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John Stones and Gareth Southgate have plenty to discuss before the World Cup finals next summer
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three lions at the back

Gareth Southgate must be dreaming as he confirms England are permanently switching to three in defence – meaning John Stones is our version of Franz Beckenbauer

Neil Ashton says the Three Lions could be exposing their lack of ball-playing ability from the back now that they are switching to a more continental system

THE Germans had Franz Beckenbauer while Holland had Ronald Koeman and Frank  Rijkaard. England have John Stones.

From now on he will play sweeper, the spare man in England’s defence after ­Gareth Southgate confirmed a ­permanent switch to 3-4-3.

 John Stones seems sure to be the key ball-playing defender if England boss Gareth Southgate sticks to his plan of playing three at the back
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John Stones seems sure to be the key ball-playing defender if England boss Gareth Southgate sticks to his plan of playing three at the backCredit: Rex Features
 John Stones and Gareth Southgate have plenty to discuss before the World Cup finals next summer
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John Stones and Gareth Southgate have plenty to discuss before the World Cup finals next summerCredit: Rex Features

The system is unconventional and unorthodox, alien to English players brought up on a diet of 4-4-2.

But Southgate is set on it. He saw enough reasons in the dreadful 1-0 win over Slovenia on Thursday to ditch his four-man defence for the  Lithuania trip.

The Three Lions head coach said: “Three at the back is what we ought to do. We have so little time to work with the players that the more clarity they have under pressure then they will know what to fall back on.

“In qualifying, when we played 4-2-3-1, we wanted wide players who were able to exploit the width and try to break down packed defences.

“In terms of the way we want to play from the back now it is the better option. At the moment we turn the ball over too much. It gives us good stability and easier options for our midfielders.

“It means we might be able to get two strikers on the pitch in certain games.

 The Three Lions will need to get more used to playing the ball out from the back
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The Three Lions will need to get more used to playing the ball out from the backCredit: PA:Press Association
 Man Utd centre-back Phil Jones is in pole position at the moment for one of the two spots alongside John Stones
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Man Utd centre-back Phil Jones is in pole position at the moment for one of the two spots alongside John StonesCredit: Rex Features

“We need some consistency in the  formation, some consistency in what we are asking the players to do.”

Sadly it will be an easy system for opponents, especially top class opposition such as Germany or Brazil, to overcome.

They are England’s next opponents, heading to London next month for two prestige friendlies at Wembley.

Once Thomas Muller or Gabriel Jesus are treading on Stones’ toes, Gary Cahill, Harry Maguire or Phil Jones will have to play with their feet. Good luck with that.

 Top strikers such as Brazil duo Neymar and Gabriel Jesus would expect to put pressure on the England centre-backs in possession
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Top strikers such as Brazil duo Neymar and Gabriel Jesus would expect to put pressure on the England centre-backs in possessionCredit: AP:Associated Press

The elite players will cut off the  supply line to Stones, stopping him  moving into midfield or spraying passes.

With players as limited as this, it is inviting trouble.

Southgate said: “We have young players who can use the ball, such as all three centre-backs who played today. Jones is another one. Cahill is playing at Chelsea in a back three.

“I didn’t get into the team in Euro 96 until I was 25, but all three of our  centre-backs are even younger than that.

“It is important to invest our time in the people we think can get to the level needed.”

 Harry Maguire looked steady on his England debut in Lithuania but was rarely tested
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Harry Maguire looked steady on his England debut in Lithuania but was rarely testedCredit: Rex Features

Southgate is fixated on this system, his vision blurred by England’s success under Terry Venables at Euro 96.

But Venables played four at the back in the one match that defined an era — the thumping 4-1 victory over Holland.

For whatever reason, Southgate has suddenly settled on this system for next summer. It will take some bedding in.

He added: “We have to focus on a  system and try to hone it, work on it and improve it.

 John Stones is a rare example of an England centre-back who is comfortable in possession
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John Stones is a rare example of an England centre-back who is comfortable in possessionCredit: Rex Features

“That means we might have to leave some good players out.”

Maguire, 24, is among those vying for one of the three places at the back.

He said: “In a back three you can control possession more. It is something we can work on and get better at.

“Hopefully when we do it’s going to be an asset to us.”


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