England boss Gareth Southgate set to make bold change involving midfielder in his line-up to face Slovakia in Euro 2024 Round of 16: Reports
England manager Gareth Southgate is reportedly set to make a bold change against Slovakia in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024 on Sunday, June 30. As reported by the Telegraph (via The Sport Bible), Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo could be handed his first start of the tournament in the upcoming game.
England have endured a rather underwhelming group-stage campaign in Euro 2024 despite managing to secure the top spot. The Three Lions won their first game against Serbia 1-0 but drew 1-1 and 0-0 against Denmark and Slovenia, respectively.
Southgate has thus far failed to find the right midfield combination in the Euros. Trent Alexander-Arnold started the first two games in midfield but was taken off early for Conor Gallagher. The young Chelsea midfielder then earned his first start of the tournament against Slovenia but was subbed at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo did reasonably well after coming on from the bench and is reportedly in line for a start in the Round of 16. The 19-year-old is expected to be paired alongside Declan Rice, who was given a rest from training on Thursday, June 27.
Southgate can also call on Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Another player regarding whom Southgate has a decision to make is Phil Foden, who temporarily left the squad for the birth of his third child.
Mainoo enjoyed his breakthrough season at Manchester United in 2023-24, playing 32 times across competitions for the first team, registering five goals and one assist. His performances earned him a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the Euro 2024.
Jude Bellingham urges England teammates to draw positive energy from supporters at Euro 2024
England midfielder Jude Bellingham has urged his teammates to draw positive energy from the fans as they take on Slovakia in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024. The Three Lions have flattered to deceive in the Euros despite reaching the knockout stages.
Speaking on the Lions' Den, the Real Madrid star called on his teammates to draw positive energy from fans.
"You definitely draw on them for energy towards the end of games. In the last game, I was absolutely dead, but you hear them singing, you hear them chanting and you can play at a level that's not our best and it's normal... it can happen but I think the important thing is when you're wearing this badge and you're representing those fans is that you don't give up and I think they're a constant reminder of that," he said.
"I know there's a lot of negativity outside the camp, but I always feel that when we get into the stadium, it's so different. I think it's important that as teammates and as a team, we remember that the ones in the stadium are the ones that are going to give us the energy so don't worry about the ones that that kind of aren't there. We've got to keep using that energy, using that kind of feeling that we get from them to be successful in this tournament," Bellingham added.
Bellingham did well against Serbia and scored the only goal of the game to earn England three crucial points. However, he has not been at his best in the next two games.