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1 year ago
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Jamie Carragher has named the England midfield combination he believes can make them Euro 2024 challengers next summer.
Gareth Southgate's side qualified for their eighth successive major tournament with ease last month following a 3-1 victory over Italy at Wembley.
They faced two further Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures over the past week, beating Malta 2-0 last Friday and drawing 1-1 with North Macedonia on Monday evening and are now all set for the tournament's group stage draw on December 2.
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are undoubtedly Southgate's first choice options in midfield, and the likes of Conor Gallagher, Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been tried alongside them in recent international fixtures.
The position remains up for grabs and the utilisation of Alexander-Arnold there is a topic that has generated much discussion in recent times, with the 25-year-old featuring in midfield against Malta and North Macedonia.
Jamie Carragher has revealed the England midfield combination he would select at Euro 2024
Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are the first choice options, but there is another spot open
Southgate has tried several options such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kalvin Phillips there
While he tends to perform a hybrid dual role for Liverpool, Southgate has listed him as a midfielder in recent squads and first used him there in a 2021 World Cup qualifier against Andorra, which led to Jurgen Klopp questioning the decision.
However, Carragher felt it was a move that made sense and claimed Alexander-Arnold deserved a place in England's midfield for next summer's tournament in Germany.
'Southgate demonstrated his foresight when identifying this a few years ago, initially criticised for using Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder,' he told his column in The Telegraph.
'Although England were not great against Malta and North Macedonia, there was plenty to like about Alexander-Arnold’s performances, especially in the first game.
'An exciting, balanced midfield trio of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Alexander-Arnold can take the national team close to winning Euro 2024. They would be my first choice.'
Speaking on international duty last week, Alexander-Arnold hinted an opportunity further forward is something he relishes.
He had said: 'My specific skillset and what I’m best at is someone who plays in the middle.
Alexander-Arnold played in midfield against both Malta and North Macedonia (pictured) last week and Carragher felt he impressed enough to be picked at next summer's tournament
His role as a midfielder for the Three Lions is different to his hybrid dual role for Liverpool
'You probably get more out of me from being in the middle and I’m able to show off that skillset as much as possible.'
And Carragher felt these comments from Alexander-Arnold were more than fair, pointing to the challenge he will face balancing his duties in this weekend's mouthwatering clash against Man City.
He added: 'What other playmakers in the world are expected to run the game from midfield with the ball, only to go chasing speedy left wingers without it?
'Whether he is facing Jeremy Doku or Jack Grealish on Saturday, the expectation for Alexander-Arnold to deliver at both ends of the pitch is massive. It is hard enough doing one job to a world-class level against City, let alone two.'
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