England vs Slovenia: How Should England Lineup?

The time has come, then. England's final group stage game takes place tonight, as the Three Lions face Slovenia in what is their last chance to really show something special before we arrive at the business end of the tournament. After two disappointing games to open the competition, the writers at El Chumbazo each propose a potential lineup which they believe would get the best out of the talented squad Southgate has at his disposal.

Jack Bailey's Lineup: Restore Tactical Balance.

England. Where to begin. Many problems have arisen in this team from the first two games, and I have had some time to think about the lineup I think would get this team firing.

My lineup that I have picked is based around getting the best out of our best players. Pickford obviously keeps his spot in goal. I have kept the back four the same from the opening two games. I have actually been impressed with us defensively, with the only goal we conceded coming from the midfield not stepping up quickly enough. It’s been a great tournament for Marc Guehi & John Stones at centre back and I don’t think either has done anything to deserve to be dropped. You could argue Trent could come in for Kyle Walker, but with Walker's pace and effectiveness in the first two games, I will opt for him. Shaw would ideally come in for Trippier, but as he doesn’t look quite ready to start yet, I will keep Trippier.

The midfield 3 is where I will make some changes. I’ve opted for a 433, instead of the 4231 Gareth has been playing. This is much for the benefit of Harry Kane, as well as the team. Harry Kane has not been working in the 4231. He likes to drop deep where the number 10 is, which has led to Jude having to roam around elsewhere, leaving our positioning for attacking opportunities a nightmare! Play the 433, any Harry Kane has a bit more free rein to drop deeper, and then the two wingers cut inside, but we’ll get onto them shortly. Bellingham and Rice will play in the 8, with my first change of the lineup playing in the 6, this being Adam Wharton. My reason for this? Three words; Two. Touch. Passes. These England players love to drive with the ball, which is great, but we lack the high tempo of moving the ball around quickly. Wharton would give us this, being able to play quick, forward passes, breaking the lines into Jude & Rice in the 8, so they can then turn & drive into more space. I think Wharton is the kind of player we are screaming out for in this team!

Harry Kane, as discussed, is my number 9, and on the right wing I would keep Bukayo Saka, but I would take Foden out of the left & replace him with Anthony Gordon. Gordon would fit my system well with Kane dropping deep & Gordon making inverted runs. Because of trippier constantly coming inside too, we need an out & out winger to also be able to hold the width on the left hand side until Shaw comes in. With Luke shaw on the left, you can make a case that Foden could come back into the side, but for now I think Southgate needs to sacrifice Foden for the better of what the team needs. Gordon’s pace will also add some much much MUCH needed pace into this England team. We have seriously lacked tempo control in the first two games, looking really slow. Gordon’s pace and darting runs in behind would change this and add a new dynamic for England.

George Frith's Lineup: If you're good enough, you're old enough.

In my opinion, wholesale changes need to take place if England are to enter into the knockout rounds with any sense of confidence. Whilst I am aware that there is more chance of us playing against Wales in the round of 16 than Gareth selecting the lineup I have created below, I do believe that it would allow us to play the fluid, fast, confident football which we saw for the first half of the Serbia game moving forward.

Starting from the back, Pickford is the obvious choice in goal and one of the few England players who have performed to the best of their ability in the opening two games. I've dropped Trent back to his natural right-back position. This is because it is clear that the midfield experiment has not worked. He has been exceptionally quiet in the middle of the park and has seemed to struggle with the physicality we have faced thus far. Stones and Guehi don't require too much explanation; the two have adapted well to form a strong partnership in the absence of Harry Maguire. I've opted for Walker on the left-hand side, purely down to ability. I understand it is not his natural side, but neither is it Trippier's, and we can only hope that Luke Shaw is able to return from the start of the knockouts (we've learned on the day of writing that Shaw is back in training with the first-team, a positive bit of news, however, it looks to be too soon to expect the Manchester United man to start against Slovenia).

Adam Wharton, then. It would be an incredibly bold move for Wharton to line up a Bellingham from the outset, however, he would provide a key role in moving the ball quickly in possession, something England have noticeably lacked so far. Wharton is also much more of a traditional 6 than Rice, who shines when given the ability to drive the ball forward. Rice's performance against Denmark was incredibly poor, and Wharton fits the role better and has yet to be given a chance. This is as good a chance as any to let him show what he can do. Bellingham playing as an 8 in my system would also allow us to get the best out of him. With Trent at right-back, able to invert and cover, Bellingham would retain the amount of freedom which we all so desperately want him to play with. I've moved Foden into the number 10 role, where a less congested midfield may allow him to shine following two really poor showings so far. I would not be against Foden losing his place, however, which could allow Eze to move centrally and Gordon to start on the wing. In terms of that left wing position, Eze gets in based on personal preference, but Gordon would be equally capable of holding the width which England have lacked. Kane and Saka retain their spots, however, Palmer and Watkins both need to get minutes during this game, and so these would be my first substitutes midway through the second half.

Jack Heath's Lineup: Watkins and Kane the Ideal Strike Partnership?

The key issue that we've had is not enough width, lack of tactical cohesion and runs in behind. I believe my team offers some solutions to the problems. Setting up in a 4-4-2, matching that of Slovenia, this formation provides us with solidity and support.

Firstly, Trent has to be at right-back. The Liverpool man is not a double-pivot midfielder, it's not what he was doing at Liverpool and he shouldn't be doing so with England. If played at RB, Trent will be able to find the angles to deliver sensational Hollywood passes across the pitch including giving Kane the service he deserves. Moreover, playing at RB offers Trent the option to either overlap Saka on the wing or to invert into a midfield 3 with Rice and Bellingham when we are in possession of the ball in Slovenia's half. Slovenia will sit in deep and look to counter so having 3 ball-playing midfielders (Trent included) will be key to breaking down their low block.

I have no complaints with Pickford, Stones and Guéhi who have all played well so far. Walker I prefer to Trippier simply for his recovery pace. Trippier has played well this tournament but Slovenia's pace on the counter-attack will likely be their only way to threaten. When Trent inverts, Walker forms a 3 at the back, operating as a sweeper for if we lose possession.

Saka has been one of our shining lights this tournament and retains his spot. On the left, Gordon is a no-brainer. A natural out-and-out left-winger, Gordon will hold the width and will get at the Slovenian defence. Equally, his work off the ball should be noted. He will recover the ball quickly and is used to a pressing style under Eddie Howe at Newcastle.

The central pairing of Rice and Bellingham was a tricky one to decide on. Neither are 6s and neither are 10s. Both are better as 8s, progressing the ball from back to front with their characteristic drives on the ball. Slow, methodical passing will not break down a rigid Slovenian side, thus both should be looking to drive at the defence. I do think here, Wharton could certainly replace Rice as he is superb as a double pivot, being press-resistant and able to aid in attacking build-up play.

Up front, Kane has been far too isolated this tournament and is crying out for a strike partner. For me, Watkins provides the best option. If we look back to successful striker partnerships over the history of football, having a target man and a willing runner is a superb attacking duo. I'm thinking prime Deeney and Ighalo at Watford, Dzeko and Agüero at Manchester City and Trezeguet and Del Piero at Juventus to name a few. Kane thrives off of runners from his time at Spurs and Bayern Munich, Watkins will provide that dynamism. Additionally, Kane will be able to drop deeper if needed to pick up the ball and assist with build-up play. Furthermore, Watkins is accustomed to pressing from the front at Villa and can be the trigger point to start the press.

Notable Absentees and Impact Subs

I've not been impressed by Phil Foden at all. Although against Denmark he got more on the ball, for me, he is a system player. Under Guardiola he is a magician who only needs to focus on the attacking side of his game. Under Southgate, I think he is too selfish and doesn't help out the whole team, nor knows how to do so. As an impact sub off the bench, I think he could be a great wildcard in the latter stages of the game, especially if we take a striker off and move to a 4-2-3-1 with him as the 10.

I wanted to find a way to get Cole Palmer into the team, but just couldn't find a way. Again, there is an argument to set up in a 4-2-3-1 with Palmer at CAM as well. Either way, Palmer has to get some minutes against Slovenia, either coming on for Kane and going to CAM or playing on the right instead of Saka.

Gallagher and Wharton would add some needed energy and control in the latter stages of the match should we be in the lead, coming on in the centre. Equally, Bowen and Eze can both come on on the wings for Gordon and Saka to work hard to win the ball back and carry it up the pitch.

If we were happy with the 4-4-2, Toney would be a like for like swap for Kane. I don't think we would see him this game, but it can be argued that against a physical Slovenian backline with Bijol and Drkušić, he would keep them at bay.