World Cup 2018: 5 reasons why England's recently employed back-three system is doomed to fail in Russia

#2 Wasting Dele Alli

Dele Alli

Gareth Southgate's system employs only one out-and-out number 10, with two attack-minded midfielders supporting from deeper areas. That means that one of Raheem Sterling and Dele Alli will not be played in their preferred position.

It was Sterling who lined up behind Harry Kane against Nigeria and having netted 23 goals last season for Manchester City, he seems like the natural choice to take the shirt in Russia in two weeks' time.

In consequence, Alli will be left in an unfamiliar role next to Jesse Lingard in midfield. Instead of arriving in the penalty area to latch onto near-post crosses - as he frequently does for Tottenham at club level - he will be chasing balls out on the wing.

The crux of the matter is that England risk wasting one of their three most gifted players in a position to which they are not suited. It's Paul Scholes and Euro 2004 all over again.