Gareth Southgate had some notable things to say after England\u2019s underwhelming draw with Denmark at Euro 2024. He spoke about experimenting with Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield and his team\u2019s inability to press from the front. It was Southgate\u2019s mention of Kalvin Phillips, however, that stood out most of all.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Philips,\u201d said Southgate. \u201cWe\u2019re trying different things and at the moment we’re not flowing as we’d like.\u201d Indeed, Phillips isn\u2019t in England\u2019s 26-man Euro 2024 squad, but why is Southgate hung up on the absence of a player who was a liability for West Ham in the second half of last season?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s true England\u2019s central midfield is unsettled. Declan Rice is assured of his place in the centre of the pitch, but there is a place up for grabs alongside the 25-year-old. Southgate has used Alexander-Arnold in that role against Serbia and Denmark at Euro 2024 without any success. The right back simply doesn\u2019t have the rhythm-building qualities to operate there.<\/p>\n
Southgate does, however, have Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton as natural options for that position. Both players are young, and are fresh from a season which saw them make their Premier League breakthrough, but they clearly have the talent to make an impression at the elite level of the international game.<\/p>\n
Wharton would be the best fit for what England need at the base of their midfield. The 20-year-old is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He is excellent in tight spaces and has good passing range. Alongside Rice, Wharton would give England security in the centre of the pitch and Southgate should have used the group stage to integrate him.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I was to describe my game I would just say: \u2018It\u2019s pretty simple but effective,\u2019\u201d said Wharton. \u201cI\u2019ve been playing a lot deeper in the midfield in the Premier League. If you\u2019ve got great players in attack, the Bellinghams, the Fodens, then you have to get them in the pockets. All I want to do if you\u2019ve got players like that is give them the ball because that\u2019s when they come alive to produce bits of\u00a0magic.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is a lot of overlap between the way Wharton plays and the style of Mainoo. He too is someone who can put his foot on the ball at the base of the midfield and wriggle out of tight spaces when under opposition pressure. The teenager has already proved himself for Manchester United and is ready to become a key member for England too.<\/p>\n
Mainoo is more than just a number six. He can carry the ball forward and has even shown an eye for goal, finding the back of the net five times for Manchester United last season. Against opponents England will naturally dominate with the ball, it would make sense to have Mainoo as another player who can join the attack from deep.<\/p>\n
Instead, it seems likely Southgate will favour Conor Gallagher from the start against Slovenia on Tuesday. The Chelsea midfielder is a useful squad member for the work ethic he brings and his ability to press from the front, but his ability on the ball is questionable. Will he help England break down a low defensive block?<\/p>\n
In what could be Southgate\u2019s last tournament as England manager, it\u2019s important he explores every option to increase the Three Lions\u2019 chance of ending their long 57-year wait for glory, even if that means taking a risk. It\u2019s time for him to trust the best two young midfielders in the squad. England\u2019s Euro 2024 could depend on it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gareth Southgate had some notable things to say after England\u2019s underwhelming draw with Denmark at Euro 2024. He spoke about experimenting with Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield and his team\u2019s inability to press from the front.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":48,"featured_media":54847,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[643],"tags":[272],"class_list":["post-56542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-featurehome"],"yoast_head":"\n