Former England star calls for radical change to international football and wants to see pointless friendlies scrapped

Tim Sherwood has urged the FA to abolish England friendlies and replace them with full-throttle intra-squad matches that pit the nation’s best against hungry hopefuls. The ex-midfielder, capped three times in 1999, believes Thomas Tuchel’s side will learn “absolutely zero” from Tuesday’s meeting with Japan and claims supporters deserve a spectacle worth the admission price.

Speaking to Sky Sports after England’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay on Friday—a contest that featured a second-string XI—Sherwood argued that a televised “first XI versus second XI” would offer greater insight for the coaching staff and genuine jeopardy for the players. “From Thomas’ point of view, he knows what these games are going to look like before he’s played them,” Sherwood said. “I would pay to watch them XI vs XI against each other so you can learn.”

Sherwood, who won the Premier League as a player and later managed Tottenham and Aston Villa, predicted a “borefest” against Japan, forecasting sterile possession and a routine Harry Kane double. Instead, he wants to see Kobbie Mainoo, James Garner and other fringe contenders line up against the established order. “If I was a player, I would want to lock horns with my opposition, someone who’s got the shirt at the moment,” he added. “Let’s go the whole hog and have a head-to-head in front of the crowd.”

The 55-year-old conceded that finances make the proposal unlikely, but insisted it would deliver both entertainment and meaningful evaluation ahead of this summer’s World Cup. England have already lost Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke to Arsenal recall, while Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton has also returned to his club. With squad places still up for grabs, Sherwood believes an internal showdown would reveal more than any traditional friendly.