Sport
Reece James and Kyle Walker injuries could force Gareth Southgate to rethink his England tactics
It will be a cruel twist of fate if England arrive in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup with a dearth of right back options. For years, Gareth Southgate has been spoiled for choice in that particular position. Now, though, injuries to Reece James and Kyle Walker have left the Three Lions weaker than ideally would be the case this close to the start of the tournament.
James and Walker have been Southgate’s first-choice right-sided players for the last 12 months with the back three even making space for both to play in the same team. Their potential unavailability should force the England manager into a tactical rethink with the World Cup just over a month away.
Southgate has used a back three to give England security on and off the ball. Walker’s recovery pace in particular is useful to mask a lack of mobility from Harry Maguire and John Stones, Southgate’s preferred centre back pairing. The Manchester City defender is also used to bring the ball out from the back.
Deployed most commonly as a right wing back, James is seen as the ideal option on the flank by Southgate due to his attacking drive and defensive nous. The idea is that England are rarely caught out in quick transition as they have cover in the form of two players down the right wing. James and Walker form a safety net.
That safety net might have been whipped out from underneath England due to recent injuries. Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn’t always been one of Southgate’s favourites due to his defensive frailties, but the Liverpool full back might now be in line to start for the Three Lions in Qatar should James and Walker fail to recover in time.
Ben White could feasibly play as the right-sided centre back in a back three, but the Arsenal defender is most effective when he is allowed to drive into central midfield. Would Southgate be willing to give him the freedom to do this? And if so, what would the knock-on effect be for the right wing back?
Kieran Trippier is experienced at international level and is likely to feature in Qatar, but Southgate has no evidence on how a right-sided partnership between the Newcastle United defender and Alexander-Arnold would work. Such experimentation at the tournament itself might not be wise.
England have the talent to control matches in the centre of the pitch. Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best young players in the sport over the last two years whole Declan Rice remains one of the strongest midfield anchors in the Premier League. Factor in Phil Foden and Southgate is surely tempted to use a midfield three at the World Cup.
A 4-3-3 formation would require Southgate to compromise on his conservative principles, but it could give England the best chance of winning in Qatar. It would push the Three Lions up the pitch and open up space for their attackers to exploit. Southgate could lean into the strength of his squad.
Fikayo Tomori has experience of playing as a central defender in a back four with the former Chelsea player fast enough and sharp enough to recover quick transition moments whenever they arise. Southgate has the players to make a back four work, but he might have to reshuffle his entire defence.
Injuries were always likely to hit the England squad before the World Cup, especially with the tournament taking place in the middle of the season. Southgate should perhaps be thankful that they have struck the strongest area of his squad. He has options in that position, more than any other national team manager.
