Former England midfielder Chris Waddle has suggested that manager Gareth Southgate should consider dropping Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden for their upcoming Euro 2024 semifinal match against the Netherlands.
The England team, known as the Three Lions, is set to face the Netherlands in a highly-anticipated clash on Wednesday night, aiming to advance to the final against Spain.
Despite Bellingham’s crucial last-minute goal securing England’s progression in the tournament, both he and his teammates have faced criticism for their performances, prompting pundits and fans to advocate for their exclusion from the starting lineup.
Chris Waddle has also suggested that Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze should be considered for inclusion in the lineup.
“If I’m Cole Palmer or Eberechi Eze, I’m having a word with the manager asking him to give me some minutes when the scores are level, rather than coming in when England are staring down the barrel of a defeat.
“I think that Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are getting into the team in front of Palmer and Eze because they work a little bit harder off the ball, but Bellingham and Foden simply aren’t doing it [playing well]. Our performances have improved when Palmer and Eze have been introduced, we look much better with them in the side.”
Southgate and his team have the opportunity to make history on Wednesday by reaching the final, which would be their first appearance in a European Championship final not held in England.
