One friendly game and two Nations league ties in six days have revealed why Gareth Southgate must make England decisions sooner rather than later.
An imperfect international break, featuring two victories and one defeat, were underpinned by changes in personnel and the three games provided questions that Southgate must now turn into answers.
Gareth Southgate Must Make England Decisions Now
Questions Raised for England Manager
The friendly victory over the Republic of Ireland gave Gareth Southgate an opportunity to give those on the edge of his Euro 2021 squad a chance to show what they can do. Jude Bellingham, Dean Henderson and Nick Pope all got chances in the stroll to a 3-0 victory.
Dominic Calvert -Lewin is quickly showing that he can be an able replacement for Captain Harry Kane and picked up another goal. Jadon Sancho found the net as well to gain confidence after having an indifferent start to the season in the German Bundesliga after constant speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League with Manchester United.
It was the next two games that really raised questions for the England manager.
Jack Grealish Shines Against Ireland
Possession was not too much of an issue for Gareth Southgate’s Lions against Belgium with 55% (BBC Sport) but doing anything with the ball was a different matter. England lost 2-0 and failed to qualify for the finals that they had finished third in the initial season in 2019.
In midfield, Southgate opted for a holding midfield with Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson. It was too static. When holding midfielders play, the ball does not get wide enough. Harry Kane had one header superbly headed off the line by Romelu Lukaku but found chances limited. If Southgate has learned anything from Tottenham Hotspur’s bright start to the season it is when they play at pace and with a width that they are most effective.
England’s shining light was Jack Grealish and it has to be questioned as to why it has taken so long for Gareth Southgate to bring the Aston Villa man in. He holds the ball well, he is strong, wins free-kicks and runs at players at pace. With all due respect to the likes of Harry Winks, Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson, none of them are going to do that on a regular basis. The question for Southgate to answer is how does he ensure Grealish starts. He has to start in the European Championships.
No Case for the Defence
Playing five at the back is never a good look and England simply do not have the kind of quality that can rely on defending to win matches.
Kieran Trippier lacks pace and Eric Dier is still adjusting to being a central defender. Dier has been improving for his club, Spurs, but against Belgium he floundered and it all felt disjointed at the back.
Iceland Game Proves Routine Win for Three Lions
Iceland were somewhat depleted for this routine win at Wembley Stadium. Once more it was in midfield that Gareth Southgate has been asked questions that he must answer. Jack Grealish was again England’s Man of the Match. Comparison to Paul Gascoigne may be premature but it is not hard got see why they are being made.
He was at the heart of everything England did well. Phil Foden weighed in with two goals and an assist and was exquisite alongside Grealish. With both players on the field of play, Declan Rice could hold a little deeper and let the others take charge. Rice looked far more comfortable in this set up and deservedly got his name on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win.
Another impressive performance came from Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka who already looks confident, quick and inventive on the ball.
Youth Influence Key to Euro 2021
What the three games have shown is that youth is going to be key to England in the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament next year. Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka were the players that stood out. Gareth Southgate has to take note that these players are not just taking their chance with England, they are grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and answering the questions asked of them.
When England play with pace, ingenuity and strength, that is when they are at their best. Iceland and the Republic of Ireland are not the strongest of opponents of course but with those three attributes in play, England are capable of beating many teams. You slow the team down and England will lose games like they did to Belgium.
Youngsters have raised the questions. Now it is down to Gareth Southgate to start making decisions. This is not now a time to keep experimenting. It is time that the talent he has at his disposal is utilised to give England the best chance of success next year. Should Gareth Southgate fail to act, his reign will surely come to an end.
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