Simon Cooper

This is astonishing.

This is unthinkable in previous years when even a drunken, fat talent like Paul Gascoigne was just essential and always had to go even if he only had one leg.

And now there's a lack of quality.

And so you have England have learned the continental virtues.

I would call them the Dutch virtues.

But they've kept this one English quality of they're the strongest team in the world in the air.

So...

Other teams are terrified of conceding free kicks and corners against England, especially now you're not allowed to arm wrestle during corner kicks anymore.

So you have somebody like Harry Kane and not this time Harry Maguire coming in for high balls.

England are just astonishingly good in that department.

I don't think it changes British politics because if you live in Britain, then you're very aware of, you know, why is there no train?

Why does nothing work, et cetera?

Why are my wages lower than in 2007?

Whereas if you don't, then yes, your image of today's Britain is very largely shaped by the Premier League and then by the England team.

So it's enormous positive in the appreciation of England.

People see, for example, you saw Africans celebrating Arsenal's league win.

People in Kenya, people in Nigeria, people see a country that...

He's very happy with foreign staff, with black stars, where people from Argentina or Nigeria arrive and seem to be welcomed and become heroes of their community.

The quality is very good.

And England, English football has always had this unique mix of two very important qualities, which is tradition.