Same old arguments which have already been proven to be excuses. Again, Portugal were beaten twice by Greece in Euro 2004. The reason the ‘golden generation’ didn’t ever get past the QF stage is because they were poorly organised, poorly managed and had too much ego. If Turkey can make 2 semi finals in that period, then England are certainly capable of it.
Why is this current England team so much better than the failed ‘Golden Generation’?
- Thread starter NasirTimothy
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Same old arguments which have already been proven to be excuses. Again, Portugal were beaten twice by Greece in Euro 2004. The reason the ‘golden generation’ didn’t ever get past the QF stage is because they were poorly organised, poorly managed and had too much ego. If Turkey can make 2 semi finals in that period, then England are certainly capable of it.
I think the WC 2002 and Euro 2004 were fair enough but for the 2006 World Cup we played Portugal in the QFs so of course they made the SFs
. Portugal lost their next two games after playing England so not much praise from that.In 2010, they may have lost to a decent Germany team but the group stage was awful. Drew to the USA, awful 0-0 against Algeria then scraped a 1-0 win against Slovenia to make it through.
Even in 2012, that game against Italy, we went to penalties but we were camped in our own half for 120 mins. We lost on penalties but we were the much inferior team.
I'm not sure I'd consider Euro 2016 as part of this generation either as that squad was vastly different to now.
I think (and this is one of the few good things about Covid, along with it hardly effecting children) there hasn't been the distraction of the WAGs.
There was a thing on the Radio this morning about 1966 and apparently those players had a month away from their wives and girlfriends too!
Kleberson and Silva would likely dominate a Phillips/Rice combo. Can't see it ending well for England 2021 in this hypothetical matchup. The England 2002 side was pretty dang good and couldn't stop Brazil (maybe if they had a better keeper).
golden generation were better IMO
the opposition is weaker now
that’s football right? you could be the greatest sweeper in history but if you’re born today and no one uses sweepers anymore you just won’t get up there
the opposition is weaker now
that’s football right? you could be the greatest sweeper in history but if you’re born today and no one uses sweepers anymore you just won’t get up there
Penalty shoot outs! If we had been as good as say the Germans at penalty shoot outs we would have won at least a world cup and/or Euros.
Also every manager insisting on shoehorning both Gerard and Lampard into the side when it was clearly never balanced.
Also every manager insisting on shoehorning both Gerard and Lampard into the side when it was clearly never balanced.
It'd be weird if you were such a great sweeper but somehow couldn't adapt to being a cb..
Are they really?
England lost in '04 (played in Portugal) and '06 to a strong Portugal team on PKs. It was just the QF, but that's bad luck.
Not sure if the current England team would perform better against that opponent.
England lost in '04 (played in Portugal) and '06 to a strong Portugal team on PKs. It was just the QF, but that's bad luck.
Not sure if the current England team would perform better against that opponent.
Poor management during the 'Golden Generation' years is the long and short of it, both on and off the pitch.
Broadly speaking Southgate has been tactically astute in this tournament, without being tactically brilliant. He has a clear understanding of how to get the most out of the players we have and how to cover our weaknesses and he's not been scared to leave big names out of starting XI to achieve that. The Golden Generation managers could easily have fielded a better starting XI than the current England team but it would have meant dropping huge names for the sake of cohesion, which none of them had the guts to do. It also would have meant having a vision for how England should play beyond 'put all the best players on the pitch and let them do their thing', which none of them had.
Off the pitch, the circus around the camp back then was out of control and many of the players (or their camps) actively courted it because it was good for their profile. The fact that the current group are a lot more grounded is a massive factor in how well they've done, as I can't imagine Southgate being able to achieve what he has if he was dealing with the egos we had back then. I also think the declining influence of the tabloid press and the rise of social media has been a huge help to England. Players don't have to play the tabloid game to get exposure nowadays, and predictably that means there's far less shit-stirring going on. If players like Sancho and Rashford were being left on the bench in 2004 I can guarantee the tabloids would have been full of quotes from 'sources close to the player' about disunity in the camp and massive scrutiny on the players and manager.
Broadly speaking Southgate has been tactically astute in this tournament, without being tactically brilliant. He has a clear understanding of how to get the most out of the players we have and how to cover our weaknesses and he's not been scared to leave big names out of starting XI to achieve that. The Golden Generation managers could easily have fielded a better starting XI than the current England team but it would have meant dropping huge names for the sake of cohesion, which none of them had the guts to do. It also would have meant having a vision for how England should play beyond 'put all the best players on the pitch and let them do their thing', which none of them had.
Off the pitch, the circus around the camp back then was out of control and many of the players (or their camps) actively courted it because it was good for their profile. The fact that the current group are a lot more grounded is a massive factor in how well they've done, as I can't imagine Southgate being able to achieve what he has if he was dealing with the egos we had back then. I also think the declining influence of the tabloid press and the rise of social media has been a huge help to England. Players don't have to play the tabloid game to get exposure nowadays, and predictably that means there's far less shit-stirring going on. If players like Sancho and Rashford were being left on the bench in 2004 I can guarantee the tabloids would have been full of quotes from 'sources close to the player' about disunity in the camp and massive scrutiny on the players and manager.
Fergie greatly upped the bar at academy level when he arrived. He created the blueprint that all the sugar daddy clubs have copied and raised even further. Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool have all become obsessed with developing their academies, and Utd have been playing catch up in recent times. The young players coming through these academies today are far better drilled on what their exact role is, particularly when it comes to their defensive responsibilities. Better drilled technically, while also been trained and drilled to switch roles or switch systems seamlessly if need be. The golden generation came from an era where you mastered one role and didn't adapt much tactically.
England winning the U17 and U20 World cups in 2017 is evidence of the strength of academy football now in England. Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe, Foden, Sancho, Calvert-Lewin all came from that group. Then on top of that, Southgate managed to poach the 2 best players in the Ireland youth system - Rice and Grealish. The likes of Sven and Capello simply would not have been bothered to speak to kids coming through in the youth system of another country, as they wouldn't have had the obsession with the England team that Southgate has.
The Premier league right now has 3 of the best club managers in the world at the current top 4 clubs, who play attacking football and who give youth a chance. The premier Leagues dominance of the Champions League this season shows the importance of appointing the best around. Ole too is blossoming into a top modern thinking manager. Even Spurs had a manager that every club in Europe wanted before they appointed Jose. Bielsa and Hassenhuttel outside the top 4, could manage some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Another thing is that managers in the top 4 and below today realize the importance of trying to bring through homegrown British talent. Chelsea were very strong under Mourinho in his first stint during the golden generation era, but Jose completely ignored youth and only wanted to buy superstars, and some highly gifted young English players were wasted and dumped on the bench and never got a chance - Shaun Wright-Philips/Scott Parker. There's not a chance in hell Mason Mount and Reece James would have been given a chance in a Jose Mourinho team.
Sven, McClaren and Capello all flopped for different reasons. But their biggest weakness was picking players based on what clubs they played for, rather than on merit. Whereas Southgate has known many of England's players since they were 12 years old and has followed them extensively since. I don't think Rice, Pickford, Kalvin-Phillips and Saka would have been high profile enough to make it into a Sven, Capello or McClaren team.
England winning the U17 and U20 World cups in 2017 is evidence of the strength of academy football now in England. Gibbs-White, Smith Rowe, Foden, Sancho, Calvert-Lewin all came from that group. Then on top of that, Southgate managed to poach the 2 best players in the Ireland youth system - Rice and Grealish. The likes of Sven and Capello simply would not have been bothered to speak to kids coming through in the youth system of another country, as they wouldn't have had the obsession with the England team that Southgate has.
The Premier league right now has 3 of the best club managers in the world at the current top 4 clubs, who play attacking football and who give youth a chance. The premier Leagues dominance of the Champions League this season shows the importance of appointing the best around. Ole too is blossoming into a top modern thinking manager. Even Spurs had a manager that every club in Europe wanted before they appointed Jose. Bielsa and Hassenhuttel outside the top 4, could manage some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Another thing is that managers in the top 4 and below today realize the importance of trying to bring through homegrown British talent. Chelsea were very strong under Mourinho in his first stint during the golden generation era, but Jose completely ignored youth and only wanted to buy superstars, and some highly gifted young English players were wasted and dumped on the bench and never got a chance - Shaun Wright-Philips/Scott Parker. There's not a chance in hell Mason Mount and Reece James would have been given a chance in a Jose Mourinho team.
Sven, McClaren and Capello all flopped for different reasons. But their biggest weakness was picking players based on what clubs they played for, rather than on merit. Whereas Southgate has known many of England's players since they were 12 years old and has followed them extensively since. I don't think Rice, Pickford, Kalvin-Phillips and Saka would have been high profile enough to make it into a Sven, Capello or McClaren team.
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To kind of counter this, not that I agree or disagree.... who's actually missing from the high profile teams? Except Trent.... who essentially forced his way into the team based, mainly on playing for one of those big clubs. I guess at a (minor) push, you could say Alli or Dier ... but I don't think anyones casually got in when dropping off as much as Alli has, so not really.
England just didn't really have the depth then.
He's shown a ruthless streak since he arrived, dropping regulars like Wilshire, Barkley, Hart, Rooney.
For the Euro 2021 he's shown ruthlessness also-
Phillips and Rice playing ahead of Jordan Henderson or Dier.
Conor Coady or Tyrone Mings in instead of Chris Smalling or Joe Gomez.
Bringing Bellingham instead of Lingard or Maddisson.
Saka playing ahead of Rashford or Foden sometimes etc
Our current generation is better coached and more technically gifted due to better management at their clubs. Overall we have an equal spread of quality throughout the team especially in attack and in fullback positions.
Now for what people thought was our week spot, central midfield. While Southgate will get the praise, rightly so, would a player like Phillips play his role as well if he didn’t have Biesla managing him at Leeds and instead it was Sam Allerdyce? Declan Rice had Pellegrini before Moyes, Henderson ha vastly improved under Klopp.
Also our ‘Golden Generation’ was mostly just 11 best players in the league, and the subs were not very good. Also it was quite unbalanced when you think in 2004 Gerrard and Lampard played as CM, and Scholes played Left all 3 are naturally attacking midfielders or even number 10s/support strikers.
In 2006, Rooney played upfront alone with Lennon and Joe Cole. Crouch was the other option on the bench.
When Italy beat England in 2012, this was the England team and bench
Hart; Ashley Cole, Lescott, Terry, Johnson; Young, Parker (Henderson 94), Gerrard (c), Milner (Walcott 61); Rooney, Welbeck (Carroll 60)
Substitutes: Green, Butland, Kelly, Baines, Jones, Jagielka, Downing, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Defoe
Compare that to today.
Now for what people thought was our week spot, central midfield. While Southgate will get the praise, rightly so, would a player like Phillips play his role as well if he didn’t have Biesla managing him at Leeds and instead it was Sam Allerdyce? Declan Rice had Pellegrini before Moyes, Henderson ha vastly improved under Klopp.
Also our ‘Golden Generation’ was mostly just 11 best players in the league, and the subs were not very good. Also it was quite unbalanced when you think in 2004 Gerrard and Lampard played as CM, and Scholes played Left all 3 are naturally attacking midfielders or even number 10s/support strikers.
In 2006, Rooney played upfront alone with Lennon and Joe Cole. Crouch was the other option on the bench.
When Italy beat England in 2012, this was the England team and bench
Hart; Ashley Cole, Lescott, Terry, Johnson; Young, Parker (Henderson 94), Gerrard (c), Milner (Walcott 61); Rooney, Welbeck (Carroll 60)
Substitutes: Green, Butland, Kelly, Baines, Jones, Jagielka, Downing, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Defoe
Compare that to today.
England were poorly managed during the golden era or whatever it’s called. On paper it’s not all that close between this side and the sides available to England managers between 02-12. Or also has to be said that the quality of the opposition England has faced this summer isn’t quite what it was a decade ago.
But give Southgate and his players their due: they’re winning games, ugly of course, but they’re beating sides that have been out in front of them. One more to go. We shall see.
But give Southgate and his players their due: they’re winning games, ugly of course, but they’re beating sides that have been out in front of them. One more to go. We shall see.
Surely Moyes should be getting more credit for Rice.
Anyway, yes, I agree with you. The league is much more competitive now, with many very good coaches and managers.
That maybe true but they were still better than what we have played so far.
International football has really dropped in quality.
Football has really dropped in quality.
England were only poorly managed by McLaren. Capello kinda mismanaged them, focusing too much on Rooney. Sven was decent actually. Not great by any means, but not poor either
And paper doesn't play. Rooney does, but he's injured
It's not confusing. That "Golden Generation" side had absolutely zero balance. The managers were never strong enough to bench a quality player to give the side balance, because they feared the backlash.
It’s got a lot better actually it’s just the people don’t like how it has become about a cohesive team ethic and less about individual battles and skill.
Key word “Team” they are a team and there is an average Joe without an ego making hard decisions. As a Scots man and having watched and hoped for England’s failure over countless tournaments I think this is the best English team I’ve seen.
I think one of the major problems Sven/Capello had back then was the power of the written press. The evolving internet has gradually made them irrelevant but around 2000, and for much of that generations time, they still had a malign influence on the England set up and there was far too much done to appease them, to as far as the team selected. You look at the team Southgate has picked this tournament, not the glamourous or exciting choice but a grounded 11 with a defined style, refreshing to see an England manager not bowing to outside pressure.
Also, and probably unprovable, I think the general standard of the top international teams is much lower than it was around 2000, The Euros and watching the Copa final makes that stand out to me.
Also, and probably unprovable, I think the general standard of the top international teams is much lower than it was around 2000, The Euros and watching the Copa final makes that stand out to me.
World Cup 2002 had South Korea and Turkey as semi-finalists. Euro 2004 was won by Greece. Copa 2001 had Colombia as winners, Mexico as runners up, and Honduras in 3rd.
Halcyon days of extremely strong top international sides they ain't.
Firstly, Rivaldo had a strong shout to be the player of the tournament which suggests he was still 'world class'. The only other contenders would have been Ronaldo, Kahn and Ballack. Rivaldo's 5 goals and 3 assists over the course of 7 games was an impressive return - in fact nobody has provide more G&A in any World Cup since Maradona in 1986. And the general play of the front three and the wing-backs was marvellous to watch - the technical level, the interplay, the quality of the goals. You'll struggle to find many, if any, attacks lighting up World Cups in the same way in the last 40 years.
Big Phil Scolari said:
Secondly, nobody's claiming that the 3 peaks of the front 3 completely aligned (they never do). But what matters is the level they produced. For Ronaldinho it was his best ever World Cup and you can see him 90% of the way to becoming the unplayable force that would dominate the European game over the next few years. Both Rivaldo and Ronaldo struggled with injuries in 2001/02 and were at loggerheads with their clubs because they prioritised getting fit for the World Cup ahead of their immediate club fortunes. And it worked because they both hit the tournament in peak condition.
Thirdly, Brazil were a class above everyone they faced. Some teams didn't turn up so arguably we don't know just how good they were, which is probably why many will favour the 1982, 1970 or 1958 vintages. But nobody has scored more goals in a World Cup in half a century so, yes, that constitutes running riot in my book. They are also the only team since Argentina in 1986 not to need extra time or penalties to win the tournament. As I'm sure you'll remember from watching the game at the time, what was remarkable about the England and Brazil tie was how comfortable Brazil were with 10 men. Despite playing almost the entire second half without Ronaldinho, Brazil looked comfortable throughout because they had impressive tactical organisation at the back and outstanding individual quality to call upon going forwards. Their second goal is a good example - Ronaldinho and Rivaldo up against Cole, Campbell and Ferdinand, the Brazilians outnumbered and up against some of the best defenders England have ever produced, but still conjuring a goal. That's the level of quality that I really don't see the likes of Rice, Phillips and the England back 4 resisting in any theoretical match-up.
Fair bit of revisonism regarding the 00's in here. Certainly not a much superior era to nowadays.
Look at Germany's line ups through the 00's, they're incredibly weak for German sides. Spain till 2008 were just very uncompetitive in tournaments and were like England failures on steroids, Belgium were a complete non-event back then but developed into a power, Uruguay also had a very weak period then but have been a lot more competitve in the 10s.
It's not all one way improvements but its difficult to see looking at line ups or results any reality for which the 00 nostalgia is based on. As said previously the tournaments do not support it being some heavyweight era of superpowers. Not when Greece were by far the weakest ever winner of a Euro. Not when South Korea and Turkey and the weakest Germany team ever were semi-finalists in 2004. Not when Turkey and Russia were semi-finalists in 2008.
Look at Germany's line ups through the 00's, they're incredibly weak for German sides. Spain till 2008 were just very uncompetitive in tournaments and were like England failures on steroids, Belgium were a complete non-event back then but developed into a power, Uruguay also had a very weak period then but have been a lot more competitve in the 10s.
It's not all one way improvements but its difficult to see looking at line ups or results any reality for which the 00 nostalgia is based on. As said previously the tournaments do not support it being some heavyweight era of superpowers. Not when Greece were by far the weakest ever winner of a Euro. Not when South Korea and Turkey and the weakest Germany team ever were semi-finalists in 2004. Not when Turkey and Russia were semi-finalists in 2008.
They play 4-4-2 for too long under Sven, mostly to accommodate Beckham, with no defensive midfielder, no coincidence they played a lot of their best football when Butt and Scholes were in midfield with Butt a genuine holder and having the familiarity with Scholes. They lacked a pacey winger, playing Beckham and Joe Cole/Scholes on the wing now in modern football wouldn't have got close to working well. If they could have had one player from this generation for that team, Sterling on the left would have done serious damage. Or if Giggs had declared for England instead of Wales.
If we keep the 4-3-3 formation, I think the GG eould line up as follows:
James
G. Neville---Terry----Ferdinand----Cole
Gerrard---Scholes
Beckham-----Lampard------Rooney
Owen
Pickford
Walker----Stones----Maguire----Shaw
----Rice-----Phillips--
-----Saka------Mount-------Sterling
Kane
If we compare the two and select best players for each position, I think we would line up with:
I think this shows teams who perform greater than the sum of their parts have a much better ceiling than individual talents only. Also what a team the combined would be.
James
G. Neville---Terry----Ferdinand----Cole
Gerrard---Scholes
Beckham-----Lampard------Rooney
Owen
Pickford
Walker----Stones----Maguire----Shaw
----Rice-----Phillips--
-----Saka------Mount-------Sterling
Kane
Pickford
Walker----Terry-----Ferdinand----Cole
Gerrard----Scholes
Beckham-----Lampard------Rooney
Kane
Walker----Terry-----Ferdinand----Cole
Gerrard----Scholes
Beckham-----Lampard------Rooney
Kane
I think this shows teams who perform greater than the sum of their parts have a much better ceiling than individual talents only. Also what a team the combined would be.
Isn't the key difference that the golden generation were painfully slow in wide areas where pace is most important?
Simple
Southgate.
England managers have always been obsessed with pleasing the media. He is managed to ignore calls for names, entertainment or even building for the next tournament.
He is dealt with the present as it should rightly be.
The FA
Allowing him autonomy and ignoring all else.
Drop in Expectations
Due to Southgate not making the 11 an exclusive club, it has dampened expectations and allow fans to accept people like Phillips. The type of players that play for the results at International level and not worry about their profile, breeding competition and humility.
Southgate.
England managers have always been obsessed with pleasing the media. He is managed to ignore calls for names, entertainment or even building for the next tournament.
He is dealt with the present as it should rightly be.
The FA
Allowing him autonomy and ignoring all else.
Drop in Expectations
Due to Southgate not making the 11 an exclusive club, it has dampened expectations and allow fans to accept people like Phillips. The type of players that play for the results at International level and not worry about their profile, breeding competition and humility.
Greece won Euro
Sweden 94
Croatia 98
With better research I can give a longer list. My point what all these teams had in common is playing for the cause as a unit. Brazil 02 was one of the poorest Brazil squads I've seen before then but they was solidarity and no egos. The international game is about winning and making your country proud, a point most English players before Southgate (already experienced) and France( pre-98) did not really understand. It was all about stardom and status.
Southgate having managed most/core of team at Yth International gives him leverage and players are humbled enough by the contributions he is already made to their careers.
Quite noticeable how in player interviews when he drops them, all they talk about is getting back in his good books through performing at club level. Not the usual attacks of the past by accusing him of an agenda or personal dislike.
I dare argue against the general beliefs out there. Seen him give chances to players from lesser clubs at Yth level or build teams around lesser players due to their playing ability, not their fanfare and this he is brought into the Senior level. It's all down to him and the FA(sticking with him). He is made it quite apparent he'd drop any player for a supposed lesser player if need be at any given time, without care of public reactions. What do you think this breeds into the minds of players?
The agents, clubs and media don't dictate what happens under his care. They divide the squad and affect performance. All the general public want and will always ask for is our team make us proud, doesn't matter who the individuals are.
Generally yea I think so.
Yes it's more cohesive like West ham is cohesive, or Stoke used to be when they were in the prem.
Not good though.
His football can be boring at times but that's a bit harsh
Indeed. Germany actually reached 4 semi finals in international tournaments in that decade with a crop of players that was far from vintage. Turkey with 2 international semi finals. And yet the ‘golden generation’ team can’t make a single semi? The excuses being trotted out again and again by people on here are laughable. It’s this inability to look long and hard in the mirror that has led to so much failure in England’s football history. Thankfully, they seem to be getting it right now, from the youth levels up.
Technical ability. For all their qualities, the 'golden generation' didn't have the greatest technique. For so many years the lack of technical skill in England squads compared to even minor nations has always been glaringly obvious and it bites you in the arse at the highest level time and time again. I remember watching World Cup 2014 (I think it was 2014) where Algeria did pretty well and were an exciting team to watch. I remember watching them and thinking how is it possible that even the likes of Algeria seem to have miles better touch and technique than England?
That superb passage of play in the closing moments of extra time against Denmark. England players passing the ball to one another in all areas of the pitch, with complete confidence in their own abilities to receive the ball even when closely marked and under pressure. They didn't let a Danish player touch the ball for almost three minutes. Exceptional game management. The 'golden' generation could never, ever have done that.
This is the first time I've watched an England team and not felt like we were technically inferior to practically everyone else in the tournament.
It's not just that either. The balance of the team is so much better. Round pegs in round holes. None of this "hey, let's give Lampard and Gerrard together another try! It's not really worked the last 97 times but maybe this time it will". Massively better strength in depth. Even when England had a strong eleven, there was always a real drop off in quality on the bench options that were available. Not any more. Great options and strength in depth in most positions. Team spirit and togetherness. They seem to have a great bond and that helps immensely. It's well documented that United and Liverpool players barely even got on with one another in the past.
Finally, a manager who is tactially capable and not afraid to make decisions that go against popular opinion, and who doesn't bow to media pressure. The ability to play in different formations and adapt and change formation mid game, and do it successfully.
Regardless of the result tonight, I feel optimism that this England team can compete and be genuine contenders for a good few years. And it feels really odd to say that as an England fan.
That superb passage of play in the closing moments of extra time against Denmark. England players passing the ball to one another in all areas of the pitch, with complete confidence in their own abilities to receive the ball even when closely marked and under pressure. They didn't let a Danish player touch the ball for almost three minutes. Exceptional game management. The 'golden' generation could never, ever have done that.
This is the first time I've watched an England team and not felt like we were technically inferior to practically everyone else in the tournament.
It's not just that either. The balance of the team is so much better. Round pegs in round holes. None of this "hey, let's give Lampard and Gerrard together another try! It's not really worked the last 97 times but maybe this time it will". Massively better strength in depth. Even when England had a strong eleven, there was always a real drop off in quality on the bench options that were available. Not any more. Great options and strength in depth in most positions. Team spirit and togetherness. They seem to have a great bond and that helps immensely. It's well documented that United and Liverpool players barely even got on with one another in the past.
Finally, a manager who is tactially capable and not afraid to make decisions that go against popular opinion, and who doesn't bow to media pressure. The ability to play in different formations and adapt and change formation mid game, and do it successfully.
Regardless of the result tonight, I feel optimism that this England team can compete and be genuine contenders for a good few years. And it feels really odd to say that as an England fan.
Boring when a nation is battling for glory, I'll take that. We tend to forget how tired players are after a long season when going into tournaments. The entertainment wains after the first few games, it becomes all about winning and seeing it through. Im of the belief entertainment stops at club football. Being English means being boring and grumpy anyway. Why would you wanna build a team that's not relatable to the culture. People wonder why in the past we always revert to type(long balls) when we tried playing a football that's not us.
Gattuso was a key player for milan and italy back then
Gattuso in 2021 is basically McTominay...actually, McTominay at least is a goal threat near the box...
Part of it is the pressure and expectations that was on previous generations as they were closer to the 1966 winning era, I think that eases the further you get away generationally with the younger crop probably hearing about it less from parents/relatives and the like.
One of the main reasons is because the PL is a different kettle of fish in terms of the tactical style and variants that are played.
Pep, Klopp, Van Gaal, Tuchel, Pochettino etc played so many different tactics and formations like the 352, possession, gegenpressing, counter attacking, 433, false 9’s, sweeper keepers, ball playing CB’s, tactical fouls, 2 CAM’s protected by a single CDM etc.. This has progressed a lot of players within the league.
The English league is the most technical league there is with its own variety of top class managers - this has changed the look of what was regarded to be needed in an English National player aswell ; as you see how many more English players are technical and are being bought by foreign clubs like never before.
Pep, Klopp, Van Gaal, Tuchel, Pochettino etc played so many different tactics and formations like the 352, possession, gegenpressing, counter attacking, 433, false 9’s, sweeper keepers, ball playing CB’s, tactical fouls, 2 CAM’s protected by a single CDM etc.. This has progressed a lot of players within the league.
The English league is the most technical league there is with its own variety of top class managers - this has changed the look of what was regarded to be needed in an English National player aswell ; as you see how many more English players are technical and are being bought by foreign clubs like never before.