Gareth Southgate’s incredible achievements — the greatest since World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey — have in recent years begun to disprove the theory that England manager is the Impossible Job. Yet it could also be claimed that by his own hard work, Southgate’s task at the Qatar 2022 World Cup is now almost an impossible one.
Part of his repertoire of attributes has been giving young English footballers big-match experience to help them transition into first teams of the Premier League’s biggest clubs. Champions League winner Mason Mount is the most notable example.
But that, plus the development of English coaching and Premier League academies, has generated a deep, rich pool of talent whose depths Southgate must plumb to find a starting XI and deputies fit to win a World Cup.
Whether or not Fifa decide to follow Uefa’s lead in allowing 26 rather than 23-man squads is not yet known, but even an additional three makes his job only fractionally easier.
Whoever he picks will be wrong, whatever formation he deploys will be questioned, the style of football he chooses will be imperfect. And to that backdrop, Southgate has multiple world class players, many of whom can play multiple positions, giving him the unenviable task of piecing together a complex puzzle while being subjected to constant electric shocks.
Goalkeepers
Jordan Pickford has long been Southgate’s first-choice, even when he has been out of form for Everton. Pickford resisted a strong claim made by Nick Pope, his understudy, last season and it is unlikely anyone will prise the No 1 jersey from his back before the start of the World Cup in 12 months, barring major injury.
In fact, such are the riches Southgate possesses in goalkeepers, Pope, challenger for the Golden Glove for his performances at Burnley last season, is not guaranteed a place as backup. Aaron Ramsdale is excelling for Arsenal, Dean Henderson will be in with a shout if he moves on loan from Manchester United, West Brom’s Sam Johnstone has consistently impressed the England manager.
Defenders
The central defensive partnership of Harry Maguire and John Stones looks set in, er, stone in Southgate’s mind. But how the rest of the group form will depend on the England manager’s inclinations nearer the time. And it could well be the case that decisions are made for him by injuries.
Southgate likes the shape, balance and feel of his team when he plays three centre-backs with two wing-backs. Veteran defender Kyle Walker, traditionally a full-back but with immense pace to cover any mistake such an asset during major tournaments, has often been preferred to accompany Maguire and Stones on those occasions.
That leaves Reece James — the young Chelsea defender improving with every game — and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool right-back who has caused most controversy when Southgate has overlooked him, for right wing-back. Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell, meanwhile, are so talented it seems unfair one should not make it on the left (Shaw has been known to operate in a centre-back trio as well). Not forgetting recent La Liga winner Kieran Trippier, and the several defenders young and old ready to step in.
Central midfielders
Thus is the progression and evolution of modern football it’s not always a simple task to separate midfielders and forwards. That extends to Phil Foden and Mason Mount, who Southgate has individually utilised as a more reserved central midfielder or as a No 10 behind the striker. They even join the wingers, sometimes.
Those two aside, the central midfield partnership of Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips was so smooth and solid during the run to the European Championship final it is hard to break up.
Jude Bellingham is, however, banging on the door, but he will still only be 19 by Qatar and Southgate may decide that, with the experience and quality he has available, the Borussia Dortmund teenager can wait a little longer.
Jordan Henderson somehow appears to be improving with age and even when injury last season looked to be easing him out of contention to start games for England, the Liverpool player responded with a series of exceptional displays.
Wingers
Raheem Sterling would seem a dead cert for selection, but he really needs to sort out his club situation. He is out of favour at Manchester City and a year without playing regularly for his club will take its toll.
The selection — or not — of Jack Grealish has placed Southgate most at odds with England fans. But after becoming Manchester City’s £100million man, Grealish has every opportunity to prove he is the player everyone claims he is.
Jadon Sancho is another to move club in the summer but switching to Manchester United is currently backfiring. Bakayo Saka looks to have leapt ahead of Sancho in Southgate’s estimations, and importantly in the Arsenal player’s favour is the balance he provides with his defensive work. Marcus Rashford is slowly slipping down the pecking order.
Strikers
Impossible to look beyond Harry Kane — the world-leading striker goes a few games without scoring and many question whether his bubble has finally burst, only for the Spurs striker to score seven goals in two (albeit easy) England games.
Then it’s a case of who makes the bench as back up, an option to bring on if there is a chance to rest Kane in the latter stages of games. Ollie Watkins, Patrick Bamford, Danny Ings, Tammy Abraham are all staking a claim.
Oh, and Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood has been left out of recent England squads but cannot be forgotten.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3HqB66x
Post a Comment