Scholes names England team to face Slovenia with another new position for TAA

PAUL SCHOLES wants to see Gareth Southgate make two big changes in England’s final group stage match against Slovenia.

The Three Lions are top of the group having beaten Serbia despite then drawing against Denmark.

Trent Alexander-Arnold started in a midfield pair with Declan Rice in both games but came under fire for his performances.

Conor Gallagher is set to now replace the Liverpool full-back – but Manchester United legend Scholes wants to see him stay in the team, albeit in another unfamiliar position for the right-back.

The ex-England international called for Alexander-Arnold to instead replace Kieran Trippier on the left of a back four.

Kyle Walker has started on the right with Trippier forced onto his unfavoured left in the absence of Luke Shaw.

But with Trippier injured, and Shaw still not fit, Southgate needs to find a solution.

Another big change Scholes wants to see is United starlet Kobbie Mainoo partnering Rice in midfield.

Mainoo has made four international appearances – but not yet in a major tournament.

Gallagher is due to come into the starting line up but Scholes – who won 66 England caps – tips Mainoo as the man for the future.

He told TNT Sports: “Obviously, I said I’d like to see Mainoo come into the midfield.

“I think he is, along with Declan Rice, probably England’s best midfielder. 

“To have a right back playing in there in your position and you’ve gone as a central midfielder, that won’t be nice. It will be difficult to take. 

“I see Kobbie Mainoo in this England squad, in this England team for the next 10 years at least.

“He’ll bring quality into that midfield area that we’ve really lacked. He knows the position, he’s played the position. He’ll help Declan Rice.

“He’ll help Jude Bellingham and he could possibly knit the whole thing together.”

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *