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59 min This is England’s best spell of the match. Rice plays a crisp pass into Mount, who takes it nicely in his stride on the edge of the area but then runs into trouble.
59 min “Hi Rob,” says Alan Hempton. “Can’t agree with your assertion that playing a back four is risky if you don’t have a world-class centre half. Most countries don’t have a world-class centre half, and more play with a back four than don’t. Picking a balanced back four which can cover each other’s weaknesses seems the way to go. Mings has been good on the left, so pick the most reliable right-footer and we’re good to go.”
When I said ‘world-class’, I was being polite. Let’s say you have a back four of James/Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Maguire (or Mings) and Chilwell, with protection from Rice and Henderson. Would you feel safe with that? I can understand Southgate’s slight caution, especially when he has all his forwards (and wing-backs, who are important in this system) available.
Written by Rob Smyth
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/nov/15/belgium-v-england-nations-league-live under the title “Belgium v England: Nations League – live!”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
