sport news Sportsmail's three wise men on how Southgate gets his young players to shine on ...

England's young players rose to the occasion as the Three Lions beat the Czech Republic 5-0 on Friday night. 

Gareth Southgate's men kicked off their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with a dominant win at Wembley.

Here, Jamie Redknapp, Martin Keown, and Chris Sutton reflect on the victory and assess Gareth Southgate's squad going forward.

Left to right: Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dele Alli during a gym session on Sunday

Left to right: Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dele Alli during a gym session on Sunday

What was the best thing about England’s 5-0 win over the Czech Republic?

JAMIE REDKNAPP: The fearlessness. For years, we’ve seen England sides crippled by fear. It was a major problem. The players wouldn’t feel they could express themselves. Then Gareth Southgate came along. He’s freed their minds.

Just look at Jadon Sancho’s double nutmeg against the Czech Republic on his full competitive debut. That sums it up. Even our attackers as young as 18 and 19 aren’t afraid to express themselves under Southgate and that’s what the manager wants.

He came in with a clear idea of how he wants his side to perform. He’s not scared to make big decisions, he doesn’t let the press pick the team and is doing what he thinks is best.

England's players celebrate a goal during their dominant victory over Czech Republic

England's players celebrate a goal during their dominant victory over Czech Republic

CHRIS SUTTON: The manner in which they won. It was important for England to get their European Championship qualifying off to a good start and winning by five was a statement. They have carried on their momentum from the summer’s World Cup seamlessly.

I know we’ve all been hailing him since that tournament but I cannot help thinking it’s down to the manager. Southgate is willing to give young players the opportunity to play. He shows faith in them. That is something we may not have seen with previous England hierarchies.

Youngsters might have feared if they did not take their first chance, a second one might not follow. That is not the case with Southgate. The mindset is different.

MARTIN KEOWN: How comfortable it was. There was a gulf in class between the two teams. You could see England were brimming with confidence, which is something that has been lacking in previous generations. In the past, players have not been able to duplicate their club form on the international stage but they made it look easy against the Czech Republic.

The manager deserves credit for that. England were dominant, controlling 66.4 per cent possession. Their first goal, scored by Raheem Sterling, was like something you’d see from Manchester City. Southgate is asking his players to play in a way that is not too dissimilar to how they play with their clubs. That settles them and England are reaping the rewards.

Gareth Southgate applauds the England fans following his side's victory at Wembley

Gareth Southgate applauds the England fans following his side's victory at Wembley

Who would you like to see in the team against Montenegro?

SUTTON: I wanted to see Declan Rice start at Wembley and for me, with Dier sidelined, that should now happen. He deserves his shot for the season he’s had.

When Eric Dier went off against the Czech Republic I thought Rice would replace him but Southgate stuck with Ross Barkley. Without wishing to sound harsh, I’m not sure the Chelsea man brings enough to the table.

England have drawn three of their last four games against Montenegro so this is no foregone conclusion. For me, keep the same starting line-up, but bring in Rice for the injured Dier.

Declan Rice smiles during England's training session at St George's Park on Sunday

Declan Rice smiles during England's training session at St George's Park on Sunday

REDKNAPP: I think it’s too soon for Callum Hudson-Odoi to start. He’s got the skills and speed that can frighten defenders but he has to feature regularly for Chelsea first. You can see there is so much talent in the 18-year-old. Once he is playing week in, week out, like Sancho is in Germany, then the confidence will come.

Southgate’s only other dilemma is whether to replace the injured Dier with Rice. Playing away from home in a competitive fixture is not easy but he is more of a defence-minded option than Barkley.

KEOWN: England will not be taking these qualifying fixtures lightly. They will want to qualify as quickly as possible. The Nations League, where England are in the semi-finals and face Holland in June, also offers an alternative route into the European Championship.

But for now, Southgate’s focus is on Montenegro. He will pick his strongest team. He’s lost Dier to injury and Barkley could slot in, just as he did against the Czechs.

It would be a big ask for Rice to start for the first time away in Montenegro. Sterling should start again. That’s why Southgate took him off before the end of the game on Friday night.

Hudson-Odoi laughs as the Three Lions got back to work ahead of the Montenegro clash

Hudson-Odoi laughs as the Three Lions got back to work ahead of the Montenegro clash

Will Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford struggle to get back into the starting line-up?

REDKNAPP: The way Rashford performs for Manchester United, it would be hard to leave him out, even if Sancho is pushing to start. Harry Kane and Sterling are immovable too. They’re the two most important players. Lingard can be deployed in a deeper role like he was during the World Cup.

There is competition for places, though, and Southgate must be loving the fact he has so many in-form forwards to choose from. This is a problem England have not had for years, so let’s enjoy it.

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