Loyalty is an emotional word, almost as emotional as disloyalty.

People who demonstrate loyalty tend to be admired, praised, and held up as good examples of how we should behave. Those who are disloyal… not so much.

For any normal football fan (a short word for fanatic), there should be no procrastination. Once a Mag, always a Mag.

However, things are not that simple for a footballer. He must take sides, literally and figuratively, in the face of contradictory demands. Almost invariably, money talks, whatever his feelings towards the club where he made his name. This is why one-club players are so rare and admired.

Such a player can guarantee adoration and criticism if he, or his agent, is smart enough to include a small but priceless contract clause: “While I am at this club that I love so much, I am the star paid. .” There would have been a few, including one in black and white who had served his sentence elsewhere before returning to Tyneside; and another from a small club in London whose nickname was Jack, as in “I’m all right, Jack.”

Another question is whether you put club before country.

The answer may be yes, if your national team manager is simply keeping the seat warm for his already designated successor. Why bother trying to impress a lame duck? Lee Carsley was a loser from the moment little Tommy Tuchel was unveiled as England’s first German manager.

Hence the nine (or should there be nine) withdrawals from the UEFA Nations League team. Some of those who would have been unavailable due to injury were clearly not 100% fit. Call me an old cynic for suggesting, however, that if the match in Athens this week had been a vital moment World Cup qualificationthere would have been fewer absentees.

Harry, the ex-Hotspur, wasn’t really impressed by the missing faces. The England captain said: “England comes before the club. England is the most important thing you play for as a professional footballer. It’s a difficult time of the season, maybe we took advantage of it a little.

For the record, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale and Levi Colwill have dropped out. Jarrad Branthwaite was quickly drafted in as a replacement and just as quickly withdrew.

The original squad of 26 men became 23, with three Newcastle United players answering the call: Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. We may not be a big club in the eyes of many observers, but none of our rivals have been so unconditional in their support of the national team.

Other factors were likely at play (pun intended).

The consensus is as follows Premier League the season will be much closer than most; not a walk for champions, not a two-horse race but a real competition with several challengers. A two-week break in mid-November, before the hectic schedule of domestic matches resuming until the new year, allows for a sort of reset that can mean the difference between three points and none when the going gets tough.

The millions of dollars from participation in the UEFA Champions League, which some clubs consider essential to their existence, have never been more sought after. Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have much more in common than their desire to create a European “Super League”.

United and our fans seemed proud of the selection of three players who have been among our best this season. It was an honorable response.

Is this loyalty misplaced?

I can’t be the only dedicated football follower who thinks the Nations League is an annoying intrusion into an already busy schedule. If England remain second in this over-the-top tournament, I’ll just shrug. If Gordon, Hall or Livramento miss even one club game due to an injury caused during their national service, I will go crazy. Fingers crossed they all survive the Ireland game at Wembley unscathed.

I also wouldn’t be happy if those from other clubs who have had two weeks of inaction are declared fit next weekend.

Captain ‘Arry took the time and trouble to congratulate the three debutants, including Roomwho impressed in Athens. Kane is no one’s fool and probably knows Tuchel better than anyone, having played under him at Bayern Munich last season.

Will the words of England’s top scorer be worth dwelling on when the next team is selected by the new man? Or, to put it another way, will those who couldn’t/wouldn’t play under Carsley this month be welcomed back in early 2025, at the expense of those who stepped into the breach?

Shakespeare considered loyalty to be a reward in itself, but in football there is almost no room for feelings. The relationship between coach and player is clearly unequal, especially when the question of club versus country arises.

Jack Grealish was selected by Carsley and was reportedly unhappy that Pep Guardiola, the Man City manager, made a fuss and said he couldn’t join the party. Grealish, you will recall, was a high-profile omission from the Euro 24 squad selected by Gareth Southgate and wasted no time in telling everyone that the decision was a big mistake. Well, he would, wouldn’t he?

His exclusion probably stung all the more because Mr. Vestcoat had demonstrated remarkable loyalty to his elected officials. Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and several others were seemingly unbeatable, no matter how uneven they were.

Kane He himself has been one of the biggest benefactors of this benevolence, having been selected throughout the Euro final last summer when he was clearly in bad shape. He injured his back at the end of his first season with Bayern and appeared tired in his following matches for England.

His record is undeniable: 68 goals in 102 matches. His power helped England reach the commercial side of the top leagues. Likewise, possession is nine-tenths of the law. Whenever he is chosen, usually as a lone attacker, the chances of others doing a better job are severely reduced. With Kane in the lead, it was a close affair but without a cigar. Much like his predecessor whose goals took England inches from the World Cup final at Italia 90. What happened to him?

For several reasons, I expect the new broom to clean house when he officially takes office on January 1 with an 18-month contract. Tuchel doesn’t owe loyalty to anyone, to my knowledge.

His first match will be a 2026 World Cup qualifier two months later. This series of games will end in November next year. If Harry is still flying the St George flag in 12 months there will likely be trouble ahead.

The usual pattern is an easy qualifying group followed by a defeat in the final once England meet a top opponent, such as Spain. Or France. Or Italy. Or Croatia. Or Iceland. . .

Despite appearances, UEFA officials have a sense of humor.

The draw for these qualifiers, where Tuchel and England will discover their immediate rivals, will take place on December 13. A Friday. It is not considered bad luck in all nations. In Spain, for example, we dread Tuesday the 13th. You couldn’t make it up!