Gareth Southgate is set to stick to his guns and keep Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold in the England lineup for their second Euro 2024 group game against Denmark. Despite facing criticism after their lackluster performance against Serbia, Southgate believes that much of the negative assessment of the two players is unwarranted. In fact, he praised Foden’s “unsexy” work off the ball, which he believes made a difference in the game. Southgate is also expected to retain Alexander-Arnold for his creativity in midfield.
However, Southgate’s use of Foden has been widely criticized. Fans and pundits were frustrated by Foden’s isolation on the left-wing against Serbia, with many calling for him to be more demanding of the ball and make things happen. Some even fear that Southgate is turning Foden into Mason Mount and not allowing him to shine alongside Jude Bellingham. Suggestions have been made to play both Foden and Bellingham as No. 10s, with Declan Rice sitting deep as the No. 6.
Denmark, the winners of Euro 1992, will be hoping for another strong performance under manager Kasper Hjulmand. They showed great spirit in the previous tournament, recovering from Christian Eriksen’s collapse to reach the semi-finals. Denmark’s structured and patient attacking style involves creating overloads with a midfielder joining the three strikers. Defensively, they drop into a deeper formation when out of possession and wait for the right moment to press.
Despite the criticism, Foden and Alexander-Arnold remain part of England’s three-pronged midfield and attack, alongside Bellingham and Rice. The place of Bukayo Saka on the wing is also secure. Luke Shaw, who has been dealing with fitness issues, is unlikely to feature at left-back, with Kieran Trippier expected to continue in that position.
Gareth Southgate is well aware of the pressure on him to deliver in this competition, with the expectation for England to win their first major international trophy in 58 years. The team’s attacking strategy involves dominating possession, with Declan Rice crucial in progressing the ball. The rotation of Bellingham, Saka, and Foden aims to unsettle defenders, while Harry Kane can both score and drop deep to create chances for others. Defensively, England employs a man-to-man pressing style, with the midfield pushing up to support Kane.
In conclusion, Gareth Southgate’s decision to stick with Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold for England’s upcoming game against Denmark reflects his belief in their abilities and a desire to maintain consistency in the lineup. While there has been criticism of Foden’s performance, Southgate sees value in his off-the-ball work. Denmark, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their strong showing in the previous tournament and pose a tactical challenge for England. The pressure is on Southgate to deliver success in Euro 2024, and he has assembled a talented squad capable of dominating games both offensively and defensively.