Crystal Palace will forever hold a special place in Gareth Southgate’s affections. They were good for him, giving him the platform to launch his football career, and he is now being good to them.
In selecting Marc Guehi and Connor Gallagher for the first international game of 2022, Southgate ensured this was the first time since June 1991 – when John Salako and Geoff Thomas lined up in 4-2 dismissal of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur – that two Palace players started an England international.
Southgate needs no reminder of how vibrant the club was 30 years ago; Salako and Thomas would be followed, at varying stages, by Ian Wright, Andy Gray and Nigel Martyn and the impression now is that a similar situation is unfolding.