It’s been 58 years since England last lifted a major football trophy, but the ‘Three Lions’ always generate a buzz ahead of every major tournament. Despite entering Euro 2024 with high hopes, England has stumbled out of the gate, sparking debate about Gareth Southgate’s tactical choices.
After a 1-0 win against Serbia and a 1-1 draw with Denmark, England has faced criticism for not living up to expectations. A glaring concern is Southgate’s decision to deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold as a holding midfielder alongside Declan Rice. Former England star Michael Owen, in an exclusive interview, questioned this approach, highlighting that Alexander-Arnold’s defensive capabilities are questionable, and that the team has a wealth of other talented midfielders, like Kalvin Phillips, who could fill the role.
Owen also pointed out England’s lack of attacking penetration, with a high number of passes failing to penetrate the final third. He criticized the team’s tendency to sit back after scoring goals, hindering their ability to press forward. Owen argued that Southgate’s rigid approach with two holding midfielders forces talented players like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer to sit on the bench.
While acknowledging England’s strong roster, Owen tempered expectations, reminding fans that winning every tournament isn’t realistic. He pointed to the quality of other international teams, such as Brazil and Spain, and emphasized that England shouldn’t be judged solely on tournament wins.
Looking ahead, England’s next match against Slovenia on June 26th will be crucial as they seek to solidify their position in the knockout stages. Whether Southgate makes significant changes to his tactics and team selection remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – the scrutiny on England’s performance will only intensify as the tournament progresses.
