Back three or not back three?
The pattern under Gareth Southgate has been that England play a back four when confident of dominating the ball and a back three when they expect possession to be more contested. In four games at this tournament, England have played 4-3-3. The question is whether against France they stick to the shape that has been effective or whether, mindful of the threat posed by, particularly, Kylian Mbappé, they opt for a back three. In September, Southgate spoke of how he had allowed himself in June to be lured away from his principles, leading to four winless Nations League games, which might suggest conservatism will reign and he will opt for the back three. But this week his assistant Steve Holland spoke of how deploying a “soldier” to combat Mbappé in effect removed a player from your own side, suggesting a back four.
