Opinion
Have England just ushered in a new era of football?
Or, at the very least, a whole new tactical approach to the game?
I’m terming it the false six. You heard it here first.
Personally, it is not a style I resonate with. But credit where credit’s due. Gareth Southgate and his band of passionate and hyper-talented merry men have given the world a tactical lesson in a whole new way to play football: without a midfield.
That’s right. No sixes. At least, no traditional definition of a six when the team has the ball.
‘But the team sheet clearly points to two sixes’ I hear you say: Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice, two standout players of the Euros.
Good point. However, have you ever questioned where these two marquee players are when England have controlled possession of the ball?
The answer: not at all where you’d expect your defensive midfielders to ever be on a football field.
Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice are two of England’s stars this tournament. (Photo by Carl Recine – Pool/Getty Images)
In fact, they regularly retreat into the defensive line as England appear to have no interest in collecting the ball through the centre.
Rather, the tactic appears to be to shift the ball in a U or horseshoe-type fashion from right to left, left to right, and back again.
The wing backs push high. The seven and 11 even higher. And the key element of this move is they shift it quickly. Like a U back, out the other side, and then up the opposite wing.
At this point, when they receive it, the wide players then make a decision. Do we now have the space and freedom to get in behind?
If yes, we go!
If no, back it comes, down the sides, and around we go again. It’s actually a tactical masterclass, especially given the quality of the front players England possess.
It makes a lot of sense, and not just as an attacking piece. It also forces England’s opponents’ defensive teams to work even harder over the course of 90 minutes to reposition themselves again and again.
Forwards, back, to the side, over and over. It’s no wonder England have punished so many teams in the second half of games.
All the while, England’s sixes stay nice and fresh, ready for transitional moments, to break up attacks or push forward and strike. Or lead a five-to-seven-man central defensive block in front of goal.
This is another reason why England have conceded just the one goal – none from open play, mind you – across the whole tournament.
So do I like it? Not really.
Take me back to the mavericks and number tens of the ’90s any day of the week. Insert Jack Grealish.
However, that’s just an aesthetic preference and admittedly, it may not be a formula that gets you to a final of a Euro.
But conversely, as a coach, I love to see evolution in the game and watching the teams, players, and coaches that pioneer this evolution with success.
So hats off to Sir (to be) Gareth Southgate. You have ushered in a new era.
The six is dead. Long live the false six.
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