On Friday, Euro 2020 kicks off and there seems to be major optimism amongst many teams’ chances of winning the competition. One team that is amongst the favourites to win the tournament is Gareth Southgate’s England.
On paper, the Three Lions have a talented squad of players, some of whom are at the start of their careers, such as Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden amongst others. However, the England head coach faces a big dilemma ahead of his team’s opener against Croatia on 13th June.
How to fit all these talented players into one team
Gareth Southgate is known to be a relatively pragmatic head coach. He puts defensive solidity ahead of the attacking side of the game. However, with the current squad, he has a plethora of attacking players to chose from.
One player that has impressed in recent international’s is Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish. However, there are doubts over whether he will start the Croatia game, with Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Jadon Sancho all can play on the left side of the attack, where Grealish thrives most.
Then there is the exciting talent that is Phil Foden. Where does he fit into this England team? He tends to start on the right side of the attack for Manchester City, although he can play virtually anywhere across the front line and in the centre of midfield.
It would be impossible for Southgate to include all the talented attacking players, especially when he is likely to start the tournament with Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson anchoring in the centre of midfield.
Kalvin Phillips is also an option to start in midfield too. Mount may start alongside two of the three more defensive midfielders in a three. That would mean less competition for a starting place on the left side of attack.
England can mount a realistic challenge for the trophy
In recent major international tournaments, the English media have built up the Three Lions as a team. However, the optimism has been based on nothing but bias.
The current England team really does seem to have enough quality players to mount a realistic challenge for the trophy this summer. Southgate’s team have genuine matchwinners. Players that can turn games and produce vital moments when needed.
One of them Mason Mount proved his quality in the Champions League by producing a sensational through-ball to produce the winning goal. There is of course Harry Kane up front, with players behind him that are full of creativity he should thrive in the current set-up.
For England to be serious contenders, then Southgate needs to find the right tactical set-up to get the best out of his undoubtedly talented squad. Part of getting the set-up right will be how he sets up in the middle of the park and the wide forward areas. If he gets it right, then England is a team that will cause any team in the competition problems. That is a big if though.
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Can Gareth Southgate find an answer to his main dilemmas at Euro 2020?
