"Find a way to make them both work" - Alan Shearer names 2 undroppable England players despite lukewarm start to Euro 2024 campaign
England legend Alan Shearer has urged manager Gareth Southgate to alter his tactics to get the best out of some underperforming players. The Three Lions have not looked solid in their Euro 2024 campaign but lead Group C with four points from two games.
Southgate's side scraped a win against Serbia before playing out a disappointing draw against Denmark in their second group game. Given the quality of players at his disposal, this has so far been seen as a hugely underwhelming tournament for them.
England remain on top of their group and are in complete control of their destiny, but they have to defeat Slovenia to qualify as group winners without any struggles. Alan Shearer believes that the manager needs to make certain changes to his tactics, particularly regarding two players.
Shearer told The Rest is Football podcast that the duo of Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are undroppable from the Three Lions squad. He advised that the manager play the Manchester City man centrally and make Bellingham drop deeper in midfield.
“There’s no way you can leave Bellingham or Foden out of the England team. No other country would leave those two players out. They are amazing players. Find a way to make them both work - get them in the team. I would have Bellingham, as I’ve said, alongside Rice, with the freedom to go forward.
“I’d have Saka and Gordon either side of Harry Kane, with Foden as a No.10. I don’t think they should be afraid to be left one vs one at the back, they’re more than capable. He’s going to have to change it. He cannot - and won’t - go in (against Slovenia) with the same team. The midfield gamble, in terms of Trent, hasn’t worked,” he said.
Foden has struggled when utilized as a left winger as he drifts into central positions, as he does for his club. This has meant that the left flank is often under-utilized and unable to contribute significantly to attacking sequences. The reigning Premier League Player of the Year, the quality of Foden is undeniable but he must be played correctly to be at his best.
Euro 2024: England stars reportedly square off in training ahead of Slovenia clash
England are in the news for the wrong reasons after The Sun claimed that two of their senior players were involved in an altercation during training. The Three Lions are preparing to face Slovenia in their final Group C game on Tuesday, June 25.
The report claimed that assistant captain Kyle Walker had said something to Kieran Trippier, which he was unhappy about, and the Newcastle United man didn't take it well. Foden had to intervene to prevent the issue from escalating further.
The Three Lions remain in control of Group C, as they lead the group with four points from two games. Both Denmark and Slovenia below them have two points apiece, while Serbia are rooted to the bottom with just one point.