Graeme Souness claims ‘England have been average’ at Euro 2020 and have to ‘improve a lot’ to beat Germany in the last 16 as pundit calls on Harry Kane to turn up and be the difference for Gareth Southgate’s side
Graeme Souness has once again criticised England and insisted Gareth Southgate’s side will not progress at Euro 2020 unless they improve significantly.
England face Germany on Tuesday evening at Wembley in the last 16, looking to move on in a half of the draw that looks incredibly open.
Souness laid into England after their goalless draw with Scotland in the group stage, claiming ‘football ain’t coming home’ after a timid performance.
Graeme Souness has labelled England as average and criticised their performances so far
He insists Gareth Southgate’s side will have to improve hugely to beat Germany on Tuesday
And the ITV pundit has doubled down ahead of the Germany clash, calling on England to produce a more attractive style of football.
‘They have to improve on the way they’ve played, they have to improve a lot in my opinion,’ Souness said.
‘They wouldn’t be the first team that started slow in a competition and grew in to it. But right now, for me, England have been average. They’ve got by. I’m expecting better things from them.
‘When you look at the group of players, to a man every England supporter would think they should be playing better football, more attractive football, dominating the ball more, creating more chances, and be on the front foot more.’
Souness laid into England after their draw with Scotland saying ‘football ain’t coming home’
Tuesday’s match will be England’s fourth in a row at Wembley, and if they were to progress all the way to the final they would have to leave behind home comforts only once.
Souness believes that home advantage should be counting for more, and that a key reason for the below-par performances so far has been the form of England’s star players.
‘They’re at home playing games – how good does it get for you? They should be better than what they are showing,’ he said.
Harry Kane has had a difficult start to the tournament and is yet to get on the scoresheet
‘I’m not here to be overly critical of the English football team. I’m here as a football person, not as a Scotsman, a football person. For me, the England team I’m seeing hasn’t really started yet. When you go through the players one-by-one, they’ve got some fabulous players.
‘Harry Kane has not started yet. For them to do well in this competition, Harry has to get started scoring goals and he being the difference in games. Right now, that’s not happening. But he’s not alone. For me, they have to improve a lot.
‘Germany will turn up. Germany have a history of turning up when they go to Wembley.’