Southgate ponders tough choices as Euro 2024 looms

LONDON, MAR 27: Gareth Southgate has watched his final England international before he names his Euro 2024 squad. Now he faces tough decisions that could make or break the campaign.

Jude Bellingham scored a last-gasp equaliser in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Wembley on Tuesday, which lifted the mood after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Brazil at the weekend.

Friendlies are not a reliable predictor of a teams likely performance when the pressure is truly on but Southgate gleaned important information about his men over the two matches in London.
England will travel to Germany in June among the favourites to win the European Championship for the first time after coming up agonisingly short against Italy in the final in 2021.

In what could be Southgates last hurrah as England boss, the pressure will be intense on the side to finally deliver a first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

The manager, who has been at the helm since 2016, admits he will have to take stock of his resources, especially given the spate of injuries that has disrupted his preparations.

"Id have to sit and go through it all because Im a little bit lost as to who weve got and we haven really," he said after the draw against Belgium, who are ranked fourth in the world, one place below England.

"The great thing is definitely some players have emerged positively from the opportunities theyve had so weve perhaps got more depth in one respect but the injuries are a concern.

"Weve got so many players missing at the moment and weve still got the real heat of the (club) season to come, the intensity of the games, whats resting on the games.

"We e not going to know what we e left with until right at the end but well just make the best decisions that we possibly can."

The reality is that if England have a clean bill of health, there will be limited places up for grabs in the 23-man squad.

Despite a flat performance against Brazil -- the teams first defeat since they lost to France at the 2022 World Cup --  England showed over the two games they have attacking strength in depth.

In the absence of the injured Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka, who are both certainties for the Euros, Jarrod Bowen and Ivan Toney, making his first England start, impressed their manager, with Toney scoring a penalty.

Midfield looks strong, with Bellingham and Declan Rice certain starters, but Manchester United starlet Kobbie Mainoo appears close to booking his place on the plane after just two caps.

Southgate said the 18-year-old prodigy, who has played just 15 times for United in the Premier League, gives England a "different profile of midfield player to anything else weve got".

"His attributes are there for everybody to see, that ability to receive under pressure and ride challenges, to manipulate the ball in tight areas," he said.

"Hes adapted and adjusted brilliantly. You can believe his age really, that hes taken it all in his stride."

But doubts linger over whether England have what it takes in defence, particularly in central areas, with costly errors blighting the performances against Brazil and Belgium.    —AFP