Premiership: Richards next for England, Hoddle hints
Glenn Hoddle is hoping Dean Richards can follow in the footsteps of his former Southampton team-mate Wayne Bridge and earn a call into the England squad.
Hoddle is a big admirer of left-back Bridge, whom he worked with when he was coach at the Saints before taking charge at Spurs last year.
The former England boss went back to his former club and signed centre-half Richards this season for £8m (€13m) and he believes the big defender is close to following Bridge, who earned his first England cap in last night’s 1-1 friendly draw in Holland.
‘‘I was delighted for Wayne and as soon as I can get to a telephone I shall be calling to congratulate him,’’ said Hoddle.
‘‘I was in Wales on Wednesday night watching them play Argentina, but from what I saw in the highlights he had a terrific game and equipped himself very well. I am sure Sven-Goran Eriksson will be delighted with him.
‘‘Deano has come here and he has got the ability. He has settled in quickly, and I do not think he is far away from the squad himself.
‘‘Dean has improved as a player, and if he keeps on improving there is no reason why he cannot develop into an international player. But that is for Sven to decide, not me.’’
Hoddle is happy to have as many of his men playing for their country as possible, because he believes it makes them better players.
He said: ‘‘If you have international players at your club it means they are good players, and it means they are gaining valuable experience.
‘‘You want your players learning their trade at the highest level.
‘‘I watched Simon Davies play for Wales against Argentina, who are one of the so-called favourites for the World Cup, and he will have learnt things and grown as a player by playing at that level.
‘‘It is part of development in a player and if you get called up by your country it gives you a lot more confidence and belief in your game.
‘‘It improves you as a player because the concentration you have to show at international level is far superior to what it is in the league.
‘‘You cannot give that to your players. They have to experience it for themselves, so playing for your country is excellent development.’’
Ledley King was forced to pull out of England’s friendly at the last minute with tonsillitis, and Hoddle is hoping a course of antibiotics will help him recover in time to face Tranmere in Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at White Hart Lane.
Darren Anderton also pulled out with a hamstring problem, but is expected to be fit for Spurs.
