Three important questions we need answered by England’s UEFA Nations League game

England are preparing for their first game since the World Cup, taking on Spain in the UEFA Nations League.

The Three Lions had their best World Cup for 28 years back in the summer and, although it ended in disappointment, the feeling of optimism surrounding the side hasn’t dissipated. Now as they look forward to Euro 2020, they will find the UEFA Nations League a welcome way to continue to test their mettle against the best sides Europe has to offer.

Although Gareth Southgate has largely selected the same squad he did at the World Cup, there have been some changes to back-up goalkeepers but in terms of outfielders there are just three new faces from this summer in Russia. That said, while it is clearly a forward-thinking England side, there are three things that we need answered from their game against Spain:

1. Can Luke Shaw claim his spot?

Ashley Young was England’s left-back at the World Cup, but he’s a 33 year-old winger so that was always a short-term solution. Danny Rose should be the man, but he’s struggled for form and fitness. So who could be England’s starting left-back? Enter Luke Shaw.

READ MORE: How Luke Shaw revived his Manchester United career

The former prodigy has spent so many years playing terribly and struggling with injury. But now he’s found form and has been playing regularly for Manchester United, earning himself a spot back in the England squad. So the big question is now going to be; can he actually take this chance? Will he play well enough to seal himself as England’s first-choice left-back?

If Shaw manages to stake his claim (and the position is there for the taking) then it will be hard to see anyone taking it away from him in the future given the fact that he is a potentially world-class talent and that, despite all the experiences he’s had so far in his career, he is still only 23. Luke Shaw could just be getting started!

2. Can England control the tempo?

England were a sensational side at the World Cup, they played with intensity and verve. When they were flowing it was truly impressive to see, and their ability to launch forward on the break is a weapon that Gareth Southgate will lean on heavily as the side progresses.

The thing is, sometimes late in tournaments you need to be able to slow things down. Playing at 100 miles an hour leads to a lot of fast starts and slow finishes, which is fine if you score three goals in the fast start; but if you don’t, then it will come back to haunt you as your tempo naturally slows when your players fatigue. England’s semi-final defeat to Croatia being a prime example of this.

England need to be able to control the tempo and manage the fatigue of their players rather than just sagging back into defence and holding on. And this game against Spain, the former masters of tempo control, will be a great proving ground to see if England have found a way to simply hold onto the ball every now and again. Jordan Henderson flinging it forward for Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane is fun to watch, but if England could learn to rest in possession then they’d really be a serious side.

3. Can Marcus Rashford prove his worth?

Raheem Sterling has withdrawn from the England squad due to injury, which means that Marcus Rashford is the likely candidate to partner Harry Kane in attack. This is a huge chance for England, as Sterling is often criticised for not scoring enough goals for England. Now, the reason Sterling struggles to score is because that’s not really his role (though he should score more than he does), but Rashford?

Rashford is a born scorer, albeit one who is currently struggling himself thanks to José Mourinho’s tactics and just some bad luck. But playing in attack, next to Kane, Rashford has the chance to show that he provides something Sterling does not: goals. If he can score and show that he can be relied upon to deliver, then Gareth Southgate will have to give serious consideration to working him into the starting XI, because if there’s one thing England need more of; it’s goals. They can’t all be Harry Kane and/or set-pieces.

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