England suffered a disappointing and lackluster defeat to Iceland at Wembley on Friday evening.

His side that plays with the ball is characterized by the world-class ability of captain Harry Kane.

This dichotomy lies at the heart of the longstanding debate surrounding Southgate’s tactical approach: the trade-off between bravery and caution. Critics who accuse Southgate of being overly negative and unadventurous found ammunition in this match, as it exposed a deep-seated insecurity in Southgate’s strategy: what happens when England are forced to defend?

This concern has led to Southgate’s preference for a defensive-minded player alongside Declan Rice, and with Harry Maguire’s absence and John Stones’ injury concerns, the debate over whether Southgate should abandon his favored 4-2-3-1 formation has gained momentum.

‘Maybe we’ve focused too much on our ball possession lately,’ Southgate admitted.

‘If you’re not sharp without the ball, which we weren’t against Iceland, you can run into trouble against any team.

‘International football is about setting priorities and making the most of our time. We were outstanding without the ball in our last three games, but we were far from that level against Iceland. It’s a good wake-up call for us as a team. If you’re collectively off your game without the ball, you’ll feel uncomfortable and struggle.’

‘We gave Iceland too much space and time, and they were far too comfortable in possession,’ he added.

Southgate’s assessment, while rational and understated, was damning. Iceland, who failed to qualify for the Euros and finished behind Luxembourg in their qualifying group, had not defeated a notable opponent since their famous win over England in the 2016 Euros in France.

Southgate is acutely aware of the vulnerabilities exposed by this defeat. As he spoke, John Stones walked through the interview area with a bandaged ankle, still expecting to play against Serbia. However, the Manchester City defender’s presence won’t alleviate all of Southgate’s concerns about his defense.

John Stones picked up a knock on Friday evening but is still expected to play against Serbia.

The precocious talent that is Jude Bellingham is yet to join the Three Lions after winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.

There is speculation that Southgate might revert to the back three that served him well in the previous Euros, providing more defensive solidity and allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to play as a wing-back.

However, when this suggestion was put to him, Southgate dismissed it, stating: ‘That’s not something we’ve discussed. It’s not a path we’re looking to go down for sure.’

‘The availability of players influences the formation and the type of player we use in certain positions. But we’ve been on a good path without the ball against top-level opponents like Belgium and Brazil. Tonight, we didn’t get it right.’

‘We’ve already discussed what needs to improve after the game. We’ll be working on those details next week. Sometimes, a poor performance like this can help the team refocus and pay more attention to the fundamentals.’

‘I think there are several factors to consider. Is the balance right? Is the physical aspect up to par?’ he continued.

‘Of course, there’s also the concern of getting injured just before a tournament, which can affect a player’s focus. I’ve been in those games myself, so I understand the mindset. However, this performance serves as a timely wake-up call, ensuring we approach our preparation for the tournament with the necessary edge.’

Southgate’s remarks highlight a crucial point, but those who witnessed the match at Wembley would argue that England’s lack of intensity was not the primary issue. Rather, it was their disjointed football, lack of fluency in attack, and vulnerability when they didn’t have possession.

The arrival of Jude Bellingham, who will join the squad after a well-deserved break following his Champions League triumph, will be a welcome boost. The Real Madrid player will bring a sense of freshness and enthusiasm to the team. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that Bellingham alone cannot carry England to victory in the tournament.

Bellingham will start against Serbia, alongside Harry Kane and Phil Foden. There may also be a competition between Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka for the right-wing position. Saka made his return against Iceland after a month-long absence, but he only played for half an hour.

When asked if Cole Palmer’s impressive performances had put him in contention for a starting spot, Southgate replied, ‘Absolutely. He’s had a fantastic season, and he looked dangerous.’

‘It was also good to get Bukayo on the pitch for half an hour. He’s missed a lot of training, so we needed to see him in action.’

The training camp in eastern Germany will provide Southgate and his players with an opportunity to put this unexpected defeat into perspective. It’s worth noting that England had a more inconsistent run-up to the last World Cup but found their rhythm once the tournament began in Qatar.

Bukayo Saka came off the bench against Iceland for his first half hour of football in around a month.

The Three Lions boss insisted that a good couple of showings from Cole Palmer had catapulted him into the discussion to start against Serbia on the right.

Southgate maintained a stoic demeanor following the defeat, acknowledging the increased uncertainties surrounding the team compared to previous tournaments under his leadership.

‘There are physical uncertainties, no doubt about that,’ he conceded.

‘That’s why we had to make the difficult decisions regarding Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson.

‘However, we must make the most of the situation. This performance has given me a clear idea of what we need to focus on next week as a manager.’