Conor Coady cut someone a filthy look when he was asked what a good tourist looked like.
“Did he just call me a tourist?” asked Coady, with a broad grin but making a point. You can’t help but love Coady - he’s the epitome of a brilliant bloke. And without wishing to upset him, he’s exactly what England need. Seriously good defender, versatile and so important for the dressing room dynamic.
During the Euros, Three Lions No2 Steve Holland even described Coady as England’s most important player. That is because at the Euros, at the last World Cup and now this time in Doha, England have a real togetherness, a tight group and, most importantly, no cliques.
Players like Coady set the tone and, listening to Aaron Ramsdale, he also fits into the mould. Arsenal keeper Ramsdale is effectively No3 in the squad behind Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope but, despite his team being top of the table, there is nothing there but a determination to help the squad and push the other two.
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Ramsdale also rammed home in his interviews just what a down-to-earth bloke he is, a player living the dream and feeling lucky to be there. There is no big time ego or taking it for granted. His stories about where he watched the last World Cup was boys’ own gold. Where did he watch England’s opening game against Tunisia in 2018?
“So it was the summer – oh God – I was in Aiya Napa watching the first game at Lineker's bar with my friends. That was crazy because obviously Harry Kane scored the last minute header, that was an eventful night!
“I watched another at a fan zone in Weymouth and then the Colombia game I watched the day before pre-season, so I was with my group of friends who me and Ben White know round their house. As you can imagine, there was a lot of cheering in the front room and I still get goosebumps now thinking about it and I wasn't even there but it was a special night.”
You need a few of those characters in the squad. There’s a few that have come up through the divisions, been loaned out or worked their way up.
It’s been a journey. Even for Harry Kane. Loaned out left, right and centre. There’s no divine right on his part.
That is why Ramsdale got emotional when talking about his dad, how both his parents supported him on the way up and why it means so much to them that he is at the World Cup. His parents became TV stars on Arsenal’s All Or Nothing documentary, they are clearly great parents and his dad was a massive hit thanks to his lucky fez hat.
Ramsdale added: “I think he's waiting on a Goggle Box type TV show to go on with me. He's just an entertainer and a big character. He's a massive part of who I am. They'll be really excited regardless and my dad will be wearing his hat out here which will bring a bit of luck.
“He's got the same hairline as me so we both cover our heads. He's got a collection of hats. He's got many. The fez is his favourite and he's getting a little bit recognisable now.”
