"Gareth has to make changes" - Alan Shearer wants Gareth Southgate to make three big changes for England's Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash
Premier League icon Alan Shearer has called for England boss Gareth Southgate to make three bold changes to his starting XI for their Round of 16 clash. The Three Lions will face Slovakia next at the Veltins-Arena on Sunday, June 30 in last 16.
England managed to come out on top of Group C with five points from three games. However, they struggled as a unit, scoring just two goals across the group stages. In addition, they drew two of their fixtures, against Denmark (1-1) and Slovenia (0-0), particularly lacking cohesion in the latter.
Conor Gallagher, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden were deployed in the starting XI to face Slovenia during England's most recent clash at Euro 2024. However, all three struggled, ans Southgate then brought on Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon, respectively, for them.
All three stars looked bright in midfield and further up the pitch, outshining their teammates who made way. Despite coming on in the 89th minute, Gordon nearly made an instant impact and came close to assisting Palmer for a goal.
Shearer liked what he saw from the trio as he told BBC One (via METRO):
"He [Southgate] brought Mainoo on at half-time, I thought the other subs were left far too late. But all three had an effect on the game which is what they needed. I thought Mainoo was really good, he came into midfield and offered something totally different in midfield, winning the ball back, creating the option to receive the ball."
He added:
"This guy [Palmer] came in on the right hand side and looked really, really good. He had a big impact, his movement and confidence with the ball was brilliant. [Their combinations] we haven’t seen too much of that at all in the first two games, we certainty didn’t see it until Palmer came on."
He continued:
"You can see that passing forward with someone receiving it in a forward position. Then Gordon came on with three minutes. The three linked up really well. We saw more on that left hand side in those three or four minutes when Gordon came on than we’ve seen in the two or three games we’ve had.
"Absolutely no doubt about it, Gareth has to make changes, particularly on either side and definitely one in the middle of the park."
Foden has temporarily left England's camp to return home due to the birth of his third child. While he is expected to return on Sunday, Anthony Gordon could very well start against Slovakia after his impressive cameo against Slovenia.
England star told he won't play again at Euro 2024 after dismal performance against Slovenia
Former Liverpool star Didi Hamann believes Conor Gallagher won't play again for the remainder of Euro 2024 after the Chelsea skipper was subbed off at half-time in their 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
Gallagher replaced the struggling Trent Alexander-Arnold in Southgate's XI, starting alongside Declan Rice. However, the 24-year-old was hauled off after just 45 minutes. He created zero chances, had zero shots at goal, made zero tackles, and lost two duels.
Hamann told RTE (via METRO):
"Gallagher isn’t or wasn’t a problem. He’s not the problem of that England team. It’s probably too late now. If you go after the lesser players, it doesn’t look good on the manager, and that’s what he’s done in the tournament."
He continued:
"He’s taken Alexander-Arnold, he’s an easy target. Gallagher comes off at half-time. We probably don’t see Gallagher again for the rest of the tournament."
Moreover, Hamann reckons all three of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Harry Kane should be dropped for the likes of Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze, and Jarrod Bowen.