Even the manager's concerns at centre-half have eased now that Harry Maguire is back playing for Manchester United, quieting the questions over Southgate's loyalty to one of his most experienced players.
But three months out from the Euros, Southgate still has major issues to address elsewhere, and he will be searching for solutions in tomorrow's friendly against Brazil at Wembley and Belgium's visit to the national stadium on Tuesday.
SHORTAGE OF LEFT-BACKS
Luke Shaw has been at St George's Park for rehab this week but Southgate has acknowledged that he is only likely to be fit for "the dying embers" of the season, leaving England's first-choice left-back as a major doubt for the Euros.
Ben Chilwell is the only natural left-sided defender in the squad and will surely start against Brazil or Belgium, but the Chelsea player has suffered injury problems of his own this season, and right-footed Kieran Trippier, also sidelined this month, is probably ahead of him in Southgate's thinking.
Joe Gomez could cover on the left and Levi Colwill has played there for Chelsea, increasing his chances of returning to the squad if Shaw and/or Chilwell are not fit.
Rico Lewis and Fikayo Tomori have both covered on the left for England this season, but are not in the current squad.
The bottom line is that Southgate cannot call on another left-back who offers the same defensive nous and natural balance as Shaw.
THE THIRD MAN IN MIDFIELD
This story is from the March 22, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the March 22, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
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