Sam Allardyce says Gareth Southgate has made same sub error in both of England’s matches

Gareth Southgate has come under fire for substituting Trent Alexander-Arnold off for Conor Gallagher in both of England’s Euro 2024 clashes.

Former England boss Sam Allardyce openly criticised the manager’s tactics following the team’s lacklustre performances in their first two Group C games. Tournament favourites England managed to secure four points from their fixtures against Serbia and Denmark, but left a lot to be desired with their attacking play.

Southgate’s gamble of deploying Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role in particular has been met with much scepticism. Although Alexander-Arnold offered some incisive passes, the move has been unsuccessful overall, with the player struggling to adapt to the demands of the new role in terms of positioning and pressing.

That was highlighted by Southgate’s decision to replace Alexander-Arnold at the 69th minute mark against Serbia and again in the 54th minute against Denmark, each time bringing on Chelsea’s midfielder Gallagher. And Allardyce didn’t hold back in his disapproval.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Allardyce said: “I don’t think Conor Gallagher’s the answer. Conor’s still a young guy learning his trade. His work rate, closing down and winning the ball is very good but his passing is not quite the best or good enough yet to warrant that place.

“If Southgate is still stuck on playing two in the middle, they need to put Jude [Bellingham] back there because he can do both roles equally well. That’s where he started anyway, in the deeper position.”

Allardyce added: “Southgate’s coaches must have a say as well. They’ve got to say ‘gaffer you can’t keep playing like that. You’ve got to stop’.

“If they don’t then they’re more to blame than Gareth. You’ve got to change it and try something different with the players and system.”

Bellingham has thus far played in the attacking-midfield position, where he has thrived since joining Real Madrid, winning the La Liga and Champions League double in his first season. But that has caused several imbalances across the England line-up.

One of those has been the need for a new central-midfielder alongside Declan Rice, where there is currently no standout candidate in Southgate’s mind. The manager shocked fans and pundits alike by stating England still miss the struggling Kalvin Phillips after Thursday’s drab 1-1 draw to Denmark.

Another problem born out of Bellingham’s free role is Phil Foden being shifted to the left. With Foden’s tendency to drift inwards, England have been left without any width on that flank throughout the tournament, an issue exacerbated by the lack of a left-footed left-back in the absence of Luke Shaw.

Aside from Bellingham, Gallagher and Alexander-Arnold, Southgate’s midfield options to partner with Rice in the double pivot include Manchester United’s rising star Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace’s emerging talent Adam Wharton.