HOW CAN ENGLAND MAXIMISE THE TALENT OF THEIR GOLDEN AGE: SOUTHGATES HEADACHE

England head into the 2024 Euros competition as one of the favorites but they enter with an apparent cloud of uncertainty over their squad. From a somewhat controversial squad announcement to selection issues in key areas of the pitch, one being whether Trent Alexander Arnold can play in midfield. In this post I’ll talk about the various ways I think England can line up in order to maximize the number of talented players in the squad.

First thing I believe Southgate would do will be to identify the key players in the team that he needs to build around, players like Kane, Stones, Rice, Bellingham and Saka who in my opinion form the backbone of this England team, everyone else is interchangeable , dispensable or just hasn’t put up enough consistent performances for the three lions.

Even though this is a very young and slightly inexperienced squad at the national level the amount of talent is probably second to none around Europe. The first way I believe England can line up is in a 4231 which turns to a 3223 in  possession

England shape out of possesion

England shape in possession

This can allow for England to maximize the strength of key players with Kyle Walker tucking in as a 3rd CB(something he has done at club level regularly), Foden can then operate in the inside left channel as a double 10 with Bellingham on the other side and Luke Shaw providing width on the left and Saka doing the same on the right. Only issue with this shape is Lewis Dunk who we’ve seen is not very good at defending channels but his on the ball ability is very valuable in a set up like this. Joe Gomes can deputize there.

Second way I think Southgate can line up is with the same formation and shape but with the introduction of Trent Alexander Arnold who inverts from RB into midfield and Shaw who tucks in from LB to form a back 3(again something he is familiar with).

England shape oop

England shape in possession

This shape allows for direct 1v1 threat put wide by using either Eze or Gordon at LW and Saka at RW, with the box midfield being formed by the 3 midfielders and Trent who joins them. This can allow England maximum control especially against lesser teams with Trents on the ball abilities being put center stage and 1v1 specialists put wide to break low blocks.

Another way is the same 4231 formation but this time both fullbacks invert into midfield and create overloads centrally which allows for the presence of double 10s (Foden/Palmer and Bellingham) which results in a 2323 shape in possession.

 I believe this can be England’s most attacking line up with arguably all their best players at the moment on the field in positions that suit each one of them. Although there isn’t much balance defensively out of possession, this is a real risk for reward set up.

Last way I think England can set up is in the same 4231 oop but here Southgate takes a leaf out of Pep Guardiolas treble winning book at Man City and in possession it is a 3223 with Stones stepping up to form a double pivot with Rice and Shaw/Gomez & Walker play as wide center backs and Foden/Palmer and Bellingham as double 10s and wide players with direct 1v1 threat (Eze, Gordon, Saka and Bowen)

All that being said, whatever Southgate goes with he has a huge job maximizing the talent in this squad with this being his fourth major tournament with the England national team the pressure is on for him to deliver a trophy.