But there is a very strong composition.

For the final. Classification

The generational change in the national team is about to end – current England it’s a fusion of experience and speed. The “Three Lions” for the upcoming World Cup gathered one of the youngest teams among all participants, the average age is 25.6 years.

At the same time, all the players, with the exception of Bellingham, play in the English league, which means they are used to heavy workloads and high-tempo matches. The selection of players perfectly reveals Gareth Southgate’s coaching style: flexibility and traction to adapt to the opposition. Mount feels great in the role of “ten”, but just as calmly goes to the flanks, Saka is just waiting for the moment to demonstrate his speed and ability with the ball, Sterling can play on the edge, or maybe come out under the striker. There is an elite finisher: Kane is very good at looking for space to strike.

And that’s not to mention the goalie line – it got to the point that even Dean Henderson didn’t get a call due to too much competition. Ramsdale is ready to take over from Pickford without compromising reliability.

against the final. injuries

But this team could have been even stronger, both on the flanks and in the center of the pitch. Reece James and Ben Chilwell both lost to injury. The first would have created competition for the Trento and made the British right flank even more lethal. The latter would add intensity to the left: Shaw is good when it comes to pressing opponents with the ball, but hardly as good in possession.

Another unnoticeable loss is Emile Smith-Rowe. This is one of the best when it comes to young players in the English Premier League. Even if the midfielder can’t compete with the excellent Odegaard, the Norwegian is one of the protagonists of the generation, besides conductor of Arteta’s ideas at the Arsenale. And in the national team, Emil could get the minutes of him and would look no worse in attack than the others.

For the final. Team depth and club connections

When it is said that in a single game you can cause a sensation, it is the depth of the bench that becomes the counterargument. If the match doesn’t go well, Southgate’s substitutions can add freshness without compromising on quality. Rashford has more limited capabilities than Kane, plus he’s a winger in profile – yet the United forward has scored 3 of his four goals in the current league while on edge. He also has a talent for the head.

Sterling is able to go to the side (Shaw’s position) or under the attacker – here you can already compete with Foden, who took the basics of the skill from Guardiola. Or with Gallagher, a reactive exterior that perfectly reads Mount’s movements. Hardworking Henderson will take over from Bellingham/Rice if hard work is required.

Simply put, Gareth has an equally strong selection of artists for any coaching idea. And in “hit and run” to play, and in possession.

against the final. Latest results

True, this puzzle has often not worked out in recent years. Only against Germany in the Nations League did England show anything worthy of the top team title. Before that, there were 1 goal in five matches and straight defeats by Hungary. Even if the League of Nations is not considered a status tournament, the brand must be maintained – indeed the “three lions” fell in League B – this is the level of the Russian team, if it continues to play in tournaments Uefa.

For the final. Progress in big tournaments

That recession, which was mentioned above, appeared rather abruptly: before that, the British were on the mend. On world Cup-2018 for the first time in 20 years they reached the semifinals, played for bronze. At Euro 2020, they generally reached the final and beat quite combat-ready teams from Germany and Denmark.

At this stage, one can only assume that the status of the League of Nations played a cruel joke with England – Southgate perfectly equipped his wards for the best tournaments. And in Qatar there will be just such a case.

against the final. Gene failures

And again, you can increase the angle from which we consider the “three lions” statistics. The victorious traditions of the national team only begin to take root in recent years, but before that the syndrome of unjustified expectations, prescribed for years and preserved in the blood of the English. More a great example – world Cup-2002. The national team constantly faced strong rivals – Germany, Argentina. However, there was not enough strength for the duel with Brazil.

Then it was no better: the quarterfinals they lost to Portugal at Euro 2004 and world Cup-2006, absenteeism European Championship-2008, defeat by Germany in 2010 in the round of 16 of the World Cup, nightmare in Brazil (0 wins in the group with Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy) and last place. There will be so much pressure from the England fans that you won’t envy the players.

Conclusion. Limited to little blood

Failure in the group stage is hard to believe. However, Gareth Southgate has put together quite a variable team that is high paced and ready for high tempos. The US is always alone and doesn’t really enjoy world championships (not just soccer) – until it comes alone. Don’t underestimate the element of surprise, but victories over Iran and Wales are a matter of Southgate’s aptitude. In the playoff round, everything is much less predictable, you may not be lucky with the first opponent. We dare to assume that the English team will reach the semi-finals, but will not pass the showdown. And still take the bronze.