Southgate Wants England to Claim the Top Spot in Global Football

Gareth Southgate, England's manager, has set a new ambition for his squad: to rise to the pinnacle of world football rankings.

This directive follows a lackluster performance in a 2-0 victory over Malta at Wembley, a game that Southgate felt displayed a decline in the team's standards.

As England gears up for the Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia in Skopje, Southgate faces challenges, including withdrawals from the squad. Key players Kieran Trippier and Jarrod Bowen are out due to personal reasons and injury, respectively. This has opened the door for Rico Lewis, who might earn his first cap, particularly to address the left-back position's concerns.

Southgate's main worry, however, is his team's mental approach. It's uncommon to hear him express such emphatic views on the need for complete concentration. England, having already secured their spot in next summer's finals before facing Malta, is likely to be among the top seeds in the upcoming group-phase draw. Yet, Southgate, noting a potential rise in FIFA rankings, emphasized that the team's focus should not be solely on the Euros but on every upcoming match.

"We've got to play better than we did against Malta," Southgate stated, underscoring the necessity of maintaining high performance levels. He views the upcoming matches as crucial for the players to cement their places in the European Championship squad and insists on the importance of being driven to achieve the number one ranking for the consistency it demands.

Gareth Southgate wants to conquer the world

The Malta game revealed a possible complacency within the squad, something Southgate vehemently opposes. He is critical of any mindset that settles for merely 'seeing games out' and believes such attitudes might have hindered England's past progress.

Southgate also acknowledged possible mistakes in the team's focus prior to the Malta game. He believes too much emphasis was placed on the Euros, leading to a lack of proper concentration for the immediate tasks.

The upcoming match in North Macedonia presents its own set of challenges, notably the pitch condition at the Tose Proeski Arena. Previously banned by UEFA for European games due to its poor state, the pitch has been a topic of concern even among opposing teams. Southgate, while acknowledging the issue, emphasizes the importance of having secured qualification early.

Regarding the team's composition, Southgate sees Lewis as a viable option at left-back, praising his versatility and performance in training. As England prepares for its final qualifier, the message from Southgate is clear: aim for the top, maintain focus, and never settle for less.