(Football news) Gareth Southgate has been under immense scrutiny in this past international break. After the 3-3 draw against Germany, England have now been winless for 6 games, the first time in 29 years. But Southgate’s criticism started way before that when the squad was announced due to a couple of absentees. Ben White, Jadon Sancho and James Madison, who are in really good form were left out. On the other hand players like Kalvin Phillips, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire, who are struggling to get game time for their clubs were included. There is always going to be a selection debate on any side and even more if it is a national team like England.
Kalvin Phillips did pull out of the squad due to injury but there is a question mark whether he should have been there in the first place. The problem with the criticism is that if Southgate were to drop Phillips then who would be his replacement. James Ward Prowse, Jordan Henderson, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips are the only defensive/box to box midfielders available and Southgate usually calls up all of them. Same goes for Luke Shaw as the only other left back who could get a call up is Ryan Sessegnon who hasn't proven himself at the big stage yet. Both England left backs Shaw and Ben Chilwell are not playing regular football for their club but Southgate simply doesn't have a replacement. On top of that Shaw has always performed really well for England and he also scored against Germany.
The big call is Harry Maguire who hasn't been playing regularly for Manchester United and when he does, his performances haven't been up to the mark. Maguire has always performed well for England, especially in big tournaments like the World Cup 2018 and the Euro 2022. In his own words, Maguire went into the Euros after a long term injury and still managed to get into the team of the tournament. Southgate somehow brought the criticism onto himself as he had previously said that he will always be picking a squad based on current form which is something he hasn't been doing. Players like Ben White and Chris Smalling have been performing well consistently without getting a call up while there is a debate that Fikayo Tomori, Conor Coady and Marc Guehi should be ahead of him in the pecking order but the trio haven't played a single minute in the international break.
Southgate called up not one, not two, not three but four right backs. The England manager has used Kyle Walker as a centre back while Reece James has played right back for both the games in this window. The problem is that the 3 at the back system suits Trent Alexander-Arnold as right wing back the best because he is much better at attacking than defending. Considering how much England struggled to make chances, the Liverpool full back should definitely get more chances. Selection is not the only point of concern as his tactics have also been criticised.
Southgate took England to the World Cup semi final and the Euros final but he did it with arguably the most balanced England squads of all time. He has always been defensive minded and the argument is that this team is more than capable of playing attacking football. England played their best football when being 2-0 down against Germany and had nothing to lose. Southgate doesn't have time as the World Cup is just around the corner. The former Middlesbrough manager always manages to get the best out of England in tournaments and if he does that in Qatar then he will definitely win back the fans.
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