Southgate will resist making wholesale changes (Picture: Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Gareth Southgate will make just one change to his England side for tonight’s final Euro 2024 group game against Slovenia.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was named in midfield for England’s games against Serbia and Denmark, partnering Declan Rice in midfield.
The Liverpool right-back will lose his place in the starting XI tonight with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher coming into replace him in the heart of midfield.
Gareth Southgate will resist any other changes with Phil Foden to keep his starting place on the left of England’s attack. Harry Kane was subbed off after 70 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Denmark but the captain will also keep his place as expected.
‘Phil has played in a lot of different positions for us. I think he was as big a threat on goal as anybody for us the other day [against Denmark],’ Southgate said at his pre-match press conference.
‘We know we need to create more as a team. It isn’t about one player – this is often where we get drawn into the wrong discussions.
‘This is about a team functioning, a team winning, a team having the right mentality and working together to get the results. It is not about individuals, if it is about the individuals then you are not going to succeed.
Gallagher came off the bench in the first two matches (Picture: AMA/Getty Images)
‘Our big nights and exciting tournaments have been about the team. Yes, there are important players within the team, but our ethos is about the team.’
WHO ENGLAND COULD PLAY IN THE LAST-16?
As Group C winners: Netherlands, Austria, Romania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belgium, Georgia or Czech Republic
As Group C runners-up: Germany
As one of the best third-placed teams: Portugal
Kieran Trippier is also set to continue at left-back. Luke Shaw, who has not played any football since February do to a hamstring, is still not match fit despite returning to first-team training this week.
England expected starting XI vs Slovenia
Starting XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier, Rice, Gallagher, Saka, Bellingham, Foden, Kane
Trippier has been nursing a calf problem but is expected to keep his place in the side.
Southgate’s decision to continue with Foden means Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon’s wait for their chance at Euro 2024 will continue.
Alexander-Arnold will drop out (Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Neither man has been given a minute of playing time but will hope to get on the pitch this evening.
England booked their place in the knockout stages of the competition without kicking a ball on Monday night thanks to Italy’s last-gasp draw against Croatia.
NATIONS IN THE LAST-16
Germany
Switzerland
Spain
Portugal
Spain
Italy
England
France
Netherlands
But there is still work to do in order to qualify as group winners and avoid a potential last 16 showdown with Germany.
A win however will see them avoid many of Europe’s heavy-hitters and set up a tie against the third-placed team for Group D, E or F.
England currently sit top of Group C after collecting four points from those games against …read more
Source:: Metro
