Important Questions Gareth Southgate Must Answer Before Qatar World Cup

England’s time in the UEFA Nations League came to an inconclusive end with a 3-3 draw with Germany at Wembley.

In the grand scheme, the match held no bearing in context with the tournament. However, the end of the match brought about many questions for Gareth Southgate.

It was a spirited comeback after going two goals down to take the lead from Germany. Unfortunately, a slip by Nick Pope granted Havertz a brace with an open net. The blow of the final whistle raised many questions than answers for the fans.

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A major headache remains ahead for Gareth Southgate, set to present a 26-man squad for their trip to Qatar. This comes with their opening match against Iran on 21 November. We take a look at some hard questions Gareth Southgate must answer.

What Happens to Captain Harry Maguire?

After taking the England job, Southgate revealed that his mantle involves selecting players with form. However, his words are tested with the selection of out-of-form Harry Maguire back into the squad.

Many would back Maguire, who did not put a foot wrong in Euros 2020 and became the man of the tournament. However, his recent form has been awful while failing to start any game this season for Manchester United.

Moreover, his case became tough during their recent draw, with the defender responsible for two goals. A tackle against Musiala granted Gundogan a goal while losing a ball in midfield saw a counterattack to equalize.

At the moment, Maguire is coming off as a liability with other defenders such as Fikayo Tomori and Ben White down the pecking order. The squad’s other defensive reinforcements include Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Everton’s Conor Coady.

Creativity in the Middle of the Park?

One common trend in most of the England matches is the lack of creativity in the middle of the park. The lack of a natural creator in the team exposes the frailties in scoring goals for the side. Before their recent match, England had failed to score in open play since March.

Phil Foden and Mason Mount remain tasked with creating chances in the England outfit. However, there is a need for more creators. Bukayo Saka, who often plays out of position, created more chances (64) than any other player.

This begs the question, should Southgate call on James Maddison? Maddison has been the best of a worse bunch for Leicester City. However, his form remains constant, with three goals already in the Premier League.

What Happens to Trent?

Will Liverpool’s golden child Trent Alexander-Arnold feature in the 26-man squad? The debate continues growing, with Trent not featuring at all in the last two games. The poor start to the season remains a major thorn in the side of Southgate.

The addition of Reece James, Kieran Trippier, and Kyle Walker shows Southgate’s trust in the defensive duties of the trio. Adding Luke Shaw over Ben Chilwell is another puzzle that remains unanswered for England.

Who Starts Between the Sticks?

Before their recent match against Germany, Nick Pope rose above the competition to claim the No. 1 shirt. However, Southgate might have to consider a starting goalkeeper after a disaster class in the match.

Jordan Pickford remains the nailed-on starter, especially after his outstanding performances in the past 18 months. England conceded eight goals in the last three matches. Pickford did not start in goal.

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale’s calmness on the ball and distribution puts him ahead of the pecking order as a deputy.

Final Takeaway

Gareth Southgate has a major puzzle ahead of the selection of his 26-man squad. Many questions loom in the air from attack, midfield, and defense. We cannot completely rule out England’s chances at the World Cup.

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