Five issues we realized as England serve up snoozefest vs Slovenia at Euro 2024

England are through to the knockout stages, and Gareth Southgate’s side have done so by topping Group C.

It’s been been convincing, the Three Lions have let out so much of a murmur during their time in Germany this summer. A win against Serbia, in a game that could have gone either way, was followed by two bore draws with Denmark and Slovenia.

The Three Lions need to take a hard look at their performance – as they should have against Denmark – and Daily Star Sport is looking to provide Southgate some help. Here are five things we learned against Slovenia.

Play Phil Foden down the middle

We’re not football managers, we can’t claim to have walked in Gareth Southgate’s shoes – but it’s becoming more and more obvious Phil Foden has to play down the centre.

Foden has been deployed on the left for all three of the group games – he’s wasted out there.

Alongside Bellingham, Foden is the most exciting player in this England team, and if we want to go deep into the knockout stages it’s time we started acting like it.

What did you think of England’s perfromance against Slovenia? Let us know in the comments section

Conor Gallagher isn’t Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement

Trent Alexander-Arnold had been made out as the scapegoat for England’s opening two clashes with Serbia and Denmark. And he was dropped by Gareth Southgate for Tuesday’s match-up.

Conor Gallagher, who had been subbed on for the Liverpudlian in the past two games, was given the nod – but he was almost invisible. And come half-time Gallagher himself had been hooked for Kobbie Mainoo.

Mainoo played well, but at his tender age he can’t be expected to gel together England’s faltering midfield.

Jude Bellingham isn’t exempt from criticism

England’s Euro 2024 campaign has been played to the backdrop of the Beatles’ classic ‘Hey Jude’. And while Bellingham has been excellent, he got lost against Slovenia.

He was petulant, kicking out at teammates as England struggled to click as a unit. Bellingham has all the talent in the world – but he was, at times, invisible against the Balkan nation.

Bellingham needs to be thriving in these kind of games, not chasing lost causes across the pitch.

It’s Cole Palmer time, finally

England were again, on Thursday, way too passive, and the calls for Cole Palmer’s inclusion were finally answered by Gareth Southgate.

Palmer has been a revelation in the Premier League this season, swapping Manchester City for Chelsea to a wealth of success. Palmer is direct, he demands the ball and drives the ball into the box; he doesn’t turn and look for a pass.

The Chelsea star had been resigned to the bench for the Euros so far, until Southgate finally called upon him against Slovenia. England fans can only hope to see more of him in the knockouts.

Marc Guehi is brilliant

There were question marks raised about Marc Guehi when it emerged the Crystal Palace man would be playing at the heart of the defence during the Euros.

However, Guehi has stepped up for the Three Lions, making a crucial block against Slovenia in the first half to deny Benjamin Sesko what would have been surely a goal-scoring opportunity.

It’s fair to say Guehi has earned his spot at this summer’s tournament – and it’s one he might not relinquish for a very long time.