June 21st 2024.
Wayne Rooney is worried about Gareth Southgate's recent confession, fearing it may come back to haunt the England manager. Southgate had admitted that his decision to deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield during the match against Denmark was an "experiment". This statement has caused concern among fans and critics, with many questioning Southgate's tactics and team selection. Despite England's current position in the tournament, their performance against Denmark has raised serious doubts about their chances of success.
The match saw England take an early lead through Harry Kane, but they then retreated into a defensive shell, similar to their previous match against Serbia. This approach proved costly as Denmark equalized and could have even snatched a win. England were fortunate to escape with a draw, leaving them with four points ahead of their next match against Slovenia. Southgate now has a lot to ponder and must decide whether to continue with Alexander-Arnold in an unfamiliar position.
It's no surprise that the Liverpool right-back has struggled to adapt to his new role and has been substituted in both of England's matches so far. Southgate's decision to experiment with Alexander-Arnold has caused further concern, especially with his comments about the absence of Kalvin Phillips. Phillips, who has struggled since his move to Manchester City, was not included in the squad, and Southgate's remarks have only added to the confusion surrounding his team selection.
“[Alexander-Arnold] had some moments where he's delivered what we thought he would. We know it's an experiment and we know that we don't have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips,” said Southgate after the match. “We're trying some different things and at the moment we're not flowing as we'd like, that's for sure.”
Rooney believes that Southgate's admission could come back to haunt him, and he believes that the manager may regret leaving experienced midfielders like Jordan Henderson out of the squad. Henderson's absence has been a talking point, as he is known for his leadership and vocal presence on the field. Rooney feels that England lack experienced voices in the team, especially when pressing for the ball, and he believes that including players like Henderson would have been beneficial.
“I don't think you can come into a major tournament and say you're 'experimenting'," said Rooney. “That's a strong word to say and if England don't go far in this competition, I think he might regret that. There is a lack of experience in the team and voices. When you're going to press, you need to talk. I would have taken Jordan Henderson because he is a voice. Harry Kane is not a big talker.”
Rooney's concerns reflect the growing unease surrounding England's performance and tactics. Southgate's decision to experiment with Alexander-Arnold and the absence of experienced players like Henderson have raised doubts about the team's chances in the tournament. It remains to be seen if Southgate's confession will indeed come back to haunt him, but it is clear that there are valid concerns about England's approach in the rest of the tournament.
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