Jamie Carragher has hit out at England's players after their drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia and insisted they must do more.
The Three Lions topped Group C with the point but put in yet another underwhelming display in Tuesday's clash, which followed a 1-0 victory over Serbia and a 1-1 draw with Denmark.
The build-up to the Slovenia match had been dominated by the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice hitting back at critical pundits, which included Gary Lineker describing England's performance against Denmark as 's***'.
Yet, despite facing a team that are ranked 57th in the world, the Three Lions mustered just four shots in target and were booed off by supporters, with Gareth Southgate coming in for heavy criticism.
However, Carragher sympathised with the England boss and claimed it was up to the players to step up if they were going to go on and win the tournament.
'The tactical decisions taken by the manager so far can be debated,' he told The Telegraph. 'There is no question they must change in the knockout stages – but they have hardly been outrageous.
'Phil Foden has played wide for most of his career at Manchester City. He has played the same role for England for four years and never replicated his club form.
'Bellingham is playing the same position for his country in this competition as he has for Real Madrid all season, winning the Champions League. Let’s be honest. He has been anonymous in the past two games.
'Saka is outstanding for Arsenal. He has had minimal impact in the past two-and-a-half games. At what point do we take a step back and agree that the underperformance is as much about individuals as the tactics?'
The former Liverpool defender went onto further discuss the struggles of players performing for England and also called for big changes ahead of the last-16.
'With the exception of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first two games (and Kieran Trippier due to the lack of fit left-backs), none of them are being asked to do anything so different to what they do for their clubs,' he added.
'The obvious inclusions for the round of 16 are Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon. Like Mainoo, Palmer impressed as substitute against Slovenia, and the team are more balanced with Gordon’s pace.'
England are set to find out their fate for the last-16 later tonight once the group stage concludes.
They are expected to face a third place team from either Group D, E or F, with the Netherlands, Slovakia and Czechia currently occupying those spots, although that could all change depending on Wednesday evening's results.
Zabbdkpu
0
England should go for a good Spanish coach
vuaabdipu
0
This team should've started at least one game 🎯
vuaabdipu
0
With a new boss, they will recover
zetabertz
1
Arsenal 2024 25/2024/25
Blaqpablo
0
At Arsenal Saka has White overlapping,and Odergaard,inside and play as a trio. With England he has’nt got players like this.
so walker does not overlap
Blaqpablo
0
What does Carragher know he never won anything! It’s just talk talk talk, the problem is the tactics from the coach and the starting eleven that he puts on the field
he has a UCL trophy one arsenal hasn't won their whole existence
Blaqpablo
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there are no big players in this England squad just over hyped average players. you people talk a lot.
so Kane is a small player 😂😂😂 guy you people just use over hyped anyhow now adays
hababcmpy
1
there are no big players in this England squad just over hyped average players. you people talk a lot.
diadsyz
1
What does Carragher know he never won anything! It’s just talk talk talk, the problem is the tactics from the coach and the starting eleven that he puts on the field
tiddeinsz
2
At Arsenal Saka has White overlapping,and Odergaard,inside and play as a trio. With England he has’nt got players like this.
nuycdlrty
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Agreed. They(Jude, Foden and Saka) performed far better for their clubs in the same positions that they are playing for England right now. Am not judging any star, but It's baffling sometimes. Is it Southgate or the Players??
only jude is underperforming. saka looks lively if he ever gets the ball and fodens last two games were fine his first was poor
Huocklmz
2
no point jibes england players let sort it out changing new playing systems new formation
Nemceksu
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Agreed. They(Jude, Foden and Saka) performed far better for their clubs in the same positions that they are playing for England right now. Am not judging any star, but It's baffling sometimes. Is it Southgate or the Players??
Yea. There is always a problem for England when it comes to individual preferences and player to player linkup on the pitch. Anyways they have to up their game in the round of 16.
anonymouss
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playing for a club and country is two different things.. for a club, you train everyday with the team.. thats why they were good at club level..
hapcdmopty
1
Agreed. They(Jude, Foden and Saka) performed far better for their clubs in the same positions that they are playing for England right now. Am not judging any star, but It's baffling sometimes. Is it Southgate or the Players??
Please if you actually watched first half Kyle was hugging up to the ball too much, when he had to grow some BALLS and look for Saka. All England did was pass from side to side. Don’t Folden and Saka actually tried. As for Jude he looks off.
hapcdmopty
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What has happened to humanity. I understand that the lads are professionals but at the same time they are human. After a long season what do you expect when they have to now re-integrate into national team formations. Football is a competitive sport so any team that can work their way to the final and win it, we will be here to watch the team emerge.
Nemceksu
0
Agreed. They(Jude, Foden and Saka) performed far better for their clubs in the same positions that they are playing for England right now. Am not judging any star, but It's baffling sometimes. Is it Southgate or the Players??
MwenePuta
1
Say it louder! I think individualism is the greatest enemy in that England team!!!
Cizcdlruz
1
Do they even have big players
Mitchello2
2
Wrong! They haven't gone missing cause they where never big players to begin with
Luncmnorst
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I don’t know what’s wrong with England, they played so well in the last Euro. But they look like stranger now…
Premliga12
0
England doesn’t have big players except foden and kane
They are also not big, what makes them big?
Eljon2023
3
England doesn’t have big players except foden and kane
veecmpsuz
0
if this is the same old story for years with this manager, then who else should we be looking at? England always have good players but can’t play together well. that is the managers job
iamadiehardmadridfan
1
Honestly the players are showing less enthusiasm. Southgate shouldn't be blamed for it