Mcebo Mpungose looks at how much has changed in the England squad since their semi-final finish in Russia and how that could benefit the team.
The England National Football Team is always under immense pressure to perform on the biggest stage in world football. There’s a genuine feeling that The Three Lions’ current crop of players is another golden generation, reminiscent of their previous generations that had individual qualities but failed to live up to expectations.
In the previous World Cup, played in Russia, England was knocked out in the semi-final stage by Croatia. They followed this up with a runner-up finish at Euro 2020, where they lost the final to Italy on penalties at Wembley.
Mcebo Mpungose looks at how much has changed in the England squad since their semi-final finish in Russia and how that could benefit the team.
Goal Keepers
In 2018 Southgate opted to pick three goalies Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, and Jack Butland. Since then, he has realised that two goalkeepers should be enough, opting for Pickford and Pope, with the latter in great form at the moment.
Newcastle United has conceded the joint fewest goals (11) in the Premier League this season, partly due to Pope’s form. The last time England played (vs. Germany in the Nations League), Pope was handed a start ahead of Pickford, and I firmly believe he may be the top choice ahead of Pickford in the World Cup as well.
It must be noted that while Pickford is in the squad, Everton has conceded 17 goals in 15 games. That’s an average of just over a goal per game.
Pope has had four more clean sheets compared to Pickford, even though the latter has made more saves this season. Pope has been a better goalkeeper this season in overall performance, including ball distribution.
Defenders
In defence, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Eric Dier, and Kyle Walker have retained their places. Southgate seems to have a soft spot for a United defender who is not getting much game time. In 2018 he called up Phil Jones, and now it looks like his place has been given to Harry Maguire, who hasn’t featured much for the team he captains, Manchester United.
Southgate will likely stick with a back three in Qatar like he’s done in the Nations League this year. Conor Coady is one of the best in a back three, while Eric Dier has become accustomed to the system under Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur. Ben White has also been roped in, possibly for his versatility. He can operate as a wingback, CB in a back four, or CB in a back three.
Full-back selections are all good, but what will be concerning is that at left wingback, there’s only Luke Shaw, while the opposite side has three options in TAA, Walker, and Trippier.
Southgate must sort out the core of his defensive combination early in the group stages if England is to mount any challenge for this year’s World Cup.
Midfielders
In the centre of the park, only Jordan Henderson has kept his place. There are exciting creative additions in the form of Jude Bellingham, Connor Gallagher, Mason Mount, and James Maddison. This is a better pick for creativity compared to the previous selection of Dele Alli, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Jesse Lingard. Southgate has also added steel to protect his back by including Kalvin Philips and Declan Rice.
Like the defence, Southgate must find his perfect combination in midfield, a balance between creativity and caution. One thing is for sure, though; the midfield has to be built around Bellingham.
The Borrusia Dortmund player is mature beyond his years and has already notched up four goals in five appearances in the Champions League this season while he’s also been in great form in the Bundesliga.
Forwards
Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Marcus Rashford have kept their places in attack. Rashford has shown glimpses of returning to his best form in years. This season he has already scored four goals and assisted twice in the Premier League. Last season he only achieved those numbers for the entire campaign.
Kane has been consistent and is only second to the immensely talented Erling Haaland in the golden boot race in the Premier League. For me, Sterling has been offered a lifeline by Gareth Southgate to remind us of his talent on the field because it hasn’t gone well so far at Chelsea this season, compared to how good he was at Man City.
"A balanced group of young players and experienced players." 🤝
— England (@England) November 17, 2022
More from @Madders10 in yesterday's media conference: pic.twitter.com/rFD1O8Do9A
New additions after 2018 include Jack Grealish, who’ll go to Qatar with a point to prove since he hasn’t had the greatest return in terms of goals or assists for City this season. His teammate Phil Foden has been a menace for many Premier League defenders this season. Despite being 22. Southgate hopes Foden can replicate his relationship with Erling Haaland up front with Harry Kane.
There’s also Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who’s been key to the Gunners’ attack this season as the right forward. If Southgate picks players on form, Saka should join Kane and Foden as a front three.
While Kane tends to drop to the number 10 goal, Southgate has ensured he has a direct goal-poacher in his artillery by including Callum Wilson, who brings pace and aggression.
Compared to the 2018 World Cup, Southgate has picked a more balanced squad. He’s looked to keep what worked in Russia but has picked better players overall for Qatar. Other nations have improved as well, and while many players have been denied a chance to feature due to injury, I’m expecting another great run by the English in the World Cup, and this time, they could go one further.
