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England manager Gareth Southgate has a lot to think about after his team was sent off from the UEFA Nations League against Belgium on Sunday night.
The Three Lions have now suffered back-to-back defeats after losing 2-0 in Belgium, with Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens scoring for Roberto Martinez’s team.
The loss, which followed the 1-0 loss at home to Denmark last month, highlighted many issues that Southgate must resolve in the future to stop this mini routine.
Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the biggest issues facing the England manager, who is now preparing for a dead rubber against Iceland at Wembley, ahead of next summer’s Euro Cup …
The selection headache in the back continues
Once again, England looked alarming at the heart of the defense against Belgium as Eric Dier took center stage alongside Tyrone Mings and Kyle Walker in the bottom three.
The Tottenham star was to blame for Belgium’s first game in Leuven after his poor back pass was intercepted before Tielemans capitalized on the mistake.
It must be said that England were left without Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez and Conor Coady against the Red Devils, but there have been worrisome signs behind them for some time.
It was on defense that cost England a significant loss to Denmark at Wembley last time in the Nations League, with Maguire receiving an early red card after two awkward challenges.
And moments after the unnecessary red card, a confusion in the back led to Denmark’s penalty, before Christian Eriksen ruthlessly punished England from the point.
With Gomez out for the long haul after sustaining a serious knee injury during a routine training session with England, formidable central defense options are really lacking right now. The fact that Dier continues to get in the back speaks volumes …
Pickford continues to alarm Southgate
It’s been a big talking point for a while, but it doesn’t look like the debates are going to go away anytime soon.
While Jordan Pickford could hardly do anything about Belgium’s two strikes on Sunday, his position as number one of the Three Lions continues to be under increasing threat due to his inconsistency between suit.
Southgate has had faith in the Everton goalkeeper throughout his time in charge, placing great value on his ability to distribute the ball well.
However, his time as number one could soon come to an end.
Pickford has made costly mistakes for Everton so far this season and has a tendency to make hasty decisions when he needs to keep a cool head.
His recent mistakes will certainly give Southgate cause for concern and with Dean Henderson and Nick Pope breathing it in, the Three Lions boss has some big ideas to make before next summer’s Euros.
Toothless in the future
Yes, there were some key players who failed at the top against Belgium, including Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford, but the lack of ruthlessness in the attack will worry Southgate.
England have been unable to score in their last two Nations League meetings and, once again, against Belgium, England lacked midfield sparkle despite having plenty of possession.
It is all very well for Harry Kane to lead the line, but if there is no serve behind him the chances will be few and far between, and that was evident against Belgium.
Jack Grealish, who must be said to have shone for England against Belgium, and Mason Mount were the men tasked with joining Kane in attack on Sunday, but the lack of creativity in midfield is not enough.
England desperately need technically gifted midfielders who can carry the ball forward and make the right passes when needed, but against Belgium, a midfielder duo of Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson lacked the inspiration to unlock a formidable defense.
When players like Sterling and Rashford return, Southgate will have to pick Aston Villa captain Grealish in midfield and let him dictate the pace of the game. It should be one of the first names on the team sheet going forward.
Choose a more progressive system
Southgate’s recent decision to ditch his 4-3-3 formation and go back to a three-man defense has raised many questions, which continued after the bland loss to Belgium.
The England manager deployed Mings, Dier and Walker in the final three alongside Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier as wingers.
Add Rice and Henderson to the equation at the midfield pivot, and it’s extremely difficult to see where the excitement is coming from, which certainly ties into the point above.
There is a real dearth of quality going forward in this line-up and if England want to be successful at the Euro next summer against the bigger teams, then Southgate will have to be more courageous with their team selection.
But it must be said that Southgate has to make sure he maintains his balance in midfield.
A Henderson and Rice duo is too negative, but a Phil Foden, Grealish or Mount pivot could mean England take off.
Classifying the inferiority complex
England seem to beat Spain, Germany and Belgium from time to time, but when it really matters, the Three Lions seem to fall apart.
And England desperately need to resolve that inferiority complex by the time the rescheduled euros arrive if they are to have any chance of winning the summer tournament.
England had to beat Belgium to keep their Nations League hopes alive, but they didn’t (that’s three losses to Belgium in two and a half years) and fell apart under Southgate when it mattered against the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the competition last year. month of June.
It has been a problem that has plagued England for many years, long before Southgate’s time as coach.
But with this exciting team that has gained more experience over the years following their heartbreak in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia in 2018, now is the time to set a score.
If England are to win their Euro 2020 group, they would face the runners-up from a group made up of Germany, France, Portugal and Hungary.
Unless England fix the problem soon, it could be another big disappointing campaign for the Three Lions.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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