June 29th 2024.
The pressure is on for England's manager, Gareth Southgate, as he prepares his team for their Euro 2024 last 16 match against Slovakia on Sunday night. After a lackluster performance in the group stage, Southgate has been facing criticism and calls for changes to the starting lineup. Some players, like Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer, have been impressing off the bench and fans are clamoring for them to have a chance to shine on the field.
If England can secure a victory against Slovakia, they will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Switzerland has already made a statement in the tournament with a stunning 2-0 win over Italy in the previous round. However, Southgate remains confident in his team and their abilities.
One player who has yet to make an appearance for England in Germany is Luke Shaw. The Manchester United star has been recovering from a hamstring injury and while he returned to first-team training this week, Southgate has confirmed that he will not start in Sunday's match. There is still a possibility for Shaw to play a part in the game, but Southgate will consult with the medical team before making a decision.
Another player dealing with an injury is Kieran Trippier, but Southgate has confirmed that he is available for selection on Sunday. Phil Foden, who briefly returned to England for the birth of his child, has also rejoined the team and is ready to play.
There have been growing calls for Mainoo and Palmer to feature in the starting lineup, with reports suggesting that Mainoo could potentially replace Declan Rice in midfield. However, Southgate is cautious about making too many changes and potentially disrupting the team's rhythm and chemistry.
He acknowledges that the team may not be performing at their best, but believes they are not as poor as the critics may think. Southgate also values the impact that substitutes have had in previous matches and is aware that there is competition for starting positions within the squad. He wants all of his players to be ready to step up and perform when called upon.
As the manager, Southgate has to stay focused and confident in his decisions, despite external pressure and advice. He knows the strengths and depth of his squad and is determined to lead them to success in the tournament. Whether there are changes to the starting lineup or not, Southgate trusts in his team and their abilities to deliver a strong performance.
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