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Elliott Jackson

Jose Mourinho explains the Kalvin Phillips change England must make against Czech Republic

Jose Mourinho has urged Gareth Southgate to drop Kalvin Phillips for Jude Bellingham as England take on the Czech Republic.

The Three Lions finish their Group D line-up on Tuesday night, with both teams sat on four points after two matches.

A win for England will guarantee them top spot, having already mathematically qualified for the round of 16.

After a sub-par performance against Scotland at Wembley on Friday night, Southgate has faced pressure to name a more offensive line-up, with Phillips and Declan Rice's positions in the team under scrutiny.

Mourinho has also encouraged the England boss to include Bellingham as a more creative midfield option and believes Phillips should be the man to make way.

"If Mount is it out because of the Gilmour situation, then I believe it is easy; you just play Grealish as a No.10," Mourinho told talkSPORT.

"Give him the freedom to go the sides, especially to the left where he loves it. Give him the freedom to play close to Harry, to create, to dribble, to take people on, to win free-kicks.

"I would play Grealish in that position behind Harry, and Bellingham in midfield. You have to make difficult decisions. It's not easy for us coaches to leave out players you are very happy with. But between Rice and Phillips, the one who has to stay out is probably Phillips.

"So it would be Rice, Bellingham and Grealish. Kane in normal position and then on the two sides one of Sterling or Rashford; if not both. England need to scare a little bit.

"Not to let defensive lives to feel very comfortable because everything happens in their face and nothing is happening behind their shoulders."

"First of all, if there is one national team manager who brought to the team a very young player to the team; Gareth did it; or one of them who did it more," he added.

"You look at some national team managers and the average age is very high. England's average high is very low. Before the first game, I was saying Bellingham and Grealish.

"I agreed totally when Gareth didn't. The first game, there was lots of pressure and the way Croatia play. OK I understand, I support it. In this nature of matches, a player like Bellingham is better than to have Rice and Phillips at the same time.

"They are both playing well, but the team now needs something different. I wouldn't have any doubt about it."

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