Gareth Southgate has loads of issues. So what are the options?
England could also be prime of Group C and unbeaten at Euro 2024 however their 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday night was an alarming efficiency.
From the bodily situation of the gamers to their tactical set-up and out-of-possession urgent, there have been considerations throughout the pitch.
A spot within the knockouts is all however assured however England want a big gear shift in the event that they’re to have an effect within the latter levels of this event.
Listed below are a few of the choices Southgate might flip to for the ultimate group sport on Tuesday towards Slovenia, the place he’ll hope to kick-start this spluttering England marketing campaign. Have a look after which vote to your favorite…
1) Re-shape the midfield
After seeing England’s midfield fail to click on so badly towards Denmark, it appears apparent Trent Alexander-Arnold will not play there towards Slovenia. That experiment is on maintain. May Southgate additionally take the chance to utterly restructure his set-up in that space and go to a three-man midfield? If that’s the case, Conor Gallagher – Alexander-Arnold’s substitute in each video games up to now – can be more likely to are available alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
2) Re-shape the midfield and drop Foden
If Alexander-Arnold has been one goal of criticism up to now, then the performances of Phil Foden have additionally been underneath hearth. The Manchester Metropolis ace could have hit the publish towards Denmark and carried out higher than he did towards Serbia however he continues to seek for his finest kind in an England shirt. Is it time to offer Anthony Gordon an opportunity to stretch his legs and stretch the opposition defence? Or give Cole Palmer the chance to breed his Premier League goal-scoring feats on the worldwide stage?
3) Time to show to Palmer?
Or might Palmer merely have an effect by slotting into the present set-up, with Bellingham feeding him from the No10 place?
4) Get fan favourites Mainoo and Palmer in
Palmer’s title has been trending on social media after each of England’s video games up to now. And so has Kobbie Mainoo’s. Southgate is not often one to bow to public stress however he might give England followers what they need by fielding them each towards Slovenia. Mainoo will be the reply to England’s midfield conundrum.
5) Gordon on the wing, Mainoo in midfield
With Rice and Mainoo providing safety, would Gordon supply a greater out-ball than Palmer?
6) Bench Kane AND Bellingham!
Southgate’s choice to sub off Kane towards Denmark was justified nevertheless it’s all the time a shock to see the captain and prime scorer withdrawn. There was additionally a case to take off a tired-looking Jude Bellingham however the golden boy performed the complete 90 minutes. If Southgate desires each of his key males firing at 100 per cent for the knockout rounds, might he be so daring as to relaxation them towards Slovenia and benefit from his many attacking choices on this squad?
7) Give Kane a strike associate
Maybe Kane simply wants some help up prime. How about taking part in Ollie Watkins alongside him to offer the working in behind?
8) Play the wildcards!
With England nearly into the subsequent spherical anyway, possibly now could be the time for Southgate to unleash his wildcards and provides his kids resembling Mainoo, Adam Wharton and Ebe Eze the liberty to go and play?
The ultimate Group C fixtures
England vs Slovenia (Cologne, kick-off 8pm UK time)
Denmark vs Serbia (Munich, kick-off 8pm UK time)