"Interested to see what they can do" - Micah Richards names the 2 players that could cause England problems in their Euro 2024 opening fixture
Micah Richards believes Serbia stars Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic are the two biggest threats in England's opening Euro 2024 fixture. The pundit has lavished praise on the two players, insisting they will cause the Three Lions problems.
The 2024 European Championship is set to commence this Friday (14 June), with Germany, who host the tournament, set to take on Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
England will face Serbia in their opening game of Euro 2024 on Sunday, and Richards believes the Three Lions must watch out for Milinkovic-Savic and Mitrovic.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Richards said (as quoted by Metro):
"[Sergej] Milinkovic-Savic. He is the player! He’s in Saudi now but he was at lazio" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Lazio. He is a real ball player. A lot of the good stuff they do comes through him.I’m interested to see what they can do. They’ve got good players on paper. As a team they’re very good but they’re not scintillating."
The former Manchester City defender added, giving his prediction for the Euro 2024 fixture:
"I’m gonna go England and Serbia [to finish 1-2 in Group C] because of set-pieces with [Aleksandar] Mitrovic and I just think he could be the difference. I know he’s playing in Saudi, not as competitive as where he was playing in the Premier League, but he will score goals."
Milinkovic-Savic and Mitrovic joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal last summer from Lazio and Fulham, respectively.
Pundit names 'controversial front-three' for England's Euro 2024 opener against Serbia
Pundit Jeff Stelling has picked Bayern Munich superstar Harry Kane, Chelsea star Cole Palmer, and Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon for his front three to face Serbia.
Sterling named Palmer over Bukayo Saka due to his fitness issues. The Arsenal winger missed the final game of the Premier League season through injury, causing concern over whether he would be fit for England's Euro 2024 opener.
While acknowledging Phil Foden's extraordinary form for Manchester City last term, Stelling believes Gordon has been better than Foden for the Three Lions.
He said:
"My front three is going to be a bit controversial. I'm going to pick (Cole) Palmer just ahead of Bukayo Saka. Saka's had a bit of a knock, not quite back up to 100 per cent, I think Palmer showed enough against Iceland. Palmer, (Harry) Kane and Anthony Gordon, who I thought was our biggest threat for most part of the night.
"He has been in brilliant form, and everyone's going to batter me because there is no Phil Foden there. But Foden, four goals in 34 games for England. I think Gareth Southgate and his staff are scratching their heads as to how to get the best out of Phil Foden for England."