5-0, 5-1, 4-0 and 5-3. There is much to be excited about with this current England squad. Certainly, we have heard it all before, and it all does give a little hint of Groundhog day for the England faithful but there is no doubting the impact and steady progress that this youthful and talented squad is making.
England’s Euro 2020 qualifying group certainly does not provide Southgate with a true test, a team capable of dominating England, games we have solemnly become accustomed to in the past, game such as Belgium and the semi-final against Croatia in last years rollercoaster World Cup campaign. Czech Republic, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Kosovo certainly aren’t teams that can thrill and mount a serious challenge in toppling Gareth Southgate’s men once the group comes to its conclusion. However, you have to beat what’s in front of you and Southgate’s men have succeeded so far.
Hope does kill. England have experienced false hope on many occasions over the last 25 years. Fans have experienced the lot: excitement, intrigue, disappointment, heartbreak, and anguish. The latter three – emotions that have been the hallmark of an England team competing major tournaments. Last years World Cup campaign provided much of the former two along with much optimism, one that spring forth into a unprecedented major international trophy if fairytales still cease to exist.
England are masters of European qualification, if you need any indication just check out our record when it comes to the qualifying stages. They have now gone 42 games unbeaten in both World Cup and European qualifying campaign, winning 33 of them and drawing nine – their last defeat coming against Ukraine in 2009. The notion of England being unable to qualify is something of an overstatement. This is without its arrogance but a simple statement of fact. It is totally clear that any starting line-up Gareth Southgate assembles from his talented squad should be good enough to ensure their place at Euro 2020 without a minimum of fuss.
The make-up of another ‘easy’ group shall we say, allows Gareth Southgate the freedom to wholly experiment on his squad and ponder on which individuals he can truly rely on once the tournament kicks off next summer. Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier and Jordan Pickford – providing there are no hiccups in terms of injuries – are guaranteed starters if Southgate’s latest squads are anything to go by. It’s the other areas on the pitch that are still to be decided. With the exciting pool of players at Southgate’s disposal, he could have a real selection headache on his hands. Jadon Sancho, Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Michael Keane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Wan Bissaka and James Maddison are players who are all worthy of a place in Southgate’s fold.
However, despite the quality on show, there are still a few lingering questions Southgate will need to address as he ponders on his squad for the future. One of those questions will be regarding James Maddison. The past three fixtures has seen Southgate rely upon Chelsea’s Ross Barkley which is arguable to say the least, although he has performed resolutely whenever called upon, there is still much of a case for James Maddison’s involvement. It is now three games straight, that Southgate has called up Maddison to the squad without allowing him some much needed international experience.
Questionable? Without a doubt.
The Leicester City’s midfielder was one of the best midfielders around in the Premier League last season. If not for the brilliance of Eden Hazard, Maddison efforts last season will not have been swept under the rug as easily as it has been. He has also started the current season in the same impressive vein of form, which cannot be said for Ross Barkley who has so far, been overshadowed by the form of Frank Lampard’s trusted lieutenant Mason Mount – another player deserving of the high praise he has received as of late.
It’s vital to note that Barkley has yet to register a goal or an assist so far this season, while Mason Mount has registered two goals and James Maddison has registered two assists. It seems as though Southgate is sticking to his guns which is admirable, though you’d be forgiven for arguing a case for Maddison’s inclusion instead of Barkley.
Two players England futures could be up in air as a result of Maddison, Mount and Barkley’s possible inclusions though are Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli who could find their places in jeopardy if they do not improve this season. Both players are suffering from a lack of form, and the nature in which Mount, Barkley and Maddison are currently expressing themselves, Lingard and Alli could potentially find themselves out of the England reckoning.
Certainly, if England aren’t losing, there is arguably no need to change a team that is consistently winning. The nature of the group England find themselves in, allows the freedom to rotate and players such as Maddison deserve a chance to express.
Another lingering and quite a major issue is in defence. Can we predict the back-four which Southgate can call upon next summer? Apart from Harry Maguire and maybe, Kieran Trippier, there are still uncertainties surrounding the two remaining spots. Can Danny Rose still be trusted to be England’s no.1 left-back? Ben Chilwell has been excellent for Leicester, and deserves to be in Southgate’s thinking for the Euros. Though, questions still remain over Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and his fitness. Despite an impressive start to the season, he once again finds himself on the treatment table. Can he rediscover his form and fitness once he returns? Can he last the whole season to impress Southgate for a spot on the plane? These are questions which we are unable to find answers for, and its a case of Luke Shaw proving his case to be included.
Centre-back is a key area which needs addressing also. Who will partner Harry Maguire? Michael Keane? John Stones? Joe Gomez? Tyrone Mings? It is a position which is still a problem for England. As Southgate will have marvelled and drooled at England’s attacking masterclass against Bulgaria and Kosovo, there are still mistakes which need to be eradicated, and against better opposition, England could find themselves wanting once again.
The attacking trident of Raheem Sterling – a yet another world class performance from a player who could be gracing the Ballon D’or next year if he carries this sort of form – Jadon Sancho and Harry Kane tormented Kosovo but it was in defence that England suffered and will have surely worried Southgate, especially against the calibre of opponent. All three of Kosovo’s goals came through England’s naivety and complacency. It was Michael Keane who presented them with the first goal, passing unerringly to set Valon Berisha with a clear run at goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who finished expertly. Their second goal was also questionable, Declan Rice’s misplaced pass and Henderson’s mistake led to their second and Harry Maguire’s lapse in concentration allowed them an opportunity from the penalty spot.
A partnership of Harry Maguire and Michael Keane is has a lot of its reservations. Does the Everton defenders have what it takes to become Southgate’s trusted centre-back? His club form so far this season still leaves a lot to be desired. What about Joe Gomez? Personally, he seems the more sure bet to partner Harry Maguire. What Maguire lacks in mobility, Gomes makes up for in speed and ball recovery and could provide Southgate with a excellent balance at centre-back. However, its debatable whether he would be given the much needed game time to develop himself. Tyrone Mings has been called up for the first but was an unused substitute for both games, and would need to be monitored throughout the season. Though, his leadership and communication skills are two components which Southgate will be impressed by as he tries to weigh out his defensive options.
The bottom line is this – England have little or no chance of beating quality international sides if they defend as carelessly as they have done and if they continue to give possession away as cheaply as they did against Kosovo. Declan Rice’s poor pass which led to Kosovo’s second is something Southgate will not have been happy with. The West Ham midfielder has enjoyed a rapid rise and has rightfully deserved his place in Pellegrini’s side but he still has a lot to learn if he is to be the defensive midfield anchor Southgate is looking for. Harry Winks and Eric Dier are the more able and – arguably – better alternatives, players dictate England’s flow of possession when needed. The way Winks has asserted himself in Pochettino’s midfield so far this has got to be looked at, if Southgate is to stick to his passing out from the back style then Harry Winks is the most capable of executing such bold tactics.
Southgate himself considerably pointed out the errors which occured against Kosovo, a team ranked 120th in the world, and if England can show such naivety and sluggishness against such opposition then they have no chance of toppling the major nations when it comes to it. It’s the basic mistakes of not tracking back that also exposed England.
This was hardly a night of unbridled joy for Southgate. Nations such as Spain, Germany, France and Belgium will have been licking their lips at the sight of England’s sloppiness. It would be better to not imagine such a sight. For all the class and potency of England’s attack, their current defensive condition suggests they will need their attacking options to be bang of form to have any chance of progressing with a victory, because at this moment England’s defending means they will concede goals.
England may be fallible in defence – but they are irresistible in attack on the other hand.
Harry Kane and co. have now notched 14 goals in their three home games, more than any other nation in Euro qualifying so far. And at the heart of it all is the impeccable Raheem Sterling, who produced a 45-minute masterclass against Kosovo that was simply world class. As stated previously, if Sterling can maintain this kind of form all throughout the season for both club and country then he will have to be a shoe-in contender for the Ballon D’or and even – providing Southgate manages to solve his defensive issues – fire England one step closer, to Euro glory next summer.
The Manchester City winger ended a 27-game barren run stretching back three years when he scored twice in England’s impressive 3-2 victory over Spain a year ago – now he is an unstoppable and irreplaceable force for both club and country, a talent truly reaching his full maturity. Since that game against Spain, Sterling has now played seven games, scoring six goals and producing 5 assists for his country. His partnership with Harry Kane is now reaching an almost telepathic nature as he also set up the captain’s 26th goal in 41 appearances which now levels the Tottenham hitman with Bryan Robson and one behind David Platt in the England goal-scoring records.
It’s not only Kane and Sterling that will have had Gareth Southgate at the edge of his seat. Jadon Sancho got off the mark against Kosovo and his new found partnership with Raheem Sterling could also be frightening. With also Marcus Rashford, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Callum Wilson, James Maddison and Mason Mount waiting in the wings, Gareth Southgate could have a devastating attack to utilise come next summer.
There is certainly much to be excited about with this current crop of England players, certainly with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho in full fettle, and with the current pool of talented youngsters at in the squad, the future certainly looks bright for England. However, there is a danger of resting on our laurels and becoming complacent, as England have done on numerous occasions. There will certainly be no room for smugness. If England are to challenge amongst the best next summer, those persistent issues will need to be addressed quickly.
Still a lot of puzzles in the squad for Southgate to unravel.
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