Euro 2024: England's Conor Gallagher likely to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for Slovenia game
England beat Serbia 1-0 in their opening Group C game, before drawing 1-1 with Denmark in their second fixture; Conor Gallagher likely to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield as Gareth Southgate concedes midfield 'experiment' hasn't worked
Tuesday 25 June 2024 15:12, UK
Gareth Southgate is expected to keep faith with the majority of players who have started England's first two group games at Euro 2024, with Conor Gallagher looking like the only change to the side to face Slovenia in Cologne.
That would mean Phil Foden keeping his place in the starting XI, and Jude Bellingham likewise - despite both struggling at times in the two games so far.
As Sky Sports News has reported for several days, Southgate has accepted that his experiment with Alexander-Arnold in a central midfield "quarterback" role has not worked, with Gallagher set to replace him as a more orthodox number eight.
The Chelsea player did that from the bench against Denmark in the 54th minute, but he now looks set to make his first start in a major tournament.
- Southgate: I'm oblivious to external criticism
- England's draw with Denmark highlights their many problems
- How Slovenia could hurt England down weaker left side
- Download the Sky Sports App | Euro 2024 state of play
There have been calls for Bellingham to be rested, after he showed signs of tiredness in both group games, but Southgate is determined to start with his strongest possible team to try to ensure they top the group, and avoid a last-16 clash with Germany on Saturday.
Foden put in a much-improved performance against Denmark, and it looks like Southgate will resist the temptation to dip into the wide array of wide attacking talent in his squad; Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon have both yet to get any game-time in Germany.
It's thought Southgate does plan to make a number of substitutions against Slovenia, in the hope of managing the workload of some of his key players. But much will depend on the circumstances of the game.
All 26 players trained ahead of Tuesday's encounter, but left-back Luke Shaw will not feature as his rehabilitation from a hamstring issue continues cautiously.
Rice feels 'safe' with Gallagher by his side in England midfield
Declan Rice is ready to rekindle his midfield partnership with Gallagher with the pair set to start against Slovenia
Rice played alongside Gallagher during his youth career with the Blues and is looking forward to a potential partnership with England.
"I have played with him at academy level, played against him at Palace and Chelsea," he said. "He is a team-mate I would love to have on my team, he works his socks off, you feel so secure and safe in there with him.
"I think he has surprised so many people this year with his ability on the ball, how he breaks forward with it, how he gets into the box, scores goals.
"I think he is a really positive player and he has come on so much over the past few years as well, you can really see that within himself how confident he is.
"Every time I get to play with Con, it hasn't been much, I have really enjoyed it because I know him really well as a guy, I know his family really well and he is a lovely boy and it is another great chance to stamp our mark."
England's potential Euro 2024 route
Round of 16 - England to face Germany if they finish second in their group
If England finish first in Group C:
Sunday June 30 - England vs third-placed side in Group D/E/F (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen - kick-off 5pm UK time)
If England finish second in Group C:
Saturday June 29 - Germany vs England (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund - kick-off 8pm UK time)
If England finish as one of four best third-place teams:
Monday July 1 - Portugal vs third-placed side from Group A/B/C (Waldstadion, Frankfurt)
or:
Tuesday July 2 - Romania/Belgium/Slovakia/Ukraine vs third-placed side from Group A/B/C/D (Allianz Arena, Munich)
Quarter-finals
If England finish first in Group C and win round-of-16 game:
Saturday July 6 - England vs Winner of 2A vs 2B (Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf - kick-off 5pm UK time)
If England finish second in Group C and win round-of-16 game:
Friday July 5 - England vs Winner of 1B vs 3A/D/E/F (MHPArena, Stuttgart - kick-off 5pm UK time)
If England finish as one of four best third-place teams and win round-of-16 game:
Friday July 5 - England vs Winner of 2D vs 2E (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg - kick-off 8pm UK time)
or:
Saturday July 6 - England vs Winner of 1D vs 2F (Olympiastadion, Berlin - kick-off 8pm UK time)
Semi-finals
If England finish first in Group C, win round-of-16 game and win quarter-final:
Wednesday July 10 - Berlin semi-final winner vs Dusseldorf semi-final winner (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund - kick-off 8pm UK time)
If England finish second in Group C, win round-of-16 game and win quarter-final:
Tuesday July 9 - Stuttgart semi-final winner vs Hamburg semi-final winner (Allianz Arena, Munich - kick-off 8pm UK time)
If England finish as one of four best third-place teams, win round-of-16 game and win quarter-final:
Tuesday July 9 - Stuttgart semi-final winner vs Hamburg semi-final winner (Allianz Arena, Munich - kick-off 8pm UK time)
or:
Wednesday July 10 - Berlin semi-final winner vs Dusseldorf semi-final winner (Westfalenstadion, Dortmund - kick-off 8pm UK time)
And finally, the Euro 2024 final...
Sunday July 14 - Munich semi-final winner vs Dortmund semi-final winner (Olympiastadion, Berlin - kick-off 8pm UK time)
