Euro 2024

GARY LINEKER has slammed Gareth Southgate’s comments about Kalvin Phillips as “insulting”.Southgate has come under fire for his side’s lacklustre performance during Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Denmark.Gary Lineker has slammed Gareth Southgate’s comments after the Denmark game as ‘insulting’Credit: BBCSouthgate suggested nobody in his current England squad can replace Kalvin PhillipsCredit: GettyEngland failed to impress against the Danes with more question marks being raised about Southgate’s choice to play right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for both Euro 2024 games so far.And when quizzed on the tactical decision, Southgate told the media that it’s down to failing to replace Kalvin Phillips in the squad.He said: “We know it is an experiment – we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips – but we are trying some different things.”At the moment, we are not flowing as we would like, that’s for sure.”READ MORE ON EURO 2024Phillips was a mainstay in Southgate’s side during Euro 2020 and a large part of England reaching the final.However he has since lost his place in the 26 after struggling for game time and form at Manchester City and West Ham.And as such, Gary Lineker has hit back at Southate’s comments around a replacement as “insulting” – suggesting that there are players who can fill Phillips’ gap with ease.Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, he said: “It’s insulting to some of the players that are there, and also it’s wrong.Most read in Euro 2024Southgate has started, and hooked, Trent Alexander-Arnold in every match at Euro 2024 so farCredit: GettyEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERS”There are players in that squad that could do it [Phillips’ role].”Even the young players he’s brought in, Adam Wharton could do it.Gareth Southgate issues Harry Kane injury update and says England ‘lacked intensity’ against Denmark “Kobbie Mainoo could probably do it. Bellingham could play.”The players just need instructions, players need to understand what their jobs are.”Alan Shearer, who was co-hosting the podcast with Lineker, also agreed with the sentiment that Southgate’s comments were wrong.The Newcastle and England legend weighed in on the debate, adding: “If we’ve been relying on Kalvin Phillips for the last however many years, then that is very worrying to me.”While another England hero has also claimed that there are a number of players who can play alongside Declan Rice in midfield for the Three Lions.Speaking on ITV after the game, Ian Wright said: “Listening to Gareth, he mentioned about Kalvin Phillips and he’s the only one in the country who can play that role, I don’t believe that.”I believe Adam Wharton can play it. I think Kobbie Mainoo can play it as well. You’ve picked them.”Now we’re in a situation where it’s not desperation because we’ve got four points, but we’re in a place where we need something different, we need to change something.”Pundits and legends lay into EnglandENGLAND’s lifeless display in the 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends queuing up to take a dig at Gareth Southgate’s team.
Here’s the best of what was said…
ALAN SHEARER
“Awful performance, particularly after going up in the game.
“I don’t think one England player can look at themselves and say, ‘I’ve done my job tonight’.
“England were all over the place, far too sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too much and got caught too many times.
“There was no energy, no pace, no guile — Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.
“It’s concerning and Gareth will get some serious questions.
“You saw England players lying on their backs — they look absolutely shattered but there’s no excuse for that.”
GARY LINEKER
The BBC host called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.
On Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I’d put in that kind of performance.”
RIO FERDINAND
“The players don’t look the same as they do for their clubs. It is a big concern.”
ROY KEANE
“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing it.
“There’s something amiss with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.
“This is a big test for Gareth. It looks like he’s overthinking things.”
JAMIE CARRAGHER
“My big worry watching this and for the rest of the tournament?
“England look absolutely knackered. They can’t get close to the ball.
“The surest sign of fatigue is dropping deep.
“Declan Rice is having to cover so much ground. No-one can convince me this is a strategy.”
JACK WILSHERE
“It’s strange that we have taken the lead in both games so far, yet instead of it settling us down and giving us the confidence to play, we have failed to take control.
“But what was most worrying was that Denmark had a clear way of playing — while we didn’t.”

Southgate’s comments have confused a lot of people given that Phillips himself has only played a bit part for England in the last two years.The Man City outcast played just 40 minutes of football at the 2022 World Cup and hasn’t been called up to the squad since the end of 2023.Southgate now has a decision to make ahead of England’s final group clash against Slovenia on Tuesday.He has hooked Alexander-Arnold from midfield in both games so far, replacing the Liverpool star with Conor Gallagher instead.A start for Gallagher would suggest Southgate is waving the white flag on his experiment in the middle of the park.READ MORE SUN STORIESGiving one of Wharton or Mainoo a chance alongside Rice would be a gamble given their lack of international experience, however both have shown their ability at club level.England don’t need to panic just yet with Southgate’s side sitting top of Group C and looking likely to advance to the next round regardless of the result against Slovenia.Pundits have suggested one of Adam Wharton or Kobbie Mainoo could play the Kalvin Phillips roleCredit: GettyENGLAND vs DENMARK RATINGSENGLAND 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. More

LUKE SHAW has no chance of featuring against Slovenia on Tuesday – and he is even struggling for a potential last 16 clash.The Manchester United left-back once again did not train with his international team-mates so it is impossible he will even make the bench in Cologne.Luke Shaw will play no part against SloveniaCredit: GettyYet Shaw, 28, is already in a race against time to make the bench for England’s knockout stage game.If England finish second in Group C, they will play in Dortmund next Saturday.If Gareth Southgate’s side win the group, which will be secured with a victory over Slovenia, they will play in Gelsenkirchen next Sunday.But either way, Shaw – who has 31 caps – needs to resume full training in the next 72 hours if he is to be considered for the bench for the last 16 game.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Shaw has not played since injuring his hamstring for United in February.Southgate gambled on the fitness of Shaw when naming his squad and it has not worked.The England boss had hoped the former Southampton defender would be on the bench for the second match against Denmark before starting against Slovenia.Instead, England are having to play right-footed Kieran Trippier at left-back.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSThe next in line is Liverpool’s Joe Gomez, who is also right-footed.With Shaw struggling, Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell was disappointed to miss out.Gareth Southgate needs to take urgent action to avoid Euro 2024 disaster – here’s how England should line up vs SloveniaAs was Crystal Palace man Tyrick Mitchell – whose two England caps came in 2022.Pundits and legends lay into EnglandENGLAND’s lifeless display in the 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends queuing up to take a dig at Gareth Southgate’s team.
Here’s the best of what was said…
ALAN SHEARER
“Awful performance, particularly after going up in the game.
“I don’t think one England player can look at themselves and say, ‘I’ve done my job tonight’.
“England were all over the place, far too sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too much and got caught too many times.
“There was no energy, no pace, no guile — Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.
“It’s concerning and Gareth will get some serious questions.
“You saw England players lying on their backs — they look absolutely shattered but there’s no excuse for that.”
GARY LINEKER
The BBC host called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.
On Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I’d put in that kind of performance.”
RIO FERDINAND
“The players don’t look the same as they do for their clubs. It is a big concern.”
ROY KEANE
“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing it.
“There’s something amiss with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.
“This is a big test for Gareth. It looks like he’s overthinking things.”
JAMIE CARRAGHER
“My big worry watching this and for the rest of the tournament?
“England look absolutely knackered. They can’t get close to the ball.
“The surest sign of fatigue is dropping deep.
“Declan Rice is having to cover so much ground. No-one can convince me this is a strategy.”
JACK WILSHERE
“It’s strange that we have taken the lead in both games so far, yet instead of it settling us down and giving us the confidence to play, we have failed to take control.
“But what was most worrying was that Denmark had a clear way of playing — while we didn’t.” More

ENGLAND could start without Harry Kane in their final Group C match against Slovenia on Tuesday.The Three Lions captain, 30, scored in the disappointing draw against Denmark on Thursday but offered little else before he was substituted for Ollie Watkins with 20 minutes remaining.Harry Kane may be unavailable for England’s final group game on TuesdayCredit: APKane’s under-par display has led many to question his fitness, particularly given he has only just recovered from a back issue that kept him sidelined for Bayern Munich’s final two games of the season.And manager Gareth Southgate has admitted the ex-Tottenham man is lacking game time.After ruling out Kane carrying an injury during the Denmark game, he said: “We felt with the three front players that they played the bulk of the game the other day [against Serbia] and we needed to get some legs onto the pitch.”Harry’s only had one 90 minutes in five or six weeks.READ MORE ON ENGLAND”Given what the other game took out of us, given the heat against Denmark, we needed to press better towards the end of the game. “It was always in our mind that all of the forward players might need freshening at that point.”The questions surrounding Kane have caused many to speculate about an England XI without the country’s record scorer – with one Engalnd legend claiming he should be dropped against Slovenia.SunSport has taken a look at THREE ways Southgate could choose to line up if his No9 is unavailable.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPundits and legends lay into EnglandENGLAND’s lifeless display in the 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends queuing up to take a dig at Gareth Southgate’s team.
Here’s the best of what was said…
ALAN SHEARER
“Awful performance, particularly after going up in the game.
“I don’t think one England player can look at themselves and say, ‘I’ve done my job tonight’.
“England were all over the place, far too sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too much and got caught too many times.
“There was no energy, no pace, no guile — Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.
“It’s concerning and Gareth will get some serious questions.
“You saw England players lying on their backs — they look absolutely shattered but there’s no excuse for that.”
GARY LINEKER
The BBC host called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.
On Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I’d put in that kind of performance.”
RIO FERDINAND
“The players don’t look the same as they do for their clubs. It is a big concern.”
ROY KEANE
“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing it.
“There’s something amiss with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.
“This is a big test for Gareth. It looks like he’s overthinking things.”
JAMIE CARRAGHER
“My big worry watching this and for the rest of the tournament?
“England look absolutely knackered. They can’t get close to the ball.
“The surest sign of fatigue is dropping deep.
“Declan Rice is having to cover so much ground. No-one can convince me this is a strategy.”
JACK WILSHERE
“It’s strange that we have taken the lead in both games so far, yet instead of it settling us down and giving us the confidence to play, we have failed to take control.
“But what was most worrying was that Denmark had a clear way of playing — while we didn’t.”

Ollie Watkins leads the lineWatkins is the obvious candidate to step in for Kane should the England No9 be deemed unfit for the Slovenia clash.The Aston Villa forward scored 27 goals last season, establishing himself as the deputy to the Three Lions’ skipper.Secrets to England Euros successWatkins also went close to scoring when he replaced Kane against Denmark, but was denied by an impressive stop from Kasper Schmeichel.Watkins also offers something different to Kane as he makes more runs in behind.This switch may mean Southgate makes fewer changes elsewhere on the pitch – with Conor Gallagher for Trent Alexander-Arnold possibly being the only other alteration.Ollie Watkins is the obvious replacement for KaneCredit: GettyWatkins is a viable option if Kane is unable to play against SloveniaIvan Toney a more natural fitIvan Toney may have scored just four goals for Brentford after returning from his ban in January, but some England fans still prefer him to Watkins.That is because he is seen as a more natural replacement for Kane – who excels in holding the ball up, bringing others into play and scoring penalties.If Toney was to come into the fold then other changes to the midfield and wide positions would also be expected.Eberechi Eze is one man chomping at the bit to play on the left if the out-of-sorts Phil Foden is dropped to the bench.And with keeping hold of the ball a major issue for England, Adam Wharton could also be brought in to feature alongside Declan Rice.Ivan Toney is yet to feature for England at the EurosCredit: GettyToney may be seen as a more obvious replacement for KaneEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYJude Bellingham as a false ninePerhaps the most unlikely of the three line-ups but an option for Southgate nonetheless.Jude Bellingham played as a false nine for Real Madrid on numerous occasions during his first season with the Spanish giants, helping him score 23 goals in total.READ MORE SUN STORIESFans have debated as to whether he is a No8 or No10, but a curveball could be that he is utilised as the most attacking central option against Slovenia.This could also allow Foden to play in behind him and Anthony Gordon out wide on the left.Jude Bellingham could change position to accommodate the absence of KaneCredit: GettyBellingham could be used as a false nine More

A POLISH fan was rushed to hospital after falling from the stands during his country’s 3-1 defeat to Austria.The shocking incident occurred at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Friday afternoon.The fan reportedly fell from the stand while celebrating a goal during Austria’s win over PolandCredit: GettyAccording to Yahoo, the man “fell three metres into a ditch between the tribune and the infield”.It is understood he was briefly unconscious, before medics took him away to hospital.The nature of his injuries has not been disclosed and his condition is unknown.The cause of the fall remains unclear but Berlin police have already eliminated “third party involvement”.READ MORE ON EURO 2024The Mirror claim the man, who was sat in a mixed section of the ground, fell while celebrating a goal.The ambulance was still at the stadium around 30 minutes after the match had finished.Stewards held a tarpaulin over the gap between the stand and the pitch as the individual received treatment.ARD presenter Alexander Bommes, who was at the match, gave an update on the situation.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “It’s gone quiet here. The Austrians were celebrating wildly.”There is a more serious medical emergency. It looks like a Polish fan has fallen down the stands. We couldn’t follow it closely.”Become a Euro 2024 expert in two minutesPoland’s defeat to Austria came after they also lost their opening game 2-1 to the Netherlands.And the Poles became the first team eliminated from Euro 2024 after the Dutch played out a goalless draw with France on Friday night.Austria face the Netherlands in their final group game as they look to book their spot in the knockout stages.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More