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The question to Gareth Southgate after the loss to Denmark on Wednesday was blunt: are you a cautious or risky coach?
His response was passionate: ‘I think we have been quite bold in many of our decisions over a long period of time.
Yes, others may have a view. We have been top scorers in the World Cup, top scorers in the Euro qualifiers and we’ve been to two semi-finals.
“We have bled a lot of young players. I suppose I would point out that body of work, but it’s for others to have that opinion. I’m really not too worried. ‘
Southgate made a compelling argument. But some are no longer convinced.
His faith in young footballers is undeniable: Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bukayo Saka, Harvey Barnes and Reece James made their senior category debuts over the past eight days. But Southgate’s defensive tactics are starting to stir.
Since the end of the lockdown, England have scored three goals in four competitive matches. Two of them were penalties, one soft at best, hidden by Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford. The other was a wildly deflected Mason Mount strike that passed over the defenseless Simon Mignolet on Sunday as England secured a historic victory over world number one Belgium.
But the victory, which should have been exhilarating, was anything but convincing. Belgium was undoubtedly the superior team and the victory was a testament to England’s tenacity more than anything else.
While the Belgians had creative midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans strutting around Wembley as if they owned the place, Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice, players known for their defensive capabilities more than anything else, were parked in front of what effectively it was a five man. defending.
It was a similar story against the Danes, for whom Christian Eriksen ran the show, propelling his team from central midfield.
Rice and Kalvin Phillips patrolled laboriously in front of England’s defense, showing little intention of attack. That’s not a disdain for Henderson, Rice, and Phillips. They are conditioned to play a certain way and they are excellent at what they do.
But is it really necessary to play with two defensive midfielders against Denmark, a team ranked 12 places below England in the FIFA rankings?
Southgate’s apparent preference for deploying two midfielders in front of three center-backs has not won universal approval among playing staff, some of whom believe the England manager is playing too safe.
The recent helplessness of the national team in the attacking third suggests that those who doubt Southgate’s approach may be right. The reluctance of the England manager to use Jack Grealish provides an interesting case study. Undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s attacking players in form, Grealish’s full international debut against Wales last Thursday night was full of enthusiasm and invention.
But despite that excellent performance, Grealish did not play a minute of the following England League of Nations games.
That is puzzling. Certainly several of his teammates thought so. Southgate insists Harry Maguire’s early red card ruined any plan he had for Grealish to be introduced as a substitute against Denmark. However, the clamor for him to start matches will only grow louder, especially if England continues to falter in the final third.
The selection of an extended 30-man squad for recent matches also caused some consternation among the players.
Southgate is only allowed to select 23 players on his game-day squad for competitive games, leaving seven players out of the picture at Wembley against Belgium on Sunday. Three days later, some were told they could return to their clubs before the game against Denmark after failing to make the cut.
That scenario, rightly or wrongly, has caused irritation, although given that England had to play three times in a week, Southgate’s decision to name a bigger team was due more to need than choice.
That said, there isn’t even a hint the team is turning against Southgate. That is important to underline.
This group is heavily influenced by their veteran players, who have established a seemingly unbreakable bond with the England coach.
His male management of the younger team members is also said to be deeply impressive; for example, his one-on-one talks with certain players have gone very well.
The decision to invite Wolves defender Conor Coady to the leadership group alongside Harry Kane, Henderson and Maguire during recent international games is an example of that opening.
It is understood that Coady can expect to be included in that leadership group permanently in the future, a clear sign that he has cemented his place in the England team, and potentially even the starting XI.
England’s lack of attacking over the last 10 days can be attributed in large part to the absence of Sterling and Ben Chilwell, who add an obvious boost to the starting eleven.
However, the dearth of offensive inspiration against Belgium and Denmark should be a concern for Southgate, particularly with the Euro only eight months away.
Members of this team still remember Southgate’s team selections during the euphoric race to the semifinals of the World Cup.
Ball players Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were selected alongside Henderson in central midfield and England became the tournament’s top scorer. The apparent shift to a more robust approach and staff has left many longing for old Southgate. You certainly have options to be more expansive.
Mount or Grealish alongside Henderson or Rice would give England much more dynamism in midfield.
Failing that is Manchester City’s 20-year-old playmaker Phil Foden. He will be considered again for next month’s England games after his exile for inviting two women to the team’s hotel after last month’s win over Iceland.
Still, these are not panic stations; positive results against Australia, Belgium and Iceland next month and we could be singing to a different tune.
However, cracks are emerging, albeit small. Southgate’s long honeymoon period is over.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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