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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Mark Taylor

Gareth Southgate blasted for "confusing" England Euro 2020 squad

England manager Gareth Southgate has been criticised by Shaun Wright-Phillips for his "confusing" squad selection for Euro 2020.

The Three Lions get their campaign underway on Sunday against Croatia at Wembley as one of the favourites to go all the way.

But in the build-up to the tournament, much of the talk has been around Southgate's initial decision to name four right-backs in his 26-man squad.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has been forced to withdraw through injury, with Brighton centre-back Ben White replacing him.

However, having seen the initial squad, former Chelsea and England winger Wright-Phillips admitted that he thought the squad could have done with more legs in midfield.

Gareth Southgate has been criticised for his squad selection for Euro 2020 (The FA via Getty Images)

“When I saw the squad with four right-backs it was quite confusing to be honest," he told SBK Sportsbook.

"I can understand why he’s doing it but at the same time I feel people like [James] Ward-Prowse and Jesse deserved a place to balance out the squad.

"I’m obviously not the person to make that decision but that was the only surprise to me.

Can England win Euro 2020 this summer? Comment below

"I think what’s amazing about this team, especially across the front five or six, they can all have an impact off the bench, so I feel like there will be a bit of rotation.

"I think Southgate’s got a nice problem on his hands."

Wright-Phillips also gave his verdict on the battle for the left-back spot, with Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell battling it out on that side.

The former speed demon admitted that he would rather come up against Shaw on the pitch because of Chilwell's risk-free style of defending, meaning the Chelsea ace gets the nod.

“I think the way Chilly [Chilwell] defends, he stands up, very rarely takes chances," he added.

"He would be a harder match.

Wright-Phillips wants to see Ben Chilwell start at left-back over Luke Shaw (Getty)

"Luke Shaw I would prefer to play against. I think he does fall asleep sometimes and lose his position and when he does venture forward he doesn’t have the same qualities as Chilly does.

"Chilly plays more like a defensive winger, whereas I think Shaw’s just a defender that can go forward. But I’d rather play against Luke Shaw.”

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