England has struggled to convince so far at Euro 2024 with their pedestrian attack earning the most criticism but Gareth Southgate’s former teammate has an idea
Gareth Southgate has been urged to take an all-guns-blazing approach with England – or face early elimination.
Dion Dublin, a four-time England international, has been following Southgate’s stuttering side at Euro 2024 as they’ve picked up four points from two games with unconvincing performances. And Dublin believes the solution is going all out attack and playing all three of Harry Kane, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins up front.
Speaking to Mirror Football, he said: “Play them all! That would be great. I do think he [Southgate] has got a decision to make. Harry Kane will start but I’d love to see one of the other two get some time.”
Kane has summed up England’s troubles, with the captain starved of service. Dublin has called on the forward, who netted against Denmark, to demand more from his team-mates.
“He should say: ‘Give me some more supply!’ When you drop deep like Harry does, you’re not getting enough of the ball,” added Dublin. “You’re not involved enough.
“Harry Kane wants to be involved all the time, you need to create chances for him. You need to give him a chance to stay at centre-forward and do the work around him, simple as that.”
Kane was replaced by Watkins against Denmark, who immediately showed his threat with a run in behind the defence, and he could be a valuable weapon in Tuesday’s Group C finale against Slovenia.
“I think it puts the opponents on the backfoot somewhat,” Dublin said. “Harry Kane is not going to do that. He has got pace and power but he hasn’t got lightning pace like Ollie.
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“I think what happens then is the game gets bigger, the back four drop off and they’ve got more space to play in midfield. That ball in behind is so dangerous if you’ve got someone who can get on the end of it.
“If you haven’t got somebody who can get on the end of it, then you’re always going to play in front of the defence. So yes I think Ollie Watkins is an amazing option off the bench, and so is Ivan Toney, I’d just like to see more of them.”
England’s form has seen questions asked of Southgate, whose contract runs out at the end of the year. Dublin shared a dressing room with the Three Lions boss and admits he could quit after the Euros.
“I hope for him as a mate, I don’t want it to be his last [tournament],” he said. “But Gareth has got a lot of humility and if he feels it’s not working and he’s reached the end of his line.
“He will make the decision and go, ‘Right, listen, I’m going to leave because I don’t think I can contribute anymore’. He won’t leave to escape, to be a coward. If he can’t contribute and make England better and win trophies with England he will leave.”
Audiences can watch and listen to live coverage of Euro 24 across BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, Radio, BBC Sounds and Online
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
