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Conor Coady believes England can learn from last year’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, just as they did from experiences at the 2018 World Cup.
The Wolves captain only made his England debut in September 2020, but has become a regular face of Gareth Southgate’s squads in recent times, and will likely be a part of the Three Lions setup at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Coady – who came through the ranks at youth level with Liverpool – now has nine senior England caps, and spoke to Sky Sports ahead of Tuesday’s friendly with Ivory Coast at Wembley Stadium.
“I think we can learn so much from that,” he said when asked about losing on penalties to Italy in July. “That’s something this group of players, this squad, this team, have done ever so well at since the World Cup in 2018 and the Nations League – trying to take on board everything we’ve done.
“We can learn so much. Whether it be in games, tactical stuff or obviously being around the place as well, so there’s always stuff we can improve on and always stuff we can learn. That’s something we try to do every time we meet up as well.”
The 29-year-old has played in all 30 Premier League games for Wolves this season, and is part of a backline that has conceded just 26 goals, the fourth best in the league behind only Manchester City (18), Chelsea (19) and Liverpool (20), but insists he never takes his place in the England squad for granted.
“I never get used to the feeling because if you do, I think you become a little bit comfortable,” he said.
“Getting comfortable is something I’ve never done in my life, I never would do. Being called up by your country is the biggest privilege a footballer can ever have in their life, so I’ve never got comfortable and I’ll never take it for granted.”
Coady also praised the new faces in the latest England squad, with Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters as well as Crystal Palace duo Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell making their senior international debuts in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Switzerland.
“All of them have stood out,” Coady added. “We see the quality they have in training, we see what they’re like on the ball, we see how they play.
“They’re fantastic footballers, but I think more importantly, they’re fantastic people and that’s what this squad’s for. It’s full of absolutely brilliant people who want to try and help and they’re no different.”
