Football News Update: England Struggling in Midfield at Euro 2024
In the latest Football News, England manager Gareth Southgate has expressed concerns about his team’s struggles in the midfield at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament. Southgate revealed that the Three Lions have not been able to find a “natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips“, whose absence has been felt in the team’s performances.
England drew 1-1 with Denmark on Thursday, a result that keeps them top of Group C and in a strong position to qualify for the last 16. However, Southgate’s side failed to maintain control of the match, similar to their 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday, and did not perform at their best.
“He [Alexander-Arnold] has had some moments where he has delivered as we thought. It’s an experiment – we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips. At the moment we’re not flowing as we would like.”
Phillips, 28, had played a crucial role in England’s run to the European Championship final in 2021, but was not selected for the current tournament following a disappointing loan spell with West Ham and a struggle to feature regularly at Manchester City. Former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, who was instrumental in the 2018 World Cup when England reached the semi-finals, was also left out of the 26-man squad.
In the absence of Phillips and Henderson, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, an attacking right-back for his club, has been deployed in midfield, partnering Arsenal’s Declan Rice. However, Alexander-Arnold, 25, was substituted early in the second half and replaced by Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, with England often second best in the midfield battle.
Southgate’s comments highlight the squad’s need to find a suitable replacement for the influential Phillips in order to regain their form and control in the midfield as they continue their campaign at Euro 2024.
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