England at Euro 2024: Is this the end of Gareth Southgate's Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment?

Gareth Southgate is facing more uncertainties now than he did before the European Championships started for England. He also has some definite worries about how long his team will be able to stay in the tournament.

England remains undefeated and likely has secured enough points to advance to the next round. This accomplishment should not be underestimated or minimized. However, aside from this, there are few other positives to highlight.

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In the lead-up to the games, we were concerned about various things such as the questionable fitness and form of key players, the limited left-footed options for the left side, the apparent lack of speed and a clear playing style. These concerns have been evident in the first two Group C matches. While these issues are not directly Southgate's fault, it is up to him to find solutions.

England's chances of winning a trophy are dwindling with each minute they spend playing.

Just like in their previous match against Serbia, England once again took the lead against Denmark. However, they were unable to capitalize on their advantage and ended up being outperformed by a team that was expected to be an easy opponent for any top Euros contenders.

The evaluation unfairly criticizes Serbia and Denmark, as both teams performed better than expected and had strategies to take advantage of England's vulnerabilities. In Frankfurt, there were factors that made the conditions challenging, such as high temperatures and humidity, worsened by UEFA's decision to keep the stadium roof closed.

The playing field was not up to par. Many times, England's players slipped or encountered a sticky surface that hindered their possession game. However, Jordan Pickford admitted that this should not be used as an excuse. He believes England must improve and adjust. This is the truth, and it is accurate.

Southgate makes the decision not to practice at the stadium the day before the game, even though UEFA permits it. He prefers to do his tactical prep in private at England's training facility to avoid any leaks. If he did things differently, the players might have been aware of the pitch conditions and could have chosen the right footwear earlier on.

We should applaud Southgate for his courageous substitutions. Since he began coaching in 2016, he has faced criticism for not being proactive when his initial game plan was failing - being too set in his ways and only making changes after an hour of play.

The critiques were proven wrong at the Frankfurt Arena. Conor Gallagher came on as a substitute in the 54th minute, and three more substitutions were made before the 70th minute. It was then that the manager decided to switch to 'Plan B'. Southgate's willingness to use his bench players quicker is a very good sign.

Nonetheless, there are still numerous other problems for Southgate to address before England's last group match against Slovenia on Tuesday evening, such as:

Is It Time To End The Alexander-Arnold Experiment?

Gallagher's participation likely means that Alexander-Arnold's experiment in central midfield for this tournament is over. After the game, Alexander-Arnold walked through the stuffy mixed zone in the stadium, heading towards the team bus. Despite being usually friendly, he declined an interview with a gentle response. He appeared somber, wearing a hoodie and looking straight ahead.

Conor Gallagher's inclusion most likely means that Trent Alexander-Arnold won't be playing in central midfield anymore for this tournament.

He is aware. Southgate is aware. Both are knowledgeable soccer experts. They both understand that things are not going well. Alexander-Arnold's passing was exceptional at times in the beginning as he passed the ball to England's wide players on both sides. However, his fundamental sense of positioning in midfield is not natural for him, and when he occasionally found himself in dangerous areas near his own goal with the ball, England were at risk, and his confidence visibly declined. It's not his fault. It's not his style. It should not be continued.

Gallagher had a big impact when he entered the game. He is a talented No 8 player who is skilled both with and without the ball. This is why many teams are trying to sign him in the transfer market this summer. It seems like he will secure the third midfield position alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. Southgate's attempt to fit England's top ball player and crosser into a specialized role did not succeed, which is unfortunate.

Is Bellingham Exhausted?

Talking about Bellingham - he was just average against Denmark compared to his amazing performance against Serbia. Southgate is correct in saying we shouldn't rely on him to be the hero in every game. There was a brilliant moment when he passed to Ollie Watkins in the second half that could have changed the game.

However, there is a concern that he may be experiencing burnout at a young age. The reports from Spain indicate that he is playing through discomfort and may require shoulder surgery before the upcoming season. Regardless of the accuracy of these reports, he appears fatigued. It's no surprise considering he has played 103 games in the past two seasons, including the recent match against Denmark.

In my opinion, Phil Foden stepped up when Bellingham was not playing and displayed his talent on the field. He showed flashes of brilliance similar to what he has shown while playing for Manchester City. Coming in from the left side, he found opportunities that Bellingham was not taking advantage of.

Foden had a close call when his shot hit the post, but he made a great run that easily broke through the Denmark defense. His passing was precise and sharp, showing improvement from previous performances. This shift in Foden's performance for England could be vital as the tournament continues.

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"Slow Skipper Causing Concern"

On the other hand, there is growing worry surrounding England's captain Harry Kane. It may seem odd to mention this after he scored once again for his team against Denmark. This marks the fourth tournament in a row where he has scored. With this goal, he now has a total of 13 goals in major tournaments, surpassing Gary Lineker by three goals and Alan Shearer by four goals. He has scored six more goals than Wayne Rooney, making him England's top goal scorer of all time.

I mentioned before the competition started that he didn't seem fit. It's clear now that his back injury from the end of Bayern Munich's season has had a bigger impact on him than we thought. After playing 160 minutes at the Euros, it's obvious to everyone. If his fitness and form are getting better, it's happening very slowly. Without Kane playing at his best, England will always be missing something and they won't be able to win Euro 2024.

Why Can't Players Execute Southgate's Plan?

Equally confusing is that, for the first time in my memory, this England team appears to be missing a clear identity or a specific strategy. I trust that Southgate has a plan in place, but I think the players are struggling to execute it effectively right now.

After the draw against Denmark, Southgate mentioned that he never instructed the players to retreat, but he couldn't figure out why their aggressive gameplay seems to disappear as the match goes on. It looks like they begin with great determination, but by the end of the first half, they have all moved back a bit. Bellingham is frequently left chasing after opponents on his own, while the rest of the team fails to keep up.

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England's Camp In Turmoil With On-pitch Flare-ups

This brings us to another worrying trend: the increasing tension that occasionally arises between the players. Southgate's greatest achievement during his time as manager has been creating a sense of unity and friendship that carries on through thick and thin, both on and off the field. A team of close-knit players willing to push themselves beyond their limits for the sake of each other. However, the frustration among England fans appears to be affecting the players on the field, as seen by some small arguments breaking out during the match in Frankfurt.

The most revealing moment came when three experienced players on the England soccer team argued with each other during the second half. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford criticized Kyle Walker and John Stones for not stopping a Denmark attack, with Stones responding angrily. Kieran Trippier intervened and urged them to calm down. If even these three players, who have been through so many major competitions, can react like that, it might indicate that all is not well within the team. While some managers may appreciate such displays of emotion as a sign of passion, in a team like Southgate's, based on shared goals and understanding, it could suggest that there are underlying issues.

In the midst of all the defensive dramas, it's important to note that Stones and Marc Guehi are developing a strong understanding. Guehi, usually a backup for Stones or Maguire, has now become a key England centre-back with excellent positional awareness and communication skills. Despite a costly mistake against Bah, he showed determination and speed to rectify the error. Stones and Pickford were quick to support and praise him, showing that he is now a valued member of the England defensive team.

Not everything is bad for England. There are some positive aspects that the media and fans should focus on. However, it is clear that Southgate and his team are facing a tough time. They will need the understanding and support of everyone watching them. The last group match against Slovenia is not guaranteed to be an easy win. England must get a good result - one that not only secures their spot in the knockout stages as group winners, but also helps to boost their confidence on the field and in the stands after disappointing performances in the Euro matches.

Who Should Southgate Choose Against Slovenia?

Gareth Southgate faces many challenges. What can be done to solve them?

We will analyze the possible changes to the roster - choose your preferred option!