Danny Rohl bid farewell to his role as an ITV pundit as Portugal triumphed over Turkey with a 3-0 scoreline in yesterday’s clash. The Sheffield Wednesday coach, who had been in Germany for a week covering various games alongside pundits like Gary Neville, Ian Wright, and Karen Carney, has now returned to Yorkshire before England’s crucial group game against Slovenia.
Reflecting on England’s lackluster performances in the Euros, Rohl raised a pertinent concern about the team’s intensity on the field. Despite starting the campaign with a close victory against Serbia, the Three Lions’ form dipped significantly in the later stages, leading to a barely salvaged draw with Denmark. With their spot in the knockout stages not yet secure, England face the peril of an untimely exit if they stumble against Slovenia.
In his ITV appearance, Rohl emphasized the team’s vitality, hinting at a potential discrepancy between the system and the players’ execution. He pointed out a visible lack of energy and pressing from the players, highlighting an overarching issue hampering England’s game plan. Rohl remarked, “The question remains: Is it solely about the system or the players, or are there underlying factors at play? Gareth Southgate emphasized the players’ fatigue affecting their intensity and pressing in the recent matches. Changing formations alone won’t elevate the intensity levels. Observing the players’ positioning after scoring, it’s evident that they are not pushing forward enough. This could be a crucial factor in their struggles.”
Despite boasting top-tier talents like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Phil Foden, England has failed to deliver collectively this summer. The deployment of Foden in a wider role and Alexander-Arnold in central positions appears ineffective, contributing to their subpar performances. The team’s stagnation, lack of fluidity, and inaccuracies in passing have notably hindered their progress in the tournament.
The squad’s selection choices, such as calling up only one injured left-back and providing limited game time to promising talents like Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer, have exacerbated England’s predicament. The root cause of their struggles seems multifaceted, requiring prompt and astute solutions from Southgate to reverse their fortunes swiftly. England’s success in the remainder of the competition hinges on addressing these underlying issues promptly and effectively.