England first tried the 3-box-3 shape against Ukraine in March and have since used it three times. It’s not working like it does at Manchester City, Barcelona, Arsenal and Liverpool. Why? Partly a lack of time together to practise, and it’s not a shape that lends itself to international football.

This has to do with the role of the wingers. So far, England have found that opponents will react to their midfield box by scrunching centrally and staying narrow. This means the only space is out wide, from centre-back to winger. 

However, when the wingers receive the ball, they do so to feet instead of chasing a pass in behind (as they might in a 4-3-3). The opposition shuffles across, and the winger has to retreat and play backwards. 

Static wingers are a primary feature of the 3-box-3, and it’s not for everyone. Some will say the likes of Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka play this role week in, week out, so they should be fine. However, the pace of international football is much slower by nature anyway, and adding static wingers (and constant backwards passing) doesn’t excite fans or add to the pace. 

Another consequence of isolating the wingers so far wide is the loss of a partnership with the full-back. Notably, this is because the formation doesn’t incorporate traditional full-backs. This can be particularly frustrating for England because it means fewer crosses into the box for Harry Kane. In a 4-3-3, the link between a winger and full-back often leads to a crossing opportunity.

Finally, despite such an emphasis on dominating the middle of the pitch, the 3-box-3 can actually appear counter-productive. Starting four players in the centre means the opposition can also react and fill the centre, rendering the whole move null. However, England’s 4-3-3 that worked so well in the World Cup had Kane dropping deep into a false-9 position. 

The 3-box-3 over-populates the centre of the field so much that it would no longer be helpful to have Kane dropping in. As one of his best features, this eliminates an entire shelf of attacking movements for England.