Mark Langdon's verdict: Gareth Southgate needs to fix England's defence

New Racing Post columnist Chris Waddle told Racing Post Sport readers on Friday that England will never have a better chance of winning the European Championship than they have in 2020.

That was before the shock 2-1 loss to Czech Republic, but those who believe the twinkle-toed winger, who was part of the England side that reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup, was merely tub-thumping may also like to consider the thoughts of Manchester City's Premier League star Kevin De Bruyne.

"I told the England guys you should win the Euros," said De Bruyne earlier this year. "I think they are the favourites with France."

That belief comes from the fact that England are blessed in the final third with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling nailed-on starters, most likely to be joined by Jadon Sancho or Marcus Rashford to form a front three who will give Gareth Southgate's side a great chance with the semi-finals and final to be played at Wembley.

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However, most successful international tournament teams are built from solid foundations. The football is nowhere near as exciting as the club game, pragmatism usually sets in at the end of a long season and even France's star-studded side played primarily on the counter-attack to win the last World Cup.

Declan Rice's controversial switch from Ireland was supposed to eradicate many of England's defensive deficiencies, but the midfield anchor has been no more than adequate and the Czech Republic defeat only hammered home the issue after the kamikaze 5-3 triumph over Kosovo.

Southgate has pondered a return to the three-man defence he used at the World Cup, but personnel rather than formations should be of far greater concern.

Ability-wise John Stones and Joe Gomez are England's most talented defenders but through fitness (Stones) and the form of Joel Matip (Gomez) both have found themselves struggling for playing time in the Premier League.

At the other end of the minutes-played scale are Friday's starters Michael Keane and Harry Maguire, both of whom are representing teams who are woefully underperforming against pre-season expectations this season.

Uncapped but up-and-coming Fikayo Tomori's rise at Chelsea looks to have been timed to perfection - he has a great chance to start at the Euros unless Gomez can get himself back in at Liverpool - and another potential answer not in the current squad is Lewis Dunk.

Brighton are looking to play out from the back under Graham Potter so Dunk will be suited to Southgate's style of play - which is a problem for Burnley's James Tarkowski - and he should at least be under consideration.

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