3 things England need to sort out in Switzerland vs Ivory Coast games
Here are three things Gareth Southgate will need to find out during the upcoming friendlies.
England are set to play their first friendlies since last summer, having qualified for the World Cup during November’s international break.
Gareth Southgate has less than eight months to decide on the squad that will travel to Qatar and lift home a trophy on the third try.
Next week, the Three Lions will take on Switzerland and Ivory Coast at Wembley Stadium and Southgate will use the two games to learn more about the new fresh faces that have made the squad and decide if some of his more experienced players still have what it takes for us to win this World Cup.
The England boss has added a number of youngsters to the squad including Tyrick Mitchell, Kyle Walker-Peters and Conor Gallagher, while Harry Maguire will have much to prove amid the controversy surrounding his inclusion.
Here are three things Southgate and the England squad need to figure out in their two friendlies…
Experience or Youth?
At Euro 2020, England appeared with a rather young side, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, but when it came down to it Southgate could count on the older players like Harry Maguire, Kyle Walker and Raheem Sterling.
This season, a large number of young players appear to have eclipsed their more experienced Premier League counterparts, leaving Southgate with a selection dilemma.
If the future stars continue to impress and perform well in the forthcoming friendlies, will he still be relying on the old English trusts who have endured very poor club form?
Where Saka fits in
Bukayo Saka has been a revelation this season and while he went to Euros he proved even more why he needs to start for England.
However, the likes of Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling already have their places in the starting XI pretty sure, so it’s up to Southgate to figure out where Saka will fit in.
He played on the wing during last summer’s tournament, but played at left-back in the Three Lions’ last game against San Marino, where he scored the 10th goal.
To Phillips or not to Phillips
Kalvin Phillips played an exceptional tournament alongside Declan Rice last summer and will once again be in contention for a place in midfield ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Of course, the Leeds United star has been injured for most of the season and hasn’t been included in the England squad, but Southgate has to consider midfield options.
He clearly loved the combination of Phillips and Rice during the Euros but the England boss must use Phillips’ absence as an opportunity to keep an eye on Jude Bellingham, James Ward-Prowse or Conor Gallagher.
He also needs to avoid playing it safe with Jordan Henderson because while he’s certainly an exceptional player, he shouldn’t be guaranteed an automatic spot on the team – just like Maguire.