Paul Scholes has called on Gareth Southgate to make one big change (Picture: Getty)
Paul Scholes has highlighted the one change he believes would make a huge difference to England’s performance levels at Euro 2024.
After results went their way on Monday night, Gareth Southgate’s side have already booked their place in the knockouts prior to playing their final group game.
But following two uninspiring displays against Serbia and Denmark, England will see Tuesday’s clash against Slovenia as a huge opportunity to gain some much-needed momentum.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s foray into midfield failed to ignite England’s attacking thrust, while Phil Foden is still yet to reproduce the form that saw him star in the Premier League last season.
The Manchester City attacker has faced persistent calls to be dropped, but Scholes argues that his attacking potential could be unlocked if Southgate uses Kobbie Mainoo’s talents in central midfield.
‘I don’t think Foden is playing out of position – her can play down the left and he’s done that for City loads of times,’ Scholes told TNT Sports.
‘It’s about having control of the ball in the middle of the pitch. If you don’t have that control, then he can’t go wandering inside into those positions where he is most dangerous.
Paul Scholes wants to see Kobbie Mainoo in midfield for England (Picture: Getty)
‘I’m sure the plan is to get control of the game and then you can virtually do what you want going forward and Foden can pop up anywhere he wants, and he’ll be a threat.
‘If Mainoo came in, all of a sudden you have control,’ he continued. ‘You have a player who makes your team play football. Sometimes you just need that one player.
‘You think of Toni Kroos with Germany, he just makes them play football. Rodri with Man City and Spain. I think Kobbie Mainoo has got the ability to do that.
‘That frees up Jude Bellingham and Foden because they aren’t worried about having to come back and help in the build-up. I just think that one change could make a hell of a difference to his team.’
Despite coming off the bench in England’s first game, Mainoo looks unlikely to be partnered alongside Rice in midfield, with reports suggesting Southgate will instead opt for Conor Gallagher to replace Alexander-Arnold.
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