Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jesse Lingard and Jordan Henderson make a compelling case in England’s midfield

At times it was hard to decipher exactly what Gareth Southgate could learn from this tentative prod at Netherlands, other than a few forgettable footnotes in the context of an upcoming World Cup. Danny Rose struggled to find his crossing range; Harry Maguire had some hairy moments; a makeshift defence kept the Dutch at bay.

But there was definitely something to be taken from a surprisingly well-balanced midfield trio, a tweak to the setup which most didn’t anticipate before kick-off. The pre-game formations suggested Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be paired with Jordan Henderson, but the addition of Jesse Lingard helped England take control against a blunt Netherlands side.

Henderson, England’s captain on the night, played as the linchpin between Oxlade-Chamberlain to his right and Lingard to his left, allowing the wider duo’s intelligent and energetic running to threaten the Dutch from deep, scurrying into those channels outside the centre-backs where danger heightens.

Encouragingly, both were involved in England’s goal on the hour. Oxlade-Chamberlain carried the ball over the halfway and passed into the final third, where Lingard spread it wide to Rose, before collecting a deflected return and wrapping his foot through it to earn his first international goal. Both seemed to bristle with confidence, a welcome sight given the manner of England’s nerve-racked defeat against Iceland at Euro 2016.

Henderson did well, too. He is often maligned, made out to be operating a little above his station, but he is utterly committed to squeezing every drop out his own abilities and that is an admirable trait. He plays the water-carrier more effectively than anyone else in Southgate’s squad, with a deeper passing repertoire than Eric Dier, and his discipline helped his team-mates to foray forwards.

The broader benefit of a three-man midfield is the way it allows Southgate to recalibrate his team. He can play attacking options like Lingard, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dele Alli or Adam Lallana when England need to probe, but likewise he can chose Dier or Jack Wilshere to tweak the balance and bring a little more control.

Several questions linger as Southgate navigates what he labelled the “complex minefield” of naming his World Cup squad. Jordan Pickford was composed, but is he too callow to start in a major tournament? The defensive unit were organised, but is the manager any closer to finding his preferred three?

Southgate may, however, have found a useful solution to his midfield conundrum on what was otherwise a heartening but unremarkable night.