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Gareth Southgate’s decision to omit Jack Grealish from his starting lineup against Belgium caused perplexity in some quarters. The 25-year-old, excellent in his first England start against Wales on Thursday, was an unused substitute on Sunday.
The England manager opted for Mason Mount instead, the Chelsea youth lined up on the right side of Southgate’s attack and then scored the winning goal, his angled shot hitting the Belgian net off Toby Alderweireld in the second half.
That goal could be seen as a vindication for Southgate. What better way for a player to justify his place on the team than by scoring the winner? But Southgate’s preference for Mount over Grealish stems from what he brings with the ball rather than with him.
The clues were there on Thursday. Grealish produced an eye-catching performance against Wales, setting up Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first goal with an evil cross and causing problems for the visitors throughout.
But Southgate’s post-match accolades came with qualifications.
“His work with the ball was very good,” he said.
With the ball, but not without it.
Jack Grealish retired from the team against Belgium
Southgate spoke about Grealish’s composure in tight spaces and his ability to take fouls from opponents. However, in the same response, it was surprising how quickly the conversation progressed.
“Mount, coming into a similar position, again I thought he had an excellent impact on the game,” he said. “Push so good, move the ball so fast,” he added.
It doesn’t take a lot of detective work to figure out that Southgate still sees weaknesses in the defensive aspects of Grealish’s game. That is why he was overlooked against Belgium.
A game against the highest ranked team in the world requires discipline and diligence from front to back. Southgate didn’t think he’d get that from Grealish, but he certainly got it from Mount.
He described the 21-year-old’s pressure as “phenomenal” in his post-match interview with Sky sports. “You can’t just play with the ball,” he added. “We can be a fluid and scorer team. But against the best, the detail of how you defend as a team has to be absolutely perfect.”
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It would be an exaggeration to say that those comments were directed at Grealish, of course. But they were certainly indicative of the reasons for his absence. Mount, Marcus Rashford, Calvert-Lewin and later Harry Kane were described as “positionally close to perfection” in their off-the-ball work and “smart” in closing.
“They had the legs to go and push, and that means the midfielders don’t have to jump out of position,” Southgate explained. “That means we are not exposed with bodies between the lines.”
Southgate felt he was a major factor in what turned out to be an enormously impressive victory over a high-level opponent, a victory that placed England at the top of their Nations League group ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Denmark.
Southgate is well aware of Grealish’s talents, of course. He’s watched him long enough to know exactly what he’s capable of with the ball at his feet and there were more examples of that Thursday.
However, until you contribute as much as Mount out of possession as into it, you will have a hard time keeping a spot on the side.
Calvert-Lewin at home with England
Dominic Calvert-Lewin kept his position on the side against Belgium
While Grealish had to settle for a substitute spot, Calvert-Lewin, another new face in the starting XI against Wales, kept his place.
This time there was no goal. The fit Everton forward was unable to add to his account of 10 with the club and the national team this season. But there was still a lot to like about her performance.
As against Wales, he looked completely comfortable on the big stage. Already in the first minute, he could be seen linking up with Rashford and running into the Belgian defense. Shortly after that, he grabbed a ball high on his chest, holding the ball before handing it to a white-shirted teammate.
His strength and heading ability allow England to play directly. Calvert-Lewin won more aerial duels (seven) against Belgium than anyone else, at one point being a long pass down the road from Rashford, who decided to come back when he could have gone through the goal.
Rashford returned the ball to Calvert-Lewin on that occasion, only for the 23-year-old to shoot wildly from 20 yards. But even on a night when he couldn’t capitalize on the half chances that came his way, he showed more than enough to suggest he has a long-term future as an England forward.
The problem for him, of course, is that he’s competing for a spot with Kane.
The Tottenham striker, England captain since 2018, was not considered fit enough to start against Belgium due to apparent muscle fatigue, but was substituted in the second half and the expectation now is for him to return to the starting line. against Denmark.
That means Calvert-Lewin will drop out. The Southgate system does not allow for two center forwards on the same side.
But the emergence of another leader capable of leading the line is a huge boost for Southgate and England. Recent evidence shows that Calvert-Lewin has a lot to offer at this level.
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