Questions, questions. Welcome to St George’s Park, England headquarters turned experimental World Cup laboratory.
Gareth Southgate has two matches in which to test his theories before naming a squad for Qatar.
The natural cycle of things has nibbled away at the elements that took England to a World Cup semi-final in Russia and the Euro final last summer, leaving Southgate seeking clarity on key issues if England are to win a major trophy for the second time.
Here’s five to get him started:
Harry Kane or bust?
What to do if Harry Kane goes lame? Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Patrick Bamford, Ollie Watkins have been tried with varying degrees of disappointment. Tammy Abraham is at least carrying momentum from Rome and Marcus Rashford is returning to form but neither offer the quality guarantee of the England skipper.
Ivan Toney is the latest through the door and can expect a run against Italy on Friday or Germany next week. Assuming the fitness and form of Rashford, the Manchester United striker would appear Southgate’s best option. Toney’s job is to make Southgate think differently.
Harry Maguire is bust?
Every manager has his favourites. Maguire’s status downgrade at Manchester United presents a problem for Southgate given the love he has for old Slabhead. Southgate has always made form a central pillar of his selection policy while allowing a degree of tolerance for players who have served him well.
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Maguire has earned the loyalty of Southgate, but does not have the games in his legs to justify it. Eric Dier’s return is in part a consequence of Maguire’s diminution. If he cannot be considered a starter here the best for which Maguire can hope is a squad place in Qatar.
England’s Nations League fixtures
Italy vs England
- Date: Friday 23 September
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: Channel 4, coverage begins at 7pm
- Live stream: 4oD
England vs Germany
- Date: Monday 26 September
- Kick-off: 7.45pm
- TV channel: Channel 4, coverage begins at 7pm
- Live stream: 4oD
Can Foden become England’s Modric?
Hitherto Southgate has tended to favour Mason Mount in the advanced midfield role with Foden shunted on to the flank. His versatility has proven a benefit at Manchester City, where Pep Guardiola has deeper resources in central midfield and thus plays Foden in wide positions. Southgate has no such excuse.
England are running a creative deficit in the centre of the park. The need for a playmaker with fast feet and vision is paramount if England are to crack organised defences.
Southgate’s preference for Mount is rooted in his work-rate and tackle count. It’s time to favour Foden’s greater range and incisiveness. Foden has the capacity to control games ala Luka Modric and Bernardo Silva in a way Mount does not.
Is Phillips’ injury a blessing in disguise?
It seems providence is making the decision for Southgate. Injury has robbed him of Kalvin Phillips. Jordan Henderson is both fragile and fading. Declan Rice is indispensable at the base of the midfield, and Bellingham can be the dynamic force that connects the whole.
The absence of Phillips forces Southgate away from the double pivot in front of defence, a negative reflex that has narrowed England’s options in big games. Bellingham likes to attack but has the lungs and the discipline to give England ballast and shape in the most important part of the pitch.
He moves the ball quickly and likes to run at defenders. Italy and Germany will test his ability to control the tempo against high calibre opposition.
Is Trippier really better than Shaw?
With neither Luke Shaw nor Ben Chilwell starting for their clubs Southgate’s problem at left-back has not gone away. His default in a crisis is to pick Kieran Trippier, another in whom he is overly invested. Trippier brings experience and sound positioning but is criminally blunt in the opponent’s half, where he is forced inside or backwards.
A lightly-cooked Shaw or Chilwell is the twice the left-back of Trippier, whose selection on the left would be a needless compromise. Shaw did well at the Euros and arguably deserves to start in Qatar as a consequence.
Kevin’s XI
How England should line up for their opening World Cup match against Iran on 21 November
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