Arsenal men important for England as Bellingham shines

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Morning all.

So England got off to a winning start at Euro 2024, thanks to a superb goal from the superb Jude Bellingham. Bukayo Saka was involved, his cross deflected into the middle for the Real Madrid man to meet with a thumping header. It wasn’t just brilliantly timed and well executed, it was brave too because the defender knew he wasn’t going to get the ball and tried to clatter the man instead.

Bellingham was outstanding in the first half, and I think Saka had a really lively opening 45 too. Especially when you consider he’s been struggling with injury having missed the final game of the season due to a groin problem. Along with Declan Rice (more on him anon) and Marc Guehi, they were the England players who played at something close to their best level, but those two in particular stood out.

It wasn’t just what they did with the ball – and we know how much quality they both have in that regard – it was the way they worked for the team, and the way they made themselves available to teammates in difficult situations. In a first half when the England captain ambled around having just one touch of the ball in 45 minutes, and the so-called Player of the Season Flat-Track Phil Foden dropped an absolute stinker, it was Saka and Bellingham who were the heart of the England side.

In the second half, Serbia got back into it and England became a bit disjointed. Trent in midfield didn’t really work, which isn’t necessarily his fault because he’s being played out of position, and I while I don’t particularly rate Conor Gallagher, he is at least more naturally accustomed to playing in that part of the pitch. Where England can be thankful is that Declan Rice demonstrated his ability to be basically everywhere he was needed last night. The amount of times he popped up to make an interception, or win a tackle, was important as England struggled to find any fluency and Serbia looked for an equaliser.

They had some half-chances rather than anything…

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Source link : https://arseblog.com/2024/06/arsenal-men-important-for-england-as-bellingham-shines/

Author : arseblog

Publish date : 2024-06-17 05:46:25

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