Gareth Southgate set to make just one change to England XI for Euro 2024 group decider against Slovenia as he resists calls to move Phil Foden from left wing
- Gareth Southgate will limit changes to his starting XI against Slovenia
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Gareth Southgate will ignore calls for wholesale changes against Slovenia as the England boss remains loyal to the majority of the team that has been heavily criticized here at the 2024 Euros.
The national team boss is likely to make just one change from the squad that started the first two games here in Germany, with Conor Gallagher replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold the only expected change.
That means a fresh start for Phil Foden, whose place in the team has been questioned in recent days.
England’s performance has put pressure on Southgate to get his team ready for the final Group C match here in Cologne. Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer in particular are among the players many would like to see in the starting XI.
But both players are once again expected to start on the bench as Southgate remains confident in the forwards who have started the tournament, with Gallagher ahead of Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to lose his place, the only expected change.
Gareth Southgate will keep Phil Foden’s confidence ahead of England’s match against Slovenia
Foden has been criticized for his performances on the left wing in England’s first two games
Foden staying in the squad means Anthony Gordon (left) and Cole Palmer (right) remain on the bench
Conor Gallagher (pictured) will be the only change, with the Chelsea midfielder coming in for Trent Alexander-Arnold
England coach Southgate has experimented with using Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold as a central midfielder in his team’s first two games at the tournament.
But Chelsea star Gallagher has come off the bench in both England games so far, replacing Alexander-Arnold on those occasions, with the Stamford Bridge midfielder now expected to get his chance to start.
Elsewhere, Kieran Trippier is expected to continue at left-back despite concerns over his workload at the tournament, having only returned from a calf problem on the final day of last season.
If the match allows, Southgate could look to replace Trippier in the second half so the 33-year-old full-back can be rested for this weekend’s last 16 games.
Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham will join Foden in attack, while Kyle Walker, John Stones and Marc Guehi are expected to join Trippier in defence, while Jordan Pickford will retain his place in goal.
ENGLAND XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Gallagher; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane