Southgate and England

Gareth Southgate has faced criticism for perceived favouritism in the past, but his latest squad selection for Euro 2024 has seen several long-time players left out. Marcus Rashford, Kalvin Phillips, and Jordan Henderson, who have all played significant roles under Southgate, will not be traveling to Germany. Raheem Sterling, known for his superb performances in major tournaments, has not been able to work his way back into the squad, while Jadon Sancho was also not called up despite his recent resurgence.

While England under Southgate has never been considered tactically supreme, this is a common trait among international teams compared to elite club sides, as national team managers simply don't have enough time with their players to instill sophisticated principles. Therefore, balance, relationships, and familiarity are crucial on the international stage.

Players and Formations

England's team has changed considerably since the 2018 World Cup when Southgate deployed a 5-3-2 formation. For Euro 2024, Southgate will likely use a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring stars like Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham.

Phil Foden, primarily playing as a (RW) and occasionally switching to (AM) and Left Winger (LW), has scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions for Manchester City. Jude Bellingham, showcasing tremendous versatility in positions such as (CM), (AM), (LW), (LM), and (ST), has scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions for Real Madrid. Both players are expected to be key figures for England at Euro 2024, with fans hoping they can lead England to its first trophy in 58 years.

Kobbie Mainoo's late call-up to the current squad suggests he might be another option, with his breakthrough at Manchester United indicating he could be up to the task.

The likely backline will include Luke Shaw on the left, Harry Maguire and John Stones as centre-backs, and either Kyle Walker or Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back.

Tactical Analysis

However, this system might leave no space for Phil Foden despite his excellent season with Manchester City, where he registered 11 goals and seven assists in the English Premier League. Foden is clearly best utilized centrally, but displacing Bellingham is not an option. The only way to accommodate both Foden and Bellingham is to switch to a 4-3-3 formation. This approach carries the potential risk of being too top-heavy, making England susceptible to counter-attacks against stronger opponents if they commit too many players forward and leave Declan Rice alone in midfield despite his exceptional defensive qualities.

The real conundrum is in midfield, where Rice’s partner needs to be decided. Jordan Henderson has been Southgate’s trusted pick in that position over the years, but after his move to Saudi Arabia and now the Netherlands, many people are questioning whether he is still at the level to start for the national team.

There is a potential risk of being too top-heavy in this system. England may be susceptible to counter-attacks against stronger opponents if they completely commit the front five to the attack and leave Rice alone in the midfield despite the Arsenal midfielder’s exceptional defensive qualities.

Bellingham's Role in England

The main difference from previous tournaments is the evolving role of Bellingham, who is now best utilized as a number 10 after previously playing deeper in midfield for both club and country. Southgate appears to have recognized this shift. "Regarding Jude, he is clearly playing as a false nine at Real Madrid, so we need a balance between where he is doing well with something different too," Southgate said.

Given Bellingham’s exceptional game intelligence, he is expected to form a great partnership with Harry Kane, who often drops away from opposition centre-backs. This pairing could create counter-movements to challenge defenses, with Bellingham also dropping deeper to facilitate forward play, allowing players like Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford to exploit spaces behind the defense.

Best Formation

Gareth Southgate faces a challenging task in balancing his squad's talents and formations for Euro 2024. With key players like Foden and Bellingham in top form, the main question is how to best utilize their skills without compromising the team's balance and defensive stability. While the 4-2-3-1 formation is likely, a switch to a 4-3-3 might be necessary to accommodate Foden, despite the inherent risks. Ultimately, the goal is to blend tactical discipline with the attacking prowess needed to end England's 58-year trophy drought.