England ended their 2017 fixtures with consecutive goalless draws against Germany and Brazil at Wembley.
Manager Gareth Southgate continued to formulate his plans for next summer’s World Cup across both games having sealed qualification earlier in the season.
Here’s a looks at the main talking points to emerge from the two recent friendlies.
SOUTHGATE PLAYING THE GENERATION GAME
While Southgate’s plan to give England youngsters a chance in the senior set-up is not new, his selections for the two glamorous Wembley friendlies certainly reiterated his ideals.
The likes of Chris Smalling, Jack Wilshere and Jermain Defoe will be all the more worried that their England careers are over – or at the very least stalling – as Southgate aims to implement his plans of promoting from the younger age groups.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Joe Gomez picked up the respective man of the match awards against Germany and Brazil while inexperienced players such as Dominic Solanke, Angus Gunn and Lewis Cook were also involved in the squad over the last few days.
Gareth Southgate
THREE LIONS AT THE BACK
Southgate has seemingly settled on his formation for the future, naming three central defenders with wing-backs allowed to push forward.
Harry Maguire and John Stones looked solid in both friendlies and Gomez also came in to shine, while having players such as Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Ryan Bertrand and Kieran Trippier offer plenty of pace on the flanks.
The system also allows for two strikers and can accommodate creative players alongside the guile of Eric Dier in the middle of the park.
HART OVER HEAD IN THE RACE FOR THE GLOVES
Joe Hart now has 75 England caps and is a bonafide senior member of Southgate’s current squad.
The West Ham loanee has struggled at times this season but was recalled between the posts despite Jordan Pickford impressing on debut against Germany.
Now Southgate must decide if his largely inexperienced side need someone like Hart behind them or if Pickford, and Jack Butland, should now be given their chance to step up in competitive games.
Joe Hart
ENGLAND NEED KANE IF THEY ARE TO BE ABLE IN ATTACK
Keeping two clean sheets against both the World champions and a team boasting the world’s most expensive player is not to be shirked at.
But at the other end of the pitch England struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Tammy Abraham, Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford not able to break the deadlock across both games.
Harry Kane was absent due to injury and this was further proof that, if England want to progress deeper into the World Cup next summer, the Tottenham striker is vital to Southgate’s attacking intentions.
Harry Kane
SOUTHGATE NEEDS TO STICK TO YOUNG GUNS
While still trying to turn England into a big-hitter on the world stage, Southgate appears to be supported from those above him when it comes to taking time to develop and hone his precocious players.
Now, the England boss needs to maintain that stance when it comes to naming his World Cup squad next year, starting with the March friendlies against Holland and Italy.
There has been too much reliance in the past on taking experienced tournament campaigners to finals in place of exciting talent but this time it should be different as Southgate is gearing up to have a host of names ready for Russia.
A fantastic full debut from @J_Gomez97🍾pic.twitter.com/XXfMl2vMub
— England (@England) November 14, 2017
Provided by Press Association Sport
