"He's not getting the best out of the players he's got at his disposal" - Pundit on Gareth Southgate after England's draw with Denmark
Pundit Jamie O'Hara reckons England boss Gareth Southgate isn't making the most of the players in his roster. The observation came after the Three Lions stuttered to a laborious 1-1 Euro 2024 draw with Denmark on Thursday (June 20).
Captain Harry Kane broke the deadlock in Frankfurt inside 18 minutes, but Denmark restored parity through Morten Hjulmand 11 minutes before the break.
Having beaten the Danes 2-1 in their last competitive meeting in the Euro 2020 semifinals, Southgate's side couldn't repeat the trick three years later. Kane was taken off kn the 70th minute as the boss brought on fresher legs, but there were to be no more goals in the contest.
Analysing the game on talkSPORT, O'Hara said:
"He's not getting the best out of the players he's got at his disposal," hinting at the non-use of the in-form Cole Palmer and Aaron Gordon.
The Three Lions looked largely bereft of ideas in the attacking third as a stalemate ensued, meaning they squandered the chance to move into the Round of 16 with a game to spare.
The Euro 2020 finaliats take on Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday (June 25) knowing that a win will take them through as group winners, with the three other teams in the group being still winless.
"They are too passive at the moment" - Former England defender Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has lambasted the Three Lions for their lack of energy and creativity, which was amply evident in the draw with Denmark.
The miidfield combination of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice hugely underwhelmed, while Game 1 winner Jude Bellingham failed to replicate his magic against the Danes.
“England have to have more intensity in the press - they are too passive at the moment,” Ferdinand said (as per BBC).
“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.
He continued:
"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. It is baffling and concerning."
The Three Lions are looking to end a 58-year major title drought.