Roberto Martinez: ‘England have desire

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has praised Englandcounterpart Gareth Southgate for instilling “desire” into the Three Lions camp.

Southgate’s side will top Group G with victory over the Red Devils in Kaliningrad on Thursday, following victories over Tunisia and Panama.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, Martinez hailed Southgate for creating a “culture” within his squad.

“For me, obviously, I am on the outside looking in, and what I see is Gareth Southgate has brought all his success from Under-21 level and has developed an England culture,” 44-year-old said.

“I think there is a clear structure, there has been a real tactical awareness, there has been a change of system to go into different qualifying games.

“They have found a system that suits this generation. There is a youth about them, an energy, a belief and a real desire.”

Belgium are joint-top with England on six points going into Thursday’s decider.

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