“They’ll pose a different kind of threat" - Jude Bellingham sends Slovakia warning to England ahead of Euro 2024 Ro16 clash
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has warned that Slovakia will pose a tough challenge to the Three Lions when the two sides meet in Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate's side have gotten a rather easy draw on paper as they take on 45th-ranked Slovakia in the Round of 16 of Euro 2.
The Three Lions looked set for a big clash against the Netherlands in the Round of 16 but Georgia’s shock win over Portugal completely changed the picture. They will now take on Slovakia in the last 16 and Bellingham has warned that it won't be a cakewalk.
The Real Madrid midfielder has claimed that England must pick up their game to get a result against Slovakia. He also stressed that the Three Lions cannot feel complacent against Francesco Calzona's side. The 20-year-old said, as quoted by the Standard:
“You’re always going to have tough games at this point of the tournament. People will obviously look at Slovakia and think it’s going to be an easy game. It’s definitely not the case. They’ll pose a different kind of threat, it’s a different kind of team to break down."
Bellingham added:
"Sometimes, when you play the nations that come at you more, it’s more open. It’ll be an interesting game, [but] it’s one that we’re confident we have enough in the room to win. I know the performances haven’t been as good as they can be, but it’s a great opportunity for us to get back to the level we need to be at.”
England have been thoroughly underwhelming in Euro 2024 so far, winning just one game in the group stage while drawing the other two. They started their Euro campaign with a narrow 1-0 win against Serbia but then drew 1-1 and 0-0 to Denmark and Slovenia, respectively.
Bellingham started his Euro campaign on a high, scoring a bullet header to help Gareth Southgate's side secure a 1-0 win against Serbia. The midfielder has, however, struggled to have an impact in the next two games.
Alan Shearer urges England manager Gareth Southgate to make three big changes for England's Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash
Former England striker Alan Shearer has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to make three big changes to his side ahead of their Round of 16 clash. The Three Lions will take on Slovakia on Sunday, June 30.
Shearer was impressed with how well the trio of Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon against Slovenia after being introduced from the bench. The three players replaced Conor Gallagher, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, respectively.
Shearer has urged Southgate to start the trio of Mainoo, Palmer and Gordon in the Round of 16. The former Newcastle United striker said, as quoted by 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."
"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. You can see that passing forward with someone receiving it in a forward position."
Shearer added:
"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."
Phil Foden has temporarily left the England camp due to the birth of his third child, The Manchester City star could be out of the starting XI on Sunday with Gordon getting a chance to shine.