Never mind Xherdan Shaqiri’s Stoke City frustrations I want to see more of this from England

Mentioning Xherdan Shaqiri is always a good conversation starter when you meet a Stoke City fan and goodness knows I’ve written and spoken enough about him myself over the years, the potential, the skill and the frustrations

 

But his goal for Switzerland against Scotland on Wednesday, which secured qualification to the knock-out stages at Euro 2024, was outstanding. It was defending from the front. He anticipated and his movement off the ball was superb in terms of taking up a position to read the pass back. He put himself ready to intercept the pass. It was a superb goal.

When you get your forward players doing that it isn’t half a big help for everyone else. Taking up the right positions off the ball and being alert can make all the difference. This tournament is full of naturally-gifted footballers but they have to do that other side of the game too and the higher up the pitch you can win the ball back, the better.

There is an art to regaining possession in different thirds of the pitch and everyone has to apply those traits, no matter if it is wide, deep or central. Every player has to understand what is required and deliver. There should be an urgency to getting the ball back as quickly as you can but even when you’re being pushed deep you still have to get into positions to press or intercept. The team that does that best is going to go a long way. The teams that can win the ball as high up the pitch as possible and counter-attack from that point will be difficult to stop.

If you’re looking for a club side as an example. Man City are very good at this. No matter the possession stats and how good they are at passing, it’s their ruthlessness in transition moments which gives them a near-unstoppable extra edge. Spain have been good at it too over the last week or so.

England sometimes don’t do that. Maybe it’s ego, maybe it’s confidence but it’s something that Gareth Southgate will have to demand from his players. If Harry Kane is playing, it is important what players you have around him and, if he’s coming on the front, having teammates who are prepared and able to take advantage of the space he creates.