Gareth Southgate has risked the wrath of already annoyed England followers by admitting that taking part in Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield at Euro 2024 is an ‘experiment’, whereas additionally claiming he doesn’t have a ‘pure substitute for Kalvin Phillips’.
Alexander-Arnold has lengthy been lauded for his skill on the ball and vary of passing, utilised in a midfield function by Southgate, who by no means appeared to fancy the Liverpool defender in his pure right-back place, way back to 2021.
However there was a level of shock when he was listed among the many midfielders when this summer season’s squad was revealed final month, not least as a result of Jurgen Klopp had all the time appeared hesitant about absolutely embracing the concept he may play there for Liverpool.
In every of England’s first two video games at Euro 2024, which have delivered disappointing staff performances, Alexander-Arnold has been sacrificed within the second half, virtually like Southgate has conceded defeat that the plan hasn’t labored. That is regardless of sticking to it from one recreation to the following.
“He is had some moments the place he is delivered what we thought he would,” Southgate stated of Alexander-Arnold to BBC One after their 1-1 draw towards Denmark.
“We all know it is an experiment. We all know we do not have a pure substitute for Kalvin Philips. We’re making an attempt various things and in the intervening time we’re not flowing as we would like.”
England followers may level out that the squad has an array of midfielders to select from and that somebody who was taking part in for a mid-table Premier League facet at Euro 2020 should not be that onerous to interchange when Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton are at his disposal.
“I needed Conor on,” was Southgate’s reply when requested why Alexander-Arnold was withdrawn once more. “We would have liked power, we would have liked to press higher. Conor does that very nicely.”
On condition that England appear to lack adequate management in midfield when Alexander-Arnold begins there, Southgate possibly should rethink his ‘experiment’ earlier than it is too late.
