THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
Southgate will join football’s tactical revolution and treble up in defence for World Cup
GARETH SOUTHGATE is going back to the future to join football’s tactical revolution.
Southgate insists England will use a back-three formation from now on as he believes it is the only way to play in next summer’s World Cup.
The Three Lions boss played in the same system the last time England reached the semi-finals of a major tournament at Euro 96.
It has become trendy again after Antonio Conte led Chelsea to the title using a back three and Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United all use it regularly.
Southgate believes many of his players are used to playing that way at club level and that it will help to give width with the wing-backs and get more forward players in his line-up.
He is desperately searching for ways to improve England’s performances after admitting they have not been good enough.
Southgate said: “I think three at the back is what we ought to do. In terms of the way we’d want to play from the back, I think it is a better option.
“We have to have some consistency in formation, some consistency in what we are asking the players to do. We have to focus on a system and really try to hone it, work on it, improve it, that might mean we might have to leave some good players out.
“You have such little time to work with the players that the more clarity they have under pressure then they will know what to fall back on.
“We felt the qualifying games, 4-2-3-1, we felt we wanted wide players who were able to exploit the width and try to break down the packed defences, but we recognised along this journey what we are capable of in certain areas of the pitch.
“So it will help to switch between two systems, but for me that would both be with three at the back.” England used a
back three in the 1-0 win over Lithuania on Sunday, which was the first time they have done it in a competitive game for 11 years.
The last occasion was under Steve McClaren when England lost in Croatia in October 2006. Terry Venables alternated between a back three at Euro 96, while Glenn Hoddle also used it in France 98 and now it has become fashionable again.
Interestingly, only four Premier League teams started with a back three in the weekend before the international break.
But Southgate believes England’s strength with centre-backs – Gary Cahill won the title with Chelsea last season, John Stones is a good passer and Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have played in a back three at Old Trafford – is a major factor.
Southgate added: “I think we have some young players who are able to use the ball, all three centre-backs who played in Lithuania. Jones is another one. Cahill is playing at Chelsea in a back three. We have to invest our time in those guys.
“I didn’t get into the team in ’96 until I was 25, all three of those centre-backs are even younger than that, but I saw positive signs. It is important we invest our time in people we think can get to the level needed.”