How would England’s ‘Golden Generation’ have lined up under Gareth Southgate?

Nobody saw it coming, but Gareth Southgate is on his way to becoming England’s most revolutionary coach in years.

Much of it is down to the former defender’s tactical nous. He switched to a 3-5-2 just before the World Cup, a system that worked brilliantly for most of the campaign in Russia.

Having recognised this formation had its weaknesses, Southgate talked up the importance of flexibility before recent friendlies against Croatia and Spain and subsequently went for a back four in both games.

“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,” he said before the goalless draw with Croatia.

“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.”

The Three Lions were hugely impressive in a 4-3-3 against Spain, meaning Southgate now has a number of systems to pick from.

All of which got us thinking: what if the current England manager had the country’s ‘Golden Generation’ at his disposal?

From Michael Owen to Theo Walcott and everyone in between – including the likes of Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney – England arguably possessed its most talented group of players since 1966 in the early part of the 21st century. But those players, for whatever reason, never quite gelled. Perhaps they just lacked the right manager.

With that in mind, three Squawka writers have picked a team made up of ‘Golden Generation’ players set up in one of Southgate’s go-to formations. We’ve taken a few liberties here and there, but that’s all part of the fun. Here are the results.

Disagree with our picks? Let us know how you think Southgate would set up in the comments section below or on Twitter @Squawka.

England ‘Golden Generation’ formation 1: 3-5-2

By Muhammad Butt – @muhammadbutt

Robinson; Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole; Carrick; Beckham, Hargreaves, Lampard, Bridge; Rooney, Gerrard

Taking the ‘Golden Generation’ at their peak in 2006, we automatically lose Paul Scholes and Michael Owen, but the side was still brimming with incredible quality.

Playing out from the back is important to Southgate, so Paul Robinson beats David James to the No. 1 shirt. The back three consists of captain Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole. Three colossal defenders (two literal, one figurative) to protect Robinson and start all England’s attacks.

Wing-backs David Beckham and Wayne Bridge stay wide (much as Southgate’s wing-backs did in 2018) and send crosses into the box. Nothing too fancy, but very effective. Beckham would be the set-piece sultan.

In midfield, Michael Carrick plays at the base. He was an undervalued back-up in 2006, but Southgate would rightly regard his passing and defensive stability essential. Carrick would unleash Frank Lampard as an attacking, goalscoring presence; whilst Owen Hargreaves provides defensive balance and energy.

Up-top it’s the Merseyside marvels as Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard form a maverick partnership. Keeping Gerrard out of midfield solves The Gerrard-Lampard Problem, allowing the scouser to roam and raid in an attacking free-role, creating and shooting while a pre-disaster Wayne Rooney is the side’s imperious striker.

England ‘Golden Generation’ formation 2: 4-3-3

By Steve Jennings – @JenningsWrites

Robinson; Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole; Gerrard, Scholes, Lampard; Walcott, Rooney, Owen

It would be interesting to see which of David Seaman, David James and Robinson would be most adept with their feet in the modern era. It was difficult to tell back then, a time goalkeepers used their feet less, but I’ve given Robinson the nod.

The back four effectively picks itself. Being able to contribute at both ends of the pitch is crucial for Southgate’s full-backs because the wide attackers tuck inside and typically aren’t expected to provide width, so Neville and Ashley Cole would be ideal. Ferdinand and Terry were both too good to leave out, and Ferdinand was particularly comfortable on the ball.

As much as I’m tempted to put Ledley King in front of the back four, the holding midfielder in this system needs to be able to press high as Eric Dier did against Spain, and King simply didn’t have the legs. Instead, I’ll go with Scholes, who could either sit deep or push forward.

They say Gerrard and Lampard couldn’t play together, but I’m ignoring that line of thinking – they complete a supremely talented midfield three; sorry, David Beckham.

Rooney works in the Harry Kane slot, dropping slightly deeper into a supporting role so quicker forwards – in this case, Owen and Theo Walcott – can get beyond him and provide a threat on the counter.

England ‘Golden Generation’ formation 3: 4-2-3-1

By Harry Edwards – @harryedwards16

James; Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole; Gerrard, Scholes; Beckham, Lampard, J. Cole; Rooney

One of the biggest problems for England’s ‘Golden Generation’ was how to fit Scholes, Gerrard and Lampard into the hip 4-4-2 formation at the time. Often the chosen solution was to farm Scholes out on the left. But current boss Southgate could have remedied this with a simple 4-2-3-1.

The back five really pick themselves. Ashley Cole, Terry, Ferdinand and Neville were some of the best defenders in the world at their peak. Seaman was showing signs of ageing in the 2002 World Cup – insert nightmares of Ronaldinho – meaning James would get the nod, though he may not be trusted to play out from the back.

A defensive midfield pivot would see Gerrard and Scholes play alongside each other, in Scholes’ best position where he can be the most influential and flex all sides of his game – the tough tackler and the beautiful passer. Meanwhile, Gerrard flourished when showcasing his passing range, something he could do from deep where he has full vision of the pitch and England’s attacking players.

Ahead of them, Beckham finds a place in the team perhaps slightly further forward than he was used to, though his delivery and leadership warrant a selection. In the middle, Lampard can perform as he did at his peak, playing almost as a shadow striker, building a partnership with the centre-forward. England’s left side was perhaps the only weak link of the ‘Golden Generation’, but Joe Cole could do a job there with his dribbling ability.

Up front, Rooney would probably edge ahead of Owen due to his all-round work rate.

The post How would England’s ‘Golden Generation’ have lined up under Gareth Southgate? appeared first on Squawka News.

From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2ypBW1B