Jamie Carragher is desperate to see Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon play for England at the Euros.
The 23-year-old was an unused substitute on Thursday, as the Three Lions drew 1-1 with Denmark. It was an extremely disappointing performance, as Kieran Trippier won his 50th cap for his country.
But while one Newcastle United star played the entire game, another sat on the bench twiddling his thumbs.
Anthony Gordon watches on as England struggle
Jamie Carragher was surprised to see that Gordon did not feature against Serbia in England’s opening Euro 2024 fixture, and that surprise turned to disappointment after matchday two.
The Newcastle winger was not brought on by Gareth Southgate, despite the England manager changing his entire front three midway through the second half against Denmark. He decided to bring Eberechi Eze and Jarrod Bowen on out wide, leaving Gordon to continue sitting on the bench.
During the game, Carragher was happy to see Southgate make a flurry of changes, but he was sad to see that Gordon was not one of them.
He wrote on X: “Pleased Southgate has made changes, as by the look of England so far they are going to need real energy from the bench in every game. Disappointed Anthony Gordon wasn’t one of those changes.”
Jamie Carragher wants the Newcastle star to start
Southgate’s changes did not inspire England to victory. Now he is feeling the wrath of supporters, who are not happy with how the Three Lions have started Euro 2024.
England have one group game left, as they take on Slovenia on Tuesday. Given their performances so far, it is clear that England need to change things up. That includes getting more pace into the side to support Harry Kane, who has looked isolated so far.
Carragher believes one of those changes should be Anthony Gordon for Phil Foden, while he also thinks Trent Alexander-Arnold should be dropped from midfield.
He wrote for the Telegraph: “I would like to see a 4-3-3 with Saka and Anthony Gordon either side of Kane [against Slovenia].”
Carragher also added on X: “England have to sacrifice quality in Trent & Foden for energy in Gallagher or Mainoo & pace in Gordon. Kane needs pace either side of him & Rice needs more help in midfield. Go 433 & drop Bellingham slightly deeper.”
Gordon can solve major England problem
On the face of it, those changes look negative. Trent Alexander-Arnold has an incredible passing range, while Phil Foden is a generational talent that won the Premier League Player of the Season award.
But they are both struggling for England, as Southgate tries to shoehorn them into his starting XI.
Getting more energy in the middle and more speed out wide will massively help the Three Lions, and that is why Gordon needs to come in.
The Newcastle winger will keep his width, can go both ways and is direct. He will give defenders a different kind of challenge, and give this England team more balance. That is something they are missing right now, with most of England’s attacks having to come down the right.
Southgate has major issues that need to be addressed, and that can be done by bringing Gordon in. It would not be a risk – he has been untouchable at times for Newcastle this season, while he has looked dangerous at international level since making his England debut in March.
Foden is outrageously good, but it is not working for him in this England system. That is why Carragher wants Southgate to ‘sacrifice’ him in favour of Gordon, who must be desperate to make his mark at the Euros.
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