England offer glimpse into alternate reality without ‘Southgate Three’ but fans shouldn’t get carried away…

Gareth Southgate silenced his now-many doubters for the time being with a convincing 3-1 win at a raucous Hampden Park against a Scotland side that is enjoying their best run in decades. It also gave a glimpse into what could, but almost certainly will not, be come next summer.

As is becoming the norm right now, Jude Bellingham was the star in white again, bringing his Real Madrid goalscoring form to the national team and moving past the rather shambolic situation that saw he, and not Saudi ambassador Jordan Henderson, subbed off after 65 minutes against Ukraine on Saturday evening.

He was at the heart of everything good that England did, having a hand in all three of their goals. It was his sharp ball to Marcus Rashford that led to Kyle Walker’s cross-cum-shot being directed into Angus Gunn’s goal by City teammate Phil Foden.

Foden then turned provider of sorts, with his teasing cross being dealt with terribly by Andy Robertson, allowing Bellingham to hammer home his second international goal from just 12 yards out.

England’s third was all about his brilliance as he picked the ball up in midfield, turned with ease past the Scottish midfield and played in Harry Kane with a lovely ball. The Bayern Munich man (still sounds weird) did what he does best and fired in his 59th England goal, further extending his record.

Bellingham. Kane. Foden. Rashford. Add in Declan Rice patrolling the midfield and Bukayo Saka coming off the bench, and the Three Lions have a front six to rival, if not better, any other side in the world. And Brazil and Argentina won’t be in Germany come June 2024.

Every England fan wants to see that type of front six play, maybe with Jack Grealish involved somewhere too, and it’s completely fair that some are becoming increasingly frustrated with the safety first and cautious tactics when they should be blowing sides like Ukraine away, not being content to take a draw.

It is a glimpse of what could be, an alternate reality, one of dreams and imagination. To paraphrase John Lennon, imagine there’s no Hendo, it’s easy if you try.

Easy if you try sure, but it feels hugely unlikely that Southgate will move away from what brought him to dance in the international ballroom and what has served him relatively well in his seven years in charge, even if it really felt like a change was needed after the World Cup.

For all those all-star names listed above, there are the three that the England gaffer has a seemingly unwavering loyalty towards and three whose selection are rightly questioned by pundits, fans and everyone in between.

While Henderson made even more of a hypocritical fool of himself in a daft interview with the Athletic, he isn’t picking himself in the squad and he didn’t decide to stay on for the full game in Warsaw at the weekend.

Nor did Kalvin Phillips take it upon himself to be selected over the in-form James Ward-Prowse in the squad or demand 90 minutes against Scotland.

As for Harry Maguire, it’s becoming increasingly tough to watch him play. Of course, he has played extremely well for England in the past but his confidence is on the floor and there was little surprise when the camera panned to him after Scotland made it 2-1 via an own goal. When it rains it pours. There was also little need for him to come on in that game. Why not trial Levi Colwill or Fikayo Tomori?

All of those players did have choices this summer, albeit, and all made ones which should have greatly affected their international careers.

Away from the obvious human rights and LGBTQ+ issues, Henderson plays in a League One level league and openly admitted to Jurgen Klopp not making a push to keep him.

Phillips has made as many starts for England as he has for City since his move from Leeds last summer (four) and might not actually make another this season given the arrivals of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes.

Maguire will only play if Manchester United suffer more defensive injuries. Why didn’t he move to West Ham? Regardless of a payout dispute, surely it would improve every aspect of his professional and personal life getting away from the spotlight and meme generator lifestyle.

Klopp, Guardiola and Erik ten Hag have made it clear they are not in their plans, which makes Southgate’s comments about Foden not playing in the 10 role for City hence he doesn’t for England. Why acknowledge that but then pick non-playing club players as starters for the national team?

All three players are sticks to beat Southgate with, side dramas and subplots that he just doesn’t need but he perseveres with anyway, all the way to the Euros next summer in all likelihood.

In spite of the desire and clear show last night that when you let really good players play, good things happen, is anyone expecting one or more of the ‘Southgate Three’ not to feature in the starting lineup for the opening game of the tournament? Maybe it might happen under his successor.

The template for success has been set in the manager’s mind and for his sake, it really needs to be ultimate glory in nine months’ time. If not, it could greatly taint his legacy as England’s best manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.