Manager Gareth Southgate says England are struggling in midfield at Euro 2024 and have not found a “natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips”.
The Three Lions drew 1-1 with Denmark on Thursday, a result that leaves them top of Group C and in a strong position to qualify for the last 16.
However, just as in England’s 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday, Southgate’s side failed to maintain control of the match and did not perform at their best.
Phillips, 28, had played a key role in England’s run to the European Championship final in 2021, but was not selected for Germany following a disappointing loan spell with West Ham after he had struggled to feature at Manchester City.
Former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, had been instrumental in the 2018 World Cup, when England reached the semi-finals, but was also left out of the 26-man squad.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, an attacking right-back for his club, has partnered Arsenal’s Declan Rice in midfield in England’s two games in the tournament.
But Alexander-Arnold, 25, was substituted early in the second half, replaced by Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, with England often second best.
On Alexander-Arnold, Southgate said: “He has had some moments where he has delivered as we thought. It’s an experiment – we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips. At the moment we’re not flowing as we would like.”