Chris Waddle identifies main England weakness ahead of Euro 2020 clash vs Ukraine

The Three Lions have scored four goals in their first four games this tournament…
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Chris Waddle has argued that England’s main weakness heading into their Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine could centre around Gareth Southgate not knowing his best attacking lineup.

The Three Lions booked their place in the last eight with a 2-0 win over Germany on Tuesday evening to make it four clean sheets in four matches so far.

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Success has been harder to come by at the other end of the pitch, however, and Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane’s goals against the Germans took England’s tally to just four in as many matches.

Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Gareth Southgate. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Gareth Southgate. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Gareth Southgate. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Southgate has rotated his frontline heavily already this tournament, and opted to play Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka alongside Sterling and Kane at Wembley on Tuesday.

Jack Grealish came on to great effect in the latter stages, however, and Phil Foden looked to be the manager’s first choice through much of the group stage.

But all of that chopping and changing could prove to be a chink in England’s armour, according to Waddle

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Speaking to Betting Expert, he said: “The problem we’ve had is going forward. The front three haven’t really set the tournament alight yet.

"Sterling’s scored three goals but in general play, he’s given the ball away a lot and at times has made some poor decisions. He’s scored three goals, which is a massive bonus.

"Harry Kane scored but he’s looked a bit leggy and not really played as well as we’ve seen him play in the past.

"Saka came in and did well but made less of an impact against Germany. Grealish came on and did well. Rashford hasn’t shown anything and Sancho hasn’t had a chance.

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"The attacking side of the game is where we’ve been a bit weak, which I’ve been surprised about.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash against Ukraine, he added: “It’s who you start. I was at the Germany game and I was saying after an hour that you could maybe take the front three off and put another three on, because I just could not see them scoring or even making anything happen.

"Saka came off first and Grealish came on. He did well and had a hand in two goals. But now do you start Grealish? When he started last time he didn’t really show a lot. It’s a hard decision to make for Gareth.

"You’d have probably thought the front three would be the easiest decision with all the talent we’ve got, the Fodens and Sanchos and Rashfords. You’re going through this list and you thought the easiest part would be getting a front four or front three. But it’s not.

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"It’s how you get the balance right. Harry Kane will play, he’s captain and the main man. It’s who you put either side of him.

"If you go back to 4-3-3, which I think they will against Ukraine, who plays in the hole? Is it Mason Mount or Jack Grealish?

"I’d probably go with Grealish on the left, Sterling on the right and Mount as a No.10.”