Alan Shearer reveals the changes he would make to England’s line-up for Euro 2024 clash with Denmark, pinpointing two big talking points from laboured win over Serbia

Alan Shearer has revealed the changes he would make to England’s starting line-up for their Euro 2024 clash with Denmark.

The Three Lions play their second match of the tournament in Frankfurt on Thursday, after a narrow 1-0 win in their opener against Serbia.

After a good start to the match, Gareth Southgate’s side dropped deep and applied pressure after half an hour, producing a disappointing performance despite the three points.

Shearer, who was commentating on the opening match, has identified two key talking points that Southgate will have to consider in their clash with Denmark.

Speak with Honestly“The Three Lions legend said: ‘I wouldn’t call it a major concern, but the most pressing thing is what happened to Trent (Alexander-Arnold) in midfield. I thought he did a good job without being spectacular. Will Phil Foden continue to play on the left?

Shearer, commenting on Serbia’s victory, raised two talking points

Shearer questioned Trent Alexander-Arnold’s (left) position in midfield and has also called for Phil Foden (right) to be moved to the number 10 role, moving Jude Bellingham back to number 8

“I don’t think having a right-footed left-back in (Kieran) Trippier Foden helps because every time you get the ball you receive it from inside. Those are the things I would look at.

“The two talking points are who plays next to (Declan) Rice and who plays on that left side. (Bukayo) Saka on the right in the first half was unplayable, he turned the two players on the left inside out, in the second half he didn’t really get a kick because they came out and did much better.

‘I would play (Jude) Bellingham alongside Rice and Foden as the 10, and that’s where he wants to play. I don’t think that would be a problem at all, you play Bellingham with Rice so you free up that left side for someone to run at the back, whether that’s (Eberechi) Eze or (Anthony) Gordon. That’s what I would have done and that’s what I would have done against Denmark.’

Alexander-Arnold and Foden were both quiet during England’s difficult victory on Sunday.

Southgate has decided to use Liverpool’s vice-captain in midfield despite playing as a right-back at Anfield during his career.

Foden enjoyed the best season of his career as he started in 10th place for Premier League champions Manchester City this season.

Shearer believes Foden must play the number 10 role if England are to get the best out of him.

He said, ‘WWhen you play against a packed defence, as England played against Serbia, it is very important to stay wide, with Saka on one side and Foden on the other almost getting hammered from the touchlines.

Bellingham could be pushed back into Alexander-Arnold’s position for the match against Denmark

Shearer believes Eberechi Eze could play on the left if Foden is given a central role

Gareth Southgate has some tough decisions to make after a difficult win over Serbia

‘This way you make it difficult for the opposition, but of course Foden doesn’t want that. Saka doesn’t mind that, but that’s not Foden’s game. He wants to move around and he wants to come in, I would feel better if he was in the 10 role and I don’t think that would crowd things out, Bellingham would be next to Rice and he would then have the freedom to move on to go if he wanted to.’

England will secure a place in the knockout stages if they are to beat Denmark on Thursday.

It is a rematch of Euro 2020, in which England defeated Denmark 2-1 to reach the final of that competition, which they ultimately lost to Italy on penalties.