- England start their Euro 2024 marketing campaign in opposition to Serbia on Sunday evening
- Southgate should determine who to play alongside Rice and Bellingham in midfield
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Trent? Gallagher? Mainoo? Who deserves a spot in England’s Euro 2024 midfield?
Wayne Rooney has expressed reservations about Gareth Southgate’s probably companion for Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in England’s midfield in opposition to Serbia.
The Three Lions get their Euro 2024 marketing campaign underway on the Veltins Enviornment on Sunday night, as they bid to assert solely the second trophy within the nation’s historical past.
Other than the priority over the England defence, Southgate’s largest name for the sport will likely be deciding which participant to start out alongside Rice and Bellingham.
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher impressed within the 3-0 win over Bosnia final week, whereas kids Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton have made good circumstances to start out over the course of their seasons.
Nonetheless, it seems Southgate it leaning in the direction of Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. And despite the fact that Rooney believes his fellow Scouser will be the most gifted participant with the ball within the squad, the Man United legend nonetheless does not belief him out of possession.
Wayne Rooney insisted that he loves Trent Alexander-Arnold however he nonetheless does not belief him defensively
Alexander-Arnold could possibly be handed a beginning spot for Sunday’s Euro 2024 opener in opposition to Serbia
‘I feel he (Southgate) will go together with Trent. I feel he’s in all probability essentially the most gifted participant now we have with the ball at his toes that we have,’ Rooney stated on The Overlap’s Euros fan debate, delivered to you by Sky Bet.
‘Defensively he’s everywhere. He cannot defend. I wouldn’t have him anyplace close to the center of the pitch.
‘I’ve no downside taking part in him [at right-back] however I would not have him anyplace close to [centre midfield].
‘And I like Trent truly. On the ball, the stuff he can do no one else can do it.’
Earlier this week, Mail Sport reported that Southgate was critically contemplating beginning Alexander-Arnold within the Euro 2024 opener.
The top coach has explored the thought of deploying the Anfield vice-captain, who performs at right-back for his membership, in central midfield for the previous 12 months as he searches for a ball-playing companion for Rice.
The 25-year-old has been handed the No 8 shirt for the event, doubtlessly a clue in the direction of what appears set to be a lead position in Germany.
Southgate is eager to utilise his gamers throughout the event as he contends with numerous health points and has choices in midfield.
Rooney expects Southgate to show to Alexander-Arnold within the group phases, however believes the supervisor will change his personnel if England attain the enterprise finish of the event.
England supervisor Gareth Southgate is eager to utilise the Liverpool star’s skills on the ball
‘100 per cent, if we go into the quarter-finals and we’re taking part in France, Trent is just not taking part in in midfield,’ Rooney added. ‘Gareth wouldn’t put Trent in midfield.
‘For me, I do not assume Gareth trusts him sufficient to play Trent in midfield and he has his doubts the identical method I do about taking part in him in midfield.
‘That is when you are going to see Gallagher or Mainoo in all probability. I do not assume he trusts Trent defensively, which he is proper to. However within the video games the place you are going to dominate possession, you in all probability will see him in there.’
