MY ACCOUNT
With the World Cup less than eight months away, every friendly counts for Gareth Southgate as he assesses his England options.
This international break could see the Three Lions boss shake things up at the back, with a number of new and returning faces in his latest squad.
Ahead of this evening’s game against Switzerland at Wembley, we delve into the defensive possibilities at his disposal.
Freshening up
If you had to describe this England side in one word, you might opt for ‘settled’ — and the defence has perhaps been the most settled area of all.
But could it be about to undergo its most radical transformation of Southgate’s five-and-a-half-year tenure?
Previous mainstay Kyle Walker has been rested for the two upcoming clashes, with fellow full-backs Tyrick Mitchell and Kyle Walker-Peters earning their first call ups.
At centre-half, Arsenal star Ben White is back in the mix while Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has been included for the first time.
On the right
England’s plethora of right-sided defensive options is such that they could field a starting XI consisting entirely of right-backs.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James pulling out through injury, joining Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier in being unavailable, Southampton’s Walker-Peters is the only natural right-back in the squad.
That ought to mean a senior Three Lions debut for the 24-year-old, who provides most of the width in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s otherwise narrow 4-2-2-2 system at Southampton.
John Stones has started there for Manchester City this season, but Southgate’s defensive set-up is rather more conventional than Guardiola’s and that gives Walker-Peters an edge.
Across Manchester, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was once considered a shoo-in for an England call but has found himself out of the side under Ralf Rangnick.
Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey and James Justin of Leicester have had injury-affected seasons but are legitimate contenders in the future.
In the middle
Stones and Harry Maguire are usually two of the first names on Southgate’s team sheet — but there are questions over whether either should continue to be automatic starters for their nation.
While Maguire has consistently excelled for England, he has endured a wretched campaign for Manchester United.
As for Stones, he has been in and out of the City side, a victim of Pep roulette. How much importance will Southgate place on club minutes this time around?
Guehi and White have each played almost three times as many Premier League minutes as Stones this term — and excelled in doing so.
Such a significant changing of the guard in the run-up to a major tournament seems highly unlikely, but they could get their chance to shine between now and Tuesday.
One thing Southgate has always favoured is balance and having a left-footed centre-back on the left and a right-footer on the right.
If he sticks with that policy, Wolves’ Max Kilman could play his way into contention as a left-footed defender enjoying an excellent season with the Molineux outfit.
He ranks sixth among all left-footed Premier League centre-backs for tackles per 90 minutes this term (0.9).
Kilman, 24, has represented England at Futsal — now a senior call-up does not look out of the question.
On the left
With occasional left-back Trippier injured, this appears to be a straight choice between 41-cap Luke Shaw and new boy Mitchell.
Having failed to replicate his fine 2020-21 form — which culminated in scoring the opening goal in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy — Shaw might have been dropped anyway, had Ben Chilwell been fit.
But with Chilwell’s season already over and Shaw currently losing United’s left-back battle with Alex Telles, suddenly there is an opportunity.
Mitchell, 22, ranks fifth among all Premier League left-backs for tackles won per 90 minutes (1.66) and third for possession regains in the defensive third (4.73).
Like Guehi and White, this could be his big chance to at least give Southgate food for thought over the coming months.
Places up for grabs
Southgate has not been afraid to make big decisions with regard to squad selection.
But he also has his favourites, and the likelihood of wholesale changes in a World Cup year seem slim.
Asked about Maguire’s selection despite his United troubles, he said: “He’s one of our best centre backs.
“I always get criticised for being inconsistent but there are nuances. We have more competition in the wide areas.”
There is indeed competition for those full-back positions — and the race to fill them on the biggest stage of all begins now.
