Tottenham should provide template for England

Gareth Southgate’s England struggled much as Tottenham do in Wembley Stadium on Thursday, but there are lessons to be learned from their co-tenants.

While on paper it’s difficult to criticize a win that earned England a spot in the 2018 World Cup, over the course of the 90 minutes on Thursday it was clear a new play book was needed — perhaps one provided by Tottenham.

Injury and suspension kept the number of Tottenham starters in the side limited to just Harry Kane and Eric Dier. Kyle Walker — late of Spurs, now of Manchester City — also started the match, while both Kieran Trippier and Harry Winks sat on the bench.

Were he healthy, Danny Rose would likely have been given a start. A knee problem that has lingered since mid-way through last season keeps him sidelined however, with no return date in sight.

A rude gesture in England’s last match against Slovakia — reportedly directed in jest at Walker — kept Dele Alli from starting this match, though he will presumably be in Southgate’s squad for the final qualifying match against Lithuania on Sunday.

That match will be reduced to the status of a friendly however after this win over Slovenia. Kane’s goal — his 11th for England — reflects the run of play for the full 90 minutes, but it came deep into stoppage time.

Prior to that, England struggled to do anything with their 67% share of possession. The passing, while accurate, was often uninspired. When the ball did reach one of Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, their lack of invention made it easy for Slovenia for clear the ball out of danger again and again.

More from Tottenham News

• Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
• Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
• Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
• Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
• Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help

To their credit, England’s defense did what was necessary to smother Slovenia’s brief forays forward. This was never not going to be at least a draw for the home side.

A win and the qualification for football’s most vaunted and storied competition cloud over these details, much to England’s detriment.

The fact is that in no scenario will this level of play ensure England progress from next summer’s group stages. FIFA has ensured that the field is shallower than ever, but as this match — and last summer’s elimination at the hands of Iceland at Euro 2016 — prove, the Three Lions take minnows lightly at their own peril.

Short of an overhaul that England simply do not have time for, what can Southgate do? The lede in this piece is that he should take cues from Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham side, but is that really practical at the international level?

In many ways, no. Pochettino relies on a level of coordination and synchronicity that can only be engineered through countless hours on the training pitch. Southgate gets his team for maybe a month total prior to next summer’s tournament in Russia. The rest of the time his team is playing for clubs scattered around the Premier League, many with little to no similarity to one another tactically.

Centering England’s core around Tottenham players, though, should provide Southgate with just enough of Pochettino’s spark. A healthy Rose and a more disciplined Alli will fill vital roles in Southgate’s side, as could Winks is his career trajectory keeps pace.

It’s not too hard to imagine a spine that includes Dier, Alli and Kane, with Rose and Walker in support. That was essentially the core of the team Roy Hodgson tried and failed to push through last summer’s European Championship. Hodgson’s failure to properly use the weapons at his disposal should not be laid at Tottenham’s feet however.

Next: Tottenham legend might miss homecoming

The problem is that that core of talent isn’t enough. Southgate needs to build a side that permits them to play their best game. Rose needs to be able to run forward, Kane needs the support of a pseudo-forward like Alli right behind him, and Dier needs to be balanced out with a person who can reliably move possession forward from midfield.

Some of these conditions were present in Thursday’s win, but not nearly enough for England to find enough rhythm to see out the match before the 94th minute. The return of Rose and Alli will improve matters, but doubling down on the considerable resources Tottenham have provided will suit Southgate well.