Steve Holland names England’s player of the tournament and it’s not who you think

Three Lions assistant Steve Holland names who he believes is England’s player of the tournament and it’s not who you think.

Heading into the huge semi-final against Denmark on Wednesday, we have seen a variety of players get on the pitch for Gareth Southgate’s side.

However we have also seen a number that are yet to have any game time so far, leaving the manager feeling gutted and regrettable and not being able to implement them into the starting lineups or coming off the bench.

“It’s a selfless approach of what’s best for the team, not what’s best for me here. That’s not easy to do.” 🗣

England’s assistant manager, Steve Holland, tells us why Conor Coady is his player of the tournament so far ⤵️#bbcfootball #EURO2020 #ENG #ENGDEN

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) July 7, 2021

Well his number two, Steve Holland, who you often seen standing with the boss or in the background reckons there is a footballer who hasn’t played a single minute that has been a big influence behind the scenes.

“My player of the tournament so far is Conor Coady, I would say,” Holland told BBC Football Daily.

“He’s not get on the pitch yet, but on the training pitch he gives everything.

“In the dressing room before the game, he speaks like he’s captain despite the fact he’s not been on the pitch yet. That’s incredibly difficult to do.”

Coady has so far gained five England caps heading into the Euros but has been kept out of the side for the tournament by a defence which is yet to concede a goal because the team is that good.

Holland has likened his presence in the squad to that of John Terry when working at Chelsea. How’s that for comparison.

“To be fair, I had an experience like it at Chelsea with Antonio Conte, in 2017, where John Terry only started seven games,” he said.

“It was the year Chelsea were champions with a 3-4-3, and we had Gary Cahill, (Cesar) Azpilicueta and David Luiz in the back three.

“So, John Terry plays five or six games, but in the dressing room on a day-to-day basis and on the training ground, after games and before games, the contribution he made to the group had a huge influence on the success of the team.”

Holland added: “A selfless approach, what’s best for the team, is not easy to do.

“But we have great examples of players going down that road, which is inspirational, really.

“I’ve mentioned Conor, and there are others like Jordan Henderson. When you put all that into the melting pot, it’s a powerful group we have.”

Southgate said on his regret: “It’s enjoyable but immediately I’m thinking about the players that I didn’t get on the pitch because the likes of Conor Coady, Ben Chilwell, Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone, Ben White.

“We’ve had 21 on the pitch but those guys have been as important. The spirit that they’ve created, the togetherness. I regret not getting them on the field and I hate this thing of having to leave three out every match.

“It takes more energy from me than anything else because none of them deserve to be out of the 26. The fact that the guys have shown the respect that they’ve shown is why we’re in the position that we’re in.”

As Steve Holland names his England’s player of the tournament, Twitter gave their reaction…

@vickywright5459: Love this and I couldn’t agree more. Would love to see him given the chance to be on that pitch tonight

@PaulMansell10: We are very fortunate to have such a great leader at our club, not only for the effect he has on the other players, but how he represents #wwfc

@Adamfpeek: A lot of non league players should watch this, rather than leave a team after 2/3 games not playing, play your part and your time will come

@Lloydy_09: My skipper 🐺 🧡🖤⚽️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

@Kingwolf84: 100% his leadership skills are huge and I’m sure that Bruno Lage will want to have him around the dressing room.

@pedalsingh: Best Captain in every aspect…on the pitch, off the pitch, in front of media, with the young players. No one better in English Football.

@billyquiet7: What a guy

@GLucking1: Love this

@sbarneywillis: The guy is an absolute legend and sick of other Wolves fans talking him down

@Libeema: Loved listening to Coady on MNF and then on Carragher’s podcast. Proper pundit and good knowledge and passion of the game.

@DerekShaw3: I can well imagine Coady’s influence in the dressing room. He never stops talking both on or off the pitch. After the tournament is over, it would interesting to see a video clip showing scenes in the dressing room prior to one of the matches.

@julianholigan: Great to hear. Shame they couldn’t have given him a few minutes at 4 nil up against Ukraine then

@bromWWFC: “Club man of the year” 😂

@chinacomedystu: I love him. But I’m so sad because this essentially means he’s not getting a game this tournament.

@satsomboon: Yes coady is so important that hasn’t stepped on the pitch’ Maguire on a yellow card against bang average team winning 4.0 that wouldn’t even hand coady the arm band and minutes on the pitch but player of the tournament lol

@Soooperpigdog: Pity CC didnt get 10mins towards the end of the Ukraine game though

@LucasMoriatti: Coady the Mascot sure he loves that.. could have brought him on against Ukraine

@waggy64: I just want him to get 5 mins. Winning or losing, this guy deserves his time in this tournament.

@rutlandwolf: Really disappointed he didn’t get him a few minutes in the last game at 3 or 4-0. Hope he gets to play at some point.

@RichWolvesMetal: He’ll make a fine coach one day.

@gjp12775: Conor Coady is immense off the field. He represents his country the same way as he represents @Wolves. A highly popular member of the @England squad.

@DeanBarker06: The importance of good squad members within the group 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⚽️

@wolvesmatchworn: This bloke lives for football. If he wasn’t in the squad he would have been in the stands. Everyone talks about what Nuno did for Wolves but Conor’s part should never be underestimated. Best Wolves Captain since Mike Bailey whatever the future holds….