"Gonna make my head explode" - England fans identify 'biggest problem' in starting XI after underwhelming 0-0 draw against Slovenia
Fans were unimpressed with midfielder Conor Gallagher being named in England's starting XI after their underwhelming draw against Slovenia in Euro 2024 on Tuesday, June 25. The match ended 0-0 at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany.
The Three Lions failed to score in their last group-stage match but still topped Group C. They started their campaign with a 1-0 win over Serbia before drawing 1-1 against Denmark. Gareth Southgate included Gallagher in the starting line-up against Slovenia before hooking off the Chelsea player in favor of Kobbie Mainoo in the 46th minute.
Fans took to social media and criticized Conor Gallagher's contribution to the England squad in Euro 2024. While some expressed their disappointment in Southgate's starting XI, others believed the squad had better players who should have started.
Here are some reactions on X:
One fan wrote:
"This Gallagher for Trent sub on 52 minutes is gonna make my head explode"
Another added:
"They scapegoated Trent when old mate Gallagher cannot complete a pass to save his life. Awful."
"England can’t break Slovenia’s lines and Southgate thinks Gallagher is the answer and not our best passer Trent Alexander-Arnold," chimed in another fan.
One account posted:
"Hard to believe that adding Conor Gallagher to this England team hasn't improved things at all. Mystifying."
Another posted:
"Hard to believe Gallagher is a professional footballer tbh"
One user wrote:
"Hard to believe Southgate is a manager.🤭"
While another wrote:
"The Gallagher pick just truly baffles me"
England finished their Euro 2024 group-stage campaign with five points.
Gareth Southgate opens up after England's goalless draw against Slovenia in Euro 2024
England head coach Gareth Southgate shared his opinion on his team's performance following the goalless draw against Slovenia in Euro 2024.
"I thought we played a lot better than the other games. We couldn't just find that finish but we look forward to the next one. We created some half chances and there were some that we could maybe have done better. I think the boys who came on did really well and kept the energy high and that's what we need. We need everyone chipping in and that's what we are doing so far," he said (via ITV).
"These games are tough. We have been here before and stepped it up in the past when we have got to the knockouts. All games in this tournament are tough. It is going to be a difficult challenge ahead and we have enough ability to keep pushing," added the 53-year-old manager.
Although the Three Lions advanced to the Round of 16, they are yet to find out who they will face next.