Gareth Southgate says England squad have 'limitations' after lacklustre start to Euro 2024

22 June 2024, 15:23

England manager Gareth Southgate has suggested his team are not fit enough
England manager Gareth Southgate has suggested his team are not fit enough. Picture: Alamy

By Will Conroy

England manager Gareth Southgate has suggested his team are not fit enough after the disappointing start to their Euro 2024 campaign.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Despite picking up four points from their opening two matches, the flat and defensive performances have attracted criticism from both fans and pundits.

England opened their account with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Serbia before being held to a 1-1 draw against Denmark in Frankfurt on Sunday.

The Three Lions were criticised in both clashes for dropping deep after taking the lead and the England boss has since said that his side have “limitations”and are struggling to play a pressing game because of their physical condition.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday evening's final group game against Slovenia in Cologne, Southgate said: "We are not pressing well enough, with enough intensity.

"We have limitations in how we can do that with the physical condition. We can't press as high up the pitch as we might have done in the qualifiers, for example.

Gareth Southgate received significant criticism after England drew 1-1 against Denmark
Gareth Southgate received significant criticism after England drew 1-1 against Denmark. Picture: Alamy

"And we are not keeping the ball well enough. We have to keep the ball better and build with more control."

England’s injury list has posed problems for the manager, particularly in defence, putting a greater strain on those available to him.

Manchester United’s Harry Maguire - a key figure in the Southgate era - has missed out completely through injury while his club teammate Luke Shaw has yet to feature as he recovers from a hamstring issue.

Question marks over fitness also ruled out Chelsea fullbacks Ben Chilwell and Reece James while key forwards Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane had injury concerns coming into the tournament.

Despite opening the scoring against Denmark, there have been questions raised over whether the England skipper is fully fit with much of the criticism around England’s lack of pressing directed towards him and his mobility.

There were injury concerns over Harry Kane after picking up a back injury with Bayern Munich
There were injury concerns over Harry Kane after picking up a back injury with Bayern Munich. Picture: Alamy

With the Three Lions widely tipped as favourites coming into the European Championship, Southgate has also suggested that the players "care too much" about winning a major international trophy.

The men’s senior side has failed to do so since winning the World Cup in 1966.

Southgate said: "I am seeing every day that they are loving working together. I don't think it is a lack of spark.

"At the moment, they ironically care too much and they need firm leadership at this time, in my opinion.

Read more: Football regulator to 'put fan voices front and centre', but Premier League warns against 'weakening competition'

Read more: No surgery required for Mbappe after horror broken nose as Euro 2024 future in question for star striker

"We have to guide through the difficult period that is coming but really stay on track and focus on this challenge ahead."

He added: "We are trying to do something that has never been done before. So that is going to be a bit of a rollercoaster.

"It's not going to go smoothly when you are trying to achieve extraordinary things. They are bloody difficult.

"So, we have to accept the level of expectations, we have to accept the arena we are in. And we have to find a better way of playing the way we have so far."

Declan Rice produced an uncharacteristically hesitant display on Thursday
Declan Rice produced an uncharacteristically hesitant display on Thursday. Picture: Alamy

Declan Rice, who produced an uncharacteristically hesitant display on Thursday, has echoed this saying the players are “so desperate” to succeed.

The Arsenal midfielder said: "I think we are all so desperate to do the country proud.

"We are all so desperate to win, to be leaders, to go out there and give people memories for lifetimes and sometimes I maybe feel like we put too much pressure on ourselves where we could just go out there and let it just take care of ourselves."

He added: "Of course there is expectation because they are the best players in the world. And that goes for everyone throughout the team. There's going to be that pressure.

"This is England, a major tournament. But look this is our job and this is what we have to deal with. At the end of the day it's us, we've played in high-pressure games, high-pressure environments."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos