Cesc Fabregas shuts down England position debate as World Cup winner ‘shows why he got over 100 caps’
CESC FABREGAS has shut down the debate over the England stars playing in the “wrong position”.
The Three Lions’ set-up has been a hot topic of debate after their tepid 1-1 draw against Denmark last week.
Gareth Southgate opted for an unchanged lineup against Denmark that saw star players Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold feature once again out of their normal positions.
Alexander-Arnold, who normally plays as a defender for Liverpool, played alongside Declan Rice as a midfielder while Foden, who shines as a No 10 for Man City, has been starting on the left.
And this has led to fans speculating whether Southgate is utilising his players to the max.
But former midfielder Fabregas blasted the idea that players’ positions are so important – because he won the 2012 Euros as a striker for Spain.
He said on Rio Ferdinands FIVE podcast: “Yeah that’s a super interesting debate because as you know we won the Euros in 2012.
“I was playing as a striker, Iniesta playing as a left winger and David Silva playing as a right winger.
“All three in the wrong position, we were all in the let’s say ‘the wrong positions’.
“For me, it’s not about so much the system or the position where this player is. You need to have the game intelligence and the personality to have an impact.”
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Fabregas earned 110 caps and was a key figure in Spain’s European Championship victories in 2008 and 2012 and their 2010 World Cup triumph.
However other pundits disagree with the former Arsenal and Chelsea star.
Wayne Rooney reaveled “that playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield would be a mistake”.
While Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand all let rip on Southgate and his squad.
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Southgate's 12 blunders according to Rooney
Here are the 12 blunders Wayne Rooney believes have been made by Gareth Southgate:
- Playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield
- Selecting Phil Foden on the left
- Not starting Anthony Gordon
- Lack of energy and tempo
- Not pressing
- Not selecting Jordan Henderson, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford
- No co-ordination going forward
- Lack of vocal presence on the pitch
- Poor substitutions – Eze and Bowen over Gordon and Palmer
- Being too stubborn
- Players coming inside too early
- Overthinking due to number of options
Pundits and legends lay into England
ENGLAND's lifeless display in the 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends queuing up to take a dig at Gareth Southgate's team.
Here’s the best of what was said…
ALAN SHEARER
“Awful performance, particularly after going up in the game.
“I don’t think one England player can look at themselves and say, ‘I’ve done my job tonight’.
“England were all over the place, far too sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too much and got caught too many times.
“There was no energy, no pace, no guile — Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.
“It’s concerning and Gareth will get some serious questions.
“You saw England players lying on their backs — they look absolutely shattered but there’s no excuse for that.”
GARY LINEKER
The BBC host called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.
On Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I’d put in that kind of performance.”
RIO FERDINAND
“The players don’t look the same as they do for their clubs. It is a big concern.”
ROY KEANE
“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing it.
“There’s something amiss with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.
“This is a big test for Gareth. It looks like he’s overthinking things.”
JAMIE CARRAGHER
“My big worry watching this and for the rest of the tournament?
“England look absolutely knackered. They can’t get close to the ball.
“The surest sign of fatigue is dropping deep.
“Declan Rice is having to cover so much ground. No-one can convince me this is a strategy.”
JACK WILSHERE
“It’s strange that we have taken the lead in both games so far, yet instead of it settling us down and giving us the confidence to play, we have failed to take control.
“But what was most worrying was that Denmark had a clear way of playing — while we didn’t.”