Declan Rice played every minute of the group stage, while Kieran Trippier almost did the same, being withdrawn only shortly before the end of the 0-0 draw with Slovenia on matchday three.
Although it might be too early to consider either player a doubt for the Slovakia clash, their current status raises some questions.
While the rest of the squad, excluding Phil Foden—who is back home for the birth of his third child—trained on the outside pitches at England’s base, Rice and Trippier stayed indoors to work on individual programs. Journalist Henry Winter described these activities as “load management.”
Since switching his international allegiance from Ireland in 2019, Rice has been a critical player for England. His partnership with Trent Alexander-Arnold during the first two group games has been one of the major talking points this summer.
However, for the draw against Slovenia, Gareth Southgate chose to replace Alexander-Arnold, who had not completed either of the previous games, with Conor Gallagher. This decision added to the ongoing discussions about England’s midfield dynamics.
Fans were particularly impressed with Kobbie Mainoo’s brief but impactful appearance against Slovenia, whereas Adam Wharton has yet to take the field during this tournament. Given England’s struggles to maintain control in their matches so far, all eyes will be on Southgate’s midfield selections for the upcoming game against Slovakia.
The potential absence of Rice would pose a significant challenge, complicating Southgate’s task of finding the right balance in midfield.
Trippier has been Southgate’s preferred choice at left-back throughout the tournament in Germany, mainly because Luke Shaw has been working to regain full fitness following a long-term injury.
Shaw has been involved in main group training sessions over the past few days, showing progress, but his match fitness remains uncertain.
His last appearance for Manchester United was on February 18, more than four months ago, which raises doubts about his readiness to start against Slovakia. The versatile defender Joe Gomez stands as another option for Southgate at left-back, providing flexibility in defensive line-ups.
The selection decisions are further complicated by the varied performances and fitness levels within the squad. Southgate’s midfield choices will be crucial in determining how England manages the game against Slovakia, especially given the mixed results and performances during the group stage.
The team’s lack of control in previous matches suggests a need for a stable and effective midfield configuration, making the fitness and availability of key players like Rice and Trippier evenmore critical.
