Ahead of the Euro 2024 round of 16 clash against Slovakia, former England captain, Alan Shearer has urged Gareth Southgate to make three bold changes to the Three Lions’ starting XI.
England has a date with Slovakia next at the Veltins-Arena on Sunday, June 30 .
England finished top of the Group C with 5 points, having won one and drawn two of their group games, scoring just two goals in the process.
The likes of Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, and Manchester City star, Phil Foden, were deployed in the starting XI to face Slovenia.
All three struggled in the game forcing the coach to bring on Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, respectively, for them.
The substitutes looked bright in midfield and further up the pitch, outshining their teammates who made way.
Shearer told BBC One (via METRO), “He [Southgate] brought Mainoo on at half-time, I thought the other subs were left far too late. But all three had an effect on the game which is what they needed.
“I thought Mainoo was really good, he came into midfield and offered something totally different in midfield, winning the ball back, creating the option to receive the ball.
“This guy [Palmer] came in on the right hand side and looked really, really good. He had a big impact, his movement and confidence with the ball was brilliant.
“[Their combinations] we haven’t seen too much of that at all in the first two games, we certainty didn’t see it until Palmer came on.”
Euro 2024: Alan Shearer lists 3 changes Southgate should make against Slovakia