Grealish, Foden, Trent must earn Southgate loyalty and end England closed shop

IS Gareth Southgate too loyal?

Are his England team stagnating, rather than evolving and progressing?

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Is Southgate’s starting line-up, for A-list fixtures, becoming something of a closed shop?

The Three Lions boss denies these accusations and insists he is ‘open-minded’.

But ten of the 11 players who lost last summer’s Euros final started in the 1-1 draw in Germany on Tuesday night — only the injured Luke Shaw missing out.

And seven of that 11 also lined up for the World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia at the 2018 World Cup.

There is a growing feeling that others, especially Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold, are not given a fair crack of the whip.

Meanwhile, established Southgate favourites — in particular Harry Maguire but also Kieran Trippier, Jordan Pickford and Mason Mount — are often included despite their form, and will start at the World Cup in Qatar whatever.

Asked whether he was too loyal, Southgate replied: “No. We’re totally open-minded.

“Bukayo Saka came out of the pack and we didn’t hesitate putting Jude Bellingham in the fray (as an early sub on Tuesday), which was an incredible experience for him.

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“But to win big matches there’s a huge amount of qualities needed. It’s not just about talent. You’ve got to have know-how and awareness.

“Germany tested us tactically without the ball to such a high level, with the movement and runs they made, so the reading of the game and communication on the pitch is vital.

“That group of players have played together a lot and on those nights it’s vital.

“Of course we want to try to develop others and bring that competition and to give them the similar sorts of experiences, which indirectly Jude ended up getting (in Germany). But that’s a process.”

It is a difficult balancing act for Southgate, or any international manager.

When fixtures are scarce, particularly elite-level tests like an away game in Germany, there is always a temptation to go with the tried and tested.

And teams that win tournaments — which must be England’s goal after a semi-final and a final — tend to have a shedload of caps behind them.

It was Italian nous and game- management which saw them edge the Three Lions at Wembley last summer, rather than superior talent.

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England are not an old team. Of those who played at the Allianz Arena, only Walker and Trippier are over 30.

But they are in danger of going stale, with Southgate’s commitment to the stalwarts of his Russian campaign never wavering.

Centre-back Maguire is the epitome of this. Despite a shocking season with his club Manchester United, he remains a nailed-on England starter.

Eric Dier, who enjoyed an excellent campaign with Tottenham, did not even make the squad for this current run of four Nations League fixtures.

Southgate’s team were largely poor in Munich, until the introduction of Grealish, 18 minutes from time, gave them renewed attacking impetus, which allowed them to nab a point through Harry Kane’s late penalty.

The Grealish debate has raged long and loud for the last two years — and he lies at the heart of another question mark over Southgate. Is the England boss too cautious and conservative?

Why doesn’t he fully trust the £100million Manchester City man?

Is it simply true that Grealish is more influential as a substitute, when opposition legs are tired and the game is more stretched?

Or is it more accurate that, as Southgate apparently believes, Grealish is most effective as the main man in a lesser team — such as Aston Villa — rather than for England or City, where he has not been a regular for Pep Guardiola’s champions either.

Grealish certainly needs an outstanding start to next season if he is to force his way into Southgate’s starting line-up in Qatar this winter. His City team-mate Phil Foden is perhaps a more likely candidate.

But if, as seems likely, the team which started on Tuesday will be very similar to that which kicks off the World Cup against Iran on November 21, there should be concerns for Southgate.

It would be ironic if Grealish, such a crowd-pleasing buzz-merchant, is offered a start against the Italians behind closed doors at Molineux.

England’s passing was shoddy, they were overly cautious and they struggled to cope with Germany’s fast, fluid attacks.

Yes, they were tired after a gruelling season but it was not so different for the Germans.

The back five of Pickford, Trippier, Maguire, John Stones and Walker all started against Croatia in Moscow.

They are the backbone of Southgate’s team. Along with Kane and Raheem Sterling they are near-permanent fixtures, when available.

Because of the nature of this post-season block of four games in 11 days, there will be changes for England’s home games with Italy on Saturday and Hungary on Tuesday.

That chance to experiment should be welcomed, although the exciting duo of Foden and centre-back Fikayo Tomori — title-winners with City and AC Milan respectively — are doubtful.

It would be ironic if Grealish, such a crowd-pleasing buzz-merchant, is offered a start against the Italians behind closed doors at Molineux this weekend.

One thing is for certain, Grealish, Foden, Alexander-Arnold and the rest of England’s fringe players must find a way to earn Southgate’s loyalty.

Because once the England manager gets loyal, he stays loyal.