BOSS SAM ALLARDYCE YOUNG GUN SALUTE
Delayed Euros will help our kids, but we need other options up front... and fast!
Steve Bates
SAM ALLARDYCE has warned England they must conjure more goals on the big occasions if they want to win the Euros next summer.
Former England boss Allardyce believes the Three Lions can’t just rely on skipper Harry Kane scoring.
And with the 2020 tournament delayed by UEFA for a year due to the coronavirus crisis, Allardyce believes that manager Gareth Southgate MUST use the valuable extra time to produce an additional supply-line of goals from open play.
England bagged a hefty 37 group goals in Euro 2020 qualifying. Only Belgium managed more, with 40 – but they played two games extra.
So scoring wasn’t an obvious shortcoming when the Three Lions reached the Nations League finale in Portugal last summer.
But once there, they struggled and managed just one in their two games against Holland and Switzerland.
It’s been a common theme for England at major tournaments – even at the 2018 World Cup in Russia where Southgate’s stars reached the semis.
And it’s a major worry for Allardyce, who believes the Euros are there to be won if England can solve an over-reliance on goals from Kane – and set-pieces.
Allardyce said: “Everyone was looking forward to the Euros this summer, but I had big fears about Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford being able to deliver the goals if England made it to the latter stages.
Euphoria
“Goalscoring from open play hasn’t been a problem in qualifiers.
“But I think everyone got swept up in the euphoria of reaching the semi-finals at the last World Cup.
“If you examine the detail you’ll see why I’m a little worried. I think over 75 per cent of England’s goals in Russia came from set-plays, so there is a fear that we don’t make enough goals from open play, especially in the big games.
“We came through the group stage in Russia with two set-pieces against Tunisia, a 6-1 win over Panama with only two goals from open play, and when we played Belgium in the final game we lost and didn’t score.
“Against Colombia in the last16 it was another Kane spot-kick in normal time, before a penalty shootout decider.
“Harry Maguire scored from a corner against Sweden in the quarters and in the 2-1 semi-final defeat by Croatia our goal was a Kieran Trippier free-kick.
“It’s great having set-pieces as a major threat – but you don’t really want it to be your main weapon.
“England’s squad is as strong as anyone’s in Europe and if we can handle the mental side of it in what is largely a ‘home’ tournament fans will expect us to get to the final and win it.
“That’s what we are all hoping because of the development of Gareth’s youngsters.
“He’s shown he’ll give young players a chance. But when I’m looking at goals, after Kane who is the proven scorer?
“Yes, Marcus Rashford has turned the corner and is scoring goals for club and country after a spell where he seemed to be doing better for England than Manchester United.
“I have a slight concern over
Raheem Sterling that if England don’t play him the way Manchester City do he’s not as effective, even if his England scoring rate is better now.”
Allardyce went on: “Jadon Sancho is still learning at international level and after that there isn’t a striker out there who you’d rely on yet.
Solution
“That’s why the next year is vital for Gareth – and the delay could work in England’s favour if he can find a solution.
“Tammy Abraham has potential at Chelsea and, longer term, Mason Greenwood at United.
“So maybe Gareth needs to look to midfield for more goals in the way Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes used to weigh in.
“Phil Foden is emerging at Manchester City, so is Mason Mount at Chelsea, and I like James Maddison too.
“All those lads have ability to unlock defences – and if I was manager my priority would be to try and find more goals from open play.
“That’s what England will need to produce if they’re going to be champions next year.”