June 16th 2024.
Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United and England player, watched the Three Lions' Euro 2024 win over Serbia with keen interest. While England secured a 1-0 victory, Ferdinand was left wondering if the introduction of two players, Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer, earlier in the game would have given them more control.
The game started off well for England, with Jude Bellingham scoring a superb header after just 13 minutes. The team seemed to dominate the first half and looked hungry for more goals. However, their grip on the game started to slip in the second half as Serbia began to grow into the match.
With the game becoming more evenly contested, England manager Gareth Southgate made some substitutions in an attempt to regain control. Conor Gallagher was brought on with 20 minutes remaining, and Mainoo was also summoned from the bench in the 86th minute. However, Palmer, who has been in impressive form for Chelsea, did not get a chance to play.
Ferdinand was left pondering why Mainoo and Palmer were not given a bigger role in the game. "The game needed a bit more control," he commented after the match. "Where are the players that can do that? Kobbie Mainoo maybe, [he could have come on] a bit earlier if needed. But also someone like Cole Palmer, who has that bit of swagger and arrogance to demand the ball and make things happen."
On the other hand, former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas believed that a more attacking change by Southgate would have sent a different message to the players. "If you put in a defensive midfielder or an extra defender to protect the lead, the players will feel it mentally and start dropping back," he explained. "But if you bring on an offensive player like Palmer and give him the freedom to control the ball in the final third, the players will feel more comfortable."
As England prepare to face Denmark in their next group match, the debate over the use of Mainoo and Palmer is likely to continue. Fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see if Southgate makes any changes to his tactics and team selection. Only time will tell if Ferdinand's and Fabregas' suggestions will be taken into consideration.
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