Gareth Southgate Faces Midfield Dilemma Ahead of Euro 2024 After Trent Alexander-Arnold Experiment Fails
As the Three Lions prepare for their next match in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, England manager Gareth Southgate is faced with the pressing question of who should partner Declan Rice in the midfield. The Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment has proven to be a letdown, leaving Southgate to go back to the drawing board.
In England’s 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday, Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold failed to impress, misplacing passes and struggling to create any meaningful chances as a deep-lying playmaker. His underwhelming performance, which saw him substituted in the 55th minute, has surely put an end to Southgate’s so-called experiment with the versatile defender.
Southgate was clearly disappointed with the team’s overall display, going as far as to yearn for the days of overlooked midfielders Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson.
“We have been trying to find a solution in midfield for seven or eight years,” the England boss said in his post-match press conference. “If we hadn’t had Declan Rice, I don’t know where we’d have been. Unfortunately, Kalvin (Phillips) wasn’t a possible for us for this tournament and Hendo (Jordan Henderson) the same, so we’re trying to find something different.”
With the next Euro 2024 qualifier just days away, Southgate has limited time to find the right midfield combination. The England manager must now carefully consider his options and determine the best solution to bolster the team’s performance in the middle of the park.
As the race for qualification to the Euro 2024 tournament heats up, Southgate’s decision on the midfield pairing will be crucial in shaping England’s chances of success. Fans and pundits alike await with bated breath to see how the manager will address this pressing issue.
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