What England’s Midfield Should Be To Win EURO 2024

On this week's episode of The Breakdown, brought to you by Sky Bet, we took a closer look at how Gareth Southgate could setup his England side ahead of EURO 2024.
Do you think Southgate will change his midfield ahead of the EUROs this summer or do you believe he will stick with what has got England to the position they’re in right now?
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[@ch4rlie44]

Foden and Bellingham as 8’s with John stones stepping in along side rice for a double pivot. That sounds unreal

[@starlord6433]

Put the Zoot away bro

[@vujhvjvgvfujk9888]

Trent and Bellingham as 8’s sounds better with Foden on the left. Stones can still play double pivot. Idk why ppl think Rashford deserves a start

[@dk_official4535]

@@vujhvjvgvfujk9888because of his goal scoring record 😂. He’s very clutch for England and our top scorer in the World Cup whilst mostly being on the bench.

[@samuelwhitcombe9744]

​@@vujhvjvgvfujk9888 so you ask why people still think Rashford should play dispite constantly performing in big games, Yet you want Trent in midfield dispite the fact Klopp doesnt trust him there and hes only played in midfield for England against Malta? Deluded.

[@vujhvjvgvfujk9888]

@@samuelwhitcombe9744 Doesn't matter how many games he's started you have to give him a chance there and clearly Southgate thinks it can work. If it doesn't work then fine but you've gotta take risks when you have such great players at your disposal. Klopp's team is also a completely different setup to England's so you can't compare them there.

[@user-zs2ug8no1c]

Playing so many players out of position and hoping it will work is ridiculous. Better to not overcomplicate things.

[@thebeautifulgame6398]

Who’s being played out of position?

[@user-zs2ug8no1c]

@@thebeautifulgame6398 seriously?

[@peterburry2014]

They're not out of position. Each player is being played to his strengths

[@Hyde_Hill]

@@user-zs2ug8no1c Only Trent and to a lesser degree Stones as far as I can see. And Stones you can solve bij playing Colwill instead of Maguire. So Stones can stay in the middle and Colwill can move to LCB in possession.

[@kimbirch1202]

Fixed positions in football went out in the 1970s with Dutch total football.

[@777RY]

When ENG V SCO played 6 months ago Foden and Bellingham started and they were linking really well creating chances, should be a must to have them both starting.

[@FuckFeminists]

Bellingham has practically never created a chance in an England shirt. We just saw that fact today, as we did in the World Cup. Foden was the one creating.

[@lambert8915]

Kobbie Rice and Bellingham as a three, Saka and Foden on wings and Kane or Watkins up top depending on Kanes fitness

[@BossPlayaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Depending on Kanes fitness haha what is this statement? Kane is the best No 9 on earth right now. There is not even a debate if he starts or not. Try appreciating him while you can.

[@TeddyBearsUnited]

@@BossPlayaaaaaaaaaaaaHe’s talking about the fact that Kane is injured right now 🤦

[@silewis9396]

Saka is also injured right now

[@naf2038]

@@silewis9396 Saka isn't 31. We might have to get used to Kane starting to pick up injuries more often at this stage in his career.

[@asruluveira]

​@@naf2038doesn't matter, Saka is not that important. England have ample cover like Madison.. as long Jude is fit then it's fine. Southgate need to protect Jude even if that means using half fit saka until he breaks down.

[@jacklane3679]

I'm so excited for the Euros 😍 Even if people want to be negative and say we don't have a chance, it's still been miles better lately than my childhood of watching our team get embarrassed in the group stages and round of 16 😂😂

[@ERICTENHAG56]

Thats the thing these days england minimum reaches quarters and easily gets to semis and finals maybe now is the time to win it all

[@Lowkey_AFC]

England reached the quarterfinals in in 2002, 2004 and round of 16 2006 so what’s changed only final was the 2020 euros and the semi final 2018 both tournaments didn’t play a big team as soon as we played a big team in 2022 France we went out again quarter finals lol what’s changed?

[@ERICTENHAG56]

@@Lowkey_AFC they faced a lot of big teams lol and against France england was better Kane choked

[@Lowkey_AFC]

@@ERICTENHAG56 what big teams did England play and beat apart from an aging and finished German team ? What Denmark or was it Senegal lol ?

[@ERICTENHAG56]

@@Lowkey_AFC didnt they just beat Italy and then few years again Spain and Netherlands stop being negative lol

[@hsingh4410]

Congrats 1M❣

[@philthatcher6111]

Front 4 of Bellingham, Foden, Saka and Kane. Play Rice and another CDM. You can't sacrifice Foden or Bellingham for the bench so I'd rather England start with a defensive minded midfielder. If we are struggling to break down a game perhaps drop one of them into midfield and bring on another forward.

[@randomdaveUK]

Looks good. People seem to forget our defense is the weakness. Everyone wants to get forward, full backs, even centre backs now. Have 2 defensive midfielders helps settle into matches. I don't think England have the on field time together yet with Rice, Foden and Bellingham for Southgate to start with that. He's not going to risk it

[@JurgenFlop]

It’s always the same with Foden, he gets hyped up before a tournament and starts and doesn’t perform and finds himself on the bench for the rest of the tournament

[@thomasarsenal5465]

Good shout mate. I know England don't have many CDMs so Rice is the obvious option but these boys have been talking all season about how he's not really played much as a CDM for us this season😂 Defo needs to hold that role to give the players you mentioned a bit of freedom to hurt teams though

[@silewis9396]

​@@JurgenFlop Foden is 23 years old. He was never likely to be a world beater in 2020 at 18 and he's got miles better since. Give the guy a chance now he's a key player at his club

[@ajfraser7648]

We should play John Stones next to Rice, that would be solid as hell.

[@joubeid8311]

No mention of Palmer. Insane

[@user-ye8mi8kc6j]

When England had scholes. Lampard& Gerrard, it looked terrifying but couldn't work. This midfield needs to look and be right. I go with rice, maino and Bellingham. This is based on the fact that you Bellingham contributing up from for more goal threats while rice and maino create the balance

[@michael43567]

Smartest comment I've seen. Rice, Foden & Bellingham sounds amazing on paper, but may not work. Makes more sense to put Foden LW, then slot Mainoo beside Rice for more solidity like you said

[@stretfordender11]

Only because Sven played 442. The mistake this time is playing 2 holders. It has to be 433 and one holder

[@user-ye8mi8kc6j]

@@michael43567 perfect reply. There's us fancing an English galactico team on paper and reality dawns on us later. I'd prefer foden lw as you've put it and not in the midfield.

[@neillgowans4350]

The golden generation were great players but not the best in the world at the time. In this current side that is a genuine claim for many players. There are 4 or 5 genuinely world class players rather than good international players.

[@jackrodwell4967]

My squad for euros 24: Pickford (Johnstone) Walker. Stones. Maguire. Shaw (Trent) (guehi) (branthwaite) (tripps) Rice ( Hendo) Mainoo (Gallagher) Bellingham (Maddison) Saka. Kane Foden (Palmer) (watkins) (Rashford) Extra bench options: bowen, Dunk, ramsdale, gordon.

[@kambge]

No sterling?

[@rhysgellingfisher1489]

Henderson?😂

[@drawde5762]

branthwaite better than maguire, bowen better than saka and palmer

[@lawrencebaker1811]

The players were never the problem, the manager is. He manages to sap the energy out of some of the best players in the world.

[@drcamosniper]

Love this type of analysis!

[@proevoisace7]

Its got to be Rice, Bellingham and Foden, with Saka and Kane in front and take your pick from maddison, rashford, palmer, gordon, grealish for the left forward, I dont get how the other 5 positions are even up for debate

[@JohnJohn-cu7nk]

Cole is better than Saka .

[@proevoisace7]

​@JohnJohn-cu7nk come back when he has done it for 5 or 6 seasons like Saka has, not doubting his talent but Saka definitely deserves his place over Palmer at this point

[@joshualepdung]

@@Chriztefur he was key to a treble win, what's funny?

[@JohnJohn-cu7nk]

@@proevoisace7 Cole is carrying Chelsea.

[@IzingaI]

Foden plays on the wing.

[@dicerevo]

The issue with all of this analysis is Gareth Southgate. Can he be adaptable enough to implement change. History would say otherwise

[@pokeme8347]

Cheers Gaz

[@tmt7405]

Mirror similar formation to city and arsenal and we definitely have a very good idea what the first 11 looks like

[@MrMChau7]

We can't because our defence and GK is average

[@reynaldochlmts]

and liverpool when robertson was injured, gomez on LB

[@Alex-ng6wx]

People saying mainoo need to give their heads a wobble.

[@Tom-tm6lr]

Entitled to your opinion, but why do you think that?

[@nickd987]

@@Tom-tm6lr cause he’s a clown

[@Alex-ng6wx]

@nickd987 lol I just read your comment on that dele Ali video and you call me a clown 😂😂😂

[@hipporuster]

If Henderson gets anywhere near the squad for the Euro’s, we may as well not bother. He takes up a valuable spot and either won’t play or will be a clear weakness, it’s not worth it for the “vibes”.

[@jakelfc3472]

Antony Gordon and Jadon Sancho on the left and right wings adds balance, don't know if Southgate can really include Foden in our best starting line-up without playing an ailing back three. A formation that gets Watkins running the channels could also be good, but we're relying on goals from Rashford even with Kane.

[@AU-rp4fp]

Great analysis I’m off the belief of the ksf formation with both Foden and Jude is the way to go

[@kimbirch1202]

England now have the creative players for a decent midfield , lacking in the past. Of course Foden has the control and vision to be a Pirlo, or Iniesta. with the support of Bellingham and Rice. If Bellingham joins the attack, Foden can drop back, and vice - versa. As long as Rice and two defenders keep their shape at the back, I dont see a problem. We need our best players on the pitch.

[@michael43567]

Why not just put Foden on the left & Mainoo beside Rice? We'd be more solid. Plus we have no clear left wing option

[@nmarcus7233]

Imagine if this level of tactical awareness was applied to accommodate the Carricks, Joe Coles and Beckhamd etc of the past. Similar profiles to Mainoo, Foden and Trent but managers didn’t know what to do wiv em.

[@sylvesteransah4069]

Love this channel. From Ghana Accra

[@M4NA5]

England won’t win the Euros, they will at most get to the semis if they get favourable draws in quarters. Southgate will see to it.

[@silewis9396]

People always blame the manager or players but rarely look at the fact there might be better teams. We might be favourites but I still think France alone are better.

[@JohnJohn-cu7nk]

​@silewis9396 We have a better midfield and forward line.France have a better left wing and defence.kyle walker is a better right back

[@M4NA5]

@@silewis9396 England have the best squad overall across Europe, maybe even the World.

[@JohnJohn-cu7nk]

😆 🤣 lol

[@silewis9396]

@@JohnJohn-cu7nk I disagree. They're just not that good. Forward line is talented but not good enough to beat France. Defensively we're nowhere near good enough

[@julkarneinkazal6597]

Give this team to Pep he’ll give you World Cup 3 years in a row

[@gavinharper5110]

Will he heck. He's won 1 UCL with Man City in how many years?

[@julkarneinkazal6597]

@@gavinharper5110 he had to build city first, how many UCL and league cup he won with others he managed that he didn’t have to start from scratch?

[@IzingaI]

It’s played every four years buddy.

[@julkarneinkazal6597]

@@IzingaI Didn’t I know that…!!! 😂

[@prllynsdq]

not good for knockouts. saw how united played out

[@artthoutimelapse7700]

What about Lewis dunk in defence? He is arguably better than maguire

[@kimbirch1202]

My grannie is quicker than Maguire

[@ForzaOwnz]

Maino Allows Rice to be more progressive. Trent playing as a 6 I am not comfortable with as he doesnt have a VVD behind him and as an 8 he would stifle Rice to much. Foden can play off the left as long as Chilwell or Shaw are available

[@EE-kt8sh]

Rice progressive.....stifle Rice? You're talking as if Rice has any ball playing abilities 😂😂😂

[@ForzaOwnz]

@@EE-kt8sh Man what the hell season are you watching? He has been incredible for arsenal playing further up

[@thomasarsenal5465]

No he doesn't. Mainoo doesn't go near that starting XI 😂. You would trust him to protect 2 centre halves when the other teams on the counter and ur full backs are the other side of the pitch??? If you want someone to be defensive minded in there you play Stones and you can switch to a back 3/5 if needs be

[@naf2038]

​@@thomasarsenal5465Stones would be playing behind him as a centre half mate. This is England not Citeh! And yes I would mate.

[@ForzaOwnz]

@@thomasarsenal5465 You would trust Trent more?

[@fader1912]

Rice has been a lone pivot for Arsenal and he’s been very good at it but if needed stones can play his club position which is to push into midfield with rice and let Bellingham push on next to foden and in that left half space and foden will be in the right half space with Sterling or rashford on the left and rest you know

[@haatpraat2993]

I'm going to watch the debacle of the Euro 2016 Iceland / England just before each of the next upcoming England games - just to appreciate how far forward this England squad has become.

[@danmclean6006]

Bellingham CAM, Rice and Trent CDM with Trent being able to deliver long pinpoint passes to the forwards AND defend, with Rice being able to make more forward plays and work with bellingham more up-field HAS to be the go to surely. Foden could be a class LW instead, getting more chance to cut in and attack

[@user-ju2qf6zn3z]

4-2-3-1 GK: 1. Pickford RB: 2. K.Walker CB: 4. J.Stones CB: 5. H. Maguire LB: 3. K.Trippier CDM: 6. D.Rice CM: 8. J.Bellingham RW: 7. B.Saka CAM: 10. C.Palmer LW: 11. P.Foden CF: 9.H.Kane Pickford and maguire have always been solid for England, Trippier at LB if Shaw isn't fit. Mainoo on the bench, a top talent but most of that talent is locked into potential at the moment, so personally i dont want to hand him everything all at once, he certainly deserves to be in the squad and play a part, use him to rest Rice and Bellingham or as an impact player. Trent would be my back up player to palmer in the number 10 role. Watkins and solanke as the back up options to Kane.

[@user-sl8xb6hj9k]

It doesnt matter. Southgate has proven that he will absolutely squander the available talent

[@StevenHadfield]

Just do what any Spanish or Brazilian manager would do with this glut of talent, let the best ones play football. Kane upfront, Saka, Foden, Bellingham, Palmer, with Rice. Mainoo/Stones in there for 3 at the back.

[@billycoles2467]

I think it’s got to be either mainoo if not Foden with Trent playing inverted fullback,rice and Jude go without saying

[@davidchandra8722]

Some decent games and we are talking about Mainoo starts at Euro is crazy 😂

[@IAMNationX]

Last time I checked we drew 1-1 with Germany in June 22

[@JoeGambler]

Bellingham and Rice, not other DM we have to much quality in forward positions

[@schitrakar]

Didn't even mention Maddison once! Wow!

[@abdul65]

Foden Rice Bellingham midfield is insane we need to play this

[@michael43567]

Foden should be left wing as we have no clear option there

[@joshrhoden2347]

Unfortunately, England now have a LB problem and I think we now need to play a touchline winger to keep width especially if Trippier plays. It's a shame but I think Foden is going to suffer because of it

[@shawnmagma7090]

Need that one player in midfield that will unlock englands attack.

[@Rogersdream]

Why is no one talking about John Stones moving into midfield when in possession of the ball just like what he does for Man City, Walker becomes third centre half because we know Gareth loves Maguire and have Luke Shaw or even Gomez as one of the three defenders when in possession. So then Phil Foden plays in midfield with Bellingham and Rice

[@collinsacheampong5867]

That never goes well when you lose the ball in midfield

[@Youafool500]

It’s one thing doing it in a Pep team will be totally different in a Southgate team

[@michael43567]

​@@Youafool500bingo. Pep is s master tactician. Southgate can't replicate the City system

[@martypatrick1547]

How......

[@silewis9396]

​@@michael43567He should be at least trying it. Can't is a defeatist attitude if you haven't attempted what has worked

[@mrjohnzilla-zx8sj]

Wouldn't hurt to tag the commentator. Sounds like statman Dave but slightly rougher

[@kimbirch1202]

Rice needs a partner at the base of midfield, as England often get over - run in this area by good counter attacking teams . I would go for a 3 2 2 3 formation .

[@kaivalyashah]

Rice Mainoo Bellingham

[@darrenwarby32]

So you're putting Mainoo ahead of Foden in the middle ? He didn't even get mentioned when City beat them a couple of weeks ago .

[@kaivalyashah]

@@darrenwarby32 Foden Kane forward Saka and Rashford can be subs

[@rossdixon6126]

I'm not sure if he meant that but I think a 4-3-3 might work with Mainoo ,Rice ,Bellingham , Foden, Saka , Kane

[@starc.]

@@kaivalyashah this is the most obvious thing but you know it wont happen consistently

[@rhyschadwick3269]

Mainoo over Maddison?Palmer?Gallagher?Trent?.......lunacy

[@scatmancrothers]

Why is rashford in these setups?

[@JohnJohn-cu7nk]

Charity

[@Tom-tm6lr]

Because he’s in good form - 6 goals in his last 11 games. And he has experience in big tournaments. Not saying he’s a definite to be in the team or squad - but he’s got enough credentials to be discussed. You’re welcome pal.

[@scatmancrothers]

@@Tom-tm6lr leave him at home

[@elvismusolola]

Bellingham and Rice in the mid Foden as a 10 Then your favourite front 3

[@badabing8884]

Sort out the distribution from the back first. Then sort out the midfield.

[@alshort752]

I thought Steve did the tactics?

[@canonsanarmz2103]

What position is england in now

[@alexmackie979]

Goalkeepers:Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, Dean Henderson. Defenders:Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Joe Gomez, Jarrad Branthwaite, Ezri Konsa, Fikayo Tomori. Midfielders:Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kobbie Mainoo, Conor Gallagher, James Maddison, Eberechi Eze. Forwards:Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins. Additions: Ben chilwell, Jarrod Bowen, Harvey Elliot Mentions:Eric Dier, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marc Guehi, Aaron ramsdale, jack grealish, Reece James, Jordan Henderson, Kieran trippier, Rico Lewis, Nick Pope, Ivan Toney, Ben white, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Dominic Solanke, Levi Colwill, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansa, James Ward Prowse, Adam Wharton, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling

[@rberto3804]

4-2-3-1 Trent and Rice the double pivot. Kane the 1 up front with a 3 of Foden-Bellingham-Saka. Back 4 Shaw-Stones-Gomez-Walker

[@Jimbobiscuit]

In my estimation there are 8 players that HAVE to start: Walker, Stones, Trent, Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Saka and Kane. The only way (in my opinion) to play them all whilst keeping a solid defensive structure is to play a 3-4-3 formation. Back 3 of Walker, Stones and Colwill. Trent on the right, Shaw on the left. Rice and Bellingham as the midfield two with Foden and Saka as 10's or wide forwards. Kane up top. In transition Trent and Bellingam can maraud forward given the defensive solidity behind them, Walker can cover Trent and Stones can move up to support Rice. It would transition into City's 3-2-2-3 Any team to win any international tournament have been solid teams defensively. Rice, Bellingham and Foden/Trent just isn't solid enough defensively to be successful against the big teams. Yes it works against Malta but France would dominate that midfield battle.

[@JohnJohn-cu7nk]

SO SAKA IS BETTER TGAN Cole😂

[@Jimbobiscuit]

@@JohnJohn-cu7nk yes?

[@veeralpatel2802]

Stones, McGuire/Gomez/Trippier as a three. Declan 6 with Trent 6 as a double pivot Saka 8/wingback, foden 8/wingback Bellingham 10 Kane up top

[@vapour9000]

Shaw might be back in time for the Euros. Rumour is that he'll be back for United's last 3 games

[@shugssss]

Keep the formation; Mainoo replaces kalvin simple. Don’t hinder Bellingham in anyway he’s the major🔑 Depends on opposition rotate saka/foden & rashy Kane, Bellingham & Rice are 🔒

[@angzukoavatar4845]

Greece got it done in 2004. It can be done but you need a proper manager for starters. Southgate's not cutting it.

[@albacino1613]

Bellingham, Rice and Stones honestly

[@rtk3543]

A chance for Southgate to showcase his Managerial skills to Sir Jim

[@babakmohajeri3370]

Ros Barkely is urgently needed in the mid filed if he wants to play with 3 mid fileders. Callagher was only running to the shadows of players. Could not deliver simple passes.

[@jamieoreilly3987]

Don’t think too much. Just put Kobbie and rice, Bellingham second striker , Foden and Saka on wings

[@jamieoreilly3987]

Trent and Maddison are going to be important off the bench

[@pauladamson8684]

You have to play Foden for his ability to hold the ball, plus his dribbling skills are frightening. Bellingham is right now the best midfielder in world football.

[@Magicalfluidprocess]

Lots of rhetoric here “ if England want to progress as a nation “😂😂 the midfield is very strong though

[@mrryan7475]

Pope Walker White Stones Shaw Foden Rice Bellingham Saka Kane Rashford Gotta utilise stones stepping into midfield alongside Rice

[@olayinkagiwa6714]

Midfield did great against Brazil 🤦🏾‍♂️. Southgate has done well for England but he's too rigid. Need an innovative, think on your feet type of manager. He needs to win the Euros if not I'm afraid he's time is up.

[@victordemoura448]

Tres bon milieu de terrain mais je préfère celui du Portugal : Ruben Neves, Joao palhinha, otavio, vitinha, matheus nunes, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva.

[@ukevo]

The Foden and Bellingham example you use to show that it could work is taken from a game where they don't both play as midfielders. You're literally proving the opposite of your point.

[@Craig12315]

Phil Foden and Bellingham in advanced midfield positions with Declan Rice behind them, Foden can’t be out on the wing when playing “bigger” nations these nations have to fear England

[@michael43567]

Iniesta played on the wing for Spain sometimes. It's not a major inconvenience. He's mostly played on the wing for City

[@rickjamesbetsh]

As long as Southgate is manager it doesn't matter..

[@jem2886]

Putting Trent in the middle is a dreadful idea he barely has awareness at rb imagine midfield people think if you can shoot and pass we’ll stick him in the midfield he’ll get caught out a lot

[@iamthepotato4312]

Cant wait for england to win nothing and all the break down videos of how it went wrong 🤣.

[@leeds85]

Just the fact that we're going into a tournament speculating where so many established players will play worries me.

[@elliotyoo2478]

On the flip side it shows just how many talented options England have and how flexible they can be. So much better than the "golden generation" where they had an automatic single superstar for each position. That squad didn't really pull up trees did they.

[@ViceKing1000]

Will never work while Southgate is in charge. We have some of the best players in the world but Southgate’s style of play is too defensive

[@javislice]

you could have all of the greatest english midfielders in this squad, if southgate is the coach - they will be benched in favor of henderson

[@rw4025]

This aged well

[@thewanderer5137]

Englands lack of a top manager will cost them again just like it did the last 3 tournaments, criminal that a squad that good is managed by Southgate

[@Wazzu07]

England should look to Mainoo to slot in alongside Rice, which allows the talisman Bellingham to shine. Against lesser opponents, & when having to chase a game, Mainoo can be sacrificed which allows Southgate to bring in the added attacker allowing 2 of Foden, Rashford, Grealish, Maddison, Palmer, or maybe even Sancho tp feature alongside Bellingham, Saka & Kane. There's still value in the experienced Henderson, Phillips, & even Mount, all of whom would bring crucial know-how and experience needed in pressurized and critical periods, which England will no doubt face! I think the Euros are a lot more competitive than the World Cup, & so it would be foolish for Southgate to outright leave Rice alone to sit in midfield, because that would leave the midfield outnumbered, & despite all the attacking prowess, leave not the greatest of vulnerable! I also feel that what's often missed in this debate is that if every single one of those attackers puts a shift in off the ball, then there's no reason why they all can't fit into an Eleven that flourishes with it's best attacking players on the pitch, without overly exposing itself defensively. Sad thing is that historically, it's the pragmatic teams that tend to go all the way in Euros. We saw it with Greece, Portugal, and Italy during recent editions. Even as great as Spain were, they were merely pragmatists with possession, and so it's important for Southgate to be flexible to account for the loss of a Rice, Bellingham, Stones, Kane, etc....which is always likely to happen just before or during the tournament.

[@collinsacheampong5867]

Well that has been Englands problem. This is by far the best talent England has had and yet I have the feeling Southgate will bow it. Southgate has to get his best two players for every position and stick with that. You can’t have Foden and Bellingham playing behind Kane, Rashford and Saka. That will be a disaster because that gives you room for only one defensive midfielder and we all know Declan Rice likes to go forward.

[@dimebag6996]

5:25 England's strategy: have the opponent score own goals

[@fartingexplodingkirby3569]

For me it’s Stones as a sweeper/half back with Rice operating more in the 8 role and then Bellingham as a 10. Trent starts at right wing back but Doughty and Walker can both cover there if need be. Then Grealish and Foden can cover the ten although both go as wingers Gallagher and Maddison go as the other two midfielders.

[@nasser.h9473]

It should be Rice, Bellingham and Maddison. That’s the most balanced midfield in my opinion

[@ashleygoggs5679]

I think peopel are really sleeping on Alexander arnold as a CDM next to Rice. putting trent in DM gives us the ability to harness all his strength at the same time using his defensive skills aswell. Trent isnt the best defender which is why he would be great as a mid, it means hes not always going to be hour last resort, If they get through trent they still have Stones or walker to get through. While in mid we can also use trent on a pivot aswell as using his prowess in long ball passes which i think england has been severely lacking since Scholes, Gerrard, Rooney and Beckham retired. If southgate uses trent i think he will be just as much of a linchpin to England success as Bellingham will be.

[@dobianuli2742]

Foden Bellingham play in the same position, so you need to bench Foden for a start. wardprowse mainoo Barkley are the best English centre mids. Foden Bellingham palmer Maddison play further up.

[@brianncube3259]

0 ball knowledge

[@sollsousa6430]

Foden doesnt play same position as bellingham what

[@dobianuli2742]

@@sollsousa6430 they’re best in the attacking centre mid position aren’t they?

[@dobianuli2742]

@@brianncube3259 you have balls knowledge for sure. I have football knowledge

[@environm3ntalist549]

@@dobianuli2742you literally know nothing about football. Foden can play and does play multiple positions across the frontline. Bellingham has played this year as a central 10 for most of the time, that’s it.

[@mavlaw]

Kobbie has to start with Rice

[@hyywe240]

Goes to show how much we're struggling in that position that we're considering starting an 18 year old with 15 prem games in a major tournament

[@Mendleson]

@@hyywe240we did the same with Rooney, micheal Owen and Jude 🤷🏼 if your good enough your old enough

[@thomasarsenal5465]

Behave yourself

[@mavlaw]

@@thomasarsenal5465 keep quiet boy

[@mavlaw]

@@hyywe240 you’ve clearly not watched Kobbie. He’s generational.

[@AntoJones]

Trent is an inverted full back because he's not a full back

[@aelfredrex8354]

Well, if they keep playing kids with rotten strike records, don't expect much.

[@thethairishsun]

Take a shot every time he says pivot

[@ricknick74]

No pressure then 😂

[@akhis5459]

Mainoo. Rice. Bellingham. There’s no other answer.

[@kambge]

Big risk to play Trent in midfield in a big game final. It's not his natural position, do you really risk something like that in a final? Any mistake is so costly... hmm.. I don't see why Foden moves across to the 10 and Bellingham plays deeper in this 'pivot' role.

[@kakashi2801]

Trent can play better in midfield than anyone not named Bellingham. But Southgate won't start him.

[@kimbirch1202]

Why wouldnt you play Palmer up front, as hes on fire ?

[@thebeautifulgame6398]

He is not better than Saka Foden or Rashford in any way shape or form

[@kingrobert7246]

⁠@@thebeautifulgame6398he’s so clear of rashford

[@JohnJohn-cu7nk]

​@@thebeautifulgame6398The only player better than Cole is Bellingham

[@kimbirch1202]

@thebeautifulgame6398 The statistics disagree. Rashfords form hasn't been as good as Palmers, although he would make a good super sub.

[@thebeautifulgame6398]

@@kimbirch1202 I care more for dynamics and profile than G/A. We’ve seen Rashford carry a broken United side through great adversity. When Trent looks up, when Rice receives in space, when Kane looks over his shoulder, give me Rashford breaking in behind, not Palmer wanting ball to feet. I like Cole, but he competes with Foden etc, if you understand what I’m saying

[@_Amit_Sunil]

England's best XI Pickford Chilwell Maguire Tarkowski TAA Henderson Phillips Grealish Gallagher Mount Rashford as ST

[@tomasbeddingsfuentes9670]

Tomori?

[@jackclune8272]

Pickford Walker Stones Maguire Shaw Trent Rice Jude Saka Kane Foden No brainer

[@RAYMUFC8]

Team seems strong except for the goalkeeper. Pickford is pretty average.

[@truthmatters5209]

England have a hugely talented group of players to pick from. Unfortunately Southgate is the weak link. He picks a team based on politics to please the media. Absolutely clueless.

[@Delboy0]

We all know Gareth Southgate is too much of coward to play his most talented team. Expect another poor in-game management performance by Southgate that makes England lose a big game and be eliminated.

[@ajfraser7648]

Why is nobody talking about playing Stones in midfield alongside Rice, Jude and Phil?

[@jackhicks1765]

Cant believe how overlooked trents been just because mainoos had a few good games...a midfield of rice and trent as them double pivots and bellingham just ahead of them would be the best midfield at the euros without a doubt...

[@gibbsey2000]

Don’t tell me you think Trent is better in midfield than Mainoo

[@orlandorianoldo967]

​@@gibbsey2000 I'm waiting on his answer 🤨

[@MO-dg6en]

This video did not age well after Endland squad was chosen

[@taorenyt5427]

England are actually crazy stacked with talent. Southgate really isn’t the man for the job imo, euros is probably going to be the last straw