Ahead of the Curve: How can Southgate solve England's woes?
Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
Euro 2024 returns on Saturday evening and our Ahead of the Curve special asks four experts what they think Gareth Southgate should do to win the nation back when the Three Lions face Slovakia on Sunday.
Alex Wrigley
Gareth Southgate abandoned the Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment last time out but his replacement, Conor Gallagher, was an uninspiring addition. Kobbie Mainoo’s introduction in his stead was much more positive and the young Manchester United midfielder should be started on Sunday, along with Cole Palmer in place of the struggling Bukayo Saka. Anthony Gordon would be a welcome addition, too, leaving either Phil Foden or Jude Bellingham to occupy the space being Harry Kane.
Mark Langdon
Kobbie Mainoo should come in for Conor Gallagher and I would be tempted to switch Kyle Walker to left-back and bring Trent Alexander-Arnold to the right at the expense of Kieran Trippier. Somebody going around the outside might just open things up from an attacking point of view and Trent would also provide better crosses into Kane.
Jack Ogalbe
I won’t go full Mike Bassett – although England could use ‘Tonka’ to spark their attack – but I’d pick Anthony Gordon to hug the touchline and negate the lack of width prompted by playing a right-footed left-back. That would allow Phil Foden to move inside, either drop Jude Bellingham deeper or leave him out and bring Cole Palmer in for the tired-looking Bukayo Saka.
Ian Wilkerson
Kobbie Mainoo looks a sensible addition to the centre of midfield and the benefits of having a left-footed left-back could be enormous so I’d throw Luke Shaw in too. Cole Palmer would give something different on the right as Bukayo Saka has faded in the last couple of games and I’d rest Phil Foden after his busy week and bring in Anthony Gordon.
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