Jamie Carragher has defended Gareth Southgate over his bizarre claim that England are 'struggling to replace' Kalvin Phillips, insisting the manager has 'never really had' a suitable partner for Declan Rice since the axed Three Lions star.
Despite sitting top of Group C after their opening two Euro 2024 matches, England have looked listless, dull and unconvincing so far in Germany, following up Sunday's 1-0 win over Serbia with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday.
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who started both games in midfield alongside Arsenal star Declan Rice, has ultimately struggled to run the game in the engine room for England and was hooked off by Southgate early in the second half for Conor Gallagher against the Danes.
In a damning assessment of the Liverpool star's performance, Roy Keane claimed that Rice was forced to 'babysit' Alexander-Arnold in midfield, highlighting that the centre of the park is a real problem area for England.
After the match, Southgate admitted that Alexander-Arnold's new position was an 'experiment' to fill the void left by Manchester City midfielder Phillips, who starred for the Three Lions at both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Quizzed about Alexander-Arnold's display, Southgate replied: 'He's had some moments where he has delivered what we thought he would.
'We know it is an experiment and we don't have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips, but we're trying some different things and at the moment we're not flowing as we'd like, that's for sure.'
As fans swarmed to social media to mock the England boss, Carragher defended Southgate's comments and suggested that he may have a point.
'I think the point he was trying to make was that since the last Euros when Phillips was one of England’s best players, he’s never really had a recognised partner for Rice,' the Liverpool legend said.
'He’s tried lots of different combinations without anyone really nailing it.'
Phillips has struggled significantly for minutes at Manchester City since his move from Leeds United in 2022 and failed to impress on his short-term loan spell at West Ham last campaign, earning just three starts in the Premier League all season.
As a result, Southgate admitted earlier this year that he could not continue to pick Phillips based on his lack of form and regular minutes, paving way for the likes of Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton making England's 26-man Euros squad.
Ex-England vice-captain Jordan Henderson, who previously partnered Rice in midfield in the absence of Phillips, has also been axed from the squad following his failed £350,000 per week move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq and subsequent transfer to current club Ajax.
Responding to Southgate's Phillips admission, Ian Wright claimed that Wharton is the best option to play in midfield alongside Rice and urged the Three Lions boss to play him against Slovenia on Tuesday in England's final group stage game.
msiwela07
0
this is the worst conspiracy theory i ever saw lol
not as such mate but look these guys control Southgate. as it is now you can tell in the next match expect to see Galagher in the mid with Rice and expect to see Palmer again. i might have gone too far with the criticism of Southgate but you'll agree with me that English pundits and legends confuse him a lot
mapbcelt
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Southgate is being controlled a lot by these English pundits and legends. he has no balls to go it the way he thinks its the best for the team. these pundits heavily campaigned for TAA to partner Rice in the mid because they are against the selection of Mainoo or Galagher. he bowed to that pressure. instead he should have stuck to the midfield pairing he used on the previous freindly matches prior to this tournament
this is the worst conspiracy theory i ever saw lol
mapbcelt
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Of course Carragher would defend southgate. Mediocre recognizes mediocre 🚶🏾♂️
and you also recognise it! 8th place lol get used to it
mapbcelt
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So if Kevin Phillips is better why didn't you bring him on board??🤔🤔
he hasn't played football since man city signed him
Vanclmrty
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So if Kevin Phillips is better why didn't you bring him on board??🤔🤔
ceuabnor
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Garragher and Southgate were both very very average defenders yet overrated by the English media so it is understandable that he would as a media pundit agree with The Sunday league manager.. really no surprise there😂
hahelnprt
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southgate should sacked 💯
hahelnprt
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gareth Southgate should sacked 💯
Rouadnopry
0
the whole of England means there are no better players than Philips this coach is a joke
Keaacdnoru
0
what these pundits did during their time on the page for England nothing.
Football_Wiz25
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Of course Carragher would defend southgate. Mediocre recognizes mediocre 🚶🏾♂️
yonailmpr
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The coach is a fool there are good players on the bench but don’t know how to use them.
Himbcmp
0
Not too sure about that, Phillips wasn’t ready to join the T.Lions, lack of games went west ham but he didn’t convince
Wadbelmory
0
England legendary are too complaining is like the played more than the present one's
muzcknopy
0
This Southgate guy is hard to understand. How on earth will a good coach takes down three star players in the most important time of the game? You left PL player nominee "Cole Palmer" on bench for two consecutive Games at the Biggest stage. It is because of this Coach that England has not won anything
msiwela07
4
Southgate is being controlled a lot by these English pundits and legends. he has no balls to go it the way he thinks its the best for the team. these pundits heavily campaigned for TAA to partner Rice in the mid because they are against the selection of Mainoo or Galagher. he bowed to that pressure. instead he should have stuck to the midfield pairing he used on the previous freindly matches prior to this tournament