Five talking points ahead of Germany v England

21 March 2017 12:08

It is almost a year since Roy Hodgson's England completed a dramatic 3-2 win over Germany in Munich to build hopes of a triumphant Euro 2016 campaign.

Much has changed for the Three Lions since that day, including a debacle at the tournament and two managerial switches.

Here,we look at the key points of interest heading into the game.

CAN ENGLAND IDENTIFY NEW LEADERS?

Gareth Southgate has spoken of the need to develop new leaders, even floating the idea of dispensing with a permanent captain. With Wayne Rooney absent and Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane injured there are opportunities for others to step forward and announce themselves as big personalities capable of standing tall in an England shirt. Gary Cahill is expected to wear the armband but younger players like John Stones, Eric Dier and Dele Alli are expected to take their share of the load.

WHO WILL MAKE THEIR CASE UP FRONT?

With Kane, Rooney and Daniel Sturridge all missing from the get together, England are limited for options at the business end of the pitch. Jamie Vardy scored in the victory last year and is gradually rediscovering his title-winning form but in support Southgate has the recalled veteran Jermain Defoe and the callow Marcus Rashford. A strong showing at the Westfalenstadion would be a boon to their World Cup prospects as they each aim to prove age is just a number.

LUKAS TAKES HIS LEAVE

World Cup winner and former Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski will make his farewell appearance against England having announced his international retirement. He will exit stage right as his country's third top goalscorer, netting 50 times in 129 appearances and will be looking to sign off with one last strike against the old rivals.

FEELING THE BLUES

England will be wearing their new away kit in Dortmund, a dark blue arrangement which has already invited comparisons with the traditional Scottish colours. Football fans are often sentimental and superstitious by nature so the outcome of the new outfit's first outing could be all important. A win in Germany's back yard would be enough to sell a full tartan jersey to the faithful but a sound defeat could have fans pining for a familiar red change strip.

NEW FACES

There are three uncapped faces in the England squad, Burnley's Michael Keane and Southampton duo James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond and it is a reasonable assumption that one or more of them will see action. Keane has been involved on several occasions without crossing the white line and his performances this term warrant further attention, while Southgate knows the Saints pair well from his time with the under-21s and is keen to feed some new blood into the squad.

Source: PA