England’s Style under Southgate: Euros 2020

England’s Style under Southgate and how it’s changed for this tournament

You can see going into this tournament what Gareth Southgate is trying to do with this England team. Pick a solid back-four, a defensively sound midfield base and flair players in the final-third. We’re yet to see the previously successful back-three system and instead have seen the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems. I believe this is down to a few reasons. In 2018 England were quite limited in the wide and midfield areas in terms of quality players. There were no real standout full-backs and the centre-back pairing of Maguire and Stones hadn’t been played too much. So it made sense for England to play a 3-1-4-2 system at the 2018 World-Cup. But now, with more options in defensive midfield, full-back, out wide and attacking midfield, Gareth can do a lot more in terms of the shape and having depth should injuries occur. Maguire, Stones and now Mings have proven they can play in an England back-four in big games but still require some protection due to a lack of recovery pace and opposition players getting into the channels between themselves and their full-back. Southgate wants to limit space in these areas and close of passing lanes. He does this by using a high-energy and good on the ball midfield double-pivot. Or adopting a midfield three when defending even more. A midfield three may also be useful when England are chasing a game by playing more offensive players in the no.8 positions. Then plays an offensive and flair based front three which can create chances and score goals. Normally Sterling, Kane and Foden.

To summarise, Southgate likes a defensively sound team that can make the most of attacking spells when the opportunity presents itself. He does this by playing Maguire, Stones and Walker, who’s first thought is to defend and playing a more offensive left-back with one of Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell or Kieran Trippier. The midfield three or midfield double-pivot will contain energetic, defensively sound, good on the ball players. Southgate has recently picked Rice and Philips, the midfield I’d continue into this tournament with due to Jordan Henderson’s lack of match sharpness, but he’ll be a very important player from the bench with both his all-round game and leadership qualities. Then in the attacking areas, whether it be a front-three with no.8s supporting or a front three with a no.10, flair players are used. Southgate has preferred Sterling and Foden as his wide-players so far, but neither has cemented their place in the Starting XI. With the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho and the recently very impressive Bukayo Saka, England have lots of competition in those areas. In the middle of attack will always be, when fit, Harry Kane. He’s the England captain, a world-class player and has come under some unnecessary and unjustified criticism. Despite being able to create his own on occasion, Kane needs chances and more support from both the wide areas and midfield, something he hasn’t got enough of in the opening three games. I can remember only one clear-cut chance for Kane in the group stage, against the Czech Republic, and it was a brilliant save, although he should’ve scored.

You can see going into this tournament what Gareth Southgate is trying to do with this England team. Pick a solid back-four, a defensively sound midfield base and flair players in the final third.

We’re yet to see the previously successful back-three system and instead have seen the      4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 systems. I believe this is down to a few reasons. In 2018 England were quite limited in the wide and midfield areas in terms of quality players. There were no real standout full-backs and the centre-back pairing of Maguire and Stones hadn’t been played too much. So it made sense for England to play a 3-1-4-2 system at the 2018 World Cup. But now, with more options in defensive midfield, full-back, out wide and attacking midfield, Gareth can do a lot more in terms of the shape and having depth should injuries occur.

Southgate likes a defensively sound team that can make the most of attacking spells when the opportunity presents itself. He does this by playing a centre-back pairing Maguire, Stones, or bringing in the recently impressive Mings who has proven can play in a back-four at this level. Walker seems to be the first-choice right-back, a decision I agree with, whose first thought is to defend. Southgate then chooses a more offensive left-back, one of Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell or Kieran Trippier. The back four of England are a lot more experienced and solid than in Russia, but still require some protection due to a lack of recovery pace. and opposition players exploiting channels between the centre-backs full-backs. Southgate wants to limit space in these areas and close off passing lanes into those inside channels and pockets. He does this by using a high-energy, defensively sound and good on the ball midfield double-pivot, or by adopting a midfield three when defending even more.

But let’s say he goes for a 4-3-3. Although I prefer the more positive 4-2-3-1 with a no.10, I think Southgate will opt for an energetic midfield-three will go for in the bigger knockout games. It’s a shape that offers defensive solidity in midfield without the ball with energy and more bodies to intercept the ball before going into those mentioned inside channels. But it also offers two box-to-box players when attacking, something England could benefit from. He has recently picked a three of Rice sitting with Philips and Mount box-to-box, the same midfield I’d pick if adopting this system. Jordan Henderson’s lack of match sharpness makes it difficult for him to be in the Starting XI, but he’ll be a very important player from the bench with both his all-round game and leadership qualities.

Then in the attacking areas, the flair players come in. Southgate has preferred Sterling and Foden as his wide-players so far, but neither has cemented their place in the Starting XI. With the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho and the recently very impressive Bukayo Saka, England have lots of competition in those areas. In the middle of attack will always be, when fit, Harry Kane. He’s the England captain, a world-class player and has come under some unnecessary and unjustified criticism. Despite being able to create his own on occasion, Kane needs chances and more support from both the wide areas and midfield, something he hasn’t got enough of in the opening three games. I can remember only one clear-cut chance for Kane in the group stage, against the Czech Republic, and it was a brilliant save, although he should have scored.

When attacking England adopt a different shape. Whether the starting formation is 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, both very similar systems, England seem to attack in a lopsided 3-1-4-2. An example is shown below:

This system going forwards allows Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker to operate as Half-Backs. The two of them, and occasionally John Stones from a central position, can join in the build-up and stride forwards with the ball, creating overloads in the midfield and safe in the knowledge one of Rice or Philips has stayed back along with the other two defenders. From here the shape is relatively simple. The other two midfield players operate side by side in central pockets or drift wide to create overloads on the wing and create space for one of Maguire, Stones, Walker or another midfielder in the central areas. If Luke Shaw is holding his width on the left, the left-winger becomes an inside-forward, at this tournament normally Raheem Sterling. This means get into tighter gaps and try and get isolated against a centre-back rather than full-back, or drag the full-back inside. By dragging the full-back inside it creates space for Luke Shaw and if a winger tracks his run it creates space for a half-back, usually Harry Maguire to step into. If the opposition’s striker or a midfielder player follow his run, it creates more space centrally, so no matter what happens, it creates space. The right-winger normally holds their width and when they do come inside Kyle Walker or one of the central midfielders can try and keep width to the attack, stretching the backline and making space in the central areas for Harry Kane and others to operate in and exploit. Jordan Pickford can also distribute accurately into space created, a good strategy if a counter-attack opportunity presents itself. Shown in more detail below:

Jack

Please note: The football articles that feature on this site are being written by Jack Dixon as part of his work experience. He is a teenager and looking for work experience within the football industry. He is currently studying for his media and art A-levels.