Former England striker Jermain Defoe has suggested that a Manchester United star could make a key difference at Euro 2024 in Germany alongside two other players.
England are among the Euro 2024 favourites at the tournament and Gareth Southgate’s men secured their place in the last 16 after finishing top of Group C.
However, the Three Lions were widely criticised on Tuesday evening after a lacklustre 0-0 draw against Slovenia at the RheinEnergieStadion.
England narrowly avoided a run-in with host nation Germany after second-place Denmark secured a 0-0 draw against Serbia on Tuesday.
Germany will face Group C runners-up Denmark in the round of 16, while England wait to find out their next opponents in the knockout stages of Euro 2024.
Defoe backs Man Utd star at Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate has faced mounting pressure over England’s performances in their Group C matches at this summer’s Euros.
The Three Lions defeated Serbia 1-0 in their opening Euro 2024 match before England walked away with a 1-1 draw against Denmark.
England were largely unimpressive against Slovenia, with Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo among the few standout performers from the match.
Kobbie Mainoo was introduced at the break and replaced Chelsea star Conor Gallagher, with the United midfielder playing superbly well for the Three Lions.
Southgate previously admitted that he had experimented in the opening two Euro 2024 matches by playing Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
However, the England boss walked back on the decision for the Slovenia match and started Conor Gallagher ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Jermain Defoe has now suggested that Kobbie Mainoo should start England’s last-16 tie, all the while spotlighting Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon.
“I think Mainoo will come into the team [for the next game]. He is someone who passes forward,” he told PA, as per The Independent.
“I also felt Cole Palmer made a difference. How he has played with the season he had at Chelsea, he is someone that can just create something out of nothing.
“Then there is Gordon with his pace – when he came on, the first thing he did was knock the ball past the defender. Yes, the ball ran out of play, but by doing that it just forces teams back a little bit.
“We have got lots of options, but it will just be interesting to see if Gareth will use these kind of players.”
Defoe talks England and round of 16
Chelsea star Cole Palmer, much like Kobbie Mainoo, impressed when he came off the bench for England in the second half of the Slovenia match.
However, Anthony Gordon had only a brief cameo after he replaced Phil Foden in the 89th minute, despite calls for the Newcastle winger to feature more for England.
Defoe shared his verdict on England’s Euro 2024 campaign ahead of the knockout rounds and claimed that the players “know it should be a lot better.”
“People have spoken about a lack of movement, that the team is not dynamic enough, but I think there has to be an identity,” he said.
“We are too good of a team if you look at the players that we have – especially in the forward areas.
“Of course, if you spoke to the players, they know they take responsibility, they know it should be a lot better.
“Yes, we have qualified, but it was more of a performance more than anything else everyone was looking for, a reaction from the first few games.
“But it is difficult because when you play against these teams who sit back, you have to move the ball quick and when you do create the chances then you have to take them.”
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/k0qUAVP