“But I don’t think he will” - Chris Sutton urges Southgate to pick 2 England stars in line-up, predicts result of Euro 2024 knockout clash vs Slovakia

Chris Sutton has called for England boss Gareth Southgate to include Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer in the starting XI to face Slovakia in their Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash. Sutton also backed the Three Lions to win 2-0 at the Veltins-Arena on Sunday, June 30.

Southgate has come under a lot of criticism after his side's underwhelming start to Euro 2024. Despite finishing as Group C winners with five points, they have drawn two of their three games, scoring just two goals in the process. In addition, the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, and Phil Foden have struggled to replicate their club form on the big stage.

Mainoo and Palmer were given opportunities as second-half substitutes in the Three Lions' stalemate against Slovenia. The duo showed moments of brilliance in midfield and further up the pitch, opening up the possibility of them starting in the Round of 16.

Slovakia did well to qualify from the Euro 2024 group of death, finishing third in Group E after all four teams ended with four points each. However, England will still be the firm favorites to progress to the final eight, given their head-to-head record. They have won five of their last six games against Slovakia, with their most recent being a 0-0 draw at Euro 2016.

Sutton wrote (via BBC Sport):

"Some of the criticism of England and especially Gareth Southgate at these Euros has been way over the top. There seems to have been an instant judgement made of them at this tournament despite them winning their group. Their performances have not been there yet but finishing top was the first objective, and they have achieved that."

He added:

"Now we are into the knockout stages and the draw has really opened up for them with France, Spain, Germany and Portugal all on the opposite side. If I was an England player now - and I do have some experience to call on here because I am thinking back to my one cap against Cameroon in 1997 - then I would be thinking that we have not played to our capabilities yet, and what an opportunity this is.

"It is not always the team who starts a tournament the best who go on to win it - look at Portugal in 2016, who began with three draws against Iceland, Austria and Hungary. We all know England can get better, and this is a game they should win."

He continued:

"I covered Slovakia in their first game at these Euros - their surprise win over Belgium - and they are well structured and well-drilled but lack the kind of standout individuals they have had in the past with players such as my old Celtic team-mate Lubomir Moravcik and, more recently, Marek Hamsik.

"Slovakia will try to pick their moments but, if England score early, they should win pretty comfortably. I'm expecting Southgate to make one change from the team that drew with Slovenia and choose Kobbie Mainoo instead of Conor Gallagher in midfield."

He then concluded:

"I actually want him to pick Cole Palmer, whose creativity in the 20 minutes he played in that game made England look a far more potent team, as his number 10... but I don't think he will."

Sutton's Prediction: 2-0

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"I was really surprised he wasn’t selected" - Wayne Rooney left shocked by England star's omission from Euro 2024 squad

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has admitted he was left surprised and shocked after Gareth Southgate decided not to include Chelsea star Ben Chilwell in his final squad for Euro 2024.

Fans were left dumbfounded after Southgate opted to include Luke Shaw over Chilwell despite the former still recovering from a hamstring injury. Shaw was expected to feature in their second game against Denmark but failed to make an appearance and remains a doubt for the knockout stages.

Rooney told BBC (via METRO):

"I was very surprised and really shocked that Ben Chilwell didn’t get picked. Just for balance of having a left-footed player there. You’re talking about a player at Chelsea. He has been good for England in the past, he’s a good left-back and he’s been at tournaments as well. So I was really surprised he wasn’t selected and now you’re left with [Kieran] Trippier or [Joe] Gomez."

Kieran Trippier has started at left-back for the Three Lions but has struggled to offer much going forward. While Chilwell will be missed, Southgate could also trust Joe Gomez after the latter had a brilliant season for Liverpool, showing he can play at a high level across each position in the back four.