Try telling local boy Mitchell that friendly games mean nothing

THERE are some miserable people who like to tell you international friendlies are meaningless.

- ANDY DUNN

Try telling Tyrick Mitchell that.

After gazing at the illuminated arch from his nearby home, after growing up listening to the Wembley roars in the night air, Mitchell made his England debut at a place that has inspired him throughout his young life.

The Crystal Palace defender, who replaced Luke Shaw for the final half-hour of England’s 2-1 win over Switzerland, explained: “I literally played around the corner and grew up in this area. Everywhere I was, I could see the arch, lit up, any time England played.

“Sometimes my journey took me past the stadium, the train, or bus through Brent. It was always something that was present in my life, the arch and the whole stadium.