England have been largely indifferent in Germany, so it is a tribute to the resilience Southgate has instilled and the individual brilliance of Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Watkins that they fought their way through to a final. They were nowhere near their best but this was still a creditable achievement.
Southgate spoke about the physical issues that undermined England’s squad but the manager got his midfield wrong for the first three games – including the failed “experiment” of using Trent Alexander-Arnold in an unaccustomed role, then replacing Conor Gallagher at half-time against Slovenia.
The switch to a three-man defensive system, then reverting to a back four against Spain, worked up to a point but hinted at muddled thinking.
Irrespective of whether Southgate stays or goes, England’s squad may need further adjusting with Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, now 34 and 33 respectively, surely nearing the end of their international careers.
There is rich promise and great hope in the younger brigade such as Bellingham, Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Adam Wharton, while defender John Stones and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford were near flawless in Germany.
Whether Southgate is around to continue England’s building process must be in serious doubt, while Kane’s fitness and contribution will be under close scrutiny after such a poor tournament.
Southgate admitted on the eve of the Euro 2024 final that he wanted to win “so badly it hurts” – but both he and England were once again left to feel the same old pain of defeat.
