[Sport] Gareth Southgate's back three is how England can win a tournament

[Agent47]

Victory over Denmark on Wednesday evening would not only make it three wins from three for the week and 18 from 22 since the World Cup but leave England top of their Nations League group with two games left to play. Amid a backdrop of off-the-field issues, Gareth Southgate is 90 minutes away from successfully negotiating the latest challenge of his reign.

His side inflicted only the second three-goal defeat that Wales have suffered since their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 - and their first without scoring. They followed that up by becoming only the third team in 46 games to beat the world's top-ranked team Belgium.
These results have not been achieved with the thrilling, dominant football that supporters continue to crave. But the signs are there that Southgate is reverting to tournament mode ahead of an 18-month period scheduled to include the delayed Euros and the World Cup.
Hence the return of the back three and even its weaknesses are unlikely to discourage the manager. The goalless draw in Denmark last month was dull, while England lacked fluency early on against both Wales and Belgium. But a single penalty conceded in 270 minutes of football is likely to encourage Southgate that this is a means of stifling opponents.

His side were outplayed for 45 minutes against Belgium but they were not outscored. The back five, protected by Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice, was solid enough even as they struggled to control the ball. Bodies behind the ball limits the threat of the counter-attack.
The England boss was quick to dispense with three at the back after reaching the semi-finals in Russia in 2018. He opted for a more expansive approach in the European Qualifiers and that paid off with Harry Kane finishing as the top scorer with 12 goals. Only Belgium bettered England's total of 37 goals scored in those games. Opponents were pummelled.

But despite putting 10 past Belgium and 12 past Montenegro over two ties, there was still the suspicion something more circumspect would be needed if England are to take the final step. The Netherlands defeat in the semi-final of the Nations League last summer may have crystallised the view that a different approach is needed in the biggest games.
It seems that Southgate is set on some combination of Henderson, Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Harry Winks to provide the base in midfield. Lack of imagination there is a concern with England's age-old inability to play through the thirds limiting their effectiveness.

The sight of midfielders not necessarily showing for the ball let alone turning and running with it had many urging for the inclusion of Jack Grealish in a deeper role. How risky would it be to include a ball-carrier with three centre-backs and a holding midfielder for company?
Grealish is the sort of player who wants the ball to feet in tight areas, commits opponents and unlock defences. His presence there would transform England but the prospect of him playing that role is somewhere between slim and none. Opening the game up is not the aim of this formation switch. This is about tightening up. Risk-free football. Tournament football.

Southgate has seen how these things are won.

Vicente del Bosque inherited one of the most talented squads ever assembled and proceeded to win the 2010 World Cup based on the template of the great Barcelona team. But the tweak that he made revealed plenty about the mentality of the international game.

His front six for the final included five of the men who would also win the Champions League for Barca the following year. But instead of Lionel Messi, Del Bosque went with holding midfielder Xabi Alonso in a more cautious line-up. Every knockout tie was won 1-0.