Stoke City legend Mike Pejic is optimistic about Steven Schumacher’s recent transfer moves and has shared his thoughts on the England team for Euro 2024. As a former left-back, Pejic extends a warm welcome to Stoke City’s new signing, Eric Bocat, expressing excitement about what Bocat will bring to the squad. With Bocat and Enda Stevens, Pejic is pleased to see two natural left-sided players competing for the left-back position, emphasizing the importance of balance in any football system, whether it focuses on possession or counter-attacking.
Pejic notes the struggle of the England team in finding a left-footed player for the left-back role during the Euros. He stresses the need for left-sided players to stretch teams, open up their bodies to play quicker passes, and utilize the width of the field effectively. Reflecting on the tournament, Pejic was particularly impressed with Georgia’s refreshing style of play, highlighting their spirit, teamwork, and forward-thinking approach. He admired their ability to work the ball out of tight areas with good support and execute swift counter-attacks with minimal touches, something he feels many teams have forgotten.
Georgia’s tactical setup in their final group game, a 3-5-2 formation, effectively disrupted Portugal’s attacking play and showcased enterprising football that revitalized the competition’s spirit. Pejic contrasts this with teams that overly rely on possession football, often resulting in backward or sideways passes. He advocates for understanding and applying the game’s principles, using players to their strengths, and emphasizing quick, purposeful play, crosses, and support play to break down opposition defenses.
Turning to England, Pejic is confident in the team’s potential, having topped their group with controlled performances. He emphasizes three key principles for successful football: getting behind defenses, through defenses, and over defenses. He envisions a lineup with Watkins up front, Saka and Foden on the flanks, Kane playing off the front, and Bellingham linking up with Kane. Rice would provide defensive stability in front of the center-backs, while Walker and Shaw support from the back. Pickford’s ability to play long balls to Watkins would offer an additional attacking outlet.
Pejic believes this balanced lineup can produce exciting and winning football, urging Gareth Southgate to trust these players against Slovakia in the last 16. He is confident that if England adheres to these principles, they can progress through the knockout stages and potentially win the tournament.
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