England could draw on Pep Guardiola tactics at Man City to solve burning World Cup issue

Just like in 2021 and in 2018 before that, Gareth Southgate has a right-back issue he still doesn't have a clear answer to heading into a major tournament.

It's not like he hasn't had plenty of time to find a workable solution to having four quality right-backs at his disposal, more that there simply isn't a way to keep all of Kyle Walker, Keiran Trippier, Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold happy. At the 2018 World Cup, albeit with Alexander-Arnold and James not quite on the same level, he used Walker in a back three and Trippier on the right.

Last summer, for the re-arranged Euro 2020 tournament, he did the same, with James in reserve and Alexander-Arnold injured. Now all four are fit, and Southgate must decide on a hierarchy before Qatar 2022 with just two games remaining. To make that decision, he may look at how Pep Guardiola has developed Walker in the last 18 months at Manchester City.

ALSO READ: Jack Grealish has just told Man City how they can finally get the best out of him

In the summer, Walker laid down his intentions to be the first choice right-back at the World Cup, insisting: "I'm not letting someone else retire me. I'm going to let someone have a decision to make where you're going to have to pick me."

At the same time, he is fully aware that the likes of James and Alexander-Arnold, plus his old Tottenham teammate Trippier, will also have eyes on that right-back spot in Qatar. On Friday night, England play their first of two final fixtures before Southgate picks his squad for the November World Cup.

He may have to pick four right-backs, as they are undoubtedly among the four best footballers in the country, but he will have to play one or two out of position if he wants to fit them all in the team and