England are facing Serbia with an under-strength defence – and Lewis Dunk has been highlighted as the ideal player to fill in for Harry Maguire.
The robust Three Lions will be tackling the formidable Serbian duo of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic in their first group match this Sunday (June 16), reports the Express.
The exclusion of Maguire due to his muscle injury is a significant blow for England boss Gareth Southgate. Originally, he had planned for Maguire to travel to Germany for Euro 2024, but after an injury at the end of his season with Manchester United, these plans had to be scrapped.
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Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is anticipated to be the top choice to partner with John Stones. Yet, speaking on Reach’s new Euro Thrash podcast – which you can find on YouTube, Apple and Spotify – Danny Rose advocated for Dunk as the more sensible option for the first assignment.
Referring to Dunk, the ex-England left-back declared: “I think the natural one would probably be Lewis Dunk for me. When you are talking about physicality in terms of size and build to Maguire in the 2018 World Cup, set pieces were massive for England.”
(Image: Getty Images)
He stated further: “Maguire scored when he was out there, so again I think Dunk fits that mould perfectly. Kyle [Walker] would be an option but if he’s in any of my squads, he’s nailed down to play right-back every day of the week for me.”
Critics question Dunk’s ability owing to his slow reaction when the ball goes in behind him. Nonetheless, Rose does not foresee this being an issue against Serbia, citing their relatively low speed and encouraging Southgate to concentrate on attacking strategies.
“With respect to Mitrovic and Tadic, England have to realise that they are not going to run in behind, so I don’t think there is any need to play with the three or five at the back,” he added. “The two centre-backs or holding midfielder can take care of Mitrovic. For [Kieran] Trippier, just don’t let Tadic come in on his left and then that is half of the problems solved for England.
(Image: Dave Shopland/REX/Shutterstock)
“I wasn’t keen on playing against defenders that could cut in, because once they get half a yard and when you have a left-foot like him, the ball goes into the box and as soon as it goes in, it’s my fault. Tadic has a great left-foot and he is very strong.”
Wes Brown, who co-hosts Euro Thrash with Nubaid Haroon, agrees that Mitrovic is the threat that needs to be neutralised – whether that’s by Dunk or someone else. “Mitrovic wants to fight,” he declared.
“He’s looking to disrupt you in a way, so that is where you need to look at the defence – and we don’t know who is going to be there alongside Stones – and say we need someone who is big and strong and is going to win the headers. We don’t want to be letting Mitrovic upset people. He has been doing it for years.
(Image: Euro Thrash podcast)
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“He does it to everyone and it is nothing personal, that is how he played. We don’t want him to start off the game where he is bullying people, winning headers and bringing it down and turning. That is one player where you think we have to get around that problem. Whether it is [Declan] Rice who comes in, gets in front of him, or with a defender there.”
Watch and listen to Euro Thrash onYouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify with regular new episodes throughout Euro 2024.