Wayne Rooney Claims Gareth Southgate 'Killed' Two England Players at Euro 2024
Wayne Rooney criticizes Gareth Southgate for ‘killing’ two England players during their disappointing Euro 2024 group stage.
England entered Euro 2024 in Germany as favorites to win their first major men’s football trophy since 1966. However, their confidence waned after a lackluster group stage, where they scraped a 1-0 win over Serbia and drew with Denmark and Slovenia.
Southgate has faced significant criticism for his tactics, with Rooney accusing him of mishandling Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher by playing them in midfield and then quickly discarding them.
Alexander-Arnold, typically a right-back for Liverpool, played alongside Declan Rice against Serbia and Denmark with mixed results, while Chelsea’s Gallagher was substituted at halftime in the game against Slovenia.
Rooney suggests that Southgate has now found his best midfield setup, advocating for more involvement from Kobbie Mainoo, Anthony Gordon, and Cole Palmer in the upcoming last-16 match against Slovakia.
England manager Gareth Southgate in Euro 2024 training (Picture: Getty)
“Against Slovenia, Kobbie Mainoo made a strong case for a starting spot, Cole Palmer performed well, and Anthony Gordon showed promise in his brief appearance,” Rooney told The Times. “Gareth might have found the right team just in time. I’d start at least two of those three youngsters against Slovakia.”
Rooney also criticized the decision to play Alexander-Arnold in midfield, expecting Southgate to switch to Gallagher when the experiment failed. “Gareth ‘killed’ both players by discarding them, but it was the right call. Mainoo brought forward runs and composure on the ball.”
He praised Palmer as suited to international football for his calmness and personality, and Gordon for his directness. Rooney noted that with these three, England had more attacking runs beyond Harry Kane than seen with Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, or Phil Foden.
If England defeats Slovakia, they will face Italy or Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Rooney is optimistic about England’s chances, saying, “I believe they have a great chance of winning these Euros. They won their group, avoided the biggest teams in the draw, and they can play much better.”
