Former England midfielder Paul Scholes has urged Gareth Southgate to make three changes for Tuesday's Euro 2024 match against Slovenia, including a first start for teenager Kobbie Mainoo. The 19-year-old has played just four minutes in the tournament so far, but Scholes believes he should be introduced to the midfield.
In a post on Instagram, Scholes proposed an unconventional lineup: 'TAA left-back, Mainoo centre-mid, Palmer on the right… would give reasons but too many touchy f***ers out there. Laters.' This would see Trent Alexander-Arnold moved to left-back, with Cole Palmer making his tournament debut on the right wing, replacing Bukayo Saka.
Scholes is not alone in calling for changes. Former England left-back Ashley Cole suggested Phil Foden should start on the right, with Anthony Gordon on the left, to allow Foden to play in a more familiar position. 'I would like to see Anthony Gordon play from the left, I would like to see Foden playing on the right because I feel he’s been unfairly dug out,' Cole told beIN Sports.
Ian Wright also backed the inclusion of Mainoo or Adam Wharton, dismissing Southgate's claim that there is no natural successor to Kalvin Phillips. 'It's either Kobbie or Wharton, but I'd probably put Wharton in there,' Wright said. 'Listening to Gareth, he mentioned about Kalvin Phillips and he's the only one in the country who can play that role, I don't believe that.'
England have four points from two games and need a positive result against Slovenia to secure top spot in Group C.
