Despite qualifying for the round of 16, where they will face Slovakia (Sunday, 6:00 p.m.), It hasn’t been the best group stage for England. And the words of Shearer and Gary Lineker, critical of Southgate’s team for a “terrible” and “flat” game, confirm this. Although the British team has not lost a game in the group stage, the level offered is far from what was initially expected. The latest to join the avalanche of criticism of the ‘Three Lions’ has been Wayne Rooney, former Manchester United footballer, who is clear who the culprit is: Pep Guardiola.
“What we are seeing here, not only with Belgium, but with many other teams, for example England and Holland, is that everyone just wants to play“started the former United forward and now manager of Championship Plymouth Argyle. In his criticism, he also goes further and points out Guardiola. Also to his playing style. “Even with a player like Doku, who plays out wide, the crosses are no longer ending up in the box,” Rooney added. The Belgium international, whose Manchester City coach is the Spaniard, has not yet found his best form at the Euros, despite emerging as one of the leading names at the start.
Rooney, who supports the statements of Shearer and Lineker, He assures that “the game is much more positional” now, under the premise of “scoring the perfect goal”. For the Plymouth Argyle manager, the culprit is clear: “I think this is Pep’s fault. He brought that thought.” England, according to Rooney, follows this premise, hence the play of Southgate’s men has been “predictable and not very dangerous” in the group stage. However, and despite the criticism, The English team continues to be one of the favorites for the Euro Cup and, furthermore, he was not placed on the side of death.
England turns a deaf ear
While different personalities (analysts, former players, journalists…) harshly criticize the English team’s play, the players and the coaching staff are clear: Ignore negative comments and focus fully in this Sunday’s important match against Slovakia, the next obstacle for Southgate’s team in the Euro Cup. “The only thing I would tell them is to remember what it means to wear the shirt and that your words are heard,” Harry Kane responded on this topic.
“We all want to win a big tournament and I’m sure they want us to win a big tournament, and be as helpful as they can and Giving the kids confidence would be a much better way to achieve it.”, added the Bayern Munich striker, who has only one goal in his personal locker (in the 1-1 against Denmark). “Many of them were also part of that and They know how hard it is. “It’s not about digging anyone up. It’s just the reality that they know it’s tough to play in these big tournaments and to play for England,” he concluded.
The main target of criticism is Gareth Southgate, who has also spoken out about the negative comments his team is receiving despite having qualified for the round of 16 without losing (one win and two draws): “I’m oblivious to it, I don’t care at all. I don’t need to listen to outsiders, because I am my biggest critic.”
