Midfield

Alan Shearer observes that England hasn't locked down a coherent style of play at Euro 2024, with managerial woes for Gareth Southgate in harmonizing the midfield. Despite leading Group C, boos echoed from the stands post a dreary standoff with Slovenia. Critics have lambasted the team's tepid showings throughout the event. In their clash with Slovenia, England mustered a scanty expected goals (xG) of 0.8, with their games at the tournament generating the lowest xG figures (2.26 for, 1.13 against). Gareth Southgate's…

On Thursday, an anticlimactic standoff between England and Denmark resulted in an unsatisfactory draw, leaving Gareth Southgate lamenting the lack of robust options in his midfield arsenal. England's opening to their Group C journey was less than stellar, with a lackluster victory over Serbia, and they couldn't seal the deal for the top spot prematurely, thanks to a 1-1 tie with Denmark. Harry Kane gave England an early lead 18 minutes into the game, but the team then receded into defensive tactics. Denmark responded with…

Gary Neville expressed concerns regarding England's midfield dynamics after they nudged past Serbia in their Euro 2024 debut. Jude Bellingham's strike nudged the Three Lions on a victorious path, though the clash in Gelsenkirchen proved tough. Jordan Pickford's heroics in goal cemented Manager Gareth Southgate's streak of inaugural wins for each major tournament he's helmed, staving off a potent Dusan Vlahovic threat. Speculation was rife about Southgate’s midfield selection; Trent Alexander-Arnold earned a spot next to…

Ronald Koeman expressed frustration over Barcelona's mismanagement of Frenkie de Jong's ankle ailment after the Dutch ace was sidelined from Euro 2024. Frenkie de Jong, key to the Netherlands' midfield since his 2018 debut, earned 54 caps and netted twice. Yet, an ankle sprain incurred at Barcelona's defeat to Real Madrid on April 21 has kept him off the pitch. Despite being part of the light, non-contact drills last Sunday, Koeman, the Oranje head, was skeptical about De Jong's readiness for their opening match against…