Looking at the talent in the England squad, it's difficult to understand how they have played like such a lacklustre outfit during their opening two fixtures of Euro 2024.
England have been very poor in the games against Serbia and Denmark, and while they may have come away with four points from those matches, they certainly did not look like potential tournament winners. In fact, they were largely outplayed by two supposedly inferior teams.
Much of that comes down to the manager.
Gareth Southgate has long been criticised for his conservative approach, something that has once against been the case in Germany. Despite having some wonderfully talented attacking players in his squad, he consistently fails to get the best out of them.
READ HERE: Rio Ferdinand Is Already Losing The Head After England's Poor Draw With Denmark
Gareth Southgate under fire for bizarre Kalvin Phillips comments
Gareth Southgate has been criticised in the past for picking players for England despite their lack of form at club level. The likes of Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson, and Kalvin Phillips were consistently selected at international level despite struggling for their clubs.
While that trio were not selected for Euro 2024 (due to injury in Maguire's case), we were given a glimpse into the English boss' mindset after the draw with Denmark.
Speaking during a post-match interview, Southgate suggested that some of England's struggles came down to not finding a replacement for Kalvin Phillips in the team.
😂😂😂 https://t.co/riOBtkjdnJ pic.twitter.com/VJA2i19BEq
— . (@v3leedsinfidel) June 20, 2024
It is an experiment. We know that we don't have a natural replacement for a Kalvin Phillips, but we're trying some different things.
We know at the moment we're not flowing as we'd like, that's for sure.
It is worth pointing out that England's midfield trio against Denmark consisted of Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Two of those players were recently sold for over €100million, while the other is regarded as one of the most creative talents ever produced in English football.
Phillips was always a controversial inclusion in the England team, even when at his best while playing for Leeds United. Quite a few people that these comments from Southgate sum up a lot of problems with the side under the current manager.
Southgate “We don’t have another player like Kalvin Phillips”
WHARTON IS LITERALLY THERE AND WAY BETTER!!! #EURo2024 #england pic.twitter.com/NdZWDgatlr— Jordan (@JcSpitfire) June 20, 2024
He. Did. Not. Say. This.
KALVIN PHILLIPS. pic.twitter.com/Ei1jt3Jyp3— Callum (@_callumstone) June 20, 2024
Kalvin Phillips in Gareth Southgate's head pic.twitter.com/kFs6Tcm3ZY
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) June 20, 2024
Southgate’s comment about Kalvin Phillips is so very weird. Pick him then or, alternatively, perhaps don’t let it be known publicly that you think he’s done at 28 years old when the shambles we’ve just witnessed was nothing to do with him.
— Macca (@The_Paris_Angel) June 20, 2024
I cannot fucking believe Southgate has just put down our performance to our lack of Kalvin Phillips
Like holy shit that is insanity— 𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙢 (@OfficialVizeh) June 20, 2024
“We don’t have a replacement for kalvin phillips”
Im going for a walk.— Kae Kurd (@KaeKurd) June 20, 2024
Kavlin Phillips' career has fallen off a cliff since joining Manchester City in the summer of 2022, hardly playing a minute of football for 18 months before having a disastrous loan spell at West Ham in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.
At 28-years old, he should now be in the prime of his career. However, he looks to be finished at the top level.
Gareth Southgate blaming some of England's issues on his absence is an absolutely bizarre take. It's that type of attitude that could stop them going all the way at Euro 2024.
SEE ALSO: Roy Keane Says England Star Has Been 'Found Out' After Denmark Draw
