He has his trusted lieutenants on the field but stories of Gareth Southgate’s loyalty to certain players can be exaggerated.
Raheem Sterling, for example, had already been told he was being dropped for the knockout game against Senegal before he had to go home and be with his family. But if, aside from Harry Kane perhaps, there is one player in whom the England manager has unswerving faith, it is Jordan Pickford.
Against France in Al Bayt Stadium, Pickford will win his 50th cap and England’s World Cup future will be in his hands. Southgate has always had faith, having selected him from the under-21s, when Pickford was out on loan at Championship clubs. And the Everton goalkeeper will be one of only two players in the England starting line-up who has not experienced Champions League football.
