Gallagher starts in midfield alongside Declan Rice (Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Roy Keane and Gary Neville have questioned Gareth Southgate’s decision to bring Conor Gallagher into England’s midfield for their Euro 2024 clash against Slovenia.
After naming unchanged starting XIs for group games against Serbia and Denmark, Southgate tweaked his side for Tuesday’s game with Chelsea star Gallagher coming into midfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold partnered Declan Rice in midfield for the first two games with Southgate hopeful the introduction of Gallagher can inject some energy into his side after those underwhelming performances so far in Germany.
While believing Gallagher can deliver that, former Manchester United captain Keane questioned whether Gallagher has the quality on the ball to drastically improve the way England play.
‘It’s a good opportunity for him,’ Keane told ITV.
‘Sometimes I think he lacks real quality when he does get into position but they need energy. From all the team but he’s workman-like, you can’t question his honesty and he will get forward. But there are question marks over his quality in possession.’
Neville meanwhile has concerns over the midfield partnership between Gallagher and Rice, unsure if they are convincing enough receiving the ball and sparking play from the back.
Gallagher replaces Alexander-Arnold in midfield (Picture: UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
‘I’d be concerned a little about their in terms of their build up play from the back,’ Neville said.
‘I still don’t see either of them being the best going to receive it from centre backs and goalkeepers so I’m not quite sure that will be the strongest part of our game.
‘But one thing we do have incredible energy. They are powerful midfielders who can go take the ball off opposition platers and I think that is what Gareth wants now.’
Explaining his decision to bring Gallagher in, Southgate said ahead of kick-off: ‘Conor presses the ball really well, his forward running is an important asset as well so we have thought he can stretch them defensively and add in an important area in midfield winning second balls and trying to win the ball further up the pitch.
‘We want to win the ball higher and use it with more composure. We have been very honest in our assessment of our performances, we know there is more to come but we can talk all we like, we have to go do it.’