- England start their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday evening
- Southgate must decide who will play in midfield alongside Rice and Bellingham
- Listen to It all starts! Trent? Gallagher? Mainoo? Who deserves a place in England’s midfield at Euro 2024?
Wayne Rooney has expressed reservations about Gareth Southgate’s likely partner for Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in England’s midfield against Serbia.
The Three Lions will kick off their Euro 2024 campaign at the Veltins Arena on Sunday afternoon as they look to claim just the second trophy in the country’s history.
Apart from concerns about England’s defence, Southgate’s biggest appeal ahead of the match will be deciding which player to start alongside Rice and Bellingham.
Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher impressed in last week’s 3-0 win over Bosnia, while youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton have done well over the course of their seasons.
However, it appears Southgate is leaning towards Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. And while Rooney believes his fellow Scouser is perhaps the most gifted player with the ball in the squad, the Man United legend still doesn’t trust him when in possession.
Wayne Rooney insisted he loves Trent Alexander-Arnold but still doesn’t trust him defensively
Alexander-Arnold could get a starting spot for the opening match of the Euro 2024 against Serbia
‘I think he (Southgate) will go with Trent. I think he’s probably the most gifted player we have, with the ball at his feet.” Rooney said further The Overlap’s Euros fan debateis sponsored by Sky bet.
“Defensively he is everywhere. He can’t defend. I wouldn’t want him somewhere in the middle of the field.
‘I have no problem playing him [at right-back] but I wouldn’t want him around [centre midfield].
“And I actually love Trent. On the ball he can do things that no one else can.’
Earlier this week, Mail Sport reported that the England boss is seriously considering starting Alexander-Arnold in the opening match of Euro 2024.
The head coach has explored the idea of using the Anfield vice-captain, who plays as a right-back for his club, in central midfield for the past 12 months as he searches for a ballplayer for Rice.
The 25-year-old has been handed the number 8 shirt for the tournament, potentially hinting at what looks set to be a leadership role in Germany.
Southgate is keen to use his players in the tournament as he struggles with several fitness issues and has options in midfield.
“100 percent, when we go into the quarter-finals and play France, Trent is not playing in midfield,” Rooney added. ‘Gareth wouldn’t put Trent in midfield.
England manager Gareth Southgate is keen to utilize the Liverpool stars’ talents on the ball
‘For me, I don’t think Gareth trusts him enough to play against Trent in midfield and he has the same doubts as I do about playing him in midfield.
‘Then you’ll probably see Gallagher or Mainoo. I don’t think he trusts Trent defensively, which he thinks is fair. But in the games where you’re going to dominate possession, you’re probably going to see him in there.”