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MARTIN KEOWN: We will need a new centre again to stage up for England and now is the time to verify it… but it can be Levi Colwill who excites me most

MARTIN KEOWN: We will need a new centre again to stage up for England and now is the time to verify it… but it can be Levi Colwill who excites me most


England’s subsequent two games are the best opportunity for centre backs to action up Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi , Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Dunk are in working to start Listen to the most current episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It is All Kicking Off 

This camp represents the best chance for England’s 4 new central defenders to go into Saturday night’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine and Tuesday’s 150th anniversary helpful with Scotland and show why they should have to play worldwide soccer.

Harry Maguire need to start off at centre back towards Ukraine. He has usually been utilized as a scapegoat at Manchester United – unfairly, in my view – and absolutely justified his inclusion in England’s squad for the 2022 Planet Cup by excelling all through the event.

Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori and Lewis Dunk only have eight caps in between them. But with the harm to England’s very best John Stones, who from this quartet will show they are all set to action up up coming to Maguire?

The emphasis on acquiring the skillset necessary by a centre back again has clearly changed over time. Academy coaches now train central defenders how to acquire play from the back.

Levi Colwill has been fast-tracked to the Chelsea first team and is in line for an England debut

Levi Colwill has been rapidly-tracked to the Chelsea first workforce and is in line for an England debut

Gareth Southgate has some big calls to make in choosing who he picks in central defence

Gareth Southgate has some big phone calls to make in selecting who he picks in central defence 

Despite not featuring for Man Utd, Harry Maguire remains a big part of England's success

In spite of not showcasing for Male Utd, Harry Maguire continues to be a massive portion of England’s success 

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The Premier League is total of possession-based mostly teams and we are averaging 949 passes for each game — much more than ever just before. But the fundamentals of defending really should under no circumstances improve. 

Remaining capable to examine the sport. Identifying threat early. Getting the ball off your opponent. Getting dominant in the air. Owning the appropriate mentality and mentality. Becoming intense and decided.

You need to have to devote time on the teaching ground doing the job on the particulars of defending – marking from crosses, not receiving as well restricted to your opponent when the ball is performed in to their toes, dealing with a single-v-a person circumstances when your complete back again has still left your facet. Central defenders will need all these critical characteristics – as perfectly as, now, currently being in a position to make a telling ahead go.

It is difficult to have all of them. Bobby Moore was the best England defender we have noticed but even he was accused of missing tempo. He produced up for that with anything else he had to supply.

Colwill, Guehi, Tomori and Dunk all have their strengths as well as spots they require to produce.

Lewis Dunk's excellent form with Brighton could see him earn a second cap for his country

Lewis Dunk’s excellent variety with Brighton could see him earn a second cap for his country 

Palace defender Guehi is quick and mobile
Tomori has won a Serie A title whilst with AC Milan

Marc Guehi (remaining) and Fikayo Tomori (ideal) are two extra players vying for a centre again slot 

Colwill, the youngest of this quartet at 20, has been speedy-tracked into the fold but has got every thing in his locker apart from experience. He is the most interesting of the four, while we want to be careful supplied he has only manufactured 21 Premier League appearances.

Guehi, 23, is rapid, mobile and good in possession but needs to be additional dominant in the air. 

Tomori, 25, can location risk but could do better from crosses. Dunk, 31, is underrated in his extensive-variety passing and marking from crosses but can glance vulnerable in a single-v-a single situations.

When you symbolize your state as a young global, there will constantly be all those who question whether you belong at this degree. I confronted all those accusations myself.

The most important factor is to have a highly effective self-belief. Relish it. Delight in it. Appear all over at all the excellent talent in the midfield and entrance traces and show you are entitled to to be element of the defensive long run of this emerging England workforce.

It’s ALL KICKING OFF!