Mendieta: England's flair might have vanished, but we're still very worried

The question being raised in Spain about this England side is: when will we see their flair?

Everyone watches the Premier League in Spain and knows the attacking threat of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and even John Stones coming out of defence. And of course we are all aware of Jude Bellingham.

England are sound, they are well-organised but offensively we have only seen them in brief moments. The danger for Spain is those moments have got England to the final. Gareth Southgate has been criticised but it is impossible to say if the cautious approach or absence of flair has been down to him.

They actually looked like they had found a freedom against the Dutch, yet you can’t argue with Gareth being unbeaten in 14 competitive matches, since the World Cup.

I knew Gareth as a player when we were at Middlesbrough. Did I see him as a manager then? No — and I don’t think he did, either.

One day he was joking with team-mates, the next he was telling them they were not playing, and Gareth prefers a peaceful atmosphere so conflict was uncomfortable for him.

My first experience of Gareth as a manager was not great. It was at Middlesbrough and it is in the past now but I wanted to be told if I was playing. All I wanted was a bit of honesty but I found out a different way I wasn’t part of the plan.

We have spoken since, and he said it is something he would have done differently. Maybe he has changed with experience and over the years his approach has improved.

I think it suited him to go into the England Under 21 set-up when he did, giving him time to work within a project and some of those young players are now in the first team and aware of his philosophy.

There has been debate about Harry Kane’s place similar to the situation with Luis de la Fuente and Alvaro Morata. Luis trusts Alvaro and it is clear Gareth trusts Harry. You have leaders in your team, generals on the pitch. In a final you need players with a winning mindset and if I was Gareth I’d pick Harry, too.

The key duels for me will be Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal against Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw.

Pacy wingers have been a strength for us alongside the double pivot with Rodri and Fabian Ruiz, who know when to go forward or drop back.

Am I surprised by Yamal? Yes and no. I have seen him perform on the big stage for Barcelona in the Champions League but you still don’t expect this level for Spain. Then you wonder why you question him, he’s not afraid of anything.

We Spanish give England more of a chance than the English public realise. It doesn’t matter if you are playing well, what matters is that you are motivated — and England are capable.

We've been playing fantastically well and are confident, but I still see a cautious final, perhaps with extra-time — but Spain winning.

England need to play well to win yet we saw, even with nothing happening in their semi-final against the Netherlands, they could score out of nothing. I just think Spain have more weapons to call upon.