Sport
England vs Germany – 6 key players
England vs Germany is arguably the most important rivalry in all of international football. More than just a place in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals is on the line when the Three Lions face off against Die Mannschaft at Wembley on Tuesday. Gareth Southgate and Joachim Low both have huge decisions to make over their respective XIs in the coming days as a result. Here are six of the key players who will decide the outcome of what is sure to be a titanic tussle.
England vs Germany – 6 key players
Harry Kane
We need to talk about Harry. England’s captain and talisman entered Euro 2020 on the back of the best season of his career, topping the Premier League charts for both goals and assists, even though Tottenham failed to even finish in the top six of the table. He was among the favourites for the Golden Boot. Most people believed Kane guaranteed goals for England.
But Kane struggled badly in the group stage, though his performance against Czech Republic was a step forward compared to anonymous displays against Croatia and Scotland. Kane simply does not look like scoring, but a player of his pedigree can always explode into form.
Kane will not be dropped by Southgate but, when the England attack is essentially built around the striker there are serious questions to be asked about his role in the team. Another off-colour display from their star man during England vs Germany could cost England their place in the tournament.
Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich is one of the world’s best midfielders but Low has opted to use him as a wing-back. There, Kimmich’s range of passing is still on display but his positioning can be slightly suspect.
Likely to come up against Raheem Sterling – scorer of both of England’s Euro 2020 goals so far – Kimmich’s attacking instincts could well be curbed as a result of his defensive duties.
But the Bayern Munich man will try to force Sterling back into his own half as often as possible. Kimmich’s raids down the Germany right have been a key facet of their play at the tournament.
Kyle Walker
England’s right-back is also set for a vital role during England vs Germany. Southgate might well be considering switching to a back three – matching up with Germany’s typical shape as a result – which could see Walker move inside to partner Manchester City team-mate John Stones and Harry Maguire at the back.
It has been a mixed tournament for Walker, who started poorly against Croatia but was much better in England’s controlled 1-0 defeat of Czech Republic that ensured they topped Group D.
Kai Havertz
A slow start to his Chelsea career is now forgotten after Havertz scored their winning goal in the Champions League final. He followed that up by becoming the leader of Germany’s attack.
Havertz has netted in consecutive games at Euro 2020 after Germany drew a blank against France in their Group F opener. His appreciation of space and ability to drift unnoticed into excellent positions will make him very difficult for England’s defence to mark on Tuesday.
Mason Mount having to miss the game against Czech Republic resulted in Grealish getting his chance to shine and the Aston Villa man delivered, producing the cross for Sterling’s winner.
With Mount’s availability for England vs Germany still in severe doubt – the Chelsea man has been in self-isolation after being deemed a close contact of Scotland’s Billy Gilmour – Southgate is likely to keep faith with Grealish. He has the star power to deliver on the grandest of stages.
Grealish does not lack confidence. The playmaker believes he belongs in the England team for big games and this will be his chance to prove it. Grealish faded in the second half against Czech Republic but his ball-carrying ability and elusiveness will be crucial for the hosts.
Jamal Musiala
England should know all about Musiala, an outstandingly talented dribbler. Until earlier this year, they had hoped that the 18-year-old, who played for the Three Lions in youth sides from their under-15s all the way up to the under-21 team, would opt to commit to them at senior level too.
But the Bayern Munich teenager, born in Stuttgart, instead decided to play for Germany. Low wasted no time at all in calling him up, handing Musiala his international debut in March.
Musiala had to watch Germany’s first two group games from the bench but, with his new nation in a desperate position against Hungary in their decider, he was thrown on with eight minutes to go. He promptly helped to set up Leon Goretzka’s goal that kept Germany alive, booking Tuesday’s trip to London, where Musiala spent eight formative years in the Chelsea academy.
Musiala will probably start Tuesday’s game on the bench, but six Bundesliga goals in a breakthrough campaign showed he is capable of being decisive if Low calls on him again.
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