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England manager Gareth Southgate |
The England men's football team, under the guidance of Gareth Southgate, has once again come under scrutiny for underperforming, even with a star-studded lineup, at the Euro 2024 tournament. Despite securing a spot in the Round of 16, England's journey has been marred by criticism and questions about their tactical approach.
Persistent Trophy Drought and High Expectations
It's
been 58 years since England last won a major trophy, but the Three Lions
continue to be a focal point in every major tournament. With high hopes pinned
on the team, especially given their placement in a relatively easy group with
Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia, England was expected to dominate.
However,
their performance so far—a narrow 1-0 win against Serbia and a 1-1 draw with
Denmark—has raised concerns. Former England international Michael Owen has
voiced his frustrations, highlighting the tactical decisions that he believes
are hampering the team's progress.
Tactical Issues and Midfield Struggles
A
significant point of contention has been Southgate's decision to field Trent
Alexander-Arnold as a holding midfielder alongside Declan Rice, citing a lack
of natural replacements for Kalvin Phillips. This move has been met with
skepticism, given Alexander-Arnold's defensive vulnerabilities.
Michael
Owen, in an exclusive interview with Sportstar, stated: “Southgate has always
preferred two holding midfielders. I don’t understand why. Kalvin Phillips is
out of form, so we’re experimenting with Alexander-Arnold in a position that
doesn't suit him. I would have chosen Declan Rice alone with Phil Foden and
Jude Bellingham ahead of him.”
Lack of Penetration and Defensive Play
England's
offensive struggles are evident in their statistics: out of 1,014 completed
passes, only 54 have been in key attacking areas, with just 79 reaching the
final third and a mere 14 inside the opposition's penalty area. This lack of
penetration, coupled with a tendency to sit back after scoring, undermines the
team's attacking potential.
Owen
criticized Southgate's rigidity, suggesting that using Alexander-Arnold for his
vision would be more effective on the right flank. However, this position is
currently occupied by the in-form Bukayo Saka and the reliable Kyle Walker,
creating a selection dilemma.
Call for a More Attacking Approach
Owen
believes that Southgate’s insistence on two holding midfielders forces other
players out of their natural positions, leaving talents like Phil Foden and
Cole Palmer underutilized. “We should not be so negative. Playing more
attacking players would benefit the team,” Owen argued.
The Pressure to Win and Historical Context
Reflecting
on England’s historical performance, Owen noted that the pressure to win is
immense. England's "Golden Generation" faced similar expectations but
were often outmatched by other top teams. “We compete at the highest levels,
but the idea that England should win every tournament is unrealistic. We have a
good team, but so do other nations.”
Looking Ahead
Despite
the challenges, Owen remains hopeful but realistic about England’s chances. “If
we don’t win the Euros, it shouldn’t be seen as another failure. These
tournaments are rare, and we must keep striving for success.”
As England prepares for their final group match against Slovenia, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if Southgate adjusts his tactics to better utilize the team's attacking talent and address the midfield issues that have plagued their performance so far.
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