Jack Wilshere fears the pressure that is mounting on England manager GarethSouthgate is forcing him into making uncharacteristic decisions.
The Three Lions made it through to the last 16 of Euro 2024 as Group C winners last night, but only after another uninspiring display.
England were held to a drab goalless draw by Slovenia, a side ranked 57th in the world, having struggled to create clear-cut chances, just as was the case in the two previous games against Denmark and Serbia.
Southgate made one change to his starting XI prior to the match, ending his Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment and adding Conor Gallagher to his midfield engine room.
The Chelsea star, however, lasted just 45 minutes before he was replaced at the start of the second-half by Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo.
FA Cup final man of the match Mainoo delivered an accomplished performance on his first tournament start for his country.
Wilshere is confident the teenager demonstrated enough he is ready to start alongside Declan Rice in England’s next game, but fears the decision to remove Gallagher at half time will have dented the 24-year-old’s confidence.
Former Arsenal star Wilshere told The Sun: ‘Kobbie Maino was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield.
‘I think he showed why in the second half tonight. But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.
‘Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament. And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
‘It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure. He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.
‘Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.
‘He’s only 19 but he understands the game so well and knows what it needs.
‘He is better on the ball than Gallagher and he also allowed Declan Rice to get forward even more in the second half than he had in the first.’
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