No, it’s not New England. It’s the new England of Southgate.
Same technical director, same squad (in general terms), but a very different image than that shown at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
England, during the UEFA Nations League, has shown another side. It is a team that proposes play, develops good football and shows decisive players in the field. A different formula, historically.
For this, there are key aspects within the analysis:
The Sarri effect
The arrival of Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge also has its influence on the English team, specifically on a name: Ross Barkley.
That promise of the Everton, that seemed forgotten, has recovered confidence under the orders of the Italian. The dispute of minutes in Premier League and the call to the “Three Lions” have returned to see a playmaker more than interesting.
Barkley is a valuable option. Meters behind the forward or as a mixed flyer performs at a good level. He has soccer and dynamics, pending task in England.
The Rashford minutes
Marcus Rashford is a jewel of football. Sometimes, listening to him for so long makes us forget his age, but he is 21 years old.
21 years!
Although Manchester United is going through a crisis since Mourinho implemented certain changes in the team (Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as starters in the initial XI) our subject has improved remarkably.
You can ask David De Gea if this is true.
The adaptability of Southgate
Gareth Southgate has proved to be a coach more than capable to change the moment England was going through. The process has just begun and has already shown results: World Cup semifinals.
There is no single scheme, there is no single XI, nor is there a single style of play. The English adapt to the rival, the context and the type of match. They are capable of mastering, of refolding and executing intelligent approaches.
He has incorporated young talents and, little by little introduces the important generational change.
The new England delights and, even better, works for it.