Southgate is set to make wholesale changes
Gareth Southgate is expected to ring the changes for England’s game against Italy on Tuesday night.
The Three Lions beat Australia 1-0 on Friday night thanks to Ollie Watkins’ second half strike but is expected to go with a new-look side for their Euro 2024 qualifier.
According to The Sun, Southgate will make 10 changes to the starting XI, with Jordan Henderson the only one to keep his starting spot.
His decision to include Henderson on Friday prompted boos from the crowd – something Southgate and the former Liverpool midfielder couldn’t understand.
“Everybody has got their own opinion. I love playing for England, I have done for many years, that’s why I’m still here,” he said on Sunday.
“I still want to play for England for as long as I possibly can and give everything for the team, for my country.
“It’s not nice, your own fans booing. But listen, people have got their own opinions. Whenever I bump into anyone on the street it’s always been positive stuff and nice things said.
“If people want to boo if I’m playing in a different country, that’s fine. Everyone is going to have an opinion when I’m playing over in Saudi. I’ve spoken in the past about the reasons for that. Whether people believe me or not is up to them.”
Team News
Jordan Pickford is expected to return in goal in place of Sam Johnstone while Harry Maguire will be recalled despite his inclusion being criticised as a result of his lack of game time.
Kieran Trippier will start at left back due to the ongoing crisis in that position as the usual options, Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw, are both sidelined with injuries.
Key names such as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane will also start from the off at Wembley Stadium while Marcus Rashford is expected to be on the left wing of a front four that is expected to cause Italy problems.
A draw for England would be enough to secure their place at Euro 2024 in Germany given that they are three points clear of Tuesday’s opponents.
Related links:
- Jordan Henderson says he doesn’t understand why he was booed by England fans
- Players are ‘hating every minute’ of big-money Saudi move
- Ireland need to lose to the Netherlands to qualify for Euro 2024
