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SPOTLIGHTS
- Ashley Young advises Southgate to play Foden and Bellingham as number 10s
- England secured a 1-0 win against Serbia but faced mild criticism
- Young suggests a tactical switch to enhance England’s attacking play
- England’s next match is against Denmark on Thursday in Frankfurt
By John Ogunsemore
Former England star Ashley Young has asked coach Gareth Southgate to play Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham as number 10s as the Three Lions gear up for their second game of Euro 2024.
England clinched a nervy 1-0 victory against Serbia on Sunday amid mild criticism from fans.
The 39-year-old Young, who was capped 39 times for England between 2007 and 2018, has suggested a tactical switch that could help Southgate’s squad improve their play going forward.
The Three Lions play Denmark on Thursday in Frankfurt.
Young advised the England manager to consider playing Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham as central midfielders in front of one defensive midfielder.
Read also: Euro 2024: Everything you need to know about the Belgium vs Slovakia game
“We want to see Phil Foden AND (Jude) Bellingham as 10s to have someone else to play,” he told TalkSPORT.
“I think you take away another defensive midfielder and just play one, and put the two in front of him. And then you bring in…a (Antony) Gordon or an (Eberechi) Eze onto the left wing.
“Phil Foden, he has played there for City but I think he’s more effective as a number 10 when he does create more. Instead of taking players on, it’s getting in those pockets, getting those spaces to create for others or get goals. So I think it’s going to be something that Gareth looks at.
“If we want to be more proactive and on the front foot, I think that having the two number 10s instead of the two sixes will help the team get up the pitch and get in those pockets and start creating more chances,” the Everton defender added.
