Lack of creative force England’s catch 22
Football may not be going home to England after all but as Gareth Southgate’s side prepare for a third-place play-off against Belgium, the FA will be ticking plenty of boxes on their strategy sheet,writes
Back in 2016, the FA Group launched a new strategic plan to cover the period 2016-2020, when Wembley will host the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020.
Its aim, during those four years, was to produce an England men’s team capable of winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
On the surface at least that aim is looking achievable given the current side’s performance in Russia and the emergence of a new team identity under Gareth Southgate which looks likely to form the foundation of England teams for many years to come.
Look a bit deeper, however, and you will find even more reason for encouragement because by 2022 a large number of England’s U17 and U20 world champions could also be ready for selection — and a large number of the current squad will be reaching their peak.
Only Ashley Young, Gary Cahill, and Jamie Vardy will be leaving Russia thinking their hope of World Cup glory is realistically over; for the rest of their team-mates there is at least another tournament in the tank and for some, like Marcus Rashford, another two or even three.
The tough decision for Southgate, however, will be how to preserve his current ‘golden generation’ and its tight-knit team spirit without blocking the talent path for those beneath.
After all it was the youthful exuberance and lack of nerves which made this year’s England so likeable and successful — so would going into 2022 with a team of 30-year-olds be automatically the right thing to do?
Southgate is fortunate to have a wide range of options coming through the ranks. He hasn’t yet given up hope on Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, or Joe Gomez, all left out of the squad because of injury or form.
Then there is a string of exciting young talents from England’s World Cup-winning teams at U17 and U20 level soon to be knocking on the door.
Liverpool’s’ Dominic Solanke and Rhian Brewster, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Tottenham’s Kyle Walker-Peters, Manchester United’s Angel Gomes, Everton’s Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook. It’s a long, long list — and many of those are already playing regular senior football and being linked with big-money moves this summer.
So how old will England’s key players be in 2022 and will they still be pulling on the shirt?
The likeable Everton goalkeeper made the shirt his own in Russia and looks certain to remain as his country’s number one.
Walker, moved into a central defensive role in a back three, is still learning the role and could be an even higher-quality performer in four years’ time. Providing he hasn’t lost any of that pace, of course.
The classy Manchester City defender has the ability to be the kingpin of England’s defence for many years to come — he will be reaching his peak in Qatar.
Centre-halves tend to mature later than other positions but Maguire already has the core attributes of bravery, heading ability and positional awareness. It will be a battle to take his shirt away.
England’s star performer in Russia but people forget he is no youngster, having got to the top the long way. Looks likely to be a mainstay for many years — but faces competition from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
His energy and link-up play were important for England but you suspect he is one of the players who may find his place under threat from talented youngsters.
Every team needs a leader in midfield and Henderson was that. But if England are looking for more creativity in future there may be others knocking on the door.
The Manchester United man, who turned 33 during the World Cup, played a key role as a veteran in Russia but it’s too much to ask for him still to be playing in Qatar. This was his swansong.
If Sterling had an end product for England he’d be one of the best players in the world — and he has potentially four years of working under Pep Guardiola to get it right in Qatar.
There’s a lot more to come from Alli and it will be interesting to see if Tottenham can get the best from him. He could be playing abroad by the next World Cup.
The prospect of Kane four years older, four years wiser, and four years more confident is a frightening one. Surely he’ll still be the leader in Qatar.
The Chelsea man needs to find a club where he plays regularly because he has plenty of talent. Will he make the best of that talent in 2022? It’s 50-50.
The good news is that Jose Mourinho loves him and Rashford has the potential to make a much bigger impact for England than he achieved in Russia. He should be the main man by 2022.
The Liverpool full-back is good enough to give Kieran Trippier a run for his money in future. His end product is improving rapidly.
