A deep dive into the baffling England squad selection
Some players picked on form and some due to player loyalty....this might be the first nail in Southgate's coffin.
We are just 2 months away from the beginning of the World Cup and with that comes a selection dilemma for England manager, Gareth Southgate. Over the last 2 tournaments, England have reached the world cup semi-final and Euro final with both culminating in late losses. Southgate will now be looking to do one better, reaching the summit of international football and being crowned World champions. Victory would undoubtedly cement his name in English football folklore however to achieve this, Southgate must get his squad selection right. Maybe the word ‘right’ is not the most appropriate word to use as squad selection is subjective; there is always a case for at least one player to be in the squad who does not make the trip to the tournament. In this sense, I do not envy Southgate so I’ll cut him some slack. So instead of saying Southgate must get squad selection right, I say he should be consistent on the selection criteria to which players are measured.
England squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Marc Guehi, Reece James, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Fikayo Tomori, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, James Ward-Prowse
Forwards: Tammy Abraham, Jarrod Bowen, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Ivan Toney
Last week, England announced the squad for its upcoming UEFA nations league fixtures against Germany and Italy. Whether you take it seriously, England is in dire need of wins and confidence as they sit bottom of their nations league group, having collected 2 points from 4 games thus far. One could say the nations league is pointless but the fact remains that England's post Euros form has been concerning. Maybe the penalty shootout final loss in front of a packed-out Wembley crowd has messed with player psyche. Maybe Southgate has taken them as far as he can. Maybe I am reading into their Nations league results too much and maybe form is overrated when heading into an international tournament. That being said, If I was a manager I would want my team in the best form and brimming with confidence ahead of a tournament like the World cup. The saying, “failure to prepare, prepare to fail” is one that my PE teacher made sure all student-athletes knew but for Southgate, it seems he hasn’t quite grasped this notion.
With this in mind, Southgate has decided to keep the core group together in his squad selection. What stands out for me is that it is a 28-man squad yet 15 players are either defenders or goalkeepers. Gareth Southgate, what are you doing? This is considered to be the 2nd iteration of the ‘golden generation’ but the squad is so defence heavy and is led by a dinosaur in Southgate. By being so defensive, Southgate is handicapping himself of X-factors like the Ebere Eze’s, the James Maddison’s and the Jadon Sancho’s of the world. They can’t get a look in at the moment because Gareth is picking man like Coady, Maguire and I almost forgot his obsession with picking 4 right backs. In my opinion, this pragmatic approach will be the undoing of Southgate as the 3-5-2 formation is not built to take care of the ball but rather to ensure defensive solidity and have potent counter attacks. Case in point: Euro final. England scored very early from a deadly counter-attack with both wingbacks directly involved. Fair enough. However, England endured many spells of pressure from Italy as they did not have the players on the pitch to deal with the likes of Jorghino, Verrati and Barella who beautifully controlled the game and were instrumental in the win. If Southgate used a 4-3-3 formation that consisted of let’s say Rice, Bellingham and Foden, this provides a perfect balance and platform to retain possession and win games.
Another issue with the squad is the selection of ‘favourites’. Harry Maguire is in the squad yet every time he has started for United this season, they have lost. United have had their best games when their centre back partnership consists of Varane X Martinez. In many United fans’ opinion, Maguire’s poor form stretches back to the start of last season where he was an ever-present in a defence that conceded the most goals in a league season in Manchester United history. Side note: Manchester United have been relegated before so let that sink in. Luke Shaw has also been selected despite being dropped for Malacia, due to poor form, and only just coming back from injury. Ben Chilwell has not featured regularly for Chelsea this season due to the arrival of Marc Cucarella from Brighton and this could well and truly continue with Chelsea replacing Tuchel with the now ex-Brighton boss, Graham Potter. Why are they selected over a Ryan Sessegnon who actually plays wing-back and is playing well? I admit that it is probably too soon for a Sessegnon to be called up but when both Shaw and Chilwell not playing, I believe it would be understandable. Moving onto the midfield, Kalvin Phillips has endured an injury-ridden time since the Euro’s 15 months ago and is now holding bench at Manchester City after his transfer from Leeds. Both Grealish and Mount have been very mid this season but again find themselves called up and Jared Bowen…you might want to empty those stocks because last season is just looking like a purple patch and nothing more. All of these selections contrast his initial statements when first getting the England job as he said publicly, “Selection will not be based on reputation….you need to be playing and playing well to be called up”. Hmmm seems like the England manager tells fibs if we look at his latest squad. Heads or tails has more logic than the England selection criteria. It is now clearer than ever that Southgate has his favourites and is loyal to them despite club form. Since this is the case, it makes no sense for Southgate to attend games for the purpose of analysing player performances when for him, reputation outweighs form. His presence at games provides 0 incentive for those on the fringes of selection to perform. Imagine living in a world where reputation outweighs merit….quite sad to be honest.
On a more positive note, Ivan Toney has been called up to the squad. This does provide hope that club form does merit international call-ups. Toney is quite similar in his style of play to Kane in that he is a great finisher but can also drop into spaces to be a link man for the team to build attacks off. He is also an underrated passer, an attribute that Kane has in abundance. Finally, he has confidence in himself that does not waver even if he is on the bench. This makes Toney a more than capable deputy for Harry Kane and hopefully, he can show that in these next 2 games and solidify his selection for the world cup squad.
I am already resigned to England not doing well at this year’s World Cup. I believe it’ll be too much for them and I think their luck has run out with their draws. Imagine England drawing a Portugal or Brazil in the last 16…it’s wraps. However, if Southgate does a 180 and adopts a more brave approach in the next 2 months, starting the likes of Jude Bellingham and a Phil Foden or dropping a Maguire and playing a back 4, then there is hope England could maybe win it but it all starts with squad selection…don’t get me started on his in-game management because that’s for another day.
Comment below who you think deserved to be in the England squad and where England could get to in the World Cup.
Ben White not making the team is the wildest imo
bowen making the squad is so crazy to me. he hasn’t even been in the squad or performed well enough to be considered a “favourite”. rashford or sancho definitely more deserving.