Speaking on the Harry Redknapp Show Podcast. Former England goalkeeper David James has compared Wolves’ Conor Coady to Paul Gascoigne.
Of course, the two players are nothing alike in terms of styles of player. After all, Coady is a no-nonsense centre-half, while Gascoigne is one of the greatest creative English footballers of all time.
However, James says that he sees parallels with Coady and Gazza off the pitch in terms of how they bring a good level of camaraderie to the England squad.
What’s been said?
James was speaking about the balance of personalities in the England squad.
“There isn’t a perfect player, or a perfect changing room, in that they should all be like Gazza or all be like James Milner, but when you look at that England squad what they were good at was having fun off the field,” James said.
The goalkeeper then told a story about Paul Ince and Paul Gascoigne’s antics off the pitch, before returning to speak about the modern squad.
“All of this banter, as soon as it comes to game day these guys switch, and they’re some of England’s greatest players. Look at the modern-day, there’s a really good buzz about that squad. Look at Conor Coady, he’s like, I’m not saying he’s like Gazza in the wrong way, but he seems like the funny guy in that squad,” James said.
Great influence
Coady may not have played a single minute at Euro 2020, but he certainly played his part behind the scenes.
Indeed, the defender always looked to be a good influence in the dressing room, and keeping spirits high during an international tournament is almost as important as scoring goals.
Coady deserves credit for being a great personality behind the scenes, and that’s something people shouldn’t forget when discussing this historic England side in years to come.
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