Gary Neville predicts the two changes Gareth Southgate will make to England team
Gary Neville thinks Gareth Southgate will make changes to his England side against Slovenia (Picture: GettY)
Gary Neville had predicted England manager Gareth Southgate will make two changes to his starting XI for Tuesday’s Euro 2024 clash against Slovenia.
The Three Lions head into their final Group C fixture with one foot already in the knockout phase and currently sit top of the section on four points.
Despite that commanding position, England’s performances against Serbia and Denmark have drawn widespread criticism.
Southgate named the same starting line-up against the Danes as he did in his side’s tournament opener, but there has been little evidence to suggest his self-confessed experiment of playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield is likely to work.
Neville believes alterations are now inevitable with England midfield engine room and forward line requiring an injection of fresh blood.
He told ITV: ‘Definitely a change. He’ll disrupt it, he has to. He talked about a partner for Rice and maybe some pace upfront alongside Kane.
‘That’s Gordon and that’s Mainoo. Declan Rice must have a partner in midfield who can play and get us playing out from the back.
How England could line-up vs Slovenia
Gary Neville has urged Gareth Southgate to pick Kobbie Mainoo
‘I think that pace question is there, we’ve been talking about it for a few days. I think he could even be disruptive enough to do what he did in previous tournaments and go to a three at the back as well.
‘It’s that left wing-back role that’s a bit difficult for Gareth.’
On a more positive note, Neville is relieved Southgate will at least be making changes from a position of strength when, in the past, England have gone into decisive final group fixtures requiring victory to advance to the knockout stages.
He added: ‘The great thing is he’s changing the players and changing the system which he has to, he has to disrupt it to change the dynamic of the first two games, but he’s doing it from a position of strength.
‘We are top of the group and likely to beat Slovenia.
‘It’s not like in the past where we’ve been right up against it and we’ve been panicking and the heat really is on. These players are still in a great position.’