As England prepares for their final Euro 2024 group stage match against Slovenia, the team faces scrutiny over its performance and lineup choices. The Three Lions have already secured a spot in the last-16, courtesy of Spain’s victory over Albania, but have yet to impress consistently. After a narrow win against Serbia and a draw with Denmark, Gareth Southgate’s squad has been criticized for failing to translate their club form to the international stage.
Rooney’s Tactical Suggestion
Wayne Rooney, former England captain and current manager of Plymouth Argyle, has offered his advice to Southgate. He believes that a crucial change in the lineup could enhance England’s performance. Rooney’s recommendation focuses on repositioning Phil Foden and introducing Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon into the starting XI.
Proposed Lineup Changes
Rooney suggests shifting Foden from the left-wing to a central attacking midfield role. He proposes the following adjustments:
- Left-Wing: Anthony Gordon
- Right-Wing: Bukayo Saka
- Central Midfield: Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham
- Attacking Midfield (No. 10): Phil Foden
- Striker: Harry Kane
Rooney explained his reasoning in an interview with the BBC:
“I’d like to see Anthony Gordon come into the team. I’d play Gordon off the left, Saka off the right, Rice and Bellingham in the middle, Foden as No.10, and Kane up top. I think at the minute what’s happening is, Phil [Foden] and Jude [Bellingham] are almost occupying that position and it’s difficult for them to find space in there. I think just dropping Jude back a little bit and giving Foden that space to go and roam and having Gordon and Saka to keep the width to me will make a big difference.”
Current Midfield Dynamics
Southgate has experimented with different midfield combinations, including pushing Trent Alexander-Arnold into a central role and using Foden on the left-wing. However, these moves have not yielded the desired fluidity and creativity. Alexander-Arnold has struggled to adapt to midfield, and Foden has been less effective on the wing. Additionally, Harry Kane has found himself deprived of goal-scoring opportunities.
Rooney’s suggestion to move Foden into a more central role aims to leverage his playmaking abilities and improve England’s attacking cohesion. This adjustment would also enable Bellingham to contribute more dynamically from a slightly deeper position, while Rice would continue to provide defensive stability.
Southgate’s Dilemma
Southgate has acknowledged the challenge of finding the right balance in midfield. While he recognizes Foden’s talent in a central playmaking role, he is cautious about the potential impact on Bellingham’s forward movement and the defensive workload on Rice. Nonetheless, Rooney’s proposed changes offer a strategic shift that could unlock England’s attacking potential against Slovenia.
As England gears up for their final group stage match, Rooney’s advice presents a thoughtful alternative to Southgate’s current strategy. By repositioning Foden and integrating Gordon, England could enhance their offensive dynamics and capitalize on their attacking talents. The upcoming match against Slovenia will be crucial not only for securing a top spot in the group but also for refining the team’s setup ahead of the knockout stages.