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that midfield is getting ruined defensively

at Arsenal, Saka will have White overlapping or underlapping to create space. Odegaard obviously contributes too. At City Foden will have a Gvardiol supporting with one of their many midfielders supporting. Walker cannot consistently do that anymore, so Saka is isolated most of the time. Trippier hasn't done it at all for Foden.

think this is lazy. Saka created Bellingham's goal by going on the outside. Saka is well known for being able to go on the outside too. I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but there's no one attacking the spaces to create space for a Saka (or Foden) If one or two players struggle, it's probably on them. If basically everyone looks lost then it's on the coaching staff

Kane played a really great ball in the second half to Bellingham. Foden wasn't attacking that left hand side though because that's not his natural game. Kane won't look great because of how the team is set up. What was his best tournament, 2018? Alli and Sterling, both runners playing as close to him as possible. Look at the start of the last World Cup. Kane, Bellingham and Saka played close together. Two runners to play off of Kane. Rashford came in wide left to really stretch the play. Today we had Bellingham playing LWB. Saka playing RW and Kane playing CDM.

yeah I don't think Palmer was bad or anything, it was just a bad sub. Now, if Southgate subbed Palmer and Gordon on for Saka and Foden that would be much better. Just no respect from Southgate for how a team works and should be set up.

should qualify this. It's a small sample size but evidence that he's not the type of player that can play with Kane.

think I'm on board with this. Gordon for Foden is what I want to see.

would rather see Saka get dropped then move him to somewhere he hasn't played in 5 years No one in that front three is running either. All 3 that show for the ball.

zero completed dribbles from Palmer fwiw.

yeah but Walker is a defender. It's completely different.

Saka has never played LB in a back 4.

creativity doesn't matter if there's no runners. A balance is needed. If Palmer starts then at least one of Saka/Watkins/Gordon must start

to add to this, if Palmer comes on that Watkins should go up top. Why is Gordon getting a few minutes? Why did Southgate not take a left back? Just outrageously poor. The squad is playing like it's 2010 where every player seemed miserable.

That Palmer for Saka sub sums up Southgate for me. No issue with Saka going off and Palmer was fine but the game was crying out for a runner, not someone was likes the ball played to feet (like Foden) Southgate doesn't respect or understand what's need in a game. He doesn't care for partnerships, particularly attacking ones. Has to be gone after this tournament.

yeah like 9 pens or something