adminLONDON. — England manager Gareth Southgate plans to name his 23-man World Cup soccer squad early to help avoid unnecessary anxiety among his players.
Tuesday’s promising 1-1 draw in Italy was England’s last match before Southgate names the travelling party for the June 14-July 15 finals in Russia.
Southgate has until May 14 to register a 35-man provisional squad with FIFA and needs to whittle it down to 23 by June 4 — two days after England’s next friendly, against Nigeria.
But the England boss will name his squad before the penultimate warm-up friendly, with the announcement expected shortly after the Premier League season ends on May 13.
“I’d like to (name the squad before the next friendly) because you end up being able to run a performance camp rather than a selection camp,” the England manager said. “I think there’s a difference in the feel for everybody.
“If you name 28 and they aren’t sure, but if you name 23 and five on standby – which Sven (Goran Eriksson) did well, then everyone knows where they sit. — AFP
Online Reporter