European Football Championship - Gold becomes metal: debates about England and the "chemist"
Flying Mugs, nitpicking Experts, barely acknowledged Top Talents: Doubts about Tournament favorite England with Captain Harry Kane are growing increasingly before the start into the knockout round. Instead of rejoicing on the day after the completely threadbare 0:0 against Slovenia about the group win and the supposed easier tournament half without Germany, France, and Spain, there is great disappointment and more and more skepticism on the island.
At the center of criticism: Trainer Gareth Southgate, whose departure as England's coach is becoming increasingly concrete with each passing day. The tabloid "The Sun" compared the 53-year-old to a "Chemist, who turns everything around." And whoever saw the three unimpressive group matches of the team with a total value of over a billion Euros, knows exactly what that means before the Round of 16 (6:00 PM on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen).
Southgate himself sees "progress"
Southgate, on the other hand, practices perseverance and puts himself before his players, who disappointed him again. "I understand the narrative about me, and it's better if I cut it off than the team," he said. "But it creates an unusual environment in which we have to work. I haven't seen any other team that qualified and received as much criticism."
However, there was no other team that disappointed as much in the group stage - measured by the high expectations. Even if the former professional sees it differently, especially after the group stage. "I'm proud of the players. We dominated the game, we'll get better. We had a multitude of chances. It was a step forward," Southgate described the 90 minutes, after which everyone was relieved when the whistle blew.
More and more boos
The offense around Kane, Champions League winner Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka, on paper, is the best and most impressive football Europe currently has to offer. But on the field, it all looks idea-less and uninspired. And the fans are turning away more clearly, as was evident in Cologne. "I think back to earlier tournaments. We often played our best football only in the knockout phase," said Kane with a decent dose of optimism. The 30-year-old striker star of FC Bayern has yet to make an impact as hoped.
Southgate applauded politely towards the curve, but beer mugs were thrown at him this time. Clear boos were also heard among the approximately 20,000 Three Lions fans. For the heavily criticized trainer, it's now about not losing the support of the pros as well.
The experts have long - and already before this EM - taken aim at the trainer. For ex-national player Gary Neville, the goalless draw against Slovenia was "hard to watch." From "waning glory" it was read, the term group winner didn't even fit the group performance.
Euphoria like the DFB team? Dominance like Spain? Complete flop. At least: England could only meet these two previously strong teams in the final on July 14 in Berlin at the earliest.
Million-dollar talents barely used
At Southgate's disposal, he had all possibilities to turn to the offensive personnel. Cole Palmer (FC Chelsea) and Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) are highly talented players with a market value of 50 million Euros and upward. At Southgate's team, they come - if at all - only for most short substitute appearances. Gordon was allowed on the field in the 89th minute on Tuesday.
"We are satisfied with the substitutions. The way they played together, there were a few nice passes. They are getting their playing time", described the trainer. A photo from the game against Denmark remains, which shows Palmer and Mainoo (Manchester United) looking intently from the bench.
Despite the confusing performance, neither of the young professionals got a chance. It can be doubted whether Southgate will make a change or even take a risk for the Round of 16. From Sunday, every game could be Southgate's last on the Three Lions' sideline.
- In Group C of the European Football Championship, England, with Captain Harry Kane, are facing growing doubts before the knockout round, despite winning their group.
- The tabloid "The Sun" criticized England's coach, Gareth Southgate, comparing him to a "Chemist, who turns everything around."
- Southgate, despite the criticism, remains optimistic, citing progress in England's performances.
- Harry Kane, the FC Bayern Munich striker, is yet to make the impact hoped for, and the offense around him has been criticized for lackluster performances.
- Despite having highly-rated players like Cole Palmer (FC Chelsea) and Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United) worth over 50 million Euros, Southgate has rarely utilized them off the bench.
- England's next match is against an as-yet-unknown opponent in the Round of 16, scheduled for Sunday at 6:00 PM in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia.
- If England fails to impress in the Round of 16, they could potentially face tougher opponents like Germany, France, or Spain in the final on July 14 in Berlin.
- Gareth Southgate's job as England's coach is being questioned by both the media and the fans, with some calling for him to be replaced.
- England's lackluster group stage performance, which was supposed to be their easier half without Germany, France, and Spain, has raised concerns about their prospects in the tournament.
