I think England addressed the major issues from previous tournaments: Namely not being able to win knock outs games, winning a penalty shoot out, actually scoring some goals (albeit not many chances), and the team actually coming together for once with multiple players improving their reputation - these are the babysteps that were much needed. It's a missed opportunity in some ways, but there's progress to see there.
Still, England/Southgate now need to address the following issues before we can see how much of this tournament was a successful building block, and how much it was a one off fluke:
- The inflexible use of 5-3-2 (or 3-3-2-2 if you prefer)
The big one. England refused to change from it and it ultimately cost them a chance in a world cup final when they so clearly needed to match up against Croatia's midfield. I've seen Southgate extoll the virtues of the formations numerous times - but I've yet to see him address the big isssues with it either. Namely that playing an extra centre back is ultimately redundant in a lot of games and a big part of the lack of open play chances, whilst Southgate's attempts to solve this by playing two very much attacking midfielders over actual central midfielders in the midfield 3 didn't work and see's England get overtun or bypassed by the better teams. If England go forward with this system it will be massively to their detriment. Particularly when you see the standard of attacking players coming through the underage teams (namely Sancho, Foden, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Lookman...).
- The substitutes
Often to England's detriment and illogical to the game situation. RLC disappeared after the group stage but surely offered a greater amount of midfield control than Lingard or Alli with his ability to hold on to the ball yet neither were even subbed off in the semi-final. Instead like for like changes were often the solution, with bizarre subs like Dier for Henderson in spite of England obviously getting overrun.
- Lingard and Alli
With Lingard, He's decent. A squad player. But Southgate treats him as his main man. Alli likewise, a good advanced player, not a good central midfielder. If its a big game, they're going to play the entire thing. Which for the first half might be fine, they run around a lot, find space. But as they gets tired they're complete passengers in this side - and the better sides - Colombia and Croatia - wrestled control of the midfield when they got tired. They don't have the ability on the ball nor any defensive nous to play central midfield . If Southgate continues with this England will keep losing control of the midfield. Keep doing that and you'll keep losing games against anyone decent. It's true England don't have much depth in central midfield, but the likes of Lewis Cook will at least offer resilience and ball playing ability there. These two wants to make the runs but neither is happy - or capable of sitting deep even if the situation requires it. Resultantly Henderson is left playing midfield alone, and the defence have no one to pass too so end up hoofing it.
There's some degree of positivity, but with the nations league coming up - England face Croatia and Spain in competitive games - and my concern is the exact same mistakes will be made again, and again. This formation and set-up may yet prove to be a curse, but we shall see.