For the fifth and final part of our series where we look at some of the favourites for the World Cup, we are taking a look at England. I can promise this will be an objective piece without any bias.
Although England have not won a trophy since (nor before) the World Cup in 1966, they are more often than not named amongst the favourites for major competitions – rightly or wrongly.
After a number of years without getting anywhere near silverware, the last seven years have seen England get closer than ever. In the last four major tournaments – the World Cup in 2022 was the only time they did not get to the semi final of a Euros or World Cup.
This has given ‘The Three Lions’ the tag of a “nearly” country. The team that is always competing into the deep end of competitions, but without ever actually winning one. The “Spursy” tag of international football. Well, that was recently put to bed. Could this one soon be too?
When it comes to quality, England are right up there with the very best. They have Bayern Munich’s number nine in Harry Kane, with over 450 career goals. They have the 23/24 La Liga player of the year in Jude Bellingham. They have one of the best ball winners in the world in Declan Rice.
Perhaps an issue for England is that their squad can be lopsided. When it comes to attacking midfield, they have; Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, Morgan Rogers, Phil Foden, Morgan Gibbs-White and Conor Gallagher all to go along with the aforementioned Bellingham.
At most, you could get two of those into the same side. It is highly unlikely that all of those players will be in the squad next summer. In fact, if the squad size is reduced to 23 from 26, you would say it’s impossible that they will all be in.
So, England have all those attacking midfielders at their disposal – yet have a bit of a hole on the left wing. Anthony Gordon failed to replicate his excellent 23/24 season last time out. Marcus Rashford had a positive loan spell at Aston Villa, but often played up front – before his season was prematurely ended due to injury.
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish barely gets a look in at Manchester City, and has to leave for the sake of his career. His best games in an England shirt came in a midfield role in the nations league back in the Autumn, too. So what next?
Ideally, Thomas Tuchel’s side will have an outlet on the left hand side. We know Kane will be up front, with Bellingham as the number ten and Bukayo Saka likely off the right hand side. The reality is that Saka and especially Kane are not the type of player to run in behind and stretch a defence – though Bellingham can do so at times.
Therefore, the left winger ideally needs to provide something different. We know that the other attackers, Kane in particular, will be able to find them with their precise passing in behind opposition defences.
Last summer at the Euros, Gareth Southgate opted for a front four of Saka, Bellingham, Kane and Foden. That is an incredibly “ball to feet” attack, and looked every bit of it. England seriously lacked dynamism and cutting edge all tournament.
Looking ahead to next season, it would be hugely beneficial for Tuchel if the likes of Gordon and Rashford can have good campaigns. Either player on form can be big contributors to the team. That is the missing piece of the attack.
The depth up front and on the right isn’t as strong as attacking midfield, but is still largely fine. Ollie Watkins has scored 47 goals in the last three Premier League seasons, and Liam Delap has just got a move to Chelsea.
On the right, Jarrod Bowen has consistently performed for West Ham, even when the team haven’t as a collective. Noni Madueke is inconsistent, but does provide a dynamic alternative.
At the moment, England do have a midfield issue. We know that, as good as Rice is – receiving the ball with his back to play and turning is not his thing. He needs to be partnered with a player who is comfortable taking the ball from the defence – playing through pressure and fizzing the ball forward.
However, potentially unlike the left wing – England do have the players of the requisite profile and quality. Tuchel just isn’t calling them up, as he prefers to call up a finished Jordan Henderson instead.
To defend the selection, both Tuchel and some people in the media have referred to Henderson’s leadership qualities. The same qualities that lead to Ajax failing to win the Eredivise title, having been nine points clear with just five games remaining.
The two players in question are Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest, and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. Recently, we wrote about how Anderson’s performances at the U21 Euros, and how Tuchel can not avoid him any longer. That was written before his excellent performance in the final to help secure the trophy too.
With the 22-year old, you have a player very capable on the ball both in deep areas and higher up the pitch, but also someone who is far from a luxury player; the Forest midfielder is very tenacious and good at winning duels in the middle of the park.
Last summer, Wharton was named in the squad for Euro 2024, and made his debut in a warm up game against Bosnia in early June. However, he was an unused sub in all seven games at the tournament, and is still yet to win his second cap. It is worth mentioning that injuries have not helped in that regard.
We don’t often see players like Wharton in England; a player who always looks to fizz passed into the feet of the attacking players, only needing one or two touches to do so. His ball retention is something that can be worked on, as a result of him playing higher risk passes. However at just 21, you would imagine that will come.
Should Tuchel decide to have Anderson and Wharton as part of the set up, England’s chances look far better. That and the left wing solution will be absolutely key to England being able to go all the way next summer.
Oh, and one other thing. There is a similar issue to the Henderson problem in midfield. Having Kyle Walker at right-back. Just like his fellow 35-year old, it is clear that Walker is far past his best. He was done for pace during the friendly vs Senegal last month. What else can he offer?
If, Tuchel clocks onto the fact that Walker is not good enough anymore, he is spoiled with Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold. As we all know, Tuchel is familiar with James from their time together at Chelsea, and the defender missed fewer gamer games than previous seasons in 24/25, with Enzo Maresca carefully managing his games and minutes.
Then, with Alexander-Arnold, you have a player with world class quality who can unlock any defence. With him and James, England have two very good options, who could both be better suited than the other to certain games.
Finally, there is Tino Livramento, who has been excellent for Newcastle and England U21s. He has played both as a left back and right back during his career so far, and is another option that would be better than Walker on the right side.
Elsewhere, the team looks pretty good. Although Harry Maguire and John Stones are struggling to shake off injury issues, England do still feel well equipped in central defence. Marc Guehi had an excellent Euros, and Ezri Konsa has consistently played well when called upon.
There is the upcoming Levi Colwill at Chelsea too, as well as his team mate Travoh Chalobah, who made his debut in the defeat to Senegal. However, the next defender who should be integrated into the squad and XI, is Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton.
Whilst Everton can often look uninspiring, it has been their defence that kept them afloat under Sean Dyche, before then clearing away under David Moyes. The defensive backbone of Branthwaite and James Tarkowski, with Jordan Pickford in goal, can be bettered by few in the Premier League.
That is another tick in the box of Branthwaite. In international football, there is not much time to build relationships and understanding on the pitch. Having Branthwaite with a goalkeeper he has played so many games with should help him be able to get up to speed quicker than other players.
It feels a little harsh on Guehi and Konsa, who have both been very good for England. Just as a potential partnership, it does feel a little small – both players are just 6′ tall. Meanwhile, Branthwaite is a commanding 6’5.
Despite that height, the recently turned 23-year old is very mobile, and is able to eat up large spaces quickly. He is also better on the ball than most people give him credit for. He feels like the option to have as the left sided centre back, with one of Konsa and Guehi partnering him.
Finally, at left-back, things did look pretty bleak at one point – with Kieran Trippier starting six of seven games at Euro 2024. However, since then we have seen the emergence of Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, who scored on his debut against Albania in March.
Truth be told, he struggled against Senegal last month, but it would be ridiculous to write him off for that. Hardly anyone played well that game. The other exciting option is Lewis Hall, who was having a sublime season for Newcastle United before his season ending injury in March.
At Chelsea, Hall came through the ranks as a midfielder, before playing as a left back during his breakthrough season. In fact, Tuchel gave him his debut as part of a back three against Chesterfield in the FA Cup.
Due to his midfield past, Hall is very comfortable at tucking into midfield during Newcastle’s build up. However, he also has the dynamism to go down the outside, overlap and get crosses in. He feels like the one alongside Lewis-Skelly that has the best chance of playing next summer.
Another thing about Hall is that he has played with Gordon many times at Newcastle. Perhaps having such a familiar name behind him could help the winger to produce his best form for England.
Elsewhere, Djed Spence had an excellent couple of months at left-back in the Spurs side, though did tail off towards the end of the season – albeit partly circumstantial. Fans won’t want to see another right footed player there after Trippier, and understandably so, but Spence has a lot more dynamism and ball carrying than the Newcastle veteran.
So, from the potential starting XI – the three real question marks are left wing, central midfield, and right back. Two of those positions have ready made solutions – the other is still up in the air. Pretty good overall you’d say, and strong depth to go with it. As we know, football is played on grass, and not paper – so let’s see.
