Young players tend not to make significant impressions at international finals. There are exceptions, of course, notably Pele (1958 World Cup), Frank Beckenbauer (1966 World Cup) and Michael Owen (1998 World Cup), but generally football's top table is for the tried and trusted.

Before Tuesday's emotional friendly against France, it was claimed, with some justification, that it is getting far too easy to win an England cap these days. Roy Hodgson has given 32 players their debuts and 42 different players have represented England since the 2014 World Cup.

How can Tottenham's Dele Alli, who was playing against Yeovil for MK Dons in League One last May, be worth a first England start after just four Premier League matches?