England legend Wayne Rooney has weighed in on Gareth Southgate’s tactics at Euro 2024, particularly regarding the use of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher in midfield.
Southgate’s Three Lions entered the tournament as favorites but fell short, scraping by with a win against Serbia and drawing games with Denmark and Slovenia. Criticism has emerged regarding Southgate’s approach, with Rooney focusing on the midfield experimentation.
Rooney acknowledges his own reservations about deploying Alexander-Arnold in midfield, stating, “None of what happened surprised me. I wouldn’t have played Trent there.” He highlights the subsequent use of Gallagher as a similar experiment that ultimately didn’t work out.
However, Rooney emphasizes that these decisions, while questionable, were ultimately “the right call” in terms of finding the right formula. He praises the eventual inclusion of Carney Mainoo, who displayed “forward runs and composure on the ball.”
Rooney also commends Phil Foden’s suitability for international football, pointing to his ball control and composure under pressure. He sees Callum Hudson-Odoi as a valuable addition for his directness, creating a well-rounded midfield.