Graeme Souness believes Gareth Southgate was ‘strange’ to say England didn’t have a replacement for Kalvin Phillips as Tuesday’s Euro 2024 clash with Slovenia creeps closer.
The Three Lions have been poor at the tournament so far, despite picking up four points from a possible six.
Graeme Souness believes Gareth Southgate was ‘strange’ to say England didn’t have a replacement for Kalvin Phillips as Tuesday’s Euro 2024 clash with Slovenia creeps closer
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After that game, the England boss said he was using Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield as an ‘experiment’ in the absence of Phillips.
Phillips, previously a regular at big tournaments for England, was left out of the squad following a dismal loan spell at West Ham.
And Souness, writing for the Daily Mail, has hit out at Southgate for his comments – dubbing them ‘strange’ and expressing a belief it’s ‘unfair’ on Alexander-Arnold.
“I find it strange that Gareth Southgate talks about the problem in replacing Kalvin Phillips, well Kalvin Phillips is yet to prove he is a Premier League player,” he said.
“I didn’t like the term ‘experiment’ around Trent Alexander-Arnold. It’s unfair on him.
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“Playing wide as a full-back, to me, is the easiest position on the pitch because you have more time and space.
“In midfield it is a whirlwind. The action is coming at you from all angles, it’s often frantic and you have a nano-second to make a decision – and half the time you won’t get that right.
“You have to be a bit of everything: have a defensive head, be creative and be able to mix the physical side too.
“Trent is a wonderful kicker of the ball, he can deliver it on a sixpence.
“At Liverpool, they dominate sides so there is space, but to task him to play this role when England are trying to establish dominance is a hell of an ask.
“He doesn’t possess that equipment. In this England set-up, I see Trent Alexander-Arnold best suited to an impact substitute role when you are chasing a game and you need his delivery and accuracy of passing.”
England desperately need to tinker if they’re to end 58 years of hurt in Germany this summer.
And Souness believes Alexander-Arnold should be dropped, with Bellingham moved deeper and Phil Foden unleashed in the No 10 role.
“England should revert Jude Bellingham back alongside Declan Rice, put Phil Foden behind Kane and put either Eberechi Eze or Anthony Gordon on the left,” he continued.
England are currently preparing for their clash with Slovenia.
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Gareth Southgate has been dubbed ‘strange’ by Graeme Souness after playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for England
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They’re already all but through to the knockout stages, despite their shaky displays so far.
And Wayne Rooney, like Souness, believes Southgate was wrong to say he was using Alexander-Arnold in the middle of the park as an ‘experiment’.
He said: “I don’t think you can come into a major tournament and say you’re ‘experimenting.’
“That’s a strong word to say and if England don’t go far in this competition I think he might regret that.
“There is a lack of experience in the team and voices. When you’re going to press, you need to talk.
Graeme Souness believes England should play Phil Foden as a No 10 when they lock horns with Slovenia at Euro 2024 on Tuesday
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“I would have taken Jordan Henderson because he is a voice.
“Harry Kane is not a big talker.”