England manager Gareth Southgate has admitted that he feels it is time for his side to play football using a new formation for the foreseeable future.
Southgate used a 3-5-2 formation over the course of England’s World Cup campaign, which saw the Three Lions enjoy a highly successful tournament in Russia where they reached the semi-finals.
Using quick wing-backs – Kieran Trippier and Ashley Young were the preferred options at the World Cup – Southgate’s side were able to move quickly up the pitch in attack but equally get men behind the ball when defending against the opposition.
However, after the 2-1 defeat to Spain during the previous international break, Southgate switched to a 4-3-3 line-up for the recent 0-0 draw with Croatia on Friday in the Uefa Nations League. The change saw Ross Barkley earn his first international cap in several years alongside Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier. In defence, John Stones and Harry Maguire took up the centre-back slots, flanked by debutant Ben Chilwell and Kyle Walker, who was used in a back-three at the World Cup.
“What suits [England’s younger players] best? We have some very promising No8s and wide players. A 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 are good options moving forward,” Southgate said, according to the Telegraph.
“I think if you look at a lot of our junior teams they play a four with two midfielders, two sitters and a 10 or as a 4-3-3 so the idea with the system would be that they learn to play that way. We’ve seen with our senior team that you have to get your best possible players on the field with the best possible formation so that’s what we did in the summer.”
Southgate continued: “Part of my thinking is what’s the mid- to long-term as well as the next few games? There are obvious issues we had to resolve immediately in terms of how we defended and how we pressed. But also with half an eye in my mind other players who could come in and play that way. We’ve seen through our junior teams playing through another system.
Speaking to reporters before the previous match, Southgate explained that he feels this the new system will help England avoid being made to ‘suffer’ without possession: “We think it’s time for the team to evolve a bit. 3-5-2 has been fantastic for us, we maximised the talents of the players across the summer.
READ MORE: What we learned from Croatia 0-0 England
“But in a couple of the matches against the better teams, we’ve suffered a bit without the ball.
“So we want to look at a back four, and think it suits the players we’re playing tonight. It still gives us the opportunity to move the ball and be a threat, but hopefully will cover the spaces that were a bit of a problem in the last couple of games.
“We have to make sure it doesn’t take away anything. Our build-up play has been good, we can still find solutions with the ball. That won’t be exactly the same, but we’ve got to make sure we continue to pass the ball out from the back.
“Without the ball, it gives us a better chance to get up against their midfield, to press higher up the pitch, and not allow them so much time. In most simple terms, we cover the pitch better. I want to see how it works tonight.
“We have options, and we have to be flexible.”
England face Spain once again in the Nations League. La Roja are currently top of Group 4 of League A with two wins from two, with England and Croatia in second and third respectively on just a single point.
How will England line up v Spain? Gomez to start, Sancho to feature
Former Manchester City youth player Jadon Sancho, now at Borussia Dortmund, is set to feature against Spain after last week’s substitute appearance against Croatia made in the first player born inside this millennium to play for England.
“I would think it’s highly likely he comes into the game,” Southgate told post-match reporters, adding, “I don’t need to speak to him [about the extra attention]. He’s dipped his toe, he’s done well and on to another level of challenge next.”
Due to an injury sustained by Dejan Lovren this summer, Joe Gomez has regularly started alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool’s defence. The former Charlton Athletic player, who is 21, will be included in Southgate’s starting XI against Spain in place of Stones.
“Joe Gomez will be coming in for John,” the England coach added. “He’s in really good form for his club. His matches for us, against Spain and Brazil, have been really polished performances. He’s a young defender, but a very good defender.
“It’s another opportunity to look at a couple of younger players. We’re slowly building a squad who are comfortable at this level…. The only way for these guys to learn and improve is to play matches like this.”
Harry Winks can also expect to start in place of Henderson, who is suspended. Trent Alexander-Arnold or, more likely, Kieran Trippier should replace Kyle Walker due to fitness concerns.
Spurs right-back Trippier was England’s most creative player at the World Cup.
EXPLAINED: What is the Uefa Nations League?
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