CONOR GALLAGHER is set to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s starting XI to face Slovenia.
Gareth Southgate’s team selection and tactics have been criticised after two below-par displays at Euro 2024.
But after bemoaning the physical condition of the squad and the absence of Kalvin Phillips, Southgate now looks set to change the formula in the hopes of sprucing up the displays.
SunSport understands Chelsea midfielder Gallagher, 24, will be the player trusted with that responsibility.
Alexander-Arnold, 25, was thrust into midfield despite his usual position playing right-back for Liverpool.
However, Southgate appeared to have seen enough of his “experiment” after just 54 minutes against Denmark.
Gallagher, like he did in the opening game against Serbia, replaced him off the bench.
And it seems he has now done enough to earn a spot in the starting XI.
Barring any late injuries or surprise changes, he will likely partner Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
The rest of the team is also expected to remain the same.
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Southgate has made changes in the third game of each of his three major tournaments before tweaking again in the first knockout game.
Luke Shaw, who last played a competitive match in February, was spotted training with the rest of the squad after Southgate gambled on fitness with his inclusion.
However, he is not expected to be ready in time for the final Group C game, but possibly for the last-16.
England could qualify for the knockout stages TONIGHT, if Spain avoid defeat to Albania in Group B.
Although England’s result against Slovenia could determine who they will play.
Should England top the group they will be drawn against a third-placed side in Group D, E or F – who at the time of writing are Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
A runner-up finish would set up a grudge-match with the winner of Group A, Germany.
Meanwhile, a third-place spot would leave England to face the winners of Group E or F, with Romania (though Belgium are expected to secure this spot after game three) and Portugal currently top.
ENGLAND vs DENMARK RATINGS
ENGLAND stumbled to a drab 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions team.
Jordan Pickford: 6
Looked a little jittery early doors, though there was nothing he could do about Morten Hjulmand’s corker and he made a decent parry after the break.
Kyle Walker: 7
Made England’s opener by racing round a sleeping Victor Kristiansen – he’ll be having nightmares of that forevermore – and teeing up Kane via a deflected cross.
John Stones: 6
OK but you have got to wonder how fit he feels having barely played for Man City in the second half of the season, plus his injury and illness issues over the last month.
Marc Guehi: 8 and my star man
Really encouraging again from the Crystal Palace centre-back, looking sharp with his interceptions and assured in distribution.
Kieran Trippier: 6
Like Stones, he was fine, but England really need Luke Shaw back ASAP because having no natural left-footer at left-back is a problem.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5
This experiment of playing Trent in midfield is far from convincing, especially when his passing was off it like it was here, barring one good ball to Saka. Subbed on 54 minutes.
Declan Rice: 5
Had to cover so much ground as England dropped worryingly deep in the first half and also lost it a few times in front of his back four.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Not quite as electric as his first half against Serbia, but another solid showing from our right winger who has been our most consistent attacker across the two games.
Jude Bellingham: 6
Nowhere near the majestic display he put in against Serbia and one of many who looked tired.
Phil Foden: 7
Was far more involved than against Serbia – although that was not hard – and had a few dangerous efforts from range, including one that smacked the post after the break.
Harry Kane: 6
Netted his 64th goal for his country with an opener he could not really miss, but then gave the ball away from Denmark’s leveller. Surprisingly subbed.
SUBS:
Conor Gallagher (on for Trent, 54): 7
Vital clearance on the stretch when Christian Eriksen was lurking and was not afraid to put his foot in.
Ollie Watkins (on for Kane, 70): 6
Played in by Bellingham’s lovely ball after coming on but could not finish from an acute angle.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Foden, 69): 6
Copped a nasty tackle which saw Joakim Maehle booked.
Eberechi Eze (on for Saka, 69): 6
On for his tournament bow though he was rarely involved.
Slovenia’s major team news is that talisman Benjamin Sesko is struggling with a thigh injury.
Following criticism of their laboured performances against Serbia and Denmark, captain Harry Kane hit back at ex-Three Lions star Gary Lineker after he had called the Denmark result “s***” in his podcast.
Bayern Munich ace Kane, said: “All I’d say is, just remember what it was like to wear the shirt.
“I’d never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially a player who’s worn the shirt and knows what it’s like to play for England.
“But ex-players or ex-players who are pundits now have got to realise that it’s very hard not to listen to it now — especially for some players who are not used to it.
“I know they’ve got to be honest and give their opinion but also their responsibility . . . people do care about what they say and people do listen to them.”
Alan Shearer and Lineker issued a response in their latest podcast, with Shearer saying: “We’ve both been there as England captains, when you’ve sat in front of the media, when England have not played well at all, or you as an individual have not played well.
“And I would have answered the question in exactly the same way as England captain, as Harry did yesterday.
“He just said they’re entitled to their opinion. I understand they also have a job to do. And we do, we have to tell it.”
Lineker added: “Could you imagine if we went on and said, ‘well, actually, I thought they played really well’.
“We’d be lying for a start, because they didn’t play well. And Harry knows they didn’t play well.
“And yeah, there’s one bit there, which I understand where he says, but they have a responsibility as ex-England players, and they should know, they know what it’s like.
“It’s not like they’ve ever won anything or words to that effect. That’s fine.
“Fine, fine, he’s absolutely right. But I will say one thing, the last thing in the world we want to be is downbeat and critical. We want the England team to perform well on the pitch.
“The best punditry of all is when England play well, and we’re excited and we’re enthusiastic about them, we say, this performance was great, that performance is great.
“We don’t want to be critical, but we have to be sometimes. We have to say, but we did it balanced as well.”
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Shearer interrupted and said: “And I think it’s really important we never get personal.
“And that’s the key. It might have been that word s***.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
