The team that has the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham among its ranks has had a disappointing performance in the group stage, winning only one game and drawing the other two.
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia spoke about the team's problems and stated that most of the problems start with England coach Gareth Southgate himself.
"I think Gareth Southgate has been one of the biggest problems for the England team. You have one of the best players in the world today playing for the England team, not just one, but you have some of the best players in England. his position in the world playing for the English team.
"For the last five years, he has not been able to get the right combination, the right formation for the team, which is very unfortunate. With that quality, attacking speed that he has, with the type of front line that he has now, you still want get into a defensive mentality?" Bhaichung told IANS.
The team that reached the final of the 2020 European Championship was labeled as one of the favorites heading into this edition of the tournament, but barely managed to reach the top of Group C, which consisted of teams such as Slovenia, Serbia and Denmark , which also resulted in them. registering the lowest number of goals (7) in a group in the history of the Euro Cup.
"I think it's a very wrong approach to the game. And when you can't use some of the best players and you can't get the formation right, that's definitely not the players' fault, but it comes down to the coach as well. Gareth Southgate,” added the former Indian striker.
Given their poor start to the tournament, England will have a positive attitude for the next knockout stages. They face Slovakia on Sunday and hope to gain some much-needed momentum.
Although they can potentially face Italy and the Netherlands in the latter stages, they will thank the Stars for placing themselves on a comparatively easier side of the draw with teams such as Germany, Spain, Portugal and France all placed on the opposite side.
"When you have quality, why don't you play wonderful quality football and win tournaments instead of having that quality playing defensively, with a negative mentality and winning it? So, that's what I don't agree with Gareth Southgate ", concluded the former Indian captain.
Watch the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 on Sony Sports Network starting Saturday at 8:30 p.m. m. IST.
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia spoke about the team's problems and stated that most of the problems start with England coach Gareth Southgate himself.
"I think Gareth Southgate has been one of the biggest problems for the England team. You have one of the best players in the world today playing for the England team, not just one, but you have some of the best players in England. his position in the world playing for the English team.
"For the last five years, he has not been able to get the right combination, the right formation for the team, which is very unfortunate. With that quality, attacking speed that he has, with the type of front line that he has now, you still want get into a defensive mentality?" Bhaichung told IANS.
The team that reached the final of the 2020 European Championship was labeled as one of the favorites heading into this edition of the tournament, but barely managed to reach the top of Group C, which consisted of teams such as Slovenia, Serbia and Denmark , which also resulted in them. registering the lowest number of goals (7) in a group in the history of the Euro Cup.
"I think it's a very wrong approach to the game. And when you can't use some of the best players and you can't get the formation right, that's definitely not the players' fault, but it comes down to the coach as well. Gareth Southgate,” added the former Indian striker.
Given their poor start to the tournament, England will have a positive attitude for the next knockout stages. They face Slovakia on Sunday and hope to gain some much-needed momentum.
Although they can potentially face Italy and the Netherlands in the latter stages, they will thank the Stars for placing themselves on a comparatively easier side of the draw with teams such as Germany, Spain, Portugal and France all placed on the opposite side.
"When you have quality, why don't you play wonderful quality football and win tournaments instead of having that quality playing defensively, with a negative mentality and winning it? So, that's what I don't agree with Gareth Southgate ", concluded the former Indian captain.
Watch the UEFA Euro 2024 Round of 16 on Sony Sports Network starting Saturday at 8:30 p.m. m. IST.
