World Cup

Alan Shearer: 'England squad for 2018 World Cup boasts energy and youth'

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 16 May 2018

Alan Shearer is pleased with Gareth Southgate's England squad selection for the 2018 World Cup, describing it as a good blend of "energy and youth" as well as enthusiasm.

Alan Shearer has declared himself pleased with England's squad for the 2018 World Cup, describing it as a good blend of "energy and youth" as well as enthusiasm.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate named his 23-man squad for Russia on Wednesday, with uncapped teenage defender Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool included.

Based on the players' age on the first matchday of the tournament, England have named their third-youngest squad for a World Cup, boasting an average age of 26 years and 18 days.

"The squad has got energy and youth," Shearer told BBC Sport. "There seems a genuine excitement and happiness to be involved in the squad. They are looking forward to it, which is great.

"I don't think there are huge expectations from the English public. People know where we are and that we have a better chance of being more successful in four years' time than on this occasion.

"If our team can show some improvement from two years ago and the players have given everything, I think the public will be happy with that."

England's last World Cup, at Brazil in 2014, saw them finish bottom of their group, while Euro 2016 yielded a last-16 defeat at the hands of Iceland.