Gary Neville commented on the sheer Pace Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson brought to the table during England’s thumping 6-2 win over Iran at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as he told ITV Sport.
After a strong showing for Champions League-chasing Newcastle this season, Wilson was rewarded with an England call for the first time in three years.
And what a time to make a return to the international stage for the 30-year-old.
Well, he marked his World Cup debut by bringing out an ingredient strikers don’t normally have – and that’s being unselfish.
With England cruising in the game, Gareth Southgate introduced Wilson into the action after 75 minutes, and in stoppage-time, he was racing through on goal down England’s right flank.
Rather than attempt a shot at goal given the glaring goalscoring opportunity that was in front of him, the Newcastle man proceeded to cut the ball back to Jack Grealish, who scored his first goal on the World Cup stage.
It was a blistering counter-attack from the Three Lions, as Neville was impressed by the pace shown by the England side.
“It’s massive for Gareth that he’s been able to include so many players and made all the substitutions,” said Neville. “They are all going to come off confident.
“Some of the goals are outstanding. Look at the pace (Wilson’s run for Grealish’s goal). Look at the pace in the middle. The speed.
“Gareth’s been challenged to get as many talented players into the team. He’s got as many as he could in as he possibly can. He might need to adapt that moving forward.
“But the movement and the pace we have got. If that can connect within the next couple of weeks, then we can cause some problems.”
WILSON’S UNSELFISH NATURE
England were 5-2 up when Wilson ran through on goal, if he shot and fluffed his chance, then no-one would have batted an eyelid.
But he showed that it’s more about his teammate, rather than marking his World Cup debut in the most perfect of fashions.
That type of mentality should be applauded, and hopefully, rewarded as the Three Lions look to go deep into the World Cup.
In other news, ‘He’s the best passer’: Paul Merson wants Liverpool & Arsenal duo to start World Cup today
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