On The Champions League
Arsenal are London’s only club left in the competition. Even with your Chelsea connections, will you be cheering on the Gunners on Tuesday night?
(Laughs) I’ve always liked Arsenal because of the club’s French influence with Arsene Wenger and all of the great French players that have worn the shirt over the years.
Even though I played for Chelsea, I can relate to Arsenal’s philosophy. They have a young manager in Mikel Arteta, and, as I study for my coaching badges, he is someone that I’m looking up to for what he has achieved at Arsenal since he took over.
Arsenal are a club that are improving. They have reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League this season while challenging for the Premier League title – I would like to see them go further in the Champions League and I think they will.
Bayern Munich will be a difficult test for Arsenal. Arsenal’s players have improved a lot over the last few years – they are more mature – and I think this group will want to show that it is one of the best teams in the world by beating Bayern Munich and progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
For Arsenal, it’s an interesting test. Bayern have given Arsenal some spankings in the Champions League and they have been humiliated by them before. I think this will be very different.
This match is a huge milestone in the history of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal management. Beating Bayern Munich would give this team a great confidence boost, while also demonstrating to the Arsenal players that they belong in an elite category and are a team that can compete with the best club sides in the world. Arsenal can be a big danger to the other teams in the competition.
Milestone clash for Arteta
Is this an opportunity for Arsenal to make a statement?
The Bayern tie is definitely an opportunity for Arsenal to make a statement. Arsenal is challenging on two fronts, competing for the two biggest competitions in the world. They are consistently performing at a high level. I think they are ready to announce themselves on the world stage of football.
Bukayo Saka has 3 goals and four assists in seven Champions League matches this season. There has been a bit of a debate about whether or not he is a world-class talent – what are your thoughts on the matter?
I don’t think there is any doubt that Saka is a world-class player. I think the debate in England was caused when he was compared to Phil Foden, who was maybe in better form at the time.
He is such a young player with so much responsibility for his club. He makes the difference for Arsenal and has been one of the reasons why they are top of the league now, so he is certainly a world-class player.
He is an England international who always plays. Despite his young age, he has a lot of experience. He is still developing and improving, I think he has found things a little bit more challenging this season physically. His game is all about physicality and beating players and, at times, I think he has looked a little bit tired. He has had to deal with a lot of close attention from Arsenal’s opponents this season, but despite this, his numbers in terms of goals and assists are improving.
As a young player, what he is doing for Arsenal is very impressive. There is no debate for me. He is a world-class player that knows how to handle the pressure of playing in the big games.
On the same side of the draw, Real Madrid are taking on Manchester City with your old boss Carlo Ancelotti in charge. How do you expect this game to go?
This is a match that I’m looking forward to. The coaches know each other well and so do the players because they have been drawn against each other a lot over the last few years.
The key difference compared to the last few years is that Real Madrid can’t call on Karim Benzema anymore and they have had a few injuries this season – Thibaut Courtois is out of the game.
I think that City has the advantage. They have a full squad of players to choose from and I expect them to go through over the two legs.
On Carlo Ancelotti
What’s Carlo like as a manager and how will he be preparing his players for this match against Manchester City?
From the outside, it may seem like Carlo is very relaxed, but he is a winner. His achievements as a player and a manager should never be forgotten – his CV is unbelievable - throughout his career he has got the best out of his players and has consistently won trophies.
He is super competitive. I think he has been working a lot on himself over the last few years and he transfers confidence and belief to his players through his own positivity.
When it comes to man management, my experience with Carlo and from what I’ve seen of Real Madrid over the last few years, is a man that listens to his players. He will make his own choices, but he likes to get feedback from his players. He is a very intelligent man, both his football and his emotional intelligence, and he makes his players feel trusted and confident. When a player has this support from the manager, it gives them a platform to go and perform at the top of their game and to be the best version of themselves.
There was a lot of pressure playing for Chelsea, we were competing in all the competitions, but he translated complex information into simple instructions, which gave us (the players) the keys to victory. He assigns roles and responsibilities to his players in a very calm way and helps his players manage external pressure.
Ancelotti is using a diamond formation at Real Madrid, a system that he has used a lot throughout his career. Is he using this system because he is lacking a world-class number nine or because it unlocks the attacking ability of Jude Bellingham? When Bellingham joined Madrid, I didn’t see him playing at the tip of that diamond.
I think what Ancelotti has done with Bellingham this season demonstrates his football IQ. In the 09/10 season at Chelsea, he brought the diamond formation, and as a group of players we were used to playing 433 for years. He evolved the tactics of the team to get the most out of the players in his squad. He found more balance in the team, and we worked tirelessly on our shape with and without the ball. The diamond was just a starting position – it was a reference – because the players were given a lot of freedom of movement and the system flourished.
When it comes to Bellingham, Carlo has seen his attacking potential and has given him the platform to unlock that. He is using a system that gets the absolute maximum out of his squad of players.
I think we also need to credit his communication skills. Since Bellingham has joined the club, Ancelotti has changed his formation and the players have adapted very quickly (to a new formation).
Bellingham quickly established himself as the main man at the club at a very young age. I think that tells you a lot about Bellingham’s personality and his mentality. He is a big character, but he is very popular (in the squad) and you can see that by the relationships he has with the likes of Eduardo Camavinga and AurélienTchouaméni. Carlo deserves a lot of credit for keeping all his players happy.
Ancelotti a winner
Is that one of Carlo’s greatest strengths as a manager? His ability to create a competitive environment where all of his key players are happy?
Ancelotti has fantastic man management skills. I think that is one of his greatest strengths as a manager and his ability to adapt and remain relatable to every single one of his players.
He’s managed in Italy, France, England, Spain – football has changed immeasurably during his time in the game – but he remains because he has the ability to adapt. He can communicate with Luka Modric (38) as well as he can communicate with Jude Bellingham (20). He connects everyone. That communication channel is a massive part of his success, and he allows players from every generation to express themselves.
Kylian Mbappe has apparently agreed to join Real Madrid in the summer. Do expect Carlo to tweak his system again to accommodate Mbappe – where do you think he will play for him and what can Mbappe expect from working under him?
The most important part of any relationship between a player and a manager is having that human connection. If Kylian joins Real Madrid in the summer, he will understand that he must deliver right away and will be under a lot of pressure to succeed immediately.
Carlo will help him manage the mental side of the move. He will also find a way to fit Mbappe into a very well-oiled Real Madrid side while maintaining the right balance. Changes will have to be made – he will have to reassign some players roles and responsibilities – because if Kylian joins Real Madrid in the summer, he will have to be the main man. I am confident in Carlo’s abilities to connect with Kylian, especially as a former PSG coach.
Let’s give Kylian four years to rip up La Liga and then can you try and convince him to come to the Premier League (laughs).
(Laughs) I’ve been trying to convince Mbappe to come to the Premier League! The Premier League is a very convincing competition. If he joins Real Madrid, that will be because it his dream to play for them.
Gerard Houllier said: “At one point in your career, if you’re a top player, you have to play in the Premier League.” Kylian will be interested in the challenge. After playing for Real Madrid in your prime, what is the next step? If he wants the experience, it must be the Premier League and I hope that Chelsea can fix our problems so that we can become an attractive destination for Mbappe in the future.
The Premier League is the most competitive league in the world. There is no doubt that it wouldn’t be improved by Mbappe.
Who Will Win The Champions League
Out of the club’s left in the tournament, who would you tip to go on and lift the famous trophy?
For me, the favourite must be Manchester City. I think they will retain the trophy and they look like the strongest team left in the competition. Of course, they have that experience of winning it, which will help them. City have been consistently performing well in the Champions League for years now, so they are my favourites.
I also think that PSG could do something surprising, especially if they beat Barcelona. If Kylian is going to leave PSG this summer, then what a way to leave the club by winning the Champions League for the first time in its history. Without Messi and Neymar, PSG have found the right balance and can beat anyone on their day. They are an ambitious team, and the Champions League trophy is the one that they want the most in Paris.
Luis Enrique is doing a very good job. He has changed the mindset and has had a transformative effect on the club.
Enrique changed the mindset at Barca
On The Premier League
Florent, as the Premier League season enters the final hurdle, I wanted to get your observations on things that you’ve seen so far.
Who do you think have been the three best attacking players in the league this season and what is about their performances that has caught your eye?
If I had to pick three players, I would go for the top scorer, Manchester City’s ErlingHaaland at number one. He is still performing well even if he hasn’t hit the heights of his first season. He is a goal machine, who is finding life in the Premier League a little bit more difficult this year, but I expect him to reach his peak as we approach the business end of the season when titles are won. A player like Haaland could very easily be the difference between Manchester City retaining their title and finishing third.
Mo Salah is my second choice. He is so consistent at the highest level and has such a big impact on this Liverpool team. You know he will always give you goals and assists.
Then Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa. He has had a very impressive season for Villa this year. His performances are consistent, he has scored and created a lot of goals and he is one of the reasons why Aston Villa are having such a successful season.
From what you’ve seen so far, and if you were still playing, who are the three Premier League defenders that you wouldn’t want to face this season / have impressed you the most?
Football has changed a lot since I played. The game has become very athletic, so the defenders that catch my eye are always the players that are able to win their duels aggressively and have the tactical intelligence to impact the attackers without the ball.
Virgil van Dijk is at the top of the list. I think that Virgil has demonstrated over the last few seasons that he is the most dependable defender in the Premier League. His IQ and his athleticism, even after his injury, are superb. He is a fantastic leader as well.
I would then pick Arsenal’s William Saliba. I think Saliba has been really impressive for Arsenal this season and is one of the reasons the club are currently at the top of the Premier League. He has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel.
I really like Akanjiat Manchester City too. He is an extremely versatile and reliable player for Pep Guardiola who can cover any position in the City defensive line. He is also very good on the ball, like any player in Pep’s team.
We’re getting to that time of the year where votes are cast for the Premier League player of the season. Some of the names in the running include Phil Foden, Rodri, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah – who would you give the award to?
It’s hard to say who will win the Player of the Year Award at the moment. The title race is so close, and I don’t think there is one outstanding candidate from Phil Foden, Rodri, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah because all of these players have performed so well this season.
I think the Player of the Year should always come from the team that wins the Premier League title. When I look at the title race, I have the feeling that Manchester City will end the season as champions, but it will be so close. If that is the case, then I think a player like Rodri would deserve the award because he’s always very consistent with his performances.
We’ve got a three-way title race for the first time in ages. Do you think it will go to the wire and who do you think will be crowned Premier League champions in May?
I think the title race will definitely go to the final weekend. The three teams have similar fixtures, and all of the teams are still in European competition. Most of them have their full squads available and can rotate players, that means they will be able to keep up the same level of intensity.
It’s the time of the season for big players to make a difference. I think City have more world-class players than Liverpool and Arsenal and that will be enough to get them over the line in the end, but it will be very close.
Malouda backing City
On Chelsea
I thought the draw against Sheffield United was the perfect illustration of Chelsea’s struggle to deliver consistent performances this season. Why do you think your old club have struggled with consistency this season and are you worried by what you’re seeing at Chelsea?
What we’re seeing at Chelsea this season is a lack of consistency, not just over the course of the season, but over the course of the same game! When you watch Chelsea, sometimes you think that you’re watching a team that is capable of scoring four goals in the first half, that everything is going well. I was at Stamford Bridge watching the Leicester game in the FA Cup, Chelsea were playing with a lot of intensity, and everything looked brilliant until it wasn’t. It only takes one mistake to knock the confidence out of this Chelsea team and then the chaos starts.
The Chelsea players need to develop a capacity to control their emotions on the pitch. They don’t have the emotional balance that allows you to keep control of the game, and that is down to the composition of the squad. When you chose to focus on a project with mostly young players, you will always find this inconsistency because all of these players are learning at the same time.
Chelsea yo-yo in games this season. You can see there is potential because they have been able to compete with Manchester City on a tactical and physical level in both games this season; the players are becoming more experienced. We know this group can perform – we’ve seen them show up – but to be able to maintain the level of performance and consistency (like against Manchester City) then this squads needs to add one or two experienced players in the summer. Chelsea are missing leadership and the ability to be able to control a game.
There have been situations this season where players have stepped up. At times, Enzo Fernandez has taken responsibility, but it hasn’t happened enough, and Chelsea need more players that can control their emotions and have experience of getting through tough periods of games.
When the team is confident, the potential of the group is very impressive.
We know Chelsea can mix it up with the best teams in the league, we’ve seen them do it this season, but as soon as a mistake happens, the confidence gets sucked out of the team and they fall to pieces. It’s almost like muscle memory where these players remember the experiences of last season and seem powerless to stop the tide.
Exactly.
There is a fragility within this group. How much responsibility does Maurico Pochettino have to shoulder for what is happening with Chelsea this season?
It’s simple, the manager always has to take full responsibility for performances on the pitch, regardless of the circumstances. It’s Pochettino’s job to address the fans and talk to the media after the game, he never hides from that.
I can remember when he was talking about the injuries that Chelsea were suffering from and claimed that his team didn’t have enough depth. There have certainly been injuries, but it’s hard to make a case for squad depth when the club has spent so much money on players.
I don’t think that this season has been a disaster for the club. We got to the League Cup final, we’re in the semi-finals of the FA Cup…this is a team that is still developing with Poch. The problem is that, historically, at a club like Chelsea, managers aren’t given the time to get things right because of the expectations from the fans and the owners, and because of the money that has been spent on players.
At the moment, Poch needs to focus on his communication with his players. He can’t change anything while the transfer window is closed, so it’s all about finishing the season in the strongest possible way and that starts with good communication.
Pochettino can’t be satisfied with how things have gone this season. People have spoken about qualifying for Europe. That should never be the goal of Chelsea Football Club. Chelsea must challenge for trophies. We missed out on the League Cup, but there is still a chance to lift a trophy with the FA Cup this season. People will be angry if Chelsea finish the season without a trophy and without qualifying for European competition. That is on the manager, and it is his responsibility.
Pochettino can't be satisfied
When you played for the club, Chelsea were competing for everything. How long do you think it will be before Chelsea can start challenging for major titles again?
The aim and ambition for Chelsea is to win something this season. We were close in the League Cup final and we’re still in the FA Cup final, albeit with a difficult semi-final against Manchester City.
I believe that Chelsea will be competitive again. I believe that the club will once again be competing for the biggest prizes in football. The players need to change their mindset and they need to believe in their ability to compete for trophies. Players shouldn’t be thinking that next season will be better because that is throwing away opportunities this season.
The potential is there. The quality is there, but the mindset of the players needs to change. They need to have the belief that they can beat any opponent. That is an adjustment that needs to happen for Chelsea to start consistently challenging for trophies because I believe that this team and this group of players has the quality to do it.
I think there are more positives than there are negatives with this group of players and what the future looks like for Chelsea. Would the shared of experience of lifting the FA Cup give these players the collective belief that they can become a top side over the next few seasons?
The only way forward is through unity. Collectively, as a group, we need to consistently function like a team. That is the only difference between Chelsea and the other clubs in the Premier League.
Some young players only think about their own performances, individualskills and numbers. That is dangerous for a football club because as players, you are always representing more than yourself.
When these players realise that the answers lie in the collective, when they put the team first over their own ambitions, that is when things start to happen for you.
You mentioned Chelsea are missing a few experienced pros that would help these young players flourish. Should that be the club’s recruitment focus this summer?
I think a player like Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos is the type of target that Chelsea should be looking to bring in this summer. He is an experienced player with a lot of pedigree.
Chelsea need one or two players like Kroos. Players who have such a high football IQ that they can analyse every scenario on the pitch, take the right decisions and lead the team. This is the type of profile I would be looking to bring into the club over the summer. We need experienced, ambitious players who want to be part of a very exciting Chelsea project next year.
There are a few experienced players who will be available this summer. It isn’t necessarily about specific individuals, although Kroos would be an excellent signing, it’s about finding the right profiles who raise standards on and off the pitch. It’s a little bit like when the club signed Thiago Silva from PSG – we need one or two signings like that. He brought with him the mentality of a winner. He brought leadership to the dressing room, and he helped some of Chelsea’s younger players blossom. Those qualities are really important, because when there is a lot of pressure, especially in the media, guys like Thiago Silva are a shield for the younger players.
For Chelsea to reach a level of consistency where they can compete for the Premier League title, it is absolutely necessary for the club to bring in some experience.
Chelsea should target Kroos
It must be strange for you Florent, given the players that you played alongside and the success you had, to look at this Chelsea team and see so few leaders.
It’s a different era and a different strategy under the new ownership. They have invested a lot in a youth strategy, and I think theyhave to see it through. The club has chosen this path and they have to keep going, with a few adjustments.
I think it would be unfair to say that this Chelsea team doesn’t have any characters in it. There aren’t any John Terry’s, Frank Lampard or Drogba’s in there because those guys all had big game experience and that is experience that you can’t buy – you have to live those moments collectively.
Setbacks help you build character. When we lost the League Cup final this season, I said that maybe that was a necessary step to reveal the next generation of Chelsea leaders.
For me, this is the challenge that the players are facing now. They need to stick together, and, with the manager, they also need to take accountability for the results. Players need to show their character for the remainder of the season. We’ve seen a couple of situations where some players have been arguing about who is going to take a penalty, that is not where you reveal your character, that is where you reveal your ego! For me, that is a totally different thing and doesn’t show a collective spirit.
One major positive this season has been the signing of Cole Palmer. Chelsea have always had skilful attacking midfielders, Zola, yourself, Hazard – does Palmer remind you of any of Chelsea’s legendary players from the past? How impressed have you been with what he has achieved in his season at the club?
I’ve been very impressed with Cole Palmer this season. He is definitely one of the best signings that Chelsea have made in a long time. He is a very talented, skilful player, but what also impresses me about him is his football IQ and his maturity. He is a very mature player. You can even see that in his celebration: he is cold.
In the situations he finds himself in, you have to remain ice cold to take advantage and to make the right decision. You’re making complex decisions in fractions of seconds, so you need to have that ability to assess and analyse everything that is happening around you. He does that.
He has a contagious ability; he makes other players better. I’ve seen his connection with other players and also how he reacts when things don’t go his way – he never loses his focus. He always make the right decision, which is very impressive for a young player in his first full season.
I think that what Palmer has shown this season is the same ability that Mbappe showed when he first burst onto the scene at Monaco. Cole is a little bit older than Kylian was when he broke through, but in terms of his decision making, his calmness and his ability, he reminds me of Mbappe. That tells you everything about his potential and how far he could go.
Chelsea should be planning to build around Palmer for years to come. We haven’t had a player at Chelsea that the team should be built around in a long time. Every week, Palmer is so reliable. You know exactly what he will give you. I think that is the way forward and that Cole Palmer is the future of Chelsea. I’m also looking forward to seeing him perform in the national team because you can see he has this confidence in his own ability, he is ambitious, and he has his own style. He is a unique player. You can’t compare him to anyone else.
Pep Guardiola has sold some big players over the year and he never seems to have any regrets – do you think he will about Cole Palmer?
I don’t think that Pep Guardiola will have any regrets about letting Palmer leave the club. As a manager, he has to have a balanced squad and team, and Palmer moving on has given a player like Oscar Bobb an opportunity this season.
Would we have seen Cole Palmer putting in these types of performances for Manchester City if he had stayed? I don’t think so. These performances are a result of his increased game time and that wouldn’t have been guaranteed at City because they have so many attacking options.
I think a better comparison is when Arteta decided to leave Manchester City as Pep’s assistant manager and become the Arsenal manager. Pep had to let him go for him to reach the level he is operating at now. In football, you have to take these opportunities otherwise you can remain in the shadows.
Do you think we’ve seen an improvement from Mudryk this season. Does he have the potential to become a big player for Chelsea in the future?
Mudrykdefinitely has the potential to become a big player for Chelsea in the future. Every time he plays for Ukraine, he is the main man, the main character. At Chelsea, I think he is struggling with the fact that he is not the main man, but he has the right attitude, and he has shown resilience this season because he is definitely improving.
He has the talent, the skill and the ability to become a major player for Chelsea. To find the right balance in the team, sometimes as a player, you have to sacrifice your own talents and supports others more.
I think he could have a much bigger impact in the team if he was a little bit more relaxed. When you watch him play, you can’t help but feel that this a player that is under pressure to deliver, so I think he needs to find a way to manage this phycological pressure and that will help him to play at the same level he plays for Ukraine for Chelsea.
Conor Gallagher has made more appearances for Chelsea this season than any other player, yet there are question marks about his future. Do you think Chelsea should extend his contract in the summer or sell him?
If Conor’s contract expires next season, then you have to think about what kind of fee you could get for him if you wanted to sell him. I don’t think the fee would be massive.
Only Conor Gallagher knows what he will decide to do this summer. It is a similar situation to the one the club found themselves in with Mason Mount last season. If you want to stay at Chelsea, then you have to commit yourself early to be part of the plan for next season, regardless of whether Chelsea bring in a new manager or not.
For a club like Chelsea, it’s part of the DNA of the club to develop home-grown players that become part of the first team. The most important part of any transfer is timing and the timing of when a player decides he wants to sign a new contract or if he wants to go. When there isn’t that clarity around a players future, it brings instability. It affects the games that Chelsea have to play this season for example.
I think that he has been performing well for Chelsea. He has improved and he brings a lot of energy to the midfield, but when it comes down to contracts, it’s always a mutual deal with the club. If Conor Gallagher isn’t happy with the conditions on the table, then it’s no secret, he will be sold in the summer. The fact that he hasn’t signed a new deal yet tells me that he will probably leave the club in the summer.
On Chelsea Interest
A lot of people questioned Arsenal’s decision to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea in the summer. He’s now scored more goals this season than in any of his three seasons at Chelsea and is in great form – has he silenced the critics this season in your opinion?
I’m pleased to see Kai Havertz’ evolution as a player at Arsenal. He is playing well and enjoying his football. After what he did at Chelsea, scoring the winning goal in a Champions League final, he will always be thought of as a legend. That goal proved his value, so you can say that Kai Havertz was a good signing for Chelsea because he won them the Champions League. These days, it’s easy to put inflated values on players before they have even delivered.
Mikel Arteta has shown that he believes in Havertz’ abilities, and when a player has that faith, their performances often improve. I’m not surprised to see Havertz has improved this season.
The manager has put a lot of faith in him. He is still a young player, and he is still improving. There is definitely a connection between him and Arteta and that has brought another level to Havertz’ game. You can see that through the amount of trust that Arteta has given him, and he has been repaid by Havertz’ performances.
The more he develops his relationship with Arteta and Arsenal’s other players, the more he will justify the price tag.
I think he needs to win some trophies with Arsenal for the question marks over his ability to stop. He won trophies with Chelsea and now he has to win trophies with Arsenal.
Similarly, we know that Jurgen Klopp will be departing Liverpool in the summer. Are there any candidates that you think they should be thinking about to replace the German?
I had one perfect candidate in Xabi Alonso, but he has just extended his contract with Bayer Leverkusen, so heisn’t available. That doesn’t guarantee that he will stay with Leverkusen of course, but I don’t think we will see him moving to Liverpool this summer.
With every thing that Jurgen Klopp has achieved and the wa ythat he is leaving the club for the new manager, I think the job is perfectly suited to a younger guy, but there are not that many young managers out there who you could say with total confidence would be a success.
It’s a tricky challenge for Liverpool. I don’t have a perfect candidate in mind. I wonder if it’s better for Liverpool to appoint a manager that has Premier League experience or to go in a totally different direction and bring in someone from outside. There will be a lot of speculation between now and the end of the season.
Who will replace Klopp
Talking Points
One of the big decisions for Manchester United’s new regime will be to stick and twist on Erik ten Hag in the summer. Do you expect the Dutchman to be in charge at Old Trafford next season?
Is there anyone that you would like to see given an opportunity at Old Trafford?
Similarly, we know that Jurgen Klopp will be departing Liverpool in the summer. Are there any candidates that you think they should be thinking about to replace the German?
On England’s Attacking Options For The Euros
I think the England team picks itself at the momentuntil you look at the left wing. Of course, you could play Foden there, but I think he is better in other positions. England have so many talented players that could play there – who would you pick?
When it comes to big tournaments like the EURO’s, you have to look at finding a balanced squad. England have so many attacking options, so some great players are going to have to miss out.
Cole Palmer has to be in the England squad for the tournament. I’ve watched him a lot this season and I have seen a player that is full of confidence, who wants to take responsibility on the pitch and who improves his teammates. He can play on both the left and right – at Chelsea, we’ve seen him move around the pitch with a lot of freedom to combine with his teammates.
Marcus Rashford’s position in the squad is in danger. I think Gareth Southgate will have to make a big decision about it. I don’t think it’s a question of quality with Rashford, we can see his talent, but he hasn’t been consistent this season for Manchester United and you need players going into tournaments in top form because they have to produce every three days. Off the ball, Rashford doesn’t work hard enough. We’ve all seen the clips of him not tracking back and covering his man for Manchester United this season.
I really like Jack Grealish. I think he could be a great option on the left for England. We know what he can do going forward, but he also works incredibly hard off the ball and has the hunger to do the defensive work. When you look at guys like Foden and Saka, who will both be included, then Jack offers something a little different and he would give England better balance.
Putting you on the spot then, it’s the first game of the European Championship and England are playing Serbia. Who are you picking on the left?
I would start with Grealish. I like his ability and aggression on and off the ball. On the other side, I would actually start Cole Palmer. I think he offers Gareth Southgate something that none of the England attackers can give him. He is so creative, and I think the prospect of him feeding Harry Kane would be a very worrying for the other teams in the tournament. Cole’s ability to combine with other players is what sets him apart from the other England attackers in my opinion.
