MARTIN KEOWN: We want a new centre back to step up for England and now is the time to prove it… but it is Levi Colwill who excites me most
England’s future two video games are the great opportunity for centre backs to stage up Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi , Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Dunk are in working to start Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It truly is All Kicking Off
This camp represents the fantastic chance for England’s 4 new central defenders to go into Saturday night’s Euro 2024 qualifier versus Ukraine and Tuesday’s 150th anniversary welcoming with Scotland and prove why they should have to perform intercontinental football.
Harry Maguire should get started at centre again versus Ukraine. He has normally been applied as a scapegoat at Manchester United – unfairly, in my feeling – and thoroughly justified his inclusion in England’s squad for the 2022 Earth Cup by excelling throughout the tournament.
Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Dunk only have eight caps concerning them. But with the injury to England’s very best John Stones, who from this quartet will demonstrate they are ready to stage up upcoming to Maguire?
The emphasis on acquiring the skillset necessary by a centre back again has obviously altered about time. Academy coaches now teach central defenders how to build enjoy from the back again.
Levi Colwill has been speedy-tracked to the Chelsea 1st staff and is in line for an England debut
Gareth Southgate has some huge calls to make in choosing who he picks in central defence
Even with not featuring for Guy Utd, Harry Maguire stays a massive section of England’s success
Your browser does not aid iframes.
The Premier League is comprehensive of possession-based mostly teams and we are averaging 949 passes per activity — additional than ever right before. But the basics of defending ought to by no means change.
Becoming in a position to study the game. Identifying risk early. Using the ball off your opponent. Becoming dominant in the air. Obtaining the suitable mentality and mentality. Getting aggressive and identified.
You require to shell out time on the schooling ground functioning on the particulars of defending – marking from crosses, not acquiring too limited to your opponent when the ball is performed in to their ft, working with a person-v-just one predicaments when your full back again has still left your aspect. Central defenders need all these vital characteristics – as perfectly as, now, remaining ready to make a telling ahead pass.
It is hard to have all of them. Bobby Moore was the finest England defender we have seen but even he was accused of lacking pace. He built up for that with all the things else he experienced to offer you.
Colwill, Guehi, Tomori and Dunk all have their strengths as nicely as places they want to establish.
Lewis Dunk’s excellent form with Brighton could see him earn a second cap for his country
Marc Guehi (left) and Fikayo Tomori (ideal) are two extra gamers vying for a centre again slot
Colwill, the youngest of this quartet at 20, has been quick-tracked into the fold but has received anything in his locker except encounter. He is the most exciting of the 4, while we have to have to be careful presented he has only built 21 Premier League appearances.
Guehi, 23, is quick, cellular and decent in possession but requires to be far more dominant in the air.
Tomori, 25, can spot hazard but could do better from crosses. Dunk, 31, is underrated in his very long-selection passing and marking from crosses but can appear vulnerable in a single-v-just one situations.
When you symbolize your region as a younger international, there will often be all those who doubt no matter whether you belong at this level. I faced people accusations myself.
The most significant detail is to have a strong self-perception. Relish it. Love it. Glance all over at all the great talent in the midfield and front strains and establish you deserve to be part of the defensive potential of this emerging England workforce.
