GARETH SOUTHGATE had his World Cup dream team all worked out.
Eric Dier, his on-field lieutenant, would drop back into the libero role in the middle of England’s back three.
Jordan Henderson, missing from the Germany and Brazil friendlies, would snaffle out the threats in front of the back four.
Adam Lallana, his Liverpool team-mate, would sit alongside him in midfield to provide the impetus for England’s attacking threat.
Yet all that has just gone up in smoke — possibly for the better.
Southgate, his hand forced by so many withdrawals for the friendlies with world champions Germany and world No 2 Brazil, will need to tweak the tactics.
The performances of Joe Gomez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and keeper Jordan Pickford over the international fortnight have given England’s head coach something to think about.
Dier may be pencilled in to play alongside John Stones and Phil Jones in a three-man defence at the World Cup but his versatility means he can slot easily into midfield, too.
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Southgate sees Bobby Moore-like qualities in him, a player capable of reading the game and anticipating it quicker than anybody else on the field.
If Southgate has called that correct, then he will be some asset when England are suffering under tournament pressures.
He really believes in the Tottenham player, using him as a sounding board for advice and opinion around the England camp.
Dier, who captained England in midfield in the two friendlies, has left a very good impression on the country’s head coach.
And the arrival of Gomez, seemingly unfazed when he replaced Jones against Germany, has given Southgate another option.
Liverpool’s young defender held his nerve against Neymar on Tuesday, despite the Brazilian forward’s obvious match-winning qualities.
Southgate liked what he saw.
He said: “For Joe Gomez to play like he did against Neymar was phenomenal.
“He played as I saw him play in the Under-17s Euros final. I saw him transfer that to another level.
“He has all the attributes to be a top defender.”
In front of England’s defence he still plans to use Henderson, even though the Liverpool midfielder has failed to make much of an impression on the head coach.
Henderson’s injury, leaving him sidelined for the two November friendlies, gave others the chance to shine.
Loftus-Cheek did well in fits and starts before an injury to his back forced him off against Brazil on Tuesday.
Harry Winks, so neat and tidy with the ball when he made his senior bow against Lithuania last month, has emerged as a serious threat to the established players in the centre.
Southgate is also desperate to see more of Lallana, to use his ability with either foot as the creative spark in this England side.
They are short of goals, with just two in the last six hours of football under Southgate. England need a supply line.
Lallana, who scored in Sam Allardyce’s one and only game in charge of the national side in Slovakia, can provide them.
Southgate likes his ability on the ball, one of the few England players equally adept with either foot. It is, sadly, a rare commodity.
The friendlies in March, when England take on Holland and Italy, will give Southgate another chance to refine this system ahead of the tournament.
He knows that England are well short of Germany or Brazil’s class but he deserves a pat on the back for having the courage to pick so many young players to face them.
None of them were overawed and they deserve credit for that.
Brazil were a good side but Southgate got a little over-excited by claiming they are the best international team he has ever seen.
Brazil 1970, Argentina ’86, West Germany ’90 and France ’98 were far better than anything that was on display at Wembley on Tuesday.
Still, all that counts is finding a successful formula when the group phase gets underway next June.
Southgate added: “We still have a long way to go to be at the level of these two teams.
“They are a long, long way into their development.
“I still believe the decision to bring in young payers was right as it’s given them hope.
“It’s given them an experience they will want to have more of.
“They will go back to their clubs full of excitement, full of energy and wanting to impress even more.
“I’m really pleased with what we’ve managed to do over the ten days but there is huge work ahead of us to be challenging those two teams.
“Some of those guys are getting their opportunities. Ruben is now playing, Tammy Abraham is playing, Joe is playing but hopefully it’s also a message to others.
“We’ve given these guys an opportunity and we believe there are others coming through the youth system.
“Hopefully we are showing people what youth development in our country can produce.”
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