Gareth Southgate will have named his provisional World Cup squad by the time England play their next fixture, against Nigeria at Wembley on 2 June.
The manager’s preparations for the tournament have been boosted by a positive international break which bedded in his plans to play three central defenders and during which England showed plenty of attacking intent against Holland and Italy despite the absence of talisman striker Harry Kane.
A VAR-assisted penalty stood between England and a second successive 1-0 victory but they have come through unbeaten from tests against Germany, Brazil and now the Dutch and Italians.
“In terms of the last four games, we’ve played four of the biggest football countries in the world – they’re at different levels of progression – and we’ve been competitive in every game,” said Southgate.
“Our patterns of play have become far clearer. What’s really pleased me is the guys are solving problems on the pitch themselves: changes of formation from the opposition; working their way through different pressing tactics. That’s a real plus.”