While the England team is far from a positive entity at the moment consider this – where would we be if Mauricio Pochettino hadn’t come to the Premier League?
When Harry Winks started for England against Lithuania on Sunday it made the Tottenham midfielder the 15th player, out of the last 30 Three Lions debutants, to have been coached by the Argentinean manager.
While Tottenham have gone from strength to strength – and Southampton before that – under Pochettino’s management a vast majority of the England team come from a pool of players coached by the 45-year-old.
All this is thanks to the trust and faith shown in young English players by the Spurs boss, which other Premier League managers seem to fall well short of doing.
Scroll through the gallery above to see who the 15 players are that have been coached by Pochettino at Tottenham and Southampton.
1. Harry Winks (England debut: October 2017) – The most recent Pochettino student to get the England call is 21-year-old Winks. While the midfielder may have limited amounts of first team experience it is clear the Tottenham manager trusts him as he is often brought off the bench. Winks showed promising signs last season before his campaign was cut short by a serious injury but he could well be pushing for a Spurs starting berth in the near future.2. Kieran Trippier (England debut: June 2017) – With Kyle Walker having moved on to Manchester City the former Burnley man now has his chance to prove himself as Tottenhams number one right-back. Pochettino is obviously a fan and the 27-year-old has plenty of ability particularly with his crossing. He will, however, have to renew his rivalry with Walker on the international stage not to mention the currently injured Nathaniel Clyne.3. James Ward-Prowse (England debut: March 2017) – The Southampton midfielder made his Three Lions debut whilst Claude Puel was his manager but he was a Pochettino favourite when the Argentinean was the boss at St Marys. The 22-year-old was also the captain of the England Under-21s but is now no longer eligible for the age group. He has made two Premier League starts this season under current Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino.4. Danny Rose (England debut: March 2016) – Its somewhat surprising that Danny Roses England debut only arrived a year and a half ago, such is the left-backs rise. While he is currently injured you would imagine the 27-year-old will be the Three Lions first choice and could be a useful asset should Gareth Southgate opt to continue with a 3-4-3 formation.5. Eric Dier (England debut: November 2015) – The 23-year-old who spent much of his childhood growing up in Portugal attracted all sorts of attention once Pochettino saw his potential as a defensive midfielder. While this has essentially become Diers main position he remains a versatile individual as he is also capable of playing in central defence.6. Dele Alli (England debut: October 2015) – One of the great hopes of Englands future, 21-year-old Alli was handed his Three Lions debut after his star turn for Spurs. Very few top flight managers would show faith in a young midfielder arriving from a League One club but Pochettino bucked the trend. Where would Alli be now if he hadnt joined up with the Tottenham manager?7. Ryan Mason (England debut: March 2015) – The midfielder is currently recovering from his horrendous fractured skull injury but he was handed his England debut after another rise under Pochettino. However, Mason couldnt maintain his form at Tottenham and he was sold to Hull City in August 2016.8. Harry Kane (England debut: March 2015) – He was a one-season wonder when he made his England debut but Tottenhams talisman is now in the running for the Ballon dOr. The 24-year-old has flourished under Pochettino after he was initially handed regular opportunities by Tim Sherwood. Combined with Alli he represents Englands best hope of success.9. Nathaniel Clyne (England debut: November 2014) – Now at Liverpool and also currently nursing an injury the right-back worked with Pochettino at Southampton. While there he was a key component to the way Pochettinos Saints side played their exciting fluid football.10. Calum Chambers (England debut: August 2014) – Much was expected of Chambers he had just made 24 appearances in a breakthrough season under Pochettino at Southampton and was snapped up by Arsenal for £16million the following summer. A month after signing for the Gunners he was called up to the England squad but it hasnt gone as planned so far. The 22-year-old remains at Arsenal but his opportunities have been severely limited. He spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough who eventually succumbed to relegation from the Premier League.11. Luke Shaw (England debut: February 2014) – Seen as Englands first choice for years to come the left-back was a star at Southampton under Pochettino and he was still just a teenager. His performances earned him a move to Manchester United but through a combination of injury and managerial criticism he has not progressed as everyone expected. Still 22, and has time on his side, but his best football remains under Pochettinos stewardship.12. Adam Lallana (England debut: November 2013) – Adam Lallana was Southampton captain when Pochettino was Saints manager and he earned his England call-up off the back of his performances. Since moving to Liverpool in 2014 he has blossomed into one of Jurgen Klopps key men and he is currently missed through his injury.13. Jay Rodriguez (England debut: November 2013) – Rodriguez showed plenty of potential under Pochettino at Southampton and he was deserving of his England inclusion. However, since then it has been a story of injury hell for the forward. He moved to West Brom in the summer transfer window in an attempt to kick-start his career into action again.14. Andros Townsend (England debut: October 2013) – Following his numerous loan spells it looked as if Townsend might be able to cement himself as part of the Tottenham team. His England debut arrived off the back of his regular inclusion under Andre Villas-Boas and it continued that way when Tim Sherwood took over. However, under Pochettino the wingers playing time was reduced and eventually he was sold to Newcastle in 2016.15. Rickie Lambert (England debut: August 2013) – Lambert scored on his first England appearance in 2013 and went on to net a further two times in 11 appearances for his countryGETTY
