Wayne Rooney criticized Gareth Southgate for his handling of two England players during their disappointing group stage at Euro 2024.
England entered the tournament in Germany as favorites to win their first major men’s football trophy since 1966.
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However, optimism waned after a lackluster group stage where England struggled to a 1-0 win over Serbia and failed to secure victories against Denmark and Slovenia.
Southgate has faced significant criticism for his tactics, with Rooney accusing him of ‘killing’ Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher by playing them in midfield and then quickly discarding them.
Alexander-Arnold, typically a right-back for Liverpool, played alongside Declan Rice against Serbia and Denmark with mixed results. Gallagher, from Chelsea, started against Slovenia but was substituted at halftime.
Southgate then turned to Kobbie Mainoo in midfield, and Rooney believes this has led to a more effective setup. He also urges Southgate to involve Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer more in the upcoming last-16 match against Slovakia.
‘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,’ Rooney told The Times.
‘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.’
Rating England’s chances of becoming European champions, Rooney said: ‘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.’
