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The English football team has a lot to prove on the international level. Their performance in recent World Cups have been ordinary and not up to the expectations of their home fans. Gareth Southgate, the Manager would be hoping that his team goes as ahead as possible during the Mega-event in June later this year.
Let's have a look at how Gareth Southgate should use a 4-3-3 formation to build a strong and balanced lineup
Goalkeeper and defenders
England don't boast of world-class keepers but from given choices, they should go with Jack Butland over Joe Hart. Butland has been a better performer than the latter this season. He has made 1.49 saves per goal as compared to Hart's 1.1 saves per goal. Butland's distribution accuracy is also slightly better than his counterpart (53% as compared to 50%). Butland surely has a long way to go in his career but he should be the one guarding the sticks this time while Hart becomes the second choice keeper for Southgate.
The first name in the defensive line has to be Gary Cahill. The experienced centre-back would be captaining the side for the tournament. The Chelsea star has been playing well in the premier league so far. He has made one important interception almost every game apart from his 88% passing completion. Cahill also has a 100% successful take-on rate.
The other centre-back spot is occupied by John Stones. The 23-year-old has been a very good defender for Manchester City. Playing under Guardiola, Stones has completed 96% of his passes and also boasts a perfect 100% successful take-on rate. He seems to be a dependable defender for the English side.
Phil Jones and Chris Smalling can be the substitutes for the centre-half position.
On the right-back spot, we have another Manchester city player in Kyle Walker. He has been performing outstandingly for City this season. He has created 21 chances in the Premier League and also has five assists to his name. The attacking full-back will surely be a key player for Southgate.
On the left side, we have Ryan Bertrand. The Southampton starter is a very balanced footballer. He has created 26 chances and made three assists in the League for his side but he is more about his defensive abilities. He has also made 32 crucial interceptions for Southampton.
Luke Shaw and Danny Rose can be great alternatives for the left-back spot.
Midfielders
One of the defensive-midfield spots is occupied by Eric Dier. The 24-year-old is a versatile player that can play in the midfield or as a centre-back and even as a right-back. Southgate would be willing to make use of his abilities in the defensive midfield spot.
Apart from a decent 86% pass completion rate, Dier also has made 35 interceptions in the League. He surely knows how to break the opposition's play and maintain the momentum of the game for his side.
Now we have Adam Lallana in the midfield role besides Dier. He has played only seven games in the league so far and created eight chances. Southgate would be trusting Adam in the midfield because of the experience and physicality he brings to the team.
Jordan Henderson or Harry Winks can be the alternatives.
In the attacking midfield role, we have Dele Alli. This player is one of the best young talents in the world right now and he rightly deserves his first-team spot. Alli has been instrumental for Spurs this season. He already has five goals and seven assists to his name.
Apart from this, he has created a massive number of chances for his side in the league, 52 chances to be precise. Alli surely lacks some experience but Southgate knows that he is the best man for the job. Ross Barkley can be the substitute player in this position.
Forwards
On the left flank, we got with the man who is in red-hot form, Raheem Sterling. The Manchester City winger is blisteringly quick and reads the game very well. He is also great with the ball at his feet. Sterling has 15 goals and 6 assists to his name in the league so far. The 23-year-old has also created more than 41 chances for Pep's side. Sterling seems to be the perfect choice for the wide position.
On the right flank, Southgate can utilize Jesse Lingard. The Manchester United star has been playing exceptionally well for Mourinho. Lingard has been directly involved in 11 goals in the league so far. He is a brilliant dribbler and a great passer of the ball. He also possesses an 87% pass completion rate apart from the 21 chances he has created.
Finally, we have Harry Kane in the striker's spot. This man is arguably one of the best strikers in the world right now. He has scored 30 goals combined in the Premier League and Champions League already. Southgate can blindly trust Kane for doing the job for his team and Kane would also be hoping to maintain his amazing goal-scoring run till the World Cup in June.
Marcus Rashford can be a great backup for any position in the final third and Jamie Vardy can help out in the centre-forward spot.
Playing XI
GK - Jack Butland
CB - Gary Cahill
CB - John Stones
LB - Ryan Bertrand
RB - Kyle Walker
CM - Eric Dier
CM - Adam Lallana
AM - Dele Alli
LW - Raheem Sterling
RW - Jesse Lingard
ST - Harry Kane
