An attacking unit that seemed to be overloaded with talent has become too reliant on Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling
would presumably soldier on with Tammy Abraham – although Southgate hardly glowed about the Roma player’s performance at Molineux – or flirt with a false 9, perhaps Phil Foden. Kane will always provoke the most concern but the prospect of a spluttery Sterling scratched at a sore that has been developing elsewhere in England’s attack.
Both struggled during an awful Manchester United season; Sancho’s uptick in form towards the end of the campaign may give him greater hope of a recall but it is asking a lot for either to garner the momentum between August and October that may restore their international manager’s confidence.Of the others who may hold aspirations of dislodging this month’s crop, Emile Smith Rowe cannot be discounted but needs to ally a repeat of his early-season form with a robustness that is not yet evident.
Assuming Southgate opts for a back four when England begin their Qatar 2022 campaign against Iran, that would leave a choice between Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Jarrod Bowen for the other wide spot. The argument for Foden has possibly been improved by his own absence with Covid-19, given the paucity of England’s offering, although there are still questions around where he fits in.