Walker gets brutal 3/10 rating by L’Equipe as Europe ask ‘what the hell is wrong with Southgate?’ after England borefest
KYLE WALKER was given a brutal 3/10 rating during England’s goalless bore-draw with Slovenia in Group C’s final group match at Euro 2024.
Despite topping their group, England players failed to distinguish themselves again as the European press slam Gareth Southgate.
Southgate aimed to solve his midfield conundrum by starting Conor Gallagher in place for Trent-Alexander Arnold.
But the only England ball to sneak past Jan Oblak into the back of the net was Bukayo Saka‘s strike – which was quickly ruled offside.
And Europe’s top press have lambasted and mocked England’s dire performance by revelling in their ’embarrassment’ and ‘impotence’.
Spanish newspaper Marca posed a ruthless question: ‘What the hell is wrong with Southgate?’
Walker, 34, was singled out as a ‘flop’ and was brutally rated with just a 3/10 by French outlet L’Equipe for his showing.
The Manchester City full-back rarely looked to get forward and was lucky that Jordan Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back.
L’Equipe stated that Walker ‘practically missed everything he did’ and ‘looked unrecognisable on the night’.
He also smashed a cross over the bar from a promising position to kill a promising chance stone dead at the end of the first half.
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He made one key tackle, one block and zero interceptions.
Walker also failed to link up well with Saka, who failed to stamp his authority on the right wing before being hooked off for Cole Palmer to the delight of England fans.
The outlet was also unimpressed with Jude Bellingham and gave him 3/10 as well.
The Real Madrid midfielder struggled to stand out against Slovenia and was moved out to the left during the second half.
Bellingham lost the ball 16 times, the most of any player, and offered ZERO shots, tackles and chances created from No10.
Gallagher received a 4/10 for his showing before his half-time substitution for Kobbie Mainoo who injected energy in his fifth senior appearance.
Phil Foden, Kieran Trippier and John Stones were all given a 5/10 rating.
Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Pickford faired slightly better and got 6/10.
German outlet Bild belittled England by arguing that ‘these lions are kittens’ and contended that ‘criticism will only get worse’.
And Three Lions fans even hurled cups at Southgate as the players paraded the pitch to thank spectators.
Marca also claimed that ‘you can’t play worse’ than England and believe Southgate should be SACKED mid-tournament.
