Former Leicester City, Barcelona and England striker Gary Lineker has admitted he was baffled by one substitution that Gareth Southgate did not make until late on.
England once again laboured to a rather boring 0-0 draw against Slovenia in their final group game of the 2024 European Championships.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions finished top of the group with five points but his team have been very uninspiring in the tournament so far.
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Chelsea’s player of the season Cole Palmer were introduced during the second half and added some much needed excitement but there was one substitution that Gary Lineker found rather baffling.
Lineker believes Newcastle ace should have been brought on sooner, Shearer agrees
Speaking during the aftermath of England’s bore draw against Slovenia on the Rest Is Football Podcast, Lineker has questioned why Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon did not get more game time.
“I think waiting so long to bring Gordon on was a rather baffling decision,” Lineker said. “We tried Foden on the left and he struggled and then it seemed that Belllingham was pushed out to the left but again that didn’t work.
“I think Gordon should come in and give us balance off the left or someone of that ilk, I don’t know if Cole Palmer could play there but they have to change it.”
Newcastle’s all time top goalscorer in Alan Shearer agreed with Lineker on his observation of Gordon.
“What is the point of bringing him,” Shearer said. “I think Gordon did more in two or three minutes from the left hand side than we had shown in the previous two and a half games. He brought energy and know how from that left side.”
Newcastle’s Gordon deserves more minutes for England
As England prepare for their knockout stage clash as they could face the Netherlands or the Czech Republic or even Georgia if results go their way, changes need to be made.
The experiment of playing Phil Foden off the left side has simply not worked and starting Gordon there, who had a brilliant season at Newcastle, could be the solution.
Gordon would bring the width to the team and would force his opposing left-back to push deeper which could help England dominate their opponent.
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