"The game needed a bit more control" - Rio Ferdinand questions why 2 England stars didn't get more minutes in 1-0 Serbia win
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand was puzzled by the lack of game-time for two England stars in their 1-0 win over Serbia at EURO 2024. The 45-year-old felt that Red Devils starlet Kobbie Mainoo and Chelsea forward Cole Palmer could have helped their side control the game and secure the result more comfortably.
Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham nodded England in front in the 13th minute. The first half was completely dominated by the Three Lions, but Serbia slowly re-established themselves, forcing Jordan Pickford into multiple late saves.
With England requiring physicality and on-the-ball quality to shore up their defense of the lead, they turned to the bench. However, Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher (69') and West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen (76') were the only players to get significant minutes off the bench.
Mainoo was substituted onto the pitch in the 86th minute, while Palmer did not feature at all. At full-time, Ferdinand questioned manager Gareth Southgate's decision to keep them out of action for so long, saying (via BBC One and Mail Sport):
"The game needed a bit more control. Where are the players that can do that? Kobbie Mainoo, maybe yes, [should come on] a bit earlier if need be. But also someone like Cole Palmer who has got that bit of swagger and arrogance to say give me that ball. The way [Dusan] Tadic came on for Serbia, he came on and said give me the ball, I will be that outlet for you guys."
England manager Gareth Southgate praises goalscorer Jude Bellingham and midfield maestro Trent Alexander-Arnold
England manager Gareth Southgate was full of praise for Real Madrid attacker Jude Bellingham, who scored the solitary goal in his side's 1-0 win over Serbia at EURO 2024.
After the game, the 53-year-old said (via BBC):
"He writes his own script. The timing of his runs. It was a super bit of play in the build-up of his play."
Southgate also singled out Liverpool superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was played in midfield rather than his natural right-back position. Commending the 25-year-old's understanding of the game, the Three Lions boss said:
"Of course, Jude has such a prominent role, but he goes forward a lot and Trent had to cover a lot of spaces. That is not a role he's done very often at all. I thought he showed great discipline. He showed some moments of that fabulous passing range that he has, the shot on goal as well. We're obviously learning with him in this role, but I thought he showed some of the attributes that he can bring."
England will next face Denmark on June 20 at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt.