ENGLAND STARTING XI VS SLOVAKIA 'LEAKED' AS WAYNE ROONEY GETS HIS WISH FOR EURO 2024 LAST-16 TIE
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo will reportedly start for England against Slovakia on Sunday, replacing Conor Gallagher in midfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold held the midfield position alongside Declan Rice for the opening two group games before being replaced by Gallagher in the middle of the park.
Neither have been convincing in that role, albeit many other England players have also struggled to live up to expectations.
And Southgate is now reportedly ready to take a chance on Mainoo to start in England's last-16 tie against Slovakia on Sunday.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough year at Old Trafford under Erik ten Hag and impressed in his appearance off the bench against Slovenia.
Speaking earlier this month, United legend Wayne Rooney put his case forward as to why he would want Mainoo starting in midfield for England ahead of Alexander-Arnold.
"I have watched Trent play in midfield a few times and I think you lose a lot of his qualities," he said.
"His delivery is obviously incredible and of course he can pick passes from midfield, but I think he has to fight it out [with Walker for the right-back spot].
"I know Kyle is the best right-back in the world at the minute but I think midfield is such an important position.
"I would play Mainoo before Trent in midfield, 100 per cent.
"It's not that Trent can't play there, we saw him do it recently against Everton and some of the passes he was hitting were unbelievable.
"It's probably only Becks [David Beckham] who beats him in that area."
Gareth Southgate will still have a decision to make on whether to start Phil Foden or not after he temporarily left the England camp for the birth of his third child.
The Manchester City winger flew back to the UK on Wednesday to be with his young family.
But he was back in Germany the following day and was involved in team training on Friday.
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He started all three games for England as they topped their group, but he struggled to make an impact.
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane were the only players to score for England in what ended up being an uninspiring group stage for the pre-tournament favourites.
But they've landed on a side of the draw that avoids the likes of Spain, Germany, Portugal and France in a huge boost to their trophy hopes.
2024-06-28T16:39:37Z dg43tfdfdgfd