Danilo a piece of his mind when he got involved.
It was not the Dutchman’s first animated exchange of the evening. In the moments before kick-off, and leaving the pitch after the warm-up, he and Jude Bellingham were locked in a debate heading towards the tunnel.
Nothing to suggest it was anything other than a healthy discussion, but the body language of both suggested they weren’t necessarily in agreement.
Bellingham, it should be noted, has not flown home and is still available for England selection…
England coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink isn’t afraid to share his outspoken opinion with others
But Southgate is a controlled and tight-lipped figure – and fiercely protective of his players
A rare glimpse of Southgate’s angry side
By comparison to Hasselbaink, Southgate is not prone to episodes of anger, especially in front of the press. He is a calm, considered statesman. Danish broadcasters are safe in his company.
But on Friday night, at Tottenham’s training ground, he came as close to indignation as he ever will. John Stones, sat beside Southgate, was asked about the England manager potentially taking charge of Manchester United.
‘You do not have to answer that,’ instructed Southgate, and he was not joking, turning his head and no doubt biting his lip at the same time. His twisted face betrayed his fury.
Stones answered nonetheless – with all the diplomacy you’d expect of Southgate – and on we went. It was, though, a telling insight into what riles the Three Lions boss. For matters pertaining to his own situation, his players are off limits.
Magpies duo leave Wembley in high spirits
Two proud – and not to mention relieved – observers at Wembley on Saturday were Newcastle co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
The husband-and-wife team were there to watch Anthony Gordon make his England debut up against Magpies team-mate Bruno Guimaraes.
Amanda Staveley (pictured last week) was a very relieved supporter in the Wembley stands
And, given Newcastle’s current injury crisis, they would have been pleased to note that Gordon and Guimaraes were just about the only two players who did not foul each other during a feisty encounter.
Maguire fancies taking golf on tour this summer
Harry Maguire fancies getting a golf simulator installed at England’s training base in Germany this summer. He even wants to take on the press, recreating the darts duels from previous tournaments.
The Manchester United defender plays off an impressive handicap of four, but told us last week that he cannot get near Harry Kane, whose handicap is closer to one.
Everton star nearly gave up the game
While chatting with Jarrad Branthwaite at St George’s Park, the towering defender revealed that he nearly gave up on football aged 15 after missing 18 months with a knee problem.
The Cumbrian persevered and won a contract with hometown club Carlisle United, before moving to Everton.
Had he not been a footballer, I asked, could he have followed the path of the TV advert, in which a young member of the armed forces declares: ‘I was born in Carlisle, but I was made in the Royal Navy.’
Jarrad Branthwaite didn’t mince words when asked if he had ever considered a naval pathway
Branthwaite, deadpan, replied: ‘No’. And that was the end of that.
Belgian FA set to make a play off the pitch at Wembley
Finally, the Belgian FA will lobby their English counterparts at Wembley on Tuesday for support over their bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
They have a joint application with Netherlands and Germany and would like the backing of the Football Association.
The rival bids are from Brazil and USA and the vote will take place at FIFA Congress in Thailand in May. Maybe the Brazilians got in there first on Saturday night…
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