Featured Image Credit: BBC Sport
Topics: Gareth Southgate, Football, England, Euro 2024, Fan Reactions
Ryan Smart
Topics: Gareth Southgate, Football, England, Euro 2024, Fan Reactions
Gareth Southgate has been criticised by fans after naming the one player that England do not have a natural replacement for at Euro 2024.
Southgate was speaking after England's 1-1 draw against Denmark, in which the Three Lions struggled for fluency in the attacking third.
The performance was typified by a lack of cohesion and urgency, with England struggling to exert major influence over the game in the second half especially.
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Southgate's substitutions also came under the radar, given his decision to substitute his entire front three of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden in the second half.
He also decided to take off midfielder Trent Alexander-Arnold on 53 minutes.
The Liverpool star has started alongside Declan Rice in defensive midfield during both of England's Euro 2024 group games so far, but Southgate decided to introduce Conor Gallagher instead in the second half in Frankfurt.
Southgate alluded to the position being an issue for the Three Lions during his post-match interview, but fans were left unimpressed over which player he mentioned.
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He said: "It is an experiment, and we know that we don't have a natural replacement for a Kalvin Phillips.
"We're trying some different things and at the moment we're not flowing as we would like, that's for sure."
Phillips wasn't included in England's 33-man provisional squad, having struggled for form with West Ham this season.
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The midfielder has had limited amounts of Premier League football since joining Manchester City for £42.5 million, with injuries and Pep Guardiola's preference to play other midfielders contributing to that.
Southgate instead picked Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton as midfield options alongside Rice - meaning fans have been left confused by his comment.
One wrote: "Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo just sat on the bench for what?"
Another said: "I'll pretend I didn't see this."
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A third added: "Is that the same Kalvin Phillips who has spent most of the past three seasons sat on a bench?"
A fourth mused: "Welcome to the squad Adam Wharton - there is your vote of confidence."
A fifth said: "Kobbie Mainoo plays golf."
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