World Cup Recap?

So what did we learn from England’s first post World Cup match against Spain? Nothing, really. Nothing we hadn’t already learnt from the semi-final against Croatia. England lack balanced quality in midfield and are too easy to stretch when defending.

Gareth Southgate’s decision to prioritise continuity in the team from the World Cup was an understandable one. Joe Gomez - one of only two unenforced changes - fitted snugly into a back three that, once again, treated us to the (still hard to get used to) sight of English centre backs comfortably keeping the ball on the deck. They managed to successfully operate in such a way under pressure from a lively Spanish press. Midfield, however, was where the World Cup shortcomings were present once again.

Jordan Henderson, to an extent, can act as a midfield pivot. His weakness when harried on the ball, though, was something evidently targeted by Spain, who gave the Liverpool captain little time when in possession. This was, in turn, not helped by the naturally attacking duo of Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard. Both are players at their best sniffing out gaps between the lines and attacking the opposition box, something exemplified by the space Alli found when receiving an excellent line splitting pass from Joe Gomez in the first half. Their instinct does not direct them to drop deep.

At club level, both operate with creative players who are capable of playing from a more withdrawn position. Christian Eriksen with Alli at Spurs and Paul Pogba with Lingard at Manchester United are those such players who will drop deeper to create. Of course, this neatly sums up England’s problem in personnel.

England’s drawbacks in midfield are painstakingly obvious against the likes of Sergio Busquets and Thiago Alcântara: players able to dictate play from deep. Henderson with Alli and Lingard ahead works well for unpicking smaller nations with packed defences, but Henderson’s isolation coupled with shortcomings in technical ability leaves England’s midfield hopelessly left behind. Perhaps this is where Southgate will suffer the negatives of his faith in continuity. The time frames in which international teams operate are brief. England have young midfield talent in the likes of James Maddison, Phil Foden and Harry Winks; players of technical quality who can fill the No10 spot as well as operating from deep. While it would certainly be risky blooding such players, change needs to be implemented quickly into England’s midfield. It’s a glaring problem against top sides, and the short time international teams get together needs to be made the most of.

Shape, too, is a problem Southgate needs to address. Issues from England’s semi-final heartbreak repeated themselves against Spain, this time in the form of switches to Dani Carvajal on the same flank that Šime Vrsaljko had space to whip in a cross for Ivan Perišić to equalise from. The 3-5-2 system currently implemented is too easy to stretch in midfield. Spain’s 4-3-3, like Croatia’s, pinned down England’s wing backs, allowing space for the opposition full backs to push up and help stretch the midfield. There needs to be a back up plan. A solution to this could take inspiration from Pep Guardiola, who has imitated Roberto Martinez’s use of a switch to 4-3-3 in defence when playing with a back three. Perhaps this is a manoeuvre that would benefit England, or perhaps a second system needs to be practiced and developed for games against quality teams who will attack in a 4-3-3. Either way, Southgate will need to broaden his tactical options if he truly wants to compete with the world’s top teams. This does not, however, necessarily mean he will have to sacrifice the style that he has fostered.

While there are problems that need addressing, some positives still shine through. Marcus Rashford, although wasteful with a couple of chances, fitted in very well playing centrally with Harry Kane. It seems Ian Wright shall be vindicated in his cries for the Wythenshawe born striker to be played down the middle. His goal came at the end of an excellent move for England, who showed how the pace of their attack is something that can - and will - frighten any team. It’s certainly not alarm bell stages yet, but Southgate has to be mindful of what must come next to help progress his England side.

(Picture: newsrnd.com)