England are through to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 but continue to serve up incredibly disappointing displays over in Germany.
This has been an immensely frustrating start to Euro 2024 for England.
Entering the tournament as one of the favourites, England were expected to handle Group C with relative ease.
A 1-0 win over Serbia was a decent if somewhat underwhelming start before turning in a drab performance in the 1-1 draw with Denmark.
England fans everywhere were demanding a better performance in the final group stage game against Slovenia, but it was more of the same.
The Three Lions laboured to a 0-0 draw in Koln, looking completely toothless for large spells of the game.
England head into the knockout stages but few fans will have much confidence of a success run in this tournament after three lacklustre displays.
Kobbie Mainoo on Cole Palmer
England did see some promising signs from some of the substitutes against Slovenia, potentially inspiring some hope moving forward.
Kobbie Mainoo came on at half time and didn’t look overawed by the occasion, offering composure in midfield and some drive to go forward.
Cole Palmer was introduced on the right flank and caused real problems in a very exciting cameo.
Anthony Gordon came on very late on but picked out one of the passes of the game to create a last-gasp chance for England to win the game.
Perhaps Southgate will consider starting some of those substitutes in the knockout stages and Palmer has now been praised.
Fellow substitute Mainoo has told BBC Sport that he thinks Chelsea star Palmer is simply ‘electric’ and has shown that in the Premier League.
Mainoo even added that Palmer is one of the best players in England training, providing intensity at every opportunity.
“He’s electric and you’ve seen in the Premier League what he can do and he’s continuing to do that. He’s one of the best in training, he’s never eased off the gas,” said Mainoo.
Ian Wright on Palmer
Palmer’s problem is that England already have a quality left-footed, right-sided winger in Bukayo Saka.
Fitting both Saka and Palmer into the same team is a battle; even if Palme can play as a number 10, that means altering Jude Bellingham’s role too.
That leaves Southgate with a real conundrum and Ian Wright has offered a rather bold suggestion.
Speaking on ITV, Wright suggested that Southgate should consider playing Saka at left back in order to fit Palmer into the team on the right flank.
“I’m starting to think now, I saw a stat about Kieran Trippier being our second-most productive player with touches and passes and if that’s the case, with how naturally left-sided Saka is, maybe you can put Saka to left back and put Palmer on the right-hand side, simply because we need to get some balance and some fluidity,” said Wright.
Saka has previously played as a left wing back at Arsenal, but that was a long time ago now.
Moving Saka into that kind of role, pulling him further away from goal, would be a bold move – but Palmer is certainly knocking on the door after a strong substitute appearance.
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