England are in dire need of some creativity to add spark to their inhibited play, but the answer isn’t as far away as some would have you believe.
Journalists and pundits are leading the way in damning Gareth Southgate’s men for their insipid displays in stumbling over the line to World Cup qualification. Back to back 1-0 wins over Slovenia and Lithuania in the final qualifiers just won’t cut it. In the league, quite often a win is a win and the three points are all that matters. For England, against the so-called lesser nations that Slovenia and Lithuania invariably are, a last-minute winner and a penalty is no doubt a poor return. The laboured nature of their uninspiring displays have sharpened the knives. Where there was next to no confidence the Three Lions would produce a tournament to remember next summer, there now is none.
The chief concern among the opinion columns seems to be the midfield. In Southgate’s last few squads he has favoured Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier as two holding midfielders, with Jake Livermore the first reserve. Being frank, that is quite a worrying trio to choose from. Livermore isn’t guaranteed a start for lowly West Brom, while Henderson – despite somehow rivalling the world class Harry Kane as Southgate’s choice of captain – has never once looked international class. Fit and hard-working as he is, you need something more to succeed at international level. He does okay for Liverpool – and by no means are England a million miles better than Liverpool – but at the top level, in World Cups and European Championships, England midfielder must do more than run about and rally his troops. In 36 appearances he has one goal to his name – an own goal.
Of the trio, Eric Dier is arguably the only world class player. But England don’t need two holding midfielders. Certainly not against Slovenia and Lithuania. But even against Germany and Spain – why sit back and invite their creativity onto you. Dier can hold, and he can do it well. He proved that when he was probably England’s best player at Euro 2012, and he is consistently good for Tottenham in breaking up play, protecting his defence and making the short passes a defensive midfielder should to recycle possession. He’s also a huge threat at set plays – attacking corners and smashing in free-kicks, as he has done for England previously. So Dier stays.
But there is an opening alongside him. Dele Alli is certain to start behind Kane. And there are options wide with Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Judging by Southgate’s matches so far, two in midfield is his preferred method, regardless of which formation he selects. So who can add the spark alongside Dier?
The perfect solution is Ross Barkley. The Everton man is sidelined by injury currently, but even before that was something of a forgotten man for England. Yet to be used by Southgate, Barkley has been an unused substitute in each of the last seven matches he has been called up for. In his one match in charge previous manager Sam Allardyce ignored him. Indeed, his last outing was in the pre-Euro 2016 friendly as a second-half sub in the 2-1 win over Australia.
Barkley was the only member of the travelling party not to feature at Euro 2016. Then manager Roy Hodgson was often very critical of the 23-year-old, blaming his so-called carelessness in possession and individualism as reasons why Barkley had been unable to claim a regular place.
But Barkley, for much of last season, was the player who passed more than any other England midfielder in the Premier League. He had a higher completion rate too. His assists tally rivalled the best, while he also had his best goalscoring season. It’s why he turned down a deal to stay at his boyhood club Everton. He wants Champions League football, and he had the season that earned him a shot.
He is Paul Gascoigne-esque in his play. Very much unlike Dier, Henderson and Livermore, Barkley’s first thought is always forward. Supporters and pundits are spewing over England’s preference to play safe, to pass sideways or backwards and retain what is meaningless possession. Barkley will get on the front foot. He can run at defences, drop a shoulder, thread a killer pass or score the spectacular from distance.
Pre-injury, he claimed to be fitter than he has ever been, another lazy criticism labelled at a player who isn’t as lean looking as the likes of Alli. Indeed, all the criticisms that have come his way, including by the likes of Hodgson and club boss Ronald Koeman, could be said to have been dismissed last term as Barkley let his football do the talking.
One point that may be made is that he prefers the number 10 role, which is surely Alli’s to lose. But they should play together. Barkley is better with the game in front of him, with space to run into. Playing deeper he can launch counter-attacks, he can take the ball forward with him, he can spot the pace and finesse of those ahead of him. He’s a better number eight than a number 10. He could actually work perfectly in tandem with Alli, another who could be just as good as a roaming eight than a 10.
Dissenters may argue he’ll leave his fellow midfielder and therefore the defence open. But England need to be braver. To gamble and take the game to the opposition. Let’s at least try something different. Anyhow, the revered Gascoigne played in an era of two midfielders. One holds, one goes. Paul Ince got on with the job alongside him okay.
Barkley is eyeing a move to Tottenham in January, once back from injury, having reportedly rejected Chelsea on summer transfer deadline day as he favours the chance to work alongside Mauricio Pochettino. It could be perfect timing. If given the opportunity to play regularly alongside potential international teammates in Alli, Kane and Dier – all of whom play in the areas Barkley can complement – he has the springboard to make sure Southgate can no longer ignore him.
The return to fitness and some kind of form of Jack Wilshire whets the appetite of many pundits and indeed England fans. His Spanish-like ability with the ball has long marked him out as a different kind of English midfielder, someone who has long been labelled England’s great hope because of that.
And the emergence of the technically gifted Harry Winks, very competent on debut in Lithuania, is a big positive for Southgate.
However, it’s Barkley he needs to turn to. Requiring creativity? Now doesn’t a front five of Barkley, Alli, Lallana, Rashford and Kane give you some of that excitement back?
