Henry Winter

England’s visit to Spain will inevitably draw scrutiny over respective best practice in player development. Over the past three years, Spain’s men have won the Nations League, Euros, Olympics and World Cup plus the Under-19 Euros. England have had their successes: Lee Carsley’s Under-21s beat Spain in the 2023 final and 2025 quarters (en route to back-to-back titles). England’s Under-19s won their Euros in 2022. Three particular points of scrutiny… 1. Opportunity knocks. La Liga clubs back home-grown talent. Spanish players account for 58.9% of minutes in La Liga this season. 26.7% English in PL. There’s a lot of English talent sitting on PL benches, Eberechi Eze etc. 2. B teams. 41 of Spain's 42 pro clubs have a B team in the senior pyramid, introducing prospects earlier to competitive league action, rather than age-group games. Fwiw I’m completely against PL B teams, it was mooted by the FA in 2014 and the idea swiftly dismissed. B teams would damage the sporting integrity and jeopardy of pyramid. B teams not happening in England. 3. Coach and culture. Spain appointed Luis de la Fuente to run the senior team following his work with development sides. He knows the emerging talents and has helped shape many of them. (Lee Carsley says hi). De la Fuente also benefits from a Spanish footballing identity running through the teams, development and club. But he's tweaked Spain, mixing pace/possession etc. Helped by the Elite Player Performance Plan, England have improved - just not caught up. That is why Thomas Tuchel is right when defending the Nations League against accusations of "meaningless friendlies". Playing Spain is vital practice, an experience that will improve England or remind them how far they have to go. EPPP, introduced in 2012, was needed even more after the nadir of Nice, 2016. It has definitely enhanced English player development. The quality of Tuchel’s squad highlights that. Jude Bellingham (EFL developed at Birmingham City) and Anthony Gordon (Everton academy) are important performers in La Liga. Harry Kane has just won the Ballon d’Or ahead of Lamine Yamal (3rd) and Rodri (4th). Yamal and Rodri head this latest Spanish golden generation, following the 2008-2012 vintage. And La Liga academies play a huge part, not simply with technique-enhancement. All academies have different identities but the focus on controlling the ball, controlling the game, complements the culture of the national team (with those De La Fuente tweaks). There is integrated thought and harmony between La Liga academies and the Spanish federation. Of the current 26-man Spanish squad, five were developed in whole or partly at Barcelona’s fabled talent factory, La Masia: Pau Cubarsi (via Girona), Marc Cucurella (via Espanol), Alejandro Grimaldo (inc two years at Valencia), Fermin Lopez (via Real Betis) and Yamal. Athletic Club’s Lezama academy shaped Unai Simon, Nico Williams (via Osasuna) and Aymeric Laporte (initially Agen and Bayonne in France). Real Sociedad’s Zubieta nurtured Mikel Oyarzabal, Martin Zubimendi and Ander Barrenetxea. A fabulous talent production line flows towards the national team. So much talent, and more to come. The Spanish looked at EPPP (and PL academies' player care departments) and in 2022 introduced the “National Plan for the Optimisation and Improvement of Youth Academies”, a long-term strategy. Clubs share ideas and experience. The fruits of this plan will be seen in the next generation of Spanish internationals, some of whom are currently honing their craft in B teams. B teams aren’t happening in England but it would be good to see even more English players move abroad, following both Bellinghams, Gordon, Kane and Alexander-Arnold. #ENG

England fly out to Madrid today and they have a good team, especially the front six, but there’s always some baggage with them. The current issue is who is the English Pau Cubarsi? Where is the calm, commanding ball-playing centre-back with a winning mindset and record possessed by the Barcelona and Spain defender? Reads the game, anticipates danger, times the tackle, resists the press, distributes well. And is still developing - at 19. Cubarsi was named Best Young Player at the World Cup and runner-up to Lamine Yamal in the Kopa award for best young player at the Ballon d’Or. In the overall Ballon d’Or won by Harry Kane, the defender marking him this weekend came 12th. Aged 19. I voted Cubarsi sixth because of his individual performances, trophies and talent. At St George’s Park, the FA is looking to develop similar defenders of that supreme calibre. Peak John Stones was close. But where is the next Rio Ferdinand, who was world class at his peak (2002 World Cup)? Marc Guehi has lost his confidence for now (but will surely regain his old poise). Ezri Konsa is a decade older than Cubarsi. Jarell Quansah develops by the year but still has a mistake in him. Levi Colwill could train on. Big Dan Burn is 34. Jarrad Branthwaite is promising but five years older than Cubarsi and seemingly still has to convince Thomas Tuchel. James Hill was scouted by Barcelona at 19, during a League 1 game for Fleetwood at Burton, moved to Bournemouth and has just been drafted into the England squad. Like Branthwaite, Hill’s five years older than Cubarsi. From the Under-21s, Max Alleyne, Stephen Mfuni and Josh Acheampong offer hope. None are in Cubarsi’s league. Centre-back is the most significant concern for England. Given the work of the academies and FA coaching and development staff, England are well stocked in many other positions. In goal with the Trafford/Pickford succession slowly taking place (but Pickford deserves to remain No 1 for now). Right-back: James, Alexander-Arnold, White, Livramento. Left-back: Hall, O’Reilly, Spence. Central midfield: Rice, Anderson, Scott, Lewis-Skelly, Mainoo, Garner, Wharton, Jobe*, Dewsbury-Hall*, Nyoni*. 10: Jude, Rogers, Gibbs-White, Eze, Palmer, Foden, King*. Right wing: Rogers, Saka, Madueke, Ngumoha, Dowman*. Left wing: Gordon, Rashford. At 9, FA coaches looking at developing more 9s, an oft-expressed concern, but, going forward in every sense, there is the idea of Jude as a mobile, elite 9 and Kane 10. England have talent and strength in depth. Its centre-back remains a worry. Cubarsi will be watched with envy in Madrid. #ENG. * denotes uncapped.

Half-and-half scarves, half-time interviews and more. So much sense being talked here… #twitterblades 🙌

Heartfelt, typically dignified response from Michael Carrick via instagram @carras16

Making history, making records, making victories. Harry Kane scored the winner. Of course he did. He was man of the match. Of course he was. Kane was celebrated pre-match as he prepared for his record 126th England appearance and for his recent Ballon d’Or glory. He was celebrated during the game for his performance, another winning performance. Six thoughts from Wembley and the 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia starting with England’s captain … 1.Legend at work. It had to be Kane’s night. England’s record appearance maker, Ballon d’Or winner, scored (64th minute) his 92nd goal in his 126th international. Loudly celebrated by Wembley, including his family, who were all present to witness his historic night. Kane’s 27th penalty (non-shootout) was calm and clinical, straight down the middle. He’ll reach his century at some point next year. Incredible return. Kane also showed his passing range, including cross-field to Jude Bellingham in the build-up to Morgan Rogers’ goal. Kane at 10 and Bellingham 9 for 2030 World Cup? 2.The Killers greatest anthem at half-time and Rogers was Mr Right Side. Rogers lacks the burning pace of a Noni Madueke, especially, or Bukayo Saka, but looks increasingly Tuchel’s choice on the right. Hard-working at pressing and creating, Rogers was constantly involved, running into space for the ball. Showed such intelligent movement, drifting into the six-yard box to turn in Bellingham’s cut-back (24). That's eight goals and five assists for Chelsea and England this season. Quiet second half. 3.Nothing left to prove? Has Tuchel finally alighted on the right combination for the left. Lewis Hall enjoyed a good understanding with Anthony Gordon, echoing their Newcastle connection. Hall showed his defensive prowess, jockeying Igor Matanovic and then blocking. Djed Spence appears first choice, Nico O’Reilly also amongst contenders but surely time to bed Hall in. 4.England’s long-running search for a right-back. Reece James would be the first choice but injury too often precludes that. Trent Alexander-Arnold was given another chance and was peak Trent, pirouetting on the ball one moment, delivering a raking cross-field pass to Rogers the next, then a looping cross on the run, having a shot blocked but then gifting Croatia the ball. 5.Central reservations. England’s unconvincing centre-backs, England’s Achilles heel. Better teams will punish them, and England were almost punished by Croatia towards the end. Dan Burn, at 34, is hardly the future. Jarell Quansah got caught out; his header back to Jordan Pickford was seized on by Petar Sucic, who scored (59). England need the absent Marc Guehi re-finding his old assurance. They need Ezri Konsa fit for Spain on Sunday. 6.Tuchel’s in-game changes. Sensible resting and rotating, also reflecting England’s strength in depth. Ben White for Alexander-Arnold (76), White received a few boos from those fans who’ve not forgotten or forgiven him for leaving camp in 2022 and his self-imposed exile. James Garner for Rice (76), going alongside Anderson, and on a ball-hunting mode. The exciting Rio Ngumoha for Gordon (76), maintaining the pace down the left. Surprising that Tuchel didn’t give a few more of his stars – like Anderson – a break. But on to Madrid, needing victory against the world champions to top group. Will need to defend better. #ENG

10 minutes remaining and quite a few England fans leaving already. Usual traffic/travel concerns. Attendance 80,484. #ENGCRO

Harry Kane is now only 8 short of a century of goals for England. #ENG #ENGCRO

Poll of Wembley fans. #BallonDor

When England played Portugal in the Euro 2004 quarter-final, Kane was taken to his local pub in Chingford, The Sirloin, with his family to watch the game. When England lost on pens, Kane went home, went out into the garden and practised pens. He was 10. When the same spot-kick fate befell England at the 2006 World Cup, the 12-year-old Kane, again heart-broken, again went home and practised penalties. Hard work has made Kane the acclaimed player he is, the player celebrated at Wembley for setting a new England appearance record of 126 and for winning the Ballon d’Or. Practice has made Kane perfect. He scored his first England goal after 79 seconds of his debut against Lithuania in 2015. He’d prepared for the moment. He won the Ballon d’Or (getting my vote as the English representative amongst the judges) because he delivered in all three categories: individual performance (73 goals in 65 games for Bayern Munich and England); collective performance (trophies – Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal); and role model element. It is this latter section where Kane also scored heavily. He’s funded reforestation projects in Mozambique and Madagascar, and mental health campaigns among children in England. He’s campaigned against the threat of developers building on playing fields of dreams for kids. He’s wholesome. In his Ballon d’Or acceptance speech, Kane spoke so powerfully and impressively that the decision to award him the trophy ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Rodri was vindicated further. He’s the model of maximising talent. The power of persistence. Everyone knows Kane’s journey, the hardship and doubters he overcame. Making his professional debut in front of 2,731 fans for Orient at Spotland, those loan periods, sitting on the bench at Leicester and Norwich, living away from home, never giving up on his dream. Kane embodies great principles for life, let alone sport. He’s stuck up for his sport, even putting his name to a letter to FIFA about the dangers of the increasingly crammed calendar. He wasn’t thinking of himself, merely his peers. For all tonight’s acclaim, Kane still has a point to prove. His performances in the bigger tournament matches, notably the 2018 and 2026 World Cup semi-finals, and the finals of Euro 2020 and 2024, have not been his strongest. But his work in getting England to these crunch moments cannot be denied. He’s scored 14 times at the World Cup. He scored the extra-time winner against Denmark to take England to the Euro 2020 final and again in the Euro 2024 semi against the Netherlands. He got England into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup with two late goals against DR Congo. He’s an England legend. As a player, he is getting better with age. He’s 33, and certainly capable of starting at Euro 2028. And then, what odds Kane at 10 and Jude Bellingham at 9 at the 2030 World Cup? #ENG

England (v Croatia): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Burn, Hall; Rice, Anderson; Rogers, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane. Strong front six, attacking full-backs, but enduring concerns about strength in depth at centre-back. #ENG

Thomas Frank the logical choice for Crystal Palace. Good luck to him. Experienced Premier League manager, point to prove after Spurs, good man-manager, will lift spirits, popular with media, will represent club well. #CPFC 🦅

"A wound that will never heal”, Daily Telegraph, 2005. The wound won’t heal until the Glazers sell. Manchester United fans are right. The owners, especially the Glazers, are the real problem at the club and have been since 2005. #MUFC

“The reason why #MUFC fans have continued to support Michael Carrick in recent weeks is they know responsibility for United’s problems do not primarily rest with him or indeed his predecessors as manager. They lie with the ownership.” Manchester United Supporters’ Trust.

England legacy cap presentations will be made in the Wembley Suite this evening to Terry Butcher and Russell Osman, as well as the family of Jack Charlton. #ENG

“After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.” Manchester United on decision to dismiss Michael Carrick #MUFC

Michael Carrick loses his job but keeps his dignity. The decision is understandable but the way his exit has been handled is a disgrace. #MUFC henrywinterfootball.substack…

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will one day have to explain why Manchester United didn’t follow Michael Carrick’s recommendation of the four players he felt the club needed in the summer window – Elliot Anderson, Lewis Hall, Morgan Rogers and, fourth on the list, Mateus Fernandes. Were debt repayments restricting their buying power? Was it simply because United felt the fees were too much for them? In the case of Fernandes, United certainly felt Spurs overpaid for the midfielder from relegated West Ham - £85m for a player West Ham bought from Southampton a year earlier for £38m. But everyone knew the market was inflated and those were the fees being demanded – and commanded – for such young talent, especially in a World Cup summer. Anderson went for £114m, Rogers for £115m. Hall (overlooked for World Cup) could probably have been got for £60m+ before he committed to Newcastle United. Anderson would have transformed United's midfield - certainly more than the £150m spent on Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans. Hall was the obvious choice to fill the problem position of left-back with Luke Shaw injured and 31. There used to be a time when Manchester United would go for “best in class” players, even if that meant chunky fees. Not now. That has to change. Mauricio Pochettino will certainly expect Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox to think bigger in the transfer market - more befitting of a club United's size. Carrick, understanding the challenge United faced in the summer, wanted United to buy properly. They didn't. An indication of the way ahead will be whether Mauricio Pochettino's title is head coach or manager (and driving recruitment like Arteta, Emery). #MUFC

🪖 What does a war do to a teenager who then spends 20 years in football dressing rooms? 🎙️ Henry Winter sits down with Falklands veteran and former striker Phil Stant for FC Camisa and The Winterview. 🎖️Phil says things here his fellow veterans have never heard him say. Contains graphic descriptions of war. Watch now: youtu.be/ZD2uGKlceus