Shocking England stats reveal where Gareth Southgate is getting it wrong as key man ‘plays like a centre-back’
ENGLAND were held to a drab 1-1 draw by Denmark following another disappointing display in Germany.
It was a repeat of the same old story – score, sit back and hope for the best.
Although this time it didn’t work.
Captain Harry Kane broke the deadlock with his first Euro 2024 goal in the 18th minute following a Kyle Walker cross.
But Morten Hjulmand equalised just before half-time with a fantastic strike.
England failed to up the tempo, while Denmark gave Jordan Pickford and Co some frights.
Gareth Southgate‘s side appeared to drop very deep after breaking the deadlock, almost forcing central midfielder Declan Rice into the back four alongside John Stones and Marc Guehi.
The Arsenal star’s average position was almost identical to that of Guehi’s, distinguishing the lack of space between lines across the 90 minutes.
Rice also spent most of the match in the defensive third along with the two centre-backs.
Plenty of fans on social media noticed the change of position, with one person writing: “Every England player has been horrid, but I am completely baffled by Declan Rice. For a guy who’s a midfielder, his positioning has been really bad, sitting so deep that he might as well be a CB.”
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ENGLAND vs DENMARK RATINGS
ENGLAND stumbled to a drab 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions team.
Jordan Pickford: 6
Looked a little jittery early doors, though there was nothing he could do about Morten Hjulmand’s corker and he made a decent parry after the break.
Kyle Walker: 7
Made England’s opener by racing round a sleeping Victor Kristiansen – he’ll be having nightmares of that forevermore – and teeing up Kane via a deflected cross.
John Stones: 6
OK but you have got to wonder how fit he feels having barely played for Man City in the second half of the season, plus his injury and illness issues over the last month.
Marc Guehi: 8 and my star man
Really encouraging again from the Crystal Palace centre-back, looking sharp with his interceptions and assured in distribution.
Kieran Trippier: 6
Like Stones, he was fine, but England really need Luke Shaw back ASAP because having no natural left-footer at left-back is a problem.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5
This experiment of playing Trent in midfield is far from convincing, especially when his passing was off it like it was here, barring one good ball to Saka. Subbed on 54 minutes.
Declan Rice: 5
Had to cover so much ground as England dropped worryingly deep in the first half and also lost it a few times in front of his back four.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Not quite as electric as his first half against Serbia, but another solid showing from our right winger who has been our most consistent attacker across the two games.
Jude Bellingham: 6
Nowhere near the majestic display he put in against Serbia and one of many who looked tired.
Phil Foden: 7
Was far more involved than against Serbia – although that was not hard – and had a few dangerous efforts from range, including one that smacked the post after the break.
Harry Kane: 6
Netted his 64th goal for his country with an opener he could not really miss, but then gave the ball away from Denmark’s leveller. Surprisingly subbed.
SUBS:
Conor Gallagher (on for Trent, 54): 7
Vital clearance on the stretch when Christian Eriksen was lurking and was not afraid to put his foot in.
Ollie Watkins (on for Kane, 70): 6
Played in by Bellingham’s lovely ball after coming on but could not finish from an acute angle.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Foden, 69): 6
Copped a nasty tackle which saw Joakim Maehle booked.
Eberechi Eze (on for Saka, 69): 6
On for his tournament bow though he was rarely involved.
While another commented: “Declan Rice should convert to his default position which is CB.”
Even Kane was susceptible to dropping deep – despite being England’s sole No9.
The striker was in line with England’s penalty area when he gave the ball away in the build-up to Denmark’s equaliser.
Discussing Kane’s positioning and style of play after the match, Three Lions legend Alan Shearer told BBC Sport: “When I got into my thirties and I lost a yard of pace, I needed legs around me.
“I needed pace around me. I could still hold the ball up, I could still head it, I still had a good touch, I could still score goals.
“But the one thing I constantly couldn’t do was run in behind.
“So he needs players around him to do that. I would do that, that’s why I’d have [Anthony] Gordon in the team. He has the energy, he has the ability to run in behind he has the ability to get up near him.
“Whereas [Phil] Foden wants to be tight in the No10 role very much like Harry Kane does.
“He’s a brilliant goalscorer, he will always score goals. But what he does lack is that energy. Someone else can do that alongside him.”
A draw was enough to see England remain at the top of Group C.
However, the Three Lions will need a win against Slovenia on Tuesday to go through as group winners.