Is the defence starting to creak?
Gareth Southgate’s favoured back four is obvious: Kyle Walker at right-back, Harry Maguire and John Stones in the middle, Luke Shaw on the left. But worries over form and a slew of injuries have left England sweating before their friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. The inclusion of Maguire will inevitably draw scorn. Expect accusations of favouritism if the centre-back, who is not a regular for Manchester United, struggles against top opposition.
But Southgate is used to the noise. He has faith in Maguire’s partnership with Stones and can argue that challengers are yet to step up. Marc Guéhi, who has pushed hardest, is injured. Levi Colwill is missing. Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Dunk are largely untested at this level. Jarrad Branthwaite and Ezri Konsa are uncapped.
Perhaps Joe Gomez can stake a claim after a four-year absence from the squad. The Liverpool defender’s versatility is attractive. His ability to play across the back will boost his chances of making the Euro 2024 squad, particularly with problems mounting in wide areas. Reece James, the Chelsea right-back, has been out since December, the experienced Kieran Trippier is injured and the prospect of Shaw not playing again this season has exposed a major lack of depth on the left.
Ben Chilwell, who has also had injury problems, needs to take his chance to prove that he is a reliable replacement for Shaw. Southgate has never seemed fully convinced by Chilwell’s defensive acumen.
Who takes the third midfield slot?
Southgate’s loyalty to his stalwarts has not stopped him from dropping Kalvin Phillips, who has struggled since joining West Ham on loan. The dilemma, though, is that his ideal plan probably would have been for Phillips to accompany Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield. Southgate is unlikely to heed calls to put all the defensive responsibilities on Rice and go for broke by putting Phil Foden or James Maddison next to Bellingham. He has always prioritised control and stability.
But the age-old question for England is whether they can dominate possession against the best sides. Is putting Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield the answer? Whatever your view, we won’t find out during this squad. Alexander-Arnold is out with a knee injury.
It isn’t easy to prepare. Mason Mount has faded from view since the World Cup and the rise of Liverpool’s Curtis Jones was halted by injury. Conor Gallagher has been a regular in recent squads but tends to play in an advanced role for Chelsea and is yet to establish himself at international level. Jordan Henderson, back in Europe with Ajax after his disastrous stint in Saudi Arabia, is the experienced, slightly stale choice. He has a lot of people to win over, especially now that Kobbie Mainoo is in the squad. Will Southgate dare to give United’s 18-year-old midfielder a chance? Mainoo is technically gifted and looks at home as a No 6.
Can Rashford silence the doubters?
Mainoo’s excellence during United’s win over Liverpool was accompanied by a resurgent display from Marcus Rashford. The forward has endured a trying season but has not run out of road with Southgate. Rashford is yet to go the way of Raheem Sterling, a former regular whose international career appears to be over. Equally, though, Rashford must know that Southgate’s patience has its limits. He needs to rediscover his drive and confidence. He scored a lovely goal when England beat Italy last October and remains hard to stop when on form. But the 26-year-old has mostly been listless this season and Southgate noticed his recent misstep in Northern Ireland. It’s time to knuckle down.
Who takes their chance on the wings?
Rashford is most effective on the left, but he would probably not feature in England’s strongest front three at the moment. It is hard to make a case for starting him instead of Phil Foden, who has been outstanding for Manchester City. Foden on the left and Bukayo Saka on the right looks the likeliest way forward.
Then it’s a question of who sits on the bench. Jack Grealish has gone to the past two tournaments but has had a disappointing season. He is another ruled out through injury, and his place has to be under threat from Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon. Palmer, who helped England’s Under-21s become European champions last year, has been superb since joining Chelsea and Bowen, who is capable of playing on the right or through the middle, has scored 18 goals for West Ham this season. The uncapped Gordon offers pace and energy on the left.
Can Toney jump in front of Watkins?
Deputising for Harry Kane has to be one of the most thankless tasks. The England captain will always start when fit and rarely comes off. But he does have a history of ankle injuries. Someone has to be ready to step up if Kane, who has had a low-intensity week after hurting himself with Bayern Munich, is unavailable.
Ollie Watkins, who has 22 goals this season, is in pole position and will hope to start one of the friendlies. But the Aston Villa striker had a difficult night when he started against North Macedonia in November and will face competition from Ivan Toney, who is back in the squad after his betting ban.
