Euro 2024: Gareth Southgate responds to criticism of England team selection

Gareth Southgate has responded to criticism of his team selection ahead of England’s crucial Euro 2024 clash with Denmark in Frankfurt. The Three Lions secured a 1-0 victory in their tournament opener against Serbia, with Jude Bellingham scoring a powerful header.

However, Southgate has faced backlash in the days following the match, with some suggesting that his lineup left Harry Kane isolated and failed to utilize the skills of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden effectively.

Southgate finds the criticism perplexing, as he has been advised for eight years to play Alexander-Arnold and prevent Kane from dropping deep. He states, “For most of the eight years I have been in charge I have been told that Kane drops too deep. It is slightly ironic that I am now being told not to play Trent when I was told to play Trent for eight years and not to let Harry go deep. That is our world, really. That is the one bit I am certain of (that as England manager, he is never right).”

Foden, who typically plays on the left wing for Manchester City, was positioned in a more central role against Serbia. However, he has only scored four goals in 35 England caps, which is disappointing considering his 19 goals in the Premier League last season. Southgate defends Foden’s performance, emphasizing his selflessness for the team. He states, “I thought Phil did an incredible job for the team. You know, sometimes the bits with the ball are obvious and they catch the eye. But the amount of ground he covered, the angles of pressing, the filling in for people who were further forward. I know it is not the sexy bit and everyone wants to see him with the ball, but without his contribution off the ball I do not think we win the game.”

Southgate also supports Kane’s decision to stay higher up the pitch rather than dropping deep to provide passes to England’s wide players. He believes that Kane’s adaptability is crucial and that he has the freedom to adjust his positioning based on the game’s circumstances. Southgate explains, “I think that was Harry’s interpretation of what was happening on the day. It was not something that we specifically talked about, he has got the freedom to come low and when he does others need to make forward runs. I think he felt, in the first half, that there were enough players doing that he was better served by occupying people higher.”

Alexander-Arnold, who played alongside Declan Rice in England’s midfield against Serbia, has also faced scrutiny. However, Southgate was satisfied with his performance and hopes that more forward runners can assist the Liverpool star in showcasing his passing abilities. Southgate concludes, “I don’t want to dismiss the other players in the squad, we have always got to have competition for places. I thought positionally he was very sound, it was not always easy to get on the ball. Some moments we did not have enough forward runners as well, if you have got a good passer you need people to make those runs in order to hit them.”