Well that is determined then. Two friendlies, 180 minutes and, most significantly, two wins for England imply that I'm completely satisfied that the Three Lions shall be bringing the World Cup again residence for the primary time since 1966.
Ok, that is perhaps an exaggeration. But there's nonetheless cause to hope, as for the primary time in god is aware of how lengthy, England lastly have a squad with high-quality energy and depth.
Manager Gareth Southgate has a number of powerful selections to make relating to his beginning line-up for the opening group sport in opposition to Tunisia although on June 18.
Here are his choice complications....
1. The Third Centre Back
England are lastly catching up with the occasions and are heading into the match taking part in a modern-day Three-5-2 formation. In that again three, it's pretty clear that Manchester City's Kyle Walker and John Stones shall be two out of the three centre backs who will begin in opposition to Tunisia, however there's some vital doubt as to who will take up the final remaining spot in that back-three.
Gary Cahill did his beginning probabilities no hurt by scoring within the 2-1 win over Nigeria on Saturday, and regardless of his type for Chelsea over the past 12 months, is available in as one of the extra skilled members of the England aspect.
However, the Chelsea captain does face some competitors with Phil Jones and Harry Maguire, who each performed the complete 90 minutes in opposition to Costa Rica, trying very astute of their centre defensive roles. The three candidates are all viable choices, and this seems to be Southgate's largest headache.
2. Right Wing-Back
Another place that Kyle Walker can play is true wing-back, however Southgate's set-up of his England squad over the March and June friendlies means that the Manchester City defender's principal function shall be as a proper centre again. What additionally helps justify Walker's transformation into a central defender is the standard of the 2 chosen proper wing-backs that the England supervisor has at his disposal in his World Cup squad.
Three months in the past, Kieran Trippier should have absolutely thought that his function as England's first alternative proper wing-back was safe, particularly after seeing his former Tottenham teammate Walker transfer to a new function. However, the rise of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, who performed a vital function within the Reds' run to the Champions League Final, has sophisticated issues for Southgate.
Both gamers look glorious going ahead, even higher with the ball at their toes, and, most significantly, very comfy while defending. This is one other very tough alternative for Southgate, with little to decide on between the 2 gamers.
3. Left Wing-Back
The England supervisor additionally has a related headache on the opposite aspect of his defence, however this time has two very totally different choices to select from.
Danny Rose is the extra pure alternative of the 2, given the actual fact he's a pure left-back, and his left-sided nature provides England a totally different dimension in a squad that's dominated by right-footed gamers.
Meanwhile, Ashley Young, the opposite choice out there for Southgate, has been a common on the left aspect of defence for Manchester United this season, and has seemed excellent in that function for England. The inclusion of Young, nevertheless, would imply that England are prone to face Tunisia with ten right-footed outfield gamers, that means that width on the left hand aspect could possibly be a rarity.
Furthermore, Rose's efficiency in opposition to Costa Rica might need simply put him in pole place.
4. The Pivot
"I think we will only want to play with one pivot" stated Southgate forward of Thursday's pleasant with Costa Rica, that means that there is not going to be room for each Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson in England's beginning line-up on the World Cup. Here lies one other conundrum for Southgate to unravel.
Eric Dier appears to be the pure choice, having performed this precise function for Tottenham for many of the season. Dier's inclusion may even show helpful if John Stones decides to hold the ball ahead from defence, with the Tottenham man additionally succesful of filling in at centre-back for sure durations of the sport.
Henderson, nevertheless, is a higher technical midfielder than Dier, with the Liverpool captain placing in a superb show in opposition to Costa Rica. Henderson's skill to unfold play rapidly and successfully might show to be helpful in opposition to sides similar to weaker sides similar to Tunisia and Panama.
Fabian Delph is an alternative choice for Southgate to make use of within the pivot place, however the clear contest is between Dier and Henderson.
5. Up Front
Before the Costa Rica sport on Thursday night time, many analysts of the England group had been below the impression that England would line-up with a entrance two of Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling. However, regardless of his evident technical skill, Sterling's scoring report for his nation is an apparent concern, having solely scored two objectives in 38 appearances, the final of which got here three years in the past.
What hasn't helped Sterling's case to begin is the shape of Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who as soon as once more hit the web for England on Thursday with an unbelievable strike from distance.
Furthermore, a Rashford-Kane mixture would nonetheless give England a strike drive containing each tempo and energy, and positively a lot of goalscoring potential. Danny Welbeck additionally hit the goal in opposition to the South Americans to place his title within the body for a beginning spot, however he's prone to be an English affect from the substitutes bench.
6. Attacking Midfielders
If Rashford is chosen by Southgate to accomplice captain Kane in a centre ahead function for England, then Sterling could possibly be pushed again into a quantity eight function, which causes one other choice problem for the England supervisor.
Currently occupying these locations are Tottenham's Dele Alli and Manchester United's Jesse Lingard, who've each put strong instances ahead relating to their suitability to the attacking central positions. Alli has a clear partnership together with his Tottenham group mate Harry Kane, and confirmed his creativity abilities within the aiding of Welbeck's aim in opposition to Costa Rica on Thursday. Lingard, in the meantime, demonstrated his potential in that function with a man-of-the-match efficiency in opposition to the Netherlands in March, scoring the profitable aim within the course of.
Out of Lingard, Alli or Sterling, which one do you drop out of the three?
They've completed all they'll within the pleasant sport expertise, now it is again to the coaching floor for Southgate and his gamers.
Have the aforementioned gamers every completed sufficient over the previous two friendlies to indicate Gareth Southgate that they're adequate to begin for England? Which ones shall be picked? Over to you Mr Southgate....