England’s World Cup preparations undermined by withdrawals

When England first arranged back-to-back friendlies against footballing superpowers Germany and Brazil it must have seemed like a good idea.

If Gareth Southgate’s men are to end their miserable run of performances in tournament football at next year’s World Cup then they need to test themselves against the very best.

Now the FA may be having second thoughts after a raft of withdrawals from his initial squad has left Southgate preparing to face two of the finest teams on the planet with what resembles a B team.

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Six players - Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Harry Winks – have all handed in sick notes forcing Southgate to scour the Premier League for viable replacements.

In come the likes of Michael Keane, Jake Livermore and Jack Cork with Henry Winter in The Times fearing an understrength England could end up being embarrassed by far superior opponents.

“It is during international weeks such as this one, when country is mocked by clubs, players withdraw en masse and their replacements are of insufficient quality, that England fans might consider it a relief that the statue of the late, great Bobby Moore faces away from Wembley.

“What would England’s finest captain, and such a proud wearer of the Three Lions, have made of the departures from Gareth Southgate’s squad that some cynics depict as desertions? Taking on talented Germans on Friday and Brazilians next Tuesday, opponents Moore performed adroitly against in World Cups, England’s understudies risk being overwhelmed.

“A former FA chairman, Greg Dyke, mooted the idea of bringing in B teams, but nobody expected it to be England’s. A midfield that could include Eric Dier, who showed against Real Madrid why he is better at the back, and Jake Livermore, who has yet to give any indication of international quality, could be up against any combination of Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, Ilkay Gundogan and Emre Can. Good luck.”

The lack of experience in the England squad is compounded by Southgate’s decision to axe Daniel Sturridge, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jermain Defoe and Chris Smalling in favour of the potential offered by Tammy Abraham, Reuben Loftus-Cheek, Harry Maguire and Joe Gomez.

Some critics may argue Southgate is asking too much of young prospects against quality opposition but Tottenham defender Eric Dier believes throwing them in at the deep end is the only way to find out if they are good enough.

Dier told The Independent: “I don’t really see it as a risk. If we get embarrassed then there is a lot more to work on. If we don’t, we are on the right path. If we want to be prepared for one of the biggest sporting events in the world we have to prepare by facing the best.

“The manager has already said that if we are to be playing friendlies, he wants to be playing against the best nations in the world and to challenge ourselves. I think that is the right mentality to have.”

As well as running the rule over a number of untested players at international level there will be another experiment when England take on Germany at Wembley on Friday.

The FA have confirmed that a video referee will be used for the first time in a competitive match in this country after Wembley was tested and given approval to use the system by the International FA Board.

The Daily Telegraph says it is fitting that the first use of a video assistant referee (VAR) comes against old foes Germany and that the FA plans to introduce it into club football soon.

“The fixture which has, perhaps, thrown up two of the most controversial goal-line incidents within living memory – Geoff Hurst’s goal in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley and Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal at the 2010 World Cup – will be officiated by Polish referee Pawel Raczkowski while his compatriot Pawel Gil will become the first VAR to operate in England.

“The report adds that the FA is also planning to test the system in selected FA Cup third-round matches in January and it may be introduced to the Premier League as early as next season if it is considered a success.”