‘Back to our best players’: Is Southgate’s loyalty a risk too far?

England Gareth Southgate says he must “back our best players” after a dramatic draw with Germany, but as the Three Lions head into the World Cup on a six-match unbeaten run, the loyalty of is the coach a “risk too far”?

However, ahead of November’s World Cup in Qatar, as hosts, there were signs of encouragement came from 2-0 down to draw 3-3 with Germany at Wembley.

Goals from Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and a Harry Kane penalty looked to have turned the game in England’s favour, before Kai Havertz doubled Germany’s lead in the first half after Ilkay’s opener Gundogan from the moment, contributed his second end to the draw.

Shaw and Manchester United team-mate Harry Maguire, who scored the penalty, are among the players Southgate has questioned over a lack of game time for his club.

“I know everyone will focus on Harry, but there were some really big moments that Harry delivered in both games,” Southgate said, also referring to Friday’s 1-0 defeat in Italy.

“Luke was another example of someone who is an exceptional footballer, so what do we do? Do we not pick Luke Shaw because he doesn’t play enough football, or do we pick a player who can do what you saw tonight?

“This is always going to be debated, but I think at the moment we have to back our best and most experienced players, unless we find ourselves in a situation where it’s almost untenable and impossible to pick them.”

“England players asked for a meeting”

England were relegated from the Nations League on Friday after defeat by Italy in Milan and had not scored in open play in five games before Monday’s thrilling draw at Wembley.

Southgate said the performance showed his group “have really come together this week” and it has been a “tough period for the team but they have grown”.

“One of the things was they asked if they could have a meeting on their own to talk things over,” he said. “That was, for me, such a positive sign.

“The best football teams, of course, need great leadership from the coaches and everything else, but the best teams have a real core of players who drive things.”

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, England captain Kane added: “You saw the determination, the passion and the desire to wear that England shirt.

“We can have positive feelings going into the World Cup – I think you saw the real England in the last half hour of this game.”

“Important six weeks for Maguire”

Coming into the international break, one of the talking points was who would start at centre-back, but Southgate opted to stick with Maguire, despite being on the bench for Manchester United’s last four Premier League games.

The 29-year-old’s mistakes in this game will put his place under more scrutiny, but Southgate has a history of being the strong boss in his decision-making.

Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of the matchday 23, with Southgate routinely preferring Reece James, Kyle Walker and Kieran Tripper in recent years despite the former’s impressive form.

James Maddison has been left out of the squad despite scoring seven goals and claiming four more in his last 10 Premier League games.

“Gareth is being loyal to players who haven’t let him down in the past,” former England striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“What’s going to be a bigger problem is if those guys get very little playing time in the next couple of months. It’s going to become a big problem.

“That’s going to be a big problem in the first game. It’s a big risk and maybe a risk too far.”

Former England midfielder Joe Cole added to Channel 4: “Harry Maguire was under a lot of scrutiny before the game and he made a mistake.

“The next six weeks are very important in Harry’s career. Every day is an opportunity to build his confidence.”

“Build a team around Bellingham”

A bright spark in the draw, and Friday’s defeat to Italy in Milan, was the performance of 19-year-old midfielder Jude Bellingham, who won the penalty and was full of energy and quality.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder had the most touches (67), attempted the most passes (45) and completed the most accurate passes (41) by an England player.

He also took three shots – the most by an England player – and was a key figure in England’s high and aggressive press in the second half, making six tackles in Germany’s box, most a player from England.

Sutton said England “need to build a team around Jude Bellingham”.

“Everything Bellingham did was positive,” Sutton added. “He was always looking forward and he doesn’t take the easy option.

“Bellingham has wonderful awareness and grit. When you have a player this young and talented, why wouldn’t you want to build a team around him?”

Monday’s game was Bellingham’s fifth start in six Nations League games this campaign and Everton winger Andros Townsend says he has “probably cemented his place” ahead of the World Cup.

“He’s such a special talent,” Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live. “He’s very brave on the ball and he’s not afraid of the occasion or who he’s playing against or who he’s playing for.”