New Delhi: Following a 1-1 stalemate against Denmark on Thursday, England have now drawn their second match for the third time at a major international tournament. The only thing common in all three results is head coach Gareth Southgate. They drew against Scotland in UEFA Euro 2020, then against the USA in FIFA World Cup 2022, and a lacklustre performance against Danes in the ongoing UEFA Euro 2024 saw them drop two crucial points.
The performances shown by the English players since the start of Southgate’s tenure have been raised some concerns. Even though the Three Lions progressed into the knock-out rounds most of the time, they have always failed to cross the finishing line. Due to that, fans have had heated debates regarding the “true English way” of approaching a match.
Southgate is famous or rather infamous for making controversial squad call-ups, line-ups, and decisions on the field. Fans and pundits have questioned his strategies to pull down attacks and sit back whenever England take the lead in a match.
Players like Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Jarred Bowen are remarkable ball carriers, and they have the ever-reliable Harry Kane upfront to do the damage. However, England have somehow never utilised their in-form players’ traits in crucial fixtures under the Englishman
Bellingham, Foden, and Saka have been tremendous for their respective clubs in the 2023/24 season but so far have failed to bring their A-game in the ongoing tournament. This issue has been prevalent with other in-form individuals in previous international tournaments.
Hence, many analysts and supporters have questioned the reason behind the low block of an England team with a lot as skilful as the current set of players.
As they did against Serbia, England got out to a determined start and took the lead, but they noticeably gave up the midfield battle and gave their opponents momentum.
Because of the absence of pressure, Morten Hjulmand was able to take his time, find his location, and fire a spectacular equaliser past Jordan Pickford and in off the post.
Where is Southgate Going Wrong?
That Phillips quote from Southgate is properly mental. Front 6 tonight had the best players from La Liga and the PL, the Bundesliga top scorer, a £100m DM and one of the best right wingers around in it. But he can’t make it work without a guy who couldn’t get in the West Ham XI.
— Jack (@JDanial16) June 20, 2024
Former Manchester United defender and well-known English pundit, Rio Ferdinand was vocal about Southgate’s choice of approach in international tournaments. He told BBC: “England have to have more intensity in the press – they are too passive at the moment”.
He further went on to talk about the issues up front and the lack of clear-cut opportunities. “They have got in some good positions high up the pitch but have lacked that intensity, and when you are passive you are played through,” said Ferdinand to BBC.
“The current balance of the team is not allowing the players to reach the levels that they have done for clubs. Phil Foden is out of position and not playing his best, maybe Jude Bellingham would be better playing at number eight. It is a big concern.
“At the moment England do not know when to squeeze the pitch, who is going when, the distances between each other. Once you have questions tactically the picture can change in a split second in front of you and you are lost.”
News9 Sports Editor, Sparsh Vyas has been vocal about Southgate sitting back once they take the lead, and how it is hurting them in the whole match.
He said: “This has been a consistent issue with Southgate’s England starting brightly to take the lead and then take the foot off the pedal.. it happened in the first game as well. Kane is at his best when he is involved in playmaking as well but that is not happening. Maybe he (Southgate) should try Kobbie Mainoo in the midfield alongside Declan Rice to bring some energy and creativity with the former acting as a defensive midfielder. Mainoo could link up with Foden, who looks lost at the moment. Link up between Mainoo and Foden could unshackle them. Arnold could be a good option for the left-back position.”
Kane had around 25 touches in 90 minutes for both the group stage matches of England. The English talisman had only one touch inside the penalty box in both matches as well. Even though Kane scored against Denmark, the Bundesliga top scorer was barely seeing the ball.
The English forwards are known for their ability to score and create. In England, the striker does not drop down to get the ball, and Southgate is completely dependent on the wingers to put the balls inside the box for Kane to manipulate.
However, Kane hurt the opposition when he got the freedom to roam in Bayern Munich. Jude Bellingham pounces upon the space created by Vinicius jr and Rodrygo at Real Madrid, and both can be used to bring out the defenders from the flanks to create space for players like Saka and Foden to manipulate.
England sit atop Group C with four points, and even though one would expect them to dominate this group, their final game against Slovenia could prove to be a tricky one. And even if Southgate’s England progress to the knockouts unscathed, the same approach against big teams won’t bring kind results for the perennial underperformers.
Euro 2024: The performances shown by the English players since the beginning of Gareth Southgate’s tenure have been raised eyebrows. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
