England’s time spent at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this winter was most certainly bittersweet.
Gareth Southgate’s side topped a potentially tricky group, thumping Iran and Wales to set up a last-16 tie with African champions Senegal.
Admittedly the Lions of Teranga were without their star man, Sadio Mane, but that last 16 tussle was also a potential banana skin.
England passed that test with flying colours, with goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka sealing a comfortable 3-0 victory.
It seemed as though the Three Lions were going from strength to strength and they headed into their quarter-final match-up with reigning champions France as slight favourites.
Despite playing Les Bleus off the park for long periods, it was the French who found a way to win, as all good champions do.
England were sent packing at the last-eight stage once again, earning the unwanted record for most quarter final eliminations in the history of the World Cup.
But unlike in years gone by, England left football’s grandest stage with their heads held high. And here are the three players which shone brightest this winter.
Harry Maguire
Has there been any player more vilified in the last two years than Harry Maguire?
The Manchester United captain has come in for criticism from all corners during a poor couple of seasons at Old Trafford.
But in Qatar, ‘Slabhead’ was at his very best. He was a rock at the heart of the English defence alongside John Stones and he did his utmost to silence his many critics.
Bukayo Saka
During that heartbreaking defeat to France, Bukayo Saka was England’s dangerman.
He destroyed AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez — who is considered one of the finest full-backs in the world — on a regular basis.
He won England’s first penalty and everyone was flabbergasted when Southgate chose to remove him in favour of Raheem Sterling after 80 minutes.
Saka top-scored for England this winter with three goals and at just 21 years of age, he will be shining brightly for years to come.
Jude Bellingham
Has there ever been a more exciting talent in English football than Jude Bellingham?
The former Birmingham City youngster is just 19 years of age but has already racked up 156 senior appearances, as well as picking up 22 international caps.
He truly is a generational talent.
He was at his devastating best during the second-round meeting with Senegal, regularly bursting from midfield and making things happen.
He assisted the opening goal before playing a crucial role in the second, and you feel that if England are to achieve success, Bellingham will have an integral part to play.
