Gareth Southgate hails ‘phenomenal’ development of England youngsters »

• Gareth Southgate praises England’s young players for their “phenomenal” development.

After England’s 3-0 victory against Senegal in the World Cup round of 16, manager Gareth Southgate praised his team’s youngsters in the highest possible terms.

After a sluggish start to the game, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka all played significant roles in helping the Three Lions win, demonstrating their enormous talents as a well-balanced England team secured their place in the quarterfinal.

Although Southgate has been cautious when selecting his strongest England combinations, he has not been hesitant to deploy the young players, who once again impressed on Sunday night.

“We’ve got some super young players that we feel it’s been right to give them their head and their opportunity – Jude (Bellingham), Phil (Foden), Bukayo (Saka) tonight in particular.” He told ITV after the win.

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Southgate added: “They’re heading in a really good direction and these games are brilliant life experience for them.”

Asked whether the trio were ahead of where he thought they’d be in terms of their development, Southgate responded: “Well I think the progress they’re making is phenomenal.

“I think the team have made a very complicated game tonight look straightforward and that wasn’t the case. But I think because of the mentality and the attitude (of the squad) we’ve made it look that way.”

Bellingham contributed the opening assist of the match with a full-court press, while Foden became the second-youngest player after Ronaldo to record two assists in a World Cup quarterfinal game since 1966.