Gareth Southgate, England (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Gareth Southgate will have to be brave and bold if his England side are to win Euro 2021…
It’s no secret that England teams have rarely lived up to expectations. What does seem apparent, however, to me at least, is how to rectify this problem.
Firstly, the media pressure on the team needs to lessen. You can’t call a team “The Golden Generation” of football just because of the potential of some players.
Secondly, and similarly, you cannot select players based purely on the weight their name carries or their performances in previous competitions.
This is why, when the national media didn’t give England much hope before the 2018 World Cup finals commenced, the pressure going into them was minimal.
Couple this with Gareth Southgate’s selection of players that were in fine form for the season – Stones, Maguire, Sterling, Trippier and Kane, to name a few – and England managed to reach the semi-finals.
Not only that, but they won a penalty shootout! Something I had begun to question whether or not I would actually see in my lifetime…and I’m only 23.
So, how can England, the team that are favourites for the upcoming Euros (now taking place in 2021) go the distance and bring the trophy home? It starts with making some brave choices.
With this in mind, let’s consider 5 players Southgate must take to Euro 2021.
Gareth Southgate</a>’s selection of players that were in fine form for the season – Stones, Maguire, Sterling, Trippier and Kane, to name a few – and England managed to reach the semi-finals.</p>
<p>Not only that, but they won a penalty shootout! Something I had begun to question whether or not I would actually see in my lifetime…and I’m only 23.</p>
<p>So, how can England, the team that are favourites for the upcoming Euros (now taking place in 2021) go the distance and bring the trophy home? It starts with making some brave choices.</p>
<p>With this in mind, let’s consider 5 players Southgate must take to Euro 2021.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Who should be England's number 1? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-480010 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1211046939-850x560.jpeg" alt="Nick Pope, Burnley" width="590" height="389"><p class="wp-caption-text">Nick Pope, Burnley (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Nick Pope</strong></h3>
<p>Throughout the 2019/20 season thus far, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/4b40d9ca/Nick-Pope?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Nick Pope</a>’s goalkeeping masterclass has been second to none.</p>
<p>11 clean sheets in 29 appearances (the most in the league) for Burnley has translated into 11 wins for the side and a well-deserved 10th place.</p>
<p>In comparison, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/4806ec67/Jordan-Pickford?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jordan Pickford</a>’s stats (6 clean sheets in 29 apps, resulting in 10 wins) coupled with Everton’s 12th place standing (2 points behind Burnley) leaves me wondering one question above all.</p>
<p>Is it that Pickford is holding Everton back? Or is Pope driving Burnley higher than they otherwise should be?</p>
<p>Upon closer inspection, we find that Pickford has made 1 more officially noted error leading to a goal than Pope whilst also conceding 6 more than his Burnley rival.</p>
<p>No surprise then that many have questioned Pickford’s position as England’s no. 1.</p>
<blockquote><p>“I don’t need to see the stats. I know he is not a good goalkeeper”. – <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/8f218498/Roy-Keane?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Roy Keane</a> (quote via Sky Sports)</p></blockquote>
<p>Overall, I would move to start Pope in goal for England. Certainly, however, I would take Pickford to the Euros, too.</p>
<p>Not only would he be an acceptable backup to Pope, but he would also provide an experienced, energetic and motivational voice in the dressing room.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The future's bright at right-back... </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-480033 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1210976547-850x560.jpeg" alt="Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images )</p>
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<h3><strong>Trent Alexander-Arnold</strong></h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/cd1acf9d/Trent-Alexander-Arnold?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Trent Alexander-Arnold</a> is a player whose meteoric rise cannot be understated. At only 21 years of age he’s a Champions League winner and a Premier League winner-elect.</p>
<p>Having made just 1 competitive senior appearance for England (a 1-0 defeat to Belgium during the 2018 World Cup group stage) it’s probably time he was integrated into the team’s starting 11.</p>
<p>His competition at right-back, is two-fold.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/21512407/Kieran-Trippier?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Kieran Trippier</a>: created the most chances (24) for the 2018 England World Cup side, breaking Bobby Charlton’s record of 18 which had stood since the 1966 World Cup.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/86dd77d1/Kyle-Walker?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Kyle Walker</a>: 2-time Premier League winner with Man City, FA Cup winner and holds 48 senior England caps.</p>
<p>Another notable mention would be <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9e525177/Aaron-Wan-Bissaka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Aaron Wan-Bissaka</a>, the young, upcoming Manchester United full-back.</p>
<p>However, in August 2019 Walker was dropped from the England squad for Euro qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.</p>
<p>At the time though Southgate stated his desire to reintegrate Trippier to the side while dropping Walker.</p>
<p>In addition, he said of Wan-Bissaka:</p>
<blockquote><p>“We thought he had an outstanding season last season, but he should stay with the under-21 group.” – Gareth Southgate (quote via TalkSport).</p></blockquote>
<p>Therefore, we should expect Aaron to miss out on selection for the upcoming tournament or, at most, play a bit-part substitute’s role.</p>
<p>Consequentially, I would look to take Trent and Trippier to the Euros. Trippier can play at right-back and centre-back making him an ideal, versatile defender.</p>
<p>Couple this with both players potential for chance creation (with TAA having made 12 assists and 10 clean sheets in the league this season) and England’s attacking potential becomes almost unrivalled.</p>
<p>It also goes far to prepare England’s defence for almost any eventuality.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Hidden gem in midfield? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-480012 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1189930423-850x560.jpeg" alt="John Lundstram, Sheffield United" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">John Lundstram, Sheffield United (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>John Lundstram</strong></h3>
<p>Specifically, here, I’m talking about the centre-defensive midfield role.</p>
<p>In recent times, it seems only <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/935e6b8f/Jordan-Henderson?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Jordan Henderson</a> has been capable of holding down the role effectively for England whilst honing his skills for Liverpool.</p>
<p>Performances from the likes of <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/ac861941/Eric-Dier?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Eric Dier</a> and <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/1c7012b8/Declan-Rice?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Declan Rice</a> in this position have been below par, mostly.</p>
<p>For Liverpool, Henderson has managed 3 goals, 5 assists, 67% tackle success contributing to 24 wins for an almost all but confirmed Premier League winning side.</p>
<p>Comparatively, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/0df2b165/John-Lundstram?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>John Lundstram</a> has achieved 4 goals, 3 assists, 63% tackle success contributing to 11 wins for 7th placed Sheffield United who currently sit 5 points adrift of a Champions League place.</p>
<p>To say, therefore, that Lundstram sat alongside Henderson could go far to compliment the team is an understatement.</p>
<p>Both players have an affinity for defence, reading the game, playing a killer through-ball as well as contributing to some goals.</p>
<p>Granted, Lundstram may not go down in history as the most memorable player in the England setup.</p>
<p>However, his integration ASAP could result in a crucial, underlying effort in solidifying a more than leaky defence.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> What if Harry Kane is injured? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-479945 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1191138999-850x560.jpeg" alt="Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur " width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>Harry Kane</strong></h3>
<p>45 apps, 32 goals for England. At this rate, he’s tipped to overtake Rooney’s all-time scoring record. Obviously, Kane will be the first name on the team sheet for the next few years.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>What’s more pertinent, though, is who would be frontrunner should Kane be injured.</p>
<p>This looked likely before the Euros were postponed as Kane is currently recovering from an injury that was due to keep him out of this summer’s tournament.</p>
<p>In my mind, there are 2 obvious choices – <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/07802f7f/Danny-Ings?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Danny Ings</a> and <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/f586779e/Tammy-Abraham?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Tammy Abraham</a>.</p>
<p>Again basing my reasoning upon capitalising on a player in fine form this season, my frontrunner would be Danny Ings.</p>
<p>The domestic league record of both players is impressive:</p>
<ul>
<li>Ings: 29 apps; 15 goals; 0.52 goals per game; 1 assist</li>
<li>Abraham: 25 apps; 13 goals; .52 goals per game; 3 assists</li>
</ul>
<p>However, my decision is two-fold.</p>
<p>Firstly, given that Chelsea sit 4th on 48 points and Southampton are 14th on 34 points, I believe it’s no secret that Chelsea is the better side overall.</p>
<p>Chelsea is a largely newly-formed team of youngsters of whom very little was expected at the start of this season.</p>
<p>Southampton, by comparison, is an established team, fighting for Premier League survival.</p>
<p>By comparison, then, Ings has had to work harder to achieve his plaudits this season than Abraham has.</p>
<p>Secondly, this season Ings has been caught offside (which results in a turnover of possession to the opposition) a mere 8 times.</p>
<p>Abraham, however, has been caught offside 20 times. Bear in mind, Abraham has also played 4 fewer games than Ings.</p>
<p>This may seem juvenile, but England thrives upon placing their opposition under constant pressure with attack after attack, whilst lacking confidence in defence.</p>
<p>A young, eager to impress player like Abraham – prone to giving the ball away after being caught offside – would not suit starting for England at this stage in his career.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Who gets their first England cap? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-480014 size-large" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1209937145-850x560.jpeg" alt="Jack Grealish, Aston Villa" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Jack Grealish, Aston Villa (Photo by Visionhaus)</p>
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<h3><strong>Jack Grealish</strong></h3>
<p>Some of you may be thinking, “<a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/b0b4fd3e/Jack-Grealish?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Jack Grealish</a>…really? Why?” A far better question would be, “why not?”</p>
<p>Others may look to the likes of Leicester City’s <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3ea50f67/Harvey-Barnes?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Harvey Barnes</a>. Grealish, however, is an example of someone who displays versatility – both on and off the pitch.</p>
<p>After being publicly reprimanded for his actions away from the pitch, twice in 2015, Grealish began to cast a shadow over himself.</p>
<p>Was this yet another young player with so much potential – too much, in fact – that he couldn’t handle the pressure?</p>
<p>Apparently not.</p>
<p>He redeemed himself and earned the role of club captain of Villa in 2016 at the age of 20.</p>
<p>Ever since, he has only grown in his maturity and helped his side regain promotion to the Premier League in 2018.</p>
<p>So impressive is his rise back to stardom that Grealish has since been linked with a move to just about every other Premier League team this coming summer.</p>
<p>It’s easy to see why. His record is mightily impressive. 26 appearances, 7 goals and 6 assists.</p>
<p>Not only has he been leading from the front, but with having amassed no fewer than 26 tackles, 58 successful 50/50s and a 65% tackle success rate, it’s clear he influences all areas of the pitch.</p>
<p>How do his competitors compare?</p>
<p>Well, Barnes’ offensive record is equally impressive – 27 apps, 6 goals and 6 assists.</p>
<p>Defensively, Barnes’ record is good but falls shy of Grealish’s efforts -13 tackles, 37 successful 50/50s with a 69% tackle success rate.</p>
<p>On the whole, Grealish bests Barnes offensively and defensively. In conjunction, he has shown a clear affinity for leadership as well as versatility, being able to play on the left-wing and in centre midfield.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Postponing the Euros could be a blessing for England" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/25/postponing-euros-blessing-england/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/28/england-5-gareth-southgate-euro-2021/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/03/25/postponing-euros-blessing-england/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Postponing the Euros could be a blessing for England </a> </div>
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<p>What would be your main England XI at this point in time?</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">