This understated England team are not universally popular but have the tools to win at Wembley and change their narrative
“Gareth Southgate, the whole of England is with you!” Is it, though? As Southgate prepares to send his injury-free, defensively unbreached, quietly purposeful England team into the last-16 tie against Germany on Tuesday night, two things stand out.
First, it is hard to recall such a talented, well-set England team approaching a tournament knockout tie so grudgingly praised in their own country. Welcome to England 2021, a place where even the football feels a little seasick right now. And second, like it or not, rail against the simplicity, draw attention instead to the process if you must – but this is a moment that will define the progress of Southgate’s England.
Related: Hitting on the counter is the smart option for England to beat Germany | Karen Carney
Related: England and Germany are both works in progress, but Southgate has more stability | Philipp Lahm
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