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Topics: England, Euro 2024, Paul Scholes, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, Gareth Southgate, Bukayo Saka
Alex Brotherton
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Paul Scholes, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, Gareth Southgate, Bukayo Saka
Paul Scholes has called out pundits for their opinions on two England players after of the knockout stage of Euro 2024.
On Tuesday England drew 0-0 with Slovenia to secure top spot in Group C and guarantee their place in the round-of-16 at Euro 2024.
Despite navigating their group unbeaten, Gareth Southgate and his players have come under intense scrutiny from fans and pundits due to their underwhelming performances.
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England's stars were booed by their own fans following a 1-1 draw with Denmark, before plastic cups were thrown towards Southgate as he walked over to applaud supporters after the goalless draw with Slovenia.
With England struggling to break teams down and the team looking unbalanced in midfield and attack, it feels like everyone in the country has their own idea of how Southgate should set up his side against Slovakia in the round-of-16.
There have been calls for Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo to start in midfield, and Southgate looks set to do just that.
Others have suggested that Jude Bellingham should take up a deeper role in midfield to allow Phil Foden to flourish in a central attacking position, while plenty of fans want Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon to get more minutes than they have so far.
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Former England and Man United midfielder Paul Scholes has never shied away from sharing his football opinions, and on Friday he shared several messages on his Instagram Story.
"Mainoo will make you play, Foden and Bellingham will win you games, think forward and take less touches please Dec [Declan Rice]. Laters [kissing emoji]."
Scholes then wrote: "Keep hearing drop Bellingham back next to Rice... p*** right off!!!"
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He followed that up with: "Making me p*** these Arsenal legends trying to get [Bukayo] Saka in at left-back because they're afraid he's gonna be left out for Palmer [crying laughing emoji]."
Contrary to Scholes suggesting that Rice needs to take fewer touches, data shows that only eight players have released the ball quicker than Rice during Euro 2024.
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