WHY SOUTHGATE SHOULD PICK FOUR RIGHT BACKS FOR EUROS

THE problem with England’s squad for the European Championship is that Gareth Southgate cannot pick four right backs just because England are very strong there. That is the perceived wisdom anyway. But, actually, he could. Indeed, it might be argued what is the point in picking four strikers just because that number represents convention, if two couldn’t be trusted to start anyway? Of England’s right backs, Kieran Trippier operates as a surrogate left back, Kyle Walker can play centre half in a three, while Trent Alexander-Arnold could be a battlefield promotion into a holding central midfield role, certainly if given reasonable time in the friendly matches. This would allow England to pack the forward midfield area which is a real strength. Indeed, 4-1-4-1, would arguably be England’s best set-up against anything but the leading teams, when two guards would be needed in a 4-2-3-1 formation. That way England could play Phil Foden and Mason Mount behind Harry Kane, with Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish wider. When both Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson were needed, one of the four would have to drop out. Who? There is plenty more time for this debate. As it stands, and presuming several returns to fitness, my 23 would be: Pickford, D Henderson, Pope; Maguire, Stones, Coady, Shaw, Alexander-Arnold, James, Walker, Trippier; Rice, Mount, Foden, Lingard, Sterling, Grealish, J Henderson, Maddison, Sancho; Kane, Rashford, Calvert-Lewin.