Perhaps Gareth Southgate got out at just the right time. This was meant to be the summer when an England team of abundant young talent fulfilled their promise on the greatest stage. But two-and-a-half months out from the 2026 World Cup, the number of England players who are in form, fully fit and genuinely good enough to win a World Cup can be counted on one finger.
Harry Kane will lead the team out against Japan at Wembley on Tuesday night, for what will be his 113th cap. But he will not be joined by Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham or John Stones. There will be no Adam Wharton or Noni Madueke, and Phil Foden would appear unlikely too. Injuries have taken their toll. A more cynical take is that this international break is being used more for a break than for internationals.
