How We Got Here: England's Year of Evolution

Last updated : 18 June 2018 By Three Lions

The past year has seen a gradual process of tactical and personnel change for Gareth Southgate's England.

Having secured World Cup qualification in a fairly uninspiring manner Southgate then seized the opportunity to stamp his name on the Three Lions squad.

October's final qualifier in Lithuania won't live long in the memory but it was the game where Southgate introduced the three-man central defensive system that England will be playing in Russia, Harry Maguire beginning his late run towards a place in the squad.

The double header against Germany and Brazil in November saw Jordan Pickford make his debut in goal with the Everton man poised to cap his year by being first-choice at the World Cup.

It was also the moment when Ruben Loftus-Cheek showed his quality on the international stage and when Southgate made the leap towards a more youthful-looking England.

In Amsterdam in March this year we got the first indication that Kyle Walker would be playing on the right-hand side of the three central defenders as he played alongside John Stones and Maguire in the partnership that looks set to take the field against Tunisia.

And then the warm-up friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica formulated the idea that England did not need both Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier in midfield, certainly against 'lesser' opposition.

Those incremental steps have brought Southgate to the eve of a World Cup tie against Tunisia when he will complete his own surprise journey to being the man in charge of the Three Lions.

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