Stuart Pearce, a former England full-back, has suggested that Gareth Southgate should consider making changes to the England lineup for their final Euro 2024 group game against Slovenia. Despite being at the top of Group C, England’s performances in the tournament so far have been underwhelming. After a narrow 1-0 win against Serbia and a lackluster 1-1 draw against Denmark, Southgate is expected to make adjustments in order to improve England’s attacking threat.
Pearce believes that dropping captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham could be beneficial for the team. He argues that starting Kane again would not provide any new insights for Southgate. If Kane plays well, it doesn’t offer much in terms of learning for the knockout stages, and if he plays poorly, it doesn’t help either. Pearce suggests giving another player, such as Ollie Watkins, an opportunity to showcase their abilities.
Regarding Bellingham, Pearce acknowledges the young midfielder’s talent but points out that he looked fatigued in the last game. He emphasizes the importance of assessing players’ fitness and form in training before deciding whether they should be included in the starting lineup.
Pearce also proposes changes in other positions. He suggests Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the defensive role. He advocates for both Declan Rice and Phil Foden to play in more advanced central positions. Pearce believes that this setup, with Foden just ahead of Rice, would provide a strong midfield base. He also recommends Antony Gordon on the left side and Bukayo Saka on the right side to add pace and width to the team’s attacking play. Pearce suggests that Watkins should be given the opportunity to run in behind the opposition and stretch their defense.
While Pearce’s suggestions may be seen as bold, they are rooted in his desire to find solutions and enhance England’s attacking capabilities. Southgate will have some big decisions to make as he weighs the potential benefits of making changes to the lineup. Ultimately, the aim is to find the right balance and approach that will lead England to success in the knockout stages of the tournament.