A number of England’s players already know what it is like to win trophies wearing the Three Lions having tasted international tournament success at youth level.
Some of their former teammates recall their memories of playing with Gareth Southgate’s heroes and how they prepared for those previous huge occasions ahead of the biggest game of their lives, Sunday’s Euro 2020 showpiece against Italy.
Jordan Pickford, Ben Chilwell and Jack Grealish won the 2016 Toulon Tournament under Gareth Southgate
Middlesbrough forward Duncan Watmore, also part of the squad, said: ‘I shared a room with Jordan and, one or two dodgy song choices apart, he is such a good character to be around.
I signed for Sunderland aged 19 and, given Jordan was born the day before me, we played together coming through for our club and country.
Even at that age, I knew straight away what he would go on to achieve. Honestly, he was such a standout player for me. Every loan move he went on you would hear of the rave reviews.
Jordan Pickford had a ‘dodgy’ taste in music while at the 2016 Toulon tournament, says midfielder Duncan Watmore
Gareth Southgate led that young squad and Watmore is full of praise for his former coach
The Toulon Tournament was brilliant for us, and Jordan only conceded two goals in five games. But for all that he’s a top goalkeeper, he’s an even better guy.
He wasn’t shy at joining in the outfield sessions, either. In those possession boxes, he was better than half of us outfield players with his feet. Unbelievable.
Jack and Ben are two guys I cannot speak highly enough about, too. Like a lot of this current England squad, they are good people, and that makes such a big difference.
And Jack’s calves were always that big! He was a dream to play with. He was always trying to create space for himself, but he attracted so many players towards him that it left loads of room for me!
There is an interview Jack gave a few years ago, which was sent to me recently, in which Jack spoke about trying to use me as an example – I’m not sure he needs that guidance now!
Jack Grealish always attracted defenders to close him down… and always had big calves!
You could also see the quality in Ben straight away. I came up against him a couple of times in training, and he had everything.
It was a special dressing-room to be part of, and that was because of the lads within it, but also Gareth and Steve Holland. You see the culture now, and that is what we had, that essence of family. We bought into that.
Gareth is incredibly intelligent and studious. He always knew everything about the opposition. His man-management is clever, and players like him. He is also willing to make decisions that need to be made.
The success he has enjoyed doesn’t surprise me one bit. I just wish them all the best on Sunday.’
Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho won the Under-17 World Cup in 2017
Former teammate, Stoke goalkeeper Josef Bursik, said: ‘Phil would always be in the changing room playing two touch with himself off the wall, doing kick-ups.
All these flicks, tricks, showing off his new skills, which was always a good laugh. I’d be a bit jealous, though thinking “I’m just a stiff keeper!”, and try and get involved and spoil the game!
Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho helped England to Under-17 World Cup glory back in 2017
When you’re quite young and in a tournament like the World Cup it’s a big thing so there is an excitement of playing in front of big crowds and that’s what it was with Phil.
Everything was second nature to him and it didn’t look like the situation stressed him. The way he was was always good because it reassures everyone that he is relaxed and it rubs off on other people.
It’s a great quality to have. Jadon was chilled. He’d always be sitting in his place, earphones in, music on, looking like he is getting in the zone. Nobody in that team ever looked nervous.
Josef Bursik revealed Sancho was always calm before matches and never seemed nervous
There was so much belief that if we were all on our A-game, everyone would be sweet and we’d always beat who we’d come up against. You never want to make the occasion bigger than it needed to be because then you start thinking the worst.
Me personally, and I’m sure he was the same, you want to treat it like you’re having a kick about with your mates. When Jadon and Phil went on the pitch, the rest was history.’
Mason Mount, Reece James (also a 2017 Toulon winner) and Aaron Ramsdale (also a 2018 Toulon winner) won the Under 19 Euros in 2017 alongside West Ham keeper Nathan Trott
Trott said: ‘With those three, and everyone in the team, we just felt like we knew we were going to win. There was a confidence in the team, even building up from the games before, and watching them play, you felt nothing would really faze them.
The whole tournament Mason was outstanding. He’s always been a different type of player. What separates him from a lot of other players is his work-rate off the ball and how much he works for the team.
Nathan Trott highlights Mason Mount’s work-rate off the ball as his most impressive attribute
That helped us a lot in the final and throughout the tournament. It’s obvious now that his work-rate is different from everyone else. The amount of passion he puts in his game and how much he runs around for the team is why he gets in every starting XI.
When Reece did play he was always solid. A complete full-back. He’s just always been a different level to everyone around his age and a top player.
Aaron is a really good teammate and communicator. He’s always been a good leader and everyone looks up to him so he is good to have in a squad.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the winning goal to fire the Under-20s to World Cup glory in 2017
Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook, captain of that squad, said: ‘He was just quite relaxed before the final and just ready to do the business like I’m sure all the lads will be. Everyone knows how good a player he is.
One of the most athletic players I’ve ever played with. He’s someone to have on the bench and when he’s there he can affect a game, bring something different. He’s a top, top guy. I think they all are.
You can see the camaraderie between the players and staff. Even the lads who are not making the bench they’re still supporting and loving the atmosphere. There is nothing better than winning trophies, medals.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the winner as England’s Under-20s won the World Cup in 2017
Lewis Cook sees the Everton front man as one of the most athletic players he has played with
It’s always nice winning a tournament in general but a World Cup, it was amazing when we were younger. Then you see the level of the semi-final, the whole country coming together and everywhere everyone singing the same songs, it must have been unbelievable.
I remember being a little nervous but also really excited before the final. You’ve got to go out there, enjoy yourself and know it’s not going to come around so often. Look at the positive of what you can achieve rather than the negative of what could happen.
Throughout this Euros, the management staff, players, from what I’ve seen, have just remained really calm. Hopefully they bring it home.’
Conor Coady and Sam Johnstone won the Under-17 Euros in 2010
Former teammate Rob Hall, who has just left Oxford and also played with Kane at under-19 level, said: ‘Conor is one of the best professionals I’ve ever come across. I know, even not being there, that his character and the way he conducts himself will be something for the younger players to look up to.
You do get some players who might be angry they’re not playing or different behaviour wise but Conor is 110 per cent either way. He’s got that captain mentality and if Harry Kane came off and Conor was on the pitch it would not surprise me if Kane gave the armband to him, because he is that type of person.
Conor Coady’s leadership skills and professionalism has been clear to see from a young age
He’s a quality player but his balance on when to have a laugh and when to be serious was right. His banter was top draw. Funny guy. But he also knew when to turn it off, focus, recover, train hard.
He knows exactly what to do at the right time and that’s not in everyone. He’s been brought up with that and credit to his family.
Sam was like a silent assassin with the jokes. He’d pop up and say one thing that had me in stitches. On the pitch you could hear him all game, always conducting his back four.
Back then I’d never seen anyone kick a ball so hard in my life and to score past him or Jack Butland, you knew you had to put it right in that top corner. He really stood out with his mannerisms as well.
Rob Hall would have no worries if Sam Johnstone was called upon to replace Jordan Pickford
All the boys were lovely and professional but he came across like he had the Man United way. If I saw Jordan Pickford get injured and Sam had to go in I’d be full of confidence in Sam. It doesn’t surprise me he is away with the first team.
I remember H [Kane] being very focused before games. He did everything with precision. His performances and goals around that time, his passing, the time and preparation he put into himself before the game, recovery for the next game, all of that, shone through.
Me, I’m just happy, fully fit and ready to go, waiting for the right offer and opportunity to carry on my career but it’s a joy to see some of the boys I do know, watching them on the TV doing well. It’s uplifting and positive.’