THREE games and two weeks into Euro 2020, nobody seems sure on how England are placed right now and what their chances of going all the way are. That, however, could be said of many teams at this summer’s tournament – see Croatia, France, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal just to name a few.
With the group stage out of the way, the real stuff starts now. There is no margin for error at this point of the tournament. England cannot produce another underwhelming performance, not least against Germany in the round of 16. Here is a review of the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 campaign so far.
Who is performing well?
There’s little denying England have failed to reach their potential as an attacking outfit, doing just enough to get past Croatia and Czech Republic and toiling against Scotland. However, a handful of players can still be satisfied with their performances at Euro 2020.
Raheem Sterling is one such player. The Manchester City forward has bagged both goals England have scored at the tournament, demonstrating the sort of cutting edge that evaded him for much of the season at club level. Indeed, international football tends to bring the best out of Sterling, who has made himself undroppable for the Three Lions.
Kalvin Phillips has emerged as England’s most accomplished midfield anchor while Tyrone Mings has proved himself as a solid deputy for Harry Maguire, whose passing range gave Southgate another dimension to play with against Czech Republic. Besides this small group, though, England’s individuals have struggled.
Who is performing badly?
Harry Kane has underwhelmed to such an extent that many have questioned whether the England captain is playing with an injury. 23 goals and 14 assists in 35 Premier League appearances last season suggested Kane was in the form of his life coming into Euro 2020, but there has been little sign of that in the three games he has played so far.
Phil Foden is another who has failed to carry his sparkling club form into the summer. The City playmaker might well have lost his place in Southgate’s strongest XI with Mason Mount set to return from self-isolation and Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka potentially better suited to this England team.
Then there’s Jadon Sancho, although he is hardly to blame for the lack of impact he has made at Euro 2020. The Borussia Dortmund winger has only played six minutes in three matches, prompting much debate over what it is Southgate does’t like about a player who notched eight goals and 11 assists in 26 Bundesliga appearances last term.
Has Southgate got his tactics right?
In terms of the shape of the team, the 4-3-3 formation looks to be a good fit for this England squad. However, their approach within that shape has underwhelmed. Indeed, the Three Lions haven’t had much bite, illustrated by the fact England have the worst progression statistics of any team at the tournament (they have progressed the ball upfield 0.98 metres per second in open play).
However, Southgate’s safety first approach might work better against higher calibre opponents in the knockout rounds when England will have more space to break into on the counter attack. Only in these matches will it become clear whether or not England’s conservatism is all part of a plan or just a deficiency.
Is the draw good or bad for England?
For the second straight international tournament, England have landed in the weaker half of the draw. While Southgate and his players must navigate past Germany to make the quarter finals, they would face either Sweden or Ukraine in the final eight. Then it would most likely be a case of getting past the Netherlands into the final.
Given England’s difficulties in playing through deep defensive blocks at this tournament so far, Southgate might wish to avoid Sweden, who were able to keep Spain at arm’s length in a 0-0 draw. First, though, England must overcome Germany and if they can do that things might open up for them.
Who should England be worried about?
Italy have been the most eye-catching team at Euro 2020 so far, blowing away every opponent they have faced. England, however, can’t run into Roberto Mancini’s team until the final. The same goes for France, who have been typically tight at the back, yet expressive on the break, and Belgium, who finally look to have put together the pieces at a major tournament.
Germany have been erratic in their performances, but still carry significant goal threat. This is similar to the Netherlands, who have embraced their chaotic side to get the best out of Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum. England might have to stop both teams from scoring to make it to the showpiece event at Wembley on July 11.
