The Three Lions defied expectations to make it to the semis, but there are areas of concern that need improvement.

Football sadly won't be coming home this year. The dreaming of winning the World Cup and bringing the title to England came to an unfortunate end in the semi-finals, with the Three Lions losing 2-1 against Croatia in extra-time.

The players and fans were devastated, and understandably so. However, Gareth Southgate does not have the luxury to dwell on what could have been, as the job as a manager requires him to look ahead.

The gaffer admitted watching the semi-final defeat shortly after the game to analyze what went wrong and where they should go from here.  England has one more game left to play – the third-place play-off against Belgium – but Southgate has seen enough to assess his side.

His decision to call up a youthful squad paid dividends. The Three Lions' campaign in Russia was a successful one, regardless of their exit, as no one expected them to reach this far. Additionally, they have ample time to grow and achieve something their predecessors failed to do: win a title. However, a few things need sorting out in order to improve this side for the near future.

One main issue is that of Raheem Sterling. While a number of other big names failed to impress, the Man City ace entered this competition on the back of an amazing season. The Premier League ace tends to receive unfair criticism from the media, but there is no denying the fact that he did not enjoy the best of tournaments in Russia.

Is it Southgate's tactics? Sterling was wasteful in front of goal in a number of occasions, which might hint at a confidence issue especially after enduring a backlash over his gun tattoo. Regardless, Southgate must figure out how to get the Citizens ace back at his best as the national side would only reap benefits.

One key area that needs addressing is the playmaker role. Anyone who watched England play could easily notice they were missing that presence in midfield who could dictate play, split defenses apart, and serve Harry Kane goals on a silver platter with killer passes.

The captain and his Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli thrive with the creative Christian Eriksen constantly feeding them. The same cannot be said for the 1966 World Cup winner. This is one reason why many argued Jack Wilshere should have been called up, and while he might have been the closest thing they have, the former Arsenal man is nowhere near being the world-class midfielder England needs.

Finding the answer to this issue will need time. Mentoring up and coming talents is an option. Training one of their current players – Sterling pops into mind – to fill this void is another. However, until a solution is found, Southgate's men may have to continue relying on set-pieces for goals.

These crop of players also need experience against the best. Thrashing Panama and beating Sweden is one thing; doing the same against France, Brazil, and Belgium is another. England has faced a number of top sides in friendlies in the build-up to the 2018 World Cup, but competitive games against heavyweights will make them stronger in time for Euro 2020.

Southgate's project, despite defying expectations, is not complete. The UEFA Nations League is right around the corner and with a little fine-tuning, the Three Lions could grow to become a powerhouse on the international stage and end years of embarrassment for the birthplace of football.