The rondo eventually stops at 45 passes. For half a minute Kyle Walker and Sam Johnstone are innocent bystanders caught in a hail of pure piss-taking punishment. Rico Lewis to Cole Palmer, back to Lewis. To Kieran Trippier. Over to Jordan Henderson. Harry Kane and Phil Foden nudge it between themselves a few times for a laugh. Walker, one of the greatest covering defenders English football has produced, lunges at his former teammate Palmer and gets sent for brunch.
Remember, this isn’t even the A-team. By the common consent of his teammates, the filthiest rondo technician in the England squad is actually Marcus Rashford, with his lightning speed and repertoire of sadistic nutmegs. Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish: all also absent. At the risk of being fatally seduced by a 29-second viral video posted on England’s social media accounts this week, the point is this: England can play some serious ball. The rise in standards and the level of technical ability at the highest level of the game these days is simply ridiculous. Put peak Bobby Charlton in the middle and he’s going to be there for two days.
