DOHA, Qatar — Perhaps the biggest test of manager Gareth Southgate’s loyalty to certain England players comes now. England enter the World Cup round of 16, where they face Senegal on Sunday, with a selection conundrum largely absent in previous tournaments under the 52-year-old: pick players on form or past international performance?
Prior to 2016, there really was no “past international performance” worth considering. That summer, England were humiliated at the round-of-16 stage by Iceland and the gradual transition to a new generation begun by Roy Hodgson was accelerated by Southgate following Sam Allardyce’s brief 67-day tenure.
Yet Southgate subsequently delivered a first World Cup semifinal in 28 years at Russia 2018 and then a first major tournament final in 55 years at Euro 2020. That came through a pragmatic methodology that he is reluctant to entirely abandon, even as the composition of his squad has gradually accentuated towards a top-heavy, creative-led talent pool.
Central to the work he has done in redefining the players’ relationship with the England shirt, specifically embracing the opportunities it presents rather than feeling its weight of past failures, has been a team spirit impervious to club travails. And a key aspect of that separation is the knowledge that previous contributions to the cause are not forgotten. It is why Southgate faces some huge decisions ahead of the Senegal game, partly informed by the way his loyalty has so far been rewarded in Qatar by other players in the squad.
Here, ESPN takes a look at the England players who most clearly represent the form vs. reputation debate.
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