Match Focus: Lack of Midfield Solidity Could Cost England Against Switzerland

As England gear up for the welcome of Switzerland tonight, they needn’t worry that their qualification is on the line. A 6-0 thumping of European minnows San Marino on Saturday confirmed their place at next summer’s European Championship, with victory meaning England have won 21 points of a possible 21 available. The current crop have performed commendably to get to this stage and are the only team in qualifying to have won all of their games coming into the final stretch. 

Roy Hodgson will be keen to ensure his side maintain this current winning run and become the first Three Lions manager to oversee a 100% record in qualifying. However, they must guard against complacency when they welcome Switzerland to Wembley. Granted, Hodgson’s men secured a 2-0 win at St Jakob-Park when the two teams met exactly one year ago today, but a much-changed team is likely in the capital. 

Hodgson is expected to persist with a three-man midfield tonight, with Jonjo Shelvey set to be rewarded with another start. The Swansea star impressed in the victory over San Marino, gaining a WhoScored rating of 8.81, though it’s tough to look too much into a performance over a side had lost 35 of their last 36 European Championship matches prior to the welcome of England at the weekend. Shelvey has excelled in the Swans’ double pivot alongside compatriot Jack Cork this season, though it’s the latter who has carried out the majority of the defensive responsibilities for Garry Monk’s team this season. 

Shelvey, meanwhile, has shone as the deep-lying playmaker for Swansea. Only Santi Cazorla (16) has played more key passes than the England international (14) in Europe’s top 5 leagues, accentuating Shelvey’s excellent start to the campaign. His defensive work, though, leaves a lot to be desired at times. The 23-year-old has gained statistically calculated WhoScored weaknesses' of ‘defensive contribution’ and 'tackling', with Cork or Ki Sung-yueng performing the necessary duties to help shield the backline. 

Indeed, it’s here where England could be exposed at the back. As good as Shelvey was against San Marino, his lack of defensive work can be capitalised on. With Michael Carrick sidelined, Hodgson lacks a natural holding midfielder to shield the defence. If, as expected, Fabian Delph and James Milner line up alongside Shelvey in a midfield trio, there could be a lack of cover in the midfield third, as tenacious a triumvirate it may be. With Xherdan Shaqiri an option in the number 10 role for the visitors, the pint-sized creator can take advantage of a midfield three with no natural holder. 

For the national team, Shaqiri flits between playing behind the striker and on the right flank. In La Nati’s 3-2 win over Slovenia at the weekend, the Stoke star started on the right, with Valon Behrami supporting striker Haris Seferovic. However, head coach Vladimir Petkovic may be tempted to move Shaqiri inside in order to maximise his creativity in the final third. The 23-year-old’s modest pace is countered by his ability to pick out a defence splitting pass in the blink of an eye, with his vision one of his best qualities. 

‘Key passes’ is one of Shaqiri’s statistically calculated strengths and it’s little shock that his average of 1 key pass every 79 minutes is one of the better returns for Stoke. An assist on his debut in the Potters’ 1-1 draw with Norwich last month showcased his ability to deliver a telling ball, as did his average of 4.3 key passes per game at last summer’s World Cup. He's clearly no stranger to the demands of international football. Meanwhile, while Shaqiri isn’t the fastest player in world football, his close control is another strength, with the attacker a tidy performer with the ball at his feet. 

With his low centre of gravity and strength on the ball, it’s no shock that Shaqiri is averaging a successful dribble every 79 minutes, again among the better returns for the Potters. Without an imposing performer in the middle of the park, England could struggle to limit his influence should he pick up the ball in pockets of space between the midfield and defence. 

Given his ability when in possession, England must do all they can to deny Shaqiri the chance to run at goal or provide the killer ball for the striker, likely to be Seferovic. With a lack of solidity in the middle of the park, the Stoke ace could enjoy a free reign in the final third as Switzerland look to confirm their place at Euro 2016. 

Positional discipline must be the priority in the midfield for Hodgson, who would perhaps be wise to deploy Delph or Milner in a deeper role. Should the midfield crumble, however, England’s 100% record could come to an end at Wembley on Tuesday, with Shaqiri the main beneficiary of any instability in the middle of the park.

How will England fare when they face Switzerland at Wembley tonight? Head over to the England-Switzerland preview to cast your vote on the final score and man of the match