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How England should line up vs Denmark at Euro 2024: Three Lions need to replace erratic Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield with relentless Conor Gallagher

For the more optimistic of fans, England's victory over Serbia was very encouraging, an opening win in a European Championship for only the second time in 11 attempts, plus a clean sheet. And there was a statement performance from Jude Bellingham, who looks set to be one of the stars of the tournament.

To the glass-half-empty brigade, however, there was a lot to be concerned about. Once more England could not build on the momentum of a good start and some of their very best players, particularly Phil Foden and Harry Kane, barely got involved in the play.

Their next game is against stronger and more experienced opponents in Denmark, who ran England dangerously close in the Euro 2020 semi-finals. The Danes had a disappointing 1-1 draw against Slovenia in their first game, but Christian Eriksen delivered a life-affirming performance in midfield, practically running the match three years after suffering a cardiac arrest in his side's Euros opener.

So how should Gareth Southgate set up his team in Frankfurt? GOAL picks our preferred line up as England eye another victory to fully take control of Group C and look to respond to their critics at the same time...

  • Jordan Pickford England Euro 2024Getty

    GK: Jordan Pickford

    Pickford only had to make one save against Serbia. but showed quick reactions to turn Dusan Vlahovic's long-range effort over the bar, and there is no question that he should start again. He took no chances with the ball at his feet and tried to catch Serbia out with long punts forward to Kane, albeit with limited success.

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  • Kyle Walker England 2024Getty Images

    RB: Kyle Walker

    Walker was one of England's standout performers in Gelsenkirchen, helping set up the only goal and flying forward with attacking intent. He remains firmly at the front of the queue of Southgate's right-back options.

  • John Stones EnglandGetty

    CB: John Stones

    Stones did the basics right against Serbia, getting some important blocks and tackles in. He looked a little rusty on the ball, but that is natural after a season that was frequently disrupted by injury, and the only way to get him back up to speed is with more games.

  • Marc Guehi England 2024Getty Images

    CB: Marc Guehi

    Crystal Palace defender Guehi had a superb game against Serbia, his first in a major tournament, showing remarkable poise on the ball and moving it around with simplicity. He deserves another run out and has a track record of frustrating Rasmus Hojlund, after he took on the Manchester United striker in Palace's 1-0 win at Old Trafford in September.

  • Joe Gomez EnglandGetty

    LB: Joe Gomez

    Kieran Trippier did not have the brightest game on Sunday and has struggled to get to grips with the left-back position since deputising for Luke Shaw. With the Manchester United defender still not fit enough to start against Denmark, the best option is to deploy Gomez, who has filled in there many times in the past season to cover for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.

    Having a more comfortable left-back than Trippier would also allow Phil Foden, who was stuck out on the wing too often, to drift inside and have a bigger influence on the game.

  • Declan Rice England 2024Getty Images

    CM: Declan Rice

    Arsenal midfielder Rice helped guide England through the first half with some lovely controlled passing and calm decision-making, but in the second it became clear he needed more support to help deal with Dusan Tadic. He will obviously keep his place, but will need a more combative partner than Trent Alexander-Arnold...

  • Conor Gallagher EnglandGetty

    CM: Conor Gallagher

    That partner should be Gallagher. The Chelsea man is England's hardest-working midfielder, and his lungs and legs will be vital to shut down Eriksen, who conducted Denmark's orchestra against Slovenia. Gallagher was brought on for Alexander-Arnold to help tighten England's grip on the Serbia game, and as they will likely face a sterner test from Denmark, it makes sense for him to be involved from the start.

  • Bukayo Saka England 2024Getty Images

    RW: Bukayo Saka

    Arsenal winger Saka ripped into Serbia from the off, setting up the only goal and causing havoc until substitutes Filip Mladenovic and Ivan Ilic doubled up on him after the break. He will be licking his lips at the prospect of coming up against Jannik Vestergaard on Thursday after he was given a torrid time by Raheem Sterling when England faced Denmark in the semi-finals of the last Euros.

  • Jude Bellingham England 2024Getty Images

    AM: Jude Bellingham

    Bellingham picked up where he had left off with Real Madrid with a dominant and match-winning performance in England's tournament opener, combining elements of Steven Gerrard, Alan Shearer and Paul Ince with his unique sense of swagger. He relishes the role of being the talisman and can perform it again against Denmark.

  • Phil Foden England 2024Getty Images

    LW: Phil Foden

    Manchester City midfielder Foden was one of the biggest disappointments in Gelsenkirchen, especially after his sensational season for his club. The Premier League Player of the Year seemed to go into his shell and, as has happened time and again, looked a different, and worse, player when he put on an England shirt. But he deserves another chance to put things right against the Danes.

  • Harry Kane England Euro 2024 SerbiaGetty

    CF: Harry Kane

    England captain Kane was upstaged by Bellingham and had a very shy first half, taking just two touches. Being the goal-scorer he is, he also came within a whisker of scoring with his first chance. Kane will hope to get more involved against Denmark, and England should try to get him involved more too.