Football News: Euro 2024, Champions League, FIFA World Cup, and More
In a telling assessment, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has urged England manager Gareth Southgate to find solutions to the national team’s underwhelming start to their Euro 2024 campaign. After an unconvincing win against Serbia, England laboured to a 1-1 draw against Denmark in their second Group C game on Thursday, leading Neville to warn that the team’s tournament could end badly if Southgate fails to address the issues.
Neville highlighted England’s lack of tempo, their tendency to drop deep, and their inability to create significant opportunities despite boasting arguably the best frontline at the tournament. The former Manchester United defender warned that this familiar pattern needs disrupting, as it has led to England’s downfall in past tournaments.
“It does feel like we’ve been here before,” Neville told ITV Sport. “It’s not a time for panic. I don’t think Gareth Southgate does panic, but it is time for him to interfere and find solutions and change something.”
The Sky Sports pundit questioned whether Southgate’s abundance of attacking talent had, paradoxically, limited him and forced him to shoehorn players into positions that disrupted the team’s balance. Neville urged the England manager to closely examine the team’s setup and make the necessary changes to propel the team forward in the tournament.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s struggles in midfield also drew criticism, with Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane labelling Southgate’s decision to field the Liverpool defender in that position a “huge gamble.” Keane argued that Alexander-Arnold is not up to the task physically and tactically, suggesting that Southgate should reconsider his team selection.
Furthermore, Neville singled out the poor performance of Declan Rice, questioning whether the Arsenal midfielder is suited to the deepest role in England’s midfield. Neville suggested that Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton might be better solutions to operate in the holding role for the Three Lions.
As England prepares for their crucial upcoming matches in the Euro 2024 tournament, the pressure is on Southgate to find the right solutions to unlock his team’s potential and avoid another disappointing tournament exit. With the nation’s hopes resting on the shoulders of the England squad, the manager must act quickly to address the issues and lead the team to glory.
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