Hodgson praises Pochettino for believing in English talent

Roy Hodgson has praised Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino for giving young English players the opportunity to show what they can do.

Pochettino’s approach has led a number of young Spurs players come into Hodgson’s Three Lions squad and impress – most recently Dele Alli who netted his first international goal against France on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old moved to White Hart Lane from MK Dons in February. He has been enjoying his first season in the Premier League, and has played 16 times already this term.

And he was one of five Tottenham players in the England squad for their games against Spain and France during the last week.

“Tottenham is a team that is interesting for me to watch because when I go there I sometimes get to see as many as five Englishmen,” said Hodgson, whose team wrapped up the year with a 2-0 win over the French on an emotional night at Wembley.

“There are some teams when I go to watch them and there isn’t one Englishman in the team. They might be a very good team, who play nice football, but they are not a lot of good to me because they don’t play Englishmen.

“We are delighted that Tottenham have gone down this route and Pochettino, in particular, for giving players he thinks have quality a chance.

“He has shown his faith in them and it is perfect for us because it means if we like them as well, we can show our faith in them. That is exactly how it has been.”

Hodgson's starting line-up against Didier Deschamps’ France team on Tuesday had six players aged 22 or under. 

As well as Alli, the starting 11 also included Eric Dier, Harry Kane and Nathaniel Clyne – who worked under Pochettino's tutelage at Southampton. 

And while it was a young team, things have been pointing in that direction ever since the World Cup, with only five players over 30 appearing for England since September 2014.

The manager also called in younger replacement players when his current squad lost numbers through injury, deciding to offer experience to those who can help shape England in future, rather than dishing out caps to older campaigners.

Meanwhile, some of those have been taking the confidence of being part of the England senior set-up into their performances with their clubs.

“I know Ross Barkley has said he takes his England form back to Everton, maybe one or two others are doing that as well,” said Hodgson.

“Ross has been a starter in the majority of the Everton games which wasn’t the case last year.

Hodgson talks to his players at the Spurs training ground

“We have been showing there are young English players out there for the last two and a half years and have given them a chance – Sterling, Barkley, Luke Shaw, Jack Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“It is not as if Eric Dier has come on the scene, and Dele Alli has come on the scene, and everything has changed. Harry Kane was always in our plans even before he went with Under-21s.

“I have been saying all along that these players are there and I have said that, in time, I think they will blossom into very good players when they get a bit more experience.”