Stuart Pearce believes that England need to experiment going forward in EURO 2024 and has suggested one Arsenal star should take up a new role in the team.
Gareth Southgate’s England have started their EURO 2024 campaign in mixed fashion after the Three Lions picked up a 1-0 victory over Serbia thanks to a Jude Bellingham header before a disappointing 1-1 draw against Denmark at the Frankfurt Arena.
Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane had given England the lead in the first half before a stunning 30-yard strike from Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand levelled proceedings.
Southgate’s side laboured throughout and were perhaps fortunate to get out of the game with a draw and they remain favourites to top the group.
Pearce suggests Arsenal star position change
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce believes changes need to be made to the team for Tuesday’s final group game against Slovenia.
One player he believes may need to change role is Bukayo Saka, who was one of a handful of players who impressed during the game against Denmark.
“Where he goes from here I don’t know,” Pearce said. “This is a tough one for Gareth and his coaching staff. It’ll get worse when they look tomorrow and see that performance.
“It might be making some tough calls, it might be leaving the captain [Harry Kane] out. It might well be, ‘how do I solve the left-back issue?’
“How do we get more delivery from the left-hand side with no natural left-back? Potentially put a Bukayo Saka there.”
Saka has to stay in his natural position for England
Saka has been one of the best players in the Premier League for back to back seasons now with the Arsenal winger scoring 16 goals and providing nine assists in England’s top division.
Moving Saka away from his natural position to a role on the left or even as a left-back would be a disastrous call for Southgate to make.
City winger Phil Foden needs to be moved to a different position or to the bench because the Premier League Player Of The Year has struggled for the Three Lions.