Manager Gareth Southgate is seriously considering continuing to use his first-choice attacking midfielder after Phil Foden returned to training on Friday and took part in England’s preparations for the last-16 match against Slovakia.
Southgate, who has faced intense criticism over his tactics at Euro 2024, is not expected to make any drastic changes to his side against Slovakia on Sunday and is leaning towards making just one change in midfield, bringing on Coby Mainu for Conor Gallagher.
Mainu made an impact as a half-time substitute in England’s goalless draw with Slovenia on Tuesday and the 19-year-old is set to make his third international start. Southgate has struggled to find the right balance in midfield and will hope that partnering the youngster with Declan Rice will help England control possession. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gallagher have yet to establish themselves as suitable partners for Rice.
Despite emerging as winners of Group C, England have struggled with the ball in their first three matches in Germany and there have been calls for Southgate to make changes in attack. Bukayo Saka’s place is under threat on the right wing, Cole Palmer is challenging for a starting place and Foden and Jude Bellingham are pushing each other aside at times.
The team lacks balance down the left flank, an issue exacerbated by the absence of left-back Luke Shaw, and there is an argument that Southgate should opt for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon rather than Bellingham or Foden. England have created few chances, scoring just two goals in games against Denmark, Serbia and Slovenia.
Palmer impressed as a substitute against Slovenia, and Gordon also made a significant impact in his short appearances, but Southgate is showing his faith in his regular line-up, with Foden on the left, Bellingham as the No.10, Saka on the right and Harry Kane at the front. Foden left camp to be with the birth of his third child and returned to Germany on Thursday night to help with tactical work.
Rice and Shaw’s understudy, Kieran Trippier, returned to full training after individual sessions on Thursday, with Trippier being closely monitored for his calf injury and England keeping track of Rice’s workload.
The problem for Southgate is that he will have to deploy the right-footed Trippier on the left wing, where Shaw, who has been absent since February with a hamstring injury, is the team’s only specialist left-back. The Manchester United defender is back in full training and should be on the bench for the Slovakia game.
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A short-term solution suggested by former England players Ian Wright and Gary Neville would be to install Saka in the left-back position, but the Arsenal winger is not keen on that idea. “I like Ian Wright a lot and he has a lot of great things to say about me but I don’t think taking me out of position is the solution,” Saka told BBC Radio 5 Live. “But ultimately I guess we can discuss it but it’s in Gareth’s hands so we’ll just have to trust who Gareth picks on the day.”
Palmer, who has enjoyed a fine season with Chelsea, insists he is ready to start. “I think so but it’s not up to me,” the winger said. “It’s my first tournament and in my position you’ve got Bukayo, Phil and Jude so I don’t think I’m in a rush,” the winger said. “But I was just hoping to go in and impress when I come on.”
Palmer added that if England go into a penalty shootout with Slovakia he would be happy to go into extra time with a view to taking penalties.
Gordon also sounded confident. “My strengths are I’m very direct and obviously quick,” he said. “I know I’m a nightmare for opponents to face. I’m proactive. When I get the ball I always try to make something happen. I’m not a very safe player, I’m always on the offensive. I’m always trying to put people on the back foot.”
