Gary Neville insists 'Southgate is our GREATEST ASSET'

Gary Neville insists ‘Southgate is our GREATEST ASSET’ after England’s opening Euro 2020 win over Croatia… despite admitting ‘I don’t think one person in the 65 million population would pick that team today’

  • Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of the game as England beat Croatia 
  • Sterling and Kalvin Phillips’ inclusions were bold calls from Gareth Southgate 
  • But Gary Neville said his management was unbelievable at Wembley Stadium 
  • He also claims Ben Chilwell or Luke Shaw will replace Kieran Trippier on Friday 
  • Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here.

Gary Neville claims Gareth Southgate is England’s ‘greatest asset’ after they opened their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 win against Croatia.

Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of the game at a sun-soaked Wembley Stadium, as the Three Lions rid themselves of the ghosts of the World Cup semi-final heartbreak three years ago against the same opposition.

Southgate, 50, made a number of bold calls, including putting right-back Kieran Trippier at left-back, starting Kalvin Phillips in midfield and going with Sterling up front instead of Jack Grealish.


Gary Neville (left) claims Gareth Southgate (right) is England’s ‘greatest asset’ after they opened their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 win against Croatia

Raheem Sterling (right centre) and Kalvin Phillips (left) were bold calls but they combined for the only goal

Phillips and Sterling combined for the goal, and speaking ahead of Holland’s Euros opener against Ukraine in Amsterdam, former England right-back Neville said he feels ‘comfortable’ with Southgate making such calls. 

‘I was shocked by the inclusion of Trippier at left-back but not in a doubting way,’ Neville told ITV.

‘I don’t think there would be one person in the 65 million English population who would pick that team today.

And Neville labelled Southgate’s management against Croatia at Wembley as unbelievable

‘I thought he managed that game unbelievably today. I think Southgate is our greatest asset. 

‘The clamour was to go with Grealish but he didn’t even bring him off the bench. He’s had seven-eight tournaments as a coach, U21s as a player, I feel very comfortable with him as a manager.’

Atletico Madrid star Trippier was handed a starting berth ahead of more natural left-backs Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw.

Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier was handed a starting berth in the left-back role

But Neville believes one of the Chelsea or Manchester United defender will face Scotland at Wembley on Friday due to their proclivity of getting forward from that position.

‘I think he will pull one of the left-backs back in,’ Neville added.

‘The clean sheet today was vital. I think Chilwell and Shaw would have gone forward more. 

‘Kieran Trippier sat a little bit deeper. Against Scotland he will go to one of those two.’

But Neville expects one of Luke Shaw (left) or Ben Chilwell (right) to start against Scotland




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