How England has developed since the European Championship final defeat against Italy
On that fateful night in July 2021, the Azzurri clinched the European title after coming back from an early goal from Luke Shaw to win a tight, thrilling final on penalties.
A lot has changed for both teams since that evening, although the Three Lions are certainly a different team in terms of tactics and personnel.
Switch to a back four
Gareth Southgate used a back five in the Euro 2020 final, but England have switched to a back four.
The move has allowed Southgate to add another attacking player to the eleven, but England have remained solid defensively, with two defensive midfielders typically lining up in the middle of the park.
Bellingham’s emergence
England’s biggest development since the last European Championship is certainly the development of Jude Bellingham into the best number 10 in the world. England are quickly becoming a team around the profligate 20-year-old, who has no obvious weaknesses.
Two midfielders in Declan Rice and either Kalvin Phillips or Jordan Henderson were too safe, but with Bellingham in front of them it’s explosive.
Jude Bellingham has committed to England
/ Getty ImagesFront three in a new look
Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling flanked Harry Kane in the European Championship final, but neither of them could be included in the squad and the first three players are now changed.
Bukayo Saka would normally start on the right but is ruled out with a hamstring injury. However, Southgate still has a wealth of options with Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and now James Maddison and Jarrod Bowen.
