Fix the left flank and stop arguing: the things England must sort out
Gareth Southgateβs team need to improve against Switzerland β and there is plenty of scope for doing so
It is easy to play through England at the moment. Gareth Southgate has talked about a high press being a core part of his teamβs identity, but it has not functioned properly at Euro 2024. Harry Kane, who is meant to be leading from the front, has looked lethargic and the issue has been exacerbated by Jude Bellinghamβs wandering. Yet there is no obligation on England to continue their attempts to press given they have been so confused and uncoordinated. Southgate has to recognise that there are too many gaps to cover once opponents break through the first line of defence. An obvious solution would be to tell his players to drop off and exert a smothering midβblock. England need to be more awkward to break down. There should be more emphasis on drawing teams out, luring them into traps and then hitting them on the break.
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