Alan Shearer urges England team change involving Newcastle United star for Denmark clash

Alan Shearer believes the introduction of Anthony Gordon on the left-wing could solve a major issue for England ahead of this evening’s Euro 2024 clash against Denmark.

England kicked off their European Championship campaign with a 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday but the performance was far from convincing, with several players below par. Phil Foden was particularly disappointing on the night, the 24-year-old unable to replicate his scintillating form at Manchester City after being deployed out wide with goalscorer Jude Bellingham in the No.10 role.

There have been calls to drop Foden but Shearer believes by moving Bellingham deep and Foden central, the wide left role can be opened up to a more natural and direct option. In such a case, Gordon might hope to earn a first major tournament appearance for England after what has been an outstanding domestic season at Newcastle.

Only Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar played more Premier League minutes than Gordon last season and a tally of 11 goals and 10 assists placed him among the most productive Englishmen. His direct approach might be exactly what the Three Lions need this evening and Shearer has backed a possible start for the Magpies man.

“Is Phil Foden going to continue to play on the left hand side?” Shearer posed on Betfair's Football... Only Bettor: Euros Daily podcast. “I don't think having a right footed left back in Trippier helps Foden, because every time you're getting the ball, you are receiving it on the inside. Those are the things I'd be looking at.

“The two talking points are who plays alongside Rice and who plays on that left side. Saka on the right in the first half was unplayable, he tied the two left sided players inside out, in the second half he didn't really have a kick because they came out and did much better.

“I would play Bellingham alongside Rice and Foden as the 10, which is where he wants to play. I don't think that would be a problem at all, you're playing Bellingham with Rice so you free up that left side for someone who can run in behind, whether that would be Eze or Gordon. That's what I would have done and that's what I'd do against Denmark.

“I think when you look at Denmark, who they are and how they play, I would view it very much like I did the first game for England, I would expect us to win the game and build their confidence. It won't be easy but it would be a game I would expect England to win. I think we'll score at least a couple of goals and I can see us getting a 2-0 or 3-0 victory.”

Victory for England would guarantee their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024, regardless of how Slovenia and Serbia get on in the earlier kick-off. It would also set Southgate's side up well to top Group C, setting up the likelihood of an earlier last-16 draw.