ENGLAND must “sacrifice quality” and make two major changes for their crunch clash with Slovakia.
The Three Lions have one foot in the Euro 2024 knockouts despite their dire 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday.
Harry Kane put England ahead early on but Morten Hjulmand’s stunning long-range strike earned the Danes a draw.
However, the underwhelming performance left many concerned as once again Gareth Southgate’s men made a bright start and faded.
Even England skipper Kane admitted afterwards: “When the teams are dropping a few players deeper we are not quite sure how to get the pressure on, and who is the one who is supposed to be going.”
Those words caused alarm bells for Gary Lineker and Micah Richards.
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But former England and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes he knows what the problem has been.
And he called for Southgate to drop Trent Alexander-Arnold from midfield and Phil Foden from the left.
Instead, he wants to see either Conor Gallagher or Kobbie Mainoo next to Declan Rice in the middle of the park.
And he wants to see Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon instead of Foden out wide with Jude Bellingham play further back from his No 10 spot.
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Carragher posted on X: “England have to sacrifice quality in Trent & Foden for energy in Gallagher or Mainoo & pace in Gordon.
“Kane needs pace either side of him & Rice needs more help in midfield. Go 433 & drop Bellingham slightly deeper.”
‘We’re struggling with and without the ball’, admits Harry Kane
HARRY KANE admits England “haven’t been good enough” at the Euros.
Here’s what skipper Kane said after the disappointing 1-1 draw with Denmark:
“We’re struggling with and without the ball.
“The pressing in both games hasn’t been quite right. We haven’t been good enough, from top to bottom, from me to Picks (Jordan Pickford).
“Everyone is dropping below their level a bit, in terms of retaining the ball, playing under pressure.
“We know there’ll be a bit of noise and disappointment back home.
“But it’s a time to stay calm and we’ll get there step by step.
“It wasn’t our greatest game but we got away with draw.
“We are starting games well. But when the teams are dropping a few players deeper we are not quite sure how to get the pressure on, and who is the one who is supposed to be going.”
“In the second half, we changed it with me and Jude (Bellingham) playing in front of their two midfielders. But it was difficult.”
Southgate has often been criticised for his alleged negative approach.
However, he did stun fans last night with an uncharacteristic triple substitution against Denmark.
With England toiling at 1-1 in the 69th minute, Southgate hooked his entire front line.
The Three Lions boss took off skipper Harry Kane, as well as Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, all in one swoop.
He replaced them with Ollie Watkins, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen.
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But Southgate says that his side have not found a “natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips”.
The 28-year-old played a key role at the last Euros and World Cup but missed out this summer due to a lack of action at Man City and then a poor loan spell at West Ham.
Southgate said: “We don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips.
“At the moment we’re not flowing as we would like.
“We understand people will be disappointed with the performances and rightly so – we have to make them a lot better.
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“At the moment we’re not using the ball well enough and have to accept if you do that you will suffer at times, as we have.
“We know there’s another level we have to find.”
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
