BonusCodeBets had the pleasure of sitting down with former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes who gave us a preview of England’s EURO 2024 final clash with Spain this Sunday. Barnes believes that Foden and Bellingham will be crucial if England are to come out on top.
England have to find Bellingham and Foden in central pockets
Sunday could be a career defining game for the eleven players selected to take on favourites Spain this sunday. They will be 90 minutes away from leading England towards major championship glory. In their way will be Spain who so far have been the best team in the competition. England have shown signs of improving in recent games, especially the 2-1 win over the Netherlands. Foden, especially, had his liveliest game of the tournament where he constantly received the ball in dangerous areas before either striking on goal or connecting with his fellow attackers. Barnes urges England to find both Foden and Jude Bellingham quickly in the pockets when they manage to get the ball from Spain.
“Well, England obviously have to be very wary of possession when they have the ball and everybody’s got to work hard out of possession. They’ve got to play the way they did against the Netherlands. Keep the ball moving quickly. Get the ball to Foden and Bellingham in the inside right and inside the left positions high up the field to then create with the fullbacks overlapping to put crosses in.
“That’s why the pleasing thing for me was England dominated possession against Holland, whereas Netherlands normally have more possession. Spain will probably have more possession than England because that’s the way Spain plays.
“But in possession they have to be brave. They have to have the right shape to get the full backs high up the pitch. With Foden and Bellingham being in the inside left and inside right positions, facing forward rather than coming short to get the ball. The problem they’ll have is when they haven’t got the ball.”
Southgate’s left-back dilemma
One of the dilemmas Southgate will face is whether to stick with the back 3 or revert back to the four defenders he used in England’s first four matches. With Luke Shaw now back in contention and Trippier having looked uncomfortable at left back, Southgate will have some decisions to make. Spain and Lamine Yamal have enjoyed a sensational tournament so far and could play a role in the decision to start Trippier or Shaw. Barnes is pleased with the decision to go with a back three but remained on the fence as to whether Trippier or Shaw should start.
“England look much more comfortable with a back three because it gives you an extra person pushing into midfield from the back. Mark Guehi does it as well and John Stones does it. With Luke Shaw being a natural left sided player, that gives you a good balance as well if he starts. So this looks a much better balanced team than I’ve seen throughout the tournament.
“Luke Shaw could come in but I don’t know if he’s fit. And of course you have to consider the fact that Trippier is a more solid defender at this moment in time. But in terms of coming forward and having a good balance from an attacking perspective you’d probably look at Shaw. So it wouldn’t surprise me if Gareth did that.”
