Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon watched on from the bench as England started Euro 2024 with a win.
The Three Lions beat Serbia 1-0 on Sunday night, with Jude Bellingham scoring the only goal on what was a tough night for Gareth Southgate’s side.
While they were able to win, it was not a convincing performance from England. They were unable to keep the ball in the second half, showing a complete lack of game management that almost allowed Serbia to equalise.
Fortunately they did not, and now England begin to prepare for Thursday evening’s game against Denmark.
Phil Foden struggles as Newcastle star Anthony Gordon watches on
But Southgate, who surprisingly left Gordon on the bench against Serbia, has problems to address ahead of that fixture, most notably on the left of attack.
While it was hoped that Gordon would start out there, it was Phil Foden who got the nod.
However, the Manchester City superstar struggled to have an impact after being asked to play out of position, leading to debates over how Southgate can get the best out of Foden in an England shirt.
It is a case of ‘square pegs in round holes’ with him on the left, and there are other players who are much better suited to operate out there. And Gary Lineker, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, believes that Gordon is one of them.
“It will be interesting to see how Gareth manages that situation on the left-hand side,” he said.
“You have got an obvious player that can play on the left-hand side in Anthony Gordon.
“Eze as well. There is so much talent in that team that it is a little bit exasperating that when they get 1-0 in front and the team, for some reason, sits back.”
Anthony Gordon is the solution to Gareth Southgate’s England problem
Foden is a better player than Gordon. But Gordon is a better left winger than Foden.
The Man City ace had no impact on Sunday night, after Southgate opted to give Jude Bellingham the advanced role in midfield. That decision paid off, as the 20-year-old was England’s match winner and best player.
But it was to the detriment of Foden, who is surely at risk of being benched for the Three Lions’ second game.
If Southgate wants to play with the same system then he needs a more natural option on the left of attack. Gordon fits the bill, and is an ‘obvious’ candidate to come into the starting XI. The Newcastle United winger will keep his width, and has the type of speed similar to Bukayo Saka on the right that made him such a threat in the first half against Serbia.
However, it would be rather brave of Southgate to drop Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden.
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