Trevor Steven: England have mojo back as World Cup countdown begins
As we’ve come to expect from Gareth Southgate’s England, they completed a very comfortable qualifying campaign for the Qatar 2022 World Cup with a flourish this week.
While Monday’s 10-0 walkover in San Marino grabbed the headlines, a better benchmark of their performance came in Friday’s 5-0 win against Albania.
England have got their mojo back. The slight hangover in performances that followed Euro 2020 is behind them. A year out from the World Cup, they look in great shape.
Southgate continues to impress in a multitude of ways, not least introducing more and more quality players.
In the old days it used to be harder to get out of the England squad once you were in. Now it’s the opposite.
He has laid a pathway for young talent and sown the seeds of togetherness, so that even newcomers feel comfortable and supported. That’s one of his biggest achievements.
That has only created even greater depth, with the options in every position ranging from very good – the centre-backs – to brilliant and, in the case of our attackers, exceptional.
Even the goalkeeper situation is far stronger, with Jordan Pickford much improved and Aaron Ramsdale emerging as competition with some superhero displays for Arsenal.
In the last 12 months England have tested a variety of formations, meaning they are comfortable switching between different systems.
Meanwhile Southgate the man has continued to master being the public face of the national team. On the whole, things are heading in the right direction.
Kane issue is biggest worry for England and Southgate
His chief concern remains what happens if Harry Kane doesn’t recover top form or gets injured. All other players have ready-made replacements.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be the answer, but his progress – especially with the ball on the deck – has been held up by injuries at a key stage in his development.
That has given Tammy Abraham a chance and he has looked eager to take it, showing fight off the bench against San Marino and scoring a quality goal.
Abraham’s move to Roma means his exploits won’t be seen so easily, and the Italian league is tough for strikers too, but the place is there for him to take.
One of the questions levelled at Southgate is whether he’s got the cutting edge to take England that extra step and win a trophy.
I absolutely think he does. He is bright enough and brave enough – he isn’t afraid to leave players out – and, like his team, will have learned so much from getting to the Euro 2020 final.
I can’t see England doing less than reaching the last four in Qatar, and it’s right that he gets a new contract to take him to the end of the next European Championship in 2024
On Friday I was among 80,000 people who flocked to Wembley to see them play Albania. The feel-good factor remains and now the performances are back too.
Trevor Steven is a former England footballer who played at two World Cups and two European Championships. @TrevorSteven63