England are back in action on Tuesday night and Gareth Southgate is seeking a much improved performance after a disappointing start to Euro 2024.
Expectations around England were high heading into Euro 2024 with many viewing the Three Lions as one of the favourites to run out winners.
However, England have made a very low-key start to the tournament with two unconvincing performances.
A 1-0 win over Serbia was far from stellar but England got the job done, which can’t exactly be said of the display against Denmark.
England drew 1-1 but were second best for most of the game, turning in a completely disjointed showing in Frankfurt.
England must now attempt to bounce back against Slovenia with a spot in the knockout stages up for grabs when Gareth Southgate’s men step out onto the pitch in Koln.
Declan Rice on Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher
Southgate is only expected to make one change to the side against Slovenia with Trent Alexander-Arnold set to lose his place in the team.
The experimentation of Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder hasn’t really worked and the Liverpool star is set to drop out of the side in favour of Conor Gallagher.
The Chelsea man has been England’s first substitution in the first two group stage games and will now come into the starting XI.
Despite playing an advanced role for Chelsea this past season, Gallagher will play alongside Declan Rice in a deeper role for England.
That decision has raised eyebrows, especially with Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo at Southgate’s disposal.
Rice has now offered his verdict, telling BBC Sport that he has played both alongside and against Gallagher in his career and loves what he offers.
Arsenal star Rice admitted that he would ‘love’ to have Gallagher in his team, presumably meaning England rather than the Gunners.
Rice believes that Gallagher has actually improved a lot of people this past season, showing more ability on the ball than many thought he was capable of showing.
Now set to start for England, Gallagher was also praised as a ‘really positive player’ and he seemingly can’t wait to line up alongside him for England against Slovenia.
“I’ve played against him when he was at Crystal Palace and Chelsea, and I’ve played with him in the academy team. He is player I would love to have in my team,” said Rice. “He works his socks off. You feel so safe and secure in there with him. He has surprised so many people this year with his ability on the ball. How he breaks forward with it, how he gets into the box and scores goals.”
“He is a really positive player and he has come on so much over the past few years and you can really see that within himself with how confident he is. Every time I get to play with Conor, and it hasn’t been much, I really enjoy it because I know him really well as a guy, I know his family really well, he is a lovely boy and it is another great chance to stamp our mark,” he added.
Gallagher enjoyed strong Chelsea season
Gallagher predominantly played as a number 10 under Mauricio Pochettino with a real focus on using his energy to break into the penalty area.
The 24-year-old finished the campaign with five goals and seven assists, producing a strong campaign with the Blues.
Gallagher even captained Chelsea for large parts of the season, so he has really enjoyed a season of progression at Stamford Bridge.
Nobody would suggest that Gallagher has the passing range of Alexander-Arnold but his energy and goalscoring threat in the final third hands England a different dynamic.
Gallagher will now hope to shine for England and prove Rice’s praise right, before going back to the subject of his future amid a firm belief that he could leave Chelsea this summer.
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