During the international break a mini-spat over the England players’ pride, or lack of, provided a helpful starting point towards the remaking of football as a social movement. 

Explaining England’s inability to go 1-0 up against Malta until well into the second half has a lot less to do with the lack of emotional commitment of Harry Kane et al than their inability to play. 

“Pride” is the easy cop-out, but how many of England’s starting 11 would Paris Saint Germain be chasing after with their chequebooks, or Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund be in the market for after their most-talented players have been sold off ?