- England are struggling to replace Kalvin Phillips, Gareth Southgate conceded
- He claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is an ‘experiment’ to fill Phillips’ boots
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Why are England already being briefed on ignoring the noise from outside the camp?
Gareth Southgate has conceded that England are struggling to replace Kalvin Phillips – seven months after his last cap.
He claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is being used in an ‘experiment’ to fill a Phillips-shaped hole still gaping two games into Euro 2024.
His revelation came after England’s lacklustre 1-1 draw with Denmark in which Alexander-Arnold was again taken off for Connor Gallagher – despite learning the midfield trade for a year under Southgate.
Asked about Alexander-Arnold, Southgate said: ‘He’s had some moments where he has delivered what we thought he would.
‘We know it is an experiment and we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips, but we’re trying some different things and at the moment we’re not flowing as we’d like, that’s for sure.’
Phillips’ last cap for England was in November last year as the Three Lions stuttered to a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia in Euros qualifying.
The midfielder had a disappointing loan spell at West Ham in the second half of last season after starting just two games for Manchester City in the opening months.
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Southgate had been perceived by some as overly loyal to a star who had struggled for game time, partly due to injury, after joining Man City from Leeds for £45million in July 2022.
Between September and November of 2023, he played as many games for England as he did Premier League games in the first half of the season – four.
It is little surprise to hear that Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield is an experiment – after all, his usual position at Liverpool for his whole career has been right-back.
However, it is a shock to hear that England are only trying it because they have been unable to replace Phillips.
Asked before the tournament if he feels Alexander-Arnold is ready to start alongside Declan Rice, Southgate told ITV Sport: ‘We believe so. We think he can offer something we don’t have and give the team a different dimension. He’s really been diligent in understanding the role.
‘He has as good a passing range as anybody in world football. He’s been really invested in learning, understanding all aspects of the game in that role.
‘I’ve enjoyed working with him on that project for the last 12 months. His mentality and attitude towards it have been absolutely first-class.’
England are already facing increased scrutiny following a 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Harry Kane might have thought he got the vultures off his back when he opened the scoring in the first half, but England’s lead only lasted 16 minutes and BBC Sport’s pundits weren’t so forgiving in their assessment of the striker or the team.
Presenter Gary Lineker said: ‘Harry Kane needs to do a lot better. His movement was mininmal and he didn’t look to get behind. Even when he comes short, he’s drifting short lethargically and plodding.
At half-time, Micah Richards even called for Kane to be taken off for Ollie Watkins – which he eventually was.
Richards said: ‘When we transition, Kane is so deep, there’s no way out. Second half, we have to make substitutions. Watkins needs to come on and stretch this game. At the moment, it’s too easy for Denmark.’