Over the years, England managers have picked tournament squads which have divided for several reasons but what most can agree with, is few have been picked to play a tactic and formation. At Euro 2020, nobody can accuse Gareth Southgate of not doing that.
It’s important to understand how Southgate's England typically play. In the last few years, they have created chances from out wide, with central midfielders or defenders spreading passes either long or wide, across the pitch.
Forwards also get in on the act, dropping back and finding wing backs as they overlap on either side, or cutting into the box to either shoot, or find passes for shots through the middle.
Defensively, the team is compact, defending in numbers and frustrating the opposition until they can release counters at pace; often with long balls.
Formation wise, Southgate typically plays either 343 or 3421, with two wing backs who either overlap or fill in when a more attacking midfielders push on. 433 was tried against Poland but the team struggled when pressed.
England’s forwards often overload the sides, looking to support each other and allow strikers, late running midfielders, and wing backs the time to support crossed balls. In the past, this has worked, with Mason Mount excellently playing one touch football or driving with the ball to draw defenders in. However, when teams sit deep and do not commit, or are capable defenders, England have struggled.
This is where players like Grealish and Foden come in, as they offer something different, with Foden sharing some of Mounts driving qualities but having more in common with Sterling’s dribbling attributes. And Grealish, who allows strikers to set their positions in time with onrushing full backs who he plays in to cross, or, through his general crossing and passing vision.
Sterling and Rashford, if they can find some form, will offer something similar to Sancho, who will drive at pace, or expect passes to come back to him as he makes his way into the box.
This up top strategy should suit the poaching capability of Kane and Calvert Lewin but also allow them to drop back and strike sideways passes. Calvert Lewin’s height and elite heading should prove a valuable asset for someone like Grealish.
At this club, Harry Kane often drops deep to be part of play and in some England games he has done the same. Hopefully, he finds the confidence to trust his teammates and keep himself closer to the opposition box because when he's there, he's sure to find goals.
The real challenge will be getting the ball to the forwards but in Phillips, England have a quality passer who can spray balls with ease. Bellingham who looks very comfortable either taking on a player or finding one, and Rice who is an accurate ball player who rarely loses the ball, will offer something similar. The difference between all three is probably how they pass. Phillips and Rice need more space to hit their man, so wing back one-twos will be vital. Bellingham, however, is neater on the ball and looks more technically capable but much less experienced.
These midfield attributes will suit the six full/wing backs who have been taken, as not only are they all good passers in their own right, but all are natural crossers who enjoy overlapping, as good wingbacks should.
There are raised eyebrows that six full backs have been taken but James and Tripper are comfortable on the left side, Arnold can play central midfield and Walker has played central defender in a back three, as has James.
As previously mentioned, England typically attack out wide, therefore it makes sense to see a number of versatile attacking full backs included, particularly if Southgate wants to hold a lead, so may sacrifice a wide forward for a full back. The inclusion of Saka also offers a defensive or attacking solution, as the young player keeps proving capable in whatever position he plays.
Where there may be concerns is central defence as Maguire’s fitness is still to be proved; though with Stones, Coady, Mings and the potential of Walker and Rice able to fill in, the team should cope.
It is clear to see that the selected players support Southgate’s tactical set up, which is a welcomed approach; however, it will be interesting to see whether they rigidly play to a style or are encouraged to play the game as it comes. For players like Grealish and Phillips, this will be very interesting. Grealish is a useful drifter, who is capable of doing something unpredictable and Phillips passing range may be wasted if he’s expected to spray balls out wide.
There is also an unusual factor in the striking backup, as Southgate considers both Sterling and Rashford as capable replacements for Kane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (DCL). Yet both have had difficult seasons, with Sterling struggling to recreate his sparkling form and Rashford having a very tough end to the season. Not taking Ollie Watkins may end up a major regret for the England coach, as the Aston Villa striker can mirror Kane and DCL’s style, while also offering his own.
Southgate’s selection is one of the most tactically harmonious England squads taken to any tournament. The style it plays might not be pretty and the quality of some players isn’t as high as previous generations but they stick to the tactics and formation, to do what the manager expects of them. As an England fan, is definitely something worth celebrating, even if I'm sure to spend some of my summer screaming at what many perceive as a negative, make no error set up.
The full England squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Changes are still possible until the first match, but only to replace injured players or ones testing positive for Covid-19. Goalkeepers who test positive for Covid-19 can be replaced throughout the tournament but no replaced player (all positions) can be readmitted to the squad.
