Our tactics writer Aidan Smith, from Tactically Speaking, suggests Jarrod Bowen may be a more direct replacement for Bukayo Saka in-game than Cole palmer.
In Cole Palmer you’ve got a highly technical winger who doesn’t get phased by pressured moments, and who’s been the most important player at one of England’s biggest clubs. What’s not to like?
Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 will likely accommodate five wingers — since lobbying to increase the squad size from 23 to 26 players looks to have been successful. Palmer and fellow England attacker Phil Foden have had record goalscoring seasons this term, and Bukayo Saka has further justified his reputation as a mainstay too with 16 league goals. That’s two right-wingers, so, only room for one more on the left-wing? Hold your horses, this one’s a little more complicated.
England have reached a point where they will see the majority of the ball against any European nation now. In their March friendlies, England managed 53% and 64% of possession against Brazil and Belgium respectively. They also dominated proceedings as they narrowly bowed out of the World Cup to France in Qatar, with 58%. Largely down to the silky-smooth ballplayers Southgate and Steve Holland can field, England find themselves having to break down a low block defence an awful lot these days.
What England need in those moments is something a bit different, to break the cycle of side to side. Enter Jarrod Bowen. The West Ham man has had an odd year, featuring predominantly as a striker in a slick, counter-attacking West Ham outfit. Bowen has reacted well to this new role, but with Palmer and Anthony Gordon in such fine form elsewhere in the Premier League, many have overlooked Bowen as a potential weapon for England.
The 27-year-old is a totally different profile of winger to what England already have. More likely to stretch the defence by darting in behind, Bowen could offer that injection of pace that England may need.
Bowen played more than Gordon and Palmer in England’s March friendlies, and it’s safe to say he took his chance. A constant threat to Belgium’s backline with quick feet and hunger, he acted as a wide reference, allowing Foden to drift infield from the other flank.
Why might that put him ahead of Palmer? Well, it’s not about stats, quality, or form. If made, this would be a decision based on practicalities. Palmer has been given increasing freedom in Chelsea’s system this year with licence to roam where he pleases. But to understand why he wouldn’t be able to do this for England, we have to understand how England play.
The difference between England’s left side and right side is stark. On the left, Foden comes inside, and the entire left flank is filled by the left-back, whoever it may be on the day. To accommodate this, England often make a temporary back-three in possession. Kyle Walker tucks in alongside his centre-backs, and the width is provided by England’s right-winger and left-back.
Palmer is not a player to whom the England right-wing spot would lend itself. At Manchester City, he often looked uncomfortable when instructed to hug the touchline, and stretch the defence. Bowen enjoys that, however, and it matches his style of play.
Why can’t Southgate take them both? He can. In fact, he likely will, but England will find themselves in need of ‘Bowen-ness’ more than Palmer’s services on the right-wing. In Foden, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, and whoever starts along Rice, England have neat and tidy ballplayers to control the game. More of the same will rarely be required wide-right. If variety is the spice of life, Bowen has a mean kick and a rich aftertaste.
Aidan is a football writer whose work on
tactics can be found at TacticallySpeaking
Related Content
