Germany joy, sizzling Southgate, Messi business and Pogba's bleus - four things to look out for

The international break is rarely something to look forward to among football fans, but this is an unusually important set of friendly fixtures. For most of the world’s top sides this week is the last chance to scrutinise their tactics against fellow big nations – and thus the final test of their readiness for the 2018 World Cup.

Germany and Argentina are among the stuttering nations in need of a lift against opponents they are likely to face in the latter stages of this summer’s competition. Elsewhere, England are exploring new options on the pitch with Gareth Southgate still trying to sort out his defence.

Here are four things to look out for in the upcoming international fixtures:

1) Can Germany finally beat a top side when they play Spain & Brazil?

The favourites for this summer’s World Cup don’t have a particularly strong record of late. Germany might have comfortably qualified for the tournament, winning all ten group games, but they have struggled to perform against the biggest nations ever since lifting the trophy in 2014.

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Since a 1-0 friendly win against Spain in November 2014 Germany have failed to beat any of the top sides they’ve faced. Joachim Lowe’s team lost to France and England in friendlies, were then knocked out of the European Championships by France (2-0 in the semi-finals after only beating Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals) and subsequently drew friendly matches against Italy, Chile, England, and France. That’s eight consecutive games without victory – if you count that penalty win as a 1-1 draw.

In the next seven days Germany face Spain and Brazil in their final difficult fixtures before they attempt to defend their World Cup this summer. This, then, is Lowe’s final chance to restore some confidence in a side that must be beginning to wonder: can we still compete with the world’s best?

2) A chance for newcomers to become England’s first choice centre-backs

Gareth Southgate seems likely to stick with a three-man defence for the upcoming friendlies and the World Cup following its success in recent draws with Germany and Brazil. However, England suddenly look very weak in this area following a Premier League campaign in which a series of regular starters were dropped by their club teams.

John Stones, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Gary Cahill have all been in and out of their respective sides, with Cahill dropped from Southgate’s squad altogether. As a consequence the England head coach has given Alfie Mawson and James Tarkowski their first call-ups. Southgate, having previously said he will only select players who are regularly playing for their clubs, rightly described the defender situation as a “complex minefield”.

Both Tarkowski and Mawson have been superb for Burnley and Swansea City respectively. However, Tarkowski’s performances mimic those of Michael Keane last season – whose move to Everton hasn’t gone to plan and led to the 25-year-old missing out on England selection. There is an increasing sense that Sean Dyche’s excellent coaching, and narrow defensive system, make his centre-backs look better than they are. What’s more, Tarkowski doesn’t play in a three-man system at club level.

But Mawson, who does play in a three under Carlos Carvalhal, is maturing into an excellent footballer who could certainly become an England regular before the World Cup begins. It will be interesting to see who Southgate starts on Friday against the Netherlands; he is running out of time to chop and change his back three.

3) Faltering Argentina face important European tests against Italy and Spain

Argentina were very close to missing out on the World Cup following a poor qualifying campaign in which Jorge Sampaoli’s team won a mere seven of their 18 matches. It took a Lionel Messi hat-trick in the final match, a 3-1 win away at Ecuador, for Argentina to secure their place.

If that wasn’t worrying enough for Argentina fans, they haven’t played a major European nation since November 2014 – when they lost 1-0 to Portugal. And although it was a long time ago Argentina also notably struggled to get past Belgium and Netherlands in the last World Cup, beating the Belgians 1-0 before going through on penalties in the semi-finals after a 0-0 draw.

Sampaoli and Argentina, then, are under significant pressure for their upcoming friendlies against Italy and Spain, designed to help them prepare for the latter stages of the World Cup. Despite an easy draw in the early rounds they are likely to meet Spain in the quarter-finals. It will be fascinating to see how Sampaoli’s high-pressing, Bielsa-inspired football works against the possession model of the Spanish on Tuesday.

4) How will Paul Pogba respond to Dider Deschamps words of support?

The relationship between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho threatens to turn toxic following another falling out; the United manager reportedly found a recent interview interruption “disrespectful”, while Jamie Redknapp was quoted as saying the two have “100 per cent lost trust in each other.”

This has led the France head coach, Didier Deschamps, to suggest Pogba “cannot be happy” with his current club situation. He has promised to talk to the player, using the sort of arm-around-the-shoulder approach that is clearly not forthcoming from Mourinho.

Given that the Portuguese’s abrasive management style has come under increasing scrutiny this season (Luke Shaw is being “bullied” according to some United players), it will be fascinating to see what effect Deschamps has on Pogba’s form. The 25-year-old has been performing below expectations for United, and so a top performance in France’s games against Colombia and Russia would certainly raise eyebrows.