Gareth Southgate has announced his England squad ahead of Euro 2021 and has received a mixed reaction from the journalists.
Other journalists are shocked by the fact that he has included Trent, who seemed out of favour a month ago and others can’t believe he is taking four right-backs.
But under the Kosh and media spotlight, it seems most have missed the genius move that the England manager has played.
Trent is the best right-back in the country
Trent is undoubtedly one of the superstars in the England lineup, a premier league winner and champions league and an exciting prospect for today and the future. Managing him and the pressure that will be placed on him is one of the key management challenges for Gareth.
The expectations from the nation on Trent are enormous, people expect him to change the game from right-back. Play a piercing pass that will weave through the entire opposition team, which is near impossible. It is difficult to do that from midfield, let alone right back.
Trent Alexander Arnold should do the damage from the final third. From that position, he is the best in the world.
When he can push forward into the last third and play the ball in the area, he is irresistible.
That’s where Trent needs to play and that’s a dimension England really need.
He does not need to play a 60-yard ball or outrageous searching balls from right-back, he needs to play the numbers. Get in the final third and whip the ball in around the defenders.
The England team have lots of pace up front, plenty of skills and intricate players, but none of them can whip the ball in like Trent.
It is a source England will need for goals because Kane will need the service, we can’t expect him to play as a provider for any of the other top 3, this is a shootout, we need him to shoot and score.
Southgate much nurture the young Squad
Most people will agree this is the best England squad since the ‘golden generation But it is also the youngest we have had for years.
That is why Southgate needs to protect his players but then also provide the right environment for them to flourish and express themselves on the field.
We have seen many players crumble at the International stage, David Beckham against Argentina, even Messi on the international has been relatively subdued, so being able to manage the pressure is key in tournament football.
His genius move was to take all the expectations off Trent, dropping him in from the last England squad has taken all the pressure off his shoulders. He is now someone who no one expects to change the game for England. Allowing him to focus on his job.
In tournament football, footballers are confined to routines, in one place, in one environment. There is no doubt that their minds will wander, read the papers and scroll the social media pages. So the pressure will build, anxiety will heighten and it could reach a boiling point, Hopefully, for England that may be a goal or a significant contribution to the game will diffuse.
Otherwise, players will go searching, searching with an almost impossible pass, shoot from ridiculous angles and snap at simple tap ins.
Red cards, diving and super goals, heroes are in the waiting at this year’s Euro 2021 tournament.
