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Early goals from Declan Rice and Mason Mount put England on track to a 4-0 win over Iceland at Wembley, as they ended their Nations League campaign on a positive note. Phil Foden’s first two goals for England capped a convincing victory for the hosts.
Birkir Mar Saevarsson’s red card in the second half had already put an end to hopes of a comeback from Iceland, but the discussions around this England team are just beginning.
With Gareth Southgate seemingly sticking with the 3-4-3 formation, many questions remain heading into next summer’s European Championship. These are just a few …
Is this the formation of euros?
When Southgate first returned to the bottom three that worked so well for England in the World Cup, it was seen as a test of some flexibility, a willingness to try out new formations. But given that his team has now lined up in this 3-4-3 system for each of the last seven games, it seems unlikely this is a mere variation. This is the England form for euros.
That’s a bold decision given that England had the best goals-per-game record in qualifying for the competition while operating with four behind. But losing the toughest group match, away to the Czech Republic, may have crystallized Southgate’s view that something more would be needed in tournaments, where stronger opposition is lurking.
These back-to-back three-game internationals, which have brought six games in as many weeks, have been fraught with logistical difficulties, but have allowed Southgate to accelerate understanding of the new system. The hope is that the benefit of this time together will materialize in the summer. It may be too late to change course now.
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See the highlights of England’s 4-0 win over Iceland at Wembley
Do you make better use of talent?
The fear is that this system is more about masking vulnerabilities than making the most of talent at the higher end of the field. England don’t have two world-class centers, but that seems to be why Southgate feels the need to play three. Playing with two containment midfielders against stronger teams leaves England with just three attacking-minded players.
“We keep talking about the system, but it’s not so much about the system as it is about getting those four attacking players in,” said Jamie Carragher. Sky sports. “Belgium also plays with this system, but they play with Youri Tielemans and if Eden Hazard is fit, Kevin De Bruyne returns to midfield. So, although it is similar, they play against the fourth attacking player.
“With Mason Mount in the center of the field, we have the four attacking players on the field and that is the most important thing for me, more than the system. We have a lot of technical players.”
Given that Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling are likely to be starters, that leaves only one opening up the front line. A vacancy to be filled by Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Mason Greenwood, Phil Foden, or someone else. That’s a serious talent to skip in the starting lineup when there are deficiencies elsewhere on the team.
Is the combination in midfield the key now?
Mount’s inclusion of Southgate in that midfield role for the second time in three games suggests the England manager acknowledges the problem. Rice’s permanent two-man Jordan Henderson, Harry Winks and Kalvin Phillips just doesn’t provide the offensive push needed from midfield in support of the three forwards ahead.
“Another chance to see Mason a little deeper,” Southgate said. Sky sports when asked before kick-off against Iceland what details would be pending within his team. “We are looking for him to break further up the field,” he explained.
That’s exactly what Mount did, often going beyond Grealish and finding himself within the penalty area. He was there to pick up the fumble and score to double England’s lead in the early stages at Wembley. He has the ability to score and it is a useful ability to have.
If there is a concern, it is that Southgate does not see an alternative within the squad. When asked if Foden could move to midfield, he noted that the Manchester City player does not operate there for his club. He has said the same about Grealish in the past.
England will need more options than Mount in that more offensive midfield role and they will need Southgate to have the courage to play stronger teams than Iceland.
What about balance in attack?
The quality of the opposition Wednesday night makes it difficult to draw conclusions and Southgate will know. Foden, brilliant against Iceland, and Grealish, impressive once again, are two players with the technical ability to cut holes in even the deepest defenses.
When England face better teams in the later stages of the tournaments, which is where Southgate aspires to lead this team, will that be the problem to be solved?
It seems more likely that England will need a breakneck pace on the counter when they cannot dominate possession and this brings the qualities of players like Rashford to the fore. Finding the balance between players who want the ball at their feet and those in their prime rushing towards it will be just as important as the midfield combination.
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Phil Foden was delighted to score his first two goals for England
Is there time for others to enter?
Southgate’s decision to call up Jude Bellingham from the England Under-21 squad when injuries forced him to ramp up the numbers for this November meeting was ominous news for those more experienced players still hoping to win a call in the summer.
Ross Barkley’s impressive form for Aston Villa means he was a bit unfortunate to be omitted in the first place. Could he be the midfielder to rival Mount and Bellingham? Greenwood, meanwhile, hopes he can regain momentum for the club and the country.
Is there room for more than one Danny Ings, Tammy Abraham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the team, let alone fit forwards like Patrick Bamford and Ollie Watkins?
The problem is that England have so many options that even a player of Grealish’s undoubted ability has had to wait. Southgate spoke of the need for the Villa captain to spend time on training ground learning the nuances of the new system. That doesn’t bode well for those who are currently on the outside looking in.
There are many questions but, as is often the case in international football, the challenge for the coach is to find the answers within the existing group.
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