Cesc Fabregas reveals what it was like to play out of position for Spain amid Gareth Southgate's decision to 'AXE Trent Alexander-Arnold for Slovenia clash after midfield 'experiment' mis-fired

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Cesc Fabregas believes fears over fielding players in unnatural positions is overblown, as he reflected on his time being used in an unfamiliar role amid the furore over Gareth Southgate's England team selection. 

The Three Lions currently sit top of Group C ahead of their final game against Slovenia on Tuesday but their last encounter, a 1-1 draw with Denmark, did little the quiet the debate over the inclusion of Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield or Phil Foden on the left-flank. 

Reports on Monday indicate that Southgate has decided to address one of those talking points, with him now set to replace the Liverpool star with Chelsea's Conor Gallagher. 

But Fabregas, who was fielded in a false-nine position during Spain's victorious Euro 2012 campaign, insisted the onus is on the player to perform the role they have been picked to execute. 

'It's a super interesting debate because as you know we won the Euros in 2012 with me playing as a striker,' The 37-year-old told Rio Ferdinand and Roman Kemp on the Legends Lounge. '[Andreas] Iniesta was playing as a left winger and David Silva playing as a right winger. 

Cesc Fabregas believes that the debate over playing being used in their unnatural positions is overblown 

The 37-year-old was used in a more advanced role for Spain during their victorious Euro 2012 campaign, while team-mate David Silva (left) also played out of position in the tournament

'We were all in the, let's say wrong position. For me it's not so much about the system or the position where the players need to be. You need to have the game intelligence and the personality to have an impact.'

Southgate, and his team a whole, came in for heavy criticism following their display against Frankfurt on Thursday. 

According to The Athletic, Gallagher is set to replace Alexander-Arnold - who plays at right-back for the Reds - for the game against Slovenia.

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Southgate and assistant manager Steve Holland are believed to have worked with Alexander-Arnold over a number of months to prepare him for his unfamiliar role but his displays alongside Declan Rice divided opinion among supporters and pundits.

Southgate had openly taken aim at the lack of balance in his side after the limp stalemate with Denmark and rued the lack of a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips - a comment Gary Lineker believes was 'insulting' to his players.

Thrusting Alexander-Arnold into new territory, Southgate, who withdrew the full back after 54 minutes on Thursday, said the tactical gamble was an 'experiment'.

'I wanted to get Conor on; we needed some energy and to press better,' Southgate admitted post-match. 'He's (Alexander-Arnold) had some moments where he's delivered what we thought he would. We know it's an experiment.

'We know we don't have a natural replacement for Kalvin Philips. We're trying different things and at the moment we're not flowing as we'd like.'

But Rice, speaking ahead of the Slovenia match, insisted Alexander-Arnold had the tools needed to play in midfield and hit out at the 25-year-old's doubters.

Trent Alexander-Arnold started the first two matches but is set to be dropped against Slovenia

Alexander-Arnold (left) was replaced by Gallagher (right) in the Serbia win and Denmark draw

Fabregas, who led Italian side Como to Serie A last season, reckons that a manager should try to get his best players on pitch and sort the system from there.  

'I'm my opinion, put the best players out on the pitch.' He said. 'Of course Gareth Southgate will have different opinions on what is the best eleven, but for me, I want to see the best players on the pitch and then it's up to the manager to find and fit the patterns and positions on the pitch.'