Matt Maher: England have what it takes to claim a trophy

Not that it will stop the grumbling. For a while it has been more fashionable to criticise what England’s second-most successful manager of all time hasn’t done, rather than appreciate what he has.

It’s understandable, to a point. Last month marked seven years since Southgate took the reins, initially on a temporary basis, from Sam Allardyce. In football terms, it is an eternity. No manager, not least that of England, can serve so long without at some stage contradicting themselves or making mistakes.

Yet while there is a sense some supporters and even certain sections of the media have grown tired of Southgate’s voice, all evidence suggests the players he leads have not.

Instead, England continue to underline their status as one of the most consistent and strongest teams in international football. A qualifying group containing a footballing behemoth in Italy, the reigning European champions, looked a test on paper. In practice, it has proven little of the sort.

“We don’t have your depth,” lamented Azzurri legend Gianfranco Zola, covering Tuesday’s match for Channel 4. Few teams do these days. Looking ahead to next summer’s tournament, there is only France who can call on greater resources of strength.

The continued rise of Jude Bellingham, a truly special player, means the gap between the respective starting XIs, already narrow in last winter’s World Cup, appears tighter still.

Southgate is no fool. Under his guidance England have reached heights few believed possible in the aftermath of losing to Iceland but for a good era to be remembered as great it will require a trophy. The team he will take to Germany 2024 is shaping up to be his strongest yet.

Expectations will rightly be high but there should also be confidence England have the players and manager capable of meeting them.