The structure of an England tournament team is always a hot topic every two years. Well, it’s been three years this time, but you know what I mean. After England’s semi-final exploits at Russia 2018, fans head into the summer of 2021 hopeful. But with no more competitive matches before they kick off their tournament against Croatia on the 13th of June, there’s still a bag full of questions to be answered. Here’s just a few of them.
The Right Back Discussion
Never before has there been so much talk, in the media and amongst fans, on who should play right-back for England. But never before has the national side been so blessed with full back talent; I mean, Jamie Carragher was the back-up right-back in 2006 and that should tell you all you need to know.
Kyle Walker looks to be Southgate's first choice right back for the Euros. Credit: Paul Greenwood/BPI/Rex/Shutterstock
But right now, Kyle Walker (Man City), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Keiran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Man United) and Reece James (Chelsea) are all superb talents and have a chance at filling the two right-back spots in Gareth Southgate’s squad. With the boss stating that Alexander-Arnold has not “played at the level that he found in the last couple of years”, Trent looks to be out of the running given his omission from England’s latest matches vs San Marino, Albania and Poland. Former pro Gabby Agbonlahor agreed with the decision in conversation with TalkSport, posing the question: “would you want him playing right-back if you’re getting to the latter stages against a Portugal of a France when the better players come in?”
But the case could be made that he wouldn’t have to play against the powerhouses even if he were not picked. Trent is by far the best crosser and passer on this right-back list, which would be an extremely useful skill with Harry Kane waiting in the box against tough sides in Scotland and Czech Republic. By all means, Kyle Walker could be picked for the games that require a bit more pace and ability at the back, but Trent gives you something that AWB and James are unable to going forward. Trippier’s delivery is the only one on this list that gets close to Trent – a skill that could also be used in wide free kicks and corners in the absence of a set-piece taker in midfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's crossing is perhaps his biggest selling point. Source: FourFourTwo.
Despite this, you can certainly understand Southgate’s point of view. Going into a European Championships, with your job on the line as usual as England boss, Gareth wants players he can depend on. Trent’s performances this year have certainly taken a dip, albeit this has a lot to do with Liverpool’s issues in defence and the middle of the park. Whilst he has been left out of the squad, let’s not pretend he was always a mainstay under Southgate. Only two players (Rashford and Kane) have made more appearances than Walker under the England manager (35), with Trippier’s 26 also much higher than Trent’s 12 games in an England shirt.
Dependability is certainly important going into a major tournament, and if Trippier and Walker supply that then perfect. But it does feel that the squad would be less dynamic without Trent in it – he is no more mistake-prone than his counterparts. But at just 22, Alexander-Arnold is sure to get more chances as his career blossoms, and after all, this is just the right-back position we’re arguing about. Don’t expect him to play there his entire career – there’s a hot take for you.
The Inventive Midfielder Role:
Just as controversial a topic seems to be the role of England’s third midfielder. It looks pretty set that Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson/Kalvin Phillips could be Southgate’s stoppers in midfield, and as dinosaur as that may be, we need to accept it. This leaves a spot for a more progressive body in the centre of the park, given that a 4-3-3 will likely be adopted. The candidates? Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and (loosely) Phil Foden.
Foden, Grealish, Maddison and Mount are amongst the most exciting midfield prospects England have had in recent years. Source: 90min football via Twitter.
In my personal opinion, I think Mount’s position is - and should be - nailed on in this England side. You only have to look at Chelsea’s performances without the youngster to assess his impact; Thomas Tuchel recently said Mount could be a 20 goal-a-season man, as he possesses potential “which you cannot learn”. I think part of this potential is the ability to adapt his game to those around him. Were Mount playing with two stoppers in midfield, he would relish in this attacking role, but could also play the more box-to-box role if only one were played. Flexibility is key for major tournaments, and a number of pundits have already noticed his unwavering talent:
But there are certainly calls from fans to consider Jack Grealish and James Maddison for England. This pair are certainly the talismanic midfield figures for their clubs, so it is understandable that some fans are upset at their little consideration for the national team. But, it does make some sense. There is an argument that Grealish’s prowess only shines through in a Villa team with few other dribblers, where he has time to lead the team with little consequences. Yes, he is a superb player, but I’m not sure this role would be given to him in an England shirt given the greater attacking talent, and thus will probably end up in just a bench role for him. But he has to be on the plane.
Maddison, meanwhile, also is not greatly suited to the England setup. His striking options at Leicester City – Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho – have a completely different skillset from Harry Kane. Maddison excels in Leicester’s style of play, which mainly centres on threading balls through to Vardy and Iheanacho, whereas Kane’s tendency to drop in and fill the attacking midfield role would largely take Maddison out of the game. Maddison would be useful were he playing to an out-and-out striker, which Kane really isn’t.
Whichever attacking midfielder is chosen for the starting spot is likely to be the one that can play best with England's talisman Harry Kane. Credit: Reuters/Carlos Barria.
And then there’s Phil Foden. I find this one the trickiest due to his age and obvious ability. Whilst he could play on either flank, I think his most likely route into the England side would be in attacking midfield with his key assets being his pinpoint passing and versatility. I think Foden is actually far more likely than either of the other two candidates to play at the Euros; his confidence and skilful ability probably lend him more to providing something different off the bench as a free number eight. Whilst certainly worth mentioning, I’m not sure Southgate will look to overuse the young star this summer.
These decisions are probably going to rest on how Southgate wants to play this summer, and should probably change game-by-game. Getting on the plane is but half the battle.
We’re Only Taking Four Attackers – So Who Gets In???
Kane, Rashford, Sterling, Sancho, Ings, Calvert-Lewin, Watkins and Greenwood. They are just some of the names vying for the four attacking spots that England have always had going into a major tournament. Now, the first three are probably nailed on, so who should fill the extra seat?
Gary Neville's chosen England Euro Squad, via Sky Sports.
Jamie Carragher's chosen England Euro Squad, via Sky Sports.
Well, looking at Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher’s provisional squads for the tournament, the pundits see Calvert-Lewin as the fourth man. It’s a completely valid choice; with just Kane as England’s sole central striking option, DCL offers a purer goalscoring option up top. If England were looking to go more direct, Calvert-Lewin is probably the best candidate on the list if you consider his heading ability and decent size. In a European Championships packed with physical sides, this could be crucial to find a breakthrough at times.
Less consideration at the moment, however, is being afforded to Jadon Sancho. Whilst he was injured for the recent international matches, Sancho is working his way back to fitness and it expected to return soon. Like Foden, his youthful touch, explosive pace and confident skill give England another burst of energy – though this is similar to what Rashford, Sterling and Foden all give the side already. I am surprised at the overlooking of Jadon Sancho; he was on a run of nine goals in his last 14 before the injury and is certainly worth considering.
Jadon Sancho simply has to be on the plane...to Wembley. Source: The FA.
In my opinion, Ings, Watkins and Greenwood should be backups to those mentioned. Whilst Ings proved himself to be a serial goalscorer last year, England are already quite blessed in that department and Calvert-Lewin provides something a little different to what the side already have. Watkins, meanwhile, suffers from the same fate, as he remains an improving but not first choice striker. Greenwood, though certainly a prospect for the future, is a project that needs to be nurtured. Placing him ahead of Sancho, as Gary Neville has, is ludicrous and a symptom of him playing abroad.
There’s no doubt England possess a world of talent to take to Euro 2020, which is certainly a positive headache for Gareth Southgate. With so many youngsters coming through, the boss will need to decide whether to progress forward with the new talent or rely on his older heads to go one step further than they could in the World Cup. Whatever the squad, be sure there will be pressure to succeed from a nation expecting big things from the incoming golden generation.
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