England has a talented pool of players who should be winning a major tournament, but one of the serious issues for Gareth Southgate is who should play in the number 10.
Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden are three of the country’s most naturally gifted players, therefore, it is time for all, or if not, at least two of them to be in the starting XI.
We know that Southgate likes to pick his favourites aka Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips, and Mason Mount, but if the Nation wants to end their 58-year wait for a trophy, he needs to drop the idea of favouritism and pick an XI based on form.
Palmer
With 20 Premier League goals to his name, the 21-year-old carrying Chelsea on his back.
The fact that the Blues are in with a small chance of achieving European football after a season’s absence is purely down to the former Manchester City playmaker.
Chelsea will thank the blue side of Manchester for giving them a lifeline for their club’s disappointing season.
Palmer made his England debut as a substitute in the Euro 2024 Qualifier against Malta in November 2023.
Although he didn’t have enough time to highlight his skills under the eyes of Southgate, it is time for the England boss to give the Chelsea baller a shot at the number 10 role at the European Championships.
Foden
The biggest debate about England’s starting XI is the Manchester City star.
Even though he prefers coming inside from the left wing, he has the skills to be just as effective in the number 10…
What Southgate could try, is to have Bellingham and Rice as the two holding midfielders, Bukayo Saka on the left wing, Palmer on the right, and Foden in the 10.
The disadvantage to this however is the fact that Bellingham is less effective in terms of the qualities he brings on and off the ball.
it could be a case where Rice is the main holder, and then you could have the trio all rotating in and out of the number 10.
This will create chaos and confusion for the opposition’s defenders, as they will have no idea of who to mark in those areas of the field.
Referring to Foden, he is a player who can pick a pass out from nowhere and has good dribbling skills from anywhere on the pitch.
Gary Neville also describes him as a ‘generational talent’ which means he can do things that other players can’t, especially at his age.
City teammate Kevin De Bruyne also believes that the 23-year-old has the potential to dominate world football.
“He is one of the greatest talents I have played with. He can make football history for the next 15 years.”
De Bruyne: GetFootball
The problem Southgate faces is where to get the best out of him.
In Qatar, Southgate played him on the right wing, which limits his ability to control the game.
As England has two friendlies against Bosnia and Iceland in June, before heading to Germany, Southgate should try him in that position in those games.
Bellingham
Probably the best midfielder in the world right now. The 20-year-old is having the time of his life in Madrid.,
He is the second-highest goal scorer in La Liga with 16 goals.
Bellingham was also in the team of the tournament at the Qatar World Cup in 2022 as a substitute. He has nailed down his place in the heart of England’s midfield,
According to BBC Sport, Bellingham has 16 goals and eight assists when playing in the number 10 this season, as opposed to Foden’s seven goals and three assists.
Therefore, Southgate’s decision to play Bellingham in the number 10 role makes sense.
You could also say that Bellingham is the better ball carrier out of the three with an average of 1.9 dribbles per game as opposed to Foden who has 1.6.
There is no doubt that all three of these players are or have the potential to become world-class players, but the real dilemma for Southgate is whether can he find a way to get all three of them into the starting XI.
Other Options: Maddison? Barkley?
Aside from Bellingham, Palmer, and Foden, looking at someone like James Maddison, or Ross Barkley.
Maddison is the second-highest assist maker for Spurs along with Brenan Johnson and Pedro Porro with seven assists.
Meanwhile, Barkley is the second-highest assist maker for Luton Town with six assists, and the club’s third-highest goal scorer with five goals.
Barkley already has 33 caps for the nation. His last appearance came against San Marino in a Euro 2016 qualifier in September 2015.
Maddison, who has six caps, is now a regular member of Southgate’s squad.
Although he was in the squad for Qatar 2022, he was not allowed to exploit his fine form with Leicester City, in an England shirt, due to Southgate’s naivety in selecting the XI, and nursing a minor injury.
However, he hasn’t ruled out the opportunity to be on the plane to Germany this summer.
“Why not? I feel like I’m a much better player now than I was when I was younger.”I’m not going to lie, it’s in the back of my mind, but I know there’s a lot of competition for places in the England squad.
Barkley: Sky Sports
And this is where Southgate needs to stop thinking about who has performed well for him in the past and start thinking about the present and future.
There is just over a month before the manager selects his squad for the European Championships on May 21st.
Who should be England’s number 10?
Image Credit: Depositphotos
