Coach Southgate should create a breakthrough in personnel selection in the final match of the EURO 2024 group stage.
The Sun newspaper recently revealed that Alexander-Arnold will be replaced by coach Southgate in the final group stage match. At that time, England faced Slovenia (2:00 a.m., June 26).
Alexander-Arnold was used by coach Southgate in the past two matches when England faced Serbia and Denmark. The Liverpool star plays alongside Declan Rice to create a defensive midfield pair.
However, what Alexander-Arnold showed was too faint. He showed that he could not take on the position in the center of midfield.
It is expected that Coach Southgate will put Gallagher in the starting lineup to replace Alexander-Arnold. However, the teacher born in 1970 can consider using Mainoo, a young talent on the MU payroll. Mainoo has only been on the field for 4 minutes at EURO 2024.
The England team definitely has a ticket to continue. Not to mention they only had to face Slovenia which was not highly rated. If he doesn’t test new faces in the next match, perhaps coach Southgate will have no time to do so.
Mainoo has already shown his level of skill in the MU shirt in the 2023/24 season. He is also very suitable to play alongside Rice as he possesses a technical foundation as well as the ability to regulate the tempo well. In case Mainoo plays impressively, coach Southgate will be able to consider letting him start in the remainder of EURO 2024.
Legendary Paul Scholes believes that Mainoo can join Rice in creating an outstanding midfield for the England team. The former MU star believes that what the “Three Lions” lack, Mainoo will fill.
Besides Mainoo, coach Southgate should also boldly change Foden. This star proved to be ineffective when placed on the left wing. Perhaps he should be played in the number 10 position, while Gordon fills in on the left wing.
If he does that, Coach Southgate will have to reserve Bellingham. But that’s better than keeping the current lineup intact, when none of the “Three Lions” matches have brought peace of mind.