Southgate ‘must ditch back three and take risks’ to survive as England boss
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has told Gareth Southgate to “stop creating his own square pegs” by overhauling England’s three at the back formation.
The Three Lions’ boss has chosen to persist with his 3-4-3 formation, despite the fact England have gone five consecutive games without scoring a goal in open play. Giacomo Raspadori’s wonderful curling effort secured a 1-0 home win for Italy over Southgate’s beleaguered side, sending the Three Lions crashing out of Nations League A.
While England’s defence was relatively sturdy against an equally flat Italian side, the lack of creativity and penetration is proving to be an enormous concern. And Murphy believes it is now time for Southgate to take some more risks with the World Cup two months away.
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“Everyone knows England haven’t scored from open play in more than seven hours,” Murphy wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. “A lot of that is down to us being too predictable in attack. A change of system would help.
“Gareth needs to go to four at the back. Few sides win tournaments playing three at the back. It’s too cautious. Four gives you more fluidity, an extra man in midfield.
“It would suit Jude Bellingham or Mason Mount. It gets more people up the pitch more often. It’s also what most of the players are used to. The Man City lads play in a four, so do the Liverpool guys. Most of the top clubs do.
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“Kyle Walker doesn’t play in a three every week at City. Neither does Harry Maguire for United.
"Bellingham plays in a midfield three at Borussia Dortmund. Bukayo Saka does not play at wing-back any more for Arsenal. Gareth is creating his own square pegs.”
England host Germany in what will be the Three Lions’ last match before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar. All eyes will certainly be on Southgate’s team selection, particularly after the recent dreadful form that has descended on his side.
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