England’s start to the Euro 2024 campaign has been lackluster, drawing criticism for their performances and energy levels. Amid backlash, players like Harry Kane and Declan Rice have defended themselves, refuting claims of inadequate fitness levels. Rice, an Arsenal star, asserts that the team is fit enough to execute Southgate’s game plan, laughing off the notion that their passive play indicates fatigue. Southgate himself had previously hinted at energy issues, citing limitations in pressing intensity and ball control. England’s fate in the tournament hangs in the balance as they prepare to face Slovenia, with their position in the group stage impacting their path forward.
- England’s Euro 2024 journey has been lackluster so far, drawing criticism for their performances and energy levels.
- Players like Harry Kane and Declan Rice have hit back at critics, particularly those questioning their fitness.
- Rice, an Arsenal star, asserts that the team is fit enough to execute Southgate’s game plan.
England’s journey at the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany has been underwhelming so far, with narrow wins and passive play drawing criticism from pundits and fans alike. However, players like Harry Kane and Declan Rice have hit back at their critics, particularly those questioning the team’s fitness levels.
Declan Rice has defended the England team’s fitness levels amid criticism.
Rice, an Arsenal star, has been at the forefront of this backlash. When asked by ITV’s Gabriel Clarke if the team was physically fit enough to execute Gareth Southgate’s game plan, Rice emphatically replied, “Yes, of course. Of course, we are.” He further laughed off the notion that their passive play against Denmark indicated a lack of fitness, calling such claims “ridiculous.”
England has faced scrutiny for their performances at the Euro 2024 tournament.
Rice went on to explain that the team’s strategy of sitting in a low block does not equate to fatigue or a lack of fitness. He asserted that as professional football players, they are built to handle the demands of such a tournament and compete for 90 minutes. “If we weren’t fit enough, we shouldn’t be here,” he added.
However, Rice’s comments come in contrast to hints from Gareth Southgate himself about the team’s energy levels. Following the draw with Denmark, Southgate suggested that the team’s pressing intensity and ball control were impacted by physical limitations. He acknowledged that they couldn’t press as high up the pitch as they might have liked and that they needed to improve their ball retention.
Gareth Southgate hinted at energy issues following England’s draw with Denmark.
As England prepares to face Slovenia, their position in the group stage will determine their path forward in the tournament. A win against Slovenia would likely see them finish as group winners, setting up a match against one of the best third-placed finishers from other groups. However, if they finish second in their group, they will face a formidable opponent in Germany in the last-16 stage.
With the team’s fate hanging in the balance, Rice’s defense of their fitness levels highlights the players’ determination to prove their critics wrong. Despite the backlash, England remains focused on their goal of advancing in the tournament and will look to put their best foot forward in the upcoming match.