What comes after England's World Cup success?

With a summer full of Harry Maguire headers and ‘It’s coming home’ being chanted across the whole country now safely behind us, the next international break looms. But after a successful tournament in Russia, what is next for Gareth Southgate and his youthful England team? 

The hype of England’s run in Russia has died down and a sense of typical British pessimism has returned as they look to host a rejuvenated Spanish team. 

No one is undermining the achievements made by this England team as this Summer portrayed that Southgate has molded an admired England side which plays attractive football – Something that Allardyce (though not given the chance), Hodgson, McLaren, and Capello all failed to do. 

It was fate that led England to the semi-finals, as if Marcus Rashford had been clinical against Belgium then they would have faced Brazil and eventual winners France in the knock out stages instead of Columbia and Sweeden. 

The latest England Squad that will face Switzerland and Spain sees five changes from the squad that flew to Russia. With both Jamie Vardy and Garry Cahill announcing their international retirement earlier in the week and the fact that Ashley Young and his teammate Phil Jones are struggling for a starting birth in Manchester United’s XI, the changes by Southgate are forced. 

The changes see England grow more youthful. The notable additions are Liverpool’s young centre-back, Joe Gomez who has only conceded 1 goal so far this season and Luke Shaw who has been the only positive aspect to Mourinho’s 3^rdseason in charge of Manchester United. 

With the match against Spain being the start of the new Nations League which in theory should end the agonising experience of international breaks, Southgate is going to have less room to experiment with. More matches will be competitive and due to England’s success during the summer expect Southgate to remain loyal to those nearly brought football home. 

This means there is going to be less anticipation on squad announcements as Southgate will be looking to establish a core of English players to carry out his philosophy and unless someone sets this season alight there won’t be any drastic changes to this current England Squad. 

However, there is a now a void left by Jamie Vardy which needs to be filled. With Callum Wilson starting the season as he ended the last and Jadon Sancho getting more minutes for Dortmund I expect that void to be filled by the next international break. 

It is definitely exciting times for England. The potential showcased under Southgate could soon be reaching boiling point when we embark on our next International tournament in 2020. First, we must set the precedent against a Spanish team who will be looking to show that their early exit in Russia was a freak under their new manager.