GARETH SOUTHGATE aims to swap the positions of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham at Euro 2024.
And the England boss reckons fans worry too much about formations.
Foden is set to start on the left flank, with Bellingham as a No 10 — but they will interchange during matches.
Southgate said: “It’s about where they start and where you want them to end up. That’s the key.
“In the way Jude was defending on the left for Real Madrid, he wasn’t stuck out on the left. And I think that’s how the modern game is. Everybody with the ball is in a completely different area.
“You write a formation down but you’re never in it really. So it just helps for the teamsheet.
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“Jude’s playing the season very high up the pitch for Madrid.
“Defensively a bit of a mix. He’s defended as a 10 or as a left winger at times.”
Southgate has a number of options to choose from to get the most out of Foden and Bellingham.
Foden impressed for Manchester City playing on both flanks and centrally this season, winning the Football Writer’s Player of the Year in the process.
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Bellingham won LaLiga’s player of the season playing in an advanced role for Real, often operating as a false nine.
For England he has played close to Harry Kane in recent months and showed his instinct for a goal as he poached a late equaliser against Belgium in March.
He can also operate as a number eight if Southgate wants to use Foden centrally, which could provide a chance for Anthony Gordon or Cole Palmer.
While emerging stars Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton could benefit if Foden starts on either flank.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
