England drew 1-1 with Denmark in their second Group B match at the 2024 Euros, and Gary Neville made it clear in a television commentary that England manager Gareth Southgate needs to alter his tactical approach, or England’s campaign risks ending in disappointment once again.
Following a lackluster opening game against Serbia, England failed to assert dominance against Denmark on Thursday, being largely outplayed by a lower-ranked opponent for much of the match, which ended in a draw. The team repeated its previous mistakes, retreating too deep defensively, lacking tempo, and the star-studded forward line was ineffective in creating threats.
Neville emphasized on a sports show, “We’re seeing déjà vu. It’s not panic stations, and I’m sure Southgate won’t panic, but he must intervene immediately, find solutions, and make changes, or England, as one of the tournament favorites, could suffer a repeat of the 2020 final heartbreak.”
“We gave leeway after the first game, but when the same issues resurface in the second, it becomes a negative pattern that needs breaking. The team’s imbalance is obvious, with players seemingly out of position, leading us to defend too deep, almost as a self-protective measure due to discomfort on the pitch.”
“Another long-standing issue is England’s inability to orchestrate effective attacks through the midfield, resulting in chaos. We all know what will happen if this persists. Southgate must act now.”
Neville specifically criticized Declan Rice’s performance, questioning whether his role as the deepest midfielder for England is suitable, pointing out how Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta moved Rice further upfield towards the end of the club season, partnering him with Jorginho and Thomas Partey in midfield, suggesting Rice might be better suited to a more advanced role.
“Arteta’s decisions towards the end of the season highlight the issue. Rice’s performances for England have shown some nervousness, despite being an excellent player. His attributes are better suited for a more attacking role.”
“We need someone like Toni Kroos, Rodri, or Roy Keane and Paul Scholes in their Manchester United days, players who drive the team. Maybe Kobe Mino or Adam Walton could be more suitable options for England in that position. This has been a key problem for England for a long time – how to maintain smooth transitions from defense to attack under pressure.”
“When Rice receives the ball at the back, he looks ordinary compared to top holding midfielders. His strength lies in pushing forward and being involved in the game, something evident in his touch map later in the club season, with most touches concentrated in higher positions on the left side.”
“The imbalance in England’s midfield is glaring, and I believe it poses a significant challenge for the team.”