Alan Shearer is advocating for two key changes in the England squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 match against Denmark, including a positional switch for Jude Bellingham.
The Three Lions narrowly won their opening group game against Serbia with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a goal from Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham. However, Shearer believes adjustments are necessary to secure a more comfortable win against Denmark, which would virtually ensure England’s progression to the knockout stages.
Shearer specifically suggests repositioning Bellingham and Phil Foden, incorporating an additional wide player to enhance the team’s dynamic. Speaking to Betfair, the Newcastle legend explained: “I wouldn’t call it a big concern, but the more pressing thing is what happened to Trent in midfield. I thought he did alright without being spectacular. Is Phil Foden going to continue to play on the left-hand side?
“I don’t think having a right-footed left-back in Trippier helps Foden, because every time you’re getting the ball, you are receiving it on the inside. Those are the things I’d be looking at.
“The two talking points are who plays alongside Rice and who plays on that left side. Saka on the right in the first half was unplayable; he tied the two left-sided players inside out. In the second half, he didn’t really have a kick because they came out and did much better.
“I would play Bellingham alongside Rice and Foden as the 10, which is where he wants to play. I don’t think that would be a problem at all. You’re playing Bellingham with Rice, so you free up that left side for someone who can run in behind. Whether that would be Eze or Gordon. That’s what I would have done and that’s what I’d do against Denmark.”
While Shearer suggests these strategic tweaks, he does not foresee Gareth Southgate making drastic changes for the Denmark game. He continued, “There’s no risk in changing things. You’ve won the game, you look at the positives and you ask why things happened, how things happened. You look at the negatives and how you can improve.
“We’ve got a squad of 26 players, of which the vast majority would have no problem with going in the starting line-up. It’s great to have options. The options he has got, one on the left side and two in the middle of the park, are phenomenal. It’s not dangerous to change it up; it’s dangerous to make six or seven changes. Which he won’t, but he may make one or two.”
England will face Slovenia in their final group stage match in Cologne next Tuesday, following their critical clash with Denmark.
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