Former England and Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has voiced his criticism of Gareth Southgate's tactics during the group stage of Euro 2024. According to Rooney, Southgate 'killed' two players' performances by hastily throwing them into midfield and then quickly discarding them.
England entered the tournament as favourites to win their first major trophy in men’s football since 1966. However, their performance during the group stage was less than inspiring. The Three Lions struggled to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Serbia and failed to beat Denmark and Slovenia.
Southgate has faced much criticism for his tactics during these matches. In particular, former Three Lions legend Rooney believes that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher were mishandled by being thrust into midfield roles before being quickly discarded.
Mismanagement of Alexander-Arnold and Gallagher
Alexander-Arnold, who has spent most of his career playing right-back for Liverpool, started alongside Declan Rice against Serbia and Denmark with mixed results. Chelsea’s Gallagher was brought in for the Slovenia match only to be substituted at half-time.
Rooney argues that this rapid rotation damaged both players' confidence and performance levels. He suggests that Kobbie Mainoo should have been Southgate’s third option in midfield from the start.
Wayne Rooney, England legend, said:
‘Against Slovenia, Kobbie Mainoo staked a big claim for a starting place, Cole Palmer was very good and Anthony Gordon, though he played only a few minutes, had a couple of excellent touches, At just the right time in the tournament, Gareth may have stumbled upon the right team. I would play at least two of those three youngsters against Slovakia – and, in fact, I said before the tournament that my starting XI for the knockout stage would have Mainoo and Gordon in it.
‘None of what happened in the group stage surprised me. I would never have played Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and expected that, when the experiment didn’t work, Gareth would try Conor Gallagher. Gareth killed both a bit by discarding them, but in each case it was the right call and when Mainoo came in you saw him making forward runs and showing composure on the ball.
‘Palmer? He is just suited to international football. He can take the ball, he’s calm on it and has the personality you need on that stage. Gordon is more direct than the other two and ensures there is a good blend. With those three on the pitch you saw runners going beyond Harry which, good as Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Foden are, we had not seen from them.’
Optimism despite criticism
Despite these criticisms, Rooney remains optimistic about England's chances in Euro 2024. He believes that Southgate may have found his best set-up in the centre of the pitch now with Mainoo taking up a central role.
Additionally, he expressed hope for more involvement from Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer in future games starting with their last-16 clash against Slovakia. If England manages to overcome Slovakia - who finished third in Group E - they will face Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Rating England’s chances of becoming European champions, Rooney stated: ‘I think they have a great chance of winning these Euros, I really do. They won their group, are into a half of the draw where they avoid the biggest teams and we know – and they know – they can play a lot better.’
Despite an underwhelming start to the tournament, there is still hope for England to turn things around. With Southgate hopefully learning from his tactical missteps in the group stage, fans will be eagerly watching to see if England can live up to their potential and bring home their first major trophy since 1966.
