So England are out. Football, for another four years at least, is not coming home, but many will feel the foundations have been built for it to do so in four years’ time.
Supporting England is fun again, with Gareth Southgate building an exciting young team that is more likeable than any other squad in living memory.
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For so long, the football has been poor and many of the over-hyped superstars in the squad always looked like they’d rather be anywhere else, but no longer.
England were not far away from the World Cup final in 2018, and by the time 2022 comes around, they need to remember what made this campaign such an improvement on others and also learn what’s needed to take that small step further towards glory.
Here’s our take on the five main lessons for English football after the 2018 World Cup…
1) Gareth Southgate is the real deal
Let there be no doubt about it – Gareth Southgate has more than earned the chance to guide England into the next World Cup in four years’ time.
No other manager in the modern era has come close to what he’s achieved, and while a different kind of pressure will be on him now, he seems a new breed of England manager who understands how to get the modern generation to care about international football again.
As well as that, Southgate has shown great human qualities with his gentlemanly conduct at this World Cup, with the whole country warming to him in a big way. It may seem trivial, but it matters, and we’d be very lucky to have him for the long term if he wants to carry on.
2) There is talent in the lower leagues
How refreshing not to just see a squad full of David Beckhams and Steven Gerrards, who’ve known nothing but life at the top of the Premier League for their whole careers.
English football is more than just the Premier League now, that much is clear. Sure, Jamie Vardy, Dele Alli, Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford are all now top flight footballers, but their development in the lower leagues and in some cases non league has been crucial to their progress.
Let’s face it, playing for England requires a totally different mindset to playing for Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool, so let’s hope we see more talented players work their way up and show the battling qualities required to do so when playing for their country as well.
3) Marcus Rashford and co. must play more for their clubs
Speaking of the Manchester Uniteds and Chelseas of this world – what a shame not to see more of talented young players like Marcus Rashford and Ruben Loftus-Cheek at this World Cup.
Rashford in particular is an electric talent when given the chance to play in his preferred position, but that is not going to happen at Old Trafford any time soon.
More than anyone, the 20-year-old seems like a player who should be on the move very soon, or he’ll never play often enough and gain the experience needed in his best role to become the player he could be.
Look how much the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Kieran Trippier have benefited from being given those opportunities under Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham, and think where Rashford could be now if he were a Spurs player.
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4) England lack a Luka Modric
Chris Waddle and Graeme Souness sum it up well in these videos – England still lack that calibre of midfielder to take control of difficult games like these.
Luke Modric was masterful in the semi-final, and for all Jordan Henderson’s qualities it is telling just how much he’s struggled against the Croatian in recent times.
Both on Wednesday night and in Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Modric’s Real Madrid, the England man has looked well out of his depth.
For a long time, Jack Wilshere looked like being that player for England. Now, there is perhaps some hope Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be in the future.
Ahead of 2022, we need to hope a Modric of our own emerges from somewhere, and the next generation of England youth players should study his game in great detail in the hope of one day emulating him, as it remains the Achilles heel that will stop us picking up major trophies.
5) Going back to basics worked
More praise for Southgate to end with – he has reaped the rewards of some absolute basics of football management that should not be ignored.
While previous managers – Fabio Capello in particular – have treated England players like children, Southgate has created a great spirit in the squad that has captured the hearts of the nation.
England even won a penalty shoot-out, with Southgate’s new approach widely praised as the team practised them in a different way and gained the confidence needed to end terrible run on spot-kicks.
Hard work, practise, respect – these are the values that must continue to be the cornerstone of England’s approach under this manager and following ones as they can surely use this fine World Cup as a base to build on for even better things in the future.
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