Jamie O’Hara highlights two changes to England’s starting XI that ‘aren’t rocket science’ but would make ‘big impact’
JAMIE O’HARA highlighted two changes to England’s starting 11 and insisted: “It isn’t rocket science.”
Gareth Southgate played a 4-2-3-1 formation for the Three Lions’ opener with Jude Bellingham heading in the winner.
But Bellingham operating as a No10 forced Phil Foden out to the left with Bukayo Saka on the right.
Foden struggled to make an impact and former Tottenham defender O’Hara wants to see winger Anthony Gordon replace him against Denmark.
He told Grosvenor Sport: “For me, you’ve got to start Anthony Gordon at left wing over Phil Foden.
“Gordon has had a great season for Newcastle – he works hard, he’s direct and he makes things happen.
“He’s good enough for this level and I would drop Phil Foden for him – as mad as that sounds.”
Gordon got 11 league goals for Newcastle last season and has made three senior England appearances.
Southgate also made the bold decision to play Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield next to Declan Rice.
But O’Hara argued: “Trent Alexander Arnold in the middle didn’t work, he’s not a midfielder.
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“He’s a right back who can play inverted and drop into certain roles, we need to change that midfield up. Who do you play in there?
“You could go for Conor Gallagher or Adam Wharton, there’s a few options there.
“You could put Kobbie Mainoo in there, but I think that’s a big step up for him. Trent gets caught on the ball too much.
“I said this before the tournament, it isn’t rocket science, I’ve been a footballer and people know the game.
“When you play in midfield, you get caught on the ball if you’re not playing in there week in week out.
“It’s a completely different position to right back, the way you move, the way you see, the awareness you need to have and how you have to protect the ball in certain areas when you come under pressure – it is completely different.”
