KYLE IS MIDDLE CLASS!
Full-back centre stage
GARETH SOUTHGATE is set to continue with his bold experiment of playing Kyle Walker as a centreback tonight.
The England boss pulled off a major surprise by fielding the Manchester City full-back on the right side of a three-man defence against Holland on Friday.
He’s planning the same 3-5-2 formation tonight for the visit of Italy to Wembley.
“There is a benefit to building on what we did,” said Southgate. “Kyle has all the qualities to play there.
“He is in areas he is used to. If playing on the side of a three, he has the ability to defend in wide areas and use the ball comfortably.
“He has the athleticism not only to defend big spaces and cover the rest of the defence but also the ability to drive out.
“I don’t think Italy will sit back, but if we play teams that sit back, then those outside centre-backs especially need to be able to drive forward.”
Force
While England have looked strong and secure in defence in the last five games – not conceding once – the Three Lions have struggled in attack, managing just three goals in that period.
And of the nine goals scored in seven matches this season, just two have come in the first half.
Southgate said: “There’s two parts to that. One is that the level of defending is often better.
“We’ve played Brazil and Germany, you’re playing world-class players.
“Secondly, the most difficult thing is to score and put the fluidity in the top end of the pitch.
“What we did on Friday, we started to get more numbers higher up the field – four, five, six, in and around the penalty area.
“We then need to be a little bit more patient in that area of the pitch, wait for that right moment to make the pass, rather than try and force things or force crosses that are going to get cut out.
“But that will come. Again, the more the guys play together and they get that understanding of the runs each other make, then we will create more chances. And if we create chances, we’ve got guys who will finish them.
“Your primary job is to get clean sheets, but we have got to try to be more effective in the final third of the field.”
Southgate is expected to start with Raheem Sterling and Jamie Vardy in attack tonight.
The England coach revealed Sterling had been outstanding while the squad had been together, adding: “He’s scored more goals this week in training than I’ve ever seen.”