How Will Gareth Southgates England Line Up Against The Czech Republic?
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Gareth Southgate, Head Coach of England speaks with Jack Grealish of ... [+] England before he enters the pitch as a substitute during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between England and Scotland at Wembley Stadium on June 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) UEFA via Getty Images  England are already through to the last 16 of Euro 2020. The only thing left to be decided is their final position in the group which will determine the section of the knockout stage bracket they enter. Gareth Southgates side were expected to progress from their group, and they have done so with a game to spare. The over the top praise following the win against Croatia has been tempered by some similarly over the top criticism of their display in a 0-0 draw against a well-structured Scotland side. The reality of Englands performances lies somewhere in between the reactions to the two games, but there are definitely things for Southgate and his squad to improve on as they head into the business end of the tournament. It could also be argued that the only thing that matters at this stage is progressing to the next round, and England have done so with relative ease despite not being at their best. Seven outfield players are yet to play a minute for England at this tournament: Ben White, Conor Coady, Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell, Jordan Henderson, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka. Its baffling that Sancho remains on this list after two games. Based on his club form this season, the 21-year-old would give England a spark and directness they have so far been lacking. No English player in Europes top five leagues made more successful dribbles than the Dortmund winger last season and this ability to beat a man can help break down opposition defences. He surely has to start versus the Czech Republic. Of those seven, one who will definitely miss out again is Chilwell. He and midfielder Mason Mount have been forced to self-isolate after close contact with Scottish player Billy Gilmour who tested positive for Covid-19 after the game between England and Scotland. Further complications are added around Henderson and Maguire who were already fitness doubts for this tournament before a ball was kicked, but they look set to finally feature against the Czechs, as will Jack Grealish. ENFIELD, ENGLAND - JUNE 19: Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson of England react during the England ... [+] Training Session at the Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on June 19, 2021 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) The FA via Getty Images  When assessing possible team lineups, things can vary on whether they are based on personal preference or trying to predict what the manager will do. One of many questions to be answered would be whether Southgate wants continuation in areas of his starting XI, or whether he wants to give everyone some minutes before heading into the knockout rounds. There are a number of ways the England manager could go. Even though hes shifted to a 4-3-3 in 2021, Southgate has regularly used a back three at previous tournaments. Doing so against the Czech Republic could mean game time for Conor Coady and Ben White as well as Maguire. 3-4-3 Rotation Option  England's Ben White (left), Tyrone Mings, Kalvin Phillips and Conor Coady inspect the pitch ahead of ... [+] the UEFA Euro 2020 Group D match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Friday June 18, 2021. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images) PA Images via Getty Images  Pickford; White, Coady, Maguire; Trippier, Henderson, Bellingham, Saka; Sancho, Grealish; Calvert-Lewin. The extra central defender could mean its easier to justify Jude Bellinghams inclusion in midfield, and the front three could then be any number of combinations of winger, No. 10, and striker. Grealish has been the player most called for by fans, and though Southgate will use his own judgement when selecting the team, theres always the chance that the ideas of the manager will align with those of the supporters. 4-3-3 With Some Rotation  A slightly rotated 4-3-3 would also be an option and could lead to a temptation to include both Foden and Grealish, especially with Mount out. If he goes down the route of playing Sterling and Kane into form, it could look something like this. Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Henderson, Bellingham, Grealish; Sancho, Kane, Sterling. An English 4-4-2  Another good option, albeit one Southgate is unlikely to go with given his selections and formations so far, would be to include Calvert-Lewin and Kane in a 4-2-2-2 / 4-4-2. This could accommodate wingers as well as playmakers and a midfield pair who wouldnt have to be too conservative, as the full-backs could judge when to go forward and swing crosses in for the strikers and when to stay back and cover. Kyle Walker especially is used to tucking in slightly to form a back three and support the midfield, thanks to Manchester Citys tactics under Pep Guardiola. Using this formation would mean Kanes tendency to drop deep wouldnt be a problem as Calvert-Lewin will provide the constant presence in and around the box. Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Sancho, Henderson, Bellingham, Grealish; Kane, Calvert-Lewin. England's Dominic Calvert-Lewin (left) and Harry Kane after the UEFA Nations League Group 2, League ... [+] A match at Wembley Stadium, London. One of the reasons rotation feels inevitable is that Southgate still doesnt know his best XI. Hes likely to pick it on a game by game basis depending on the opponent, each of whom will have been analysed prior to the games with strengths and weaknesses assessed. Jordan Pickfords excellent display against Scotland means hes stepped up to be the obvious choice between the posts despite an inconsistent season for Everton. John Stones seems the nailed-on starter in defence while Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips have been fairly solid in the centre of midfield, meaning Henderson might struggle to work his way back in even if fit. Pretty much every other position is up for grabs. Even the players considered the best attackers in the England side, Kane and Raheem Sterling, have been unconvincing so far and the likes of Sancho and Calvert-Lewin would be very useful even in big games. One other thing worth pointing out is that it seems Southgate will always pick one of Maguire or Mings due to their size and presence, so White and Coady may be limited to appearances on the occasions Southgate uses a back three. All of this means there will always be debates around team selection, but there is no doubt that this is due to the strength of the team rather than a weakness. Southgate just needs to work out the best way to get the most from this talented squad.