England have the capabilities to challenge the elite in Qatar but they will need to release the shackles in order to reach the heights they have achieved in the past two tournaments.
Reaching a semi-final at the last World Cup and the final at the European Championship in 2021 gives the impression that England are contenders this time around but I fear their cautious mentality could cost them the chance to replicate those achievements. Gareth Southgate can point to his impressive track record in tournament football to justify his methods and processes but I do not think they get the best out of England’s most creative and threatening players. Southgate needs to create a team fans are inspired and invigorated by.
