Former England striker Alan Smith has named the two players he wants to start against Slovakia for Gareth Southgate’s side.
England were underwhelming in their 0-0 draw against Slovenia, as they were before against Serbia and Denmark.
Problems are mainly in midfield, where Southgate is struggling to get the best out of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.
Conversely, substitutes Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer have blossomed, and speaking to Prime Casino , Smith suggested two players make way so they can start.
He said: “I wouldn’t say that his performance was a revelation because he’s been doing this for Chelsea every week, but it’s incredibly hard to replicate that for your country – the shirt can swallow certain individuals – so that was pleasing to see. Palmer is stepping into new territory, and it didn’t bother him at all. He was happy to demand the ball and try and make things happen. He’s always positive.
“There were so many backwards and sideways passes in the first half, but he tried to pierce the lines and get the ball in behind. He was brilliant and was another positive. It looks like he’s the sort of player where nothing really phases him, regardless of who he is playing against or the level. The scrutiny of a nation and pressure that goes with playing for England, especially at the moment, didn’t seem to bother him either. I would love to see him start in the next game.”
He suggested Bukayo Saka and Conor Gallagher will be sacrificed, adding: “We’ll have to wait and see if Gareth Southgate is going to start being a bit bolder with his team selections. He’ll be thinking seriously about that.
“He’s not going to pick Connor Gallagher for the next game, is he? I would be surprised if he only replaced Gallagher with Mainoo, because more changes are needed in my opinion. I would be disappointed with one change because we need more than that to get things going. To me, Bukayo Saka is a fantastic player, but he looks a bit jaded.
“He’s played a lot of football the last few years and I wouldn’t be averse to taking him out and putting Cole Palmer in his place.
“Looking at Jude Bellingham, he got the goal in the first game, but in the last couple he’s been anonymous. Do you leave him out? It’s a big call. I certainly wouldn’t leave Foden out because I thought he was one of our better players against Slovenia. There are some big decisions to be made for Southgate.”
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