Reece James vs Trent Alexander-Arnold: Gareth Southgate’s Selection Headache
Gareth Southgate this week signed a contract extension with the FA keeping him in charge of the Three Lions until December 2024. His philosophy and style of football have brought England to a new level. However, his preferred formation has presented him with a major selection headache.
Spoilt For Choice
Gareth Southgate certainly has a dilemma on his hands, but in terms of being a problem, you would have to say it’s a nice problem to have. He literally has so much talent to choose from it is causing him issues with selection. In fact, Aaron Wan Bisakka $15.00 who cost Manchester United 45 million pounds has never been given a call-up because there is that much competition for the right-back spot. Southgate has an embarrassment of riches to pick from at right-back:
- Kyle Walker $2.28
- Kieran Trippier $16.72
- Trent Alexander Arnold $52.52
- Reece James $27.08.
England has adapted, very effectively I might add, a 3–5–2 or a 3–4–2–1 formation. The beauty of this formation is that it enables a manager to play their full-backs and wing-backs. Chelsea does it very well with Ben Chilwell $20.09 and Reece James $27.08. They have the freedom to provide that attacking outlet for the team. Then when needed e.g. the opposition is on top and Chelsea needs to defend well, the wing backs can drop back deeper and make it a back 5, flawlessly. Same thing for England they can switch from a 3 to a 5 at the back effortlessly.
Southgate Effect On England
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was his first major tournament at the helm and he guided England to the Semifinals for the first time since 1990. On the way, his side beat Columbia 4–3 on penalties in the Last 16 giving England their first-ever win in a World Cup penalty shootout.
At Euro 2020 he then brought England to the final for the first time ever where they suffered another agonizing penalty shootout defeat. It is fair to say that Gareth Southgate deserved the contract extension and another crack at a major tournament which will be the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. They should be targeting a final appearance with the squad they have.
- World Cup Semi-Final
- World Cup Penalty Shootout Win
- Reach the Final of a European Championship
- Has England playing as a team, rather than a group of extremely talented individuals
- World Cup Winners?
Reece vs Trent- Who should play?
If you were England’s manager who would you pick, Trent or Reece?
Let us know who and why in the comments below.
Looking for a side hustle?
- Become our partner and get the highest rewards by simply promoting AllStars Trader football indices.
- Most competitive commission-share scheme.
- You get 25% of the commissions generated by your clients, per single trade.
- Sign Up for our Affiliate Programme
