Alan Hanson once famously said that you can’t win anything with kids. He was of course wrong about Manchester United’s school of ’92, but how will the England school of ’18 fair?
It’s not that Southgate’s squad are particularly young, but there is a lack of tournament experience, which is often worth an extra man.
The former under 21’s boss went into his first major competition with difficult decisions to make (what England manager doesn’t?). The biggest talking point for many was whether or not goalkeeper Joe Hart should be on the plane; Southgate decided not to take him, after a fairly torrid couple of seasons but his experience could have been invaluable in the dressing room, even if he never got on the pitch.
World Cups aren’t won just on the field, they are won and lost, in the dressing room, in the training camp, in the mind.
Teams need strong characters and leaders. Looking around the dressing room, I wonder where the Terry Butcher or Bryan Robson is. Who will drive the team on and take the game by the scruff of the neck, like Beckham or new Rangers boss Steven Gerrard would.
The Squad
The three keepers Southgate is taking are 26, 25 and 25 respectively. Jordan Pickford will I expect be first choice, after a decent season for Everton after his high profile move from Sunderland. Jack Butland, fresh from his relegation with Stoke City is likely to have low confidence and 3rd choice Nick Pope was for many the surprise choice, and for me, the one that took Hart’s place.
In front of Pickford, we have some solid defenders, capable of stopping the best strikers in the world. Kyle Walker, Phil Jones, and Gary Cahill are undoubtedly World class, although Cahill’s best years are probably behind him. Newcomer, Harry Maguire is yet to be tested at this level, but the former Sheffield United and Hull City defender is showing signs of being one of the best defenders in the world. This is a massive tournament for him and could make him a household name. Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold also has a chance to make a real name for himself on the biggest stag of all, despite not yet getting his first cap. A great domestic season and an excellent Champion’s league run has given him the momentum needed to have a great tournament, if Southgate selects him.
In the last friendly before the tournament Southgate made 10 changes from the previous game. This could suggest that he intends giving everyone a chance and really using the whole squad, or it could simply mean he still doesn’t know his best 11. The one player who did start both games, John Stones looks increasingly like a bit of a liability. After showing great promise at Everton, hi big money move to Manchester City has left him looking exposed. His tendency to try to play out of defence is unnerving against average opposition and hopefully the manager picked him for the last two games as a consolation for not playing in the tournament.
Midfield
It is midfield though that England have the biggest issues. Jordan Henderson, desperately trying to fill his predecessor Gerrard’s boots sadly is not a patch on the original. He doesn’t have the ability to pick a pass and it is the lack of creativity in the middle of the park that will be the downfall of the three lions.
Deli Alli can be a genius, but has questionable temperament. Eric Dier is a is a decent player but seems unwilling to track back and help his defence when we lose the ball. Manchester United duo, Lingard and Young are positive inclusions. Young has developed into a versatile player capable of playing several positions and has gladly shed the habit of falling to to the turf whenever anyone comes near him. Unfortunately, Raheem Sterling has kept the habit. The media last week were touting Sterling as a role model for the millions of young fans watching, and then got himself booked for diving. Call me old fashioned, but I hate to see it, and think Southgate (and club bosses) should quickly stamp this out. It’s not playmanship – it’s cheating. Not only does Sterling spend more time laying on the grass than standing on it, his footballing brain is as developed as that of a primary school player. When faced with making a snap split-second decision he is devastating, but given time to think about his game, he invariably makes the wrong decision.
Delph and Loftus Cheek are interesting selections and I’d like to see them given a chance. Loftus Cheek is a big, strong, powerful lad and can dominate opponents.
Jonjo Shelvey would have made a massive difference to the team. Yes, he has an aptitude for getting himself sent off and makes some rash decisions but his vision and ability to pick out a pass is matched only by the other class midfielder watching from home, Jack Willshere. Willshere has a tendency to get injured but after years of under achieving, surely he was worth a punt.
Attack
Upfront, Harry Kane could be the talisman we think he can. Fresh off the back of signing a 6 year deal with Spurs, he will be out to score some goals. Former non-league player Jamie Vardy could also score some goals with his pace and directness. Marcus Rashford scored a wonder goal in the last game but his decision making is equally as bad as Stirling’s. both Rashford and Sterling are 4 years too soon. When they learn to play the game, I’ve no doubt they will be great players but natural raw talent is not enough on the world stage. Danny Welbeck will be useful. He is a grafter than runs deep to win the ball back and has a good goals tally at international level.
Chances and predictions
In a group with Belgium, great individuals who often struggle to play as a team, Tunisia and Panama, England should at least make it through the group. If they win the group they will face the runners up of group H. Group H is made up of Columbia, Japan, Senegal and Poland. England are capable of beating any of those teams so expect a quarter final meeting with Brazil. Sadly, that will be football coming home for us.
Brazil will be among the favourites to win the competition, along with Germany, Spain, and possibly France.
My money is on Brazil.
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