Following England’s 1-1 draw against Denmark, Southgate stated that Arnold is not a viable replacement for Phillips, and the team’s midfield issues were entirely due to Phillips’ unavailability for the Euros.
Today, former Premier League star Ian Wright countered Southgate’s comments in a show, arguing that blame should not be solely attributed to one individual. Wright believes there is a player in Southgate’s squad who can step in alongside him as a central midfielder.
Wright said, “The alternatives now are either Menu or Adam Walton; I might lean towards Walton. He’s an exceptional player. I watched a few Crystal Palace games towards the end of the season, and he displayed composure and great passing ability. He has a high football IQ and remains calm in any situation, which is why he was called up to the national team.”
“We’ve secured four points and qualified; now, when facing problems, we should try changes. There might not be a perfect replacement for Phillips, but we can experiment with different options.”