Which England XI would you select if you were the manager against Iran?
We’re here to talk tactics, the numerous options available to Gareth Southgate and the key men he’ll need to accommodate.
Don’t overthink the squad numbers
With Southgate’s squad having been assigned numbers, we may already have been given a glimpse into his plans for certain players. Jack Grealish, for example, will don the number 7 jersey for the Three Lions.
Surely the Man City man can expect more action in Qatar than he’s been getting under Pep Guardiola? Then again, it may not be that simple. Jude Bellingham will be wearing 22, the same number he wears for club side Borussia Dortmund, and he seems like a certain starter even at 19 years of age.
Southgate’s famous 3-4-3 must get the most out of skipper Kane
Gareth Southgate’s 3-4-3 is tried and tested and there’s no reason he’ll abandon it in Qatar. It’s a system that allows him to select two wide attackers that supply Harry Kane with chances.
Kane drops deep to facilitate and create in a Tottenham jersey, but he’ll need to do less of that for England as he’s flanked by two wingmen that offer something totally different. The Spurs man has already hit double figures for goals in the Premier League this season, which bodes well.
Strangely enough, for a man of Kane’s creative talents, the 29-year-old has only got one league assist this season. Perhaps this is a sign of his desire to become more of a “fox in the box” as he flashes through the true prime of his career. The 3-4-3 isn't a conservative system based on the personnel available to Southgate.
Foden is now indispensable
Phil Foden is a tremendously gifted footballer. He was initially seen as the heir to David Silva’s throne at Man City, but now he’s being used almost exclusively in a wide attacking role. The 22-year-old wasn’t a starter by any means at Euro 2020, but his consistent excellence under Pep Guardiola can no longer be ignored at international level.
If you want to talk about indispensable players, teenage sensation Jude Bellingham has forced himself into that category too. It’s been a while since England could boast a midfield player with such a broad skill set. His dynamic ability to get into the box at the right time could also pay very rich dividends for Southgate.
Foden and Bellingham are truly generational talents that can flourish in this team for the next decade and more.
Rice provides the platform for more flair and firepower
Critics of Gareth Southgate’s system have called for more spontaneity and entertainment, and that’s probably fair. They haven’t been the most expressive team. Bellingham, alongside the outstanding West Ham captain Declan Rice, should provide a solid and balanced platform from which England can be a bit more free-flowing and take some risks.
That’s where the likes of Grealish, Mason Mount, James Maddison (who’s absolutely on fire for Leicester), Marcus Rashford (back to his best for Man United) and the ever-versatile Bukayo Saka all come in handy. All five are likely to be rotation options and that’s an exciting prospect.
England spoiled for choice at right wing-back
For as long as he’s been a professional footballer, people have been questioning Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive capabilities. At the same time, they have praised his unique playmaking ability and range of passing. Both he and Kieran Trippier are wizards from dead-ball situations too.
Trippier is the first-choice as it stands, but expect to see Trent get plenty of minutes as the World Cup progresses.
Predicted England XI vs Iran
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Rice, Bellingham, Shaw; Sterling, Kane, Foden
Kyle Walker’s fitness is a question mark at the moment but, if he’s fit, then his wealth of experience is priceless and he should start. While we’re talking about experience, Raheem Sterling has proven his worth time and time again for the Three Lions. Out of form for Chelsea, he’ll have a statement to make, having made a habit out of silencing his doubters down the years.
Meanwhile, in-form Arsenal duo Saka and Benjamin White would count themselves extremely unlucky to miss out from the start, but they have time to work themselves back into contention throughout the tournament. Both possess the versatility that is so useful in players called upon from the bench at major showpiece events, and the quality to start for most countries in the world. That includes England.
Alternative England XI picked purely on form/ability
Although this is never going to happen, it’s still a fun exercise that highlights the abundance of options at Southgate’s disposal.
Pope; White, Stones, Shaw; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Bellingham, Saka; Maddison, Kane, Rashford
Nick Pope has been keeping clean sheets for fun at Newcastle and has the calmness that number 1 Jordan Pickford lacks. We’ve shifted Luke Shaw into the left-sided central defensive role and opted for Saka at left wing-back.
Saka’s clubmate White has all of the tools to play as a right-sided central defender, having spent the majority of this season at right-back for Arsenal, and he’s a central defender by trade. Then you’ve got Maddison, Rashford and Kane in attack, a tasty prospect.
England’s opener against Iran will be a huge test
There are just so many talking points in this squad which tend to throw up more questions than answers. One thing seems certain though: Southgate will be loyal to a system and tactical approach that served him well at the Euros.
Let’s also remember that a match against Iran, the nation ranked 20th by FIFA, is no giveaway. This is a seriously well-organised football team under Carlos Queiroz and free hits at the World Cup appear to be a thing of the past.
The challenge in this match, and for the duration of the tournament, will be for Gareth Southgate to extract that extra little ounce of flair and flamboyance from his undoubtedly talented players. It may be the decisive difference on the BIGGEST stage in world football.
