Spain's stylistic identity shows England what they were missing under Gareth Southgate
The Spanish national team has, over the years, forged a clearly defined playing identity, focused on possession , team play , and a sophisticated technical approach. In contrast, England, under Gareth Southgate , have often been criticised for their pragmatic approach and lack of attacking fluidity. The emergence of the Spanish team in recent competitions has highlighted what England have sometimes failed to cultivate during Southgate’s tenure: a consistent, fluid and resolutely attacking style of play. In this article, we explore the contrasts between the stylistic identities of the two teams and what England could learn from Spain to improve their approach in the future.
Spain's style of play: a clear and distinct identity
Ball possession: Spanish DNA
One of the most striking features of Spain's game is its mastery of the ball . Since the 2000s , Spain has been able to impose a style of play based on short passing , rapid circulation and careful construction of the game . This style of play, often referred to as "tiki-taka" , has allowed the Spanish national team to dominate major international competitions, notably by winning Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
Under the leadership of Luis Enrique or Julen Lopetegui , Spain have consistently sought to impose this style by adapting it to the times. While some football purists criticise the slowness of the ball movement in some games, the core of the Spanish philosophy remains its ability to maintain possession and dictate the pace of the game. This contrasts sharply with the more direct and less possession-oriented philosophy of England under Southgate.
An offensive and collective game
Spain also stands out for its collective offensive play , where each player is involved in the construction phases. Unlike other teams that rely on individual players to create chances, Spain favors a team game , where each pass counts and each player has the responsibility of initiating or concluding offensive actions. Talents like Pedri , Gavi or Dani Olmo embody this new generation that combines technique and game intelligence in a highly collective system.
In addition, Spain manages to create spaces through a very fluid passing game, which puts the opposing defenses under pressure. This style is characterized by synchronized movements , doubling of passes and an ability to unbalance the opponent through well-timed deep passes.
England under Gareth Southgate: a more conservative approach
Southgate's pragmatism
In contrast, under Gareth Southgate , England have adopted a much more pragmatic and defensive approach . Southgate, while achieving relatively positive results, including a semi-final at the 2018 World Cup and a final at Euro 2020, has been criticised for his lack of attacking risk-taking. Under his leadership, England have often seemed hesitant in their desire to dominate the game, preferring to focus on defensive solidity and counter-attacking rather than dynamic and creative possession .
While Spain favour a block attacking approach, England rely more on quick transitions . This style draws on the physical qualities of players like Raheem Sterling , Harry Kane , or Mason Mount , but lacks the fluidity and creativity that characterise the Spanish selection.
Lack of offensive consistency
One of the major criticisms of England under Southgate has been their lack of attacking consistency. While England have some exceptional attacking talent, they have often struggled to impose a fluid attacking style of play . By comparison, Spain have always maintained a clear attacking structure, with relentless ball movement and a more patient approach in possession. In contrast, England have sometimes looked disjointed in their attacking phases, with an over-reliance on quick ball loss or long balls .
What England can learn from Spain
A more mature and structured possession
One of the most important lessons England could learn from Spain is the need to develop more systematic ball control . Rather than aiming to score from the first moment of possession, England could take a leaf out of Spain's book by prioritising more controlled ball circulation. This would help control the tempo of the game and create more methodical chances, while also allowing the team to escape from opposition pressure.
A collective and fluid system
Furthermore, England could benefit from a more collective and fluid system of play . Rather than relying solely on the individual exploits of their attackers, the team could better exploit the spaces created by synchronised movements and quick passes. This type of play would require a change in philosophy, but it could lead to a more dynamic and less predictable attack.
The importance of creativity in midfield
Finally, England could do with putting more emphasis on the creativity of their midfielders. While Spain have always placed a premium on playmakers like Sergio Busquets , Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta , England sometimes lack creative linkages between their midfielders and forwards. Developing players who can dictate the pace in midfield, such as Phil Foden or James Maddison , could be an important strategic focus going forward.
Conclusion: a necessary evolution for England
Gareth Southgate’s England, despite their recent international successes, still need to evolve to reach their full potential. By taking inspiration from Spain’s stylistic approach, with their ball control, fluid team play and creativity in midfield, England could transform themselves into a more cohesive, attacking and ultimately more formidable team on the world stage. It is high time for the Three Lions to learn from the lessons of the past and build a new playing identity that honours their wealth of talent.
