"We are in the semi-finals" - Ben Stokes feels England football team commands respect amid their run in UEFA Euro 2024
England Test captain Ben Stokes has spoken about the pressure the football team have found themselves under during of the ongoing UEFA Euro 2024. The ace all-rounder opined that the team deserves plenty of respect amid the criticism, given they are in the semi-finals and only two wins away from clinching the trophy.
England manager Gareth Southgate has copped widespread flak after his side struggled to hit their straps against Slovakia, undergoing a sluggish first half of the contest. They eventually beat Slovakia 2-1 and overcame a gritty Switzerland to set up a semi-final clash with the Netherlands.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the 33-year-old, who recently reached out to Southgate with words of encouragement, said:
"Because there is so much passion for England there is an understanding why people get upset, but you have to take a step back and look at it and say right we topped the group, now find ourselves in the semi-final. It is okay to be frustrated at how things have gone, but we are in the semi-finals. Sports stars see social media because of how powerful it is so just support them through thick and thin."
England were the runners-up in the previous edition of the Euros, losing to Italy 3-2 on penalties in the final.
"I will always defend my team when we don’t have a good week or day" - Ben Stokes
Stokes went on to claim that it doesn't make sense to criticize the team when things don't go well as it won't help them perform better. He said (as per the aforementioned source):
"Harry Kane addressed it (ex-players’ comments) well and said you’ve been in this place yourselves when it is tough. We understand fans always want us to do well. We don’t lose sight of that. I just always try and show support to whatever national team it is in the spotlight. I will always defend my team when we don’t have a good week or day. I just don’t see the value in coming out and scrutinising something because it is not going to help you perform again the next day. Just show support."
Meanwhile, the all-rounder will be in action when England face the West Indies in the first Test of the summer, beginning on July 10 at Lord's.