Now or never for Southgate

The remaining two rounds of the UEFA Nations League group stages serve as the last bit of international action before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in eight weeks’ time, and England are up against two heavyweights in their final preparations for the showpiece event.

England are all but certain to miss out on the Nations League semifinals, currently sitting bottom of Group 3 and needing two wins to stand any chance of qualifying for the final four. Gareth Southgate’s men ought to make the most of these upcoming matches to maximise potential heading into the World Cup, and they take to Italy on Friday before facing Germany at Wembley on Monday.

The end of this month marks six years since Southgate’s appointment as manager of the Three Lions and the winter World Cup is set to be the third major tournament since he took charge. Despite his strong hand in mainstreaming the next generation of players into the England senior squad, Southgate could be shown the door in the event of an unfavourable return in Qatar.

🗣️ “I genuinely don’t think he’s too negative or cautious at all.”

Jack Grealish says he doesn’t agree with claims that England boss Gareth Southgate plays negative football. pic.twitter.com/klvwd9Q4x1

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 22, 2022

Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho each missed their penalty kicks against Italy in the Euro final last year and they are both seeking recalls to the England camp amid a resurgence in form under Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Both players were on the scoresheet when Liverpool visited Old Trafford in August, before Rashford struck twice against Arsenal earlier this month. Sancho also notched the decisive goal when United beat Leicester City, 1-0, however neither he nor Rashford have been selected for England’s upcoming Nations League matches. If their early season form persists they should both find themselves on the plane to Qatar.

Southgate came under some scrutiny following the latest squad announcement, with it being suggested the England boss has picked names based on reputation rather than their current form. Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were selected despite the pair not starting a Premier League game since August 13th when Man United were flattened by Brentford, 4-0.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by England football team (@england)

Brentford striker Ivan Toney received a maiden call-up following a fine start to the season which has seen the 26-year-old striker bag five goals in seven games. Jarrod Bowen retained his spot in the squad even though the West Ham winger is yet to register a direct goal involvement after seven games this season, and the Hammers currently occupy a place in the drop zone.

Jack Grealish has also been in the headlines of late with the Man City man keeping hold of his place with the national team having played three league games this term. Kalvin Phillips was also called up by Southgate despite playing just one minute of Premier League football this season, although he had to pull out of the squad with a shoulder problem. He was replaced in the squad by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, who missed all of the Reds’ last five matches in the league and Europe.

Certain for selection would be skipper Harry Kane. The Tottenham attacker sits in the top three Premier League goalscorers of all-time and at international level he is within three of Wayne Rooney’s record 53 goals for the Three Lions.

Kane grabbed goal number 50 for England on his 71st cap compared to Rooney who notched his 50th goal on his 108th outing for the national team. 15 of Kane’s 50 international goals have come from the penalty spot, while Rooney converted all seven spot-kicks he took for his country.

Another prospective dilemma for Southgate may stem from the goalkeeping department, with the four primary candidates all first-choice keepers playing regularly at Premier League teams. Jordan Pickford missed out on selection due to a thigh injury and the Everton goalie has made 26 saves, but has kept only one clean sheet for the Toffees this term.

Nick Pope has kept three shut-outs for Newcastle and also made a league-high 30 saves. Dean Henderson has produced one save fewer than Pope, including two penalties from international teammates Kane and Declan Rice, although Henderson and Nottingham Forest have kept a single clean sheet and conceded 17 goals in the league.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale has three clean sheets to his name but has made just half the saves of Pickford. All bar Henderson have made more than 100 Premier League appearances albeit the Man United-trained keeper has a 32 per cent clean sheet success rate (18 in 56 games). Only Pope boasts a stronger clean sheet ratio of 33 per cent (49 out of 148), with Pickford 25 per cent (55 out of 217) and Ramsdale a lowly 21 per cent (25 out of 116).

All 28 players are out at training this morning, before the squad head to Italy this afternoon.

Gareth Southgate and @HKane will speak to the media in Milan at 7pm BST. pic.twitter.com/c95NXrSUU9

— England (@England) September 22, 2022

England will be out to gain a consolation when they face Italy at the San Siro before returning home for their bout with Germany at Wembley. After coming fourth at the 2018 World Cup and ending runners-up at Euro 2020, it’s now or never for Southgate to take England all the way at a major tournament.

The Three Lions get their World Cup campaign underway on 21st November, against Iran, before they meet USA four days later, and fulfil their Group B obligations versus Wales on 29th November.
The Round of 16 begins December 3rd and quarter-finals the 9th. The semis take place from the 13th with the final scheduled for December 18th at the Lusail Stadium.

Bet365 have England at 2.37 to get the better of Italy, 3.10 for a draw, and 3.10 for an Azzurri victory. England are second-favourites to win the World Cups at odds of 6.50.