The Nations League was supposed to be a good thing for England’s World Cup preparations.
A chance to experiment in competitive games, strong opposition and a get together with less than six months before Qatar 2022. But it has ended up changing the mood as even some of the most optimistic Three Lions fans have become being pessimistic about Gareth Southgate’s chances.
Supporters have gone from being upbeat to indifferent and the narrative is now one of negativity around England which is unfathomable when you consider less than a year ago they were in the final of the Euros. They fell in love with Southgate’s men at the 2018 World Cup, enjoyed the passion of last summer… and now the romance is in danger of falling apart.
The Nations League is to blame for that. UEFA’s fledging competition has been a really good thing in doing away with meaningless friendlies, improving the level of lesser nations and it also sets up some heavyweight clashes. It is a good thing for international football. But whoever scheduled four games at the end of a gruelling season needs their head testing and is out of step and tune with players’ welfare. Three games now and three in September would have been better.
Some of the England players are running on fumes, they are absolutely exhausted and it has drained everyone else, too. The performance against Italy was tired, leggy and lacking inspiration. They could not raise their game even against a bang average Italy team, a team in transition after failing to reach the World Cup and one without some of their biggest names. Furthermore, England’s problem in front of goal has been highlighted in this campaign as they have failed to win any of their three games with Hungary, Germany and Italy. Two draws, one defeat and not a single goal from open play.
The last time that happened in competitive fixtures was under Steve McClaren in 2006/07 when they drew at home to North Macedonia, lost in Croatia and were held to a goalless draw in Israel. Back then, McClaren tried to pull the wool over people’s eyes by saying what a strong team Israel were. This time, Southgate is not hiding from the issue and admits that England rely far too heavily on Harry Kane when it comes to goals.
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The support act of Raheem Sterling is struggling for form and confidence with his future uncertain and England could do without that being a distraction for a player who, quite frankly, was their best forward at the Euros last summer. Southgate has made it clear he wants to play with a back four and that is at least one thing to come out of this camp. That will mean either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation and, either way, another forward place is up for grabs alongside Kane and Sterling.
Mason Mount is the favourite in the clubhouse because of his work rate, industry and consistency. Clearly, the nation wants Jack Grealish but he was poor against Italy, proving that it is easier to be an impact sub as he was against Germany than do the business for 90 minutes. So maybe some of Southgate’s armchair and TV critics don’t know best after all. Jarrod Bowen has arguably been the best positive from this camp, doing well against Hungary and making a difference in the two games.
Bukayo Saka is in the mix as well but there is a lack of competition and back-up for Kane. And what looked like England’s strongest department is now a puzzle to be solved. Kane, Sterling and one other. Tammy Abraham did not take his opportunity or a couple of half decent chances, Mount went close against Italy and Aaron Ramsdale did himself a power of good with three good saves. Other than that, it was a match to forget. A stadium with just 3,000 kids - England can’t really complain as it was their fans’ behaviour at the Euros final which caused the ban - certainly did not help to lift the performance or the mood. And now that has gone very flat. England need to get back some of their positivity - and quick.
