Just like in 2021 and in 2018 before that, Gareth Southgate has a right-back issue he still doesn't have a clear answer to heading into a major tournament.
It's not like he hasn't had plenty of time to find a workable solution to having four quality right-backs at his disposal, more that there simply isn't a way to keep all of Kyle Walker, Keiran Trippier, Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold happy. At the 2018 World Cup, albeit with Alexander-Arnold and James not quite on the same level, he used Walker in a back three and Trippier on the right.
Last summer, for the re-arranged Euro 2020 tournament, he did the same, with James in reserve and Alexander-Arnold injured. Now all four are fit, and Southgate must decide on a hierarchy before Qatar 2022 with just two games remaining. To make that decision, he may look at how Pep Guardiola has developed Walker in the last 18 months at Manchester City.
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In the summer, Walker laid down his intentions to be the first choice right-back at the World Cup, insisting: "I'm not letting someone else retire me. I'm going to let someone have a decision to make where you're going to have to pick me."
At the same time, he is fully aware that the likes of James and Alexander-Arnold, plus his old Tottenham teammate Trippier, will also have eyes on that right-back spot in Qatar. On Friday night, England play their first of two final fixtures before Southgate picks his squad for the November World Cup.
He may have to pick four right-backs, as they are undoubtedly among the four best footballers in the country, but he will have to play one or two out of position if he wants to fit them all in the team and keep all four happy. Trippier has been shifted to the left in recent games - starting three of his four caps since the Euros on the left, while Walker has largely alternated between right-back and centre-back in a back three under Southgate.
In fact, after playing in his natural position for his first 12 caps under Southgate, he then played centrally for ten of his next 11 caps, including the 2018 World Cup run to the semi-finals. In total, he has 29 caps on the right, and 19 in the centre under Southgate. Since summer 2021, he has played four of England's 13 games at right-back, and three in a back three.
Only James has started the same amount at right-back, with Alexander-Arnold used as a right-midfielder in a 3-4-3 formation if he has been picked, as the debate will continue over his defensive capabilities in comparison to his undeniable attacking qualities.
When he spoke in the summer about his England place, he emphasised two qualities needed to be a world-class right-back: versatility and defensive reliability.
"I just try to go out and do the job, the things I'm good at. My main objective is stopping goals and making sure we don't concede goals and get a clean sheet," he said, before adding: "I said before the World Cup that if I didn't work under Pep for the year I did then I don't think I could have played in a back three under Southgate. It's learning the game, the game's evolving."
Maybe that gives him the edge over his competition, and he will feel as though he should be a starter for England at a fourth successive tournament. Maybe, as he alluded to, his recent tactical advances for City could help Southgate out with his right-back issue but also two other areas of concern.
First, with Kalvin Phillips injured for this set of fixtures, there's a midfield gap alongside Declan Rice, with no obvious replacement to replicate Phillips' box-to-box role for Southgate. Then, in defence, Harry Maguire is badly out of form and Southgate is reluctant to leave the United captain defending in a pair - often with John Stones - against better opponents when the whole back-line is in form.
Maguire's form would support the argument to restore Walker to a back three, allowing James or Alexander-Arnold to play on the right - and Walker's presence can help spot when there is trouble brewing either side of him. Alternatively, if Walker played at right-back, it's telling that Guardiola has recently begun to trust him more with the 'inverted' full-back role this season, supporting the defensive midfielder.
Maybe Walker's tactical advances in that regard can help cover Phillips' absence, perhaps allowing a more forward-thinking midfielder like Jude Bellingham to come in. Whether on the right or in the centre, in a back four or back five, Walker has shown the tactical progression that should make him indispensible to Southgate in a period where others are struggling to replicate their 2018 or 2021 form.
And if Walker can minimise any disruption from those changes, then Southgate may well have Guardiola to thank.
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