Almost six years ago at Ta’Qali stadium in Malta England’s fans showered their team with abuse, chanting ‘We’re f****** s***’ and walked out in the second half to go on the booze on the party strip at St Julian’s rather than be subjected to the team’s mediocrity.
Curiously, something similar happened on Friday night. But the indifference this time was due to the game being over by half-time. England are so strong these days that even without their Manchester City Treble winners they would be too much for almost every side in Europe, let alone Malta.
There is not much truly to be learned from a 4-0 win in Malta, ironically the same score as in 2017. But assessing England’s year as a whole, significant progress has been made.
The national team surprised observers at the World Cup with — the US game apart — their positivity, breaking the straitjacket of a cautious back five to play 4-3-3. The France player who consoled FA technical director John McDermott after England’s quarter-final exit was candid: he knew France had met their equal in a tight game, which turned on Harry Kane’s uncharacteristic missed penalty. England were probably the third best side in Qatar.
Since then, in Euro qualifying, they have won away in Italy with 10 men, their first win there since 1961, and beaten Ukraine. The UEFA Nations League final will take place on Sunday, the second tier competition that replaced friendlies, between Spain and Croatia. Watching the semis this week, you wondered how England weren’t involved given they are stronger.
Gareth Southgate’s side defeated Malta 4-0 on Friday with three different players getting on the score sheet
It is hard to recall a period in which England have had greater strength in depth than now
Wilson scored the side’s fourth goal in the match, his second for England in seven games
And then your mind was thrown back to this time last year, June 14, when Southgate experienced his nadir as England coach, losing 4-0 at Molineux to Hungary in that dire Nations League campaign, which saw them defeated by Italy and the Hungarians twice. ‘You don’t know what you’re doing,’ was the soundtrack to that humiliation. Southgate even considered briefly whether the negativity meant he should quit pre-World Cup. All that now looks a weird aberration.
France, who will be England’s principal rival at Euro 2024, also managed to foul up their Nations League campaign and so Europe’s two best national teams are nowhere near today’s Nations League final in Rotterdam.
Hard though it is to project 12 months ahead — football moves fast — based on where we stand on Sunday, it might only take a quirk of the draw which pits England and France against each other early in the tournament to prevent them contesting next year’s Euros final. Portugal might have a shout of defeating either team on a good day, if they can solve their Ronaldo issue, which is broadly the same as Manchester United’s was.
But the heavyweights of Italy, Spain, Germany and Holland are a significant step behind England and France. Croatia and Belgium are passing their peak, notwithstanding the fact Croatia might lift the trophy today, fitting reward for Luka Modric and his generation.
This may all seem bombastic yet it is just the cold analysis of playing strength. England’s weaknesses in early Southgate years were the unreliability of the goalkeeper, the centre-halves, and a lack of midfield creative fluidity.
Jordan Pickford has ridden an era in which being good with your feet is now recognised as being more important than the odd mistake and he has never let England down in a tournament. John Stones is one of the world’s best centre-halves and on Monday against North Macedonia a further string may be added to England’s bow: he could reprise his club role of stepping into midfield. ‘We need to keep studying and learning because the game is constantly evolving in front of our eyes with the way European club football is,’ said Southgate on Friday.
England have fared well in the group stages and will qualify at the top of group C
Trent Alexander-Arnold put on a spectacular performance also finding the back of the net
Gareth Southgate also played young star Eberechi Eze (left) during the match
And so to the midfield. It is perhaps now England’s strength rather than the problem area that had Southgate playing 5-3-2 in 2018. The principal reason for that change wasn’t even here on Friday night. Injured Jude Bellingham has instead been charming Madrid. Knowing Bellingham, he will soon be talking sense in Spanish too. If he walks as well as he talks — and there is no reason to believe this generational talent won’t — then Bellingham can be the key that unlocks a trophy.
‘He has adapted to everything he’s needed to in short period,’ said Southgate, who spent time with him at St George’s Park earlier this month discussing his imminent move. ‘He has adapted to living away from home in Germany really well. When he came into our group, he was coming into higher-profile players and big characters. He had the humility off the field to get in with the group but the determination on the pitch to earn respect. So I’m sure he’ll find that balance at Madrid. It’s a wonderful opportunity for him.’
Then there is Declan Rice. He is much more than a holding midfielder but can play the role with aplomb as Kalvin Phillips’ career trajectory flatlines for the moment. And then there is Trent Alexander-Arnold. It was four weeks ago that Southgate arranged one-on-one time with the Liverpool full-back, cause célèbre of any Southgate sceptic, to talk him through his route into this England team via midfield, an audition that could hardly have gone better in Malta.
‘I had a chat with him about it and he was excited,’ said Southgate. ‘We talked detailed specifics: “What would that [midfield] look like and where did I see it?” He asked intelligent questions.’
Alexander-Arnold is probably England’s best long-range passer since David Beckham and Paul Scholes, so it’s been odd that a place hasn’t been found for him: Southgate has managed 84 games now and Alexander-Arnold has 19 caps.
Southgate added: ‘For me, the most pleasing part is that a lot of time with England it has been difficult, not the relationship, as I’ve always got on well with him… but you’re giving him a lot of confidence 1687051323 because you’re investing in him and something specific where he will have a different feel about it. I’m sure he’ll have enjoyed this game more than any other. I’ve always said he’s a talent we’re trying to find a way with; he’s been unfortunate we have such quality and experienced right-backs.
‘It’s hard to give somebody faith [when not picking them]. It’s a bit like we went to tournaments with five or six wingers. You can’t have them all believe they’re the favourite son because, in the end, you can’t justify that with your actions. Whenever you’re putting other players in, it’s inevitably going to hit somebody’s confidence.
Harry Kane (right) also scored from the spot during the match netting his 56th England goal
Marcus Rashford also proved pivotal for England after a standout season with Man United
‘But that doesn’t mean I haven’t seen the quality of the player or had belief in what’s possible. I don’t think we can say after a game against opponents like this: “That’s it, it’s there.” I said beforehand it might not be perfect. I’m sure there are going to be challenges he won’t have faced but he did brilliantly and it’s really exciting going forward.’
There’s another twist to England’s midfield three. When injury forced Kevin De Bruyne off in last weekend’s Champions League final it was Phil Foden who took over for Manchester City.
It is hard to recall a period of greater strength in depth. England started Friday with Foden, Grealish and Rashford on the bench. We haven’t even mentioned Mason Mount or Raheem Sterling.
Bellingham, Kane, Foden, Grealish, Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Bukayo Saka, Kyle Walker… and that is not an exhaustive list. All can hold their own against the world’s best. A year is a long time in football. Yet as the longest season finally draws to a close, it’s hard not to wish for time to fast forward.
