To say that England’s disappointing performance thus far at the Euros would be a gigantic understatement.
On paper, the Three Lions’ tournament has been going relatively well so far. They sit atop Group C with 4 points and have little to worry about heading into their final group game against Slovenia. A 1-0 win over Serbia in their opener and a 1-1 draw to Denmark would not have rung alarm bells pre-tournament.
The displays, however, have been insipid, spiritless and downright bad.
This is seen not only by watching the games but also on the stat sheets. England has accumulated the joint second-lowest xG in the tournament (1.4 xG). The only team that sits lower than them is Scotland. They have had the fewest shots out of everyone at the Euros so far (17). Only Albania matches England’s tournament low of 24 touches in the opponent’s penalty area.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe tactical blueprint of Southgate’s England side remains painfully familiar. Show glimpses of attacking fluency, score an early goal, and park the bus.
The former England international got away with it against Serbia, a side that routinely disappoints at international tournaments. Denmark punished the puny, cowardly English and was somewhat unlucky not to emerge victorious.
Following Denmark’s dismal performance, changes to the lineup were always going to be required. One has already been confirmed, with The Athletic reporting that Conor Gallagher is set to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for the Slovenia game.
This decision alone highlights how Southgate is his worst enemy, continuing to put his spanner in the cogs of England’s midfield.
Southgate’s Scapegoat
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is clear that Southgate has unfairly cast Trent Alexander-Arnold as the fall guy for England’s woes.
Placing the 25-year-old right back into midfield made sense in theory. He is one of the best passers and chance-creators in the Premier League. His assist numbers speak for themselves, as he sits third in all-time Premier League assists for a defender with 58.
However, deciding that he is the partner of Declan Rice in England’s deep midfield is naive.
According to Transfermarkt, Alexander-Arnold has only played central or defensive midfield for Liverpool three times in his career. His staggering chance creation numbers obviously stem from his time at fullback.
Trent looked overwhelmed with the legwork and space he had to cover in the Serbia and Denmark games while in midfield. However, it would be unfair not to mention that Alexander-Arnold has been one of England’s most creative players at the Euros.
On the whole, though, the ‘experiment’ (Gareth Southgate’s own words!) has not worked and let’s be honest, it was never really going to.
England’s lineup selections hamper Trent’s impact
Embed from Getty ImagesSouthgate did not help the Liverpool star’s cause. He near enough set him up to fail.
First and foremost, expecting a player to transition seamlessly into a new position immediately during a major international tournament is optimistic at best.
Secondly, Southgate’s team selection essentially nullified Alexander-Arnold’s key threat in midfield: his deadly long-ball ability.
Out of the front three that has started the opening two games for England, only Saka can really qualify as a direct threat, running in behind the opposition’s defence. Kane lacks the pace to do that, and Foden is not that type of player. Bukayo Saka can play directly, as shown early in the second half of the Denmark game, as he almost connected with a long ball from Alexander-Arnold.
Deploying the ever-direct Anthony Gordon on the left would have provided Trent with a surefire target to aim. The Newcastle winger, however, has yet to grace the field at Euro 2024.
Southgate eventually exposed his tactical misunderstanding of Alexander-Arnold in midfield in the game against Denmark. He subbed him off after 54 minutes. Then, 15 minutes later, he finally brought on some direct threats upfront in the likes of Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen.
The Liverpool stalwart is now being hung out to dry by his manager, who chose to play him there.
A replacement that solves nothing
Embed from Getty ImagesIn the opening two games, Alexander-Arnold was substituted for Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher. As mentioned, he will replace the fullback in the Slovenia game.
This is just another of the many decisions made by Southgate that lack footballing sense.
England’s issues start with its midfield. As the Denmark game demonstrated, it is far too easy to play through. The level of disconnect between the midfield and attacking unit is also seriously troublesome.
While Conor Gallagher is certainly more defensively solid than Alexander-Arnold in midfield, England does not need more defensive cover in the team. The Three Lions have been one of the best defences in the tournament, conceding the least amount of goals thus far.
England’s team desperately needs more assured passing and ball progression from the middle of the park. Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton would provide that in spades, having broken into the first teams of Manchester United and Crystal Palace, respectively, this season. England’s chief attacking issue is their inability to get the ball up the pitch. Mainoo and Wharton can do that, Gallagher. I am not so sure. He is not that profile of a player.
Embed from Getty ImagesSouthgate had to include Mainoo and Wharton in his squad for a reason. The team is screaming out for someone of their calibre.
If Southgate sticks to his mediocre tactics, it might be smart to skip the Slovenia game to avoid the despair of watching it.
Stats gathered from FBRef.