England begun their preparations for the 2024 European Championships in Germany with a comfortable, albeit slow, 3-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James’ Park.
In what was a much changed team ahead of the tournament, it was a chance for some of the squad players to stake a claim for a spot on the plane to Germany. One of the players who did exactly that was Cole Palmer, who scored the opening goal of the game from the penalty spot.
The second goal was a thing of beauty from Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he volleyed in superbly after a cross from Jack Grealish. Harry Kane made it 3-0 late on with a rather scrappy finish from a corner.
Cole Palmer impresses
One of the more straightforward decisions for Gareth Southgate was including Chelsea attacking midfielder Palmer in his 30-man squad.
Since moving to Stamford Bridge last summer, Palmer has become one of the finest midfielders in the country and it seems almost a certainty that the former Manchester City player will be on the plane to Germany.
Based off of tonight’s performance in Newcastle, he has staked his claim for a starting spot for the Three Lions. A superb half-turn before slipping in Ollie Watkins in the first half was a brilliant bit of skill. Palmer took his penalty well on his full debut.
He was a constant threat against a Bosnia side who sat deep and defended well. Having Palmer on the bench for when things aren’t going well would be a very simple, albeit popular, decision for Southgate to make.
Southgate hints at defensive selection
One of the main concerns for Southgate in the summer tournament may well be the left-back position. Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw, who was one of the best players for England at the last European Championships in 2021, has had an injury plagued season for the Red Devils.
If Shaw is not fit in time for the Euros then Southgate will have to rethink his team selection and, if his team that played against Bosnia is anything to go by, Kieran Trippier could well be that man.
Trippier has had previous experience of playing at left-back and he was entrusted with that responsibility once again. With Shaw’s availability for the tournament not yet clear, moving the Newcastle right-back to left-back may well be his only option.
England’s reserves struggle to impress
Apart from Palmer and Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze, England’s performance was a hard watch with Bosnia more than happy to sit deep and soak up pressure.
With a whole host of key first team players missing because of featuring in the FA Cup final or, in Jude Bellingham’s case, the Champions League final, it was a much changed team.
With England set to announce their final 26-man squad for the tournament on Saturday, the players who are on the periphery of the team have to do more to impress.
Alexander-Arnold performs well but midfield stint did not work
Despite having a wonderful career at Liverpool, and being the club’s vice captain, things have not quite worked out as well in England’s national team for Alexander-Arnold.
Part of the reason for this has been the consistency of Trippier and Kyle Walker for the national team. Southgate decided to hand Alexander-Arnold a start but in a double pivot alongside Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.
He took his goal extremely well late on but the midfield experiment did not work with England looking much more solid when Palace midfielder Adam Wharton entered the fray, for his England debut. If he is to be part of the final squad, Alexander-Arnold has to play in his favoured role of right-back.
Bosnia provide Serbia blueprint
Ahead of England’s first game at the Euros next weekend, Southgate will have carefully selected this friendly to try and prepare his players for what will be to come in Germany.
The worrying aspect for England was the fact that, barring a flurry of late goals, Bosnia looked comfortable with the Three Lions struggling to create countless clear opportunities.
Despite the team being a much changed one from the 11 which is set to start that encounter, this will be worrying for Southgate with his team failing to put the game beyond any doubt earlier.
England will have to do better next weekend if they are to kick off their European Championship campaign with a win.
The post Liverpool star makes impact: Five things we learned from England's 3-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina appeared first on HITC.
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