Gary Neville has raised concerns about the England midfield’s balance at Euro 2024, specifically pointing out that Declan Rice might not be utilized effectively.
Despite England’s 2-1 victory over Serbia, fans and pundits alike expected a more dominant performance from a squad brimming with talent.
Neville’s observations suggest that a key issue lies in how Rice is deployed within Gareth Southgate’s system.
Rice, a standout performer for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta, is a pivotal figure in England’s lineup. He played alongside Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield trio against Serbia.
However, Neville believes that Rice’s talents are being underutilized in his current role.
The former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit hinted that the inclusion of Kalvin Phillips alongside Rice in previous matches offered better balance and efficiency in the midfield.
“What we have at the moment with England, we have a real shortage of experienced central midfield players that can play in that position,” Neville remarked.
“I actually think the problem is not just Trent Alexander-Arnold. I don’t think we’re getting the most out of Declan Rice in that holding role. That’s why Kalvin Phillips played with him and it worked.”
This critique underscores a broader concern about Southgate’s tactical setup. Neville’s insights suggest that for England to maximize their midfield potential, Southgate might need to adjust Rice’s role.
The solution could involve studying how Arteta has unlocked Rice’s capabilities at Arsenal. With the tournament still in its early stages, there is time for Southgate to reconfigure his midfield to harness Rice’s full potential, bringing more cohesion and effectiveness to the team.
England fans will be hoping these adjustments can propel the Three Lions to the latter stages of the competition.
See More:
- Arsenal makes contact for 21yo PSG star Xavi Simons
- Arsenal can sign Arthur Melo from Juventus in player swap deal
