Countdown conundrum a real head scratcher for Gareth
WHEN it comes to Qatar 2022, the case for England’s defence is starting to look less than convincing.
This will be the most important squad Gareth Southgate ever names as England boss because it will be his last assault on winning a World Cup.
And while there will be few major surprises, there will still be some conundrums he has to solve ahead of the opening group game against Iran.
When it comes to full-backs, Southgate has gone from feast to famine. Not too long ago he had so many right-backs to choose from it became a standing joke.
Now he has just two in the shape of Kieran Trippier and Trent AlexanderArnold, who he doesn’t even trust as a defender.
Reece James is injured and will be left behind, while Kyle Walker continues to recover from a groin operation.
On the opposite flank things look no more promising – Luke Shaw is the only recognised left-back available to Southgate (above) following injury to Ben Chilwell.
Could Southgate take a gamble on the uncapped
Ryan Sessegnon and take the Tottenham star as cover, with
Trippier set to start the first game on the right?
Ben White (right), meanwhile, provides cover across the defensive line and could also be an option.
In the middle,
Harry Maguire and
Eric Dier are out of form, leaving Southgate with another defensive headache to cure.
All successful sides are built from the back and his combination will be crucial to England’s chances of success.
The rest of the squad picks itself, although Southgate will be concerned by the lack of genuine striking options behind captain Harry Kane.
Callum Wilson and Tammy Abraham are vying for the role of back-up to Kane, while the likes of Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling have operated in the No.9 role at club level before.
Like Walker, Kalvin Phillips will be undercooked due to injuries disrupting his domestic season, but his ability in the holding midfield role remains pivotal to Southgate’s thoughts.
With Declan Rice nailed on to start, Southgate’s midfield dilemma will be where to use precocious teenager Jude Bellingham. Being England manager is never simple or straight-forward and Southgate faces greater expectation than ever before due to his success in the last two major tournaments.
But he’s come up with the answers before – and it would take a brave man to back against him