Now that the group stage of the EURO is over, we can draw some conclusions about what to expect from the different teams. There have been a few surprises, such as Austria topping Group D, but what is certainly striking is what happened in Group C with England.
The English came into the European Championship as favorites after announcing a list full of world-class stars, and probably, one of the best starting line-ups of the competition. What ‘saves’ England is that another of the big favourites, France, aren’t convincing either, and the only ones who are playing good football are Spain and Germany.
Although on paper they have finished top of the group to avoid going down to the other favourites, what they have shown on the pitch in these three games is frightening, as England were held to draws by Slovenia and Denmark, and only beat Serbia 1-0. The only reason they are top of the group is because no one in group C was able to win a game.
The truth is that this isn’t too surprising either, because before the start of the competition, there was already a buzz about the possibility that this team would not play well. And the reality is that this England team don’t play at all.
Southgate, a figure who has been in doubt for many years about whether he is capable of leading England to a title, seems to be unable to make the most of all the talent that the England team have. On the face of it, and with the superior team they have, they should reach the final without difficulty, but given the poor level of football, they could be eliminated against any opponent they face.
Defensive frailty:
Despite conceding only one goal in the three group matches, they have conceded a lot of chances to their opponents. That they have conceded a goal has been more to the detriment of their opponents than to their own credit.
Both Stones and Guehi have been erratic in a number of games, which has allowed opponents to benefit. The full-backs, both Trippier and Walker, have been very flat, hardly going deep in attack to look for crosses.
Doubts in midfield:
England’s midfield should be decisive in every game, with one of the best pivots in the world in Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham a little further forward.
But the reality is different, as there is a vacancy in the double pivot with Rice and it seems that Southgate hasn’t found the right player. In the first two games he decided to go for Arnold, but some dismal performances in his speciality, passing, led to the coach deciding to switch to Gallagher.
This last test doesn’t seem to be very convincing either, so Southgate will have a dilemma as to who will occupy that position.
If he doesn’t want to repeat with any of them, there are two possible variants: a less likely one, which would be to delay Bellingham and put in another playmaker such as Cole Palmer; or a much more realistic option, which we could see next game, would be to place Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot.
The disappearance of Foden and Kane:
Although England have a dream trident of Saka, Foden and Kane, only the young Arsenal winger is the only one who seems to be trying to pull the team forward.
The most worrying of the two is Foden’s poor form, as Kane is ultimately the ‘9’ and has to wait for the ball to come to him.
After being named the Premier League’s player of the year, it seems that the EURO is getting harder for Foden, who is failing to play the kind of football that wowed Manchester City fans this season.
We’ll see if Southgate is able to tweak the team to correct these minor problems to help England lift their first European Championship or if they will fall by the wayside once again.
Main image: @England.
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