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Southgate must take urgent action… here's how England should line up vs Slovenia

21 June 2024 , 11:14
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Star yet to play a single minute would be brought into starting XI
Star yet to play a single minute would be brought into starting XI

GARETH SOUTHGATE has some big decisions to make ahead of Tuesday's final group game against Slovenia in Cologne.

England have to win to be certain of finishing top of the group and avoiding a potentially disastrous last-16 game against Germany.

England must beat Slovenia to guarantee top spot in Group C qhiddxihkiqkzprw
England must beat Slovenia to guarantee top spot in Group CCredit: Getty
Gareth Southgate has some big decisions to make
Gareth Southgate has some big decisions to makeCredit: Getty

They need to win.

So what would SunSport's Football Editor Charlie Wyett do differently if he was in Gareth Southgate's shoes?

If I was England manager picking the team, I would go back to Russia 2018 and revert to a three-man defence.

Mirror Football's Premier League team of 2022 as champions dominateMirror Football's Premier League team of 2022 as champions dominate

I think England would have better balance.

As they proved against Denmark, they're conceding or allowing the opposition to have too many chances and better teams would punish England even more than the Danes did in Frankfurt.

So I'd have a back three, obviously, starting with Jordan Pickford in goal.

On the right of the back three would be Kyle Walker.

He played in that position in Russia, John Stones and Marc Guehi, who has been excellent in the two games for England, one of the few bright spots of Euro 2024 so far.

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At right wing-back I'd go Trent Alexander-Arnold - that's a great position for him.

He can't play in midfield anymore. That experiment has to end.



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He struggled against Denmark but I'll have him at right wing-back.

At left wing-back, Bukayo Saka. I admit you will lose a great threat going forward but he's played in that position before at left wing-back.

Potter may have reached defining moment in Chelsea tenure during Man City lossPotter may have reached defining moment in Chelsea tenure during Man City loss

I still think he'll have licence to get forward and provide some ammunition for the strikers.

I'd have a central midfield of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham next to him. Having a back three behind him and wing-backs, he'd have more licence to get forward and he'd be effective there.

Then in the front three I would have Phil Foden on the left.

I thought it was much better from him against Denmark, although there's so much more to come from the player of the season.

So let's hope he can improve against Slovenia.

This is how England started against Denmark
This is how England started against Denmark
This is how Charlie Wyett would start the Three Lions against Slovenia
This is how Charlie Wyett would start the Three Lions against Slovenia

Harry Kane is the central striker. He is a big worry.

Even if he's fully fit, he's definitely not fully sharp. He had a great season for Bayern, scoring 43 goals.

But since that back injury he suffered in training ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, he's not really looked the same player.

Although he scored, and it was a decent goal to be fair against Denmark, his movement's a concern.

We need him to be back to his best because he was way off it - I think he's only playing at 80 per cent.

Then on the right, completing the XI, would be Cole Palmer.

He deserves a chance and he's not had a look-in yet but he had a terrific season for Chelsea.

I just think it needs an injection of just a different player.

The Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment has not worked out
The Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment has not worked outCredit: AFP
Bukayo Saka would be moved from right wing to left wing-back
Bukayo Saka would be moved from right wing to left wing-backCredit: Getty
Jude Bellingham could be dropped back into a midfield two with Declan Rice
Jude Bellingham could be dropped back into a midfield two with Declan RiceCredit: Getty
Cole Palmer is yet to play a minute of football at Euro 2024
Cole Palmer is yet to play a minute of football at Euro 2024Credit: Getty

Charlie Wyett

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