da imperador bet： We are at risk of a Lampard-Gerrard conundrum with Dele Alli and Ross Barkley, but fear not, we have the answers.
da fezbet： The Spurs and Everton youngsters have both been superb for their respective clubs this season and, without question, should be starting for England in the Euros this summer. However, it is not just the short-term that is of concern, Alli and Barkley must central to England’s midfield in the long-term, way past this summer in France and way beyond any potential transfers for either player.
Dele Alli, in particular, has proven himself to be one of the most gifted U21 players in the world. Mauricio Pochettino has moulded the young midfielder into a complete package and the difference between Alli and Barkley at this point is the management they have had. Ross Barkley’s development under Pochettino would’ve been astonishing, but the Toffee has still warranted a starting place this summer.
England now face quite a midfield predicament. 4-3-3 simply has to be the way that Hodgson goes this summer, there is no other option. The risk of a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 is too high, whilst a diamond midfield might be the way that Hodgson finds a happy medium between the two.
Alli and Barkley, although many will disagree, can play in a three man midfield together. England’s longest running midfield problem has been the anchor man. Mark Noble will make a claim for this role, whilst Carrick and Barry have finally gone out of contention, but, for what its worth, I think Eric Dier has to be the man to play that role. The former Sporting Lisbon man has been a revelation in the Spurs midfield and his background as a defender makes him a rock solid cover in front of England’s rocky back four. Whether England opt for a narrow diamond or a more adventurous 4-3-3, the ‘number 6’ is crucial to giving protection to the central defenders.
Alli and Barkley both offer physicality that Adam Lallana or Jack Wilshere (whose continued absence through injury should rule him out of Euro contention) would not and both the young midfielders have the engines to contribute in both boxes. Dier would give freedom for the two to contribute in the final third, whilst a diamond midfield would allow one to play as a 10 and make room for Jordan Henderson to provide extra legs in midfield.
Wayne Rooney, if Hodgson goes for a 4-3-3, will be left out of the XI. Rooney’s inconsistent form this season does not warrant a starting berth ahead of Jamie Vardy or Harry Kane, who should both be starting the first group game. A 4-3-3 would give Vardy a space to play as wide man and make his electric runs between the centre and full backs, whilst Harry Kane has the link-up play to slot in Alli, Barkley or the wingers as they run beyond.
Defensively, Dele Alli is streets ahead of Lallana, Barkley and Henderson, with more interceptions and tackles per 90 minutes than any of the other three and contributing more goals quite comfortably. Alli must be guaranteed a starting place in the Euros for this summer and, despite a lot of his success coming in a more advanced role, could easily be used in a slightly deeper role in England’s midfield. Barkley has less defensive awareness than the Spurs man and would be the man pushed into a more advanced area.
England, for all their inexperience, have a lot of attacking talent in their current squad. Hodgson’s best hope of creating a team that can go into the latter stages of the Euros this summer is to build off a similar blueprint to that at both Tottenham and Liverpool. Intensity will be key, power, pace and quick transitions are the way that England can provide a fright for some of the more serene European nations.
Statistically, no English midfielder comes close to Alli this season. Alli is streets ahead of the other three mentioned in goals scored, interceptions, blocks, tackles won and shot accuracy.
However, Alli cannot do it all alone and England need the third natural midfielder if they are to have the success this summer; Ross Barkley should be that man. Barkley and Alli can fit into the England team together and, if Hodgson is serious about picking on form, he must do it for both the long and short-term benefit of one of the world’s greatest underachieving sports teams.
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