England manager Gareth Southgate has some big decisions to make ahead of next summer's finals. Photo: Reuters/Hannah Mackay
In Gareth Southgate says only a very brave manager would leave Jude Bellingham or Declan Rice out of the England squad on current form, but a place alongside the driving force in his midfield is one of the few remaining questions facing Euro. It's looking increasingly like a battle between Kalvin Phillips and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Southgate's full team is close to being completed. His players can secure their place in next year's final with a result against Italy on Tuesday before preparations for Germany can begin. There may be some changes to the team depending on the uniform or prominent wildcard, but most are known.
It is Southgate's third midfielder who poses his dilemma. He has faith in Phillips despite his struggles for Manchester City and Alexander-Arnold's success as a midfielder. Against Australia on Friday, he was an inverted full-back in midfield and played at No. 8 in the second half.
Italy return to Wembley for the first time since they beat England's midfield in the Euro 2020 final, but there is a different dynamic in this area of Southgate's team. Rice, who was sent off in the 74th minute of that game, is now England's most expensive player following his £105m move to Arsenal. Bellingham is a Real Madrid player and La Liga's top scorer.
“We are different now. We have athleticism and strength in our midfield which is different to many other countries,” Southgate said. “We have different opportunities to do different things, but I think certain matches require certain types of players.
“It depends on who we play, the type of game and the composition of the opponents. I wouldn't say that any specific zone is [populated], there is some movement depending on the type of enemy. At this point, you'd be a brave man to leave either of those two [Rice and Bellingham] out, but who's playing with them?
Southgate points to the Euro 2020 win over Croatia as one of the significant times his midfield has played against world-class opposition. Luka Modric was unable to open for England and the winner was scored by Phillips, who is clearly still in Southgate's plans. The 27-year-old only started in the League Cup defeat to Newcastle but a January loan spell could see him get more game time.
Alexander-Arnold has made a strong case for inclusion in his England squad . in the summer and then against the Australians when he split their defense in the build-up to Ollie Watkins' victory.
“He had a hard time finding a place because it was so busy,” Southgate said. “He eventually found a little more space when he went down to the side of the park. This is something he is still working on while playing in midfield. Sometimes teams play narrow and space ends up in an odd position for him.
“We wanted to put him in with Calvin for the last 20 minutes, I think he's number eight and that's another thing too. option for us with his passing range.
“Although we didn't play the number 8 today, so we brought him in at full-back, that's an option, although we have to learn it in big games and in very short periods of time, so it's something we really like. He has qualities that are very different from all our midfielders and we want to continue to monitor them as often as possible.”
There are others who could achieve this latter role. Mason Mount has recently been injured and hopes to return to the England squad next month. James Maddison and Phil Foden have been used on England's left flank but could make a case for a midfield role. As Southgate says, no one can take their foot off the gas.
England still have to put the finishing touches on qualifying. They will face an Italy team that is in chaos after Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were sent back to their clubs as they are involved in an investigation into illegal betting.
“I thought Zaniolo could play, but as far as Tonali is concerned, they have a lot of good midfielders,” Southgate said.
England are building momentum ahead of the match. Despite a draw with Ukraine last month, their victory in Naples to start the campaign was a result that reinforced belief that they can go one better than they did at the last Euro when they reach the final.
“We had never won in Italy, so after the World Cup we said we need to start winning these games, especially away from home,” Southgate said.
“It was a step forward. We had to be resilient. We played very, very well in the first half of that game and then we had to take the pressure, conceding a goal and going down to 10. There were some good moments, just like last month. We'll have to show it all again.”
Senior players will return against Italy – Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, Harry Maguire, Rice, Bellingham and Harry Kane were rested against Australia – but that midfield spot will be available Southgate's players.
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