Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea fans must be frustrated and annoyed at watching England at Euro 2024 this summer.
England were heading for an early exit against Slovakia on Sunday, before a very, very late Jude Bellingham goal rescued the team, took the game to extra time and Harry Kane then netted the winner.
At the start of the tournament, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold started in midfield, but was then criticised for his performances and dropped.
And even though Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has been outstanding at club level and is a natural left-sided player, Bukayo Saka got to see more of that left-hand side than Gordon has at this tournament.
At half-time of England’s win over Slovakia, Gary Neville ranted about Gareth Southgate having to bring on Liverpool and Newcastle’s duo.
The Manchester United legend urged Southgate to ‘interfere’ and ‘rip up the script’ by bringing Gordon and Alexander-Arnold on, alongside Cole Palmer.
Neville got his wish because Palmer was brought on after an hour, but the others remained in their seats to the frustration of others.
At club level, everyone can see the quality of Alexander-Arnold, he is one of the best players on the ball in the Premier League.
That was highlighted by Neville and how it’s ‘illegal’ that he isn’t playing at right-back, with Kyle Walker deploying that role and Kieran Trippier starting at left-back.
After the game, when England secured a 2-1 win over Slovakia, Neville stated that there will now be a ‘clamour’ for the above players to start, as he stated the truth about the above players, as he told ITV Sport.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer at Euro 2024
“It’s now or never for Gareth,” said Neville at half-time. “He has got to interfere. He has to rip up the script that he has had all tournament – he has to twist. I don’t think it’s a case of one substitute or two. I think he has to get three on the pitch. We have to see Palmer, Trent and we have to see Gordon. He has to shift the whole narrative around this game because that isn’t changing unless he does something stark right now.
“I would probably switch Walker over (to left-back). That would be the first start – Trent Alexander-Arnold, it’s illegal that that lad is not playing football in a game like this for England today. We cannot have Kyle Walker and Trippier at left and right-back when we are on the ball most of the time. That is the kid who is the best football player we have ever seen at right-back or full-back in this country. He has got to be on the pitch.”
Post-match, Neville added: “Everybody in the country has been crying out for more change after every single match, from game one, two and three. The same clamour will happen again for Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold to come in to create more balance and more excitement. Getting over the line and winning is important. But to think you can go through a one-month tournament playing the way we are doing and get through to the end, I think is unrealistic.”
England into the last eight of Euro 2024
For many weeks, the England players and their manager have got a lot of stick for their performances at Euro 2024.
Even though they are into the last eight, you can bet your bottom dollar that it isn’t going to change given this latest display.
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You can start Alexander-Arnold or drop him. Start Gordon or hardly use him. Only use Palmer from the bench.
It’s going to produce the same results and performances because of the man coaching England right now.
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