WHAT HAPPENED?
Foden garnered criticism for his underwhelming performance on the left side of the attack in England’s win over Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener. Bellingham, on the other hand, scored the all-important goal while playing as a number 10.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Now, Three Lions legend Alan Shearer has urged manager Southgate to switch the Real Madrid star’s position, which would allow the Manchester City attacker to play in his familiar number 10 role. The ex-Newcastle forward wants Bellingham to be fielded alongside Declan Rice in central midfield and bring in either Eberechi Eze or Anthony Gordon on the left side.
WHAT ALAN SHEARER SAID
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: “I would play Bellingham alongside Rice and Foden as the 10, which is where he wants to play. I don’t think that would be a problem at all, you’re playing Bellingham with Rice so you free up that left side for someone who can run in behind, whether that would be Eze or Gordon. That’s what I would have done and that’s what I’d do against Denmark.”
Further speaking about Foden’s change in role, the legendary forward added: “He wants to have the freedom and I think England have given him that, even after five minutes into the game he was on the right, he has got the freedom to move and go wherever he wants but when Bellingham is playing in a 10 role then it’s difficult for him to go over there and go into a crowded space.
“When you’re playing against a packed defence, like England were against Serbia then it’s really important to keep your width, with Saka one side and Foden the other, almost getting the chalk on their boots from the touchlines. That’s how you make it difficult for the opposition, but of course, Foden doesn’t want to do that, Saka doesn’t mind but that’s not Foden’s game, he wants to roam and he wants to come inside, I’d feel better if he was in the 10 role and I don’t think that would crowd it up, Bellingham would sit alongside Rice and he would then have the freedom to go forward if he wanted to do that.”
