Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named alongside Declan Rice in England’s midfield for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia tonight.
Mail Sport revealed on Monday that Gareth Southgate was seriously considering playing the Liverpool star in midfield.
Southgate has been working with Alexander-Arnold for 12 months to prepare him for the role, claiming on Friday that he has “as good a passing range as anyone in world football”.
Jude Bellingham takes the number 10 spot in an exciting 4-2-3-1 formation, flanked by Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden and sitting behind Harry Kane.
England begin their Euro campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen at 8pm before facing Denmark and Slovenia.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been chosen to start in midfield for England’s Euro 2024 opener
Gareth Southgate has been working with Alexander-Arnold for the last year to prepare him.
England stares at their surroundings after arriving in Gelsenkirchen to face Serbia
Marc Guehi has been selected to start at centre-back alongside John Stones, and Harry Maguire will miss the tournament due to injury.
Jordan Pickford begins his fourth major tournament between the sticks for England, earning his 62nd cap.
Kieran Trippier fills in as a makeshift left-back while Kyle Walker fills in at right-back.
Luke Shaw, 28, has not played since injuring his hamstring in February and only returned to training earlier this week, so Trippier starts above him.
Asked if Alexander-Arnold is ready to start in central midfield alongside Rice, Southgate told ITV Sport on Friday: “We think so.” We believe he can offer something we don’t have and give the team a different dimension. He’s been really diligent in understanding the role.
“He has as good a passing range as anyone in world football. He has been very keen to learn and understand all aspects of the game in that role.
‘I have enjoyed working with him on that project over the last 12 months. His mentality and attitude towards this has been absolutely first class.’
Southgate has had to deal with some selection issues ahead of Euro 2024, particularly the absence of Harry Maguire.
Jude Bellingham will start at number 10, flanked by Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden and behind Harry Kane.
Marc Guehi has won the battle with Lewis Dunk to start alongside John Stones at the back
Kieran Trippier (centre) takes over at left back following Luke Shaw’s recent injury problems
Stones, Saka and Luke Shaw have all had health issues upon arriving at camp.
There was much debate over whether Southgate, often perceived as a tactically cautious manager, would “remove the handbrake”.
The decision to start Alexander-Arnold to make the most of his attacking qualities, rather than starting Conor Gallagher, is seen as a forward-thinking decision.
Meanwhile, the decision to opt for a 4-2-3-1 with Bellingham leading the midfield, rather than a 4-3-3, is aimed at capitalizing on his clinical advantage.
Bellingham scored 23 goals and assisted 13 more in his debut season at Real Madrid, but took on a deeper role towards the end of the season.
