Gareth Southgate hints at shock position change for Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold as England 33-man squad is announced
GARETH SOUTHGATE has teased sensational position changes for England duo Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The pair have been included in the Three Lions’ provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, which has raised plenty of eyebrows.
The FA officially revealed Southgate’s squad on Tuesday afternoon.
And England fans were stunned to see how Real Madrid and Liverpool stars Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold were listed.
Bellingham, who lit La Liga on fire in his first season at the Bernabeu, was sensationally billed as a forward.
Reds defender Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, was billed as a midfielder.
And their respective listings didn’t go unnoticed by Three Lions fans, one of whom wrote on X with a shocked emoji: “Bellingham” is a forward.”
Another said: “Jude Bellingham thrown in forward category.”
And another said with eye emojis: “Trent listed as a midfielder “
One remarked: “Why is Bellingham, [Eberech] Eze, [James] Maddison etc tagged as forward?”
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Another chimed in: “I spent a good few seconds staring at the list of midfielders open-mouthed wondering how on earth Jude Bellingham had been omitted before I realised he was listed as a forward.”
Bellingham was nothing short of sensational in his debut season with Real, in which he scored 19 goals in 27 league matches to help Los Blancos win La Liga.
” credits=”” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” id=”28046557″ languageDetection=”” language_detection=”” link=”https://www.thesun.co.uk/?attachment_id=28046557″ max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” url=”https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/editorial-use-no-use-unauthorised-775888419.jpg?strip=all&w=960″ video_id=”6353367360112″ video_ids=”” width=”undefined”]And former England hitman Alan Shearer reckons the 20-year-old can fire the Three Lions to Euro glory this summer.
He told PA: “He could be the X-factor when you look at what he has achieved.
“His numbers at Real Madrid this season, his goals and assists, it is just not easy what he has done.
“When you think of going to the might of Real Madrid and playing in that stadium.
“And the pressure you are under for someone so young, you have to use that as an advantage.
“There is no doubt playing for England in a Euros will not phase him in the slightest.
“You can tell how level-headed he is. He will play a huge part in what England do.”