Gareth Southgate is expected to name an unchanged side for England’s game against Denmark at Euro 2024, according to reports. The Three Lions failed to impress despite beating Serbia in their opening match and will be hoping for a much improved performance on Thursday night.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was deployed in his new midfield role last time around, while Phil Foden was shifted out wide to allow Bellingham to flourish in the middle of the park. Southgate has decided to persist with this approach, with Sky Sports reporting that both players will reprise those roles against Denmark.
Jordan Pickford will be in goal for England, with a centre-back pairing of John Stones and Marc Guehi ahead of him. Kyle Walker is set to feature at right-back, while Kieran Trippier will be on the left with Luke Shaw still working his way back to full match fitness.
Alexander-Arnold will be partnered in midfield by Declan Rice with Bellingham playing in a more advanced role behind Harry Kane, who will start as the lone striker. Bukayo Saka will occupy the right wing for England while Foden is expected to play on the left.
Speaking in his press conference on Wednesday, Southgate affirmed his belief that England will play better against Denmark than they did against Serbia as they hunt a place in the knockout stages.
“I think we have to prove that, really,” he said. “The opponent is not going to sit here and say we’re a load of idiots and lead into the game that way. We know we have good players, we know we can play better than the other day.
“I thought the players in an incredibly pressurised moment started exceptionally well and defended brilliantly throughout the whole game. I think they’ll be better for having a game under their belt.
“Emotionally there’s so much tension I don’t think people can really understand what it is like for young players. We are pleased to have got a result from that and we know we have to be good tomorrow.”
Quizzed on the criticism of England’s performance against Serbia, he added: “We didn’t set out to sit back. Serbia also came at us, they were a goal behind and had to take a different approach and are not an easy team to press.
“They get five players and are complicated to prepare to play against. To give as few opportunities as we did, we were really pleased with that aspect and we have to be better with the other aspect. We have to get both things right.”
