Fifa's World Cup debrief centred on concern over the diminishing number of strikers in the game, Gareth Southgate revealed, with academies across Europe known to be looking at the issue. Arsene Wenger, who led the talk in his role as lead of the governing body's technical study group, has long been especially concerned with the issue.
Southate currently faces a scarcity of players in that area, with Ivan Toney's eight-month suspension only increasing the dependence on Harry Kane. Among the only back-up players he currently has is Callum Wilson, who is 31. Southgate has also given consideration to Ollie Watkins, 27, although the Aston Villa forward was left out for the June Euro 2024 qualifiers away to Malta and at home to North Macedonia.
